January 2015 groby spotlight magazine online by Michael Wilkinson

Groby library closure moves a step nearer

Doreen and Ethel are walking for LOROS!

Norman Griffiths reports on a blow to hopes of keeping the library open

In the days running up to the printing deadline for this edition of the Spotlight the hopes of saving Groby library from the County Council axe have suffered a double blow. The library cannot be run as part of Groby Parish Council and can only be saved by the formation of a trust or similar organisation. But with the 16th January deadline for registering an interest in running Groby Library imminent, the only party planning to apply has received little community support and has withdrawn from the process. In another development a meeting of the Parish Council’s Finance Committee on Thursday January 8th decided to recommend to the full council meeting on January 12th that in the financial year 2014/15 there should be no funding of a Library Trust. The Committee members did, however, recommend that consideration should be given in future years to assisting with non-staffing costs as financial support from the County Council diminished. The outcome of the budget discussion at the January Parish Council meeting was not known as the Spotlight went to press, but details will be available on www,grobyonline.tk. The County Council’s cost cutting proposals have been known for some time, but detailed running costs for Groby Library were not provided to interested parties until December. The Christmas holiday effectively reduced the time available for full consideration of the financial implications. Last August the Parish Council conducted a survey of residents through the Spotlight to assess whether or not they wanted a library in Groby. The result was an overwhelming Yes with a 98% vote in favour. A 50p a month increase in Council Tax was considered acceptable. Even with such funding, which would save the jobs of the existing library staff, it has now become clear that a Community Trust would still have to be set up to be the body responsible for the management of the library and to raise any additional funds needed. Forty volunteers came forward to staff the library in the event the existing salaried staff were not retained and some of these volunteers indicated they would assist with the management. Local businessman David Ryan believed that a Library Trust could successfully run the library, generating income by extending its use at times when it is closed. He saw the library building being used for a number of other activities for local residents which could include an Internet Café and Homework Club for the children amongst other activities. Because of data protection issues he did not have access to the names of those who had volunteered their services in the Parish Council survey and so he appealed in the Spotlight for those interested in helping to contact him, but without any success. “As there has been very little response to the call for action, the idea is a non starter,” he said last weekend, “and this is likely to mean the loss of the library in its current format.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 ...>

You have probably seen us walking around Groby village, as well as Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Anstey, Thornton, Watermead Park etc, accompanied by our human sherpas. As Ethel puts it, ‘Someone’s got to carry the supplies.’ In 2015, we want to raise money for LOROS as we believe it provides essential care to those who most need it, including family and friends. We aim to cover 1,000 miles or more, in walks ranging from three miles up to nearly twenty. We hope that you will help us to raise money, which can be donated via our website: https://www.justgiving.com/EthelAndDoreen Three years ago, our dear friend Kate Gregory was cared for by LOROS, and we wanted to do something to try to repay them for how wonderfully they cared for her, her family and her friends. Any sponsorship, no matter how large or small, is greatly appreciated. As are dog biscuits.

Doreen & Ethel

Garden waste service to continue Green-fingered residents in Hinckley and Bosworth will be able recycle their garden waste for free for another year after councillors agreed to fund the service until March 2016. Leicestershire County Council currently pays the Borough Council around £500,000 each year in recycling credits towards CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ...>

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 14th February - Advert/Articles needed by 31st January

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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

Community groups urged to apply for grants

COMMUNITY groups in parishes across the Borough are being encouraged to apply for their share of the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund before applications close in February.

Grants totalling £100,000 per year are awarded to support community projects in the parished areas of the borough. These grants fund a wide variety of projects such as play areas, community buildings, new pathways, heritage trails, and sports facilities. Grants for 2015/16 will be provided on the following basis: • Projects must be within a parished area of the borough • Maximum of £10,000 per parish area • Maximum of £10,000 per project • Maximum of 50 per cent of total project costs funded • All works must be completed within the financial year • Projects must demonstrate that they meet the council’s corporate aims and that they are of community benefit Councillor Bill Crooks, the Executive member responsible for Rural Affairs, said: “As in previous years I would like to see these grants spread as wide as possible, with special emphasis on the smaller organisations as well as parish councils.” Applications forms, guidance notes and general information are automatically sent to parish and town councils and to community groups that have applied in the past. For further copies, or for more information, please contact the Green Spaces Team on 01455 255707 or email GreenSpaces@hinckley-bosworth. gov.uk

Bag a cut-price compost bin It may be mid winter but Leicestershire residents can bag a cut-price compost bin now ahead of the arrival of spring. The county council is offering home compost bins at a reduced rate – £12.98 for a 220 litre bin and £14.48 for a 330 litre one (plus £5.99 delivery charge). Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for waste management, said: “It’s never too early to start planning for the arrival of spring and a compost bin is an essential tool for any gardener. “All of your green waste can easily be turned into a resource you can use to give your vegetables and flowers the best start.” Leicestershire and Leicester city residents can order a composting bin now by visiting: www.getcomposting.com or calling 0844 5714444. Residents can also buy one and get their second half price* (terms and conditions apply).

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Letter

Concerns about parking at Brookvale school & Groby College I am concerned about the safety of children attending Brookvale High School and Groby College. Due to the school preventing cars on campus for the safety of the children, cars are now parking on either side of the road (half on the path and half on the road, some even fully on the path) when the lay-by is full. Some vehicles are parking at angles and the children are coming out behind parked cars. From either side once at the bottom of the hill you cannot see the children until they have stepped out in front of your car! Please can people put the safety of the children first and park on a side street that is in walking distance of the school for the children they are collecting! Many thanks

J Burford My five year plan? I don’t even have a five minute plan.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Time Running Out For Library A new home Continued from page 1 from a derelict property

A Spotlight appeal for ideas on how a 2015 library should operate and what services could be provided in a library hub also produced little response from the community, as did a request for comments from the Chairman of the Parish Council in relation to increasing cost forecasts. If a Community Trust is not formed, the library is likely to be replaced with a mobile library visit. The County Council is now conducting a survey on the mobile service with a view to reducing the fortnightly visits to villages currently in receipt of a mobile service to three weekly. How long a mobile library visit would last isn’t known. If it was for 5 hours a week, a book would have to be issued every 30 seconds to handle current demand.

What the County Council library deal includes When a Community Library is created the County Council will expect it to be staffed by volunteers but alternatively will provide staffing for an hourly fee. The Council will train volunteers, provide books, internet facilities, the library management system, current furnishings and premises. For the first two years they would also cover around £10,000 of other costs including energy bills, rates, premises maintenance contracts, grounds maintenance, photocopier and phone rental. From April 2017 the County contribution would be reduced year on year and by 2021/22 nearly 90% of the costs will be met by the Community Library Trust, though grants or other financial support may be available. Additional internal maintenance costs would also fall on the Trust and so there would need to be a clear plan for income generation by optimising the use of the library for other purposes. This is just a very broad summary – detailed information is available at www.leics.gov.uk/futurelibraries

What you need to do if you want to save the library from closure Check the latest position either on www.grobyonline.tk or by ringing the Parish Council but remember that there is no circumstance in which the library can be saved without the formation of a Trust. If you feel you can work with others to form a Trust you will need to register with the County Council and submit a business plan by 13th March 2015. The deadline for submitting the registration forms is January 16th but on GrobyOnline you will be able to see whether the County Council is prepared to be flexible.

How to contact others who want to form a Trust If you want to be put in touch with others who want to form a Trust and wish to share your contact details you can email contact@grobyonline.tk.

Groby library facts • A quarter of the population of the village are members of Groby library. • The library has nearly 2000 library members, 38% of them are under 12 years of age. • Nearly a third of members are over 50 years of age. • Nearly two thirds of members are female. • On average the library issues a book every two minutes • On average the library welcomes 24 visitors for every hour it is open • The public computers are in use for 760 hours a year

Winners and losers if Groby library closes The young, the elderly, women and residents without internet access are amongst those who will be most disadvantaged by the closure of Groby Library. But every cloud has a silver lining and there are some who could benefit from Groby library closing. Both Waterstones and Foyles have reported increases in book sales recently and, surprisingly, new store openings are planned, which should be good for their balance sheets if not for library users’ wallets. Sales of electronic readers such as Kindle have levelled off and although ebooks now take a substantial part of all book sales the decline of the paper book appears to be slowing. Amazon will no doubt be happy to see more of our money going on books and downloads, as will the Royal Mail and couriers. Although book sales at charity shops may improve, at least the money will go to a good cause. The loss of the public computers in Groby library will either force users to travel to another library for free access, travel to an internet cafe and pay, or buy an internet enabled device and pay out for home broadband. Talktalk, BT and the others will shed no tears. Potentially bus companies could also benefit if non concessionary card holders decide to travel to another library. The Council tax from Groby residents funds the County Council’s library service so Leicester City Council could be a loser if borrowers find it easier to visit the Beaumont Leys Library whilst shopping at Tesco or visit the Central Lending Library on Bishop Street.

