The Herald December 2020 online

MID-DECEMBER 2020

Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth

Farewell to ‘John’s Shop’ in Stanton Under Bardon JOHN HARRISON, the owner of Stanton Stores, has retired after over 30 years serving the residents of Stanton Under Bardon and the surrounding areas.

He made the hard decision to close the shop after we had had the first Covid Lockdown.

John, who has always given so much to the community, arrived with his wife Jacqui and two children - Robin and Aimee - in the mid-1980s.

Following John’s decision to retire, a couple of us got together to do a personalised memory book, a collection and a bespoke cake, so thank you to Avril, Jane B and Louise.

We presented these to him on 24th October, outside the shop to abide by Covid rules. We passed the word around as best we could.

At the presentation, John said: “I was astonished how many customers and friends were waiting outside the shop when my surprise retirement gifts were presented.

“We had such a time looking through the photos and comments. Looking through them recalled so many memories. Lots of laughs, and just a few tears.

“It was a pleasure meeting so many friends - I was quite overwhelmed and for once, lost for words.

“It has been an absolute privilege serving you. Thank you all.”

Anyone wanting to still donate please contact Sally on 01530 242847.

Carols for our villages!

SEASONS GREETINGS to all from the J22 benefice churches (Markfield, Thornton, Stanton– under-Bardon, Bagworth and Copt Oak www. j22churches.org.uk ).

This year we are having a special online Christmas Carol service on the 20th December at 4pm and a Christingle service on Christmas Eve at 4pm.

Join us on our J22 Benefice YouTube channel!

The services will remain on the channel so if you don’t catch the premier showing or want to watch again, you can!

Things are different this year and sadly it doesn’t look as though our carol services in their traditional form will be going ahead. However, we had an idea to brighten up our villages and bring a smile to peoples’ faces as they take their daily exercise.

The idea is simple – we would like as many people as possible to decorate a window in their house in the theme of a Christmas Carol. Then as people walk by, they can look out for the decorated windows and guess the carols, maybe singing a few verses to help them on their way.

You could have a theme for your road – for example – The Twelve Days of Christmas - and maybe even vote for your favourite.

However you decide to do it, let’s bring some extra happiness and community spirit to the village this Christmas!

Catherine Cox

Markfield’s Christmas Tree

This festive image of Markfield’s Christmas Tree on the Green was sent in by Andrew Langran

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 16TH JANUARY - ADVERTS & ARTICLES NEEDED BY 2ND JANUARY

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

ROBIN WEBBER-JONES

MICHAEL MULLANEY

07899952241 rwebberjones@hotmail.co.uk

07576289910 michaeltmullaney@yahoo.co.uk

2020 Report from your local Liberal Democrat Campaign Team To say that 2020 has been very different to most others is no understatement. The Pandemic has changed things for all of us. It has been extraordinary to see communities coming together to protect the vulnerable, ensure children are educated and to celebrate the work of key workers. We want to extend our thanks to NHS workers, delivery drivers, shop workers, teachers, the fire service, community groups and all those that have helped in this truly terrible year. As members of the Borough Council we have been humbled to be able to help by delivering hundreds of food parcels, distributing over £20 million of grants to businesses, supporting with rates relief, and with business advice for those suffering because of the impact of the Coronavirus.

Speaking up against proposed changes to planning rules

In the last year we have been delighted to support a range of new motions and initiatives. After declaring a climate emergency, the Council has been able to develop a climate strategy with a number of key initiatives across the area. We have passed a motion to call for fireworks to take place at public displays. We put forward a motion to call on the national government to increase nurses pay. We were also pleased that the campaign that we ran to save the X-Ray machine at Hinckley Hospital was successful. The Council has also engaged with Parish Councils to approve a new rural strategy which will help with future development of our area.

However, there have been other issues, caused by the Westminster Government, which, during the pandemic, have been a real concern for all.

Protecting the countryside and We are deeply worried about the Planning White Paper that the Westminster campaigning to reduce speeding Government are putting forward. We were delighted to support the motion at the Borough Council which stressed how these changes will be really detrimental to everyone and take away local decision making. During the year, as the ruling administration of the Borough Council, we were able to secure a 5 year land supply. This had been lost by the previous Conservative administration. We continue to manage the land supply situation and monitor it as anyone would expect of leaders taking these things seriously would do.

We have continued to campaign on issues such as speeding, parking, and other things on the highways. We have continued to campaign on the issues of HGVs in the area, and the impact that these are having and could have. We will continue to speak up against further development as we have so far.

We believe in local people being involved in decision making. We were therefore pleased when our campaign to prevent a Leicestershire-wide Unitary Authority helped to ensure that the proposal was dismissed by Ministers. During a time of great uncertainty, we do not believe that the democratic voices of people should be reduced.

We have continued to pick up individual bits of casework on issues such as fly-tipping, recycling, and more. We will gladly continue to help everyone locally who needs help by taking up these issues.

Speaking out against increased HGV’s on our roads to planning rules

Let’s hope that 2021 is a little easier for everyone – with more chances to meet, get together, and that there is greater security for everyone. If we can do anything to help now or in the future then please get in touch.

Published and Promoted by Robin Webber-Jones. 4 Daisy Close, Bagworth

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The Herald Message from Dr Luke Evans MP PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.

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MOST MEMBERS of Parliament can celebrate the anniversary of them first being elected in the warm, summer months of May and June. For me, and a hundred or so others, that anniversary couldn’t be more different.

This time last year I was knocking on doors all around the Bosworth constituency to ask for the first time if you would be so kind as to consider lending me your vote.

My election, just before Christmas last year, will always have a special place in my heart because not only was it the culmination of months of hard work, but it also allowed me to see Bosworth in all of its winter finery and share the warmth of its residents. Although I won’t be disappointed if the next election comes at a time when I don’t have to wear a scarf, gloves and two pairs of socks!

2020 has been a year that none of us will sadly ever forget. What had started out so hopefully, as I helped secure funding for the A5 and schools across the constituency, soon turned dreadfully wrong – a world pandemic.

Some in the constituency have lost loved ones, others their livelihoods, all of us have been frustrated by the limitations placed on our freedoms. It is a year we will all be pleased to see the end of.

But Christmas is a time of hope and a time for new beginnings, and news of the discovery of an effective vaccination against coronavirus means that this year that hope is not only spiritual – as important as that is – but is also tangible. For each and every one of us.

I very much hope that in the early months of the coming year vaccinations and testing and better medication will mean that we can return to normal, we can rebuild and we can start to live our lives freely once more.

I have recently been talking in the House of Commons about the virus opening Pandora’s Box, of course what was left at the bottom of the box was hope. So if there is one thing each of us should take away from Christmas this year it is exactly that - hope.

The people of Bosworth welcomed me as their MP a year ago. In the past twelve months I have seen time and time again their pragmatism, their kindness for others and their genuine warmth, I hope that I have displayed some of those characteristics in return. I’m certain that together we will come out of these dark times to a much brighter and optimistic 2021.

Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and sincere hopes for a better New Year.

Dr Luke Evans MP

Member of Parliament for Bosworth

House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA • w: drlukeevans.org.uk t: constituency: 01455 635741 parliament: 0207 219 4250 m: 07920 619812 twitter: @drlukeevans Instagram: drlukeevans

Markfield WI News FOR OUR NOVEMBER meeting we had a talk by Gay Evans about Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers of Staunton Harold who was the last Peer to be hanged in England.

We heard about the background of the family and about the unfolding tragedy which led to the Earl’s execution. It appears the Earl summoned a family Steward named Johnson to his office and subsequently shot him, a Dr Kirkwood was called and eventually Johnson was taken home where he died from his wounds; the Earl was charged with his murder.

As a Peer he was entitled to be tried by his fellow Peers in Parliament, he was taken to the Tower and his trial took place at Westminster Hall. The Earl defended himself at the trial and pleaded insanity (he later said this was to oblige his family) but 38 Lords unanimously found him guilty.

The number of coaches in the procession accompanying Earl Ferrers from the Tower to the scaffold was so large it took two and three quarter hours to travel the distance. The Earl travelled in his own carriage and had dressed in the fine outfit he had worn for his wedding. He was hanged at Tyburn on 5 May 1760 aged 39.

The talk was an interactive one with 5 WI ladies taking the parts of witnesses at the trial and it was both educational and enjoyable learning about some local history. We were also pleased to welcome two guests to our meeting.

On 11 November a group of WI members met at the War Memorial in Markfield to lay our wreath. There were a few other people in attendance and it was good to have two minutes silence together even if we couldn’t have the ceremony of previous years - hopefully next year.

Our next meeting on 16 December is going to be a Christmas quiz night, as for our previous quiz points will be awarded for wearing a Christmas hat!

OUR STREETS NOW

IS A MOVEMENT to end Public Sexual Harassment in the UK by making it a criminal offence and changing the culture that allows it.

Public Sexual Harassment (PSH) comprises unwelcomed and unwanted attention, sexual advances and intimidating behaviour that occurs in public spaces, both in person and online. It is usually directed towards women and often oppressed groups within society however, it can be experienced by all.

Join the movement, sign the petition at www.ourstreetsnow.org

Why does everyone want me to come out of my comfort zone? I worked really hard to get there.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

South Charnwood High School - Scuba Success!

Library Opening Hoursare touched by dementia.

So many people

FINGERS CROSSED we will be able to welcome you back on Thursday 3rd December 2020. (Depending on PLEASE COME TO OUR FRIENDLY COFFEE MORNING Government guidelines.) at MARKFIELD LIBRARY at 11am Please look at our website markfieldcommunitylibrary.co.uk and keep th on Wednesday 18notice January. a look out for our information posters in the board outside the library and inside the windows.

Meanwhile I hope you enjoy the Christmas recommendations Would you please spendbook just one hourbelow to brought to you by one of our readers, Charlotte Grandson. Everyone at understand a little more about dementia? the library hopes that you have a safe Christmas this year and Charlotte will be It sharing more help recommendations with you in the New Year. could you, family, friends, neighbours

- our whole community.

Margaret Bowler Chair – Markfield Community Library

OurHEAD free, towards valuablethe andend interesting Dementia Friends AS WE of what has been a difficult Session is just aboutforward asking everyone to yearInformation for most, I am personally looking to spending understand a bit more about dementia how we might the cold days snuggled under a duvet withand a book. lifesome that bit easier and 2020make has seen fabulous releases, andmore I have pleasant some festivefor those recommendations to keep you going people who live with it. through December!

