Feb 2013 Herald

February 2013

Closure of roundabout Closure of Field Head Roundabout closure

Closure = Diversion route =

The Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group

Snow and ice didn’t put off the panto fans!

Area 7 diversion route

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is to be made for the Field Head Roundabout, Markfield to facilitate carriageway resurfacing. The TTRO will incorporate a temporary road closure.

Whilst the TTRO is physically in place the diversion route will be via Junction 22 of the M1 to junction 21, back along the M1 to junction 23A and along the A46 to the A50 junction. This is to be in reverse for traffic wishing to travel from the A46 to the A50 beyond Field Head.

Diversions for local traffic will be signed on site. The duration of the restriction is not anticipated to exceed a period of 4 days commencing on 2nd April 2013.

Allotment opportunities for Bagworth, Merrylees and Thornton Residents A few allotments in Bagworth have just come available for Bagworth, Merrylees and Thornton residents to rent.

The Bagworth and Thornton Parish Council has recently been looking into making improvements to various aspects of these local allotments, including making the plots more evenly sized, improving access to the allotments, thereby allowing deliveries such as manure and compost directly to plots. (In the past many allotment holders have had to have deliveries made at a distance and then spend considerable time barrowing the delivery to their allotments.)

The central path has been straightened and at the January meeting, the Parish Council approved a proposal to widen it to allow tractor access and to lay down hard core. The work will be going ahead as soon as possible.

The constitution has been rewritten and there is a newly appointed committee for the Bagworth Allotment Association, keen to develop the activity on them, including competition for the Allotment Cup at the Bagworth Annual Show. The intention is that the Bagworth Allotment Association will become a member of the National Allotment Association and gain from the benefits available from such membership, including possibly applying for small grants for improvements to the allotments.

If you are interested in applying for an allotment, please email the Parish Clerk, Ann Murray at clerk@bagworthandthornton.org.uk, drop a letter in to her at Bagworth Community Centre or telephone her on 07580 574093.

Remember, these allotments will be rented out on a first come, first served basis (£15 p.a). Those people currently on the Bagworth Allotments waiting list are being contacted now.

Thank you so much to our appreciative audiences who came to see “Dick Whittington and his Cat” at Thornton Community Centre in January.

NICE BRAS: Sailors Barnacle (Keith Barnes) and Limpet (Jon Perkins) go native with Dick’s cat, Black Jack (Darren Woods)

Outside the temperature fell below freezing and snow and ice covered the ground. However, as the curtains opened on a London Street scene and we heard the happy voices of our Junior Chorus singing “Maybe it’s Because I’m a Londoner”, time stood still for a while as we tried to fill the Community Centre with warmth, fun and laughter.

Pantomime is a pure, theatrical indulgence. It’s all about largerthan-life outrageous characters thrown together in highly improbable situations, having fun .

As we rehearse, we wonder what the audience reactions will Junior Chorus from the Linda be to our shenanigans and hope Williams Academy of Performing Arts that people will be amused and entertained. Our reward, hopefully, is to see rows of happy smiling faces.

Comments on the Show do filter back to us. One lady “nearly choked on my lime cream” when a very respectable male villager danced before her eyes wearing a grass skirt, with coconut-shell accessories and garlands of flowers, and singing, “I want to dance with a big panty woman”.

A little three-year-old urgently whispered to her granny at the interval that she was sure Dick was lying!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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AD RATES: PAGE 27

News about Markfield Knit and Natter My goodness, knitting has become popular again! I see from last month’s Herald and posters in the village that another group is starting at the library.

Over Christmas, at various social events I have been asked the question “are you moving from the pub?”

The answer to this question was a big “no, of course not!” Why would we move from such a friendly and welcoming venue where not only can coffee be purchased but a nice glass of wine, g&t or any other drink you might fancy.

On making further enquires I learnt that the library have set up a Knit and Natter Group which will meet in the library on a Thursday afternoon so I would like to clear up any confusion caused. There is obviously room for two such groups in the village as not everyone wishes to turn out at night or even meet in the pub. In fact it is good to see that interest in crafts is increasing and anything which gives people an opportunity to go out, make new friends and learn something new is a good thing. However I feel that it is important to let it be known that the original Knit and Natter Group is still very much In existence at the Bull’s Head.

Our group was originally set up by Markfield WI but we welcome anyone and there is no pressure to join the WI, in fact some of those who Knit and Natter are not members. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month at the Bull’s Head on Forest Rd from about 7pm to 9pm. The only condition of coming is that you buy a drink! We meet in the lounge bar and are made to feel very welcome by the landlord Mick. Since starting we have tackled a range of projects for charity as some of our members do not wish to knit garments for themselves but enjoy the craft and the challenges that our projects have posed. Our projects have included clothes for premature babies at the General Hospital, fingerless gloves for Shuttlewood Clark Foundation, knitted triangles to aid bonding for mothers and premature babies at the LRI, and if you attended the Diamond Jubilee event at the Community Centre, you will have seen our knitted Royal Family which was very well received. There is no pressure to join in with these projects, you can bring your own projects and there some experienced knitters who are always willing to offer help. We swap ideas and patterns and our knowledge of the wealth of websites available online. We even bring our yarn stashes to share.

Lots of nattering goes on to the point at which some of us have ‘pub’ knitting which may require less concentration! We have also enjoyed a trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace and by the time this article appears we will have enjoyed a lunch outing, no knitting at that one!

So good luck to the library group but if you fancy an evening out in friendly company at the Bull’s Head why not come along and join us. We welcome non knitters, tuition can be given and we’d love to see some younger members – knitting is not just for ‘oldies’.

Our next meeting will be Wed, 6th March from 7pm at the Bull’s Head. If you require any further information you can contact me on 01530 243350 or markfieldfran@hotmail.com

Fran Johnson

Bargain Book Sale at Markfield Library Looking for a bargain?

Pop into Markfield Library and bag some books!

There is a sale of second hand books and DVDs for bargain prices at Markfield Library running from Mon 4th Feb 2013 – Sat 16th Feb 2013.

A wide range of books and DVDs will be available.

I’ve never seen a tombstone that read: ‘Died from not forwarding that email to 10 people.’

Pantomime - continued from page 1 “He’s not a poor boy, Granny, because he’s wearing a gold ring!”

So filthy, furry and flea-ridden were the dirty rats that one of them wasn’t recognised by a friend, who rang the next day to enquire why she hadn’t appeared in the pantomime.

A little boy was convinced that he spotted his Granny in the Sultan’s harem. Surely not?

It’s interesting to note that, whilst some people travelled miles to see us, others, within a stone’s throw of the Centre, decided that the weather was too inclement!

Hats off to the intrepid three people who walked half a mile across the snowy fields by torchlight from Thornton Mill one evening! Pantomime Alliance officials travelled from Derbyshire to adjudicate our performance and, despite the forecast of blizzards, a bus-load of senior citizens, determined not to miss the pantomime, came from Queniborough.

There were moments when we debated whether or not the Show could go on ... especially as three of our cast and crew had to travel from Hinckley. However, we managed to stage six of the planned seven performances.

Friday night’s show just had to be cancelled as the snow closed in and traffic chaos ensued on the roads. We have, of course, refunded the ticket money to those people who had planned to come on that night. If you bought tickets from “Norm’s” – Thornton’s Corner Shop, then please take your tickets back and claim your refund.

Our first MTG pantomime was in 1973. (Our Group was Markfield Theatre Group at that time... we changed to MTTG after our move to Thornton in 2001). Little did any of us think how many pantomimes we would stage in the intervening forty years!! We have always made sure that they are completely suitable for a family audience and long may that tradition continue.

We are now in the process of choosing a play for our Spring production in May. If you’re interested in joining us, then just come along to Thornton Community Centre on any Wednesday evening at 7.30 p.m. Whatever your talent, we can use it and we’d be glad to have you!

Muriel Walker

THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

FUND-RAISING EVENTS COMING UP SOON IN THORNTON We have two exciting dates for your calendar at Thornton Community Centre.

• A Table Top sale has been planned for Saturday March 9th. Tables are available to book for only £7 if you would like to have a”Spring Clean”to sell off your unwanted items,this is an ideal opportunity.Contact Paula Smith on 077430153377 or 01530 230265 to book a table. The centre will be open for sellers to set up from 9:30am, doors will open for the public at 10:30 until 1pm. Refreshments will be available. entrance fee only 50p • Our other fund-raiser is a Spring Craft Fayre on Saturday April 20th from 10:20 until 3pm We have already booked a wide variety of high quality crafters, but there are still have spaces available. To book a table contact Iris Gleeson on 01530 230453. refreshments availabe.

We look forwards to seeing you at these events either as a seller or a bargain hunter! THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Many thanks

Paula Smith (Secretary) Palm Sunday visit It was Palm Sunday, but because of a sore throat, five-yearold Bobby stayed home from church with a baby-sitter.

When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds.

Bobby asked them what they were for. “People held them over Jesus’ head as he walked by,” his father told him.

Bobby was aghast. “I don’t believe it! The one Sunday I don’t go, and he shows up!”

I’ve recently become a Professor of palindromes, so now you can call me Dr. Awkward.

Police Report: Mr Lay was disappointed to report that the local police authority would no longer be using the Community Office at the Community Centre due to their reorganization however a PCSO presence would remain. He would raise concerns about the lack of police presence around the village at the next Northern Parishes Crime and Safety Forum meeting.

Local History Group – Proposal to erect a War Memorial in Markfield on the grass verge at the top of Neville Drive: The parish council discussed proposal for the village memorial emailed from Mr B Gannon.