A semi derelict property in Hinckley has been transformed into a warm, welcoming home by the Borough Council as part of a government-funded scheme to bring empty homes back into use. The terraced house on London Road in Hinckley had been empty for 15 years and had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the owner was unable to renovate the property for sale or let. The private sector housing team contacted the owner who agreed to allow the council to renovate the property inside and out. In return the owner gained a long term lease while the council gained a property under the scheme that benefits people in need of accommodation. The Borough Council’s scheme – called Tailored Housing Solutions – uses government funding to tackle the current housing shortage by bringing houses that have been empty for more than six months back into use. Under the scheme, owners are able to lease their empty properties to the council for a minimum period of five years up to a maximum of 10 years. During this time they will receive a guaranteed set rent from the council. Throughout the duration of the lease the council will take care of all repairs and maintenance at the property and ensure that it is handed back to the owner in a good state of repair at the end of the lease. The London Road property was in need of repair and improvement works, but the council was still able to go ahead by agreeing the works and assisting with the repairs using the council’s appointed contractors. The cost of any repair works are spread out across the lease period and deducted from the guaranteed rent paid to the owner. The council will then manage the tenants and maintain the property throughout the whole lease period on the owner’s behalf. The house is one of five properties in the borough the council has renovated and brought back into use so far through this scheme, and more properties are still required. Anyone who is finding their empty property difficult to sell or doesn’t wish to manage a private rental is encouraged to contact the Private Sector Housing Team at the council to find out more. For more information contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 01455 255734.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Carols round the tree in Fido and Grumpy on the centre of Groby Facebook

Do you post pictures of your cuddly pets on your Facebook page? Then you are probably behind the times: it seems that the latest thing is to set up a social media account for your dog or cat.

Was it the best ever? Over 450 people gathered at the Stamford Arms to sing carols, accompanied by Ratby Band. As they did so a simple, life-size nativity tableau took shape across the road. Finishing with Silent Night and remembering the Christmas Truce 100 years ago, every household was invited to take away a replica of the pocket gospels given to every soldier who trained to fight in WW1. It contained hymns as well as John’s gospel. With thanks to the Churches in Groby, the Stamford Arms, the Parish Council, Ratby Band, Pricegate, ‘Open the Book’ and Kent Robinson.

According to recent research by the Co-operative Insurance, almost one in four dogs and cats now have their own social feed or page. Cats favour Facebook, with 13 per cent having their own page; while nine per cent have their own feed on Twitter. One recent internet star is Grumpy Cat, who can boast six million Facebook fans. Dogs, on the other hand, prefer to use Instagram, with six per cent having their own picture page. Two per cent of dogs are so smart that they even have their own blog. It gives a whole new meaning to the command: ‘Fido, speak!’

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Green waste collections - from page 1

Groby Village Society Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Programme 2015 Thursday January 22 Members’ Evening Thursday February 26 “Yellowstone and the Tetons” Mr Simon Coates Thursday March 26 A.G.M. Thursday April 23 “The Work of the Air Ambulance” Mr Antony Bradley Thursday May 28 “Mad as a Hatter” Mrs Sally Leong Thursday June 25 “Who do you think lived in a house like this?” Mr Brian Johnson Thursday July 23 “Smiths are Possible” Mrs Alison Coates

the cost of collecting garden waste for recycling. However, the county council will remove recycling credits for garden waste from April 2015. The removal of this funding has forced the Borough Council to consider how the service can be provided and paid for in the future. Councillors were initially planning to consult with residents about the future of the service this winter but at a full Council meeting in December, councillors agreed to use additional income from planning fees in 2014/15 to cover the cost of the garden waste collection service from April 2015 until March 2016, in order to allow more time for all of the alternative options to be explored more fully within the council and with residents. Residents will now be asked for their views on how the garden waste recycling service should be provided and paid for in the longer term in a consultation this year. Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive Member responsible for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I am delighted that our officers have been able to locate extra funding from additional income brought in by the large amount of new homes being built. The green waste is a major part of our recycling tonnage and without this our EEC target percentages would fall from the above-target rate of 56% which we are currently achieving.”

Stingy?

Thursday August 27 Canine Partners Mrs Denise Taylor

Are you benevolent or stingy? It seems that people who are benevolent towards others suffer less anxiety than those who are stingy. In a study at Queensland University in Australia, it was found that in financial bargaining, participants who make the lowest (and therefore stingiest) offers recorded more stress than those who offered more money. One researcher explained: “The results indicated that we have negative feelings when we treat someone unfairly.”

Thursday September 24 Injustice or Justifiable Dr John Sutton Thursday October 22 ‘Ark at our Peter Mrs Ruth Coward Thursday November 26 Henry V and Agincourt Mrs Sally Henshaw Thursday December 17 “National Trust in the East Midlands” Mr Alan Tyler Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

Trading Standards

Burglar alarm scam warning

People are urged to be wary of scammers phoning to offer free or cut-price burglar alarms. Leicestershire County Council’s trading standards officers have received complaints from residents in the Hinckley, Barwell and Shepshed areas. Householders have been phoned by a caller claiming they are working with the local police, or have been recommended by them. They’ve then claimed they want to make people aware of the rising crime levels in their area and offer to book an appointment to look at their home to advise on security issues. They say that by having their alarms fitted this will provide a quicker response time than the police can give. They explain that the alarm will be free or only cost them £1. However, when a sales representative visits, it transpires that the actual cost is a £3,000 monitoring contract. David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, said: ‘We know how such businesses operate and they will provide misleading and false information to get into residents’ homes. “Our advice to anyone that is thinking of having an alarm fitted is to obtain three separate quotes from different businesses and always be extremely careful of businesses who ‘cold call’ you. “Also check what you will be paying a year for monitoring, as these costs and services vary.” Joe Orson, County Council Lead Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “I am concerned that this business is making claims about working with the police and is playing on the fears of people. ”Residents should not accept the claims of businesses that call you ‘out of the blue’ without checking they can be verified. I believe the term ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is’ is the best advice I can give.” Alan Cook, a crime reduction officer for Leicestershire Police, said: “The police do not recommend any company or individual, nor do they endorse any company or individual. “If you receive a call of this nature, please contact your local Trading Standards office via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 04 05 06. Please do not accept the offer as there is no such thing as a free alarm system.” If you want advice or wish to report a business to Trading Standards, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 04 05 06.

Letter May I once again send a huge ‘Thank You’ and congratulations to groby Parish Council or whoever is responsible for the outstanding Christmas lights in Groby. They really brightened up the dark nights, especially the library tree lights, Lawnwood shops tree lights and the lovely ‘tear drop’ lights. Thank you so much.

Elizabeth Jarvis, Groby

Don’t forget to send us your news! Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

with Leicestershire Adult Learning Service

Learn today for a better tomorrow! Choose from a whole range of exciting, affordable courses for adults starting in the Groby area in the New Year 2015 A whole range of exciting, affordable courses are running in the Groby and surrounding area including: Computer Confidence - Improve Your Skills • Cooking - Indian Digital Photo Editing Using Photoshop - Introduction Guitar - Advanced Level • Italian Beginners - A Starter Course Pilates Based Body Conditioning • Pottery Workshop Also FREE English, Maths and Skills for Jobs courses.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

National Trust Leicester Association News The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays Bookings now being taken for Valentine’s Day. We now have SKY and ESPN Ask about our new menus! www.bricklayersarms.net

Stoneywell Cottage, the new National Trust property in Ulverscroft, opens to the public on Monday 2nd February and will be open seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm until Sunday 29th November. The cottage was built in 1899 as a weekend/holiday home for Sydney Gimson, a heavy engineering industrialist from Leicester. The architect for the building was Sydney’s younger brother, Ernest Gimson, who became a famous Arts & Crafts architect, craftsman and furniture designer. The cottage, which is hidden from the road, is built on a rocky outcrop and steps down the hill as if growing out of the ground. The accommodation open to the public consists of a dining room and sitting room on the ground floor and five bedrooms on the upper floors. Much of the furniture is original to the cottage and came from an Arts & Crafts workshop in the Cotswolds. There is also some other hand crafted furniture added by the family between the wars. The property also tells the story of the three generations of the Gimson family who owned it until it passed to the National Trust at the end of 2012. When Sydney died in 1938 it passed to his son Basil and on his death in 1953 it was inherited by his son Donald. The National Trust are presenting the cottage at a date in the mid 1950’s soon after it was occupied by Donald and his family. There is a splendid four acre garden surrounding the cottage which was laid out by Donald’s wife, Ann, in the late 1950’s and also eleven acres of woodland to explore. The other building on the site is the stable block built in 1902. Both this and the cottage are Grade II listed. Today this block contains an exhibition area, the tea room, the staff office and the toilets. Due to the relatively small size of the property all visits must be pre booked by logging on to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell or by telephoning 01530 248048. You will be given an arrival time for the car park and on arrival will be transported to the cottage by mini-bus. We look forward to seeing you.

• The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 28th January at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm when David Siddons will present an talk entitled The History of Numbers. There is also an evening meeting on Tuesday 10th February when David Templeman will present an illustrated talk on Mary Queen of Scots, the Final Years. The meeting will be held at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 222 9133.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 17th Jan: Riot Act Sat 24th Jan: Plug & Play - All Welcome On The Night Sat 31st Jan: The Gritters Sat 21st Feb: Boneyard Blues Band Sky & BT Sports Free Room Hire Available For Your Perfect Party - Bingo Every Tuesday Evening - View Our Website On www. facebook.com/TheThorntonClub Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK - search Bagworth WMC New members welcome. Every Tuesday night - target shooting - call for details Every Monday night: DOMINOES only £1.50 entry, which includes supper. Bargain! Sat 24th Jan: SOCIAL DANCE Sat 31st Jan: ANDY - vocalist Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Bingo & Raffle every Wednesday and Saturday Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month - and RAFFLE with excellent prizes. Sequence dances Sunday Nights with live organist - £2.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions. The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Bookings being taken for Valentine’s Day Events - running from Friday 13th Feb to Sun 15th Feb inclusive. See advert on page 26.

