MARCH 2016
Mercenfeld Primary School Awarded Bronze For Their Healthy Food Achievements MERCENFELD Primary School has been awarded the Food for Life Bronze award for its healthy and climatefriendly food culture. The school is working with Food for Life to transform the school’s food culture and that of its local community, by connecting the children with climate-friendly and healthy food. As part of the Bronze award scheme, Mercenfeld Primary School serves seasonal school meals, 75% of which are freshly prepared by experienced school cooks, Martine Smith and Lorraine Brewin. The school also gives every pupil the opportunity to visit a farm, cook and participate in food growing activities during his or her time at school, and pupils and parents are involved in making CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 ...>
Letter New Thornton Stroke & Disability Club opens 14th March AS PART OF our Community Capacity Building (CCB) project in Thornton we’ve been successful in gaining funding to start a new Stroke & Disability Club based at Thornton Community Centre. Opening day is Monday 14th of March 1pm-3pm. Thornton Stroke & Disability Club will be run by a local resident Sharon Bee – email: buzzybee58@gmail.com tel: 01530 231301.
Ilir Demaj
Community Development Officer
Scout Group Newspaper Collection is ending UNFORTUNATELY we will no longer be able to continue with the monthly newspaper collections from Markfield, Stanton and Thornton residents.
Mercenfeld School has won an award for Healthy Food Achievements
To BFG or not to BFG BAGWORTH Forward Group (BFG) are beginning to think of the year ahead. We have various events lined up. Some (but not all) include the following:
Live Music on 14th May We have managed to book the ‘STEPHANE GRAPPELLI STORY’ featuring a jazz trio who have made an adventurous tribute to the life and music of the great musician. Expect to hear such greats as “Sweet Georgia Brown”, “It had to be You” and “Honeysuckle Rose” not to mention “Misty”. It promises to be a great night out at Bagworth Community Centre on May 14th. Admission is £6 for adults and £4 for children under 16. When did you last hear live music and at such a reasonable price? (Tickets: Rosemary 01530 230347.)
Eyes Down, Look In Spring Prize Bingo is at 7.30 pm at the Community Centre on Monday 25th April. As usual there will be great prizes to be won.
Bagworth Show is a One-Day Event again Finally, can we mention the Bagworth Show. We have decided to return to having the Show on one day, as opposed to spread over two days. The date is Saturday August 27th – the last Saturday in August. As well as the exhibits, we have inherited the Scarecrow competition from the Allotment Association. The theme for this year is based on any of three events: • the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare 400 years ago, • the anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter 150 years ago and • the anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl 100 years ago So get your thinking caps on - any of their characters are fair game.
We have been collecting papers for over 20 years and they have provided a valuable source of income for us during this time. There are several reasons for our decision the main one being the difficulty in finding new volunteers from within the group to collect the papers coupled with falling revenues due to a drop in the volume and the price we receive. We are very grateful to all those who have supported us over the years and would like to thank anyone who has donated papers and especially those who have helped with the collections every month.
Margaret Beck Markfield Scout Group
Forthcoming Stanton Events
• Saturday 2nd April: SPRING FAYRE: 2 - 4 p.m A variety of stalls: cakes, tombola, raffle, bric - a- brac, plants, Free admission, Tea & Coffee will be available to buy. • Friday 15th April: MUSICAL EVENING: 7.30 p.m. in St Mary & All Saints Church. A Musical Evening with Stanton Under Bardon Singers and Musicians. Well known songs for you to join in. Entrance £5.00 on the door. Refreshments included. This is a Charity event in aid of the Alzheimers Society.
NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 16th April - Adverts & Articles Needed By 2nd April
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Bronze Award for Mercenfeld from page 1 improvements to the school’s menu and dining experience.
Fracking, our new neighbour?
Our journey.... We designed our Grow with Us logo to help us promote our days and kick start our vision. We then recruited Garden Rangers who were invited to join a team that could generate ideas, help organise our food fayres and become garden experts. I met with a fantastic Food for Life team who supported us in the application process, they gave us the confidence to begin our journey. Lots of our staff were able to benefit from the training offered by the food for life initiative. We were so proud of the results of our first food fayre, a unique event that effectively engaged the whole school and our community. We made valuable links to local businesses and volunteers. Our cooking clubs were able to showcase their recipes and our garden tours inspired people to get gardening. There was no stopping us after this event; chickens, community days, composting teams, open gardens and garden ranger days filled up our diary of events. We are committed to this project and are determined to further improve our environment for our children and community. I am so proud of our journey, we have all worked so hard to get this far. It is a true reflection of what we are about as a school - getting to the heart of what matters. It has been such an enjoyable project that has enabled us to create fantastic links with our community and enriched our learning environment. With special thanks to Dani Patuzzi, Sam Wood, Mrs Mullins, Mrs Davies, Mrs Faulkner, Mrs Smith, Mrs Brewin and of course, our Garden Rangers! I couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you to all involved in achieving this award and getting this far.
Talk by David Bridge Monday 25th April at 7.30 p.m. at Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall DAVID BRIDGE qualified as a geologist in 1968 and has spent his entire life in the field. He spent many years with the British Geological Survey, at home and abroad. He retired in 2007. Fracking, the extraction of natural gas from deep in the ground, by various means is a highly topical subject. It is widespread in the United States and is making a major contribution to energy supplies there. The British Government is very supportive of projects here. A licence for prospecting North of Loughborough has already been granted. The subject has provoked major controversy. Our speaker will give the facts and explain doubts by various groups. Members are free. Guests are welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments included. Further information: Peter Bertram 01162 100 572 or www.focf.org.uk
AND I QUOTE ...
Mrs Shephard Head Teacher Independent research, summarised in a new report ‘Good food for all’ reveals the success of five years of Food for Life. The evidence from three independent research studies focuses in particular on four main areas of impact: children’s health, tackling inequalities, improving education, and local enterprise and sustainability.
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When I see a tyre swing swaying gently in the breeze, I like to believe it’s daydreaming about life on the open road.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Living well with Dementia day – a free event open to all A FREE EVENT that offers people the chance to find out more about support and services for people living with dementia and their carers takes place at Hinckley Library later this month. The event will take place between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 12 March. There will be information stalls from organisations including the Hinckley and Bosworth Dementia Action Alliance, the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland, the Pathways Centre, Reminiscent Times, Mind For You and Hinckley Police with professionals and volunteers on hand to answer any questions or to chat to in a confidential space. Everyone is invited to pop in and enjoy free refreshments and a chat in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Goody bags are also provided. Throughout the day a programme of free events is also taking place. There will be reminiscence sessions with Reminiscent Times, card making, hand massages, seated chair exercise and memory box and ‘Twiddlemuff ’ making. (A ‘Twiddlemuff ’ is a double thickness hand muff with bits and bobs attached inside and out, designed to provide a stimulation activity for restless hands often experienced by people living with dementia). Music will be provided by the Pathways Singing Café and St. Mary’s Church Band. Dementia Friends sessions are taking place at 11am and 1pm where people can learn more about how to support someone with dementia in the community. To pre-book these sessions please call Hinckley Library on 0116 305 2500. Councillor Amanda Wright, Health Champion at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said: “The effects of Dementia have been widely reported in the media and it’s with events of this type we are trying to make sure that those living with dementia continue to enjoy fulfilling lives in their communities. That is why initiatives like Dementia Friends are so important for making a difference”.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
News from Bardon Park Chapel
County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason
The Price of Dignity THE WAY our society responds to the needs of older people and those with disabilities and mental health needs is an indication of the kind of country we live in. For those of us in local government, there is a great responsibility not only to make the right decisions for our area, but also talk to central government about what our priorities should be. As council representatives, we called on the Government to follow the advice of the Dilnot Commission on funding social care. Social care is expensive and, with people living longer, the difficulty of providing quality care should not be underestimated. But concerns about money are not a reason to hesitate; they are a spur to take action. Not only is the current system unfair, it will also be more costly in future. It is therefore disappointing that occasionally some Councillors stray into areas they have little or no experience in an attempt to make a valid point regarding social responsibility. The current local debate concerns who should pay for public sector services. The options are; increasing the burden on every local taxpayer who pick up the whole cost of the service or the individual service user contributing towards the cost of the service. With the current and past state of the national public finances all public authorities, as highlighted by Derek Wanless, have over the past ten years had to opt for the latter. This debate of course depends on your point of view or whether you are in a leadership role or an opposition role. I would argue that taking the opposition position is an easier role as it does not require any real decisions to be taken. Those who oppose change do however have a role in holding the decision makers to account. This can be done by putting forward alternatives or through the scrutiny of decisions or plans. The decision makers in leadership roles also have a responsibility to make sure that any consequences to change are well explored and argued. I would also stress the importance that every elected member, particularly in difficult financial times, has a clear responsibility to their community they represent in making sure that tax funded council services deliver value for money and keep local taxation to a minimum. Personal Social Care is one of those services that many people have little knowledge about until you or
a member of your family need a package of care; one in four of us will require some kind of personal social care. Very few people realise that unlike health care personal social care is means tested. In other words if an individual has savings of £23,500 the service is charged for using an hourly rate The plan that Leicestershire have adopted was to invest in prevention using a joint health and social care reablement team. The reablement service is provided for up to six weeks and is free of charge. This helps people regain skills and confidence in their own homes after a short illness. It is disappointing to see that due to the government not introducing the changes these prevention services are reducing or being charged for at a higher rate. Those who then need a continuing package of home care are means tested and if they can afford to pay are charged an hourly rate. Those individuals who are unable to pay for their care are covered by the County Council this is currently 33% of people with a care package. The investment in homecare services has resulted in less people going into a costly residential/nursing care setting or requiring a long term care package. The impact on an individuals funds of going into residential care are greater as all of their assets are counted this includes a person’s home, savings, benefits etc. So should you find yourself needing to go into residential/ nursing care then all your assets including your home are used to pay for your care. The percentage of the cost the individual pays for the service has been increasing over the past ten years as demand increased and government funding reduced. This has left the County Council and the individual to pick up the shortfall in funding estimated at £9.5 billion nationally. As individuals we can insure ourselves against financial risk property, contents, car, health, holidays, life and our homes. Social Care is the only area of financial risk that an individual is unable to affordably insure themselves against yet has the biggest impact. The need to limit the cost to the individual requires a radical reform of the funding of social care it is clear that the current system is unsustainable. The same arguments were played out in 2006 when Gordon Brown commissioned Derek Wanless to look at the issue. He recommended a similar option to Andrew Dilnot, Wanless also highlighted that the system was unfair and needed urgent reform as it was unsustainable, identifying a funding
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www.bardonchapel.co.uk
gap nationally of £6 billion. The report was ignored by the then Government and was demoted to the drawer marked too difficult to resolve leaving the individual and local tax payers to bridge the funding gap. Local government at the time presented a coherent argument that the system was stretched and moving towards crises, the Government dismissed this as scaremongering, history now proves local government was right. So it is even more disappointing that the current Government has also failed to introduce the Dilnot recommendations although it has diverted funding from NHS budgets into social care. It has meant that the County Council plans to invest in preventative services such as the free home assessment reablement service have been sidelined. This service has clear evidence of keeping people independent for longer and prevents people going into a high cost residential care setting. We also welcomed the Government commissioning Andrew Dilnott to look into the funding of social care in England and how a more affordable fairer system could be introduced. In December 2013 the commission reported back to the Government with a number of recommendations on how England could have a fairer funded personal care system. The key recommendations included a cap on the amount the individual will be required to pay set at £35,000 to £50,000, the amount of savings to be lifted from £23,000 to £100,000 and a fee for hotel costs in a residential setting. Proposals also include a national substantial eligibility criteria and a single national transferable care assessment. The introduction of a cap, now set at £75,000, would then stimulate the financial market to introduce schemes were an individual could for the first time insure themselves against this financial risk. So the dignity of older people and of adults who need social care should not be at risk because a solution has not been put in place. The Dilnot commission had found a workable solution that balances financial concerns with respect for elderly and vulnerable people. It is really sad that the work to have a fair care system has again been ignored by the current government. Social Care is now more difficult to access and costing even more for the individuals who still have to sell their homes to pay for care. I believe public investment in care is necessary to protect what Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, has called “our nations humanity”, and the dignity of older people in Britain.