•Description of stone – It was agreed that the type of stone depended upon the site chosen by the Local History Group. The parish council’s preferred option remained at the Top Green adjacent to the church. This would make an ideal focal point for a memorial service where the three churches could congregate together safely together; it was usual for 100+ people to attend the service.

It was agreed that The Local History Group should consult with the public and churches regarding the site of the memorial.

Protection of highways trees within the grass verge on Neville Drive – Installation of bollards: - Mr Lockley had asked

Extracts fromMarkfield Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on Tuesday 15th January 2013. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration.

Mr M Springthorpe & Cuckoo Gap Farm for a quotation to install bollards onto the verges.

British Cycling – BMX Race Track at Jubilee Playing Fields; - Mr M Lay explained that if the above scheme was not going ahead as proposed the parish council wished to pursue the proposal to plant a FreeWoods Scheme at the site. Mr Sprason stated that he had no objection to this and that he would contact Mr A Brettle to find out if the BMX track was still a viable option.

Local Government Settlement Grant: - Mr Sprason stated that Leicestershire County Council needed to save £79 million over the next four years, due to the reduction in the Government grant and loss of funding to academies.

He stated that as most efficiency savings had been made the council proposed to use a Government grant to freeze Council Tax next year but would need to increase Council Tax by 1.5 per cent for each of the following three years.

The budget proposals were out for public consultation at the moment.

Car Sales on A50 at the Field Head Roundabout: -Mr Lay and Mrs Sprason should go back to the Borough Council and request that a Traffic Regulation Order should be implemented and enforced, as every other option had now been explored.

Leicester County Council Highways: - Mr Sprason informed the members that the department planned to re-introduce the newsletter informing residents about present and planned highway works.

Erection of new Farm Buildings and creation of access, land Off Ratby Lane: To be discussed at the planning meeting on 22nd January 2013. Mr M Lay referred to the misleading correspondence circulating around Markfield Court retirement village. The letter inferred that residents could stop any form of development on the site. This was not the case as the landowner had

made every effort to comply with current planning regulations.

The Co-Op store redevelopment, Main Street: - Mr M Lay stated that he was aware that the final scheme details were being drafted.

Skate Park: - Mr Walmsley had asked Gravity Skate Parks to delay the works due to the bad weather and poor drainage of the site. He also added that a path, fencing and additional landscaping would complete the project.

Resolved, the clerk would make an application for £10,000 from the Parish & Community Initiative Fund.

Community Café: Mr Lockley was liaising with the organisation which set up a Community Shop in Whitwick to see if this was a viable project for Markfield.

Grit bin request – Croft Way: As discussed at the previous meeting. The Parish Council were willing to install a grit bin, but the problem encountered when the contractor tried to install the grit bin was that no one wanted it outside of their property. The residents should provide the suitable site for the grit bin after consulting other neighbours.

Parish Precept: For the Annual Parish Precept for 2013/2014, an overall 9.9% increase to £95,947.32 would be requested, which equated an increase of £5.08 per annum per household.

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Benefit recipients should not Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald I consider myself fortunate that so far in my life I have only needed to claim income support for a couple of months.

That was a long time ago; I had just come back from working in the USA and was having to think about starting a career. It was at that point I started to volunteer for the Leicestershire Probation service 3 days a week. This continued until I secured a full time job at which point I signed off. Now that was back in late 1992/early 1993 and I remember the country was still gripped in recession and unemployment hovered around the 3 million mark. I felt fortunate at the time because although I had been unemployed I was able to live at home, enjoy three square meals a day (get my washing done – thanks mum!) And the dole cheque was really just spending money. If I had needed to live on that dole cheque it would have been very hard and I realised that at the time, and that thought stayed with me.

I was brought up to take nothing for granted and not to judge those less fortunate than myself. I have seen with my own eyes how life can throw the most unexpected things at people, nothing is ever really that certain.

So I come to write this article

about a subject which will not win many votes and is not very mainstream these days. Indeed to even raise the subject of those who need to claim benefits, can raise a sense of indignation and depending on the circumstances of the audience, a sense of injustice which can be almost audible, but not on behalf of the benefit recipient but on behalf of the person whose taxes go to support that benefit.

Such is the level of demonization of those who receive benefits (driven by some in the media and the political establishment who use this tactic to soften us up with lies and mis-information) that those who do receive are blamed and little sympathy expressed for their plight.

Unable to work Of course that is until they find themselves in an unfortunate situation of needing to claim something. And it can be really unfortunate, it could be a serious illness like cancer (35,000 recipients of disability living allowance have terminal cancer) or a born condition (390,000 with severe learning difficulties) that leads to an individual being unable to work, it could be the need to care for a parent or child, it could literally be a whole host of things. More importantly however and more likely is the scenario of the working

person who simply does not earn enough in the job to stave off poverty. It is this group who often go misrepresented and yet the majority of children and working-age adults in poverty in the UK live in working, not workless, households.

That’s 6.1million people - 2million children and 4.1million adults - a million more people than are living in poverty in workless households.

Low pay is the biggest cause of poverty in this country.

£70bn lost to tax evasion Of course we have in society people who take advantage of the system, people who claim what they should not and people who live on benefits without making a genuine effort to work when they clearly could. However despite the great coverage these cases are given as a rationale for claiming the system is a failure and promoting a culture of work shy people; the hard evidence fails to support this much believed myth. In fact the government’s own figures show that just 0.7%, or £1bn, of benefit expenditure is overpaid due to fraud - compared to, say, £70bn lost to HM Treasury through illegal tax evasion, most of which is committed by those who have more wealth than they could dispose of in a lifetime or corporations, some who make vast profits by paying workers below the living wage.

I write all this just at the very moment before a wave of benefit cuts hits our community and in particular those most in need. We have been discussing this at the Borough Council and actually the debate has been reasoned on all sides. I like other councillors have already started receiving phone calls about these changes and especially the new ‘bedroom tax’ which hits those living in social housing who have an extra bedroom and will be forced into paying a surcharge within the housing benefit payment or moving. This attack will force people in social housing to move home and community if they end up with an extra room (this could be for many reasons) and what chance of them finding another property that is acceptable in today’s world of housing shortage. Remember that only one out of every eight people who receive housing benefit is unemployed - the vast majority of HB claimants are pensioners, carers, people with disability and, of course, working people on low income.

Spending more on energy Following on, we then have new reforms of Council Tax benefit, which means that the government is to impose on all those in receipt of this benefit, a levy which they will pay according to how the local

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be demonized council imposes it. This saving goes to the government and yet the problems it raises will be left for the Council to resolve the best it can.

Finally we have the benefit cap which limits rises to 1% despite inflation running well above this and poorer households spending more on energy (which has been rising well above inflation) as a percentage of income. Again the majority of those who will be impacted by this change will be those in work, with child poverty set to increase as a result. The respected Joseph Rowntree Foundation points out that “60% of children in low-income households have a working parent, the highest proportion in the history of these statistics”.

Hitting the most vulnerable I hear the casual remarks made by people all the time saying this is needed, believing what they read in papers and using a few anecdotal examples to justify their thinking. Some of what they say I can understand if not agree with, but how would they respond if the shoe was on the other foot. Maybe for them it never will be but can anyone ever be so sure.

It is true that at present we are living beyond our means as we try to emerge from a global recession - the most damaging since the

Markfield Open Gardens – an opportunity for fund raising for your favourite charity A meeting was held in November to discuss the possibility of repeating the very successful event held in June 2011. Although the meeting was not particularly well attended those who did come were very enthusiastic about repeating the event and discussion was very lively.

early 1930’s. Savings need to be found and importantly planned for; however balancing the books on the backs of the most vulnerable and the poorest in society is not smart. It will have a terrible impact on people living in our community, people we know, not people who chose to be poor and not people who should be condemned.

And please spare me having to hear the old saying that we all need to put our shoulder to the wheel, most of the people I know are already doing more than required and we are definitely not all in this together; for at the very moment that these cuts take place those who earn over £150,000 will see a tax cut of 5p in every pound at the highest level.

It was thought that for the event to be successful we needed a minimum of 15 gardens, preferably spread around the village. From those attending the meeting and a couple of other offers we have 11 gardens so clearly some more support is needed.

The weekend chosen to open our gardens would be Sat/Sun 29th/30th June although not everyone would want to open on both days so one day only opening would be quite acceptable. Opening times would be confirmed at a later date should the event go ahead.

It was also decided that as a change from last time anyone opening their garden would be free to sell drinks, cakes, plants, craft products etc to raise money for themselves or a charity of their choice. Lunches and teas would be provided at the Scout Hut by the WI. This would give villagers an opportunity to do their own fundraising.

We all stressed that gardens did not have to be perfect. Small gardens could be just as interesting as large ones, even gardens largely made up of containers would be fine or an interesting greenhouse or veg plot would add variety. A ‘work in progress’ could give visitors ideas and encouragement for developing their own garden.

The final decision as to whether or not we hold the event will be made by the WI in February and if you expressed an interest you will obviously be informed of that decision. If we are going ahead a meeting will be held early in March to discuss the final points of organisation and to give everyone a chance to meet and put forward any ideas they may have on how we can have a really successful Open Gardens.

If you thinking of joining in or require any further information please contact us on 01530 243350 or email markfieldfran@hotmail.com.

Come on Markfield gardeners, if Thornton, Desford and many other Leicestershire villages can hold Open Gardens weekends so can we!

Fran Johnson

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Calling all Bagworth, Merrylees and Thornton Gardeners!