• If you like a good fluffy Christmas Please do be a Dementia romance … The 12 Dates of Christmas

by Jenny Bayliss “On the first day of Christmas, a dating app offered me, twelve tailored chances for perfect harmony …” Kate Turner, happily single, finds herself agreeing to use a new dating app which promises twelve tailored, festive themed dates in the hopes of finding the one.

Throughout this charming novel we find Kate going on 12 very festive dates, from cooking classes to hikes in the snow, with varying levels of success, but has the one been right in front of her the whole time? Will she find someone to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas? You’ll have to read on to find out!

• If you prefer a more family centered read … One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan Sarah Morgan is one of my go to authors for writing family centred books that really focus on family dynamics and the delicate relationships within families, and her newest book is no exception to this.

Gayle, a highly successful businesswoman, hasn’t spoken to her daughters for years, but when a freak accident threatens to harm her public persona, she begins to understand what is really important. Can a Christmas with her family in a remote Scottish location be the tonic they need to heal the past hurt?

• If crime and thriller are more your thing … The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine.

When DI James Walker moves to the small quiet community of Kirkby Abbey he is ready for a slower pace of life. When he opens a gruesome Christmas card declaring that twelve murders will happen in twelve days he hopes it is a hoax.

However, when the first body is found he knows it is up to him to stop the killer. With the snow cutting off the small village, will he be able to stop them, or will it prove too late?

Friend.

WE ARE delighted to say that our SCUBA Business Networking Event won the Business and Education Partnership Award at the Leicestershire Business Awards 2020 run by the East Midland Chamber.

The Business and Education Award is aimed at schools, colleges and further education providers that engage effectively with business. It recognises those which can demonstrate partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills valued by employers.

The school was up against De Montfort University – DMU Works Enterprise, Leicester and Leicestershire Learning Partnership and Loughborough College to win the award.

Massive thanks for all the local businesses that have attended our events over the last three years, our Year 10 business ambassadors who have all been fantastic over the last 4 years, Mr Andrews and Mrs Juszkiewicz who have worked tirelessly organising the events and special mention to Dan Lamoon of Colab Creation who has been our inspirational Business Adviser. We could not have achieved this without their input. Thank you.

Charlotte Grandson “If we don’t know a word for something, why can’t we just make one up?” he remarked confusatorily.

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The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la …… in Bagworth YOU MAY or may not notice the planters around the village which have been purchased by the Bagworth Forward Group (BFG).

We usually have them planted with flowers in Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. BFG has not been able to have any fund raising events this year. Consequently we have decided not to spend money on Autumn/Winter plants this year.

However if you live near to one of the many planters and you feel that you wish to brighten up your section of the village in the dark and dismal days of winter, BFG would be very happy if you decide to buy and plant some flowers to enhance the life of Bagworth.

Some kind and generous villagers have already decided to do this and the BFG members are very grateful to them. To paraphrase, ask not what Bagworth can do for you but what you can do for Bagworth.

The planters will be fully planted once again in Spring/Summer 2021.

Advertising is fantastic! It can attract new customers and boost your profits!

To advertise in the Herald, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 or email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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They say you shouldn’t eat right before bed so now I just wait until I’m in bed.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Hospice Hope appoints charity manager LOCAL NORTH West Leicestershire charity, Hospice Hope has appointed its first Charity Manager to help oversee an exciting time in its future development. This is a significant decision for the charity, but with demand for its services ever increasing, the time was deemed to be right.

The charity, which supports people, their carers and partners in North West Leicestershire whose quality or length of life is affected by their condition, have appointed Jim Vickrage as their new Charity Manager. Jim has a wealth of experience in the charity sector, including twelve years as Fundraising Manager for the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Of his appointment, Jim said “I am thrilled to be joining the charity at this exciting time. Hospice Hope has achieved some tremendous results since Covid-19 closed its popular face to face services, having introduced new services to support those in need in our area. The latest new service is a Long Covid support group, which aims to tackle the longer term emotional affects the virus has had on some people. Other services launched this year, such as befriending, counselling and online support groups are key to tackling isolation and loneliness in the area. One of my immediate tasks is to review and build on these successes, plus naturally re-opening our face to face services when it is safe to do so.” (see note) Jim will also play a key role in moving forward the charity’s longer-term goals. Chair Stewart Shepherd explained “during 2021, in conjunction with North West District Council and Bloor Homes, we hope to see our plans for a purpose built hub in Swannington move forward, with the aim to apply for planning permission in the first half of the year. In addition to this, the charity will be undertaking a major re-brand, so that our new name and image reflects more accurately the purpose of the charity.”.

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On how to deal with your church’s correspondence The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren

Y

OU MAY have had several years of intensive training on biblical interpretation, preaching and church history, but that doesn’t cover the really important matters in parish life: how to evade disgruntled parishioners, run a brisk Summer Fete and, in your case at present, deal with correspondence, either by letter or email.

My regular practice, which I recommend to you as a New Year Resolution, is to read all the letters/emails you receive and then discard them. If the matter is truly important, you will receive a second message, to which you respond; more likely, the sender will either have forgotten all about his first letter/email after the second month or will write to some other cleric instead. In either case, you will be saved a great deal of trouble.

You only need two folders for your filing system, either for post or emails.

The first is for complaints; they are to be filed and ignored, no matter how many duplicates you are sent. Should you be confronted personally, you simply say that the matter has been passed on to the bishop. Those truly dogged complainants who pursue the matter will eventually receive an episcopal reply saying he knows nothing of the matter, for which you then blame the postal system/spammed email. After letters and emails have ricocheted round the country for many months, the person complaining will either have lost energy to pursue the matter, or the will to live.

The second file receives all other correspondence/emails chronologically.

The earliest letters and emails will be at the bottom of the pile and the most recent on the top. In my experience, the postal file only needs attention when it reaches a height of about two feet and becomes unstable. The practice then is to discard the lower six inches and allow it to continue its steady growth. If the stack is kept in the church vestry, then mice usually attend to the papers on the bottom of the pile.

Sadly, your own church, with its electronic systems for filing, sorting and retrieving correspondence and with your parish secretaries, removes all of these blessings at a stroke. You have therefore no excuses for not dealing instantly with every note that comes your way. As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

May I also remind you that not even St Paul, that unflagging letter-writer, ever ended one of his letters with a request for a prompt reply. Need I say more?

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

I need to make my kids understand that I’m not staff, I’m management.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to invest £450 million: have your say on Leicester’s hospital proposals today

The local NHS has launched a consultation asking for your views about proposals to spend £450 million to improve acute and maternity services in our hospitals. The power to make this investment a reality is in your hands, by spending just a small amount of time completing a questionnaire.

Clinicians that have helped to create the proposals have written an open letter to all patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland asking for your help. They do what they do because they care about your health and your family’s health. Ensuring you get the best possible care is at the heart of the decisions they make and of the proposals. They believe the changes they are proposing will improve services for you, not just now but for many years to come.

They need you to tell them what you think of the proposals, so their future plans are based on the widest possible range of points of view and circumstances.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in the hospitals in Leicester. It’s important we don’t waste this chance and we get the most value out of every pound. You have a real opportunity to help get this right, to improve services for everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Please read their letter and, most importantly, fill in the questionnaire by 21st December. www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/news-and-media-centre/news/

How to have your say n Visit www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk to find out more and to complete the questionnaire online. n Call 0116 295 0750 or email beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk to request a copy of the questionnaire to complete at home, for information in different formats or for assistance in completing the questionnaire.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

The threat of an ever-increasing housing requirement for local communities has already started to materialise Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald SO WE WENT from one lockdown into another lockdown with no clear end in sight.

I am sure many will be as fed up about this as myself. It is the lingering nature of it that I find so depressing and ultimately harmful. I mentioned in my last article that we seem to close the stable door after the horse has bolted and so suffer a longer period of misery and this is a case in point. We now have a lingering lockdown made worse by lumping the whole County of Leicestershire together which was a new and ultimately unwelcome development that unless changed, will make it harder to emerge from in good time before more economic harm is caused.

I am genuinely concerned about the economic harm that is being caused and when we do emerge from the latest restrictions I hope we can find it in us, to support all our local businesses so that they can survive this catastrophe. Local businesses are essential to the health of local communities and we must do what we can to help them.

• I HAVE WRITTEN too many times about the challenges we face on the planning front. First some good news in that we were able to defeat the plans to build a massive industrial park off West Lane and Stanton Lane which would have been needless and highly damaging.

We do need to see what comes next before we celebrate, and we cannot rule out an appeal by the developers to the Government, but there is no shortage in the Borough of industrial units and so the need is simply not identified. Still the mantra of build, build, build persists so we can rule nothing out. We really do need to question the economic benefit of just building massive warehousing sheds. Being so close to the M1 makes us vulnerable to this type of development which developers seem so eager to pursue.

I have now been made aware that

the Jelson planning application will be validated soon (it may have been by the time you read this).

This application has been well trailed although I believe it will have been modified following the public consultation in October.

I have previously explained that Markfield set up a neighbourhood planning group to look at how it manages the requirement to find land for new housing developments.

This is not a choice we have as a community; we are being told by the powers that be that we must allocate ever greater shares of land for housing and if we fail in this it will be done for us and without any control over the process. This would be a far greater disaster and would lead to a much higher allocation than we face if it is managed through a plan.

The threat of an ever-increasing housing requirement for local communities has already started to materialise with a recent adjustment to the local plan date meaning it will now run to 2039 and so out of nowhere everyone’s allocation will be increasing.

I have also been clear that planning policy strongly favours the land which is owned by Jelson and sits to the south of the village off London Road and behind Croftway and the first Jelson Estate. The government inspector made this clear in ruling against Hinckley & Bosworth at appeal in 2011 when the inspector granted Jelson permission to build the first estate.

Those who argue we should try and find alternate sites, need to understand that finding land for other sites isn’t the only hurdle.

Jelsons will need their application determining by the planning authorities. In the current climate with policy now so weighted in favour of developers it is I believe a lost cause. Unless national planning policy suddenly changes to both recognise the crucial importance of open countryside and the limits to developing existing settlements beyond a reasonable capacity, Markfield and other neighbouring

communities like Ratby, Groby and Desford face ongoing challenges.

I am sure everyone is aware that national planning policy is not changing any time soon and is far more likely to get worse because it seems the only priority is to build houses.

