Being bored is good for you

THIS WILL CHEER you up this summer, when your children mope around the house saying that they are bored: apparently a bit of boredom is good for them.

So says a senior educationalist, Julia Robinson, who has encouraged parents NOT to force their children into too many activities.

Instead, they must be allowed to become bored, so that they can have time to be reflective and calm. Too many pursuits such as music lessons, sport and online learning could result in a generation of manic, anxiety-ridden adults, she warns.

She points out that happiness does not come from a “regime of unrealistic multitasking, running oneself ragged with an exhausting programme of endless…activities.”

Another educationalist urged that children need “downtime…. They have the right to be bored, to give them the stimulus to be inventive, resourceful and self-reliant – all important life skills.”

What are you drinking?

COLD DRINKS in hot weather are great, but if you head for the highsugar fizzy drinks, you are putting yourself at risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

Fizzy drinks are full of sugar, but no vitamins, minerals or antioxidants. Instead, try serving water with ice and pieces of fresh orange, lemon or lime to add flavour. Or dilute a pure fruit juice with sparkling mineral water. Or go for herbal tea or fruit tea. For more ideas visit https:// heartresearch.org.uk/eatingbetter/

Seconds

1. What is the second book of the Bible?

2. The Second Severn Crossing is a bridge that carries which motorway over the River Severn?

3. If Florence Nightingale was the first woman to appear on the back of a Bank of England note, who was the second?

4. Which country hold the record for the most second-place finishes in the Eurovision Song Contest?

5. After Lucy, who was the second of the four children to find Narnia in the novel The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe?

6. What day of the week is named after the second-largest planet in the solar system?

7. In football, which two British teams play each other in the Second City Derby?

8. After Harry Potter, who is the second-most mentioned character in J.K. Rowling’s series of Harry Potter novels?

9. In 1924, what became the first city to host the Summer Olympics for a second time?

10. Edward’s Day Out, Edward And Gordon, The Sad Story Of Henry And Edward, and Gordon And Henry were the four stories in the first book of a famous series. Which character was introduced in the second book and went on to become the best known character in the series?

How to build the perfect SANDCASTLE ... in 9 easy steps

If you are going to the beach this month, first pay a visit to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/ blog/blog-posts/how-to-build-the-perfect-sandcastle/

Planning Apps

Conversion and extension of existing property to create 4 No. supported living apartments. Demolition of conservatory and construction of single storey rear extension. Conversion of garage to living accommodation - at 3 Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8HE

Two storey side and first floor front extension including addition of pitched roof over existing ground floor - at 40 Salcombe Drive, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8AF

Variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) attached to planning permission 22/0723/HH - at 3 Saintbury Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8EN

Two storey side and single storey rear extensions - at 5 Clovelly Road Glenfield Leicestershire LE3 8AD

Erection of one dwelling with associated landscaping, parking and fencing - at 126 Dominion Road Glenfield Leicestershire LE3 8JA