A few allotments are now available. If you are keen on the idea and want to give it a go, now is the time to apply for an allotment — first come, first served. For further information, please see the article on page 1 in this copy of the Herald.

Bagworth and Thornton Parish Council Telephone 07580 574093 Email clerk@bagworthandthornton.org.uk

OLCS Speak Loud and Clear at Bishop’s Mass

Thornton St.Peter’s Church Spot If all goes well with your Herald distribution you should be reading this article in the week in which we mark the traditions of Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and St.Valentine’s Day on our calendars.

Shrove Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

It gets its name from the custom for Christians to be “shriven”, or absolved, from their sins before the start of Lent. lt is also commonly known as Pancake Day due to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day. Pancakes, of rich ingredients of eggs, milk and sugar, were used up before the start of Lent. Pancake races are said to have originated when a housewife from Olney in Buckinghamshire raced from the house while still carrying her frying pan and pancake when she heard church bells ringing for the service.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter.

It marks the beginning of a period of 40 days of prayer and fasting which Jesus spent in the desert. At services on this day each participant is marked with ashes on the forehead in the sign of the cross.

St Valentine’s day is marked on February 14th each year and began as a celebration of an early Christian Saint named Valentinus. He is said to have been imprisoned, and martyred, for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry under the Roman Empire, and for ministering to Christians. Before his execution he is said to have healed the blind daughter of his jailer and to have sent her a note “from your Valentine” as a farewell to her.

So as we enter the Season of Lent I wonder how many of us will mark these occasions with the different thoughts they engender? May I commend these traditions to you. Enjoy your pancakes and your Valentines.

Martin Foster Pupils from Our Lady’s Convent School in Loughborough, joined two other local Rosminian schools in participating in the Catholic Independent School Conference Mass on Friday, 18th January in Nottingham.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, and students including Alice Baker, Jodie Legrand, Holly Newing and Jessica Cox from Our Lady’s Convent School participated with readings and prayers.

After the Mass the Bishop was kind enough to pose for photographs with the students involved and share words with the girls from the Convent who had participated in the 2012 Nottingham Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Mrs Hawley, Headteacher said, “The Mass was very special and all the students involved were a credit to their respective schools. It takes great poise and confidence to stand up and read in front of your peers, so to do so in front of more than 140 headteachers demonstrates how accomplished the students are, as was demonstrated by the many congratulations they received at the end.”

Wednesday Night is Poker Night at The Coach & Horses The Coach & Horses at Field Head is now running Poker Nights every Wednesday, starting at 8pm.

So, if you fancy yourself as the new Cincinnatti Kid, why not pay a visit? For more details - ask at the bar.

Churchwarden

Walk the dog and support LOROS! Join us for ‘Paws 4 a Cause’ Sponsored Dog walk for LOROS Hospice! The 4km Sponsored Dog Walk will be held on Sunday 3rd March 2013, starting at the Bandstand in the beautiful grounds of Abbey Park, in Leicester.

The Dog Walk will have a set start times between 11am-1pm. Each dog will be rewarded with a branded dog tag on completion of the walk along with a FREE goody bag! There will be prizes for the most sponsorship money raised and handed in!

For FREE Registration and to receive your sponsorship pack for ‘Paws 4 a Cause’, please call fundraising today on 0116 2318431 or please visit the LOROS website www.loros.co.uk /fundraising to register online.

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10

BOOK SPOT

The Last Days of Richard III and the fate of his DNA: The Book that Inspired the Dig

By John Ashdown-Hill To be released February 2013 at £9.99 Paperback, ISBN: 9780752492056 A fully revised and expanded edition to include the discoveries of the Leicester dig: Richard III’s burial location and the DNA results of the skeleton found The Last Days of Richard III contains a new and uniquely detailed exploration of Richard’s last 150 days. By deliberately avoiding the hindsight knowledge that he will lose the Battle of Bosworth Field, we discover a new Richard: no passive victim, awaiting defeat and death, but a king actively pursuing his own agenda.

It also re-examines the aftermath of Bosworth: the treatment of Richard’s body; his burial; and the construction of his tomb. And there is the fascinating story of why, and how, Richard III’s family tree was traced until a relative was found, alive and well, in Canada.

Now, with the discovery of Richard’s skeleton at the Greyfrairs Priory in Leicester, England, John Ashdown-Hill explains how his book inspired the dig and completes Richard III’s fascinating story, giving details of how Richard died, and how the DNA link to a living relative of the king allowed the royal body to be identified.

• · Details how this book inspired the search for the remains of Greyfriars Priory and the body of Richard III • · Richard III’s family tree took John Ashdown-Hill three years to trace – now the living ancestor he found provides the key to analysing the DNA of the skeleton unearthed in Leicester • · Author featured in Channel 4 documentary on the dig, on 5 February 2013.

PURE

GOLD

A DROP IN MORNING for the over 50’s at

WOW

135 Main St, Stanton

Every Thursday at 10am

Refreshments board games 07909471882

The

Healing room will be open

a

Churches Together in Markfield initiative

Trinity Methodist Church 6-7pm Wednesdays 13th February, 13th March, 17th April, 15th May Did you hear about the lonely pyromaniac? He’s still looking for the perfect match.

11

Thornton Women’s Institute Our Meeting On 14th February 2013 At Thornton Community Centre at 7.30pm

“I Was A Refugee” A Talk By Our Member Marina Briers Have you ever thought how the individual life experiences of others are so different from your own? I have been acquainted with Marina since she joined our WI, but had no inkling that she had been a refugee!

A wartime baby myself, I was cosseted safely in my home in the Police House in Thornton throughout my childhood and beyond. The people who lived around me were there taking an interest, (and sometimes a hand!) in my formative years.

The village children who grew up with me were my friends for years and remain so, I, therefore, have no idea what it would have meant to be a refugee and the privations of such a life I can only imagine.

Though not in the front line, Leicester and Leicestershire played a significant role during the Second World War in the battle for the skies and in clothing the troops. Leicester was also a place of sanctuary. Regarded as a comparatively safe area, around 30,000 people, mainly children, were evacuated to Leicester during the first weeks of the war alone, to live in the city for the duration of hostilities.

In the 1940’s refugee communities grew up in the city and county as many people, displaced from their home countries by the War, sought to find new homes .

For them it was an entirely new way of life as all they had ever known was left behind.

We can only admire the fortitude and courage with which the refugees carried on with their lives.

Questions abound.

• How strong are Marina’s memories of coming to England?

• Where had she come from?

• Who, and what had she left behind?

• Did her life change dramatically?

• Did she feel safe and loved?

• What were her worst experiences?

Listening to Marina and talking with her will really be a “Living History” lesson and one which we will be privileged to have.

Why don’t you come along and join us at what promises to be a most interesting and thought-provoking meeting?

There will be refreshments and time to chat or to purchase from the BRING & BUY STALL. The competition, to be judged by Marina, will be for A WAR-TIME ITEM.

Muriel Walker

Markfield, Ratby and Groby Community Forum The next Community Forum meeting for Markfield, Ratby & Groby will take place on Thursday 7th March 2013, at Stanton Under Bardon Youth Club, Information and Networking session 6.30pm till 7pm with the main meeting starting at 7.00pm.

Topics for the evening include; • Cash for Your Community 2013 • Find out more about Neighbourhood Policing within your local area.

• Hear about Ratby’s new skate park/wheeled facility and the positive impact this has had on helping to tackle anti-social behavior within the local community.

• Learn about Think Leicestershire and find out how this can help you to make a difference.

If you have any thoughts, ideas or have any other topics you would like to discuss please contact Nicola Lees directly either by emailing leicestershireforums@leics.gov.uk or calling 0116 305 7986.

The Next Round of Community Forum Budget Workshops 2013…..

If you missed out on funding in 2012, you can still get involved! Leicestershire County Council will be repeating this opportunity for local residents in June 2013.

To find out more you can either come along to Markfield, Ratby & Groby Community Forum on Thursday 7th March 2013 or visit Leicestershire Forums website www.leicestershireforums.org/cfb In the meantime get your thinking caps on!

If you do not have access to the internet please call 0116 305 7034 where a member of the Communities and Places Team will be able to assist.

Why a cat is good for you

St. Michael’s and All Angel’s Church

Lent Lunch

In aid of Tear Fund In the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on Saturday 9th March ~ 12.00 till 1.30pm £4.00 ~ Menu ~

Jacket Potato Cheese, Beans, Home-made Coleslaw, Apple Pie & Custard Everyone welcome

Tickets from Brenda on 01530 242173

Do you own a cat? Then your risk of heart attack or a stroke could be reduced by more than a third.

Apparently, owning a cat lowers your stress and anxiety levels. (Unless of course, kitty scratches the new couch, or flatly refuses to come home at night.) But even so, a recent study at Minnesota University has found that cat owners tend to outlive non-cat owners.

It is thought that stroking a cat could reduce the level of stress-related hormones in the blood. Reducing stress is known to help protect against heart disease, by lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart rate. Which sounds purr-fect...

My mate was a victim of his own success. His trophy cabinet collapsed on him.

12

NEWS from Markfield Community Skate Park Update Some good news for you – weather permitting work on the new skate park is scheduled to start on 25th February.

It will be fantastic to have it up and running for the spring. With the Parish Council, our young user group, local sponsors and donations we have managed to secure the funding for the main construction work.

We still have a bit more to raise to provide safety fencing, bins and a spectator seated area, but the main objective now is to get the skate park built. It’s been hard work, but it will all be worth it once the new skate park is up and running.

co.uk I would be obliged. Entries have to be in by mid April with an awards ceremony being held in June.