Whatever one feels about the prospective Jelson application, unfortunately I am certain it will happen. This will disappoint some people who believe we alone can turn back the tide, we cannot. So instead I believe we need to focus on the measures that might mitigate the impact of it. Clearly, these were identified during the public consultation and the most significant concern was the access to the site in question.

The biggest modification I expect to see - and a change from the initial plan that went out to public consultation - is that Jelsons have decided to create a brand-new primary entrance into the estate that they plan to build. This was a surprise as developers often simply ignore local protestations, but this change will avoid any use of Croftway for access and ensure only secondary access via the existing Jelson estate.

The new entrance is instead to be on the London Road and while it might create other issues it is likely to be deemed preferable. The downside of this change and you could argue the additional cost, is that Jelson will I believe be applying for 280 dwellings which is about 40 more than originally proposed. This may end up being a moot point as in the space of a few weeks in November everyone’s likely housing allocation has grown across Hinckley & Bosworth.

Alongside the access change, Jelson have also indicated the sorts of community benefits likely to flow in the form of investments into the two local schools (circa £1 million) and the GP surgery. Other benefits will also accrue in the form of new social housing units, new children’s play area, improved open space provisions, allotments etc. It will

be crucial that these are delivered to ensure the community does not suffer further as a result.

We cannot replace the open fields and countryside that get built over and despite various objections communities up and down England are losing this battle.

Just recently Ratby had another 90 dwellings passed on a site off Markfield Road despite local objections and they will still have to find more land for the future.

We need to find another way to manage housing growth that is inclusive but also recognises that communities and the infrastructure that supports them, have limits.

• FINALLY, It has been a strange year and without doubt draining in ways not predictable this time last December. How things change; who really could have predicted the way things have turned out. One thing that remains constant though is Christmas and the message of hope that it brings. Perhaps more than ever we can all draw some inspiration from the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning. I sincerely hope we all can find the peace and goodwill that we all need at this time and as we emerge into 2021 let us wish for better time ahead. Merry Christmas all.

Matthew

My dog always barks when there’s someone at the front door. I don’t know why - it’s never for him.

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Why parking your car is getting more difficult HAVE YOU NOTICED that it is getting harder to park your car? And that when you finally do get parked, you can barely get the door open enough to squeeze out?

It is not your fault. Modern cars have grown so big that many drivers now have as little as 21cm of room to spare in a parking space.

A recent study has found that the country’s most popular cars are as much as 55 per cent larger than they were in the Seventies, while the standard parking space has not grown at all. No surprise, then, that millions of drivers scrape their cars each year trying to park in cramped spaces.

The biggest grower is the Mini Hatch, which is now 55 per cent bigger and takes up to 22 per cent more of a parking space that the original did, back in 1959. The Honda Civic of today is 1.8m wide, an increase of 44 per cent. It now takes up nearly three quarters of a standard parking bay.

CarGurus, who carried out the research, has urged the authorities to update the guidelines for parking bays. The current size of a parking bay is 2.4m by 4.8m, and has not changed in 50 years.

Smokers stubbing out SMOKING is on the decline.

The number of people who successfully quit smoking last year was the highest in a decade, Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) reckons that more than a million people in the UK stopped smoking during the lockdown period. By the end of last year, smoking prevalence in England was at an all-time low: 13.9 per cent.

That made it the most popular lifestyle change of the year, according to Public Health England. There was also a significant surge in smokers who are trying to quit.

My grandad woke up with a puzzled look on his face - he’d fallen to sleep on his jigsaw.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk Tel: 01455 824733 Web: www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt Hello everyone, I cannot believe it is December already – although, I am sure we would all agree that Christmas will feel a little different this year.

Stanton under Bardon I WAS FLABBERGASTED to see a speculative planning application for 82 dwellings off of Thornton Lane, Stanton under Bardon.

As such I held meetings with LCC Highways about the inappropriateness of this development, particular given its location and the lack of local amenities in and around Stanton. Thankfully, Highways have recommended that the application be refused since: • The Applicant has failed to demonstrate that appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be, or have been, taken up, given the type of development and its location which is contrary to paragraph 108 of the National Planning Policy Framework; • Has failed to demonstrate that safe and suitable forms of site access can be achieved for all highway users, contrary to paragraph 108 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

• Has failed to demonstrate any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be mitigated, contrary to paragraph 108 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In light of this I would hope that the Local Planning Authority (HBBC) take the appropriate decision when this comes to officer recommendations/ committee.

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Bagworth & Thornton During the month I met with Cllr Russell George, Chairman of Bagworth & Thornton Parish Council, to discuss a number of issues affecting the villages.

In particular: • Disabled access (footpaths) • Village greenery • HGV Weight restriction enforcement • Pedestrian visibility at crossings As well as discussing the possibility of small grant funding for improving the greenery/environment in and around the parish.

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Finally, I would like to you wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Best wishes,

(County Councillor for Desford & Botcheston) E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt

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For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Stanton-under-Bardon

Coronavirus rules force cancellation of Recycled Teenagers’ Party WE WERE sorry we couldn’t hold our 19th ‘Recycled Teenagers Party’ this year.

Like so many other things, it couldn’t take place due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Hopefully we will be able to fundraise and hold a party next year. We have booked for 4th December 2021.

The Luke Jackson payment was also cancelled this year due to Covid 19.

Sally Wilkins

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IT IS SAID that the Welsh film industry has spent lockdown planning to remake numerous well-known films, but this time with a Welsh flavour. The following have been suggested as sure winners:

* 9½ Leeks * The Lost Boyos * Dai Hard * The Eagle has Llandudno * The Magnificent Severn

* Haverfordwest Was Won * Austin Powys * Independence Dai * The Bridge on the River Wye * The Welsh Patient

* Look You Back in Bangor * Evans Can Wait * A Fishguard Called Rhondda * Where Eagles Aberdare * Dial M For Merthyr

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12

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Slimming World

Let us get ahead of ourselves for 2021 LET ME start off by saying that 2020 has been a tough year for so many of us for so many different reasons. We have spent lots of time this year stuck at home looking after others by staying safe, however its been hard for us to look after ourselves.

I have heard from lots of people who have said that during lockdown they found it hard to deal with all the temptations that are around them at home. These temptations led them to gain weight during the lockdowns we have had this year.

However, that does not have to be the end of the story!

At Slimming World, we have a plan that has been tried and tested for over 50 years and still works to this day. I have lost over 11 stone by following Slimming World which led me to want to take on my own group and help others lose weight. The Slimming World plan is not as restrictive as other diet programmes as no food is off limit which means you can still eat your favourite meals and lose weight.

Living with excess weight puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, with risk growing substantially as body mass index (BMI) increases. Nearly 8% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units have been morbidly obese, compared with 2.9% of the general population.

If you have done Slimming World before at a different group, or even at my group and are afraid of going back to face the scales let me tell you something. I completely understand why you’re feeling like that, however its very important that you know there is no humiliation at any Slimming World groups, regardless of how much weight you have put on during these troublesome times.

I also want to let you know that the best way to achieve a goal is by surrounding yourselves with likeminded people. Where better to do that than at Slimming World?! My members have been achieving amazing things during 2020 despite the lockdowns and difficulties they have faced this year.

If you have never done slimming world then feel free to contact me to find out more about the plan and how we are keeping COVID secure regardless of what tier we are in. Call/text Tom on 07939 565340 to find out more and to get a head start on your new year’s resolution.

Doing housework can help you live longer IF YOU spend half an hour a day tidying the house, going up and down your stairs, and doing household chores, you are reducing the risk of an early death.

So says recent guidance from the World Health Organisation, as it urges people to maintain regular moderate exercise on a daily basis, of up to at least 150 minutes a week. It also recommends vigorous exercise of at least 75 minutes a week.

The WHO recommendation was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and is part of the new global guidelines on physical activity.

WHO also warned that those who stay sedentary for 10 or more hours on a regular basis will have a “significantly heightened risk of death.”

I can’t decide which room not to clean first.

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The power is in your hands: The local NHS needs your help THE LOCAL NHS has launched a consultation asking for your views about proposals to spend £450 million to improve acute and maternity services in our hospitals.

The power to make this investment a reality is in your hands, by spending just a small amount of time completing a questionnaire.

Clinicians that have helped to create the proposals have written an open letter to all patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland asking for your help. They do what they do because they care about you and your family’s health. Ensuring you get the best possible care is at the heart of the decisions they make. They believe the changes they are proposing will improve services for you, not just now but for many years to come.

They need you to tell them what you think of the proposals, so their future plans are based on the widest possible range of points of view and circumstances.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in the hospitals in Leicester. It’s important we don’t waste this chance and we get the most value out of every pound.You have a real opportunity to help get this right, to improve services for everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

PLEASE READ THEIR LETTER AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FILL IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE BY 21ST DECEMBER. Visit: www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/news-and-media-centre/news/ To request a copy of the questionnaire to complete at home and information in different formats, please contact 0116 295 0750 or email beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk.

To find out more about the proposals and upcoming events, please visit www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk.

World Day of Prayer THIS EVENT happens annually on the first Friday in March.

It was for many years called Women’s World Day of Prayer. Markfield are fortunate to have a group who plan the service using different venues ranging from the Methodist Church, Church of England, Congregational Church, Markfield Court and Mayflower Court.

The group themselves represent the Churches in Markfield including members of the Catholic Church in Coalville.

The service is planned by women from different countries and each year seems very relevant and appropriate.

Sadly this year the conference where we learn all about the service was cancelled due to lockdown.

We now have the service booklets ready for March 2021 and sincerely hope that by then we will be gathering again in larger groups.

If you would like further information, please contact me

Angela Berry

Tel: 01530 242578 or mobile 07971 254165 Email: angela_berry42@btinternet.com

My wife complains that I don’t buy her flowers. In all honesty, I didn’t know she sold flowers.

13

14

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

More Bagworth pub stories - from Bob Austin Ron Knifton RON REMEMBERS that as he got older he went to the Working Men’s club with his parents.

Before that he had frequented The Plough or The Barrel – usually the Plough. Rosie Watson was always grateful of a little help with the chores at the Plough. She would ask lads as young as 12 years old to sweep up for her or work in the garden. And usually the lads were only too pleased to oblige, because they knew that Rosie’s reward to them was a glass of shandy! When they reached 18 years old Rosie would not allow them to continue doing this.