Worship Service: Every Sunday morning at 10.30 am. Our gatherings are fairly informal. Everyone most welcome. The Monthly Praise Meeting: (1st Saturday in each month, except August and January) at 3.00pm. Come and enjoy a lively time of singing, encouragement, fellowship, testimonies and uplifting messages. Light refreshments afterwards in the school room. Find us at the roundabout at the junction of Shaw Lane (A 511), Bardon Road (A 511) and Beveridge Lane (B 585), take the Leicester-bound (eastbound) carriageway of the A 511 road and the chapel is on the left after about 50 metres. There is a large car park at the back.
For more details on any of the above please contact: Richard Norburn on tel: 01530 242526.
Markfield WI Programme 2016 •
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16th March: Will Gilding Clarice Cliff, Moorcroft, Lalique & other 20th Treasures 20th April: George Hook Mother of Pearl 18th May: Resolutions Taste and Try 15th June: TBA Meal out 20th July: Canine Partners 17th Aug: Brian Johnson Who do you think lived in a House like this? 21st Sept: David Siddon The Fascination of the English Language 19th Oct : Ali Groschl The Art of Fused Glass 16th Nov: Julie Ede Wonderful, Wicked, Wily Wallis 21st Dec: Ian Rogerson Turkey Talk
On the next Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump picks his White House Cabinet.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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, Jeanie, Jenny, Calum, Lisa, Yvonne, Ray, Margaret, Daniel, Jessie, Selina, Jessica, Charlotte, Mike and Rowan
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Council sets budget for 2016/17
THE BOROUGH Council will increase its council tax charge for 2016/17 by a little over four per cent - following a decision of the full Council at its budget-setting meeting on 18th February. This means the average Band D council tax (including the Special Expense Area) for the Borough Council will increase by £5, resulting in a charge of £117.09 for the year. This figure will be supplemented by the charges levied by Leicestershire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Fire Authority. The government has very recently given dispensation to those councils who have low levels of council tax (in the lowest quartile) to enable a rise of up to £5 a year, in recognition of their prudence. The Borough Council for 2015/16 had the joint eighth lowest council tax in the country and will remain well within the lowest quartile, even if it maintains increases of £5 a year for the next three years. In addition to the council tax increase, the significant financial pressures faced by the council mean it has had to introduce a £24 annual charge for the collection of garden waste. When this service was introduced some 10 years ago, residents were advised that a charge may be applied in future. The council has managed to keep the cost of providing the service within the council tax charge during the ensuing period, but ongoing reductions in government funding mean that it must now introduce a separate charge. From 1 April, those residents wishing to continue using the service will need to pay this charge to have their garden waste bin emptied. The annual charge will cover 25 collections between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017. This will work out at only 96p per collection (or £2 a month). For those who choose not to continue using the service, the council will make arrangements to collect their brown wheeled bin during the autumn. The collection date information will be provided in due course. In addition, the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, covering the period up to and including 2019/20, includes a commitment to make efficiency savings of £175,000 a year from 2017/18, rising to an annual figure of £250,000 from the following year, as part of an agreement with central government to secure a four year ‘deal’ to ‘lock in’ levels of government grant. Overall, this package of measures will enable the council to plan ahead with much more certainty over the next four years, to use the surpluses generated to maintain and improve services year on year and to introduce other priority projects and initiatives suggested by local communities. Councillor Miriam Surtees, Executive Member responsible for Finance said: “The council strategy will ensure that the borough can face the future with confidence. Without these measures the council would have faced deficit and uncertainty. In addition, efficiency savings will mean we can maintain council services, balance the books, and plan for the future”.
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 16th April DEADLINE: 2nd April
I’ve never been as disappointed as my dog just was when she realized the food I dropped was a carrot.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Back to the Future
THE MOTTO of the Bagworth Historical Society (BHS) is ‘learning from the village’s past’. We are looking to the future by thinking about the past. We meet at The Club (WMC) in Bagworth on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm. New members are always made welcome. At the meeting on 9th March (while this issue of The Herald is being printed) we will discuss the things that we plan to do at our meetings throughout the year. We do also have open meetings throughout the year, but if you are interested in local history, then come along to any of our meetings. Do look out for further information.
Coffee and tea good for you WANT TO live a bit longer? Drink three to five cups of coffee a day. Or – drink three to five cups of tea a day, instead. Recent research has found that coffee may reduce your risk of heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Type 2 diabetes. Whether the coffee has caffeine or not is immaterial - the benefits are thought to be linked to other plant compounds found in coffee. As for tea? Well, now even the government in the Netherlands is encouraging people to drink it. The Health Council there says that there are ‘clear signs’ that tea reduces blood pressure, diabetes and stroke risks. (The guidelines add that the tea must be green or black - rooibos and other herbal teas do not count.)
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Fundraising Afternoon Tea for the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation Activity Centre Appeal THE SHUTTLEWOOD Clarke Foundation invites you to enjoy a traditional ‘SCF Afternoon Tea’ in aid of the Activity Centre Fundraising Appeal. The afternoon tea will take place on Saturday 9th April at Ulverscroft Grange Tearooms, Whitwick Road, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB from 3.00pm - 5.00pm. Helen Baxter, Activities Coordinator at the Foundation said: ‘We are currently raising funds for our Activity Centre appeal, enabling the Foundation to provide more services and activities to those in local community and beyond. ‘Our new centre will provide much needed accessible space which will be utilised for a range of educational and creative opportunities for the elderly, adults with disabilities and young people throughout Leicestershire’. She added: ‘We are striving to raise more funds this year to make the Activity Centre a reality in 2016, your attendance at this event and other fundraisers is greatly appreciated and we thank you for your continued support’. Tickets cost £12.50 per person to include tea, coffee a selection of sandwiches, delicious homemade cakes and a scone served with jam and clotted cream. Booking is essential and a non-refundable payment in advance is required to secure your booking. For more details about the Activity Centre Appeal, to make a donation or to book a place please call Helen Baxter on 01530 244914 or email hello@ shuttlewood-clarke.org. Details can also be found by visiting www.shuttlewood-clarke.org Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation - Registered Charity 803525
I opened Twitter at a red light once, and when I looked up, a week had passed and I was sitting in police car pound.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Sell Your Stuff!
HERALD
FREE Small Ads • Reebok fold-up TREADMILL - as new, cost £400. For sale at £125.00 Tel: 01530 242409. • Man’s BICYCLE for sale. Good condition. With accessories. Price: £25.00 Tel: 01530 242107. • Plastic TABLE BLENDER, 1.5 litre, as new. Price: £8.00. Tel: 01530 243577. • 1960 Kidney-shaped DRESSING TABLE with glass top, mirror and curtain rail. Ideal for upcycling. Price: £35.00 or near offer. Buyer to collect. • Brand new real leather TRAVEL BAG with internal pockets. Navy blue. Price: £30.00 or near offer. Tel: 07496 470701
Appeal for Quarry Photos FIELD HEAD resident Steve Hoggar is on the look out for photographs of the Old Cliffe Hill and Bradgate Quarries. Steve, who has recently retired, worked for many years as a lorry driver at these local quarries and has fond memories of his time driving the large Foden trucks. He would be interested in borrowing photographs of the quarry scenes, the rock trucks, dumpers, quarry machinery, tar plants, quarry workers, the approach roads - in fact any images relating to these two local quarries. Steve is happy to pay for images, or will copy them. All photographs will be returned safely after use. Steve is hoping to put on a small exhibition of quarry photos and memorabilia at local libraries if he receives enough information. If you can help, please let Steve know by ringing him on 01530 244017 or drop him a line at 219 Leicester Road, Field Head, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9RF.
Pictured here are (l-r): Reg Hoggar (Steve’s dad), Duggie Duffield and Alf Bailiss
• 1961 Nuffield DIESEL TRACTOR - good working order, no rot. Price: £1,600. Ring for more details. Tel: 01530 249938 or mobile: 07976 445694
SEND your Small Ads IN WRITING to: The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email to: info@markfieldherald. co.uk (please include your address - not for publication).
Markfield HomeMakers MARKFIELD HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm. April 13th ~ Ken Schofield ~ A Banana for the Teacher May 11th ~ Sandy Leong ~Malaysia & My Chinese Family June 8th ~Virginia Wright ~ Leicester Clock Tower Aug 10th ~ Skittles ~ 7.15 for 7.30pm ~ At Little Markfield Farm
For more information, call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436.
News from Stanton Village Hall O N WHAT must have been the worst night of weather of the winter, we held our first Cinema Night.