This Month’s Featured Club: Line Dancing Our Line Dancing club meets at the Centre on Thursday afternoons.

This is a great opportunity to exercise, have fun and meet old and new friends in a relaxing atmosphere. You don’t even need to worry about not having done line dancing before as there are sessions for both experienced

BMX/Skate Park Sports Club Some other good news is that we have also managed to secure some funding from the BIG Society to provide equipment for our skate park users such as BMX bikes, scooters and personal safety equipment.

Not every one can afford such items and it will encourage more young people to use the new skate park and at the same time improve their skills and confidence in what is now a recognized international sport.

Good old Markfield weather strikes again!

Having suffered the soggiest summer on record and having to “man” the flood barriers throughout the year it was all hands to the shovel trying to keep the pathways around the Centre clear of heavy snow.

For me personally it was a good chance to relive my childhood memories of snowman building - for the grandchildren of course! To be honest I was a bit disappointed to see very few snowmen or other imaginative snow sculptures around the village.

The feeling in my bones is that we will have plenty more snow before the end of the winter and there will be many more opportunities to be creative so, if this is the case, I challenge the village to a snowman competition.

Perhaps you could send photographs of your creations into the Herald and prove that the magic of the snowman lives on. I have included my efforts and I am sure that you can do much better.

Farewell to Justin and Jon Following a recent restructure of the Leicestershire Constabulary our local beat officers Justin Hayes and Jon Shaw have moved on to pastures new.

They will be much missed locally and at the Centre where they were always ready to “muck in” and help and support us with local problems. However, the good news is that we are retaining a Police Base at the Community Centre where PCSO’s Polly and Mo will be based. Other Police officers will continue to pop into the Centre on a regular basis. So, if you need to talk to the police on a non-urgent but personal basis you can either pop into the Centre to see them or arrange an appointment.

My attempts at snowmen and snow dog

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day Following on from last year’s Sports Relief we have been asked to support this year’s Comic Relief.

Although RED NOSE Day is officially on Friday 15th March we are in the process of organising a special RED NOSE day at the Centre on Saturday 16th March. So, if you have any zany ideas for raising funds for comic relief or even your own favourite charity or local organization we would love to hear from you. We will be able to provide sponsorship forms and other Comic Relief materials. Just give us a call and we will be only to willing to help.

Rural Community Council Village and Community Achievement Awards 2013 In the past Markfield has received many awards in recognition of what it has done in both the village and the Community Centre.

This year’s awards are designed to “show off the best village or community and to reward volunteers”. Compared to other villages Markfield is truly a great place to live and one that we should all be proud of. There is so much going on in the village through the Parish Council, Community Centre, School, Churches and other voluntary groups and clubs that ought to be appreciated and recognized. So, this year, with all these groups we are going to enter the whole village into the Community Award category and “show off ” the village. But we do need your help in collating all the wonderful projects and activities that have taken place in the past three years or that are currently in the pipeline.

If you could email an outline of them to me at ronniegrantham@hotmail.

I’ve fallen in love with another ventriloquist’s doll, but she’s already spoken for.

13

& Sports Centre

PCs Justin Hayes and Jon Shaw leaving office - with Centre Manager Dawn and Senior Duty Officer Carol Berridge and novice line dancers. If you are experienced and want harder sessions these are from 1pm to 2pm and, if you are new to line dancing, less experienced or want an easier time this session is from 2pm to 3.15pm. If you want to learn more please contact Cliff on 01509 673579

New at the Centre Mixed Martial Arts 4 Kids: This is not traditional martial arts but a new way of helping children to develop a competitive edge, their speed and ability, strength and power, co-ordination and balance, discipline and dedication, self-defence and confidence and RESPECT. The new classes take place on Thursday evenings and for more information contact James on 0116 2394126.

Sportivate: Boxing Fitness in the Community has started at the Centre on Saturday afternoons from 3pm to 4pm. Classes are aimed at people aged 14 to 25 years. Boxing training a circuits are provided by ex professional boxer Kelton McKenzie. For further information contact the Centre.

Dodge Ball: A new dodge ball class starts on Friday evenings as from 1st February – if you would like to join in please contact the Centre for details

Easter Holidays Our regular Soccer School will be available at the Centre over the Easter School holidays and you can book your child’s place via the Centre to avoid disappointment.

Dates for Your Diary • • • • • • •

16th March: Comic Relief 27th May: Brass Band Concert 2nd May: County Council Elections 8th May: National Blood Service 11th June: Cancer Research Auction 30th June: Leicestershire Kidney Association Fun Day 21st August: National Blood Service

Book Your Special Offer in 2013 Don’t forget that we are offering free room hire for bar functions as a BIG thank you to all our customers, users, friends and supporters.

This will save you a lot of money if you want to hold a special event, family occasion or party. For further details please contact the Centre.

For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST, ring us on 01530 242240 Visit our website at www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com to see our facilities, latest news and information about the Centre.

Ron Grantham Our local band are so bad that, by popular demand, they have to smash up their instruments before the gig.

14

Extracts from Stanton under Bardon Parish Council Minutes The following topics were among the items discussed at the meeting of Stanton-under-Bardon Parish Council, held on Tuesday 8th January 2013 at The Youth Club, Stanton under Bardon.

Please note that this information is based upon the unapproved minutes, and may be subject to alteration or correction.

Questions to the Chair Parishioners raised concerns regarding Mr Milner’s Planning Application next to Stanton School. Parish Council have submitted their objections and Leicestershire Highways have submitted objections too.

Precept/Budget This cannot be decided yet as advised by NALC due to changes in Council Tax and Grants being available, we are currently awaiting further information on this.

Recreation Ground Mrs Briggs raised a concern regarding the state of the bottom jitty entrance to the Recreation Ground as it was very muddy.

Bottom Allotment Meeting This date has been fixed for the 22/01/13 at 7.00pm at Stanton Youth Club.

Letter received from Mrs Drexler regarding the rabbit proof fencing saying it was inadequate, to be discussed at meeting.

Bus Shelter Roof Repairs Mrs Briggs to contact a company for a quote.

Planning Applications/Permissions/Refusals An Appeal has been granted regarding the Wilson’s Planning Application at 261 Main Street.

Erection of 25 dwellings with associated parking and vehicular access and balancing pond (access only) adjacent to the School - Objections sent in to HBBC

Matters Pending A query was raised with regard to the improvement of the Internet in the Village - Mrs Briggs to attend a meeting at County Hall on 11/02/13 regarding this.

A query was also raised by Marc Schulz as to whether the Recreation Ground could be used for a Boot Camp on a Saturday morning. He was advised to put the request in writing but the Council could not see any concerns regarding this as long as adequate insurance was in place.

Free Small Ads - for unwanted household items A Free Small Ads service is coming next month in The Herald.

Just email or post brief details of the unwanted household items you’re selling, together with the price, your contact number and postal address (not for publication) and we’ll include your small ad in the magazine.

Tremendous! Herald contact details are on page 3.

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area

Lent Course This year’s Lent Course will be led for us by the Rev. David Butcher, on 5 Saturdays starting on February 16th.

Coffee, etc is available from 9.30am and the course starts at 10am, lasting about an hour each week.

We shall follow the life of Jesus as if we’ve never heard it before, so it will be just as suitable for beginners as for those who want new light on their faith.

David is a retired Baptist minister, living in Bagworth. He was for many years Minister of Loughborough Baptist Church and often led Lent programmes for Churches Together in Loughborough.

Each week’s presentation will include music and visuals, poetry and discussion, as well as explanations and the chance to ask questions.

We’ll be pleased to see anyone who may be interested.

Parish Nurse – Prayer tree and Memorial garden If life is difficult for you at the moment, please come if you wish and sit a while in our small garden of remembrance at the front of the church where you can reflect on your prayer needs. Our church family is committed to praying for those in need, so please attach your prayer to the small olive tree near the seat or put your prayer request in the outside post box, so that we can pray for you.

Our Parish Nurse may be able to help and she can be contacted, in strict confidence, on the number below.

Cross Hills Social and other Events Some of the things we already have planned for 2013, for children and families in particular, are: • Saturday 23rd March - Easter Egg Hunt • Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July - The ever popular Bear Hunt • Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August - The Awesome Holiday Club Put the dates in your diaries so that you won’t be disappointed – further details will be in The Herald and on local posters closer to the dates.

For details of our services, please see the Church Service Information towards the back of this magazine. We are known as a very friendly and welcoming church and look forward to meeting you.

Contact Numbers Pastor Secretary Treasurer Parish Nurse

Garry Kelly: Lynda Kelly: Glynis Straw: Vera Harding:

07816 616189 07910 440243 01530 230272 01530 230557

Glynis Straw

On behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

My mate was told by his doctor to do something that gets him out of the pub, so he took up smoking.

15

Volunteers Urgently Needed To Help Unique Local Charity As a registered charity the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation relies on its volunteer support and is currently looking for more volunteers to offer support, care and friendship to a wide variety of people.

Based at Ulverscroft, near Markfield, the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation has two properties and extensive grounds which are used to offer support, care and friendship the elderly, adults with disabilities and young people through a variety of services; including day visits to Ulverscroft Manor, Ulverscroft Grange Community Support and Wellbeing Centre with Tea Rooms and Charity Shop and the Yew Trail Outdoor Classroom and Creative Space.

Alan Norman, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said “we are fortunate to have a wonderful team of volunteers, and without them we would not be able to continue the work that we do; but as the Foundation continues to grow and develop the services it provides, the need for volunteers continues to increase.”