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS All live TIGERS games. The Bull’s Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Sat 7th Feb: RIP THE SKY UNPLUGGED Sat 14th Feb (Valentine’s Day) WARLOCK All FREE Entry! Garden & Pub Games etc. POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:Next one is Saturday 24th January with ‘King of the Road’. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 16th Jan: Jessica - talented female vocalist Sat 17th Jan: Dave - Soul and motown solo Sun 18th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Fri 23rd Jan: Sean Haven fantastic male solo Sat 24th Jan: Kellie Jens brilliant female solo Sun 25th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Fri 30th Jan: Lauren Knight quality female solo Sat 31st Jan: Glitters sisters excellent female duo Sun 1st Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Fri 6th Feb: Ben Wright - very good male solo Sat 7th Feb: Chris Robin - a local favourite Sun 8th Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Fri 13th Feb: Louise Claire excellent female singer Sat 14th Feb: Function Junction - brilliant live band SEE ADVERT ON PAGE 21

Send us your local entertainments news and we’ll publicise it here FREE! Tremendous!

Watch the juice Do you have young children? Go easy on the fruit juice. Up to one third of children now suffer from tooth decay by the age of three – because they have too much fruit juice and squash in their diets. Doctors with Public Health England (PHE) have warned that fruit juice is “the biggest culprit” behind severe levels of tooth decay in many areas of the country. Squash is a close second; both have high amounts of sugar in them. Ironically, the doctors say we need to return to the sensible eating habits acquired during the last World War, when sugar was strictly rationed.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s my default setting.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the peculiarities of ordination candidates The Rectory

Hinckley And Bosworth Community Relations Forum Free Event

My dear Nephew Darren

29th January 2015, 5.00pm – 8.00pm, St. Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley, LE10 0EQ

I was quite happy to see the young person from your church whom you are encouraging to get ordained – even though we did not entirely see eye to eye.

The primary purpose of the Community Relations Forum is to work towards eliminating discrimination, and building better community relationships in Hinckley and Bosworth.

St. James the Least

When I answered the door to someone dressed in T-shirt, jeans and trainers, I naturally assumed he was the gardener; it was only after I had given him the wheelbarrow and shown him where the spades were, that I found out who he really was. His assurance that this is how Jesus would dress, were he to visit in person again, jarred somewhat. I think that a threepiece suit and stout pair of brogues would be far more likely. We agreed to differ. I moved on to ask him about the Sunday Services he attended and was interested to hear that he was a church musician. Wanting to know if he sang tenor or bass, or even played the organ, he told me that he was the drummer in the worship band and provided backing vocals. I felt obliged to comment that I was not sure how that would fit in with Mattins, but he told me that he had never heard of that Service and only attended Mega Rock Praise. Since I suspected it would not have been written by Cranmer, we moved on. I had hoped we may have been on safer ground when I asked him whether he preferred early perpendicular or Victorian gothic, but as he had apparently only ever worshipped in your converted cinema, he was unable to offer any opinion. His reaction to my offer to show him round our late Norman church, prompted him to tell me that he believed all churches should be closed and people should gather in each other’s homes, like the early Christians. In a last despairing attempt to find common ground I asked him if he had ever preached. He was slightly apologetic to admit that he had done so very rarely, as he found it took such a long time to write an hour-long sermon. When I mentioned that I did not think I had ever exceeded eight minutes in my entire life, he gave me such a look of withering astonishment that with heroic Christian charity, I did not beat him over the head with the Bible he was carrying. Your loving uncle,

Eustace

In enabling this, we hold regular FREE events usually around a topical theme, bringing together representatives, groups and individuals, to better understand what we all do, to explore how we can work better together, and share and use our resources more efficiently. This event will focus on Community Cohesion – in working towards understanding and accepting difference in relation to culture and religion, with opportunity to hear about and reflect on the different perspectives and experiences of those living within our Borough. Contributions will include: • A view from an individual who has moved to Hinckley with her family from overseas, sharing their experience of integrating into a new community • A view from a local Head of School, and the approach taken within their school to managing and respecting difference in culture and religion During the evening there will also be opportunity to reflect on and discuss with others (in a safe and supportive environment) personal experiences and views, in helping to broaden understanding. As with all of our events we hope the evening will inspire you, to do something (or continue to do something) to reach out and support your community. Our aim as always is to make the evening informative and enjoyable, and provide an opportunity to find out about the work of others across the Borough and beyond, to help build your community network. All this plus great FOOD, with great company. Who should attend? This FREE event is aimed at anyone who has a role, or feels they/ their organisation should have a role, in supporting the elimination of discrimination and building better community relationships. What we would like you to do before attending the event Pass this information on to at least one other person and/or organisation. Bring a friend or colleague with you to the event. Booking your place To book your FREE place please contact Edwina Grant on 01455 255629, email edwina.grant@hinckley-bosworth gov.uk, detailing any specific dietary or access requireme

I don’t flirt with disaster. It’s more of a long-term relationship.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

New Play Conference for Hinckley and Bosworth A new and innovative one day conference in March will debate play and the impact of play on the lives of children living in Hinckley and Bosworth. The Hinckley and Bosworth Play Conference, which will take place on Wednesday 18 March in Bagworth, is the first of its type to be organised thanks to collaboration between the Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council. The conference aims to bring together a wide range of professionals who work with children such as family support workers, health workers, teachers and child care providers with those who are responsible for providing public play areas and playgrounds such as parish councils and green space officers.

The conference is open to any professional who is interested in play and children’s rights and attendance can be used as a professional development opportunity. Places for professionals working in the Hinckley and Bosworth area cost just £10 if booked before the end of January and the price includes a buffet lunch. Anyone attending the conference can take part in their choice of two different workshops during the day. There will also be opportunities to share good practice, action plan and discuss issues with others working in the same field. They can then pledge their support for the Charter for Children’s Play. Confirmed workshops at the one day conference include: • Street play - Nottingham Playworks • Free play and using play pods - The Play Resource Company

•

Quality play opportunities - Oxfordshire Play Association • Play - Building Resources Jane Routen, Play Trainer at Leicestershire County Council. There will also be a number of stands with information and advice and a specialist panel to answer questions. The key note speaker will be Dr Wendy Russell who is a Senior Play and Playwork Lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire as well as an author and researcher. Councillor Mathew Hulbert, the Borough Council’s Children and Young People’s Champion, said: “This first conference of its kind in our Borough is going to be a very important and innovative occasion. “Play is so important in the lives of young children and in their development and this will be a great opportunity for all those involved in working with

children professionally to come together and ensure that we’re continuing to provide our youngest residents with many and varied opportunities to play across our area.” Anyone interested is urged to book early as places are limited. Further information and a booking form can be downloaded from the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council website at: www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk/playconference For more information please contact Rebecca Ball on 01455 255937.

Don’t miss the deadline

Your Shire Community Grants: closing date 15th February At the beginning of September 2014 Leicestershire County Council launched its new grant scheme, the Your SHIRE Community Grant. 160,000 per year has been made available for this grant fund to help local groups and organisations. Round 1 was completed in December 2014. Round 2 is now open to applications with a closing date of February 15th. Further details about the scheme and who can apply can be found at www. leicestershireforums.org We are also holding a number of drop in Support Workshops which will take place over the coming weeks. These have been designed to provide information, support and advice about the grants scheme. No booking is required, however if you are planning to attend please let us know. All workshops commence at 6:30pm and finish at 8:30pm. Details of the workshops and other important information are on the attached document. If you would like any further information about the grant scheme or to discuss your project ideas please visit our website at www. leicestershireforums.org or contact the Communities & Places Team on 0116 305 7034 or email: leicestershireforums@leics.gov.uk

The office Christmas party  is a great opportunity to catch up  with people you haven’t seen for  20 minutes.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Gardening Society News The December meeting was used for our traditional Christmas meal and what a treat it was! Regulars will not have been surprised to see the food tables being gradually filled up as members filed in with their wonderful contributions. What is always surprising is how it all comes together with minimal organisation. This is entirely due to the commitment and diligence of all our members, but especially those who “go the extra mile”. These include those ladies (and men) who work in the kitchen, Jenny Brewer who looks after, and produces, the tablecloths, those who donate prizes, Molly Matson who somehow manages to maximise charitable donations and Janet Walne who donated the most beautiful seasonal table decorations. She agreed that these be sold after the meal and the proceeds to be included in our annual donations to charity. The food we all enjoyed included numerous sandwich types, salads and pickles, quiches, mince pies, trifles, fresh fruit salad, home-made cakes etc. etc. The groans from the laden tables were almost audible! This year a photographic competition formed the entertainment. There were two sets of nine photographs of members in their childhood and the task was to identify them. Even though the names of people included were given, it still proved a taxing exercise. Eventually four worthy prize winners emerged, although some skulduggery may have played a part! It seemed as though everyone had a most enjoyable evening.

Outings 2015 •

February 27th (Friday) ½ day Coton Court to see hellebores, snowdrop etc. Pick up 10.30 • June 19th (Friday) Full day Blenheim Palace Flower Show * • July 29th -31st (Wed. – Friday) 3 days Wells, Tyntesfield, R.H.S. Rosemoor & The Courts garden* More details in due course, but signing boards will be available from the A.G.M. onwards.