He says that, when he was older, “I had been ill for three weeks and on this Saturday I felt better, so I visited The Plough as I usually did with my mates. When I walked in Rosie Watson must have missed me because she said, “You can have the first drink on me, Ron.” “During this visit my mates also kept buying me drinks and I finished up with 35 port and lemons on my table. They finished up having to help me drink them all.”

George Bateman talks about the Pigeon Club at the Plough THE OLD original flying club used to be at the Plough.

They used to race pigeons and hold meetings when Rosie Watson kept the Plough. I used to help them ring the pigeons when I was a lad.

Later, they ran the Pigeon Club from Bagworth Working Men’s Club.

I flew my best pigeons in what they called the Midland National, the All England. And I was the only one in Leicestershire to win every race point in the North. I’ve got the trophy in home now. Also, I’ve got my big cup for winning the South, the Midland National All England as well.

The main pub of Bagworth used to be The Barrel, and there was The Maynard. The Plough, was kept by Sam and Rosie Watson.

When the miners hadn’t got much money they used to hand over their silver pocket watches, and Sam used to pay them back in beer.

The miners would pawn things of value, like rings and anything valuable when Sam Watson was the landlord. Rosie took over as the landlord of the Plough when Sam died. She used to fetch the

beer from down the cellar in a big white enamelled jug. Rosie Watson had a sister named Hilda Percival, who used to help her in the pub when Sam died. The maiden name of sisters Rosie Watson and Hilda Percival was Gowdridge.

George Percival kept a lorry and Herbert Gowdridge drove it for him. George kept that not far from Bagworth Pit gates. Herbert used to be in the pubs all the while drinking, he couldn’t go by a pub without pulling in his lorry. He got that used to alcohol it seemed to make no difference to him.

Jimmy Cuer, who used to keep the Barrel used to keep one or two pigs, and Dinkler Farmer used to come to Bagworth and kill all the pigs which were ready for slaughter. He used to kill them with a knife. I’ve seen him kill hundreds.

Up Barlestone Road they’d put the blood in a container and keep stirring it with a wooden spoon and make black pudding out of it.

Roland and Josie Callaghan’s memories of The Plough Rosie Watson of The Plough was buried in Bagworth Churchyard on 27 November 1963 aged 74 years.

Roland and Josie became landlords from 1963. They bought The Plough from Everard’s Brewery on 20 July 1970. On 5 August 1970 the pub was de-licensed. They lived there until 1987 when Rod and Marjorie Astill bought the property.

Roland says that, according to the deeds, the house was originally a farm house. This would explain the stables underneath what was known as the clubroom or function room. Josie can remember going into the kitchen of the pub when she was a young girl and Rosie Watson was the landlady. In the kitchen was a shelf which was full of shoes. Josie had never seen so many before. Rosie always used to wear high heels.

When the Callaghans moved in the place was in a very sorry state.

There was no electricity upstairs and no hot water. On the first night, Roland slept on the floor and Josie preferred the comfort of her mum’s house. Within two to three days, Everard’s Brewery sent several workmen around and they had hot water on tap and new fireplaces, etc. In the room upstairs in the pub there was a large marble fireplace.

This room was called the parlour.

On special occasions, such as Christmas, a fire was lit in the grate but it did produce lots of smoke.

Everard’s Brewery charged them £1 a week rent when they moved in. This stayed the same. Roland

The Barrel Inn believes that it was because he was always working on the building to improve it. On one occasion, the two parts of the building moved apart and a gap appeared. The two parts were not tied in. This actually moved back together later.

When they moved in there was a big old sink in the kitchen which had a pump attached that was linked to the soft water tank outside. This was topped by a large round piece of Swithland Slate.

There used to be a flower and vegetable show in The Plough.

There were six older people who used to take snuff. These included Jim Gowdridge and Arthur Treadwell. Harry Birchell took bets in the bar, which was a bit naughty. One of the rooms was called the ‘Gentlemen’s Room’, sometimes women used it at the weekend. The Buffaloes used the upstairs function room and then later the back room in the pub.

A trunk of Buffaloes’ regalia was found by Roland and returned to the Hugglescote branch.

He also found instruments, etc. which had been used by the band.

It was the Ibstock band, who used to practise in the function room.

They later became the Desford Colliery band. The instruments were given to Ratby band and Roland thinks that they may be still used. On one occasion, a band practise took place in the back room of the pub. For Roland, once was enough.

He also found a load of clay pipes in the cellar in large boxes packed with sawdust. When they moved in, there were still spittoons in the taproom. He found a squeeze box, as well.

The blacksmith’s shop was also owned by Everard’s Brewery. It was rented to Ernie Webster who kept his van there. At one time he wanted to convert it into a chip shop, but Roland and Josie were not happy about this. Josie remembers that, when she was a little girl, the blacksmith’s shop was full of bats, which scared her.

They came from Harvey’s Farm.

As tenants, they had problems with mice etc. in the cellar, despite having cats. They had probably come from the same place.

In 1970, Everard’s Brewery

decided that they could not support all of the pubs in the village and that The Plough would be the most expensive to refurbish. As a result it stopped being a pub and Roland and Josie bought it as a place to live for the princely sum of £1,750.

Roland continued to work on the place. He discovered a well in the yard when he had sand delivered and the ground moved. Using the handrail from the stairs in the function room, he could not find the bottom. He filled it in with rubble from the outbuildings. In what was called the Brewhouse, he found a copper and a brick oven. (There is a link between pubs and bakers. Often one person made beer and bread because of the yeast.) The local baker, Jack Smith, from Forest Road, Hugglescote took away the fire bricks.

Anecdotes from The Barrel Inn The Barrel Inn suffered through mining subsidence. Nearing the end of its life its walls were propped up and the floors were on the slope. Subsidence damage became so bad towards the end that there was a standing joke going round among customers that by the time they’d walked across the pub’s undulating floors to buy their first drink, they already appeared to be totally inebriated.

A senior villager remembers the beer being delivered to the Barrel Inn by Everard’s steam-driven lorries.

Cliff Bateman’s memories of the pubs

The Maynard Arms was named after Lord Maynard.

The Plough Inn in The Square - Cliff ’s sister and her husband were the last tenants, Mr Roland Callaghan and Mrs Josie Callaghan.

It closed in the 1970s. They had taken over from Rosie Watson who had run the place from something like 1919 to about 1963.

At one time The Plough brewed its own beer. It used soft water from a soft water tank buried in the yard. There were outbuildings at the back, one of which was used for brewing. This was known as the Brewhouse. When Roland was demolishing it there was a large copper in it. Next to these were stables and above these were

I’ve agreed so much with my wife that my head just starts nodding at the sound of her voice.

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk function rooms. The band used these for practice.

Cliff remembers a large earthenware jug that held about 25 pints. The challenge was to pick it up in one hand. Only one person was able to do this, Albert Kirk, a tall, strapping man. The jug was passed from landlord to landlord until it disappeared. Cliff thought that some people believed that it had ended up in the Leicester Museum.

He also remembers that Rosie did not keep a good pint. It was as flat as a pancake!

However, nor did she measure beer and people always got ‘a good half ’ when they used their pint glass.

The British Legion met in The Plough on a Sunday. A Flower and Vegetable show was held every year and it alternated between Thornton one year (probably in the Club) and The Plough another year.

Also meeting in The Plough was the Rising Star, a sick and dividend club run by Horace Kennewell.

Members had a blue book and paid subs once a year. Cliff remembers taking the money down for his granddad. If people were ill they were given money out of the club.

There was a big parade on Wakes Sunday. This was led, usually

by Snibston Colliery Band. They marched from The Maynard, down Station Road, into Barlestone Road and back again. They went to the Church and finished in The Square.

Rosie Watson paid £5 for the band.

The Buffaloes were also involved in the parade.

Cliff has a memory of going into one of the rooms in The Plough.

There were no stools and the men sat on benches around the room. It seated about 16 and probably 13 of them were smoking pipes.

A field next but one to Cross Hills Church on the same side coming up towards Bagworth was called Mrs Watson’s Cottage. Cliff said that all of the pubs had fields. There was another one which belonged to The Plough. It was about 100 yards past the last house on Heath Road and was a 3 cornered field.

The Barrel had 3 fields which were just before the railway bridge on Thornton Lane on the same side as Cross Hills Church.

The Barrel Inn in Main Street John Riley was the last tenant.

It closed in about 1985. Thomas Foster was the local policeman. He used to go into the pub at the end of his shift, replace his helmet with a bowler hat and his police jacket for a sports jacket and then he would go and play dominoes.

15

Something To Live For

By Richard Roper

Dear Friends,

Meet Andrew.

Everybody likes Andrew. But they don’t really know him. They know what he’s told them - that he’s happily married with two kids. Living the kind of life that’s either so boring it’s true, or so perfect it’s a lie...

Enter Peggy. Peggy arrives in Andrew’s life in a burst of kindness and possibility. For the first time in ages, Andrew feels alive again. So now that he has everything to lose, can he risk it all and tell Peggy the truth? If you loved Eleanor Oliphant, try this brilliant new read.

First Date

By Sue Watson Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure.

A long way from her unstable childhood growing up in foster care, she’s content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She quietly worries that, aged 36, she might never fall in love. But otherwise her life is where she wants it to be.

Until, encouraged by her best friend to join a dating app, she meets Alex. He’s irresistibly handsome. He loves the same music as her. The same food as well.

They both dream of travelling the world but agree they’d be equally happy escaping to a cottage by the beach in Devon. Both of them would love to own a Labrador one day. It’s like he’s made for her. It’s like he’s too good to be true.

Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about him. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect. Which is good. Because Alex knows she’s perfect for him too. In fact, she’s exactly the girl he’s been looking for…

And nothing Hannah’s done to make her life safe will ever be enough.

SO IT’S BEGINNING to look a lot like Christmas…though a strange one this year, with lots of things different.

One thing that will be weird this year is the different arrangements for carol singinghaving to keep distance from each other even outside, not being able to raise the roof in church in the usual way.

Do you have a favourite carol?

I have several- but one that maybe speaks to our times is “O little town of Bethlehem”. It talks about how “the hopes and fears of all the years/Are met in thee tonight”.

Hope and fear together…does this chime with our mixed emotions as we go into 2021? Hope of a better year, but not wanting to jinx it?