The heartfelt thanks of the Trustees go to the 40+ brave souls who turned out to support us, we even had a couple from Glenfield! I’m pleased to say that the evening did make a profit, so we are looking at holding further film nights. People were amazed at the size of the picture which we were able to project – as good as many cinemas and the feedback received was good. We do have a slight problem with acoustics in the Hall and the Trustees will be seeking methods and funds to improve them: in the meantime, I would ask you to bear with us and continue to support us. Also, if you want to help in any way such as running the raffle, selling tickets on the door or before the event – do let us know. Help is always wanted and appreciated. Please let us know, too, if you have a particular film favourite which you think would attract a good audience and we will see if it is available. Pete has a number of films of local interest – would they appeal to you? As usual PLEASE let us know. There is a deafening
silence from villagers about the Hall and we feel we are in a vacuum making decisions on your behalf that may not be what YOU want. One of the things the Trustees (and, hopefully, you) would like to see taking place is a regular Coffee Morning, where you will be able to have a chat and maybe a guest speaker, but it would be for those attending to decide upon the format. We will be running a trial on Tuesday 15 March from 1000 to 1130. Pop along for a coffee and biscuit or maybe even cake. You will only pay for the first cup – top ups are free. Again, do you want this or not? We will judge by the turn-out. Another possibility is a Farmers’ Market. Planning is in the early stages, but it is hoped that a Market could be held in April. Keep your eyes peeled for further news. Following an inspection by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, we have been informed that the Hall is to become the polling station for the village and will first be used on 5th May for the Police and Crime Commissioner election. The Hall is more centrally located than the Scout Hut and should be more
convenient for electors. Finally, the Hall received its 15 seconds of fame on 21st February, when the team from BBC Radio Leicester Sunday treasure hunt programme “Clueless” arrived. The previous clue took them from Shepshed to Stanton under Bardon. It took several minutes to actually find Stanton on the map (nothing new there, then) but when they did arrive they were impressed with our “posh” Village Hall. Now, to me “posh” means exclusive. Whilst we always want our Hall to be the best it can be, we want it to be welcoming to everyone so if anyone says it’s “posh” tell them no, it’s just great!
Mark Stephens
Chairman, Stanton under Bardon Village Hall Trust
I’ve found that the key to avoiding a midlife crisis is to spend your entire life in crisis.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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A few weeks ago my dad decided he was going to order pizza from his iPad. He’s almost finished.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk POLICE MATTERS, Anti-Social behaviour: - There was no police attendance. Mr M Lay stated that he had been informed by PC I Wardle that he was holding a Police Open Event at the Community Centre on 6th February 2016. PC I Wardle had also asked Mr M Lay if the Parish Council would consider contributing towards the costs of a scheme to install PIR alarm sensors to dwellings housing vulnerable residents. Mr M Lay had asked him to provide more information about the scheme. Anti-social behaviour at Markfield Community Centre and the surrounding areas: Mr T Lockley informed the members that he was aware of one incident of antisocial-behaviour last Saturday night (30th Jan 2016). As previously minuted. In order to enforce this PC I Wardle intended to install an overt wireless CCTV camera, so that the site could be monitored by a central control room. The cost of fitting the camera would be £500 and he hoped to get several partners involved to share the cost of this. Resolved, Markfield Parish Council agreed to fund the cost with other partnership organisations. There was no update at this time Leicestershire County Council – Urban Grass Cutting: Mr D Sprason had been informed that Leics County Council were now taking the Urban Grass Cutting back in house, the number of cuts had been increased from 5 to 6 per season and would be better managed by Leics County Highways. However, when the clerk had informed Miss A Baines that Mr D Sprason had been informed by the Director of Highways, Leicestershire County Council that no more Urban Grass Cutting would be contracted out to Parish Councils as it was proving not to be cost effective; Miss A Baines disputed this. Mr M Lay stated that the confusion needed to be clarified and if possible the Parish Council should pursue the Urban Grass Cutting. Hanging Baskets 2016: Mr M Springthorpe had quoted £3386.00 for the supply & installation of the Parish Council’s hanging baskets this year. He had also asked if the PC had any preferred plants in mind? The members commented on the brilliant show the baskets put on last
Extracts from the Unapproved Minutes of the Markfield Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 at 8.00pm at the Methodist Chapel, Markfield. (May be subject to alteration or correction.) year and requested the clerk to pass this onto Mr Springthorpe. Resolved, the quotation was accepted. The members also asked if it would be possible for the baskets a “Red, White & Blue” theme this year, to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Planters – Summer Bedding schemes: Mr T Cobley had ordered a tall Antirrhinum variety, as requested. It was the first time he had tried them so he would see how they performed. If he wasn’t happy with them later in the year, he would discard them and replace with other tall varieties of summer bedding plants. Mrs A Lay and Mrs R Robson would discuss the possibility of a “Red, White & Blue” theme with Mr T Cobley, to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Consultation the proposed cuts to Leicestershire Fire Service: Mr D Sprason stated that the original proposals had now been withdrawn by Leics County Council. The Fire Brigade Union had put forward alternative suggestions, which were now being considered by the County Council. Government Funding: Mr D Sprason stated that Leics County Council was proposing to increase council tax by 3.99% for the next four years, due to the Government’s cuts to funding. Two per cent of the increase was because the Government had allowed councils to raise extra money to meet the rising costs of adult social care. Bardon Quarry extension: Mr D Sprason stated that there would be a number of temporary footpath diversions in place for a number of years.
Highways road markings: Mr D Sprason stated that white-lining works were continuing around South Charnwood High School, Broad Lane and Grassy Lane. Works were being prioritised by the most complained about areas. Mr T Lockley had noticed that Linford Crescent and Bracken Way has been marked out for surface dressing and asked Mr D Sprason if the white-lining would be done as well? Mr D Sprason confirmed that this was the case. Mr B Walmsley stated that the grass verges, particularly along Leicester Road and Chitterman Way, were becoming seriously rutted by cars continually being parked on them and asked if the County Council could do anything to stop this? Mr D Sprason replied that the verges were part of the public highway so the vehicles weren’t trespassing. The only thing the County Council could do would be to write to the residents and request them not to park on the verges. H & BBC – Green waste recycling: - Mr M Lay stated around 76% of the responses to the public consultation supported the option to raise Council Tax. Even so, the Borough Council had ignored this and increased Council Tax by £5.00 per annum to avoid the need for a referendum. It was now likely that a charge for the Green Waste Service would be introduced in the 2017 financial year. Taylor Wimpey housing development on land south of Jacqueline Road: Mr M Lay had met with Mr N Thomas, Chief Planning and Development Officer, to discuss the work Nelson’s Solicitors and both Parish Council’s had done, especially around the sustainability and as a result, Planning Officers were now recommending refusal for
I do really well on my diet for like 8 or 9 hours, and then I wake up.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
the development. He now wanted to set up a meeting with Mr B Cullen, Deputy Chief Executive of the Borough Council. The application would be considered at the Borough Council Planning Meeting, to be held on 23rd February 2016. Groby Parish Council were following up the details of the “Fighting Fund” with the residents of Jaqueline Road. Neighbourhood Plans: After discussing the matter the Parish Council agreed the following points: • Markfield, including Field Head, should draw up its own Community Plan. • The process should be Community led, with the Parish Council’s full support and co-ordination. • A public meeting should be held at Markfield Library. Mr T Lockley would approach the Rural Community Council to ask for someone to attend the meeting to discuss the implications and processes required to draw up a Community Plan. Date to be arranged. • The process could be up to 2 years long and the Parish Council would commit to this timescale. • The Parish Council would fund the process. Main Street: The Parish Council would look into some form of partnership funding with the business owners for some shrub planting and look for some grant funding. Parcel of land adjacent to the Community Centre: - The clerk should write to the Borough Council’s Legal Team to remove their covenant, as the Parish Council wished to sell the land in order to develop the recreational land at Mayflower Close.
Why life now begins at 60! THE BABY boomers are postponing old age. Many of them are instead embracing new life events, and carrying on with middle age until their 68th year.
A recent study has found that older people are simply refusing to slow down, and instead are making ambitious plans for their 60s, including changing careers and moving home. The study re-examined the premise of Walter B Pitkin, the psychologist who coined the phrase ‘life begins at 40’ in 1932, and who said that the machine age had freed many workers from backbreaking labour. Since then, life expectancy has extended by 20 years. So – no surprise that baby boomers approaching retirement have far more ambitious plans for their future than any previous generation. 60 year-olds these days have a similar outlook and lifespan as 40 year-olds did in the 1930s. The report, commissioned by Cigna Insurance Services, found that people over 50 are expecting at least five more significant life events, and more than half of 65 year olds are enjoying life more since passing 50. “This is a generation that views maturity as empowering, and retirement as liberation.”
• My wife and I have been keeping an eye on our spending. From what we can see, we’re very, very good at it.
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You know you’re getting old when the kids start referring to your savings as their inheritance.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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Email articles to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk or write to The Herald. PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT.
If I ever have an out-of-body experience, I’m going to do my best to go back into the body of a much wealthier person.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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House builders should develop their existing plots first Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald
I
SPOKE strongly against the application by Taylor Wimpey to build 140 houses off Ratby Lane at the recent planning committee meeting in Hinckley. I am pleased to say that the application was turned down by the committee and no member spoke in favour of the application. Only the applicant sought to persuade us that the application should be allowed to go ahead on the singular basis that we need more houses to be built and that this is what the government want so we should all oblige. One of the most obvious responses to that for Taylor Wimpey and others, is to go ahead and get building. The house builders in the UK are already sitting on over 600,000 housing plots with permission granted that they are choosing not to develop. They have also been talking to the Borough Council for nearly 10 years about major housing developments at both Earl Shilton and Barwell and yet little has happened to bring these major developments to fruition, much to the frustration of the Borough Council. The way the planning process works actually now encourages a potential go-slow on the part of developers because they know that if they do go slow on developing houses, they are more likely to get more permissions granted and win more appeals. While councils can encourage developers they cannot actually put the applications in for them, or build the houses, and these are both key to ensuring that a 5 years land supply is maintained.
If you ask me the whole thing could start to give the impression that it is a bit of a racket. One only has to look at the share price of house building companies to see how they have rocketed, and also look at the total land that is banked by developers for development. So in turning down the application off Ratby Lane, let’s be clear, we are not saying no to any housing development, and we are not turning away from the fact that the UK is facing a huge housing crisis. What we are saying is that giving large housing developers free reign will do absolutely nothing to solve it. The free reign, if left unchallenged, would ensure that only open countryside was used for house building, destroying the very open spaces that have given character to the places were we live, that have supported agriculture and food production and are the essence of life in villages throughout the land. It would also ensure that urban renewal - so needed in this country - would be put on hold because building houses on urban brownfield sites is simply not as profitable. One of the ironies of this is that the very custodians of the land around us seem so willing to cash in and rip up the rural heritage that has sustained them. Much of this land was acquired as agricultural and so it represents easy money - but that doesn’t make it right. With ownership has to come some responsibility and destroying this is the very opposite path for which ultimately all will pay a price. In looking at the reasons for refusal, they lay bare the
challenges we face. The report compiled by the Borough Council makes clear that the Field Head roundabout will by 2020 be over capacity, meaning significant waits and queuing (although the County Council highways department doesn’t think this is a highway reason to object, as it is not classed as severe). The primary school would be adversely impacted by the development and it would, according to the projections made, be unable to accommodate any children from the new houses without further expanding the school. Well if you know the primary school you will realise it already occupies a constrained site and the thought of losing any more playground space at the school is ridiculous. The situation at South Charnwood High School is even more severe in terms of numbers, and the school there is predicted to have a shortage of places numbering some 124 should the development go ahead. At both schools you could end up with a situation were parents are pitched against parents in a battle to get their children into the school, with some losing out and others having to send them miles away to another school not in the community, something that I find totally unacceptable. Finally the proposed development would result in a further 339 patients at the doctor’s surgery which the planning report points out is currently at capacity, both in terms of GP appointments and in terms of actual space. Again the surgery building is constrained
Matthew Lay in terms of space so adding to the building would be difficult and anyway would compound the already troublesome parking arrangements at varying times during the day. The planning process allows for contributions to be made by the developer to offset these challenges, but we have seen countless examples of developers promising large sums of money for community purposes only to reduce these following permission being granted - often claiming the economics of developing the site no longer add up. I have lost all faith that any promised money for the community would be delivered. It is hard to take any positives from the prospect of houses being built off Ratby Lane. We may well need more housing but let’s first agree how much more housing we need and let us in the community decide where that should be. Let’s stop this fiasco of developers having all the cards to play, let’s give communities a much stronger local voice and make the process of doing so easier and straightforward. Let’s build houses in truly sustainable locations and ones which are affordable for local people to occupy. It is highly likely that this application will now end up being determined by the Government through the appeals process so they will have the final say, but there is still a lot to play for and much remains at stake.