Hellebore To many these are a most welcome sight, flowering as they do in the dark, dank days of winter. Helleborus Niger is the most well-known as it is the “Christmas Rose”. In ancient times, black hellebore was used to combat paralysis, gout and insanity. This, despite that its side effects included tinnitus, vomiting, thirst, swelling of the tongue and throat, slowing of heart rate, collapse and death from cardiac arrest! Even though later studies exonerated this hellebore from much of the above carnage, it seems prudent to steer clear of this in any home remedies! Modern medicine does benefit from the extracts from the roots of some species, but many of this family of plants are poisonous. An interesting botanical note is that the “petals” are actually sepals and the manner in which the plant retains these, rather than dropping them like petals, has to do with the more successful development of seeds. Folklore tales abound with Hellebores at their core. Legend has it that the

How do you define love?

A group of 4 to 8 yearolds was once asked: ‘What does love mean?’ The answers they gave were surprising for their depth of insight….

Christmas Rose is so called since it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give to the infant Jesus. Those of a more classical bent may know that in Greek mythology Melampus of Pylos used Hellebore to save the daughters of the king of Argos from a madness, induced by Dionysus, that caused them to run naked through the city, crying and screaming. During the siege of Kirrha in 585 BC, hellebore was said to be used by the Greek besiegers to poison the city’s water supply. The defenders, so weakened by diarrhea, were unable to defend their city. Even Alexander the Great does not escape attention as he was possibly poisoned by a medication that contained hellebore. An interesting botanical note is that the “petals” are actually sepals and the manner in which the plant retains these, rather than dropping them like petals, has to do with the more successful development of seeds.

The A.G.M. A report on the 8th January meeting will be published in the next edition of Spotlight.

Future Meetings •

February 12th: “People in glasshouses shouldn’t” (Doug Stewart)

•

March 12th: Questions & Answers, tea and cakes. If you like the sound of what we get up to, why not come along to a meeting and try us out. You will be most welcome. Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 0116 287 7870) or E mail anjjmj1@outlook.com

Alvar Johnson

• “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca - age 8 • “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy - age 4 • “Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl - age 5 • “Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your chips, without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy - age 6 • “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri - age 4 • “Love is when mum makes coffee for my dad and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny - age 7 • “Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mum and Dad are like that. They look gross when they kiss.” Emily - age 8 • “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” Nikka age 6 (We need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)

Once you start talking to dogs, it’s almost impossible to go back to people.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

New Entrance Area Ready in time for Fayre Martinshaw Primary School opened their smart new entrance area, complete with an illuminated glass trophy cabinet, bought through the work of the Martinshaw School Association (MSA), in time for the start of the annual Christmas Fayre. The Christmas Fayre, organised by the MSA, was held in the School Hall, with a flying visit from Santa who, with the help of his elves, set up a grotto in the entrance area. Along with the usual stalls, a number of students, displaying wonderful entrepreneurial skills, following on from the school’s recent enterprise week, decided to conceive, organise and run their own. Issy O’Keefe (year 5) and Lacy Phillips (year 4) set up a very popular nail studio. Oli Lane (year 5) ran, on his own, a ‘Guess the Name’ stall. I can now reveal the name of the Victorian Doll was Issac. The School Council invented a competition which involved tossing ‘snow balls’ (not real) into a Santa Hat. Yours truly scored zero, but of course I wasn’t really trying!!. And year 2 sold their own, home made mincemeat. Altogether, a very successful and enjoyable afternoon, which, of course, not only presents the chance to pick up a few bargains and raise a few funds but allows parents, grandparents and carers, who would not normally meet, apart from nodding at the school gate, to have a cuppa and a good natter.

Owen Lawrence

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

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

The pollen count, now that’s a difficult job. Especially if you’ve got hay fever.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Learn today for a better tomorrow with wide variety of courses Adult learners throughout Leicestershire can make 2015 the year of the new opportunity.

The county’s adult learning service is offering part-time, day, evening and weekend courses to provide a real incentive for people who want to pursue a new interest, learn computer skills and, as the New Year kicks in, improve their health and well-being. The spring 2015 brochure can be viewed online at www.leics.gov.uk/GoLearn as well as now being available in libraries and adult learning bases. There are huge discounts available for learners on certain benefits and low incomes with free tuition in English and maths. Richard Blunt, the county council’s cabinet member for adult learning, said: “We’re offering a variety of enjoyable courses which we believe can have a positive impact on lives. “There’s the chance to learn useful new skills with hundreds of part-time courses to choose from with some of them leading to a recognised qualification.” Among the courses available include tips on finance, how to improve confidence, cookery, art, writing and pottery classes as well as health and wellbeing interests such as Pilates, ballet and yoga. There’s also entry into a free prize draw when adult learners recommend a friend and a chance, if successful, to win back course tuition fees. More information on the range of courses is available by calling 0800 988 0308.

Amusingly mangled book titles

According to Gervase Phinn in his excellent book, Mangled English, the following are genuine requests for books in bookshops: • • • • •

‘Tess of the Dormobiles” by Thomas Hardy ‘Tequila Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee ‘Lord of the Files’ by William Golding ‘She Stoops to Conga’ by Oliver Goldsmith ‘Catch Her in the Eye’ by J.D.Salinger

• • • •

•

‘Olive or Twist’ by Charles Dickens ‘Ann, Karen and Edna’ by Leo Tolstoy ‘The Great Gas Bill’ by Scott Fitzgerald ‘Harry Potter and the Chamberpot Secret’ by J.K.Rowling ‘Satanic Nurses’ by Salman Rushdie

• •

‘Lionel Richie and his Wardrobe’ by C.S.Lewis ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Hound’ by Mark Twain ‘The canine Mutiny’ by Herman Wouk ‘Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys’

Last night, me and my girlfriend watched three DVDs back to back. Luckily, I was the one facing the telly.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Deadline is approaching

£15 million roof repair scheme for places of worship Cllr Michael Mullaney Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth has urged places of worship, in Hinckley and Bosworth to apply for a new £15million fund available for the repair of roofs and guttering. The Coalition government announced the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund in the Autumn Statement and grants between £10,000 and £100,000 will be available to listed places of worship of all faiths and denominations across the UK, where roof repairs are deemed to be urgent and necessary. Cllr Michael Mullaney said: “Places of worship play a huge part in many people’s lives in Hinckley and Bosworth and this fund will help ensure some of our most significant buildings remain open as safe and sustainable places in our communities. “I have contacted a number of churches in the Hinckley and Bosworth area about this and I would urge any church or other places of worship in Hinckley and Bosworth to consider applying for this new scheme and I hope that some of them will be able to take advantage of the extra money available.” For more information contact Cllr Michael Mullaney 07576 289910 Applications for a grant must be made by midday on 30 January 2015, with awards to be allocated by the end of March 2015. Enquiries can be made by email to enquiries@lpowroof.org.uk or telephone 01392 223 979. Further information about the scheme is available online by visiting www.nhmf.org.uk and clicking on the link to the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Glenfield Travel Presents… our 2015/16 Escorted Tours, Five Star, Door To Door. In conjunction with Collette Tours. PRICE INCLUDES EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT until 30th April 2015. BROCHURE AVAILABLE – PLEASE CALL

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES, 10 DAYS BY AIR Vancouver, Victoria Island, Butchart Gardens VIA Rail (1st Class / Sleeper Train), Jasper, Lake Louise, Columbia, Icefields, Banff and Calgary. All tours, porterage, tour manager, 15 meals and flights, all included. Sept 25th – Oct 5th 2015. £3759pp TWIN. £4379pp SINGLE.

NEW ZEALAND NORTH AND SOUTH ISLANDS, 23 DAYS BY AIR Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Mt Cook. Tour guide, 30 meals, flights and taxes included. *Optional Fiji Extension. Jan 16th – Feb 6th 2016. £5059pp TWIN. £5849pp SINGLE.

OUR 2015 DAY TRIP TO ROYAL ASCOT FOR LADIES DAY - THURSDAY 18TH JUNE Join us as we enjoy an afternoon of top class racing and take the opportunity to step out in style. Our package includes Executive Coach Travel, your Grandstand or Silver Ring ticket, Breakfast Presentation Box en-route along with a bottle of chilled bucks fizz, a 2 course lunch with Pimms and Champagne, strawberries and ice cream. After the day's racing, our Chef's buffet will be served with sweets and drinks. All food and drinks transported by Chill Hire Van. EARLY BOOKING ADVISED AS EVENT ALWAYS SELLS OUT £165 Grandstand or £135 Silver Ring

OUR EARLY COACH TOUR SPECIALS:

Do you trust your neighbour? In the good old days, we’d inform our neighbours when we were going away, and leave them a spare set of keys, asking them to water the plants and take in the post. Not so much nowadays, it seems. Now more than three in four of us say that we would not trust their neighbours with a set of keys. Almost a quarter of us do not even tell the neighbours when we are going away, and more than 90 per cent of us would not allow neighbours into our home to open and close curtains or to water the plants. Evander, a locks and glazing specialist, carried out the research.