This year Christmas will be more subdued than usual, but again the carol reminds us “How silently, how silently/ the wondrous gift is given”. When Jesus came, not many people realised what was going on. God is with us not just in the exciting times, but also in ordinary times, in quiet, “background” people as well as the loud and confident ones. The carol ends with a prayer that Jesus may “be born in us today”, as “Emmanuel”, God with us. May we know God with us in Jesus, living our life alongside us so we might know His life.

Judith Lincoln

Minister, Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org FB Markfield Methodist Church

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Being a woman is exciting because we don’t know what mood we will be in next, or for how long.

16

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Counting the cost of coronavirus IT’S GOOD to look forward to a new year with hope, but few of us have left 2020 unscathed by the pandemic.

For example, nearly half of us, 48 per cent, put on weight during lockdown. (According to a recent survey by King’s College London and Ipsos MORI).

Millions of us turned to alcohol or drugs. Public Health England reports that one in five of us aged 45-74 are now drinking more than 21 units a week. The Royal College of Psychiatrists expresses alarm at the rapid rise in patients whose alcohol or drug use led to a decline in their mental health in 2020.

Children have suffered. Childline had nearly 43,000 calls from young people March and October. Cyber bullying has soared, with one in three children being bullied during the pandemic, according to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

For millions of pensioners, Covid-19 ‘hit the fast-forward button on ageing’, according to Age UK. Lockdown left old people frightened and losing their confidence, mobility and even functions such as memory.

Suicidal thoughts soared during lockdown, with the number of people seeking help tripling, to stand at more than a quarter of a million. The Royal College of Psychiatrists warn that mental health services are now ‘overflowing’ with patients struggling to cope with anxiety, psychosis and depression. Many charities fear that a ‘second pandemic’ of mental health problems.

So – what do we do as January 2021 dawns? Each one of us CAN do something to make things better, if only in a small way. How about these for your New Year Resolutions?

Firstly, just get regular exercise. As one professor said, “Exercise creates a virtuous circle of physical and mental well-being. You move more, you eat better, you feel positive.”

On the other hand, only a couple of weeks of lying around the house will leave your cardiovascular systems less effective, your musculoskeletal system weaker, your metabolic rate affected, and your immune system lowered.

Secondly, adopt the right mental attitude. Studies of Holocaust survivors found that those who recovered best had certain character traits of resilience: optimism, selfesteem, acceptance and above all, spirituality. A faith in God gave them purpose and meaning, even in the midst of fear and death.

Thirdly, make an effort this year to keep in touch with your friends and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours. Be willing to act as a safety net for others, if only to show compassion and a willingness to listen to them.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

When you are hard of hearing, every night can be Silent Night THE PRESENT restrictions imposed by Covid-19 are difficult for all of us. But when communication is problematic because of deafness, it can add to the stresses of being confined to home for both sufferer and other members of the family.

And on the few occasions when we are allowed to venture out, the mandatory face-masks impose yet more difficulties in understanding, particularly if we are used to reading lips and expressions to help us understand what someone is saying.

Help is at hand!

Although face-to-face lipreading classes have temporarily paused due to the check on group meeting by Coronavirus, the Leslie Edwards Trust (the Loughborough Charity that provides lipreading classes) are helping, with the aid of ZOOM, to combat the isolation faced by those suffering from loss of hearing.

Lipreading is a technique to aid speech understanding by watching the movement of lips, face and tongue when their accompanying sound is not sufficiently loud or clear to hear. Contextual comprehension can further clarify what the speaker might be saying.

Tutor Helen Barrow is helping to bridge the gap until we can resume meeting again, by using ZOOM technology to run classes in lipreading.

Apart from the obvious benefits such as learning and practising vital lipreading skills, the classes enable us to keep in contact in a welcoming and supportive environment. The classes are informative, and provide the opportunity to share experiences and useful tips.

Classes can be joined using anything from a smart phone, to a tablet, laptop or computer and enable members to learn and improve their lipreading and communication skills. There is usually an introductory class which will help you if you’ve never used Zoom before.

Please contact Jane Futcher on www.lets-lipread.org.uk or on Facebook @lets lipread if you would like further information or feel you would like to join.

The cost is a contribution of £20 per 10 week term.

What My Husband Did

By Kerry Wilkinson A LITTLE GIRL has been left for dead. And now my husband is missing.

I return home to our beautiful house on a chilly winter evening expecting to find my handsome husband Richard waiting for me by the fire. We’re still so in love, and he always takes care of me: buying us this home in the little village where he grew up, making sure I settled in and made friends, and treating my teenage daughter like his own. There’s a bit of gossip about our age gap, but the death of his first wife years ago was so tragic that he still gets sympathetic looks. Everyone loves Richard.

He usually comes straight back from work. But tonight, our antique clock ticks on through the dark evening, with no sign of him. Then a knock at the door shatters my perfect life. A 12-year-old-girl, Alice from the village, has been found unconscious in the field behind our house. They say she was last seen getting into Richard’s car.

Now rumours are flying. As Alice fights for her life in hospital, nobody will speak to me: and when they do it’s to ask if he didn’t hurt Alice, why hasn’t Richard come home?

I know that revealing my own darkest secret about Richard’s first wife could prove his innocence… but even if I do, he’s still missing. Is everyone right, and is my husband on the run? And will telling the truth about my past turn my own daughter against me, and tear our lives apart for good?

The neighbourhood watch is having a meeting about the creepy guy and I’m the only one not invited.

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk

17

Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

Beech Drive Thornton Planning Application THIS APPLICATION is for 49 dwellings seems to have been going on forever.

Planning Officer Helen Knott was waiting for amended plans, of which only a partial amount has been submitted so more is required - specifically about land levels and landscaping.

We did have an agreement with the previous case officer that she had permission to refuse under delegated powers but as the applicants are engaging with Officers now, we have no choice but to wait. We were asked the question by Cllr Whittingham that after all this time, should it not revert to the original application.

Unfortunately the answer is no.

HBBC can be taken to appeal for non-determination after a period of time, but it does not work the other way round. Officers are aware that as the festive period is close, the need to consult with residents locally might have to be put back until the New Year as residents may be away over Christmas. This consultation period will be either 14 or 21 days. We will push for the 21 days. We, accordingly, will keep you informed as soon as we know anything.

Borough Council’s Christmas and New Year arrangements THE FOLLOWING opening times during the Christmas and New Year period have been announced by the Borough Council, together with the arrangements that have been made for various council services: Borough Council services at the Hinckley Hub will close at 5pm on Thursday 24 December and

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel 0116 2912796 or 07306 390543 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com re-open at 8.30am on Monday 4 January 2021. In an emergency call 01455 251137.

Refuse & recycling arrangements THERE WILL be alternate arrangements for collections due on Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December and Friday 1 January.

All other refuse and recycling collections will continue as usual during the Christmas and New Year period. However, the garden waste (brown bin) collection service will be suspended for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year period (last collection Tuesday 22 December and collections starting again Monday 4 January 2021). There will also be no collections of large items (bulky waste) during the same dates.

Alternate arrangements for refuse (black bin) and recycling (blue-lid bin) collections due on Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December and Friday 1 January are as follows: • Refuse (black bin) on Friday 25 December will be collected on Thursday 24 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Friday 25 December will be collected on Wednesday 23

.

Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com December • Refuse due on Monday 28 December will be collected on Tuesday 29 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Monday 28 December will be collected on Wednesday 30 December • Refuse due on Friday 1 January will be collected on Thursday 31 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Wednesday 1 January will be collected on Monday 4 January For residents living in rural west areas of the borough who usually have garden and refuse bins collected on the same day please check your calendar or visit the online bin checker www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk/collections

Free Parking on Saturdays in Hinckley SHOPPERS are reminded that Christmas shopping in Hinckley will be given a boost this year with free car parking in selected town centre car parks on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.

Castle, Lower Bond Street and Trinity Lane East car parks in the final two Saturdays (12 and 19 December) before Christmas.

Parking is also free after 3pm every day in Trinity Lane East, Castle and Lower Bond Street car parks as well in all council run car parks on Sundays throughout the year.

Additionally, shoppers will also be able to park for free in North Warwickshire and Hinckley College (NWHC) car park in the two Saturdays (12 and 19 December) before Christmas. The car park, which is directly behind the Atkins Building, can be accessed from Druid Street Finally 2020 has been, to say the least, a horrible year for all of us and we have our own stories to tell and it seems we are not out of the woods yet. We both, as your Borough Councillors, are extremely proud of how you, the residents of Bagworth and Thornton, have come together to help one another during this time. We have had lockdown, Covid infections, pubs and shops closed for long periods.

On the bright side, we had the Community Response Team.

We would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a better, Happy and Healthy New Year. Please remember we are always here to help and are only a phone call or email away.

Chris & Ozzy Working for you Cllr Chris Boothby Tel 0116 2912796 or 07306 390543 Email Chris.Boothby@hotmail.com

Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Shoppers will be able to park for free in St Mary’s, Church Walk,

The captain made me wear trousers that were far too small for me. He ran a tight ship.

18

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

• Beko free-standing GAS COOKER - silver, single oven with eye-level grill, four burners. Oven and grill never used. Almost new.

Height 146cm, width 50cm, depth 60cm. Price: £100.00 Tel: 01530 242050 or mobile: 07716 925014 (Markfield).

SELECTION OF WORKSHOP MANUALS: • Vauxhall Corsa B Haynes workshop manual, April 1997 to October 2000, (P to X registration) Petrol. Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Ford Fiesta Mk4 Haynes workshop manual, October 1995 to March 2002, (N to 2002)Petrol & Diesel. Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Ford Capri Mk1 Haynes workshop manual, 1969 to 1974 1300 & 1600 ohv. Reasonable condition, £3.00 • Rover 414, 416 & 420 Haynes workshop manual, May 1995 to 1998, (M to R) registration.

Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Rover 211, 214, 216, 218 & 220 Haynes workshop manual December 1995 to 1998 (N to R).

Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Vauxhall Corsa 6 pin 4 SPARK PLUG COIL PACK. Suitable for a 2005 model, bought to cure a misfire but the fault was elsewhere. £10.00. It is also suitable for other 4 cylinder Vauxhall engines.

Tel 07421 110522 (Thornton) • Disney (large) TIGGER SOFT TOY. Price: £6.00 • Disney PLUTO (yellow) dog.

Price: £3.00 • Disney large MICKEY MOUSE. Price: £6.00 • Large MINNIE MOUSE. Price: £6.00.

• Teletubbies TINKY WINKYS - large priced at: £6.00 or small priced at £4.00 Excellent condition.