Sign up to receive the garden waste collection service
GREEN-FINGERED householders in Hinckley and Bosworth are being urged to sign up for the garden waste collection service.
Householders are being asked to sign up before the beginning of April in order to ensure their garden waste bin continues to be emptied. Last month the Borough Council voted in favour of introducing an annual charge for the popular garden waste collection service of £24 per bin per year from 1 April to 31 March 2017. This works out at 96p per collection (or £2 a month). Starting in early March, households will find information about the new service with their
council tax bills, in the council’s newspaper, the Borough Bulletin, and reminders will also be fixed to everyone’s wheelie bins urging households to sign up if they wish to use the garden waste service from April onwards. Significant financial pressures forced the council to introduce the charge for the service which was previously included within the overall council tax bill. Now only those households who opt to pay for the service will continue to receive it. Anyone wishing to pay for the service can choose to either: • Sign up online 24 hours a day; or • Call: 01455 238141 Mon to Fri 8.30am 5pm (4.30pm Fri) and select option 2
Upon receipt of payment, a bin sticker will be supplied which should be stuck onto the bin as the collection crews will only empty the bins displaying the correct sticker. Collection days will remain the same as at present. Anyone who chooses not to continue to receive the garden waste service does not need to notify the council. Households can keep the garden waste bin if they wish to, but it will not be emptied from April onwards unless the annual charge has been paid. The council will make one collection of all unwanted garden waste bins in autumn 2016. Information about this collection will be attached to refuse bins nearer the time.
My dog acts like her entire family was murdered by a vacuum cleaner.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Markfield Medical Centre
Patient Participation Group News
THE PPG MET on 22nd February with the staff and Doctors of Markfield Medical Centre, where we discussed the exciting change which is taking place in the surgery. The practice has made a decision to change the GP clinical record system to a new clinical records system, which brings additional benefits to both the practice and patients. SystmOne is currently used in GP practice, Child Health services, Community services, Prisons, Hospitals, Urgent Care and Out of Hours services, Palliative care services and many more. SystmOne has an important function of records sharing, where, if you happen to use any of the above services, they may be able to access your medical records. This will allow the surgery to share your records, which would be in your best interest. Some of the advantages of the new system: • Greatly enhanced functionality for the Clinical & Admin Team • Greater integrated working with other healthcare agencies reducing duplication and improving patient safety. • Improved SMS messaging functionality The changeover is well planned; however we have been advised that there will be a reduction in services during some weeks as detailed in last week’s edition of the Herald. Patients who use the online access facility will find that with effect from the 7th March they will be unable to use their existing login details until after the live date of the new system which is 6th April. The practice will send our new log in details to all patients within the first week of live date.
Meningitis B vaccination programme
Can we vaccinate children born before 1 May 2015 if parents request it? No. The national stock of Bexsero® should only be used to vaccinate children who are eligible for NHS vaccination.
Can we vaccinate children born on or after 1 May 2015 who have not yet been vaccinated? Yes. All children in the eligible cohort (i.e. born on or after 1 May 2015) remain eligible for Men B immunisation until the age of two years.
If parents ask to pay for Men B immunisation for their children, what should we tell them? Following the recent media coverage about the death of a young girl from invasive meningococcal disease caused by Meningitis B, the surgery have had queries from parents about availability of Men B immunisation. The practice confirmed that the national position is as follows, and have provided some responses to the questions which have been asked:This information is taken from Public Health England publications and the GOV.UK website (see below for details).
What is the national policy for Men B immunisation? The Men B immunisation programme started on 1 September 2015 for babies aged 2 months, i.e. babies born on or after 1 July 2015. There was a limited catchup programme for babies born on or after 1 May 2015. The routine schedule is for immunisation to be given at 2 and 4 months with the primaries, with a booster at 12 months. Delivery of the Men B immunisation programme in Leicestershire is in line with national policy.
GPs should not charge their own patients (i.e. those registered at their practice) a private fee for the vaccine. Parents seeking the vaccine privately should be made aware that they will be liable for the full costs of the vaccine and any additional administration charges that the private provider may apply. We do not hold any information about local private vaccination providers but information on these can be obtained from an internet search. As we have no information about any of these private providers it is not possible to recommend any particular one.
Shingles vaccination programme We asked the practice to confirm who is eligible for the Shingles vaccination programme following queries from several patients. You may be eligible if you were born on or between 2/9/1942 and 1/09/1945 2/9/1935 and 1/09/1937 If you would like the vaccination and fit into these age groups please contact the surgery quickly as there is a limited supply of vaccine available.
AND I QUOTE ... “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
Dr. Seuss
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Women remember something that happened five years ago. I can’t remember why I stood up.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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First winner of the Well done, Reading Resolution at Bagworth Coalville Library Charity Dance
KEN, GLENDA and their small team of volunteers organised a charity dance at The Club, in Bagworth on Friday 5th February. This was a successful evening and £455 was raised for the British Heart Foundation. This included some individual donations. It was considered to be a very good result for a very worthwhile charity. The next charity dance will be at 8 pm on Friday 6th May. Admission is £2.50. The chosen charity will be announced shortly. The next monthly Social Dance is at The Club on Saturday 19th March at 8 pm. Admission is £2. These dances are always thoroughly enjoyed by the people who attend. Do come and join them.
AND I QUOTE ... “Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”
Robert A. Heinlein
MARCH 1ST saw the draw of the second winner winner of the Reading Resolution Prize Draw at Coalville Library,
Congratulations to Mrs Isobel Onyszkow. Isobel was thrilled to receive the £30 Morrisons shopping vouchers. Time is running out to enter and there is only one more chance to win! Enter any time through out March as the last winner will be picked on April 1st. So get down to Coalville library and for every 6 books you borrow your name will be entered into a FREE prize draw. Make sure you come along now and join the resolution! For more information please call Coalville Library on: 0116 3053565 or email: coalvillelibrary@leics.gov.uk
IT’S AWKWARD touching hands with another man in a popcorn bag, especially if you don’t know the man and he doesn’t know you’re eating his popcorn. I had a terrible experience here. The service was bad. My meat was undercooked. I’ll never come back. Anyway, can I see the dessert menu?
My kid doesn’t always get toothpaste all over the sink; sometimes she remembers she’s wearing school clothes and puts it there.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Beauty treatment service for busy working ladies
Move to Markfield enables Samantha to achieve her business ambition SAMANTHA Hackett has qualifications in physical education, together with experience in healthcare in the NHS, before she became an Estates Manager with Leicester City Council, a career she has pursued for the last 16 years, dealing with some of the most challenging housing estates in Leicester. However, Sam’s dream for many years was to own her own beauty business, and so when she moved to Markfield some three years ago she saw the opportunity to fulfil her ambition. Sam says, “We were able to extend the property so that I could have a dedicated beauty room which did not interfere with the rest of the house, and Bradgate Beauty was born.” Sam’s idea was to provide a treatment service beyond that which is usually found in high street salons, which means that Bradgate Beauty offers appointments over both days of the weekend and during the evenings throughout the year. This appeals to busy working ladies, as well as stressed mums and students. More importantly though, Sam’s intention is to provide a complete experience where clients can relax in intimate surroundings without the pressure of the timed appointments of a crowded salon. “Lots of ladies prefer to come to my beauty room and relax, have a coffee and a chat rather than go to a busy salon,” Sam says. “I also find that retired ladies feel more at home here at Bradgate Beauty.”
Sam’s recipe of providing high quality beauty treatments in a relaxed atmosphere is proving very popular and her clientele is growing quickly. Sam offers a wide range of treatments for which she is fully trained and qualified, including waxing, nails, facials brows, lashes and makeup. She has recently become the dedicated beauty treatment provider for weddings and guests for the Field Head Hotel. “I enjoy keeping up to date with the ever-evolving fashions such as nail art and brows and, because I do not have the overheads of shop premises, I can offer very competitive prices but with the same quality treatments. “Everybody enjoys being pampered and I love to send my clients away with a smile on their face.” For more information, see the Bradgate Beauty advert on page 9.
Letter from Uncle Eustace
On the perils of small study groups The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren So, you are about to run an Alpha course in your parish; I am sure your bishop will be delighted. I remember him from my Oxford days. He was just starting his course as a gangly undergraduate when I was finishing my doctorate on Eusebius. I recall him as a keen rugby player who took early morning dips in the Isis, who led intense discussions on Saint Paul’s theology of “the body” over cups of cocoa in the evenings in his rooms and who spent his holidays laying paths for the National Trust in the Lake District while lodging in Youth Hostels. He’s exactly the sort of person who will empathise with your ministry – hearty, enthusiastic and overflowing with compassionate intensity. We were not close friends. We tend not to go in for those sort of things here at St. James the Least of All, preferring matters a little more relaxed and understated. If we ever do hold discussion groups (and they are a regrettable necessity during Lent), they always start with a good lunch, finishing with coffee and one of Mrs French’s excellent Madeira cakes. Once we have removed from the table, those who manage to stay awake will start to tackle the chosen topic. However, we always seem to veer off to discussing more interesting matters, such as why Col. Chorley is never allowed to sing solos in the choir any more, or who moved Mrs Cholmondeley’s flower arrangement from the font the previous week. Apparently she has given notice that her weekly contributions on the plate will be much reduced unless an appropriate apology is received. These matters may not seem as important to you as deciding what the “white stone” in Revelation 4 is all about, but let me assure you that to members of our congregation, knowing why the second verse of the National Anthem is no longer sung at our Remembrance Services is of pivotal importance. At 2pm we wake up those who have enjoyed an hour’s slumber and totter off home, knowing we have once again done our bit for faith in the parish. I am sure your own group will also return home after your sessions - even if a digestive biscuit and weak tea is all that has been offered – invigorated and braced to tackle the heathen in the parish. We all take our pleasures in different ways. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
Coming Up at The Club, Thornton • Sat 12th March: The TBC Band - Mixed Medleys & Mash Ups • Sun 20th March: Children’s Easter Party - From 4pm with DJ Chick • Sat 9th April: The Finding Georgia Band • Sat 23rd April: Eddy Hall - New To The Thornton Information kindly supplied by Karen Orme.