SCARBOROUGH MARCH 30TH, 5 DAYS At the superb Red Lea Hotel, spacious, indoor pool, lift, all rooms en-suite including a traditional Yorkshire Fish and Chips evening, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, a night at the races, last night at the proms, all excursions, quality entertainment plus a free drink each evening. Great fun and value. £255pp

MELROSE APRIL 3RD, 4 NIGHTS 4 nights at the George & Abbotsford Hotel, family run. Tours inc Edinburgh, the Borders, Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Traquair House; the oldest habited building in Britain inc tour and ale tastings. Gala Scottish night with pipers and singers. Free drink each evening. £289pp

TENBY (ALL INCLUSIVE) APRIL 20TH, 5 DAYS All Inclusive at the seafront Belgrave Hotel. 5 days inc all excursions, nightly entertainment, bed and breakfast, 3 packed lunches, dinner and bar included from 6.30-10.30pm each evening. What a deal! £299pp PLEASE CALL FOR OUR COLOUR BROCHURE

Glenfield Travel 3 Station Road, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8BT. Tel: 0116 287 1608 or 0116 287 7207 www.glenfieldtravel.co.uk ABTA BONDED. ADD US ON FACEBOOK

I dance better putting my pants on then I do actually trying to dance.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

GROBY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY NEWS “Life With A Lottie” By Jane Marston We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. The snow and freezing weather over Christmas has truly put a halt to visits to the allotment – apart from breaking off the odd few frozen sprouts gardening has come to a halt. The planning has just started. We enjoyed our home grown veg over the holidays but unfortunately an accidental ‘switching off ’ of the freezer in the garage means we have lost much of last years fruit and veg!!! I mourn the loss of the raspberries and blackberries, we will be buying jam by the spring (well the boss will – need I say more). All plot holders will shortly be receiving this year’s rent renewal forms and details of the AGM – if anyone is interested in joining the committee now is your chance to help and have your say. The committee hope to see as many of you as possible for a cuppa and a catch up. The social committee have purchased 12 new matching chairs for use in the big shed and a garden bench has been ordered to be placed on site in memory of plat holders that are no longer with us. A new security grill has been placed on the window of the big shed and various small maintenance jobs will take place over the winter. Several letters have been sent out re poor upkeep of the plots and several plots have changed hands. If you see a new plotholder please make them welcome.

Another Successful Fund Raising Year For Brookvale High School!

January is not a month for getting lots done on the plot but the frosts will be breaking up all that winter digging and hopefully the weeds will not be growing – get out the seed catalogues and the garden journals and spend some useful time planning and reorganising – how nice to work in front of the fire. Here’s hoping next year is the perfect growing season (and we will refill our freezer). Wishing you all a very happy new year.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLES Set oven to hot/med • 1 small butternut squash, cubed • 2 red peppers, chopped • 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed • 3 potatoes, cubed • 1 onion, quartered • 3 table spoons of fresh chopped herbs • 4 tablespoons oil • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • Salt and pepper In a large bowl mix all the chopped and cubed veg. Separate the onion into smaller pieces. Add the herbs, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and toss everything together. Spread over a hot baking sheet and bake for approximately 35 – 40 minutes, turning occasionally. I often substitute our own favourites e.g. parsnips, carrots or beetroot and also add garlic if liked. Lovely served with your weekend roast and a nice change from sprouts.

The students of Mississippi House are thrilled to announce another spectacular year of fund raising, throughout 2013/14, culminating in over £4,000 being raised for both Cancer Research and LOROS. Led, once again, by the Head of Mississippi House, Harvey Singh, our students (and staff) took part in a variety of fund raising activities including: • Our annual performance of ‘Brookvale’s Got Talent!’ • Bucket collections • Staff Christmas Show • Year 9 sponsored walk to and around Bradgate Park We are extremely proud that one of our Year 9 students, Tom Burbage, (who has now moved on to Year 10 at Groby College), raised a staggering amount of money for this cause, hence the decision to split the proceeds this year between the two charities. We were delighted that representatives from the two charities were able to come along to Brookvale, to receive the cheque from our Headteacher, Katie Rush, and a selection of last year’s Year 9 students – now Year 10 at Groby College, along with our current Year 9 House Captains (pictured). This photograph was taken in our new Dining Hall, which opened at the beginning of this academic year, and has been a marvellous addition to our school site, providing extra seating for 180 students, to enjoy dining at break and lunch times, alongside the wonderful backdrop of Bradgate Park. Well done, Mississippi!! Another year of tremendous fund raising success. Here’s to the next!

Elaine Freeman

A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Post office should stay in centre of Groby village

LETTERS

About The Post Office

I have been chatting to my 10 year old son about both the Groby village Library and separate Post office. We thought, the library could be a combined venue for both activities, both information hub and post office. But instead of books in the library it could have lots of flat computer screens for accessing information suitable for all ages. Plus there could be a well-equipped stationery shop and coffee shop. The coffee shop could become a venue for the growing craze of “meet-up groups” which would reinforce a sense of community and ensure the sustainability of the cafe. Take a look at ‘uk.meetup.com’ for groups such as Book/Film clubs, Sewing/knitting groups, French conversation. In combination with other groups that run at the village hall and pub, an increase in variety of clubs will appeal to more people in the village of all ages and reinforce a “sense of community” We have 3 primary school libraries, a high school library and college library, a total of 5 libraries, could these be openly accessed by residents to loan items? In terms of logistics, items from all 5 school libraries could be accessed from a database and ordered at the village hub for collection there? As a alternative, perhaps other suitable buildings/businesses could be approached for re-homing the post office, how about Wilsons newsagent or Pricegate? We really think that the post office should remain in the centre and heart of the village so that it is accessible to the elderly while they are doing other activities in the village such as shopping or using the library/info hub. The elderly may not even own a car, in which case it would be hard for them to get to Budgens.

Groby family

Post office should remain at the heart of the community My wife and I are strongly against the relocation of the village post office to the Budgens supermarket on the outskirts of the village . The village post office is exactly that a village post office and should remain in the village; remove it and you lose what we believe is a major asset into the whole aspect of what village life is about - at the heart of the community. Stick it in a supermarket and what have you got? Just a supermarket with an additional counter. Lose it out of the village and you end up with another piece missing out the jigsaw that makes up a traditional English village. Lets not lose more of our identity.

Richard Allen

Authorities should ‘think outside the box’ I read with interest that Groby Post Office may be moving to Budgens. I think this will be detrimental to older members of the local community who live in the centre village who rely on the Post Office being located in the centre of the village for their pensions. I am against the proposal. I suggest that the authorities think outside the box to come up with more creative solutions to the difficulties we face as a community: • why not move the Post Office into the Library, and with the cost efficiency savings create a Community information hub for the 21st century? • why not move the library into the Post Office, thereby creating a Community information hub for the 21st century? • create a cafe/youth club on the Library premises and shift the library and post office into the Village hall thereby creating a Community informational hub for the 21st century interfacing with a youth oriented community project? I think there is a need for an umbrella overarch of multi-spoked institutional operational authorities with a multi- faceted steering group of the Post Office regional sub-postmaster, Groby Parish Council, Leicestershire County Council, and De Montfort University that will be sure to sort things out in a high level multi functional way, appropriate for the needs of a 21st century community on the information super highway. I look forward to receiving your confirmation these options will be fully explored.

Mark Cowling

Groby Post Office Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has signed the petition at Wilson’s, Pricegate, Bradgate Stores, Chaplins and the Stamford Arms objecting to the proposal to move the Post Office from 32, Leicester Road to Budgens. I would also like to thank councillors,Ozzie O’shea, Peter Batty and Ted Hollick for their support. By the time you read this, the petition will have been delivered to the Post Office for their consideration. It is being delivered for me by Mark Greenhill, the Leicestershire Branch Secretary of the Communication Workers Union. In the Post Office proposal paper I see no mention that the mail sorting and delivery will be transferred to Budgens,as well as counter services. I am reliably informed that this is the case. This will be of particular interest to the residents of Laundon Close with the mail being delivered at 6. 30. every morning. The noise that this entails off loading mail cages will be in addition to any noise that is already experienced with store deliveries. I have been told that there have been several offers to buy the post office at 32, Leicester Road,so let’s hope that we will get the outcome that is right for the village.

Ernie Twells

My psychiatrist says I have revenge issues. I’ll show him.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Christmas at Lady Jane Grey School Every member of staff and every pupil were involved in this years’ Christmas productions. To start, we had ‘The stars came out for Christmas’ from Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 who, along with the staff, have been working extremely hard since October, learning dances, songs and lines, sorting, assembling and creating all of the costumes and props. The end result was wonderful. The children learn so many invaluable skills whilst rehearsing and we are always amazed by how quickly they understand and follow directions. We had some very lively fans (just like the X Factor fans); jolly reindeer, elves and Santa, super Christmas cards, mouth watering Christmas dinners, very jolly snowmen and winter woollies (please let it snow!); spiky Christmas trees, a Nativity scene which steals our hearts each year because the children are so natural and look so innocent; the Angel Gabriel and the Star of Bethlehem who reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas and finally our presenters who actually sounded so real they could have come straight from the BBC Music Awards! Then we had Years 4 and 5 who performed ‘Scrooge, a Ghost of a Chance’. Erin Dempsey shared the role of Scrooge with Jacob Hines-Den. When interviewed about her acting part, Erin stated ‘When I got the part, I was really glad and I felt really proud of myself. I felt very nervous before I went on stage when I saw how many people were there watching. I was really excited when I was performing but now it’s over, I feel a bit relieved because everything went well and now I can have a break! Jacob stated that he was looking forward to having the lead part and was excited to perform to the parents and pupils at LJG. The year 3 and year 6 children teamed up for a Christmas carol concert. The children sang a variety of traditional and modern Christmas songs, including ‘Away in a Manger’ and ‘Silent Night’. The singing sounds brilliant! I’m sure if Gareth Malone could have heard them he would have been very impressed! In addition to the carols, the year 6 children recited “The night before Christmas”, the year 3 children told the Nativity story, and there was a piano recital by two of the year 6 children. To say we were proud of all of the children and staff would be something of an understatement. Thank you to parents/carers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters for helping children to find bits of costume and hearing lines. We think you are all stars and we can’t wait for next Christmas. Seeing her friend Sally wearing a new locket, Meg asks if there is a memento of some sort inside. “Yes,” says Sally, “a lock of my husband’s hair.” “But Larry’s still alive.” “I know, but his hair is gone.”

