January 2015 herald magazine online by Michael Wilkinson

JANUARY 2015

Christmas Jumper Day at Now Jill wins the National South Charnwood High School Unsung Hero title!

Pupils at South Charnwood High School support Save the Children charity by paying £1 to wear their Christmas jumper to school on Friday 12th December. The staff at the school also participated and, in total, the amount raised was £291.06. The picture above shows, back row from left to right, Mikey Parry, Anna Farthing and Ryan Norwood. Front row left to right Patrick Cole and James Smalley.

Snowy Stanton from the air

Jill Stidever from Markfield has beaten off stiff competition from 15 regional winners to be declared national winner of the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award 2014. The awards ceremony took place as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in The SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow. The star-studded event took place in front of a 12,000 capacity crowd and was shown live on BBC One on 14 December. Swimming coach Jill Stidever (77) was named the BBC East Midlands Unsung Hero for 2014 last month in recognition of her work helping disabled children learn the joys of swimming. The winners of each of the 15 regional awards were put through to the National final with a prestigious judging panel including European Gold Medallist Jo Pavey and last year’s winners Joe and Maggie Forber. It is clear that Hinckley and Bosworth has an abundance of Unsung Heroes as Jill follows in the footsteps of Sue and Jim Houghton who founded and continue to develop Sport in Desford and won the National BBC Unsung Hero Award in 2012. Colin Magee, Sailing Instructor at Bosworth Water and instructor on the local Sportivate scheme, won the East Midlands Regional Award in 2013. Live at the awards Jill said: “For my team, husband and all the rest who supported me, thank you very Redgate Farm Animal much. Sanctuary “It was also special that parents currently has have trusted their children to me several cats over the last few years. I’m not the and kittens most conventional but I work new requiring ways to help them. Thank you to all those who have supported me,” she loving homes added. - including Graeme Chilvers, Health and Mia, aged Recreation Manager at Hinckley 4, pictured and Bosworth Borough Council here. who nominated Jill, said: “She See page 19 for gets parents involved, she gets photos of some Paralympians involved. She inspires of the other cats people. The difference this is making who are seeking kind and loving is incalculable.” new owners.

I’m Mia and I need a home

My husband and I live in Stanton under Bardon on Main Street. My husband is currently working towards his private pilot’s licence and completed a cross country trip over Stanton. He has taken some lovely photos of Stanton covered in the snow on the 28th December, and I thought this might be nice to share with the rest of the community.

Dawn Coggins

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I live in fear that one day the real ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ is going to show up to reclaim his rightful mug.

3 The Herald PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

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

Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries. Printed by Norwood Press in Ellistown. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Herald Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. The Herald 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. The Herald reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © The Herald None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from The Herald.

This issue of The Herald is being delivered by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Sarah Jane, Maureen, John, Lyn, Lily, Ian, Ann, Gill, Sandra, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Lauren, Lisa, Yvonne, Stacey, Margaret, Daniel, Jessie, Hannah, Charlotte, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

Still a chance to apply for a Your Shire community grant

Wanted For Purchase Or Rent:

Small plot of grazing land 1 – 2 acres

Calling all communities - there’s still time to apply for a Leicestershire County Council grant which supports projects designed to help the Round 2 young, old and vulnerable. The second round of the Your Shire community grant has Get involved and take an application deadline part in Your SHIRE date of February Community Grant 15th for a share of Your SHIRE Community Grant is a new approach up to £2,500 from a to helping local groups and organisations to provide community services and activities £80,000 funding ‘pot’ that support young, old or vulnerable people, help promote their independence and reduce available to groups and demand for public services. charities. Information about the scheme Your SHIRE Community Grants are different from other grants in that is available at www. applicants and their representatives are involved in deciding which projects receive funding at ‘Decision nights’ for each theme. Members of leicestershireforums. the public also have the opportunity to comment on the proposals online. org or by calling 0116 Please see overleaf for details of the themes against which groups can 305 7034. apply for up to a maximum of £2,500. Pam Posnett, the Application deadline date is 15 February 2015. county council’s Details of project applications will be available online to view and cabinet member for comment on from 23 February 2015. communities, said: www.leicestershireforums.org “The grants can help current groups to develop activities or give them the platform to start a new community service entirely, and there’s still plenty of time to submit applications.” A series of workshops are also being held to provide information about the grant and the process are also planned. These will be at the George Ward Centre, Church Lane, Barwell (January 20th), Gorse Covert Community Centre, Loughborough (Jan 21st), Thringstone Community Centre, The Green (Jan 27th), Melton Borough Council offices (Jan 28th) and Beauchamp College, Oadby (Feb 4th). More than 60 projects applied for funding to the first round and, in this second round, funding is available to: •Support vulnerable people in the community (£15,000 in total); •Encourage young people to achieve their potential (£15,000); •Support older people in the community (£15,000); •Get active in the community (£15,000); •Support carers (£20,000) The Your Shire community grants replace the community forum budgets and contribute towards a saving of around £430,000 by the authority. All short-listed applications will be posted online so people can see the project ideas and provide comments and feedback.

January Book & DVD Sale at Your Library! Head over to Coalville, Markfield and Ibstock libraries in the new year and bag yourself a bargain! Our January book sales include both adult and children’s stock and will be held from Friday 2nd until Saturday 31st of January at Coalville and Markfield libraries and from Tuesday 6th until Saturday 31st of January at Ibstock library. Sale books will be priced ‘4 for £1’ and DVDs at only £1 each! (Please note DVDs will not be available for purchase at Ibstock library). Stock up your book shelves with popular authors - don’t miss our bargain book sale! For more information call the libraries on: Coalville Library: 0116 3053565 Markfield Library: 0116 3053642 Ibstock Library: 0116 3053608

Preferably flat and within 1 mile of Bagworth

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Markfield HomeMakers Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm. Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436. Jan 14th ~ Dinner Feb 11th ~Alan Tyler ~ Stoneywell Cottage. March 11th ~ Paul Taberner ~ Real Crime Scene Investigations April 8th ~ Brian Langtry ~ Song of the Soar May 13th ~ Games Night June 10th ~ John Martin ~ British Crime Fiction

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

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. Paul Valery

Wind power has its drawbacks Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald So we are into 2015 already but it’s not too late to wish all readers a very happy New Year and let us all hope for a good one. This year will be a key one for me as I will be seeking re-election as your local Councillor at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. It is the first time I will have stood for election at the same time as a general election is taking place. This is because they are all scheduled for the same day, meaning voters get the chance to choose both their local councillors and their local MP (Bosworth or Charnwood depending on where you live) all at the same time. By my reckoning this is my 180th article for the Herald (including previous versions like the Clarion) I have not got an exact count on this, but looking at my records and taking account of a break that took place while no magazine was produced locally, I think this figure is correct. It is true that sometimes I am lost for inspiration as to what to write my monthly article on. More often than not though, something topical has arisen which is of relevance to us here in our community and helps provide the source for what I write. I hope that over the year’s people who have read my missives have mostly enjoyed them and found them of some benefit. When I started out writing, few local councillors did so; I am pleased that more now take up the opportunity to keep their communities informed this way. It also helps keep local community magazines like the Herald right at the heart of what is happening in the midst of our villages. The Herald for me has been an essential linchpin in developing positive community agenda’s to the benefit of all. I would like to pay particular tribute to the editor Mike Wilkinson who has toiled away producing first rate local magazines for years and ofcourse all those who deliver the magazine to ensure all receive it. Talking of finding topical things to write about, I start the year off with news on the proposed planning application for a wind turbine situated south of Little Markfield and Forest Rd and just the other side of the M1. The proposal was put before a public meeting at the Markfield Community Centre before Christmas and the details presented, raised many serious

concerns and angered many of those present including myself. The company who presented the proposal are called Temporis Wind and are part of the bigger concern called Temporis Capital of which I shall come back to in a moment. The proposal as presented would see a rather huge wind turbine (some 100 metres which is just 20 metres shorter than the giant turbine at Wanlip) placed on land which is elevated from the M1 and due to the land height would mean its total height could be some 40 metres higher than the trig point on Hill Hole, meaning it would become one of the highest points in the whole of Leicestershire. It would also be placed in a location which would impair the sweeping view which runs down from the Hill Hole through to Thornton Reservoir. I consider this view to be a very attractive one and yet at the meeting Temporis Wind made it clear that it was not special and as such was the right spot for such a development. It would without doubt dominate the landscape of both Markfield and Stanton and further afield. It is also feasible that one turbine could lead to other applications coming in leaving us with a sight not dissimilar to what is present around junction 20 of the M1. One of the things that angered me the most about the presentation was the ridiculous presumption that without this wind turbine we faced not having enough energy to keep the lights on and to stay warm. The presentation frankly was a little insulting to those present and it was inferred that if we used electricity we should support this proposal. The reality is unsurprisingly very different. While wind power is a sensible component of any balanced energy policy it has drawbacks and isolated wind turbines are not the solution, requiring heavy subsidies from me and you. Offshore wind is more promising in generating bulk energy and the UK has ample offshore potential requiring development, to not need onshore turbines the size of which is being proposed at Markfield. Smaller turbines which are less intrusive would at least be sympathetic to the natural environment and more likely to blend in. It is also not a choice between clean and dirty energy. A balanced energy policy could manage these conflicts without these giant