You mean these doors open automatically for everyone, not just me?
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
What’s happening at Bagworth WI
Sample Our Special Easter Sunday Menu!
BAGWORTH W.I. meets on the second Thursday of each month in Bagworth Community Centre at 7p.m. There are some very interesting speakers booked for 2016 and their talks begin at 7.15.
Book Early to Avoid Disappointment!
Extra Sensory Perception We got off to an excellent start in January when Norma Blakey and Stuart Hague spoke to us of their experiences under the title ESP4YOU. We were also invited to speak of any experiences we had had which were very difficult to explain, one or two were able to do so and some discussion followed. A demonstration of dowsing showed how hidden objects could be detected using a pendulum. We then tried to fmd a key hidden under sheets of newspaper on the floor. Some people were more successful than others but it was easy to see that the movement of the pendulum indicated success or failure.
REMAP - solving problems for disabled people February brought Brian GolIard of REMAP with a video and excellent talk on the work of the charity which he described as “the largest UK charity of which no one has heard”. It was formed in 1964 by a group of engineers and craft people who volunteer their time and expertise to solving problems experienced by disabled people in everyday life. Remap can also be described as Real Engineers Make Anything Possible. This was evidenced by some of the extremely simple solutions shown, whilst some others were absolutely breathtaking in their concept and execution. The lady who had lost the use of one arm could now hang her washing on the line because two clothes pegs glued together meant one was clipped to the garment and then the second could be clipped to the line. Easy peasy, but think of it first! Another lady whose hobby is knitting lost the use of her arm following a stroke. A knitting pin was twisted in such a way that she was able to knit one handed. A 6 yr old child with severe spina bifida could not propel herself anywhere. A small go-cart type motorised contraption changed that and was made comfortable by being padded and upholstered in pink leather at the request of the small child. But the most amazing was the computerised gizmo which enabled a completely paralysed young man to play video games. When you know that the only movement he had was in the fingers of one hand you can imagine the freedom this must have given him. These are just a few examples from numerous others shown. The Leics & Rutland group of REMAP were formed in 1987 with a dedicated group working in their sheds and garages to make small and large changes in the lives of disadvantaged people.
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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
“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!
Visitors and new members are welcome! We welcome both visitors and new members to all meetings. Visitors pay £3 but if you prefer to become a member the annual charge is £37.50 adjusted for the time of year of becoming a member. Refreshments are included and served after the speaker giving an opportunity to chat to both the speaker and each other. In April we all relax and try out TAl CHI under the guidance of Linda Settle. Come along on April 14th at 7pm.
Eileen Johnson
IDC Home Maintenance Painter Decorator and Property Maintenance NO JOB TOO SMALL From changing a light bulb to complete house re-decoration. For all the jobs you need to do but simply don’t have time.
For a free quotation please call Ian on:
01530 245461
or
07885 541428
3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire
Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held
It’s nice having dogs that continuously warn me about the nothing outside.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Markfield Community and Sports Centre
Summer Fair Advance Notice
Following on from the success of the Centre’s first ever Christmas Fair we are now planning a summer fair for Saturday 11th June. This date coincides with the official 90th Birthday of the Queen and will include celebrations to mark this auspicious occasion. We are now taking bookings for stalls at the Fair and these can be secured by contacting Dave Moss on 07791 034921. Don’t leave it too late as spaces are limited and at the Christmas Fair they were over-subscribed leaving some people disappointed.
Personal Safety Day Would you like to know more about what the current trends of crime, anti-social behavior, bogus callers, scams, drug misuse and other offending that is taking place in the area? Would you like to know more about fire safety, crime prevention and personal safety? Would you like to meet with our local Police Team, Community Safety and Fire and Rescue Officers to ask questions or gain information from them? Then come along to a personal safety event that we are planning at the Centre on Wednesday 13th April from 2pm to 4pm. Although this event is part of the Mayflower Club programme this is an open invitation for anyone who may be interested to come along and you will be most welcome and there is no charge.
Walking Football You may have seen some comical adverts on the television using clips around walking football however it is now an ever growing and serious sport. Walking football is good fun and gives you the chance to keep fit and active without the exhausting strain of main stream football. In partnership with Matt Elliott Sports Development we are planning to hold Walking Football sessions for both men and women starting in April. If you would like to try it out beforehand we are holding a taster session at the Centre from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday 30th March so, get your trainers on and give it a try. You never know we may end up with a Markfield Walking Football Team. If you cannot get along on the 30th but are interested please contact Richard Hill at ME Sports on 07584 568937.
Job vacancy We are looking for a part time Duty Officer to work approximately 10 hours per week including Friday, Saturday and Sunday working. The hours are varied and include reception work, lifting and cleaning. The rate of pay will be up to £7.20p per hour as from 1st April. Applications are available from
Hugh Mackay addressing and “stabbing” the haggis
the Centre’s Office and the closing date for applications is Friday 18th March. For further information or to discuss the post please contact the Centre manager on 07885 243033 or email markfieldcommunitycentre@ hotmail.co.uk
Mayflower Club Update • On the 27th January the Club held it’s very own “Burns Night” celebration to the sounds of traditional Scottish music. Dressed in his clan’s tartan and traditional Scottish attire villager Hugh MacKay gave us a fascinating presentation on the life and works of Robbie Burns before addressing the Haggis and stabbing it open with his special dirk. We were then treated to a haggis and neeps pie baked by our very own Scottish “exile” Peter Durran. This delicious food was washed down with a few drams of whiskey and homemade wine. • Our childhood days often bring back fond (or not so fond) memories that are fun to share and remember. It was amazing what memories came flooding back when we held a session on Memory Lane. Some of the stories recounted by all the members caused much laughter and discussion. • St Valentine’s Day gave us the opportunity to bring in Helen from AGE UK who gave us an insight and the opportunity to make our very own hand made Valentine’s Cards. Even our male members got involved but it was obvious that Valentine’s Day was not high on their agendas and they immersed themselves in making Easter and even birthday cards for their grand kids. •Our Pancake Day event was nothing less than hilarious. After a short talk on the origins of Shrove (Shrive) Tuesday, pancakeday and pancake racing it was time
Our male members making cards
for members to demonstrate their skills in pancake tossing. We spared them the torture of an actual race but challenged them to toss a pancake as many times as they could in a minute. This resulted in riotous laughter as pancakes were flipped into the air with many either disintegrating into pieces or crashing to the floor. What was amazing was that our male competitors were vastly superior in their flipping techniques with the winner achieving eighty flips in a minute. We must enter the Guinness Book of Records on this showing. The competition was concluded with a meal of fresh pancakes served with jam, lemon or orange juice. Here are some events that are coming up at the Club in the next few months • 9th March: Play Your Cards Right • 16th March: St.Patrick’s Day Celebration • 23rd March: Easter Parade and games • 30th March: Walking Football Taster and Tin Can Alley Competition • 6th April: Talk on the British Heart Foundation (TBC) • 13th April: Personal Safety Day • 21st April: The Queen’s 90th Birthday Tea Party • 27th April: A Visit Taylors Bell Foundry in Loughborough • 4th May: Talk on the work of LOROS • 11th May: Talk on the Origin of Sayings • 18th May: Talk on the work of the Save The Children Charity • 25th May: Visit to the National Gas Museum in Leicester • 8th June: Visit to the Dog Trust Centre in Wymeswold
Is coral the stupidest animal or the smartest rock?
If you would like to join in DON’T BE SHY just turn up at the Centre on Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm. You will meet some lovely people and have some fun as well as getting good information on things that affect your life and wellbeing. It only costs £1 per session and you get a “cuppa” and biscuits included and all new members will be most welcome.
Mayflower Friendship Club Just a reminder that the Centre is now running the Monday afternoon Mayflower Friendship Club from 2pm to 4pm. This is a lovely social club for the more elderly residents who can enjoy indoor games and have light refreshments over a “cuppa” with friends old and new. It only costs £1 per session so, please come along and enjoy the company.
New At The Centre •
TAI CHI FUNDAMENTALS: Thursday mornings 11am to 12noon • KEELY-ANNA’S DANCE FITNESS FUSION Tuesday Sessions: Pilates: 7.30pm to 8.30pm Mature Movers: 6.45pm to 7.30pm Friday Sessions: Boppers: (3 months to 2 years) 1.15pm to 2.45pm Dancing Tots: ( 2 to 5 years) 3.45pm to 4.30pm Funky Dance: (6 to 1`0 years) 4.30pm to 5.15pm Boys only Dance: (5 to 10 years) 5.15pm to 6pm Funky Dance: (11 years plus) 6pm to 7pm For further information please contact Keely-Anna on 07500 554736 • EXTRA MINI BIKERS SESSIONS Due to demand extra sessions will
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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News Important News Money Saving Special Offer ends 1st April THE CURRENT offer of free room hire for an event or party with a licensed bar will finish on the 1st April.
Joyce Briggs pancake flipping start in April CURRENT SUNDAY SESSIONS Mini Bikers(2 to 4 years): 1pm to 2pm Mini Bikers (4 to 6 years): 2pm to 3pm • TABLE TOP SALES Weekly table top sales are now taking place at the Centre on Friday mornings from 8.30am to 12 noon. This is a chance for you to either pick up a bargain or sell goods you may have. Entrance is FREE.
So, if you have a family celebration, party, charity fund raiser or other event coming up that requires a licensed bar, book it now to avoid a future hire fee. As from 1st April a charge will be made for room hire. HOWEVER, this fee will remain very competitive compared to elsewhere and continue to save you money. For bookings and enquiries please contact Markfield Centre and Sports ,Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST on 01530 242240 or email markfieldcomunitycentre@ hotmail.co.uk or you can visit our website www.markfield communitycentre.com to view our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.