Tel: 07547 901657 (Groby) • OFFICE CHAIR in plum colour, very good condition, adjustable height & rake, arms adjustable too.

Price: £35.00 Tel: 07928 431629 (Groby)

Pick Up A Bargain!

HERALD Small Ads • CANON PRINTER - Pixma MP465, with 2 new cartridges worth £45.

Any sensible offer please. Genuine reason for sale.

Tel: 01530 244267 (Markfield) • Disney LADYBIRD BOOKS approx. 25. Price: £25.00 o.n.o. Will split if required.

• ‘DEAR FATTY’ - Dawn French autobiography, hardback. Price: £1.50 • ONLY FOOLS & HORSES hardback books: ‘A-Z of’ and ‘Peckham Archives’ - £5.00 both.

All excellent condition.

Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield) • Wicker 2-seater SETTEE, matching high back ARMCHAIR, tall DISPLAY CABINET in mahogany, mahogany NEST OF TABLES, small OCCASIONAL TABLE. No reasonable offer refused, to good home.

Tel: 07801 882585 (Groby) • Undercounter built in BOSCH FRIDGE, excellent working condition with new salad box, new kitchen forces sale.

Price: £25.00.

Tel: 0116 2876 715 (Groby) • Evergreen GARDEN SPREADER. Price: £10.00 • Panasonic BREAD MAKER. Price: £25.00 • Celestron nature BINOCULARS 8 x 42 with carry case. Price: £50.00 Tel: 07512 963016 (Groby) • PORTABLE GAS CABINET HEATER FOR SALE. On castors, elect. ignition, 3 heat settings, as new condition. 4.2 Kw, Butane / Calor with regulator / hose. Price: £40.

• 2 x 13kg GAS BOTTLES FOR SALE. Flo gas Butane. 1 full, 1 empty.

Price: £20 for both.

Call Ray on 07821 094472 (Markfield).

BATHROOM CORNER CABINETS: • 1. Corner wall mounted cabinet with mirrored front door and internal shelf, white H 47cm, W 45cm, D 30cm.Vgc. • 2. Corner wall mounted cabinet with full mirrored front door and internal shelf, white H 50cm, W 43cm, D 25cm.Vgc. Pictures can be sent on WhatsApp. Tel: 0116 267 6291 or mob: 07764 945745 (Groby).

• COLLECTOR’S DOLLS HOUSE - Height: 120cm including wheeled base, Width: 80cm, Depth: 50cm approx. Wired, with lights.

Fire places. Fully decorated and furnished. Three storeys, 6 rooms, plus hall and stairs. Terracotta chimneys. Too much furniture to list!

Not suitable for young children.Needs some TLC! Buyer collects.

Price: £250.00 o.v.n.o.

Tel: 0116 287 6724 (Groby) • Selection of WINE GLASSES, TUMBLERS & SHOT GLASSES £10 • Timberland BOOTS, size 7 hardly worn. Price: £10.00 • Wooden DOLL’S CRADLE. Price: £10.00 • 2 x TEA SETS, one white & one white & blue. Price: £10.00.

• Child’s CAR SEAT, hardly used & never in a crash. Price: £10.00.

Tel: 07896 466429 (Field Head) • Men’s & Ladies’ CYCLE HELMETS. Price £7.00 each • PANNIER and various BIKE BAGS. Price £5.00-£10.00 • Caravan Vision Plus wide band TV AERIAL AND MAST. Price: £10.00 Tel: 07779 552320 (Groby) • 6 Dark Brown leather CHAIRS Price: £100 • Pac-Man arcade game. New. Price: £200 Tel: 07939 826011 (Glenfield)

• JIGSAW PUZZLES - various 1000-4000 pieces, from £3.00 each.

• Childs ‘England’ SLEEPING BAG. Price: £5.00.

• ATHLETICS WEEKLY magazines 2000-2018. Price: £20.00 • PILATES ROLLERS (physioworld) 45cm: £10.00 and 30cm: £5.00.

• Selection of BARBIE, CINDY, BRATZ DOLLS (16 plus accessories): £20.00 • Oxelo 4 wheeled SCOOTER: £15.00 Tel: 0116 287 3229 (Groby) • Viking 1 ton TROLLEY JACK Price: £60.00 o.n.o.

• BINOCULARS - Large Swallow, in case. 25 x 125 x 80 zoom.

Price: £80.00 o.n.o.

• BINOCULARS - Small Tasco Zip, 20 x 50, fully coated. No case.

Price: £20.00 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 243493 (Markfield) • SQUIER STRATOCASTER in sunburst, with 10 watt SQUIER AMPLIFIER, CARRY BAG ,SPARE STRINGS & LEAD. Excellent condition, had virtually no use.

Price: £130.00 • Lego Technic 42055 BUCKET WHEEL EXCAVATOR, 3900 pieces, has been part assembled but not completed. Bag 8 never opened. will dismantle and rebag in order. Full instructions & box.

Price: £120.00.

Tel 07561 816369 (Groby) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Herald, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum EIGHT items please.

Our postal address is: Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

Additional 10 bungalows proposed for Markfield Court Pinewood Drive

Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9RQ

JOHN GERMAN Estate Agents are offering for sale a development opportunity for 10 detached bungalows forming an extension to Markfield Court Retirement Village.

The site – at Pinewood Drive, Markfield Court, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9RQ – has been granted planning permission (19/01013/FUL) for a selection of 10 bungalows, specifically for people aged 55 and over.

A selection of the development will be required to be affordable housing.

The asking price is £550,000.

For more information, contact John German on 01509 239121 or email: loughborough@johngerman.co.uk

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.

19

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Congregational Church News

Church to be sold MARKFIELD Congregational Church has two properties on Main Street. The Church which is the white building opposite the scout hut and the Church Hall which is next to the Chinese takeaway.

Sadly, due to reduced numbers attending our Church along with increasing financial demands to maintain the buildings the membership have reluctantly decided to sell the Church and to use this money to renovate the Church Hall.

This has been a very difficult decision to make as many Markfield families have fond memories of the building.

We aim to provide the village with a very multi-functional building which may be hired and to continue the Christian witness of our Church in the village.

We are hoping that this decision will allow us to establish a long-term future for the building and the extra financial support would provide a longterm future for Markfield Congregational Church to continue supporting the village spiritually.

However, the renovations will be expensive. Therefore, if anyone would like to support in anyway either financially or otherwise, we would be most grateful to receive any support or donations that you are able to give towards this project and our future presence in the village.

For further information or offers of help and donations please contact Angela Berry on 01530 242578 or 0791 254165 42 Park Avenue, MarkfieId, LE67 9WA •WE ALSO WOULD LIKE to acknowledge the work and support from Church members who have passed away this year.

Sonia Wardle an extremely well-known villager who supported us virtually all of her life and was well known for a great sense of humour she will be sadly missed.

Also Frances Hemsley, she lived with Ron her husband on Oakfield Avenue since the houses were built in the late 1960’s. They were stalwarts of Church life for many years. Ron has gone to live in Colchester to be closer to family and despite Covid restrictions is settling in very well as you can see from this photograph of Ron with the picture of a bonfire scene that he has painted.

Pie Night is now Wednesday Steak Night is now Thursday

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Main Street, Street, Thornton Thornton Tel: Tel: 01530 01530 230808 230808 213 www.bricklayersthornton.co.uk www.bricklayersarms.net

Thursday is

“STEAK NIGHT” 2 Steaks, With Hand-Cut Chips, Peas, Tomato, Mushrooms & Two Glasses of House Wine - £19.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £9.00 2 Courses - £12.00 3 Courses - £15.00

With personal service to your table

Home-Made Pie Night - Wednesday- FROM £6.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

Marrying a divorced man is ecologically responsible. In a world wher there are more women than men, it pays to recycle.

20

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Medical Centre and PPG December Update Covid-19 THE PANDEMIC and the associated government restrictions continue to dominate our lives but the recent news about three recently developed vaccines, if the regulatory body approves their use in the UK, at least gives us hope for the future.

Plans for a vaccination programme are being prepared by the NHS but details about how this will be implemented and the extent to which our local GP practice and their staff will be involved is not yet clear. However, it is unlikely vaccinations will be administered at our local surgery until such time as a vaccine is available that can be stored in a normal fridge. It is more likely, at least initially, that mass vaccination centres will be set up somewhere in the district instead.

In the meantime, patients are requested to avoid overwhelming Markfield Medical Practice with queries about Covid-19 or possible vaccination arrangements. Instead, please leave the phone lines clear for patients to access the surgery for other purposes and free-up staff to effectively handle the more routine calls it receives.

Contact NHS 111 for urgent medical care needs - Patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being encouraged to contact NHS 111 for urgent medical care needs. The call from the local NHS aims to help patients get the care and treatment they need at the right place based on their clinical needs. It will also help manage the flow of patients to protect their safety and the safety of NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and winter.

Patients contacting NHS 111 will be clinically assessed so that they can be referred to the emergency department at Leicester Royal Infirmary, an NHS Urgent Treatment Centre, a Minor Injuries Unit, pharmacy, GP or advised to self-care where appropriate. They will also be provided with a time that they should attend.

The new move will prevent overcrowding and enable social distancing in waiting areas at the emergency department and other urgent care settings.

You can access NHS 111 by calling: 111 or visiting: https://bit.ly/3exCu9F.

Flu vaccinations THE FLU SEASON is still very much with us and vaccine supplies are becoming available for patients aged 50 to 64 years as all patients in this age group are now eligible for vaccination.

If you are in this age group, you will be contacted by the practice to tell you when and how to book your appointment. The practice has received an initial supply of vaccine for this age group and priority is being given to those patients considered clinically to be most at risk so please wait to be contacted and refrain from calling the surgery unnecessarily at this busy time of year. Instead you could keep up to date by periodically checking the practice website. Alternatively, community pharmacies are also be able to offer the flu vaccine to eligible patients.

Blood and other samples THESE ARE now collected from the surgery for lab testing twice daily.

Patients are still requested to take samples to the surgery by midday but the extra time in the afternoon made available by the second collection will help in particular with urgently required blood tests.

Christmas and New Year Surgery Opening Hours PATIENTS are advised to get their prescription requests in early due to the restricted opening times over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Requests at present can be accepted up to 10 days in advance.

Your Winter Medicine Cabinet ONE OF THE ways to take care of yourself this winter is to make sure your medicine cabinet is well stocked.