onshore turbines and if we were serious as a nation in addressing our energy challenges, the first thing we would focus on, would be to ensure every home was energy efficient so we actually used less energy in the first place. As it stands the UK is one of the least energy efficient places in the western world and an example of this can be found in a direct comparison with Sweden. Currently UK homes require 3 times more energy to stay warm than homes in Sweden, meaning we have to produce 3 times more energy. So cutting through all the fog, mist and propaganda put out by the developers, let us cut to the chase on this. This proposed wind turbine is not about saving the environment or keeping the lights on, its about one thing and that is money, hence we come back to Temporis Capital who are the parent of Temporis Wind. Just one look at the directors of this company and you will see the nature of the problem at hand. The board is made up of ex hedge fund and banking officials and they exist to make money out of you and me. The subsidies that exist to build wind turbines are such that they are highly lucrative and returns are guaranteed. So Temporis Wind, go out and sell themselves to landowners with offers of big money. Most turn the offers down, but some accept and this leads to an application and a prospective turbine. The bizarre thing about this, is that the Turbines will probably always require a significant subsidy and guess who pays this subsidy? Yes it is you and so in effect you are paying for the wind turbine at Markfield to be erected, to pay the landowner a handsome yearly

Matthew Lay

income and pay Temporis Wind and its parent Temporis Capital and it’s shareholder a hefty return over the lifetime of its operational use. In return we are offered a few thousand pounds to go into a community fund which will be controlled by the landowner to spend as they see fit. So do I believe we are being taken for fools on this? Yes I do and I think we should do what we can to oppose it. The planning application, we were informed by Temporis Wind, was going to be submitted on the 24th December (why the 24th is anyone’s guess but it seems odd that they should submit the application over the Christmas period if they want genuine transparency) and as such I have yet to see it. I am of the opinion that if nothing has changed, the visual impact is grounds alone to object however I and other objectors will be looking to hold a further public meeting to raise the profile of the issue and we will also look to get an objection letter template to as many householders as possible (information will be posted on noticeboards) I have already had detailed discussions with the planning officers at Hinckley and Bosworth and believe with public support we can get this application refused. We really do deserve better than this!

No one makes a bigger deal about driving to work than fire trucks.

5 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.

Stingy?

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise £270 at our

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.”

Saturday 10th January and Saturday 24th January

For years, I thought hitchhikers were complimenting my driving.

Sell Your Stuff!

HERALD FREE Small Ads • WANTED - Small fish tank. Tel: 01530 231835 SEND your Small Ads in writing to: The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

School place closing date looming Parents are being urged to make sure they apply for infant or primary school places before the closing date. Leicestershire County Council is reminding parents that if their child is four before 1 September 2015, they need to apply for infant or primary places by 15 January. Parents of children moving from infant to junior school also need to send in their choices by the same date. Starting school is not automatic and all parents need to apply. The transfer process is the same for a local authority school or a recentlyconverted academy. Late applicants will have the lowest priority and may not be offered a place at any of their preferred schools, or even their catchment area school. Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “It is very important that all parents apply on time to give their children the best possible chance of being offered a place at their preferred school. “If parents are late and there are a lot of requests, even if they live next door to the school, they are unlikely to get a place for their child. “Applying online is easy, costeffective and secure and by reducing stationery and postage costs, it also saves the council money.” Online applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt and be able to view the decision on 16 April. Parents can also apply by post if they wish. To find out more, go to: www. leics.gov.uk/admissions or e-mail admissions@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 6684.

Information from Leicestershire County Council

Guidance for groups seeking to run local libraries On 19th November 2014, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet agreed to a new model for providing library services in the county. The future library service will include: • 16 major market town and shopping centre libraries funded by the County Council; • An online library service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; • A mobile library service that will provide a regular library service to most villages without a static library • Support to enable local communities to run their local library as a Community Managed Library supported by the County Council. The council has now asked community groups interested in running their local community library with support from the council to come forward and register their interest by 16th January 2015. A number of such groups have asked if they can display publicity material in local libraries in support of their activities, i.e. local consultation, recruitment of volunteers, publicising meetings etc. The council is keen to permit this, provided that the material is accurate. This document aims to help groups to communicate clearly and accurately and to assist librarians in deciding whether a publicity request can be supported.

• Basic information required in any publicity material for display at libraries: 1. It needs to be clear who the publicity material is from, so should prominently feature the name (including a logo, if possible) of the organisation/group behind the material, i.e. the local parish council or a group interested in running the library. 2. A timescale for when they want people to respond by, if applicable

3. Contact details, so people can get in touch directly (not via library staff) 4. Ideally, a link to the council’s website, for context –i.e.: ‘Further information about the County Council’s proposals can be found on http://www.leics.gov.uk/ futurelibraries

• Reference to the council’s decisions and proposals: The reference to the council’s decisions and proposals must be accurate – it cannot, for example, say, “the council wants to/is proposing to shut this library”, as the council has neither decided nor proposed this. An acceptable form of words is: “The council wants a community group to run this library – if a group does not come forward, the library may have to close.” References such as, “we (the group) fear that the library may close, if we don’t come forward to run it” are fine, as they balance the group’s views with the factual situation.

• Permission to display publicity material: The library user should seek permission from the library manager, before any material is displayed. A draft of any materials to be displayed can be left with the local staff in the library, who will ensure that it is sent to the library manager, please ensure you supply

your contact details at the same time. It can be displayed if, in the manager’s judgement, it complies with the points above. If it is felt the publicity material does not comply with the council’s guidance, the library manager will ask the group to amend the material and resubmit it.

• Including photos of the library in publicity material People are free to take photos of the outside of the library from any public land without asking permission. You are also free to use photos of the library available on the council website. If people would like to take pictures of the inside of the library, please contact Paul Love (paul. love@leics.gov.uk tel: 0116 305 7376) in the first instance, clarifying what you wish to photograph and how you intend to use them. Generally, the following rules apply: • Please avoid taking photos that include staff or library visitors. • If you do want to include visitors in your photos, please ensure you can demonstrate you have their express permission, or in the case of children, the express permission of their carers. • Taking photos will be less disruptive to library users and staff at less busy times. We will put you in contact with the relevant library manager to agree on a suitable time to take the photos.

I always feel like it’s two key ingredients when it comes to following your dreams, making something happen that the average person deems difficult. If you truly believe it, that’s step one. Step two, is, you know, the hard work that goes along with it. J. Cole

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

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d try to look on the bright side more often, but it hurts my eyes.

Stanton Carol Singers raised almost £350 for charity Carols Round the Village of Stanton Under Bardon took place on Monday 15th December starting at the top of the village at 7.00pm. Singers came from several villages, to join us, and a good night was had by all. There were over 30 adults and 12 children. At the end of the evening refreshments were in St Mary & All Saints Church. The monies raised for MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT was the magnificent amount of £344.96. Thank you to all who helped with the singing, collecting and those who donated to this worthy cause. Wishing you A Very Happy New Year 2015.

Gail Massey

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

PUB FEATURES

Lounge, bar, kitchen, skittle alley/ function room, five outbuildings, large garden, car park. PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION: Three bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, office, playroom, garage.

Call Everards on 0800 056 4111 or visit www.everards.co.uk Once you start talking to dogs, it’s almost impossible to go back to people.

Bagworth Community Centre Coffee Shop

Bullying If you worry that your child may be being bullied at school, it will more likely be online, rather than in the playground. A recent study has found that nearly 12 per cent of young people said that they had been ‘cyberbullied’ as opposed to nine per cent who said they had been bullied face to face. The findings mark a shift since the previous study, held in 2010. That found that 16 percent of children reported bullying face to face, and eight percent online. Researchers at EU Kids Online research programme at LSE university, believe that the rise of smartphones could be to blame. Children are now online constantly, “And it is really hard to escape. That is the new phenomenon. Kids are on their Facebook 24/7.”

Hinckley And Bosworth Community Relations Forum Free Event 29th January 2015, 5.00pm – 8.00pm, St. Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley, LE10 0EQ The primary purpose of the Community Relations Forum is to work towards eliminating discrimination, and building better community relationships in Hinckley and Bosworth.