In order to promote the volunteering opportunities available the Foundation is holding a Recruitment Evening on Tuesday 26th February, 2013 at 6.30 p.m. at Ulverscroft Grange, Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB where individuals will have the opportunity to find out more about the work of the charity and the different roles on offer.

Mr Norman added “the Foundation has several volunteering opportunities, and we would be delighted to welcome as many people as possible on 26th February, when they will have the chance to find out more about this wonderful charity and how they can become involved. The Foundation appreciates that people have other commitments and therefore is grateful for any support given.”

For more information about the Volunteer Recruitment Evening at the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, please telephone 01530 244914 or email admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org.

IDC Home Maintenance Painter Decorator and Property Maintenance NO JOB TOO SMALL From changing a light bulb to complete house re-decoration.

For all the jobs you need to do but simply don’t have time.

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

I’ve got a new job with 500 people under me. I cut the grass at the cemetery.

16

Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

Tel. 01530 230205 New members welcome.

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

Sat 23rd Feb: ANDY SUMMERS - 60s favourites Sat 9th March: SEQUENCE DANCE - with Bingo and Raffle - £1.50 entrance (to pay for roof repair!).

IT’S TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Please do so as soon as possible.

ASK ABOUT OUR FREE ROOM HIRE FOR THOSE SPECIAL FAMILY OCCASIONS. The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 6th Feb and 2nd March with ‘King of the Road’.

See ad on page 4.

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc.

Sat 16th Feb: GEE ‘N’ US Sat 2nd March: JOHN STACEY Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Friday 22nd Feb: Sam Bailey - V/ good Female Singer Saturday 23rd Feb: Echo 12 - A Great Male Duo Sunday 24th Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 1st March: Martin John - Quality Male Singer Saturday 2nd March: Choc Ice - Superb Male Duo Sunday 3rd March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 8th March: Cats Eyes Excellent Male/female Duo Saturday 9th March: T.b.a.

Sunday 10th March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 15th March: Reverb Quality Male Duo Saturday 16th March: T.b.a.

Sunday 17th March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Try our new menus!

Now taking bookings for Mothering Sunday! See ad on page 5. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 9th Feb: Murder Of Crows - Punk And Rock Covers Band Re-Opening Weekend Celebrations on Sat 9th And Sun 10th Mar Sat 9th Mar: The Dirty Water Band - Old And New Rock Covers With Accoustic Spot Sun 10th Mar: Afternoon ReOpening Party With The Del Sharrons 50’s + 60’s - at 4.30pm Sat 16th Mar: The Retro Rockets Fri 22nd Mar: Children’s End Of Term Easter Disco/Party Sat 23rd Mar: The Mighty Gyrators Sat 30th Mar: Punk And Disorderly - Thornton’s Very Own Punk Band We Also Have Bingo Every Tuesday Evening All Welcome. www.myspace.com/ thorntonclub The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm.

Fri 8th Feb: ‘TRIBUTE TO THE 80s’ Fri 22nd Feb: DIAMONTE DANCE PARTY TRIBUTE Fri 8th March: TRIBUTE TO DUSTY SPRINGFIELD & CO See ad on page 26.

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN Sat 23rd Feb: THE THREETLES - Jan’s 15 Year Celebration!

Sat 16th March: MIA & THE MOON EASTER SUNDAY NIGHT - 31st March: KARAOKE with KING OF THE ROAD

My girlfriend dumped me because she says it’s annoying how I relate everything to Batman. What a Joker.

17 Leicestershire Legacy Fund

Grants scheme for local club and facility development projects Submission deadline for applications: Wednesday 13th February 2013, 4.00pm.

To support the creation of a lasting legacy from London 2012, Leicestershire County Council, with the delivery support from Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS), has committed resources to a new grants scheme for local club and facility development projects.

The aim of the fund is to support: 1. The creation of new clubs and/or new club sections 2. The creation of new activities within clubs to widen the participation base 3. Better coaching within clubs by supporting coach education and coach development 4. The development of high quality clubs 5. Clubs to increase and retain membership 6. Clubs acquire high quality equipment to support its membership 7. Improvement of club facilities which should increase the satisfaction levels of existing members and to help attract new members.

To fulfil these aims, Leicestershire County Council has created two funding schemes, which will be managed by Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS): • The Gold Legacy Fund: Grants of up to £7,500 are available to support facility improvement projects in community sports clubs and voluntary organisations.

• The Silver Legacy Fund: Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support development projects in community sports clubs and voluntary organisations that increase or retain participation.

Community sports clubs or voluntary organisations premises or main training base must be located in Leicestershire (not Leicester City or Rutland).

Deadline: 13th February 2013, 4.00pm www.lrsport.org/leicestershirelegacyfund

LEARN OUTSIDE the CLASSROOM

Quality Handmade Ironwork 01530-243804

Made to order to your individual design

www.handmade-ironwork.co.uk

& Experience the world through practical involvement Local network forms to promote the benefits of learning outside the classroom A group of organisations, ranging from outdoor activity providers, forest school / woodland craft trainers to schools and youth groups have got together to form the Leicestershire & Rutland LOtC Network. The group, many of whom are holders of the LOtC Quality Badge, meet quarterly to develop ways to promote the many benefits that LOtC brings to children and adults from all sections of the community and encourage more providers to attain LOtC Quality Badge status.

Alan Norman from the Yew Trail Outdoor Classroom and a founder member of the network said “Venues that have the LOtC Quality Badge can provide a safe, stimulating and creative, educational environment for children of all ages, abilities and diverse ethnic and social backgrounds. They allow children to explore, enjoy and experience the world through practical involvement and offer a variety of activities that suit the learning needs and styles of a range of individuals; providing the opportunity to link in to and study many cross curriculum topics” The group is looking to expand and would welcome new members. If you have a passion for Learning Outside the Classroom and would like to help develop and promote its benefits within Leicestershire and Rutland please contact Alan Norman at yewtrail@shuttlewood-clarke.org or Alan Godber at volunteering@warningzone.org.uk The next meeting of the Network will take place on Thursday 28th February.

At the barbers today, I asked to have my hair cut like Tom Cruise, so he gave me a cushion to sit on.

18

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason

Charnwood Forest - your views needed Many of you will be aware that we are blessed with this area being part of the Charnwood Forest which is a distinctive area of rugged upland landscapes.

Women's World Day of Prayer Friday 1st March 2013

It is valued for its international Borough Council and North West geological importance. Its rich Leicestershire District Council. biodiversity, landscape beauty, As you will all be aware of that over historical importance and recent months our rural green fields recreational role. It is also a are being lost to more and more prepared by the Christian women of France traditional working landscape housing development. The more we with a high proportion of land in can all do to promote and protect Markfield Court at 11.00 am agricultural use and, in this area the Charnwood Forest Regional Park mineral working. from any inappropriate development Trinity Methodist Church at 2.30 pm I am pleased that Leicestershire will enable future generations to County Council has agreed to work value and appreciate this area Cross Hills Church at 7.30 pm with a range of local partners, of rich biodiversity, landscape including recently the Thornton beauty, historical and recreational Everyone children) is Forest invited to invited join intoone these be aof part of theservices, stakeholder structureand for the Charnwood Action Group, to manage and (men, women importance.

Regionalwhich Park was set up early in group.

You will all be aware that TAG promote the unique cultural and are always inspirational.

2012, comprising a steering group was set up a few years ago to protect heritage features of Charnwood Charnwood Forest the area around Thornton Reservoir and a stakeholder group. This was Forest, through the development of OnCharnwood 1st March, women and men around the world gatheringfrom to celebrate using a programme questionnaire of the culmination of thewill workbe of an inappropriate development. the Forest Regional Park. you can help take some of this The first of these was the suggestionmet to So officer-led steering group which ran worship prepared this year by women in France.

When the women of the French Committee work on work forward, the County Council Charnwood Forest from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough from 2007-2011 under the name of the material for 2013, the theme chosen for them became close to their hearts: I was a stranger and you and its partners are applying for The Future of Charnwood Forest.

Council to put a traveller site next Regional Park a Landscape Partnership grant welcomed me.

The service they have written for us has a strongly French feel and flavour. to the reservoir.

The campaign to The Steering Group has an elected Regional Parks are non-statutory from the Heritage Lottery Fund. have this removed as you will all be member from each of the four local partnership-led initiatives. Each To support France, like other and European countries, receives asylum requests.

In 2011, 51,900 people applied for this funding bid, we are aware was successful and Hinckley authorities involvedmany (Leicestershire regional park is unique has asking for your views on how you & Bosworth Borough Council agreed Council, Charnwood in France. of these people in the country both enriches the culture and can cause social itsasylum own specific objectivesThe to presence County use the area at the moment and what to remove it from their plans. It is Borough Council, Hinckley & provide varying combinations of difficulties. Behind each request, each statistic, is the story of a life.

Some of those stories will be you shared inlike to see happen there would important to recognise that TAG Bosworth Borough Council, North environmental, social and economic in the future.

We need your views; the service.

We envisage a great annual wave of prayer, rising with the sun over the island of Samoa and opposes any building development West Leicestershire District Council) benefits. Regional parks do not paper copy of the questionnaire is around the reservoir then sweeping across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe Americas, untiland it will comes to resta in together with representatives from and the provide land with any statutory available or online at www.leics.gov. to keep this outstanding National Company, will the havecampaign protection andSamoa any proposed American some 36 hoursthe later.