Where There Are No Frontlines - ‘Life In War’ Comes To Loughborough

“He leans against a car outside the hotel to smoke a last cigarette. His transport arrives and he departs for the airport. Minutes later the car he unwittingly leant against explodes, devastating the front of his hotel” Internationally renowned Iranian photo-journalist Majid Saeedi has spent more than ten years photographing in Afghanistan. His extraordinary record of everyday life there has won him prestigious international awards, including a World Press Photo Award and exhibitions around the globe Now Charnwood Arts brings a collection of these remarkable photographs here in an exhibition at the Charnwood Museum in Loughborough’s Granby Street. Majid Saeedi’s work in Afghanistan was originally by assignment but, after being barred from working in Iran in 2009, he relocated to Kabul. His work, in contrast to many foreign photojournalists, is embedded in the lives of the people of Afghanistan. Majid explained: “Living with people who have suffered 30 years of war has had a big impact on me. Nobody can understand where is safe and where is not safe in Afghanistan. Life goes on and people continue to live with hope for a better tomorrow.” As well as enabling him to capture this extraordinary insight into the country and its people, Majid’s work has earned him prestigious international awards, including The Prix Lucas Dolega and a World Press Photo Award. The director of UK based Charnwood Arts, Kevin Ryan, himself a photographer, met Majid Saeedi at a photo-festival they were both exhibiting at in Italy two years ago. He said: “Majid is an emergent photographic master of his age but more than that, as a community arts organization we understand and share his concern for the people we work amongst.” “Charnwood Arts has worked with many young people who have arrived in the UK seeking asylum from Afghanistan and has supported the work of others who have helped them. On reaching 18 years old, many are allowed to stay but equally many are sent back to face uncertain futures. I hope this exhibition will give insight into the lives these young people have escaped from and that many are forced to return to. They are remarkable young people.” “Life In War” can be seen at the Charnwood Museum, Granby Street, Loughborough from now until March 22nd, 2015. The exhibition is open at all regular Museum opening times.

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I used to date a girl with one leg who worked at a brewery. She was in charge of the hops.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

NSPCC reveals parents’ worries about social networking sites used by children Parents’ concerns about social networking sites popular with children have been revealed, as the NSPCC launched its Share Aware campaign to get families in Leicestershire talking about socialising safely online. An NSPCC panel of more than 500 parents from Mumsnet reviewed 48 of these sites and said all those aimed at adults and teenagers were too easy for children under 13 to sign-up to. On more than 40 per cent of the sites, the panel struggled to locate privacy, reporting and safety information. At least three quarters of parents surveyed by the NSPCC found sexual, violent, or other inappropriate content on Sickipedia, Omegle, Deviant Art, and F my Life within half an hour of logging into the sites. Those aimed at younger children, like Club Penguin, Moshi Monsters, Popjam and Bearville, fared better and parents did not find any unsuitable content on them. The NSPCC also asked just under

2,000 children and young people which social networking sites they used. Talking to strangers or sexual content were the main concerns mentioned by children. But they also thought the minimum age limit for signing up to many sites should be higher, despite saying they’d used the sites when they were underage. One child who spoke to a ChildLine volunteer counsellor at the charity’s Nottingham base, said: “I’ve always struggled to make friends so I started going online to speak to people. I met one person who I thought I had a lot in common with so we emailed all the time. After a few weeks they suggested we exchange phone numbers because it was easier. At first it was fine, but then things started to change. If I didn’t message back immediately they’d send me nasty messages. I’ve started to dread turning my phone on!” The NSPCC has used the reviews to create a new online guide to help inform parents about the risks of different social networking sites used by children. Sandra McNair, NSPCC

Regional Head of Services for Children and Families, said: “Children are taught from an early age that it is good to share but doing so online can be very dangerous. We must all be Share Aware. This Christmas many children will have been given a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a games console. So it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to have that important conversation with their children about who they are talking to and what they share when they socialise online. “We know that children do take risks online, sometimes without realising it. And we know some parents feel confused by the internet – out of their depth, and out of control. Our Share Aware campaign gives parents straightforward, no-nonsense advice that will help them to untangle the web and feel confident talking to their children about online safety.” Zena Goldman, from the East Midlands, was part of the NSPCC panel of parents asked to review social networking sites by Mumsnet: “I got involved with the NSPCC Share Aware campaign when

Mumsnet got in touch asking me to help review social media apps and sites that are children have access to today. I have a 17 year old son who is constantly attached to his phone or computer or both! The technology that has become available over recent years is overwhelming and it can soon feel like as a parent you’re losing control of the situation. Long gone are the days when all communication into the house was through the landline and you knew who was speaking to your children. People can find out more about the NSPCC campaign at www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware and join the debate on social media by following #ShareAware. Anyone looking for advice about keeping children safe online, or concerned about the safety and welfare of a child, can contact the NSPCC’s 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc. org.uk Children worried about online safety or any other problem can call the free, 24-hour helpline on 0800 1111 or get help online at www.childline.org.uk

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My ex-wife still misses me, but her aim is getting better!

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Meeting Peter Andre was ‘insania’, say Michelle and Hazel Two Slimming World Consultants from Groby say meeting singer and TV presenter Peter Andre was the perfect way to get set for a super-slimming start to 2015. Michelle Johnson and Hazel Hickson were thrilled to get a chance to cuddle up to Peter when he co-hosted the Slimming World Awards with the organisation’s chair and founder Margaret MilesBramwell OBE. Michelle ,who runs a Slimming World group at Glenfield Sports Ground, Leicester every Monday, said meeting the Mysterious Girl and Insania singer was a wonderful way to round off what’s been a great 12 months for slimmers in Groby, as well as the perfect way to kick start another successful year: “I’m so proud of all of our members. They’ve lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2014, with many of them reaching their target weights and improving their health substantially. “It’s so rewarding to see people achieve things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight, whether that’s wearing smallersized clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or being able to do more with their family and friends. Meeting Peter was a real treat – he was such a nice guy – and a great way to celebrate all of that. Now I feel powered up and I can’t wait to help my members hold on to all of the fabulous changes they’ve made, and to support even more people to become happier and healthier in 2015.” Two-time celebrity dad-of-theyear Peter, who famously featured on the ITV show I’m a Celebrity… in 2004 and now presents Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover, said he was delighted to meet Michelle and Hazel at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. He added: “Being in the public eye there’s a lot of scrutiny and if you put on even a pound or two the magazines and newspapers are extremely quick to point it out, so I’ve always tried to take care of myself and watch my weight. However since becoming a dad I’ve realised it’s about more than just looking good; it’s much more important to me that I’m fit and healthy and setting a good example to my children. At the awards I met lots of people who’ve lost incredible amounts of weight and it has completely transformed their lives – and their families’ lives too.

Sporting Success at Lady Jane Grey School The Autumn term was very busy with sporting events.

They’re eating more healthily and being more active, and so are their families. And every single one of them told me that they couldn’t have made those changes without the support of their Slimming World group and their Consultant, so people like Michelle and Hazel are clearly very important.” Flattered by Peter’s kind words, Hazel, who runs a Slimming World group at Brookvale High School, Leicester and Groby Community Centre, Groby every Thursday, hopes even more people will benefit from making healthy lifestyle changes this New Year: “I truly believe that joining Slimming World is the best way for people to lose weight this January. Getting off to a great start is really important when embarking on a slimming plan; seeing results on the scales and feeling lighter and brighter will motivate people to keep going and achieve their goals. Everyone will be sure of a fab start with Slimming World this New Year and even if people have struggled to stick to weight loss plans in the past, I know we can help them to make a change for life this time around – my members and their success are proof of that. “Slimming World’s Food

Slimming World Consultants cuddle up to singer and TV presenter Peter Andre (from left to right): Michelle Johnson, Hazel Hickson. Optimising plan isn’t a ‘diet’, we simply help our members to discover new healthy habits and a healthier way of eating that they can enjoy without ever feeling hungry or deprived. They make small easy changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, introduce activity to their daily routine, and get regular support to reward their successes and overcome the hurdles they face along the way. This helps them to stick to their personal goals and can make a big difference to the way members feel about themselves as well as their weight. “On top of seeing success on the scales, our groups are great places to make friends. We’ve had a lot of fun throughout the year – we’ve held parties, raised money for charity and members have cheered each other on with every step of their weight loss journey. I can’t wait to see what 2015 holds for Slimming World in Groby and I’d love anyone who’s thinking about losing weight this January to join us.”

Following the tournament at Leicester City, the girls football team competed at a second event in the dome at Bosworth Academy with both B and A teams playing magnificently. In November children from both Year 5 and Year 6 took part in the annual Hinckley and Bosworth Sportshall Athletics competition at Green Towers. The children competed in a range of track and field events. They did so well that we came top of the 3 Groby schools in the competition. The following week our Basketball team travelled back to Green Towers to defend the school’s title from last year. Each game was closely fought and despite many wins we were unable to retain our title and handed the trophy over for what will hopefully be a short holiday before it can return to Lady Jane Grey. One of Leicestershire’s biggest event is the Cross Country League. Two races were held in November and it was brilliant to see the biggest cross country team representing the school in the past few years. Once again Katie Parker led the field in the highly competitive Year 6 races. Katie finished 3rd overall this year and the school will be sad that this is her final race in the League before moving to the Secondary League next year. Sam Mitchell will also be moving onto Year 7 next year and will again be missed for his mesmerizing speed. Congratulations to all the runners this year. Isabelle Parker, Katie Lane, Ethan Lane, Amelia Smith, Adam Tipper, Tom Simandi-Jones and Olivia Russell all competed in the Year 3 races. Keira Garner in the Year 4 races. Max Knight and Jacob Boam in the Year 5 races.