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…”

Girls are always taking your hoodies but you take one of their dresses and suddenly they’re all like ‘we need to talk’.

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

Don’t forget to send us your news! Contact details are on page 3

The Trust members are very grateful to all of the people who took the time to enter the ‘naming the coffee shop’ competition. There were lots of good entries and after very careful deliberations, it was decided that the entry from the W I was best. From now on it will be known as the ‘Whistle Stop’. The reason for the name is historical. Bagworth was on the Leicester Swannington Railway line and as such was one of the first railway lines in the world (probably within the top six). Originally, the bridge in Thornton Lane did not exist and there was a level crossing. On Saturday, 4 May 1833 an accident occurred at Thornton Lane level crossing. The gates had been left open, and the train, pulled by the engine, ‘Samson’, ran into a horse and cart, the driver of which had not heard the engine driver’s warning bugle. The Company had to pay for a new horse and cart, for fifty pounds of butter, and eighty dozen eggs. George Stephenson thereupon devised a steam whistle. It was constructed by a Leicester musical instrument maker working in King Street, and adopted for all engines. The next time you hear a train klaxon, you might remember that it was because of that incident at Bagworth. That is why we decided to call the coffee shop, the Whistle Stop. Well done, W I.

Household chores Do you struggle to complete your household chores? Be careful – it may be an indication of just how physically unfit you are becoming. Recent research has found that although nearly half of us rate the way we look as more important than our health, nevertheless we do accept that on average we are probably only about 45 per cent fit. The study, by Holland and Barratt, found that “Low fitness levels are clearly having an impact on people’s everyday lives…” as during the study one in two respondents admitted that even doing household chores now wore them out.

There’s nothing sexier than a woman who doesn’t find me repulsive.

Code Club at Bagworth Community Centre The Trust at Bagworth Community Centre have gained a grant to allow them to set up a ‘Code Club’ at the Centre. The aim of this is to turn children from users to creators of computer technology.

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Code Club is a nationwide network of free volunteer led after school coding clubs for children aged 9-11. Projects are created for volunteers to teach at after school coding clubs or at non-school venues such as the Community Centre. The projects teach children how to program by showing them how to make computer games, animations and websites. Volunteers go to the Centre for an hour a week and teach one project a week. Each term the students will progress and learn more whilst at the same time using their imaginations and making creative projects. A former teacher says: “This year I moved on from teaching and began working for Code Club – a nationwide network of volunteer-led, after school coding clubs for children aged 9-11. We are a not-for-profit initiative that creates projects for our volunteers, who are usually professional programmers, to use in after school coding clubs. “The projects teach children how to program by showing them how to make computer games, animations and websites. The volunteers act as role models and their expertise means that the teachers, who must be present during the club, learn a lot that they can then use in their regular classes. “Many children in the year 5 class I had taught a year ago attended a code club later on. When I visited in July they were creating websites and making complex games. Learning to code has turned them from users of technology to makers in their own right. They are already talking about what they are going to learn in secondary school and where their new-found skills can take them beyond that. Let’s not let them down.” The first session takes place on Tuesday 20 January from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm in the Meeting Room at the Centre. It is open to young people aged 9 to 11 years. This is a free class, but places are limited. If your son or daughter is interested in attending please visit https://www.codeclub.org.uk to register or email phil@bagworthcommunitycentre.org or phone Bob on 07866 766160.

How do you define love?

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

I was planning to get a flu shot until I found out it isn’t a kind of drink.

11 A holiday with a difference ...

House sitting will be the fastest growing new travel trend in 2015 As people turn their attention to planning their holidays for 2015, the new trend of house sitting is expected to become mainstream in the next year. A cornerstone of the ‘sharing economy’ - which was recently valued by a UK government report* as worth £9bn globally and set to rise to £230bn by 2025 - house sitting has exploded in popularity as people try to save costs on pet care and travel accommodation. In return for caring for a homeowner’s house and pets, visitors can enjoy some fine living across the world, rent free. Stays can range from a weekend to several months. Meanwhile the pet owner also saves on the costs of kennels, catteries or pet sitting agencies. At the forefront of this phenomenon is TrustedHousesitters.com - the world’s largest house sitting web site with thousands of new house sits every month covering 70+ countries. The site has grown at 300% every year since it started in 2010 as demand for house sitting soars. Not only does the site help travellers save on hotel costs, there’s a good chance the home they are looking after could be beyond their regular budget. Many owners of listed manors, waterfront estates and penthouse apartments need house sitters in the coming months. In addition there are no more peak season constraints - the best times to travel are usually the most expensive - summer and other key holiday dates. Fortunately, house

sitting overcomes this as most opportunities fall at these times when the homeowners are going away too. The site is particularly popular among the “baby boomers” audience around the world who have more time to travel more but can’t always afford to as often as they would like. House sitting means they not only save on accommodation costs, if they go away in the winter months they also save on their own home’s fuel costs. In addition, they can truly live like a local and stay in places off the normal tourist trail. CEO of TrustedHousesitters. com Andy Peck said: “The word is out about house sitting - it is

moving from a niche proposition to becoming more and more mainstream. We are even working with several national tourist boards who are promoting our site as an alternative accommodation option for their country’s visitors. “The concept is truly a win-win for both pet owners and the house sitters. No money changes hands between the two parties. Their only cost is a small membership fee where we provide all the tools for both homeowner and house sitter to search for each other in a secure environment.” One example of a house sitter is British expat Angela Laws living in Vancouver, Canada who visits London often to see her grown-

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.

up children and take in some West End shows. She has just secured her seventh house sit via TrustedHousesitters.com and has enjoyed staying in London, Las Vegas, New York, the Cotswolds and Barbados, previously, for free. She estimates she has saved over £15,000 in hotel bills. She prefers to house sit rather than stay in a hotel not just to save money: “I find hotels impersonal due to the transient nature of their business. Also unless you can afford a comfortable suite, being confined to a small room for more than a couple of days, can become quite claustrophobic and sometimes it’s just nice to stay in and kick back, house sitting provides the perfect solution.” To find her house sitting opportunities Angela joined TrustedHousesitters.com, it cost from just £5.99 per month to register and create a profile, which homeowners can view. There is a New Year Sale for new members with 25% off all membership plans. A daily email alert is sent out with the latest house sitting options and registered sitters can apply directly to the homeowner via the secure online messaging service. The service also saves homeowners paying out for the traditional house sitting agencies which can easily cost in excess of £60 a day, while the owner is away. Alternatively kennel and cattery costs can also add up and home security can be a concern for Brits away from home. From just £5.99 they can register their home with TrustedHousesitters.com and find a house sitter, who is happy to house and pet sit free of charge in return for a free retreat.

EXERCISE CLASSES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS SIT AND GET FIT:

Friday 10am-11am. £3.00 inc. tea, coffee and biscuits. At Stanton under Bardon Youth Club

ZUMBA GOLD:

Monday 7.15pm-8pm. £3.50. At Stanton under Bardon Youth Club Thursday 7.15-8pm. £4.00 At Thornton Community Centre

YOGA:

Monday 8.15pm-9.15pm £3.50 At Stanton under Bardon Youth Club

DREAM - BELIEVE - ACHIEVE Contact Rachel on 07969 240309 Email: sashky@aol.com

When one door closes, another door opens. I really should get this cabinet fixed.

Bagworth Table Top Sale The first event of the year at Bagworth Community Centre is the January table top sale. This is on Sunday January 18th. Pick up some bargains or turn unwanted gifts into cash. £5.00 for a table, set up for vendors from 9.00 am, open to the public from 10.00 am. Admission for buyers is free. End of sale is about 1 pm. Bacon butties and hot drinks, etc. will be available from the coffee shop. To book a table at the event call Bob on 07866 766160.

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

Cinema costs When was the last time you went to see a film? Did you tally up just how much the evening cost you? It seems that going to the cinema is no longer the cheap alternative to a night at the theatre or a meal at a restaurant. A recent study by the Sunday Telegraph has found that a single ticket in some urban venues can cost more than £20, while just popcorn can be as much as £5. Figures from the British Film Institute (BFI) show that the average cost of a cinema ticket has risen by 26 per cent in the past five years. Whereas in 2008 it was £5.18, nowadays the average price is £6.54. BFI figures show that overall, the average price of a cinema ticket has soared above inflation for the past 30 years.