By Forest then services taken place in over 170 countries. uk/charnwoodforestsurvey.htm. area of natural beauty recognised as a Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife developments within them are Trust,women Severn Trent Natural subject to the usual planning All are welcome to attend, men and and Water, people of all ages.a jewel in the crown. Churches Together England, the National Farmers Markfield procedures. A Charnwood Forest Charnwood Forestininitiative Union, the Country Land and Regional Park vision statement and Regional Park Vision Business Association, the Mineral working boundary were agreed in Products Association, and the 2009.

Statement Once upon a time a man was Leicestershire Local Access Forum.

A three year interim governance the Charnwood driving down a country lane ... is an opportunity to relax, The find vision peacefor within ourselves and The stakeholder group comprises Forest regional Park creative is as follows: 'reflect' on our place in the world.

It will offer suggestionswhen suddenly a rabbit darted of representatives from a wide ‘The unique natural and cultural out into the road. for reading,including thinking and exploring prayer. range of organisations, heritage features of Charnwood The man couldn’t stop and hit the the Thornton action Group, with Forest will be managed and Trinity Methodist Church - 6-7pm rabbit head on. Soon a woman interests in Charnwood Forest. The promoted through the Charnwood drove up and asked why he was stakeholder group agreed to publish 16th Forest Regional Park.

The February, Wednesdays January, 13th crying in the road. The man said, newsletters from May 2012 onwards Regional Park will be recognised 13th 17th April, 15th May “I have done something horrible. so people could see what was March, as an essential part of the growing I have run over the Easter Bunny. happening Come and these available to wish communities in the Derby, Leicester for are as long as you and leave when you want.

No Now there will be no one to deliver view on theintrusive County Council website and Nottingham area, now and in questions, though people will be around if you need to talk eggs on Easter.” and can be found under the future of the future’. will Thisbe statement has All been or pray with someone. Refreshments available. are Charnwood Forest.

The woman told him not to worry. endorsed by Leicestershire County welcome.

She reached into her handbag for I was happy to suggest recently council, Charnwood Borough Further Karen (249829) or Rosemary that the Thornton Actioninformation: Group be Council, Hinckley & Bosworth(242844) something and then walked over to the lifeless bunny. She sprayed A chance to explore something onto it and stood back. life’s questions A moment later the bunny began and a lot more about to move. It sat up, shook itself, and the Christian faith. hopped slowly into the woods. Then it stopped, turned, and waved at the “Still Friday” encompasses Taizé and Iona Style Services and will Alpha will be running man and woman. also include the occasional Compline or other variations. in Thornton starting in Then it hopped on another 10 Each evening will include simple reflective worship songs, silence, feet, stopped, and waved. It then February, day and time prayer, readings and responses and last up to an hour. ran on another 10 feet, stopped, to be confirmed.

All are welcome. Come along and enjoy the peace. and waved again. It did this over and over until it was finally out of More information from 18th January 15th February 15th March 19th April sight. The man was bewildered.

17th May 21st June 19th July 16th August Rosemary (242844) “Whatever have you done to that 20th September 18th October 15th November rabbit?” The woman explained: No service in December “Used my harespray. It revitalises All services on Fridays, 8.00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels’ Church hare and adds permanent wave.”

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me"

Easter Bunny

Life is worth exploring

“Still Friday” 2013

Apparently, someone in London gets stabbed every 52 seconds. He should move somewhere else.

19

If your name is Andre, when writing, you should think twice before you sign off with a kiss.

20

Back the bid to boost the Charnwood Forest A campaign has been launched to encourage people to get behind a lottery bid to help enhance the Charnwood Forest.

Leicestershire County Council is hoping people power will help it secure up to £3m Heritage Lottery funding towards conserving one of the country’s most ancient, beautiful and environmentally diverse areas.

Residents can play an essential part in the bid by filling in a questionnaire – available at www.leics.gov.uk/charnwood_forest - about what they think about the area and what initiatives they would like to see happen there.

If successful, the lottery money will be used to help support a range of programmes to conserve and enhance the landscape, and improve access.

Projects could include increasing training opportunities in countryside skills, the running of classes about the area’s history, historical recording and archaeological surveying.

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Councillor for Environment and Transport and Chairman of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park Steering Group, said: “The Charnwood Forest is a beautiful and unique area that is of important geological, historical and environmental significance.

“We hope people who either live in the area or who like to visit it will get behind our bid by filling in the questionnaire.

“Their responses will help demonstrate support and contribute to shaping what sort of schemes the money would be used for to help preserve its unique character.”

The Charnwood Forest takes in parts of the districts of Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth.

Hard copies of the questionnaire can be requested by calling 0116 3057067.

The Charnwood Forest contains: • Some of the oldest rocks in Britain – some containing the first evidence of multicellular life on earth (the Charnia Fossil, one of the oldest fossils on earth, was found in the area by a school boy in 1957) • Eighty five species of breeding birds • Nine species of amphibians and reptiles • Twenty one species of spiders • Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill Country Park and the Great Central Railway For further details, see www.leics.gov.uk/charnwood_forest

From left: David Snartt, Chairman of the Bradgate Park Trust, Lesley Pendleton, Chairman of the Charnwood Regional Park Steering Group and county council lead member for environment & transport and Peter Tyldesley, land agent at the Bradgate Park Trust, launch a campaign to encourage people to get behind a lottery bid to enhance the Charnwood Forest

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An Art Exhibition and Sale is to be held in the Sunday School rooms adjacent to Bradgate Park Entrance in Newtown Linford over the Easter Weekend. Local artist Janet Brunton will be exhibiting and selling her paintings to raise funds for Hope Against Cancer.

Hope Against Cancer is a local charity funding cancer research in Leicestershire and Rutland and to date has raised over £2million and funded 28 research projects at the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester. Last summer saw the official opening of the Hope Against Cancer Clinical Trials Unit in the Osborne Building at the Leicester Royal Infirmary which provides a dedicated space to treat patients taking part in early research studies.

Janet hopes that the local community and visitors to Bradgate Park will enjoy her exhibition and help contribute to such a worthwhile local charity. Her paintings cover a wide range of styles and subjects in watercolour, silk and mixed media.

Saturday 30th March 10am – 4pm Sunday 31st March 10am – 4pm At: Sunday School Rooms, adjacent to Bradgate Park Entrance, Newtown Linford Free entrance Original Paintings by Janet Brunton

My girlfriend dumped me because of my obsession with plants, so I asked: ‘Where’s this stemming from Petal?’

21

Stanton under Bardon school choir take part in Young Voices

On Thursday 24th January 2013 Stanton under Bardon school choir joined thousands of other young people from around the country at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena to perform for Young Voices.

Young Voices are the largest school choir organisation in the world bringing together 5-8000 children at each concert across the UK. This years artists included Connie Talbot from Britain’s Got Talent fame, Randolph Matthews and the African Children’s Choir who joined the children to perform their diamond jubilee hit “Sing”.

The Stanton school children have been rehearsing since October and gave up their free time at lunch and after school to prepare for the big event. They raised funds for transport and T- shirts by writing to local businesses, holding coffee mornings and other sponsored events.

Music teacher, Laura Wydell says that she is remarkably proud of the choir’s achievements. The children were really excited about performing at such a large venue.

Support for voluntary and community support groups NEW arrangements are being made to support voluntary and community sector groups in Hinckley and Bosworth.

With the support of the Borough Council, Next Generation and Community Action Hinckley & Bosworth will be working together to help establish a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Forum, and a VCS Commissioning Board for the borough.

The aim is to bring together VCS groups so that they can make the most effective use of resources, expertise and assets at a time when funding is continuing to decline. This has resulted in voluntary and community sector organisations often competing for the same pot of money and struggling to survive.

The Forum will help the Commissioning Board make its decisions about the commissioning of services on behalf of the sector, for any funding allocated to the Board.

The existing Next Generation building in Castle Street will become the VCS Hub, offering a central location to accommodate outreach workers, offer facilities for meetings and training. Indeed, Next Generation has already extended this provision to a number of organisations and agencies.

The VCS Hub will complement the Borough Council’s new statutory agency Hub with a key referral/sign posting service operating between the two.

Councillor David Bill, the council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Supporting and enabling a vibrant voluntary and community sector is of paramount importance to this borough as these organisations are often providing vital support to our community.

“We need to value this work by providing effective support to organisations who want to work in a voluntary capacity, but also where appropriate commission services, recognising they are often best placed to deliver provision and provide excellent value for money.”

Look What’s On At The Palace, Ibstock 57 High Street, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6LH • Tel: 01530 267303

~ Forthcoming Events ~ Sunday, 10th February ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ in Concert.

(In association with ‘Centre Stage’ – The rural theatre touring scheme). Fascinating Rhythm are four accomplished Midlands based musicians who perform the Great American Songbook, as well as jazz in its most accessible form on saxophone, clarinet, piano and double bass. With the fabulous voice of Sara Colman, the band’s repertoire features carefully-crafted arrangements of classics by Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Dave Brubeck and many others, as well as a few striking originals. Having performed to much acclaim in village halls across the region, the band are here to give audiences another scintillating musical treat. Concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £8.00, concessions £6.00, Combination ticket (1 Full & 2 concessions) £16.00 From Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Friday, 15th February - Film Night – ‘Anna Karenina’ (12A). Set in late19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Films start at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460.

Saturday, 16th February - Palace Valentine’s Social Dance – A very popular evening of Ballroom, Latin, and Sequence with Eddie ‘The Collector’, (D J and host). Doors/box office/bar open at 7.00pm. Dancing from 7.30pm ‘till 11.00pm.Tickets: £5.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Saturday, 23rd February – Ibstock Events Group present, international organist, Nicholas Martin in concert in aid of Ibstock Methodist Chapel. Tickets: £6.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Sunday, 24th February - Palace Indoor Car boot Sale from 9.00am – 1.00pm. Pick up a bargain!