I’ve been fired from work for putting in too many shifts. Keyboard manufacturing isn’t as easy as you think.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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I’ve got very sensitive teeth. They’ll probably be upset I’ve told you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative after you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

The Coach & Horses A tenancy is available at The Coach & Horses, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9RF THE COACH & HORSES is located at Field Head, Markfield, just off the busy A50 Leicester Road. Benefitting from a prominent position, it has all the attributes needed to evolve into a highly successful food destination pub for families. The car park is large and the south-facing garden with children’s play area is one of the most impressive you’ll see. Inside the layout is open-plan but divided into distinct areas. There is a games room, a large bar/ lounge with fireplace that’s divided into two sections, a dining area, and a skittle alley/function room. Outgoing licensees David and Jan have run the pub

for seven years and are now looking for their next challenge within the Everards portfolio. They have developed a loyal customer base with regular events including quiz nights, fortnightly karaoke, poker evenings and a book club. The Coach & Horses also has its own skittles and pool teams. To ensure the pub reaches its full potential, Everards is planning to invest in this site with the right licensee.

The pub has a very large south-facing garden

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I really wasn’t planning on going for a run today but those cops came out of nowhere.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Libraries As I reported in last month’s report the County Council’s Cabinet has now approved the new tapering packages that are on offer to Community Groups wishing to run their own Local Library. I would urge any interested residents or groups to contact the Parish and share your idea’s and work with the Parish council as I know your Parish Council is actively looking at ways it can help run the Library with the Community. I want residents to know that I am working with both Groby and Ratby Parish Councils. As your County Councillor and that I will do everything I can within my power to protect the library services for residents. The County Council is now listening to the various groups across the county wishing to put their business cases forward, the officer to contact is Nigel Thomas Head of Library Services at County Hall. Groups have until the 16th January 2015 to put their initial proposals forward which will then be required to be followed up with a sustainable business plan. Residents are also welcome to contact me.

Planning Application Wallace Drive Groby Residents will be aware that the above planning application for the Gypsy and Traveller site was heard by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday 11th November. The Planning Committee unanimously refused the

Consultation on Leicestershire School Admissions for entry September 2016

To do so all admission authorities must run an eight-week consultation. The consultation is seeking views on three proposals. This consultation will run from Monday 22nd December 2014 to Monday 16th February 2015 and is pen to everyone. To get involved, visit the County Council’s Website under Consultations go to school Admissions. Please read through the Leicestershire School Admissions 2016 Consultation document and complete and submit the response form from within this document. Officer to Contact: Gurjit Bahra Tel: 0116 305 6324 Head of Service, School Admissions and Pupil Service Email: gurjit.bahra@leics.gov.uk

New Type of Phishing Email Scam There is a new type of phishing email that is currently in circulation

Award-Winning Cellist and Pianist Take the Stage at LU Arts On Wednesday 21st January, cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Tom Poster, both award-winning artists, will be performing at the Cope Auditorium, Loughborough University.

application on Highway Grounds. However Cllr Peter Batty and I have been made aware that the applicant has submitted a further identical application to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for this site with the entrance now coming off Wallace Drive. The application at time of writing had not been validated by the Council. We will both keep residents updated.

Leicestershire are seeking to make changes to their admission arrangements for entry 2016 and beyond.

please be on your guard. They look to have come from a real company, (the current batch is AquAid) with an attachment for receipt of payment. The attachment is blank, but if opened it will try to install malicious software behind the scenes. Please just delete and ignore the email if you are not expecting any payment receipts from a company you do not deal with. I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year. Remember I am only an Email or a phone call away. Kind Regards

Ozzy O’shea Working for you

Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 239 4336 or 07808 585825 Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

During her young life, Laura van der Heijden (1997) has already had an astounding number of awards and prizes bestowed on her, amongst which the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award in 2012. Her dazzling performance of the rarely-played Walton Cello Concerto provided her with the renowned title and it is no wonder her career has taken a flight ever since! For this event Laura will be joined by pianist Tom Poster, who is internationally recognised as a pianist of outstanding artistry and versatility. Tom is equally in demand as soloist and chamber musician across an unusually extensive repertoire and has recently signed to Edition Classics for a series of solo albums. For their performance in the Cope Auditorium, they have chosen the following programme: Bach’s Gamba Sonata No 2, Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No 4, Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata and Poulenc’s Sonata for Cello and Piano. Tickets for this concert are £10, £8 for concessions and £5 for students and can be bought from the LU Arts Box Office at the Loughborough Students’ Union or online: arts. lboro.ac.uk

Tesco Farm to Fork visit for Lady Jane Grey On the week commencing 17th November 2014 the children at LJG from foundation to year 6 visited Tesco at Beaumont Leys. The visit was arranged for school children by Tesco’s ‘Farm to Fork,’ which gives children the opportunity to find out where food comes from and how it is prepared. Whilst at Tesco, the children visited the Bakery department where they helped to roll the dough out and discover how the bread is baked in store. They also visited the produce aisle where they learned what fruit and vegetables are sold in store to give the customer plenty of choice. The school were even lucky enough to see how fish are prepared and filleted for the customer to purchase! Overall the children had a great time at Tesco and enjoyed the experience. Who knew a visit to Tesco could be that much fun!

If you watch Jaws backwards, its about a shark who throws up so many people, they have to open a beach.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Is your nest still full? A quarter of British people over the age of 50 still have adult children living at home – almost half of them without making any contribution to household bills. In fact, many parents are spending just over £3,700 a year to feed and house their over-18 offspring, who have been stranded at the parental home by crippling house prices and university debts. Other parents are helping out by lending money to children who have moved out. The problem with young people who cannot afford to fly the nest is now so widespread that financial experts are warning that members of the baby boomer generation could be jeopardising their retirement prospects with their generosity to their grown-up children. But as a spokesperson for MetLife UK, who commissioned the research, says, “helping out family is a powerful motivation for parents…”

Glenfield Millennium Green News On the last Sunday before Christmas about 50 people came to sing carols on the Green, including several families with young children. So perhaps the earlier start was a good idea? The singing was accompanied by hand-bells rung by Joy Duncan and her family. Thanks to them for arranging this and we hope they will return next Christmas. The “singers and ringers” enjoyed biscuits, mince pies and a hot (non-alcoholic) punch after the carols. The New Year Gives us the chance to plan ahead and at the first meeting of the Trustees we will be putting together a programme for the year, to be agreed at the AGM. This takes place on Tuesday 17th February 2015 beginning at 7.30pm in Park House, Stamford Street, Glenfield. We would like more people to come to this open meeting and give us your views on the Millennium Green. So if you come to the Green on a regular basis please come to the AGM and let us know how we can improve. Maybe we have no need to worry because we provide all that is needed! We do want to hear from you. The business of the meeting will be over very quickly so that we can share your views over tea, coffee and biscuits.

Terrific Tuesday offer on park and ride services in January There’s a great offer of free return travel on park and ride services before 9am each Tuesday in January. The travel offer is available on the county and city council’s Quicksilver service which runs from Meynell’s Gorse, Enderby and Birstall. Users of the service simply have to download a voucher, complete the details and hand it to the driver as they board the bus. For full details of the offer, and how to download the voucher, visit www.quicksilverbus.co.uk/ LCC

Catch

Fair Cuppa:

meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer. Catch meets every Friday in term time, 9.30-11.30am,

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

at the URC.

Extend organizes many events in Groby village for children and young people: Urban Saints, Open the Book in schools and Chattabox are just some of the activities going on this term. Look out for the latest newsletter available in January.

Urban Saints is held during term time, at the URC chapel: there are games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions. - for 7’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at .30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites

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Lots of Fun! Every morning in the February half term. Hosted at Martinshaw school For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733 Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804

I’m so badly in debt, my bank now sends me a monthly understatement.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk The programme for December was intriguing; The History of Sausage Demo – TRY. Alf Pallett was our speaker this month and he knows a thing or two about sausages. This title was sufficient to get most W.I. members excited, the latter promised succulent titbits to savour. We were not disappointed. Sausages go back to Roman times but then they were of the salami type and the consumption of these often ended in an orgy for fertility. The method came about as a means of using up droppings from the floor when carcasses were butchered. There were regional differences, Whitehaven salty, Manchester fatty, Lincoln sage and Cumberland. During the First World War the meat content was mainly in the form of suet, rusks and water and they had a nasty habit of exploding in the pan. In the Second World War the ingredients were weird and wonderful, the meat content being mainly offal. The minimum meat content should now be 65%, Alf ’s contain 85% consisting of pork shoulder and belly, rusk as a binder, water, salt, black pepper and nutmeg. He produces plain pork, pork and red Leicester cheese, pork and Stilton, pork and Leek. Unfortunately, a successful’ veggie’ banger has eluded him. After mincing the meat, the rest of the ingredients are mixed in by hand. The next step was filling the pig’s intestines with the meat mixture; he did ask for volunteers to try their hand at this and was disappointed that none of our members offered their services. The speed and dexterity when he turned them into links was remarkable. Cooked sausages of all varieties were then produced, cut into bite-sized pieces and handed round by his son. They were delicious. He gave us a few details of his personal life. He was called to assist with an animal that had been purchased as a pet miniature pig which had grown into a huge boar with very wild tendencies. Sadly its life was terminated by a slaughterer who needed a special licence, as wild boar are classed as game. No doubt the sausages produced were extra special. It seems his wife is very soft hearted and I understood him to say that they once took a pet pig on holiday. Trays of sausages were then offered for sale and business was brisk. I purchased pork and red Leicester, they were most enjoyable. His products are sold to various outlets, our nearest one being Little Markfield Farm. Coffee and tea were then served with a festive mince pie a most satisfying meeting.