No “Bah Humbug” at the St. Peter’s Christmas Concert! We enjoyed a real Christmas treat in St. Peter’s, Thornton on 14th December, and were pleased to welcome our Member of Parliament Mr David Tredinnick, and County Councillor Ozzy O’Shea to join 150 of us at this special concert which was raising funds for both St. Peter’s church, Thornton and Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary, Markfield. This year, our village event was themed around Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with atmospheric readings from that story presented by Chris and Tony Ball - members of the Kirby Muxloe Players - backed by the wonderful choir of Thornton School singing thoughtprovoking and touching songs which all matched the readings perfectly. The children’s voices (and enthusiasm) were, as ever, a delight. We were also very pleased to welcome back our good friends Natalie Nightingale and Dan Beniston, and to meet their equally talented colleague, Darren who sang here for the first time. With their special sound, Natalie, Dan and Darren recaptured the cosy family Christmases of the 1950’s and 1960’s. We are delighted to announce that we raised almost £600 in total to be shared between the two charities. It really was a very special afternoon – our sincere thanks to all the performers, including organist Martin Foster who accompanied us all for a rousing version of “God Rest you Merry Gentlemen” which strengthened us to face the chill, evening air! Huge thanks also to choir leader Sue Quinn, to all the Friends of St. Peter’s members who provided and served delicious refreshments (and to Julie and Martin Watkinson for the best mulled cider ever!). Also thanks to our Rector, Revd Simon Nicholls who welcomed us all so warmly, to Jane Trevarthen who manned the door; to Sue Bakewell who arranged the stunning Christmas flower displays; to Yve Brown of Redgate Farm who supplied the selection boxes for the choir and many of the raffle prizes; to William Garlick who rang the church bell so evocatively; and to Mary Gibson – our newest Trustee on the Friends of St. Peter’s Committee – who, together with our indefatigable Deputy Churchwarden Shirley Garlick, helped with everything from decorating all the Christmas trees to serving refreshments and washing up. “Watch this space” and make sure you don’t miss this event next year! Dianne Esmond and Jo Leadbetter – Friends of St Peter’s and Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary

Fido and Grumpy on 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. 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!’

I don’t have Facebook so I have no way of saying happy birthday to my wife.

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the peculiarities of ordination candidates The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren

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. 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,

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Read to your grandchildren Here is the perfect way in which grandparents can help out: read with your grandchildren. This not only helps the children, but also relieves the pressure on hardworking parents. A recent study has found that some exhausted parents struggle to find even ten minutes a day to read to their children, while juggling work and home commitments. And yet our children need to learn…. the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has found that Britain lags behind Japan, the Netherlands and Australia in terms of literacy.

Do people who run marathons know that they don’t have to?

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church

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The “Jingly, Jingly Christmas Celebration” with Marwood Brass Band, 20th December This Saturday evening event was our Carol service but with a difference! It was well attended and we were treated to a lovely duet “Mary, Did You Know?” by Bekki Holmes and her friend Debra Timms. Scruff the puppet also made an appearance with our Sunday Club leader Ruth Holmes and Marwood Brass Band ably provided the music for us. We were treated to a visit from Santa with his helpers, Mollie the fairy and William the elf, and special “Bethlehem Star” newspapers were handed out and sweets for the children. Copies of Luke’s Gospel were available for visitors to take home with them if they wished. The evening was rounded off with mince pies, tea and coffee and everyone had a really enjoyable time. The offering that was taken during the service raised £133, half for the Hinckley Homeless Project and the other half to support Marwood Band. However, Marwood Band kindly donated £21.50 back to us for Hinckley Homeless, so the total amount raised for them from this evening was £88.

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Christmas Family Service and Children’s presentation, 21st December Our older and younger Sunday Club groups joined together this year and skilfully presented a Nativity with a bit of a difference, called “The Grumpy Cloud”. The “Cross Hills Puppeteers” also made an appearance and entertained us with familiar Christmas songs. Thank you again to Ruth Holmes and the other Sunday Club leaders for their hard work in preparing for this service. The children of the Sunday Club were then presented with their

annual Christmas prizes of Christian books and Bible stories.

Donations to Hinckley Homeless Each year we take a special collection during our Christmas Day service and the amount raised this year was £67. This was put together with £66.50 from the Christmas Celebration Service, £21.50 from Marwood Band and a personal donation of £75 from one of our church members, giving a wonderful total of £230. Pastor Garry Kelly had the pleasure of taking a cheque for this amount to the Hinckley Homeless Project at Lawrence House as funds are badly needed to support their work with homeless young people and families in the area.

Charity Christmas Card Each year some of our church family donate to a charity Christmas card instead of writing individual cards. This year £35 was collected and this has been sent to the one of the suggested charities, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA). The Cross Hills Church family would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2015. We look forward to welcoming you to our services during 2015. The Church Service Information section in this magazine shows the times of our services.

Contact Numbers Pastor - Garry Kelly: 01455 457802/07816 616189 Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 01455 457802/07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Glynis Straw

Treasurer – on behalf of the Cross Hills church family

Marriage is the only union that can’t be organised. Both sides think they’re management.

To brighten our gardens in the bleak season, we are able to use a combination of the few perennials which flower then (Hellebores, Pulmonarias and Irises) together with many shrubs, and it is surprising that so many are highly fragrant. Plus Cyclamen, white Aconites, and those bulbs which flower before the wonderful show of daffodils in March. Shrubs include Viburnum, Daphne, Japonica, Heather and Garrya. There are others including the autumn flowering cherry.

Viburnums One is outstanding. This is V. Bodnantense (raised at Bodnant Garden) which flowers fragrantly, in mild spells, for months. I know of three varieties, ‘Dawn’ ‘Deben’ and ‘Charles Lamont’ but there is little between them. Short branchs cut in bud are good in the house. The well known Laurestinus (Viburnum Tinus) has white flowers, again for months, but in spells. Very good evergreen foliage, so suitable for prominent positions.

Thoughts on winter colour be seen as early as November/ December. I am referring here to the so called Orientalis types, but not to overlook Hellebores Niger, Corsicus, oetious etc. For a challenge H. Lividus could be tried. Beautiful in both flower and foliage and probably not fully hardy in Leicestershire. A cold frame or unheated greenhouse would be ideal. All Hellebores prefer shade or semi-shade. The Orientalis types should have the old foliage removed in autumn, thus better to view the flowers and emerging new foliage. A huge range of colours now. I still prefer the popular purples and the yellows appeal. All Hellebores are easy from seed. Sow as soon as ripe. Leave outside to get frosted. Germination the following spring. Since Hellebores have been able to be propagated by tissue culture, many lovely forms, which used to be difficult to obtain, are available in quantity. Garden centres stock a good range, some rather expensive.

be an irritant to some people.

Pulmonarias

White Flowering Iris

The lungworts generally flower from late February. A few flowers may be seen anytime after Christmas. There are varieties to suit all tastes. Many have variegated leaves and some a mixture of both pink and blue flowers. The best of these is ‘Blue Ensign’. A lovely intense blue.

Not a climber, more a scrambler. Not fussy about position or soil. Could be trained and tied to a support, but lovely if it could be planted high and allowed to hang over. Yellow flowers for a long time. Even when flowering is over the bright green stems and leaves remain attractive.

If your garden has good stocks of the single ordinary snowdrop, why not pot a few for the house.

Hellebores

Poinsettias

Give it the protection of a wall and the poorest of soils and it will flower well but frugally. Lovely as cut flowers. Colour varies from blues to white. Grows to 1.5 to 2 feet. It is often propagated by taking small rooted pieces from the sides of a growing clump.

Happy New Year to all our customers, friends & family! Valentine’s Day bookings now being taken. Ben & Jan

A covering of horticultural grit enhances the appearance.

Not to forget that these are members of the Euphorbia family. If stems are cut or broken, the usual milky sap is exuded. This can

“Still Friday” 2015

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

Wednesday is

Each evening will include simple reflective worship songs, silence, prayer, readings and responses and last up to an hour. All are welcome. Come along and enjoy the peace. 16th January

20th February

20th March

17th April

15th May

19th June

17th July

21st August

18th September 16th October

There are a few miniature Iris that flower in winter but the term is generally understood to refer to the lovely Iris that used to be named Iris Stylosa but new bears the ugly name of Iris Unguicularis.

Snowdrops

Space should be found for Jasminum Nudiflorum in all gardens.

The big flush of flowers is in February but some flowers may

Not to everyone’s taste but the winter flowering Erica Carnea varieties – unlike others – grow in any types of soil. Choose them when in flower.

Winter Jasmine

These are the main herbaceous plants for winter colour.

Heathers

20th November

No “Still Friday” in December

Fridays 8.00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels’ Church

“STEAK NIGHT” 2 Steaks, With Hand-Cut Chips, Peas, Tomato, Mushrooms & Two Glasses of House Wine - £18.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £8.00 2 Courses - £10.00 3 Courses - £12.00

With personal service to your table

Home-Made Pie Night - Tuesdays - £5.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

Some things are better left unsaid. If only I could determine which things.