Dentures At Home Emergency Mobile
• Emergency Denture Repair Service 7 Days a Week • Duplicate dentures/spare sets available (1 week - 10 days) • Have you got a spare set of dentures? • Soft lower duplicate dentures available • Large range of all quality teeth available - acrylic to porcelain 30 years experience to the TRADE
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Packed lunches and crowded trains? AS YOU stand shoulder to shoulder on a crowded train, clutching your packed lunch, do you ever pause to think that this part of your working day might actually be good for you? Harvard University thinks so. A recent study has found that eating home-made lunches and dinners each day can lower the risk of Diabetes Type 2 by 13 per cent. Another study, in Japan, thinks that even commuting is good for you - people who use daily public transport instead of the car are 34 per cent less likely to have diabetes, 27 per cent less likely to have high blood pressure, and 44 per cent less likely to be overweight. Taken together, it seems that even a short daily walk keeps weight down and prevents disease, and swapping shop-bought meals for home-cooked ones brings health benefits.
Obesity levels still growing OBESITY is set to become ‘the new normal’ in the UK within two decades, warns a recent forecast based on figures from Cancer Research UK. Britain’s obesity levels are already among the worst in Europe, second only to Hungary. The typical British lifestyle has pushed obesity levels from just 3 per cent in the Seventies to 25 per cent today. That is set to rise to 39 per cent by 2035, according to recent research. A further 33 percent will be overweight, and only 28 percent will be of normal or lower weight.
Women carrying too much stress BE KIND to the middle aged women in your life. The pressure to juggle their career, children and often elderly parents, means that there are soaring levels of workplace stress. Recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that middleaged women are almost 70 per cent more likely to suffer work-related stress than men of the same age. As a doctor at the Priory’s Wellbeing Clinic in London explains, the pressure to maintain ‘traditional women’s roles’ despite a revolution in the workplace is taking its toll. “Women have so many arenas in which they can compete: how we look, the quality of our friendships, and of course, the work we produce. Sometimes it can feel that there are just too many ways to fail.”
Most household injuries are caused by saying “whatever” during an argument.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
News from The Hub An update from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader, Cllr Mike Hall AT OUR Council meeting on 18th February we set Council’s budget for 2016/17, but importantly we also put in place longer term plans which set out how we will balance the budget over the next four years, to provide greater financial stability for the Council. The two areas that readers will be most interested in are Council Tax and the new charge for the green waste collection service. With Council Tax we are planning to increase the rate for a Band D property by £5 this year, and then a further £5 per year for the next three years. We can make these increases without going to the vast expense of holding a referendum, and it will be a gradual increase to your Council Tax, which we know is also increasing this year to provide better fire, police, and adult social care services. The green waste collection service presented us with a slightly different problem. This service costs the Council almost £1million each year and it seemed inevitable that we would have to introduce a charge for this service at some point. Liberal Democrats considered a charge last year of £30, before opting out of a tough decision before an election, and using up savings instead. We could have put off the introduction of a charge until next year, but had we done that we would have needed to make the charge higher, so we have opted to introduce the charge this year, but at only £24. People are being urged to sign up before April 1st, and full details will be included with Council Tax bills and in the Borough Bulletin. The garden waste collection will continue for everybody during April and May, but only those who have paid for the service will have their garden waste collected after that date.
Not all bad news But it wasn’t all bad news in the budget. We also announced an increase in funding that is being made to Parishes across the Borough through the Parish Initiative Fund. This is to support community groups with matched funding for projects in local areas. There will also be more money available to the Voluntary and Community Sector to provide programmes that can improve specific health issues and bring about reductions in anti-social behaviour. The Snapdragon event that was successfully run in Hinckley last year will be extended to other parts of the Borough, and we will also review how New Homes Bonus is spent. New Homes Bonus was introduced during the last Parliament to encourage housebuilding by providing a grant to Councils for every new home built. This money should have been spent to support communities who have had to accept more housing, but Lib Dem Councillors opted to use this money instead to pay for the day-to-day running of the Council. The Government has already announced the continuation of this scheme, although at a reduced level, and we intend that this money should be used to provide greater benefit to local communities. The tough decisions we have taken this year, mean that we have a sound financial base for the future. With other Councillors I will continue to work with officers to deliver further cost savings to improve our financial position in the long term, and through greater financial resilience we will deliver more for our communities.
How animals can help your baby beat the risk of asthma OWNING a dog and/or visiting a farm can help protect your baby from the risk of developing asthma. Recent research at the Karonlinska Institute and Uppsala University in Sweden has found that exposing very young children to animals is a very good thing. It appears to stop the immune system going into overdrive when it comes into contact with allergens. This makes children less susceptible to asthma. Around 5.4 million people in Britain are currently being treated for asthma, including 1.1 million children. On average, every classroom in Britain has two children with asthma.
Extracts from the Unapproved Minutes of the Stanton under Bardon Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 at 7.00pm at the Village Hall, Stanton under Bardon. (May be subject to alteration or correction.) Litter Bins: Have not been ordered as there was no post supplied with the bins. Mrs Mary Briggs reported that the litter bin near Old Plough, on Main Street, has disappeared, suggestion it may have been stolen, and needs replacing. Ownership of land: Mrs Mary Briggs had contacted Persimmons to clarify who owned the strips of land around the village. This was on going. Village Hall Insurance: Mr Ian Briggs contacted Community Lincs for a quote to insure the Village Hall. Quote supplied, copy filed. Annual Charge £736.66, (slightly cheaper if agreed to a longer term than a year) Came & Co. were contacted by the clerk. £1281.15, also copy filed. Parish Council discussed the options, whether to get an annual policy, or to agree for up to 3 years as per the quote from Community Lincs. Agreed to take 1 years insurance as could then get additional quotes. Electricity & Gas: Clerk reported that following the delegated powers that were given to the clerk she had agreed a 12 month direct debit tariff for both Electricity and Gas. Tariffs agreed are as follows:British Gas - GAS Charges are:3.214* pence per Kwh, with a standing charge of £0.28* pence per day. It has been agreed that this charge will be backdated to 27th September 2015, hence the fixed price Energy Plan will finish 26.09.16. *Subject to a 6% discount for paying by Direct Debit. British Gas - ELECTRICITY Charges are:- Standing Charge of £0.1222 per day, £0.1156, fixed for 12 months payment by direct debit. There was no backdating of the agreement, therefore the transfer date was 25.02.16 for a 12 month contract. British Gas will put a £50 credit on the account. Highways White Lining: White lining of highways are working towards a preference list, which is relative to the number of people who complain. David Sprason suggested that people complain, given the latest policy the more complaints potentially the better, as white lining will be done sooner. Works Depot: Matthew Lay was planning to object to the retrospective planning permission
for the depot for the works on the M1/A50. The grounds for the objection is that there was no assessment of the environmental impacts, in particular those around the trees and hedgerows. Also there was no assessment of possible alternative suitable sites, which may have actually been closer to the roadworks. There had been issues over cleaning the road, which the contractor is now doing. Mr Lay wants to ensure that the contractor reinstates the land back to how it was before the work commenced. Question to the Chair: A member of the public asked if there was any news regarding the location of the quarry monitoring stations. Neither the Parish Council or Mr John Geary have received anything from the quarry. The Quarry liaison committee meeting had been cancelled. Mr John Geary has not received the date of the rearranged meeting. It is believed there are supposed to be maintained stations, which have been dismantled. Mr John Geary will follow this up and is awaiting an email from the quarry re the next meeting of the Liaison Committee. Recreation Ground: Mr Clarke has been eradicating the moles, and he has done a really good job. Janet Peberdy waiting for bags to do litter pick. There was no dog poo. Grass seeding has been done. Bottom and top allotments inspection: Suggested and agreed that no inspection of the allotments was required in December, January and February. The inspection rota previously published will be amended to reflect this. Village Hall: Mrs Mary Briggs had done a fantastic job in acquiring the defibrillator. Mark is chasing the defibrillator training. The more people who are willing to train to use the defibrillator the better it will be for the village. Suggested it be sited outside the Village Hall in the porch way.
I save all my yawns in church until everyone is singing so it looks like I’m doing my part.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
If people are going to judge me they should at least hold up scorecards so I know how I’m doing.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Jacqueline Road planning application refused Norman Griffiths reports THE NEWS that the Taylor Wimpey planning application for 140 houses to the rear of Jacqueline Road, Field Head was unanimously rejected by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s planning committee will be welcomed by both Field Head, Groby and Markfield residents. But experience has shown that housebuilders don’t take refusal lightly. They invest heavily in acquiring land for development and have deep pockets with which to finance the legal battles which almost invariably follow. If they wish to lodge an appeal against the decision the company has more than just petty cash in the bank to fund the expenses. They ended the financial year year with net cash of £223m after returning £308m to shareholders. In the last few weeks the company reported an annual gross profit of £788m, an increase of 26.9%. Gross margins improved to 25.1%. and the result was a profit before tax and exceptional items of £604m, up 34%. Discussing the results Pete Redfern, Chief Executive said: “We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of new acquisition opportunities and the quality of those, we’ll continue to chase them but they have to be good, and we get harder and harder in our assessment of what it needs to be. And that’s about its planning pedigree, it’s about the quality of the financial gain we can have for working that strategic site, it’s about the quality of the products and the plots that come from it. “ It will come as no surprise that it is the quality of the financial gain from developing the Jacqueline Road site that is important to the company, after all business is business and that’s what they have to take account of. The estimated £1million they may have to pay to mitigate the impact of the development of the site will be no deterrent as this will be built into the selling price of the houses. And if ultimately they overturn the refusal of planning permission and have to pay out what the various agencies have asked for, the sums could be significant. For example, it is estimated that the proposed development would result in the generation of the 34
pupil places which cannot be accommodated at nearby schools. A contribution has therefore been requested for £406,426.74. A Secondary School contribution request of £423,307.71 has been made for Markfield South Charnwood High School, and a Post 16 sector contribution request of £89,294.90 has been made for Groby Community College. It is considered that the development would result in an additional 339 patients to the local health centre. The Markfield surgery is currently at capacity and an increase in GP sessions would be required, so a total of £70,925.58 is requested. There’s more, including a request of £47,503 from Leicestershire Police. But the discussion of how much they should pay if they eventually get planning permission is for another day. For the moment, no doubt, the company will be considering the reasons for recommending refusal. The Planning Officer’s conclusion is that the development would significantly exceed the housing requirement for Markfield as set out in the Borough’s Core Strategy. The council is currently able to demonstrate a five year supply of housing land, and this is important. Whilst the proposal would bring some social and economic benefits through the supply of housing it is not considered to outweigh the harm to the landscape setting of the village by developing a greenfield site outside of the settlement boundary within the National and Charnwood Forests. This would conflict with the environmental strand of sustainability resulting in harm. In the final paragraph outlining the reasons for recommending refusal, the report is more limited and says that the site lies outside the settlement boundary for Markfield and Field Head and the proposal would lead to an unsustainable landscape impact. It would also cause detriment to the character of the designated National and Charnwood Forests. With a chronic national shortage of housing there is probably someone, somewhere, assessing the outcome and putting together a case on which to challenge the decision. But on the other side of the argument the local community, with less deep pockets, will have its own plans for ensuring that the refusal is ultimately upheld if it should go to appeal.