Minor conditions such as colds, coughs and sore throats can be easily treated with supplies you can keep at home. It is recommended your medicine cabinet should be stocked with the following over the counter items available from your local pharmacy: • Painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol • Aspirin (should not be taken by children under 12) • Antihistamines for allergies • Diarrhoea relief • Constipation relief • Throat lozenges • Antacid In addition to the usual winter coughs and colds, your local pharmacist can also help and provide advice with many other ailments, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever, and period pain.

Miscellaneous observations • • • • • •

Wrinkles mean you laughed; grey hair mean you care; scars mean you lived; a large rear end means you love take-aways.

I’m on two diets. I wasn’t getting enough food on one.

Stealing someone’s coffee is called mugging.

I don’t think the therapist is supposed to say ‘you did what?!’ that many times in your first session, but here we are.

Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Warning: Dates in your calendar are closer than they appear.

A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.

D o v e B a nk P ri m a ry S c h o o l Putting Children First Places are filling up for our Reception Class intake for 2021.

Dove Bank Primary School is a small rural community school for pupils aged four to eleven. Situated in the picturesque village of Nailstone, the school also serves the nearby catchment areas of Bagworth and Battram.

The school is a well-maintained, modern building built in 1982 and extended further in 2004. Dove Bank was extended again in 2019 to cater for increased housing being built in the local area.

The extensive grounds, which include a large playing field, outdoor stage and wildlife area & pond, support learning, providing an attractive and safe environment for all children to enjoy.

Once inside, the classrooms and shared spaces offer a rich, rewarding and highly stimulating learning environment.

 DEDICATED STAFF TEAM Dove Bank Primary School is fortunate to have a talented and highly skilled staff team.  WRAPAROUND CARE Our Breakfast and After School Clubs are available from 7.30am until 6.00pm.  FIND OUT MORE We welcome you to contact the school to find out more and we look forward to hearing from you.

Children begin their Dove Bank journey in our well-equipped Foundation Stage classroom, with its purpose built outdoor learning environment.

Dove Bank Primary School, Bagworth Rd, Nailstone, CV130QJ  email: office@dovebank.leics.sch.uk  tel: 01530 262371  web: www.dovebankprimary.co.uk  twitter: @DoveBankPrimary

22

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

News from Dove Bank Primary School OAK CLASS have set up their own nativity scene and enjoyed sharing carols in the woods whilst the rest of the school have worked in their bubbles to learn the poem’ Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and have then produced a choral retelling.

LISTED below are some recent planning applications local to our area:

Pine class have been learning about volcanoes. They built their own Papiermâché volcanos and then erupted them!

Happy Christmas from all at Dove Bank Primary School.

Andrea Fletcher Deputy Headteacher

And I Quote 0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way.

• 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

Planning Apps

“Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.”

Maxim Gorky

• Two storey side and rear extensions - at 3 Forest Road Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9UN • Roof extension single storey side and rear extensions and front porch (part retrospective) - at 17 Marston Drive Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0DY • Certificate of Lawful Existing Use for the use of the outbuilding to the rear of 78 Main Street, Bagworth as a light industrial workshop - at 78 Main Street Bagworth Coalville Leicestershire LE67 1DN • First floor extension at side and rear of house - at 45 Oakfield Avenue Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9WH • Single storey rear extension 17 Percival Way Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0AU • Re-roofing of existing property and canopy roof to west elevation - 8 Carmen Grove Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0BA • Single storey side extension to detached outbuilding and conversion into annexe (partretrospective) - Craig Y Don Bradgate Hill Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0FA • Change of use from residential to commercial for No.21 Ratby Road, demolition of retaining walls and outbuildings and erection of three terraced dwellings including the formation of new access and parking off Rookery Lane - at 19-21 Ratby Road Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0GF

Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred.

Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com

I only believe 12.5% of the Bible. Which means I’m an eighthiest.

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk

23

Church services during Advent and Christmas Benefice of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon and Copt Oak Despite the COVID-19 restrictions the church itself is very much alive and active.

We are delighted that during December there will be a mixture of online services and worship in our four Church of England churches across the Benefice.

Very happily our own Benefice Carol and Christingle services will be held online which means as many people can attend as wish to; this would not be the case if held in the church buildings, where numbers allowed in church are severely restricted due to current rules.

There will be Communion Services on Christmas Eve in three of our church buildings and Christmas Day services in two of them. Full details of all the services are below.

On line services - J22 Benefice YouTube Channel We invite everyone to our: Carol Service on December 20th at 4pm and Christingle service on Christmas Eve at 4pm.

We also invite you: • every Sunday to a 30-minute service premiering at 10.15am.

• on Wednesday evenings to Prayers for the End of the Day ‘Compline’.

These will be posted at approximately 8 pm.

• to a weekly ‘Thought for Thursday!’’posted on Thursday morning. ​Please note, these are the times they are uploaded but they can be watched at any time after that to suit you.

Services in our church buildings We invite you to church services within our buildings as follows: St Peter’s, Copt Oak 13th December 3pm Praise Service 20th December 6pm Holy Communion 24th December 9 pm Holy Communion 25th December 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Mary’s, Stanton 27th December 10.30 am Joint Service St Michael’s & All Angels, Markfield 13th December 6 pm Evening Prayer 24th December 11.30 pm Midnight Communion 25th December 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Mary’s, Stanton 27th December 10.30 am Joint Service at St Peter’s, Copt Oak St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon 20th December 10.30 am Holy Communion 24th December 11.30 pm Parish Midnight Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton 25th December 10.30 Benefice Holy Communion 27th December 10.30 am Parish Service.

St Peter’s, Thornton 13th December 10.30 am Holy Communion 24th December 11.30 pm Midnight Communion 25th December 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Mary’s, Stanton 27th December 10.30 am Parish Service at St Mary’s, Stanton All details and lots more information can be found on the Benefice website www.j22churches.org.uk. The online services can be found by just clicking on the YouTube Logo on the homepage

I took my wife’s family out for tea and biscuits. They weren’t too happy about having to give blood though.

24

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

9 in 10 say Government must improve housing for older people A NEW SURVEY published this month shows that nearly 90% of people think the Government should widen housing options for older people – including those with care, and that more than half of older people are interested in moving but lack good local downsizing options.

The survey, conducted by Later Life Ambitions and the Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO), illuminates the mis-match between the needs and wants of older people and the options available to them. 56% are interested in moving, rising to 70% if to somewhere with care and support as an alternative to a care home, yet 53% say their local area does not have enough downsizing options, including those with care.

Those surveyed, who included a mix of ages – 62% of whom were 65 or over, overwhelmingly supported Government action to increase the provision of housing for older people. When asked to rank top priorities for Government change, the creation of alternatives to care homes came first, followed by developing a clear national strategy to encourage growth. Also rated as important were providing more information to older people about their choices, making improvements to the planning system, and strengthening consumer protection and clarity.

In addition to broad interest in housing options that include care, 14% said they would like to move specifically to a Retirement Community, an option that combines independent living with the provision of onsite, CQC-regulated care if needed, and a wide range of communal services and facilities. Despite this demand, just 0.6% over-65s currently have the opportunity to live in a Retirement Community in the UK, compared to at least 5-6% in New Zealand, Australia and the US. The survey results increase the pressure on the Government to act swiftly to expand housing and care options for older people. ARCO and partners including politicians, charities, older people’s representatives and private sector organisations recently called on the Prime Minister to make the 2020s the “decade of housing-with-care”, and for a cross-government Task Force to increase options for older people.

Michael Voges, Executive Director of ARCO, said: “The new evidence published demonstrates starkly the gulf between what housing and care options people want when they are older, and those currently available to them.

“A majority of older people are interested in moving should there be the right option in their local area, but the current supply of good quality housing and care is simply nowhere near enough to meet demand.

“When 90% of people call on the Government to widen housing options for older people, including those providing care, then it is time to listen and act swiftly.”

Lisa Ray, General Secretary Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance and Later Life Ambitions Partner said:“Appropriate and comfortable housing helps older people maintain independence, wellbeing and physical health. Needs and preference evolve with age, but the options available have not kept up with demand.

“Successive Governments have failed to address this issue. With more than half of those who took part in the survey saying they were interested in downsizing, but local offers were not good enough, today’s research shows how urgently solutions are required. It is time for the Government to take action.”

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Aladdin is my favourite story about how anything is possible if you find a magical genie that grants wishes.

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25

Borough Councillor Andy Furlong’s Tel: 01530 231377 Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk I’VE HAD ENOUGH of this COVID-19 business!

There cannot be many people reading this month’s column who would disagree. Sadly, it’s not going to be all over by Christmas, despite the optimistic noises from Westminster earlier in the year. We now find ourselves heading into a festive season like no other - certainly, like none experienced in my lifetime.

Painful separation

But to paraphrase Churchill, I suspect that this may be the end of the beginning, rather than the beginning of the end. I will certainly be in the queue for a shot in the arm as soon as my age group is eligible. I see this is as my public duty, and I have no time for the anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists who have dismissed the last nine months as an establishment ‘plot’.

Trump supporter trumped in Stanton IN OTHER news, and to continue in a Churchillian vein a significant battle has been won in Stanton Under Bardon.

November’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to reject an application to build an enormous industrial site on greenfield land, within the National Forest and just outside the village boundary. Matthew Lay and I worked hard to ensure that the views of the village received a proper hearing in the planning debate. The views of residents won the day, and I would like to pay tribute to Sallie Andrews, Janet Russell and Stanton Parish Council for their tireless efforts to mobilise local opinion against the proposal.

Interestingly I learned that the American money man behind the Bardon 3 development is a big fan and major donor to Donald Trump. He must have been doubly disappointed in November. But just like the US elections, it isn’t over until it’s over and we must delay any celebration until we are confident that a legitimate result cannot be overturned by an appeal.

Parking pains I’LL FREELY admit that I’ve been finding things tough going.

My elderly mum, Joy Furlong, suffers from mixed dementia. She lives more than 200 miles away. Two weeks into lockdown the challenges of self-isolation and social distancing proved just too much for her. She was admitted to a care home. Consequently, I’ve seen her just once in the last nine months. Now, to make matters worse, she has tested positive for COVID-19 along with several other residents in the home. Fortunately, she is currently showing no symptoms and remains in relatively good spirits.

Nonetheless, the separation from family and friends has proved extremely painful for all involved. It may be many weeks before I see her again. Forty years ago they let me out of Wales, but it may be some time before they let me back in again!

The bubble bursts I’M SURE that my story is not uncommon.