Extracts from Stanton Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Stanton under Bardon Parish Council on Tuesday 2nd December 2014. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mr Sprason is waiting for Highways to give him a date when they are going to be reviewing if Double yellow lines are needed around the Village. There have been further changes with regard to the closure of Libraries and they are still looking for Communities to volunteer to run them. Markfield Library should hopefully be kept open. The White Lines on the Flying Horse Roundabout are very faded but at the moment they have not been scheduled to be re done. BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mr Lay has met with Ian Parsons to look at Main Street Extension and further patching will be done on the road with a view to doing a permanent fix in the future. Drop kerbs will also be put in. There has not been any Road sweeping done on this area this will also be looked at. The Green Waste Consultation is still ongoing but no decisions will be made until after the next election. The Parish Council asked Mr Lay if he had received or knew of any applications for a Solar Farm – at present there is no application but he will contact the Council if any are applied for. QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIR A Parishioner asked if the Village could have Street Signs like other Villages. The Council said they would look into Grant Funding to see if this can be applied for. Clerk Vacancy The Clerk has handed in her resignation and her leaving date will be the 31st January 2015. A job advert has been drawn up and will be advertised on the LRALC Website, the Village Notice Board and the Coalville Times. (See Advert On Right) PARISH PROPERTIES Recreation Ground Report & Equipment (Mrs Mary Briggs) The new equipment has been installed but not enough Turf has been put down to replace what was removed. The original quote to be looked at to see what was

quoted for before a decision is made as to whether to pay Wicksteed to replace it. Bottom and Top Allotment Inspection. (Mrs Briggs) No Issues at present and due to the time of year it is expected that not much work can be carried out on the allotments. A meeting is going to be arranged with Persimmons to ask them to remove 2 fences and blocks in the Ditch. Mrs Briggs also reported that the pipe to the water trough has been cut by persons unknown. Chairman to have a look. Section 106 Funding All the Section 106 Funding has now been received. No volunteers have come forward after it has been advertised in the Herald to help form a small group to look at what equipment is needed. Village Hall Trustee Report & Insurance The Charity Commission application is still being processed. The Bank Account has been opened but the account has temporarily suspend as there has been problems with some of the paperwork. The trustees are continuing to receive a steady number of requests and information regarding hiring of the village hall. The Parish Council’s Solicitor is currently reviewing the lease document. There have been ongoing problems with the delay in the building of the Village Hall. Meeting to be requested by the Council to discuss this. Land Ownership The Parish Council has checked with our solicitors and they have confirmed that our records show that it is owned by Persimmons who are disputing this. Persimmons are now dealing with this. It was agreed that if the Parish Council incur any legal fees for this matter then it should be forwarded to Persimmons. PLANNING APPLICATIONS/ PERMISSIONS/REFUSALS The Parish council has received information regarding a Proposed Solar Farm on Tower Hayes Farm. The proposers have asked to attend a Council Meeting. It was agreed to ask them to come to the meeting on the 03/02/15.

STANTON UNDER BARDON CLERK VACANCY Stanton under Bardon Parish Council welcomes applications for the post of Clerk/ Responsible Financial Office. Training will be provided and to learn will be considered as an alternative to formal applications. This is a part time position of 4 hours per week. The Salary will be between £8.61 to £10.00 per hour dependent on experience and qualifications. The Clerk will be expected to work from home under their own initiative but an office will be provided on completion of the new Village Hall. The job requires excellent administrative, communication, numeracy, time management, IT Skills and an enthusiasm for the local community. Duties include maintaining and managing the Councils affairs, organising meeting, taking and producing minutes, correspondence, managing The Parish Council Website, advising the Council and preparation of accounts. If you require further information, please contact the Chairman, Stuart Bridges on 01530243383. Applications should be by CV accompanied by a covering letter and may be submitted either by writing or email to: - Joanna Bridges, Clerk to Stanton Under Bartdon Parish Council, c/0 162 Main Street, Stanton Under Bardon, Leicestershire, LE67 9TP email: joanna_b22@hotmail.com Closing Date: 15/01/15

Reminder

No Bagworth history group meeting till March Bagworth Historical Group does not meet in January and February. The first meeting of the new year will be on the second Tuesday of March at 7.30 pm at Bagworth Working Men’s Club.

12th Jan deadline

Have your say on budget proposals Leicestershire residents have until January 12th to comment on the county council’s latest budget proposals. The council needs to save £91 million over the next four years and has proposals to cover £82 million of this – including cuts to bus subsidies, household waste sites and community museums and a 1.5 per cent Council Tax each year. This leaves a £9 million shortfall. Council leader Nick Rushton encouraged people to complete the consultation form. He said: “We will have to take very tough decisions, unless we receive extra Government grant. We are the lowest funded county council – if we received the average level, we’d get an extra £37 million per year.” The council’s cabinet will consider the consultation findings before the full council finalises the budget on February 18th. To read a summary of the budget situation and complete the consultation form, please visit www. leics.gov.uk/budgetconsultation

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).

Of all the possible utensils that could have been invented to eat rice with, how did two sticks win out?

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.

When I argue with my wife, I always get the last word. It’s just that sometimes she can’t hear it.

The Five Truths About Fear by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

FEAR TRUTH No.1 The fear will never go away as long as you continue to grow! Every time you take a step into the unknown, you experience fear. There is no point in saying, “When I am no longer afraid, then I will do it.” You’ll be waiting for a long time. The fear is part of the package. FEAR TRUTH No.2 The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and…do it! When you do it often enough, you will no longer be afraid in that particular situation. You will have faced the unknown and you will have handled it. Then new challenges await you, which certainly add to the excitement in living. FEAR TRUTH No.3 The only way to feel better about yourself is to go out and…do it! With each little step you take into unknown territory, a pattern of strength develops. You begin feeling stronger and stronger and stronger. FEAR TRUTH No.4 Not only are you afraid when facing the unknown, so is everyone else!

The good thing about commuting to work Next time you are standing in a crowded train carriage or bus on your way to work, or even cycling or walking there in the rain, consider this: you are better off than those who are driving.

This should be a relief. You are not the only one out there feeling fear. Everyone feels fear when taking a step into the unknown. Yes, all those people who have succeeded in doing what they have wanted to do in life have felt the fear - and did it anyway. So can you! FEAR TRUTH No.5 Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the bigger underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness! This is the one truth that some people have difficulty understanding. When you push through the fear, you will feel such

a sense of relief as your feeling of helplessness subsides. You will wonder why you did not take action sooner. You will become more and more aware that you can truly handle anything that life hands you. Copyright © 1987-2012 Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Visit www.susanjeffers.com to learn more about Susan and her work, and www. feelthefeartraining.com to check the availability of Feel the Fear workshops in your part of the world.

Hard to believe? A recent study has found that people who make a regular commute that involves some sort of physical activity are in better mental shape, sleep better, and are happier than those who drive to work. As one researcher at the University of East Anglia explained: “You might think that things like disruption to services or crowds of commuters might have been a cause of considerable stress. But as buses or trains also give people time to relax, read, socialise, and there is usually an associated walk to the bus stop or railway station, it appears to cheer people up.” Another associated study has found that people who give up the car and use bus or train to get to work, lose weight.

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My friend Ena is very giddy. Whenever we meet and I say: ‘Hi, Ena’, she laughs her head off.

Cats in need of a good home Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary currently has several cats and kittens in need of loving homes. If a reader is interested in re-homing a Redgate cat or kitten, you can visit the sanctuary any day of the week preferably between 11am and 3.30pm. Or telephone: 01530 243 925 Or email Jack Tacey (Supervisor) at: redgate@mail.org. Jack is in any day except Tuesday or Thursday.

Puddy Tat, aged 6 years

Mia, aged 4 years

Poppy, aged 12 years

Not ‘Dancin’ in the Streets’ For those who prefer to dance somewhere warmer, especially at this time of year, social dances are taking place at Bagworth Working Men’s Club. The first is on Saturday 24th January at 8 pm. As well as dancing to Ken’s CDs, there will also be a Bingo session and a raffle. The bingo and raffle are not included in the very reasonable ticket price of £2. It is possible to pay on the door for this event. On Friday 6th February there is the first charity dance of the New Year. This is in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The bye line is ‘Wear it, Beat it’. People attending are encouraged to wear red at this event. The tickets cost £2.50 and can be purchased from Ken, Glenda, Anne, Josie or on the door. Again, not included in the ticket price, are a bingo session and a raffle. There are always lots of chances of winning in the raffle. Again, music will be provided by Ken’s CDs. This is always a good night and is thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend. It is also a very worthwhile charity which deserves your support.

Bow, aged 3 years

Suri, aged 2 years

I have a condition that renders me unable to go on a diet. I get hungry.