‘New Faces’ at Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary! THE FOLLOWING new cats and rabbits have recently been brought into Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary for rehoming. All are on the Redgate website www.redgatefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk so if you would like further information hopefully you’ll find everything you need to know there; but if you would like to discuss re-homing any of these lovely animals, please email Jack at redgate@mail.org call 01530 243 925, or visit the sanctuary – it is open to the public every day between 10.30am and 4pm.
Young Redgate Rabbits WE HAVE both older and younger rabbits available now for re-homing. There are three in particular, all very cute ‘babies’ under 1 year old, and they are so new none of these have yet been named by Redgate staff. Two of these ‘Easter bunnies’ are golden brown and one is light fawn in colour. It would be perfect for them to be re-homed soon as at this young age they can be handled and played with regularly, to become contended family pets – even house rabbits.
New Redgate Cats for Re-homing ALL OUR sanctuary cats are neutered, vaccinated and in good health and ready to be re-homed in their much-anticipated forever home. Here are some of our new cats, just waiting for you to visit and fall in love with them. As you can see, we have adult cats from 18 months to 9 years. There are also still a few kittens at the sanctuary. Frieda – Tortoiseshell and ginger. About 18 months old. Sweet, friendly and playful despite a very bad start in life, having being dumped in a telephone box with her tiny kittens. But she loves life now and also loves cuddles and toys! Mog – Black and white. 4 years old, friendly, intelligent and sociable. He likes being with other cats but it is people he really loves and would be your ‘best pal’. Sammy (Ginger) and Sophie (Brown Tabby) - 4 years old. Quite timid and require a quiet home, preferably together, and without dogs or young children Lizzie - 6 years old, a good old-fashioned gentle house-cat, can be very affectionate. ‘J.J.’ - About 8 - 9 years old. A house cat, but not a lap-cat. A loner who likes to come and go and prefers her own company. She would suit a quiet household with a large garden.
The fastest way to get to the front of the line at Starbucks is just to tell everyone you saw Adele outside.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
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News from MARKFIELD COMMUNITY LIBRARY Easter Opening Hours
WE ARE OPEN as usual during the Easter holidays apart from Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday when we will be closed.
Eggstravaganza WE ARE HOLDING an Eggstravaganza on Wednesday March 30th between 10.00 and 3.00 when we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt: Easter Bonnet making; quizzes; games and also your chance to have a go at painting our Easter Spring mural. So why not HOP along, take out some books, and enjoy the activites.
Quiz Night ARE YOU A QUIZZER? Do you enjoy general knowledge quizzes and brain teasers. If so we are planning a monthly quiz night and are looking for people to help us organise it. If you are interested in helping or would like more information about the quiz night, please email markfieldcommunitylibraryevents@ mail.com
Writing Group WHETHER YOU ARE a novice writer or someone who already has writing experience but would like some advice and guidance, then this is the group for you. The group is led by an experienced writer who is a playwright, poet and published author. It meets every two weeks and covers all aspects of creative writing from poetry, short stories as well as flash fiction. You will be helped and encouraged to write and to share your thoughts about the writing of other members of the group. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information please email markfieldcommunitylibraryevents@ mail.com
National Libraries Day And Our Harry Potter Event WE HAD A lovely day on February 6th which was National Libraries Day, although the weather was
Our Harry Potter Event proved very popular
awful it didn’t put people off from coming along to the Library. In fact we had three new members join. We showcased most of the activities we have in the library during the day and ran an all day art class with people painting exquisite Chinese flowers, and Angel Fish all of which were on cards with envelopes. Our blind date with a book proved very popular with only two books left. The comments from people have been varied but it seemed most people enjoyed the experience of reading a book they wouldn’t normally have chosen. Quite a few of our local communities took part with tables of leaflets and information about what they do. We then had our Harry Potter event where everyone dressed the part from Harry himself to Dumbledore. We had a fabulous sorting hat to decide which house the children belonged to with the winning house receiving a Dragon’s Egg full of sweets. We had a Harry Potter treasure hunt; Ollivander’s wand making stall; Weasley’s wizard whizzes table and Snape’s potion making.
Art Class - discover your artistic talent!
It was great fun and all the children went home with Hedwig balloons; and Harry Potter book marks.
Art Class OUR ART CLASS is held every Tuesday evening between 6.00 and 7.30. There’s no need for you to draw, or paint as all the advice and help you need will be given. It’s extraordinary what Carol, the art teacher, can show you, and you are almost guaranteed to walk away with a completed painting after every session.
Blind Date with a Book
For more information about the events in the library please email markfieldcommunitylibraryevents@mail.com or pop into the library and have a chat with one of our volunteers.
The secret to success is to surround yourself with people that don’t know you.
For all the family
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Saturday 19th March Bagworth Community Centre
Gardening Spot with Joanne Kennedy
4.00-5.30pm
Children of all ages - get a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend or neighbour to bring you There will be lots of things to
Refreshments provided including chocolate, hot cross buns and fruit drinks Children must be accompanied by an adult Organised by Holy Rood Church and the Benefice of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon and Copt Oak
Are you in control of your money... or do your finances control you? Can you save up to pay for the things you need... or do you pay for them all ‘later’ - with interest? Contact details: Steph Beeston-Clarke Lead CAP Money Coach stephbc@hotmail.co.uk 01530 243606 07572 852684 https://capuk.org/i-wanthelp/cap-money-course/ course
Come on the CAP money course for help with building a budget and saving for the future. It is suitable for anyone and everyone whatever their financial situation – good or bad– and is completely confidential. There will be a new course starting in the Spring - watch this space! Contact Steph to find out more or to book your place. Come on your own, with a friend or in a group.
SupportingPeople People&& Supporting SustainingCommunities Communities Sustaining
Joanne Kennedy has been designing gardens for over 10 years and since then she has helped hundreds of clients with their gardens.
T
HIS IS THE month when your garden springs back to life! The mild winter means things are happening much earlier than normal. This is both good and bad news. Starting with the bad news, early blooming plants will not bloom again (at their normal time). Pests and diseases, normally destroyed by frosts, will have survived over winter so watch out for anything unusual on your plants. Plants, such as fruit trees, blackcurrants and some perennials, such as Aquilegias, rely on cold spells to enable them to flower. And the good news? Plants have been dealing with varied weather conditions for centuries and will adapt to fluctuating temperatures. The warmer weather means you can get gardening jobs done earlier than normal. If a cold spell does arrive you may get a bit of short term damage to your plants but they will normally recover.
Plants to look out for that are looking their best this month.
Daphne Odora Aureomarginata is a medium sized evergreen shrub with beautiful small pink flowers in Spring. They have a beautiful scent.
Things to do in the garden this month • • •
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ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2016 • •
• • •
Here is an opportunity for you to show off your community and gain recognition for what you have achieved. The RCC in their role of supporting People and Sustaining Rural Communities in Leicestershire & Rutland invite entries for the 2016 Achievement Awards The Achievement Awards are open to all communities under 15,000 It doesn’t matter if this is your first time, or if you have entered in previous years. Tell us what you are proud of and what you do for your community Full details and entry forms can be downloaded from our website www.ruralcc.org.uk or contact Pat Crane on 01455 823537 or by email on patcrane33@gmail.com
...................................................................................................... RCC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2016 Expression of Interest If you would like to enter a project in this year’s Awards, please provide your details and we will send you an application pack; preferably by e mail, but hard copies can be posted or downloaded from our website Name:........................................... Organisation:.............................................
Mow your lawn, initially on a high cutting level Plant summer flowering bulbs (see last month’s article) Feed your plants with either a natural fertiliser -chicken or horse manure; bonemeal; seaweed or compost, or an artificial fertliser such as Growmore. Spread sparingly using the recommended amounts. Prune deciduous shrubs such as Hydrangeas, Buddlejas, Caryopteris and Fuchsias. Do not prune early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia and Ribes until after flowering Dead-head winter flowering bedding plants Sow annual seeds, in a greenhouse if its heated otherwise on a windowsill in the house. Alternatively order plug plants to cut out the sowing sowing process and guarantees a certain number of plants will grow on Divide marginal plants in your pond if overcrowded For summer and autumn colour fill gaps in your borders with perennials Start planting vegetable seeds such as parsnips, carrots, onions, peas and salads All camellia varieties are stunning in March and April. Look out for ‘williamsii varieites such as ‘Donation’ with its clear pink flowers or Camellia japonica Adolphe Audusson with vibrant red flowers.
Address:........................................................................................................... E mail:..................................................................Phone:................................... We look forward to hearing from you!
For advice on any of the above feel free to contact me on 07739 153516 or 01530 832670; through my website - www.gardenblueprints.net - or through Facebook (Garden Blueprints) or Twitter @GardenBluPrints.
Whenever my dog winks at me I wink back just in case it’s some sort of code I don’t know about.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
JOIN THE REVOLUTION
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News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area
IF YOU LOVE food, hate waste, smile at a bargain and care about your community and the environment then OLIO is for you and it is here in the Herald area. Homes in the UK throw away over 4.2 million tons of perfectly good food every year which is worth £12.5 billion. Staggering given that we live in a society where an increasing number of people are using food banks and are living on the breadline – literally! The social, economic and environmental case for action against food waste is compelling. Globally, a third of all food produced is wasted, and in the UK, households – which are responsible for half of all food waste - bin over £12bn of edible food per year, at a cost of £700 to the average family. Food waste is also costly for local stores and councils, and ranks as one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases. OLIO seeks to address these problems by combining cutting-edge mobile technology with the power of the sharing economy and an engaged local community. So how can you help? Well OLIO is a free app that connects neighbours with each other and with local independent shops so that surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. This could include food nearing its sell-by date from shops, cafes and markets, spare vegetables from the allotment, cakes from an amateur baker or groceries from household fridges when people go away or move home. Users simply snap a picture of their items and add them to OLIO. Neighbours then receive customised alerts and can request anything that takes their fancy, and arrange pick-up from home, or another agreed location. I am currently trying to find a place for an OLIO Drop Box so that people can drop off and collect from there instead of at home, but I’m not having much success. If anyone knows of something suitable then I would be grateful. OLIO was founded by two ingenious women, Tessa Cook & Saasha Celestial-One, in a small part of North London last summer, and in December expanded to cover all of London. In this short time OLIO has been downloaded over 20k times, selected as a “Best new app” in the App Store, featured on ITV and BBC London News and used over 100k times to save thousands of items from the bin. They have also received hundreds of emails of positive support, many from users who have been able to feed their families on wholesome healthy food that they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford. They have also had 400 people email to join our volunteer programme. A simple but amazing idea to reduce food waste & bring a community together to help themselves. Please support OLIO & join our revolution. Visit: www.olioex.com my email is: carey.y@icloud.com
Holy Week Prayer Breakfasts
Women’s Conference ‘Life.Soul.All’
We will be meeting at 8.30am each morning during Holy Week at Cross Hills for a time of reflection and prayer in the lead up to Good Friday. This year David Butcher will be helping us to look at the Easter story through the Gospel of St John. This will be followed by a ‘bring and share’ light breakfast and a time of friendship and fellowship before the work commitments of the day.