Admission 20p. For More details or to book a stall call Maureen on Tel 01530 452028.

Sing to your baby!

Babies and young children need loving calm stable human companionship more than endless classes and stimulus.

They grow by responding to human voices and touch, and they love having lullabies sung to them.

So claims a childcare expert, Sylvie Hetu, who in her book Too Much, Too Soon? notes that babies nowadays have “schedules that are as important as those of adults.” She goes on: “Baby music, baby yoga, baby gym, baby singing, baby salsa, baby language, baby Einstein, and baby swim classes are very common nowadays.” She goes on: “All cultures in the world have lullabies. But this is the first generation of parents who do not routinely and intuitively sing to their babies.” So – next time you feel a surge of love for your baby, sing to it!

I’ve trained my dog to bring me glass of red wine. It’s a Bordeaux Collie.

22

Markfield WI Programme for 2013 Feb 21st: Leicester Street Pastors

LETTER David lost 12 stones in 9 months and now he’s running the London Marathon!

We were wondering if your readers could help to support David Jenkinson as he is running the London Marathon this year on behalf of Sense.

In March 2012 David decided that he wanted to lose some weight for his wedding in August 2013. Weighing 25 stone, this was a difficult decision to make but he knew he had to do it to increase his quality of life.

David began dieting and exercising, gradually the weight started to drop off him. As he lost weight, he realised a new found love of jogging.

One night David got back from his jog and said, “I want to run the marathon next year” and here we are now ... 10 months later ... over 12 stone lighter! ... and running the marathon this year.

David would like to express how he would like to help improve someone else’s quality of life as much as he has his own. Everyone is proud of his achievements.

Here is a link to his just giving page and attached a small poster with before and after photographs.

http://www.justgiving.com/David-Jenkinson2

March 20th: Margaret Hudson Tiller Girls April 17th: Penny Hodgson - A skeleton in the cupboard: Family History Research May 15th: Resolutions Evening followed by a Take and Share supper June 19th: Ian Rogerson - Smile Please, Say Cheese July 17th: Birthday Supper Venue TBA Aug 21st: Margaret Rampley Corsets & Camis, Swimsuits & Smiles Sept 18th: Alison Chapman - Kilworth House Theatre Oct 16th: Mary Pepper - Romania – experiences with children and young people Nov 20th: Sarah - Floristry for Christmas Dec 18th: Jane Courtney Murder by Candlelight

David Jenkinson

Lost 12 stone in just 9 months!!

Please sponsor me to run the

London Marathon in aid of SENSE.

Don’t Forget to Send Us Your News!

The deadline for the March issue is 23rd February.

Thanks!

9 months ago I struggled to walk to the local shop, through hard work and determination I hope to fulfil a lifetime dream of running the London Marathon 2013.

Please help me to raise money for this fantastic charity, hopefully I can help to increase someone's quality of life as much as I have my own.

Thank you to everyone for your support!

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/ davidjenkinson2

Or text ‘DRUN 55 £(amount)’ to 70070

I like to drink my Brandy neat, but sometimes I take my tie off and leave my shirt out.

23

Whatever Next?

Put your Shed in your pocket with this great little App What’s in my Shed?™ is a great little app for iPhone/ iPad/iPod that will help you sort out your shed.

What better way to spend the cold winter months than to pop down to the shed with a hot drink, put on the heater and organize all that stuff. Find what’s on the floor, the shelves and in the cupboards - and rediscover those things you didn’t remember you had!

What’s in my Shed?™ puts your shed in your pocket. You can record everything you’ve stored, boxed or just left on the shelf. Now you can know where you put it, see what it looks like and assign it to a list. See at a glance what needs using up, throwing away or selling on eBay. Organise all those tools, spare parts and bits and pieces that you thought might come in handy and know exactly what you’ve got and where it is. Never again will you buy things only to find you’ve already got them!

What’s in my Shed?™ is super-easy to use. You just enter an item. And then, whenever you want, you can add a Photo, Location, Category, List and Note.

The beauty of What’s in my Shed?™ is that you can use the categories, locations and lists already in the App or you can create your own.

And once you’ve added things, you can browse by any combination of location, category and list.

What’s in my Shed?™ is with you wherever you are. Want to show the shop assistant that part you need to fix the lawnmower? Just take your shed out of your pocket. Select the photo and click on ‘Show full screen’. Get what you want. Simple.

It’s what everyone with a shed dreams about - knowing exactly hat they’ve got, where it is, what it looks like and what to do with it.

What’s in my Shed?™ can be downloaded from Apple iTunes Categories: Lifestyle and Productivity • Price: £1.49

Homestay appeals for local support A globally acclaimed organisation, Study Links International, is appealing for help in the Midlands region for its Homestay program, which sources homes for students during boarding school holidays.

Established in 1998, the service provides a network of voluntary accommodation and support for overseas students to enrich their lives whilst they are educated in the UK. Jenna Fan, who co-ordinates the Homestay program, has identified a particular need in the local area. Students at school in Oakham School and Ratcliffe College need homes in the Midlands for the holiday periods when term time finishes and the majority of the other children return to their parents.

Children and young adults in the Homestay scheme are generally from Europe, Russia, China and Hong Kong, and are studying here in the UK for GCSEs, A Levels or the International Baccalaureate.

Jenna explains “When the other children are all returning home to families, these overseas students really need welcoming places to stay that are friendly and supportive. We match them with homeowners who have volunteered to provide a caring environment for them and pay particular attention to identify common interests. So, a child that likes sport we try to match with an active household, or someone that is more interested in the arts, with a family who has similar tastes, and so forth. It is a mutually rewarding experience as the hosts learn about the culture of their visitor and the child gains an insight into English home life. We have many instances of Homestay families who have played host to the same children throughout the whole of their school lives in the UK, enjoying watching them mature and forming friendships that outlast their time at the school.”

She hopes that families or couples in the Loughborough or Leicester area might be interested to join the Homestay scheme, providing the students with a varied environment away from the boarding school.

Although an existing family provides a lively household for a student to join, hosting is also a rewarding activity for retired couples, single parents, or those whose own children have left to become independent. All that is required of the hosts is a spare bedroom, a clean criminal record and an environment suitable for nurturing a child a long way from his or her home.

The Homestay team plays an advisory role through the introduction process and provides ongoing support throughout the hosting period as required.

The Coles have two girls from China staying with them three times a term - two exeat weekends and one half term. Grace and Amanda are currently in Years 8 and 11. They do lots of activities with their host family: baking, shopping and playing on the Wii together. The girls have stayed there ever since they came to the UK and now when they visit, just come through the door, drop their bags and make themselves at home!

Mrs Cole explains “We are in our 2nd year as home stay hosts. During that time we have learnt a lot about China and Chinese culture from Grace and Amanda and have found the experience very interesting and enjoyable.

Study Links International is very supportive and is always on hand to sort out any queries or problems. They also arrange for us to meet up with other home stay families up on to share experiences and ideas.”

Anyone interested to learn more about Study Links’ Homestay program is asked to contact Jenna on 01274 679710 or office@studylinks.co.uk

Looking for something to do at Easter?

Why not take the opportunity to have a day out, buy some presents, have a coffee (or tea) and cake, and help to support local charities at the same time?

Glenfield U3A Craft Fair takes place on 30 March (Easter Saturday) at St Peter’s Church Centre, Church Rd, Glenfield, LE3 8DP. Open 10.00am - 3.00pm and admission costs £1.

There will be over 25 stalls, offering a wide variety of unique, quality handcrafted goods and gifts from Birdfeeders to Textiles, Bath Bombs to Jewellery, Cupcakes to Preserves.

This event is being held to support Loros and the Leics. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre If you want more details, look on our website www.u3asites.org.uk/ glenfield; or if interested in having a stall, email glenfieldu3a@aol.com

Why you should NOT share your Easter egg with the dog This is good news for any chocoholic: DON’T share your Easter chocolate with your dog. It could kill it – quite literally.

Expensive brands of chocolate and cocoa-rich chocolate have high levels of theobromine in them.

It is a chemical compound which is harmless to humans, but lethal to dogs. Even a 30g bar of dark chocolate can contain more than 700mg of theobromine, enough to kill a small dog such as a cocker spaniel. Toxicity symptoms include vomiting, hyperactivity, salivation, increase in heart rate and fits.

I took a urine test at the hospital today. This kleptomania’s getting out of hand.

24 Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 17 February 10.30 am Churches Together United Service in Our Church Sunday 24 February 10.15 am Morning Worship Sunday 3 March 10.15 am Morning Worship followed

by Communion Sunday 10 March 10.30 am Mothering Day Service at St Michael’s Parish Church

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton

Church Services

Sunday 17th March 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 3rd March 10.30 am Holy Communion

Palm Sunday 24th March 10.30 am All Age Service

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Good Friday 29th March 10.00 am Family “Stations of the Cross”

Sunday 10th February meeting at 10am with international guest speaker

Friday 15th March 8.00 pm “Still Friday” (Taizé/Iona style Service)

Easter Sunday 31st March 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 31st March - Easter Sunday 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Monday 11th Feb coffee morning 10am Thurs 14th Feb Pure Gold 10am , drop in for over 50’s, please note change of day!