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason

Wind turbines, houses and council budgets No not a result of over indulgence over the festive period but the consequences of an out of touch centralised government. Over many years I have heard political parties and governments talk about devolving power down to a ‘local level’. A great idea I hear you say, but in reality unlike Scotland, Wales and Ireland this has never happened for councils in England. What has happened is a nonexistent energy policy that has allowed inefficient over subsidised wind turbines pop up in our countryside, and farmland being handed over to miles of solar panels. This all due to a government short term policy fix under the European directive called green energy. This has left local authorities powerless to stop this growth as government inspectors until recently have overturned local decisions to oppose them. With the population growth we have seen the previous and current government dictate to local authorities the number of houses it is required to build. It would appear that the national planning policy framework (NPPF) allowed local authorities through a ‘local

plan’ to say were the houses would go. Another good sound bite but in reality this has not protected us from over development or our green fields from being built on. I can point to many examples Markfield, Stanton under Bardon, Bagworth, Desford, Newbold Verdon and Barleston. These villages agreed in the ‘local plan’ to a number of new houses to be built but actually have seen this agreed number double or triple. The government’s NPPF has actually resulted in a centrally dictated developer’s charter with no thought to the impact on ‘local services’ and infrastructure. Governments of differing colours have added ‘local’ to service delivery to look like they are moving to a new form of governance. It has actually moved the other way and introduced a system of ‘centralised localism’. The final nail in the coffin is the local government finance settlement that sees a further 12% cut in government grant and a 2% limit on council tax increases. Leicestershire County Council needs to save £91 million over the next four years due to these cuts. £82 million of this includes cuts to bus subsidies, libraries, household waste sites and community museums. This proposal also includes an annual council tax

David Sprason increase of 1.5% but still leaves a £9 million shortfall. We see that the government still ignores local voices and instead sets its priorities on devolving more money and power to Scotland, increasing Foreign Aid, investing in the white elephant HS2 and the increasing cost of our club membership of the European Union. So when you hear the phrase ‘localism’ just reflect on what that should mean, as currently it is just used as a sound bite for appeasing local politicians, while in reality it is used to cut quality local services and destroy our local heritage. You will however see ‘local’ appear yet again in manifestos for the 2015 general election with promises to devolve power locally, review the funding formula and permit local tax raising powers. I will let you judge the credibility of this statement as history shows little has changed over recent decades.

Marriage licence: - the only permit taken out after the hunt is over.

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.

I got on the train this morning and a man was sitting in my seat. I said, ‘Go on tthen. You drive the thing!’

New Black Belt success at the home for Zen Goshin Ryu Martial annual arts Art School showcase ARTISTS and craftspeople from across the East Midlands are being invited to submit works for consideration for Leicester’s next annual open exhibition. The popular competition and showcase is open to artists living in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire or Northamptonshire. Craft entries from Warwickshire and the West Midlands will also be considered. This year’s exhibition - called Open 26 - is being organised in partnership with De Montfort University and will run from 14 March to 4 May 2015. For the first time in its 26 years, the exhibition will be held at Newarke Houses Museum where it will launch the museum’s new Garden Galleries. In another change for the exhibition, submissions are being invited in digital format and entries need to be made online. Works can be submitted from 9 January to 9 February 2015. A drop-in session will be held at New Walk Museum on to help any artists who are uncomfortable with the technology required for online entry. All works entered will be considered by an independent panel. Artists chosen to feature in the exhibition will have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including the annual award of the £2,000 Attenborough Prize. This year will also see the award of the new Trevor Thomas Prize which has been named in honour of the former director of Leicester museums who established the city’s world-famous German Expression collection in the 1940s. There will be a number of additional prizes offered by sponsors. Young artists from across Leicester are also being invited to submit work for consideration for the Youth Open, now in its sixth year. The Open 26 exhibition is organised by Leicester City Council in partnership with De Montfort University, a leading centre of art teaching. For more information visit www. leicester.gov.uk/open26

On 18th December, members of the Zen Goshin Ryu martial arts school, family and friends packed the Markfield Community Centre for a special presentation night. The night was to congratulate Mabel Winter, Laurie Cox and Keith Turner for gaining their 2nd Degree Black Belts, Jake Boorman-Cross, Kimberley Hern, Ben Thurlby, Rebecca Wright, Adam Wheat and Kyle Walker for gaining their 1st Degree Black Belts and 20 other students that have passed their respective gradings over recent weeks. The event also gave the students an opportunity to demonstrate some of the self defence techniques and katas from their gradings. Chief Instructor Andrew Walker said: “Some of these students have been attending the club for over 7 years and have shown incredible dedication and determination to get to this level. They should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.” The Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Art School holds classes in Markfield and Bagworth and specialise in Karate, Self Defence and Kick Boxing. Classes are open to all ages/abilities and welcome new members. For more details about joining please visit the club’s website www.leicestermartialarts.co.uk or call Andrew on 07975 833078.

Answer to prayer A small boy badly wanted a baby brother, so his dad suggested he pray every night for one. The boy prayed earnestly, night after night, but his prayers seemingly weren’t answered. So after a few weeks, he didn’t bother to ask anymore. Some months later, his dad said they were going to see Mum in the hospital and he was going to get a big surprise. When they got to the room, the little boy saw his mother holding two babies. The little boy stood still for a moment, and then cautiously observed: “It’s a good thing I stopped praying when I did.”

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The Herald is delivered to 4,000 local homes and businesses in Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton and Field Head 11 Times a Year. For more information, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 or email: info@ markfieldherald. co.uk

From the moment our eyes first met, I knew I would spend the rest of my life avoiding you.

Markfield Community Centre News Let’s Start 2015 on a High Note As you may recall from last month’s edition of the Herald I was really concerned that we would be unable to carry on with the Markfield Mayflower due to lack of funding. However, I am thrilled to let you know that our bid to the Your Community Fund was successful and we received enough funding to carry on the Club through into 2015. I can say that our members were delighted and may I take this opportunity to thank all of you who supported our bid for funding. So, as from Wednesday 14th January we will be starting a new programme of events and activities aimed at supporting the over 50’s and those who care for the elderly and the sick. If you are interested in joining in, the sessions are held every Wednesday afternoon at the Centre from 2pm to 4pm, you simply just have to turn up and enjoy the sessions.

Mayflower Club Christmas Party

Food and Friendship Sessions The six week Food and Friendship sessions arranged by AGE UK and Adult Learning have now been completed. I am told by those that attended they were very enjoyable so much so we have arranged a similar type of course but this time based on arts and crafts. Here is your chance to do a bit of “Blue Peter” arts and crafts as well as meeting up with or making new friends. The sessions start this month and places are limited so, if you would like to come along please contact the Centre and book your place or contact Kate Webb on 01455 619519 or email kate.webb@ageukleics.org.uk.

Recent Events at the Centre 70th Birthday Celebrations

Our last event of a very successful year was the holding of a Christmas Party for our members. They enjoyed a traditional Christmas tea washed down with samples of home made wine as well as a seasonal caption competition and Christmas prize bingo session. Even Father Christmas made an appearance with gifts and jolly laughter. The party ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and an almost riotous conga dance around the centre.

On Saturday 13th December Terry Fox from Stanton Under Bardon celebrated his 70th Birthday at the Centre with his family and friends. Terry, who hopes to move to Markfield in the near future, was initially born and bred in Coalville. He spent his working life as a miner then a quarryman at Cliffe Hill Quarry. I understand that he met his wife Sheila at the Palais De Dance in Leicester many moons ago and has three children and three grandchildren who helped to arrange this special event for him. Many happy returns from all the Centre and we look forward to seeing you in the village and at the Centre in the near future. Terry didn’t want any presents and asked instead

Of course I can keep secrets. It’s the people I tell them to who can’t keep them.

From Ron Grantham (Markfield Community Association) for donations to two of his favourite charities. The total raised was £215 of which £115 went to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and £100 to local charity Wishes4Kids, as they have helped Terry and Sheila’s granddaughter Georgina in the past.

Christmas Carol Concert On Wednesday 10th December members of the Mayflower Club were treated to a Carol Concert performed by pupils from Mercenfeld School. And what a treat it was. It was truly lovely to see a packed hall of members and parents singing along to traditional Carols and Christmas songs with the School Choir and Band with mince pies, cakes and sweets to boot. We all really enjoyed it and hope for further sessions in the coming year. Many thanks to Mr. Kitchen, his staff and of course the children for putting on the show and please come along again.

Get Fit in 2015 Now you have eaten all that turkey, consumed the Christmas pudding and are generally full to the limits perhaps now is the time to exercise that New year’s resolution you may have made about losing weight or getting fit again. Here at the Centre we have a whole range of keep fit and healthier lifestyle activities and clubs that will help you achieve your goals. They range exercise sessions for those setting out to keep fit, gentle exercise to the more extreme and body punishing. I am sure that we have something to meet your needs. Just enquire at the Centre or visit our website to see what we have for you.