Groby WI News Winners! We are over the moon, Groby WI won the Christmas Tree competition at the Church. Our theme this year was “How the Robin got its redbreast”. Well our chests were well and truly puffed. As usual the “tree people” got their heads together and decided to rope in as many helpers as possible. Material etc. was dished out to those who said they would have a go and the results were amazing. I had to laugh at one, however, simply because the lady concerned was laughing. She showed me her knitted robin but had forgotten to give it a beak, it could happen to anyone. I am ashamed to say that I didn’t help, being rather useless when it comes to crafty things, so well done to all those who took the time and trouble to do so.

Coach Trip

We began our month with our Christmas coach trip. This year we went to Doddington Hall and Lincoln. Even though I say it myself we all had a brilliant day. On arrival, we arrived earlier than expected, a lovely lady came and welcomed us. I apologised for arriving so early (I expected the traffic to be heavy but it wasn’t) but she said not to worry and led us to our own lovely tearoom. There were beautifully laid round tables, with lovely white cloths and white chairs. The room was very cosy and the staff immediately served hot drinks along with deliciously warm mince pies. Of course after that we had to adjourn to the ladies powder room which was equally lovely with taps no one had come across before. Then we were led to the Hall itself. We divided into two parties, we had Jim for our guide and he was great. The Hall has a magnificent frontage but that it turned out to be quite misleading. The main hall which ran mainly

from side to side was only 24ft wide from back to front so when in the hall we could see through both front and back. There was a theme in each room depicting a Christmas carol. The hall, for example had around its beautiful fireplace a load of holly and ivy. Jim was full of the history and explanation of the house. The House itself was a picture, decorated for Christmas and we having to guess the carol in each room. There was a picture of four children in dining room, the eldest daughter wanted to paint her siblings so she executed faces with rectangles of canvas mounted and had someone else employed to paint bodies, clothing, background. When standing at an angle to picture, the vague outline of face rectangles of canvas were discernible. A portrait on the stairway was of a WW1 Officer painted so that his eyes followed you where ever you were on the stairs and landings. There are usually tapestries but they are being conserved at Lincoln Castle conservation studio after cleaning in Belgium. The House has never been sold although the owners have had several names. For example, one young bride married the owner at that time who happened to be a lot older than her. So, he dies and she marries a younger chap. She then dies so the House goes to her new young husband who marries again and so on. I love hearing about old sayings. We came across a glass cabinet which had Civil War memorabilia, one of the family at that time took part (can’t remember which side he was on but never mind). In the case was the armour including a breast plate which had a musket hole, where the ball went through and killed him, I remember that. Also there was a jerkin type of coat. Apparently when not fighting,

Of all the martial arts, karaoke inflicts the most pain.

both sides wore very similar ordinary clothes underneath, it was the armour, helmets etc which showed what side they were on. Anyway when relaxing and taking off their armour, they just wore the buff jerkins, hence (I knew I would get around to it) the saying “In the buff ”. Another great surprise was a huge Arabian tent in what was a bedroom. One of the owners spent sometime in Egypt or somewhere, fell in love with a wonderful Arabian tent and brought it back. It was fantastic, colourful and made, to my eye, as though it had been quilted. It was quite something and only half of the size, the other half in storage. On the floor were cushions etc. I cannot express what a great tour we had. The biggest surprise was to come. On the top floor was a very long gallery, empty but for a forest of real Christmas trees. The smell was of just pine. There were dozens, made into a forest with a winding path going through it. It was magical. After the tour we returned to “our room”, not for us the common restaurant, (which looked equally nice but full) where we had lunch. Then we wandered at will around the grounds which included a great farm shop, an interior furnishing and clothing shop and a Christmas barn. We then went onto Lincoln for a couple of hours. Some did the shops, others the Cathedral etc. All arrived back for the bus except yours truly and friend. I still say I had the right place and that the others were fortunate to arrive where the bus did! Ladies - start doing leg stretches because our next meeting on Thursday l5th January is Mr. David Price talking about the French Can Can, what a good way to begin the New Year. I know we will learn something but perhaps, in my dreams, have a go. Come along to the Village Hall at 7.30pm you will be very welcome.

Evelyn and Margaret

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

‘It’s a Myth!’ Wordsearch

Passcode/Create New Us

F T V R U E H C E N G Q A K N F R

B L F A H S M H U E C K Q I M M U

G I O M M E P A O L X K L J J N A

B P G W R P H J Z K G B U A E G T

Z T Y M E C I S T I O V K E R A O

R F A Z E R M R I G X U W K E I N

F I V R A P E K E M A N D Y P N I

D D P E E M W W K X S I L B P Y M

A E Z L L O R T A T H C D I J E P

Find the names of the TWELVE MYTHICAL CREATURES 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 creatures which do not exist - they are myths. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: they are not real, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Tuesday 3rd February 2015. Remember to include your name and L R Q M A G N O address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Elf ha will Z U N O G R O G win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck!

A K B H S Y B B U O R N O O Y

A T N E C U E D U R X E L E K

P L H X O J I M N N R V M D V

J F W Q G W O O O D R A G O N

D P L T B O A F Q N C T S D M

T E C P X E Y U M U G K Q G L

G B R B U O G X O H H G C O N

A Q I F C O G Q U X C U H W T

Here are the twelve MYTHICAL CREATURES you have to find:

CENTAUR • DRAGON • GNOME • GOBLIN GORGON • LEPRECHAUN • MERMAID • MINOTAUR TROLL • UNICORN • VAMPIRE • WEREWOLF

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

Last Issue’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: Mrs Diana Marinari of Jonathan Close, Groby Your prize - a Voucher for a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel will be sent to you within 21 days.

Running event to celebrate anniversary

CENTAUR DRAGON GNOME GOBLIN GORGON LEPRECHAUN MERMAID MINOTAUR TROLL UNICORN VAMPIRE WEREWOLF

A SPECIAL running event will be held in Hollycroft Park to mark the annual anniversary of the appointment of local Hinckley and Bosworth Run England leaders.

Treat Your Partner to a Romantic Meal for Valentine’s Day! Created by Puzzlemaker Our popular Valentine’s Day event runs from Friday 13th February to Sunday 15th February, and bookings are being taken now.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to express your love!

The Fieldhead Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9PS

Tel:01530 245454 Email: 9160@greeneking.co.uk www.fieldheadhotel-markfield.co.uk

Running groups from across the Borough are being invited to the “3-2-1 Relay Celebration”, which is taking place between 10am and 12noon on Saturday 21 March. The fun relay will provide an opportunity for Active atTogether DiscoveryEducation.com Hinckley & Bosworth to thank all of the leaders for their hard work during the last year. Each team taking part in the relay will comprise four runners, each of whom will run the 775m circuit around the perimeter of Hollycroft Park using the 3-2-1 circuit that opened in 2014. “We hope the fun relay will bring together all of the Hinckley and Bosworth Beginner Running Groups and allow us to thank all of our leaders for their hard work,” said Emma Hopkins, Physical Activity Co-ordinator. For further information about the event, or about joining a local beginners’ running group, contact Emma on 01455 255875 or email emma. hopkins@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

Nothing sounds as sarcastic as a parrot being interrogated.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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J o l l y To

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1-3 ratio Fun educational activities Regular outings Learning through play Outside play area Home cooked meals

Open Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 6.00pm School drop of and after school club

Places now available contact Samantha for more information

T: 0116 2311917

M: 07814444679

Email: jollytotschildminding@gmail.com Web: www.jollytotschildminding.com

Round 2

Get involved and take part in Your SHIRE Community Grant Your SHIRE Community Grant is a new approach to helping local groups and organisations to provide community services and activities that support young, old or vulnerable people, help promote their independence and reduce demand for public services.

Your SHIRE Community Grants are different from other grants in that applicants and their representatives are involved in deciding which projects receive funding at ‘Decision nights’ for each theme. Members of the public also have the opportunity to comment on the proposals online. Please see overleaf for details of the themes against which groups can apply for up to a maximum of £2,500.

Application deadline date is 15 February 2015. Details of project applications will be available online to view and comment on from 23 February 2015.

www.leicestershireforums.org

I’m glad I don’t have to hunt for my food, I don’t even know where Sandwiches live.

Estates

Groby, Field Head and the Brantings

commission

Sell your home for free!

Tel: 0116 235 8682 www.charnwoodestates.co.uk Charnwood Estates, 4a Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicestershire LE7 7BJ Charnwood Estates is a trading name of Charnwood Estate Agents Ltd. Company Registration number: 08353028

If you decide to instruct Charnwood Estates at anytime, have regard to the terms of any agreement you have with other agencies, otherwise you could run the risk of having to pay two sets of fees. *Terms and conditions apply.