Sunday 17th February 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 17th Feb meeting at 10am

Sunday 3rd March 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 10th March 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 10th February 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Café Church Service Sunday 17th February - First Sunday in Lent 10.30am Churches Together United Service at Congregational Church 6.00pm Evening Service Sunday 24th February 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service Sunday 3rd March 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 10th March - Mothering Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Café Church Service Sunday 17th March 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Special Easter Evening Service Sunday 24th March - Palm Sunday 10.30am Churches Together Palm Sunday Walk - Start and finish at Methodist Church 4.00pm Circuit Missions Service at Trinity, Narborough Rd. Leics.

Thursday 28th March - Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Evening Service with Holy

Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am Holy Communion for Mothering Sunday

Sunday 24th February 8.00 am Holy Communion 6.00 pm Evening Service

Communion

Sunday 10th February 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper

Sunday 24th February 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 3rd March 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 17th March 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Monday 18th Feb coffee morning 10am

Sunday 24th March 8.00 am Holy Communion Palm Sunday 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Palm Sunday Walk 6.00 pm Evening Service

Wed 20th Feb mid week fellowship from 6 30pm, please call for details 07875378628

Good Friday 29th March 2.00 pm “Hour at the Cross” - Good Friday Meditation

Thurs 21st feb Pure Gold drop in 10am

Sunday 31st March 6.30 am Easter Sunrise Service at Hill Hole Easter Day 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 24th Feb No morning meeting, CAFE 4U at 4pm with international Guest speaker Monday 25th Feb coffee morning 10am Wed 27th Feb Bible School at 7pm, 1,2 & 3 books of John Thurs 28th Feb Pure Gold 10am Sunday 3rd March meetig 10am Monday 4th Mar coffee morning 10am Wed 6th Mar prayer meeting at 7pm Thurs 7th March Pure Gold Sunday 10th Mar Special Mothers day meeting 10am

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield 10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 10th February 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion Wednesday 13th February 7.30 pm Benefice Ash Wednesday Communion at St Peter’s, Copt Oak Friday 15th January 8.00 pm “Still Friday” (Taizé/Iona style Service) Sunday 17th February 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at the Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 10th February 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 17th February 10.30 am “Something Different” Service Sunday 24th February 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 3rd March 10.30 am Morning Service Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am “Something Different” Service Sunday 17th March 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 24th March 10.30 am Holy Communion Maundy Thursday 28th March 6.30 pm Supper with Holy Communion Good Friday 29th March 7.30 pm Good Friday Meditation Easter Sunday 31st March 10.30 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 10th February 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 17th February 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 24th February 10.30 am All Age Service

I’m going on a blind date tonight. I hope our dogs get on.

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 3rd February 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 3rd March 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 10th February 9.15 am Holy Communion Wednesday 13th February 7.30 pm Benefice Ash Wednesday Communion Sunday 17th February 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 24th February 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 3rd March 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 10th March 9.15 am Holy Communion Sunday 17th March 3.00 pm Praise Service Palm Sunday 24th March 6.00 pm Holy Communion Tuesday 27th March 7.30 pm Tenebrae Easter Sunday 31st March 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Bardon Park Chapel The home of Bardon Park Christian Fellowship & The Bardon Park United Reformed Church.

Family Worship Service every Sunday morning at 10.30am. Everyone most welcome.

Monthly praise evenings are held on the 1st Saturday in each month and the third Monday in each month at 7.00pm.

Praise Meeting dates for February are Saturday 2nd and Monday 18th.

We invite you to join us for a lively time of praise, music, singing, sharing, sound bible teaching and healing prayers.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and fellowship after the meeting in the school rooms.

For more details contact: Richard on telephone 01530 242 526

25

Unwanted cars can raise money for local charity Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is asking the public to crunch their old cars for cash as part of a novel fund-raising scheme run by the Giveacar social enterprise.

Tony Donovan, Executive Director of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said; “This is a simple and effective way of attracting a new source of donations as well as reducing the amount of unwanted or unused cars lying around. It’s a win-win.”

Unwanted cars are collected free-of-charge by Giveacar and either sold through an online auction, or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way at an Authorised Treatment Facility. Proceeds from the sale are donated to the charity, with ‘bangers’ that are scrapped still netting an average of £100.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland - which offers a wide range of services to support the needs of local older people is the latest of hundreds of charities who have recognised the potential of the car donation service.

The scheme gives those owners who may consider abandoning their cars – spoiling the appearance of the local environment and also costing local taxpayers’ money to remove and dispose of them – an easy “feel-good” way of helping needy local older people with no hassle.

Alex Harvey, Manager of Giveacar, welcomed the partnership. He said: “We are so happy to be able to support Age UK like this. The idea of vehicles which have served faithfully for 10, maybe 20 years going towards a cause that supports the local community makes it all the more worthwhile – come on Leicester, clear out those garages!’

To find out how old, unwanted and unused cars can benefit the charity, go to: http://giveacar.co.uk/charities/age-ukleicester-shire-and-rutland

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 1st March 2013

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” prepared by the Christian women of France

• Markfield Court at 11.00 am • Trinity Methodist Church at 2.30 pm • Cross Hills Church at 7.30 pm

Everyone (men, women and children) is invited to join in one of these services, which are always inspirational.

Markfield HomeMakers Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm.

Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436 Wednesday 13th February: Susan Heath ~ A talk: ‘Susiecue aged 65¾’ Wednesday 13th March: Jackie Strong ~ The Blue Cross Britain’s Pet Charity Wenesday 10th April: Bill Wells ~ Fire Safety

On 1st March, women and men around the world will be gathering to celebrate using a programme of worship prepared this year by women in France. When the women of the French Committee met to work on the material for 2013, the theme chosen for them became close to their hearts: I was a stranger and you welcomed me. The service they have written for us has a strongly French feel and flavour.

France, like other European countries, receives many asylum requests. In 2011, 51,900 people applied for asylum in France. The presence of these people in the country both enriches the culture and can cause social difficulties. Behind each request, each statistic, is the story of a life.

Some of those stories will be shared in the service.

We envisage a great annual wave of prayer, rising with the sun over the island of Samoa and then sweeping across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, until it comes to rest in American Samoa some 36 hours later. By then services will have taken place in over 170 countries.

All are welcome to attend, men and women and people of all ages.

Don’t drive to the beat ...

Music affects how you drive. It now seems that even listening to some classical music can cause motorists to drive erratically.

A recent study by London Metropolitan University has found, for example, that Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach, and Strauss’s The Blue Danube, are so exhilarating that people begin to drive to their rhythm, instead of in line with what was happening on the road around them.

The safest music tested included ‘Come Away with Me’ by Norah Jones and, curiously enough, ‘Tiny Dancer’ by Elton John. Scientists say that there seems to be an optimum tempo for a safe song, mimicking heartbeat at 60 to 80 beats per minute. Too fast, and you put your foot down and your car begins to waltz…

Call MARTIN on 01530 230745 or 07925 325634 The nice part about living in a small town is when I don’t know what I’m doing, someone else does.

26

Card Games Wordsearch Find 12 Card Games in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a TASTY prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 well-known Card

K X C Y K U Q T J A C C R I P

O C B R X V N Q B T H A V B T

D R A K I D W Y W S E S Q V I

K X C J X B W B S A A O I M O

BACCARAT BEZIQUE BLACKJACK BRIDGE CANASTA CHEAT CRIBBAGE GINRUMMY PONTOON SEVENS SOLOWHIST STUDPOKER

X X C F K U B T E N T T Y W G

G P A N G C U A Q A S R O S Q

T N R H B D A N G C S C E I Y

W D A W P F E L O E D V B V X

B N T O D U A P B O E H I M V

T I K P Q J J N T N T W K K N

R E L I A N O X S J E N X F D

R T Z T S I H W O L O S O V F

C E B E G D I R B W B K U P L

B Y Q K Y C K I V P O A Y W D

O L W X I G I N R U M M Y I T

Games. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your entry to: DECK OF CARDS,The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Friday 1st March 2013.

Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s homburg will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 Card Games you have to find: BACCARAT • BEZIQUE • BLACKJACK • BRIDGE CANASTA • CHEAT • CRIBBAGE • GIN RUMMY PONTOON • SEVENS • SOLO WHIST • STUD POKER

Name: ...................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................. ........................................................................................................... ................................................................ Postcode: .............................

Last issue’s Wordsearch winner!

Mrs. P. Adkins of Upland Drive, Markfield, Leics.

Congratulations! Your Meal & Wine Voucher to spend at the Field Head Hotel will be sent to you in the next 21 days.

FROM PUDDINGS TO PANCAKES No sooner was Christmas over than all the adverts were urging us to go on a diet and lose weight! Next up is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day (February 12th) traditionally the start of Lent, when many people try to give up something for the good of their souls, or waistlines. back to food again....

But we’re soon

FROM PANCAKES TO CHOCOLATE EGGS Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

After 6 weeks, it’s back to the chocolate on Easter Day! Did it ever seem strange to you as a child that the story of Jesus went from his birth at Christmas to his death and resurrection only 3 or 4 months later, at Easter?

So what do we know or think about the 30 years of life he lived between them?

Lent is a good time to find out and on 5 Saturdays in Lent (February 16th - March 16th) we shall be doing this at Cross Hills Church (between Thornton and Bagworth) from 10 - 11 each morning, with coffee and tea available from 9.30. Suitable for those who don’t really know much about the life of Jesus and those who want to take a fresh look, this is open to all interested.

(Rev.) David Butcher After reading about the evils of drinking, I’ve decided to give up reading.

27

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I had a great birthday today, but the cake gave me heartburn. Next time I’ll take off the candles ...

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