Renewed Money Saving Special Offer 2014/15 May I take this opportunity to remind you that the Centre’s Management Committee have agreed to extend our special offer available of free room hire for bar functions for the coming year. Over last year this offer has helped people out with the cost of arranging special events, family occasions, parties and other celebrations. For further information please contact the Centre. For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST, ring us on 01530 242240 or email at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk Visit our website at www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com to see our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.

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How can I be sure I’ve succeeded if I can’t remember what I was trying to do?

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! See advert on page 15. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 10th Jan: The Dirty Water Band 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 30. 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 two are Saturday 10th January and Saturday 24th January with ‘King of the Road’. See advertS on page 5 & 8. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 9th Jan: Tyler Jon - very good male solo Sat 10th Jan: Just Jacob - great male solo Sun 11th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo and Quiz 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

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.

NEW YEAR’S MONEY RESOLUTION FREE COURSE Our local churches are one of 1,138 across the UK offering free courses to help make money management a successful resolution for 2015. The churches of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton-under-Bardon and Copt Oak will be running the CAP Money Course again starting on Thursday 29 January 2015, over 3 weeks. CAP Money coach, Steph Beeston-Clarke, said: “We are really pleased and excited to be able to put on this popular course, which 10,000 people attended in the UK just last year. January is a great time to take a fresh look at your financial situation and make a plan for the year ahead. Lots of people are keen to manage their money, but often don’t have the basic skills, so this course is a really effective place to start.” The popular course is run across the country through local churches, which have been trained by CAP. It is designed for anyone whether unemployed, receiving benefits, working, self-employed, retired, newly married or recently divorced. Even if you went a bit overboard at Christmas, it’s not too late to do something now about your financial situation. With the help of the CAP Money Course, we have seen people back in the black and start saving sometimes for the first time in their lives. One course attendee said: “Before the CAP Money Course, we never knew where we were and felt overwhelmed about how to budget. Now our finances are clear and we’re confident managing them.” The next course takes place at the Congregational Church Hall, Main Street, Markfield, starting at 7.00 pm on Thursday January 29, 2015. • •

St Peters Church, Copt Oak To book your place on the local course telephone 01530 243606 / Christmas 07572852684 or email stephbc@hotmail.co.uk Musical Entertainment To find out more about the CAP Money course visit www.capmoney. org with The Harmonics

Christmas Songs and About CAP Money Songs from the First CAP Money is aWorld revolutionary money management course that teaches War people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based money management system that really Saturday works. This course will help anyone to get more control December - they 7.30pm over their6th finances, so that can save, give and prevent debt. CAP Money is a course devised by the award winning debt counselling charity, Tickets £5 Christians Against Poverty. It is designed to be applicable to anyone. to include mulled wine Whether they struggle to make ends meet or are comfortable financially, andamince pies. freedom in their finances. www. it will give people new found capmoneycourse.org To book contact Christians Poverty is a UKorcharity determined to reduce hardship SueAgainst Gammon on 244229 via CAP Debt Job Clubs and our debt prevention arm the TedCentres, Pepper CAP on 249101 CAP Money Course. CAP only works in partnership with the care of the local church and offers the service free of charge to everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background.

The next CAP Money course starts on Thursday 29 January 2015, 7pm at the Congregational Church Hall, Markfield. Places are limited, so if you (or someone you know) would like to book please contact Steph as soon as possible. Contact details: Steph Beeston-Clarke Lead CAP Money Coach

The course runs for 3 weekly sessions and will give you the tools and teach you a system to help you manage your finances better.

stephbc@hotmail.co.uk 01530 243606 / 07572 852684 https://capuk.org/i-want-help/cap-money-course/course

It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to overtake them.

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“Still Friday” 2015 Each evening will include simple reflective worship songs, silence, prayer, readings and responses and last up to an hour. All are welcome. Come along and enjoy the peace. 16th January

20th February

20th March

17th April

15th May

19th June

17th July

21st August

18th September 16th October

20th November

No “Still Friday” in December

Fridays 8.00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels’ Church

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Churches Together in Markfield

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This is an opportunity to relax, find peace within ourselves and 'reflect' on our place in the world. It will offer creative suggestions for reading, thinking and exploring prayer.

Congregational Church Hall - 6-7pm

David Smith - 1 The Burrows, Narborough

0116 275 0101 (home) 07880 973 742 (mobile)

Thursdays 22nd January, 26th February, 26th March, 23rd April, 28th May, 25th June Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.

Further information: Rosemary (242844)

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27 Good Friday Site Appeal - Dismissed The long awaited decision has finally been delivered on this site on Bagworth Rd Barlestone. This long episode that started in 2009 with an unlawful occupation of the site which involved Chris and Ozzy as the only two Borough Councillors along with Enforcement Officers from HBBC issuing stop notices that were completely disregarded has since been the subject of many applications , appeals and a judicial review has finally ended. Inspector Mr Gareth Symons concluded that the appeal was to be dismissed on the following grounds. • Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council was to be considered to have an adequate 5 year supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches. • The use of this unlawful site causes harm to highway safety. • The use causes harm to the landscape and countryside character of the area and is not capable of sympathetic assimilation into its surroundings. It is fair to say that this fight has been a long drawn out affair but never one that we have shied away from and from day one have been at the forefront ensuring that we had the best possible resources available from HBBC to fight this appeal. It is also fair to say that the Local Lib/Dem Member for Barlestone contributed nothing to the original incursion and failed to speak at this latest appeal. The Inspector has granted that the residents of this site be given 18 months to move on and a further 3 months to return the land to its original status, We would like to take this opportunity to thank all residents who have supported us in this issue and we are really happy to deliver this good news to you all.

Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

Don’t just sit there! Are you a desk potato? It seems that eight out of ten office workers may well be headed that way, as they only ever leave their desks during the day in order to go to the lavatory.

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel: 0116 2388301 or 07880 711222 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com

Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

New Tenancy Agreement A new Tenancy Agreement is being drafted to go out to HBBC Tenants for consultation. Most of the new agreement remains unchanged but Chris has been involved in local public consultation meetings with the support of Ozzy along with Council Officers and the invaluable input from Together for Tenants. Chris ordered the removal of the first draft of this document as it appeared to request that in terms of housing repairs, tenants were required to do such things as internal plastering. tiling, replacement of internal doors and all windows. The new draft which has yet to go to Council will recommend that such as the above be withdrawn. Tenants’ rent is ring fenced for our housing repair bill and as such the responsibility for major repairs should not fall on tenants.

Green Waste Collection This issue came before Council on the 16th December 2014. It was the ruling Lib/Dem Authority’s plan to charge all household’’s in the Borough £30 from 2015/16 to collect the brown bin green waste following a reduction following a reduction in the monetary credits awarded by Leicestershire County Council. The Conservative Group at HBBC vehemently argued against this stating that this was a front line service that residents paid for through their Council Tax and further more , we left office in 2007 leaving nearly £13 million in reserve funds. Surely their was enough left to accommodate this reduction but apparently not after their wild spending spree for Hinckley Town Centre. The Administration amazingly have now found some extra funding so the decision has been put on hold for the next Administration to deal with after May 2015. Once again we both wish you all a healthy and happy new year and that we are only a phone call away. Chris & Ozzy - Working for you.

Families are often like fudge - mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

A recent study by Weight Watchers UK, also found that four in ten office workers prefer to email their colleagues a few desks away rather than get up and go over to talk to them. One health expert warned: “It’s worrying to see so many…doing so little… if you are in a sedentary job, it’s important to make every effort to move around as much as possible… walk over to your colleagues to talk, take the stairs instead of the lift, get out for a quick walk at lunchtime…”

Good fruit When you finish this story, you will want to eat some fruit. It seems that eating just one or two pieces of fruit a day can cut the risk of a heart attack or stroke by up to 40 per cent. A recent study by Oxford University has found that people who eat fruit daily have a far lower rate of heart disease, and a lower rate of the two main types of stroke. And the more often people ate fruit, the more the risk fell. Another recent study, at Washington State University, has found that an apple a day can also help keep obesity away, as it makes people feel fuller for longer.

I’m going to retire and live off my life savings. What I’ll do in the second week, I’ve no idea.