COVID-19 will have touched most households in our community, and with more than 669 deaths here in Leicestershire, my heart goes out to any Herald reader who has lost a friend or a loved one. Looking back, it now seems rather odd that many people - perhaps even a majority - took the view that the epidemic was behind us back in the summer. The so-called “second spike” and the return to full lockdown soon burst that bubble. The rapid climb in the number of positive tests in West Leicestershire that we saw in November was frankly terrifying.

Sacrifice our socialising FORTUNATELY, we may be over the worst.

Positive test rates are falling across England and here in Hinckley & Bosworth. But you’ve heard that once before, and there is absolutely no room for complacency. My wife Sarah, daughter Rebecca and I have taken this whole COVID-19 business very seriously. We’ve barely seen a soul for nine months. Our house in Thornton has had one single visitor in all that time. Yes, like you, we’ve ‘had enough’, but we’re going to stick with it and no matter what changes are made to the guidance between now and the end of the year we’re staying put. Our thinking is straightforward. We’re all going to sacrifice our socialising for the sake of others. This is the only way we can be sure that we do not contribute to this spreading of the disease and a further economically disastrous spike early in 2021.

ELSEWHERE I can report that the old problem of antisocial parking at Mercenfeld Primary School has reared its head again.

The wet weather and COVID-19 have almost certainly made matters worse and tempers have frayed. It’s time for proper enforcement. I have raised the issue with the community safety team in Hinckley, with our new neighbourhood Police Inspector and also directly with the school management. I have asked to see the short - and long - term plans for traffic management and the measures that will be implemented to protect pupils, staff, passers-by and residents. This has the potential to become an even bigger problem given the pressure that Markfield is coming under from the government to accept new house building. I will work to ensure that, should this go ahead, and it does not cause unacceptable disruption to those who already live in the village.

And finally THAT’S IT for another year, and what a strange year it has been.

But let’s keep on keepin’ on and beat this COVID-19 thing together. Stay safe; stick to the rules; keep your social interactions to a minimum, and enjoy the holiday as best you can. I’ll see you on the other side!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Public duty

Andy Furlong

THE RECENT announcement of the roll-out of a vaccine to the most vulnerable and NHS workers is excellent news.

Contact me on 01530 231377 or via andy.furlong@hinckleybosworth.gov.uk

They say winning isn’t everything and I’ve decided to take their word for it.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community and Sports Centre News Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Covid 19 Closure AS I WRITE this article it is a cold, damp foggy and all together a miserable day which reflects our gloomy mood due to the latest COVID 19 lock down.

Our worst fears have been realised with the whole of the County and City going into Tier 3 with the highest levels of restrictions as from 2nd December. I have to say that this is very disappointing especially as the Borough has currently the lowest rate of infection in the County and marginally just above the National average. Tier 3 restrictions has meant that all of the hard work that we have done to make sure that the Centre is COVID 19 secure and open again has disappeared in a flash. Even the new guidelines under Tier 3 are very confusing and it is a real headache trying to work out what we can do or not do at the Centre. But, despite all of our frustrations, restrictions are necessary to stop the spread of contagion, save lives and support the NHS. Let’s be positive. There are new vaccines on the horizon and infection rates appear to be falling. We have the Christmas relaxation of restrictions to look forward to though deciding who is in our family and friends bubble will leave us scratching our heads. Other good news that will bring some festive cheer is the news that Father Christmas Grottos and door to door Carol singing will be allowed.

Come on Markfield let’s bring more festive cheer to the village. The Parish Council’s Christmas lights on the Green are fantastic but let’s also support the Queen Bees Youth Project’s suggestion in last month’s Herald that we create a BIG STYLE Winter Wonderland in Markfield. It would be lovely if, as many households as possible could light up their houses with Christmas decorations. Then perhaps we could arrange a Christmas Lights and Carol singing trail around the village. We may even persuade Father Christmas to come out of isolation at the North Pole to visit the Centre and wave to the children.

Please just follow all the current restrictions and guidelines then we can beat this awful virus and hopefully have a bit more normality in 2021. By gum we are going to have some big parties and celebrations once this is all over. So, in the meantime, let us try to make the best of a bad situation stay safe and help beat the virus.

Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme AS WITH the first wave of the pandemic the Community Centre will remain available for the National Blood Service, any emergencies and also as a virtual hub for the village voluntary COVID 19 Good Neighbours scheme.

The village’s COVID 19 Good Neighbours Scheme has remained strong throughout the pandemic and indeed has even increased its number of volunteers. This “army” of volunteers remain willing and ready to help and support those that need it. The help and support they have been giving is amazing and would take me a month of Sundays to catalogue it all. Our thanks and appreciation go to them all. So, we are here and prepared to help and support you through this next phase of the pandemic especially over the Christmas and winter period. Please remember that, if you need any help with shopping, collecting prescription, other problems or just someone to chat just give us a call on 07885 243033. IT’S OKAY TO ASK

FOR HELP. If you would like to join our band of volunteers or need some help please contact us at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk or ring us on 07885 243033.

Toys on the Table ONE OF OUR Good Neighbours volunteers is collecting toys for children in the village who may, for whatever reason, go without this Christmas.

If you would like to donate new or unused toys, books or toiletries that are in good condition or know a family in need, please let us know and we will arrange collection and distribution.

“Don’t Spend Christmas Alone” Our volunteers are also collecting items for Christmas Parcels supporting the above scheme. So, please let us know if you are able to donate any items. Thank you.

Mayflower Club SADLY, due to the new restrictions, we have had to close the Mayflower Cub for the for foreseeable future.

But all is not lost. Thanks to one of our members Carol Kemp we are in regular contact with members. Carol even arranges a weekly catch up with members at 3pm on Wednesday afternoons. Carol arranges a little quiz and we all raise a glass or cup of tea to keep our spirits high. As we cannot do our traditional Christmas Party this year we are planning a virtual Christmas party on 16th December. As part of the “party” we are arranging a little surprise for them all.

We will keep in touch with all of you and let you know when we can resume.

Lonely People this Christmas ONE MAJOR concern that has emerged over the past months is the increasing number of people of all ages who have been referred to us because they are lonely, isolated or anxious.

This will be the case over the Christmas period and, if the predictions are right, we get a severe period of bad weather with snow and ice during the coming winter. Our Good Neighbour’s Scheme is keeping in touch with people BUT could we please ask you to keep an eye on your neighbours.

Just give them and tap on the window or the door and say hello. You should not enter their homes just check if they are okay and if they need anything and give us a call if they do.

Christmas Greetings FINALLY, on behalf of all at the Community Centre, may we wish you a happy Christmas and a safe and virus free 2021.

Ron and Dawn Grantham

Eveyone has an annoying friend. If you don’t have one, it’s probably you.

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST WILFRID OF YORK 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB

WE ARE GRATEFUL to be able to welcome you back to meet Jesus in the Eucharist and to be together to worship once again!

St Wilfrid’s has reopened for weekend Masses – Saturday 6 pm and Sunday 10 am.

For important information and details of Christmas Masses, please access the Parish website: www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk.

Spaces are limited so it is important that you book a space at www. massbooking.uk, the Diocesan Mass booking website. Mass can be booked 6 days in advance (for example, Sunday’s Mass will appear on the website on Monday). If you do not have access to the internet, please ask a family member or neighbour to help or phone the presbytery – 01530 832098 - on Mondays from 12 noon to 2 pm.

Sacrament of Reconciliation You can now book an appointment with Fr Gabriel to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Please call the presbytery to book an appointment (01530 832098). The sacrament will take place in church.

Please wear a mask, sanitise your hands on arrival and maintain 2m distance. Families are welcome to attend together, remaining in the porch and taking turns. Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult and that adult must remain in view in the porch.

• Just a reminder, Fr. Gabriel is celebrating mass via Zoom app each weekday at 10am. Please feel free to join in. If you would like the code to join, please email susantompkin@yahoo.co.uk.

• Fr Gabriel is available if a priest is needed.

• Please let the Parish know if you, or anyone you know, needs help of any kind. Please call the presbytery and we will do what we can to help. Keep safe and well.

• The parish website below contains links to the live streaming of Masses and devotions as well as links to prayer and scripture resources.

Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor – 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk School Details St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.st-clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle.leics.sch.uk Markfield Masses Congregational Church Hall, Main Street, Markfield (next to the Chinese takeaway) Village Contact: Margaret on 01530 243292

27

Launching Leicestershire’s Own “Horrible Histories” STEVE CARTWRIGHT is a songwriter from Leicester and Dave Taylor is a songwriter from Groby.

The two have just combined to produce an 18 track CD “Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire (with one honorary inclusion from Rutland!) – volume 2”. Steve brought out volume 1 in 2014 and this is a follow up celebration in song of some of the various characters “good, bad and ugly” who have played a part in our local history.

Starting way back in pre-Roman times with the story of King Lear (another king reputedly buried in Leicester!) through to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivahhhanaprabha, (so tragically killed two years ago) the CD also includes Black Annis (hag-witch of Danehills), Lady Ethelfleda (who freed Leicestershire from the Danish occupation army), King Richard lll (we couldn’t leave him out, could we?) the diminutive Jeffrey Hudson, (JHB bitter named after him), Ada Lovelace (local computer programming pioneer) and Alice Hawkins (Leicester suffragette).

There is also an account of a 1607 anti enclosure rebellion and a tribute to the “Leicestershire Miner”.

Some of the songs are serious, some humorous and the CD includes a 12 page pull our featuring biographical details of all those included. Just a word of caution in that one or two of the songs are a bit “ribald” in places so perhaps not suitable for young children.

I would make an ideal stocking filler £12.50 including postage and packing – contact Dave on 0771 1996210 or dave@acorn-4.co.uk.

It is also available as a download from Bandcamp:- £10.00 https://steve-cartwright.bandcamp.com/

Because of You

By Dawn French Tick-tock, tick-tock, ticktock . . . midnight.

The old millennium turns into the new.

In the same hospital, two very different women give birth to two very similar daughters.

Hope leaves with a beautiful baby girl.

Anna leaves with empty arms.

Seventeen years later, the gods who keep watch over broken-hearted mothers wreak mighty revenge, and the truth starts rolling, terrible and deep, toward them all.

The power of mother-love will be tested to its limits.

Perhaps beyond . . .

I’m a really good listener, as long as we’re talking about me.

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17 The Nook | Anstey | Leicester | LE7 7AZ