28 Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Local Church Services

Sunday 4th Jan Service 10am Friday 9th Jan singing cafe loughborough library 10am, coalville library 1.30pm Sunday 11th Jan Service 10am

10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Sunday 18th January 10.30am Morning Service

Monday 12th Jan coffee morning 10am

Sunday 25th January 10.30am Morning Service

Tuesday 13th singing cafe Shepshed library 10am

Sunday 1st February 10.30am Morning Service

Wednesday 14th Jan Prayer meeting 7pm

Sunday 8th February 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper

Friday 16th Jan singing cafe loughborough library 10am, Coalville library 1.30pm

Sunday 15th February 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 18th Jan service 10am Monday 19th Jan coffee morning 10am Tuesday 20th Jan singing cafe Shepshed library 10am Wednesday 21st Jan fellowship dinner 6.30pm call 07875378628 for details Friday 23rd Jan singing cafe Loughborough library 10am, Coalville Library 1.30pm Sunday 25th Jan Cafe 4U 4pm Monday 26th Jan 10am

coffee morning

Tuesday 27th Jan Singing cafe Shepshed Library 10am Wednesday 28th Jan bible study 7pm Friday 30th Jan singing cafe Loughborough Library 10am, Coalville 1.30pm Sunday 1st Feb service 10am

Markfield Congregational Church 01530 242142

There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine..

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 11th January 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Service Sunday 18th January 10.30am Morning United Churches Together Covenant Service at Methodist Church 6.00pm Evening Service Sunday 25th January 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service Sunday 1st February 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 8th February 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Service

Sunday 14th December 10.15 am Sunday Club Nativity

Sunday 15th February 10.30am Morning United Churches Together Service at Congregational Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Sunday 21st December 10.15.am Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 22nd February 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Servicee

Thursday 25th December 10.15 am Christmas Day Family Worship

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield

Sunday 28th December 10.30 am United Churches Together Service in Our Church Sunday 4th January 10.15 am Morning Worship followed by Communion

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton Sunday 11th January

10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month. Sunday 11th January 10.15 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion Friday 16th January

8.00 pm “Still Friday”

and Coffee

Sunday 18th January 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at Trinity Methodist Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 1st February 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 25th January 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

Sunday 15th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 1st February 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 8th February 10.15 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 15th February 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at Markfield Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Wednesday 18th February 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton Friday 20th February 8.00 pm “Still Friday” Sunday 22nd February 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 11th January 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 18th January 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 25th January 10.30 am “Something Different” Service Sunday 1st February 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 15th February 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 22nd February 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 11th January 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 18th January 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 25th January 10.30 am All Age Service Wednesday 28th January 10.00 am Midweek Communion

Sunday 8th February 9.00 am Holy Communion

Wednesday 18th February 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday Communion Sunday 22nd February 10.30 am All Age Service Wednesday 25th February 10.00 am Midweek Communion and Coffee

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 1st February 10.30 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 11th January 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 18th January 9.15 am Holy Communion (said service) Sunday 25th January 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 1st February 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 8th February 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 15th February 9.15 am Holy Communion (said service) Sunday 22nd February 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 6th March 2015 There will be an 11am service at the Markfield Retirement Village, in the Social Centre . There will also be a 2.30pm service in the Congregational Church, Main St with refreshments to follow in the Church Hall. Thank you on behalf of Churches Together in Markfield

Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others, whenever they go

29 Deadline is approaching

Catholic Church of St Wilfrid of York 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB Sunday Mass Saturday Vigil: 6 pm Sunday: 10 am See Newsletter on the website for details of weekday Mass times, Benediction & Confessions Parish Priest: Fr David Cain: 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.st—clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle./leics.sch.uk 2015 Markfield Masses - in the Congregational Church Hall, Main St, beside the Chinese Takeaway: • Wednesday, 15 April at 7pm (30th anniversary of first Markfield Mass in village) • Wednesday 17 June at 7pm • Wednesday 16 September at 7pm All are welcome

Food intolerance Do you believe that you are intolerant to certain foods? It seems that more than one in five of us could be avoiding certain foods because we have become convinced that we are allergic or intolerant towards them. A survey for the Food and Drink Innovation Network found that dairy and gluten are the most common types of food which we give up. This has enormous implications: up to a third of all households could by now have had to adapt to having a member of their family either unable or unwilling to eat certain food. This in turn has spawned a phenomenal growth in the industry which supplies us with foods free from gluten, lactose, nuts, or other ingredients.

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

£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.

Letter

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of your readers who have supported the work of the NSPCC during the last year. Without the backing of the local Leicestershire people the NSPCC would not be able to help abused children rebuild their lives, or be there for parents who desperately need advice and support. As we move into 2015 I would like to appeal to your readers to make a very special kind of New Year’s resolution for the NSPCC. ‘Just One Day’ is a call for people to come forward and volunteer some time to support our work – even if people can only spare one day, it will be a massive help. There are many different ways that people can volunteer their time including holding a local fundraising event, helping at one of our events, or becoming an NSPCC ChildLine Schools Service volunteer. Abuse ruins childhood, but it can be prevented. That’s why the NSPCC is here. That’s what drives our work, and that’s why – as long as there’s abuse the NSPCC will fight for every childhood. Please join us in the fight for every childhood by volunteering some time to support the NSPCC, whether you can spare a day a week or just one day. To find out more call The Midlands local Fundraising Office on 0844 8920217; email midlandsappeals@nspcc.org.uk or log on to nspcc.org.uk/ volunteer

Deborah Chandos-Hall Head of Fundraising NSPCC Midlands

A new home from a derelict property 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.

I sat up all night thinking about the sun. Then it dawned on me.

Winter Driving Wordsearch

Passcode/Create N

Find the names of 12 ITEMS TO TAKE WITH YOU WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER 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.

R R D W U E G S A I H Z E Z T I

E K X H S K N B E I P E P W I C

C P G X S B C O V V F O V K W E

I Y O E K L R I H F O G K F E S

E K H H E O S L O P Y L Q A T C

D Z E V T J H C G L E R G O D R

X Y O S A D F M A W D L H B I A

G H N C I O F X B K A U I P Q P

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 things which you may need when driving in winter. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: S L T X F H S B stuck in the snow, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, U E K L R C N A Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 28th January 2015. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry K V A P J R O T drawn out of the Editor’s Thermal Long Johns will win the Meal for Two V S D H W O T T at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

K O G I G W D I V B G E

O S D T N W X M M G O R

Q B N S I X V F M F D M

Q Y Z K P X F L T O T E

F B T G E Z Q R P X F V

T E F B E C E W A Z E G

G N I L L E W M X F R N

E R I E S L B Z Z D V B

BATTERIES DEICER FLASKOFCOFFEE FOOD GLOVES HIVISJACKET ICESCRAPER MOBILEPHONE SHOVEL SLEEPINGBAG TORCH WELLINGTONS

Here are the twelve Winter Driving Items to find: BATTERIES • DEICER • FLASK OF COFFEE • FOOD GLOVES • HI VIS JACKET • ICE SCRAPER • MOBILE PHONE SHOVEL • SLEEPING BAG • TORCH • WELLINGTONS Name: ................................................................................................... Address: ............................................................................................. ........................................................................................................... ................................................................ Postcode: .............................

Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last month’s Wordsearch Competition was: MARTIN WATSON of Altar Stones Lane, Markfield Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you soon.

Christmas Day in Anstey Everyone who attended Christmas Day for Those Alone in Anstey and Surrounding Villages had a great day, volunteers and guests alike. We catered for 72 people! All guests had a lovely 5 course Christmas dinner, presents and a goody bag stuffed with lots of yummy food. We enjoyed great entertainment from Nigel North on the accordian doing a great sing a long, Sean Dodds did some stand up comedy and great magic tricks both on stage and around the tables, and last but not least we had a few games of bingo! Julie, Matt and I would like to thank all the volunteers who came forward to help both prior to the day and on the day whether that be the initial planning, securing funds, setting up the room, wrapping presents, putting up posters, providing transport, hosting a table, and most definitely a massive thanks to Julie and all her team for organising, buying and cooking such a wonderful meal on the day (something I definitely do not get involved with as cooking is not my strong point!!). A massive thanks also to Next for a very generous donation of £250 and a lovely presents for all the ladies, Aurum holdings based near scudamore road for the beautiful jewellery boxes donated for presents for all, Anstey Parish council for their donation of £200, Jacobs bakeries in Wigston for their donation of boxes of biscuits for everyone, Age UK for donations of food, and to other companies who helped in some way, Aldi, Midlands Coop, Greens surveyors – Anstey. Thanks also to St Marys Church, Anstey who don’t charge anywhere near the the full amount for hiring the room and without the room this couldn’t go ahead so thanks very much for the use of the room once again. Thanks to all my colleagues at work who got together through direct donation or donations of money most of the mens present, thanks also to those people, many of who remained anon who donated money, we had various amounts in envelopes through ours or Julies door or given direct to the parish council as our funds are with them (thanks to Liz in the parish council for all her help too). Many guests and helpers also donated money on the day as well. Thanks for reading and a happy new Year

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

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

Kerry Sharpe Advert in newspaper: Home computer, as new. Never been figured out.

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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.