Karen Wilson from Perth, Australia was also a guest speaker at the EMBA Women’s Conference held at Aylestone Baptist Church on Saturday 13th March led by Dianne Tidball, the EMBA Regional Minister together with a Worship Music group. Four of the ladies from Cross Hills attended together with one of their family members and Angie Webb from Barlestone Baptist Church. Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful day with space for all of the women there to worship, encounter God, be renewed and inspired.
Easter Sunday, 27th March The Easter Day Family Service will be open to all and will focus upon how Easter gives us all a chance of a new start, be that in family, home, work, friends and Church. Easter is the time that the Church acknowledges that Jesus Christ gives New Life to all, so this Easter bring all your problems to Cross Hills and let the Risen Jesus make your load lighter and your paths straighter. There will be Easter activities in our Sunday Club on Palm Sunday, 20th March in preparation for Easter. As in previous years, we will again be decorating the large cross with colourful fresh flowers during the service then this will be placed outside the church for a while as a symbol of the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus on that special day over 2,000 years ago.
Ministers Conference Our Pastor, Garry, attended the EMBA (East Midlands Baptist Association) annual Ministers Conference at Hayes Christian Conference Centre, Swanwick for 3 days in mid-February. It was a very uplifting Conference with Mark and Karen Wilson of Riverview Church, Perth, Australia as guest speakers. Much of what was encouraged at the Conference will be of benefit to Cross Hills and Garry’s ministry.
Olive Branch Club The April meeting will now be ‘cake decorating with Anna’ in place of the Tai Chi that was mentioned in the February Herald. Every Sunday, tea, coffee and biscuits are served in our hall which gives everyone the chance to spend a little time together before going home or on to enjoy the rest of the day. You’ll find we are a very friendly church and we’ll make you welcome whether you come alone or with friends or family.
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
If IKEA and LEGO combined forces our children could make our furniture.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Budget 2016 On Thursday 18th February Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council held its annual Budget meeting where Councillors set the Budget and Council Tax for the forthcoming year. The Council agreed to raise the Council Tax by 4.46% Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council are in the lowest quartile of Local Authorities nationally so to take an example of a band D property that would raise from £112.09 to £117.09 from April 2016. So the total Council Tax for a Band D property in Ratby, including the following Elements; County Council, Fire Authority, The Police and the Parish Council is £1,534.66. Due to significant financial pressures, the Borough Council has also had to add a yearly charge on the Brown Bin Collection of £24 a year. We now need to charge for the garden waste service (the brown lidded wheeled bin). This will mean those who use the service will contribute towards its cost. I am sure many residents will not be happy with this charge. We both found it was a hard decision to take, but this was the only way the Council could balance its budget and protect services across the Borough.
How to request the garden waste service • What does it cost? The cost is £24 per garden waste bin per year which covers collections between 1 April to 31 March. If you pay by credit card, there will be a 2.2% surcharge. Please note, the year runs from the 1 April until 31 March only. You can sign up at any time, however you will still need to pay £24 for part of a year. • What you need to do Sign up to the garden waste service and pay online: http://www.hinckley-bosworth. gov.uk/gardenwaste Request service (get a sticker)
Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea
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
You can order up to two bins at a time. You must allow 10 working days from payment for your sticker to arrive and to start using this service. We will provide you with a sticker to place on each bin you order. Stickers are renewed annually. Then, simply continue to present your bin in the same way and on the same day – the collection crews will only empty the bins displaying the correct sticker. Subscribe as soon as you can to avoid any interruption in your garden waste collections. You can also sign up over the phone Tel 01455 238141 and press option 2 and a customer service officer will help you. If you choose not to continue to use this service We will make arrangements to collect your brown lidded wheeled bin during the autumn. A bin hanger with further information will be attached to every black (wheeled) bin nearer the time. • Why choose this service? This service is convenient and easy to use, saves you time travelling to the tip. It costs only £2 per month
(96p per collection). Any bin(s) at your property that have not been paid for will not be emptied.
All Dogs need to be Micro Chipped by the 6th April 2016 Reminder Dog owners in Hinckley and Bosworth are being reminded that they have until 6 April this year to ensure that their pets are micro chipped. After this date the law is changing and if a dog is not micro chipped, the owner may be served with a notice by the dog warden requiring them to microchip their dog within 21 days. Failure to comply with the notice may result in a £500 fine. All dog owners whose dogs are not yet micro chipped are encouraged to contact the dog warden service to discuss the need to microchip their dog ahead of the April 2016 deadline. Most responsible dog owners
already have their dogs chipped but those who have yet to chip them should contact their vets or the dog warden service on 01455 255946. Some owners have not yet micro chipped their dogs because they are concerned it may hurt the animal. However, a microchip is only the size of a grain of rice and the dog warden will implant it under the skin using a special implant gun. No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination. To give dog owners the opportunity to microchip their pets, the dog warden service is holding a micro chipping session on Tuesday 15 March between 3pm and 6pm at the Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, LE10 0FR (owners are asked to use the Rugby Road entrance to the Hub). It will cost only £10 per dog and no appointment is necessary.: Each microchip has a unique identification number, which is registered to the dog and the owner’s details are placed on a national database. This number can then be read when a scanner is passed over the chip, enabling the dog warden to search the national database to find the owner’s details. The owner can then be contacted and reunited with their dog. Owners with chipped dogs are encouraged to ensure that their details are kept up to date at all times. Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for their continued support and remind you we are only a phone call away Regards
Chris & Ozzy Working for you.
LETTER: Time to cut speed on A511?
I’M WRITING to ask if you might start/support a campaign to reduce the speed limit on the A511 between the Flying Horse roundabout down to the Bardon roundabout (ie. Shaw Lane, half a mile in all) – perhaps to 40mph, and/or with a camera. 1. It is the only part of the Leicester/Coalville dual carriageway near housing that is not now 40mph. (The new camera/restriction at Bradgate Hill works a treat.) 2. The ‘speed check’ display (towards the bottom of the hill) has no effect, being constantly ‘on’ (meaning everyone is going over 50mph). 3. Buses from Leicester won’t use the bus stop there, as it is too dangerous to pull out (the stop is half way down the hill), inconveniencing the people who live along the road and nearby and wish to use it. People pulling into and out of the Animal Sanctuary towards the bottom of the road are likewise put in danger. Crossing the road on foot to the ‘towards Leicester’ bus stop, is nearly impossible. Walking, let alone cycling (it is a cycle track) along the footpath is also dangerous. You risk being blown away ! 4. The resulting ‘speed noise’ is appalling. I’m not a Big Campaigner, but having been made to walk home from the Flying Horse bus stop (the bus driver is quite right, however) it seems to me that selfish driving should not be allowed to restrict public safety.
John Gallas If it’s “easier said than done” then I’d rather we just keep talking about it.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Gynsill Tennis Club, Anstey
Open Day for Adults, 10th April 2016
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NEWS from Bagworth Community Centre WE SEEM to be having a busy time at the Centre. •
On Mondays Keely-Anna does three dance classes for youngsters between 3.45 and 6 pm. Young pathfinders takes place between 5 and 6.30 pm. Karate has become so popular that there are now two classes, 5-6 pm and 6-7 pm. Craft Club takes place from 7 pm to 9 pm. • On Tuesdays we have Stay and Play from 1.45-2.45. Drop in is between 2-4 pm and Computer Code Club is from 4.15 to 5.15 pm. • On Wednesdays the Autism Pathway Play session takes place between 1.45 and 2.45 pm. There is an ASD Craft and Support Group from 5-6.30 pm and Keep Fit from 7-8 pm. • On Thursdays, Messy Play takes place from 1.45 to 2.45 pm. Youth Club is from 7 to 8.30 pm. • On Fridays Stay and Play takes place between 1.45 to 2.45 pm. • On Sundays, there is football training for 4+ from 10 am onwards. This is organised by Coalville Town Soccer School. St. Peter's Church, Copt Oak • In addition, Prize Bingo takes place on the second Monday in the month at 7.45 pm. On the last Wednesday of the month the Borough Councillors are available at the Centre between 6.30 and 7.30 pm. We are Bric hopefully having a circuit a Brac, Crafts, Cakes, training Raffle session and maybe a Tai Chi weekend. For more detailshomemade of any of soup, these scones events call in at the Centre on Refreshments including Monday mornings or Thursday and Friday afternoons or call 01530 230628 or email admin@bagworthcommunitycentre.org In addition to these regular meetings, events are taking place throughout the year. These are listed on a flyer available in the Coffee Shop area at the Centre.Whitwick Road - LE67 9QB - NEXT TO COPT OAK PUB There is a Wedding Fayre from 1 to 4 pm on 20th March, an exotic Admission 50p – children free animals show from 4pm to 6pm on 26th March, followed by an Easter disco For further th information ring - 01530 244229 or 0116 2674746 at 6 pm. On 9 April from 5 pm there is a Kids Talent Show and Disco. Ample free parking I think you will agree that there is something for everyone. Proceeds in aid of St. Peter’s Church, Copt Oak. Don’t miss them.
TABLE TOP & CRAFT FAYRE
WITH THE new tennis season just round the corner, members of Gynsill Tennis Club have plenty to be excited about. By the end of March the latest upgrades to the courts at the club on Gorse Hill, Anstey will be complete and the members will have 2 new state of the art artificial clay tennis courts. In addition the club has 4 artificial grass courts and floodlighting on 4 courts. With over 200 adult and junior members the club boasts several league teams including 4 men’s, 3 ladies, 3 mixed and several age graded junior teams. A full time coach is based at the club to help young and old, novice and experienced players hone their talents . For those wishing to play socially there are several dedicated mix-in sessions. The atmosphere is always friendly and beyond the tennis, the club organises many activities and social events. New members are always welcome and to encourage new members there will be an Open Day for Adults on Sunday 10th April from 11.30am onwards, with free play and coaching on the day. Please come and play and see the fine facilities available. For more information email: gynsilltennis@btinternet.com or contact the Club Chairman, Phil Hodgson (0116 287 6657) or the Head Coach, Adam Charlton (0784 352 9209). Look out for updates on Facebook or our website at www.gynsilltennis.club
St. Peter's Church, Copt Oak
TABLE TOP & CRAFT FAYRE Bric a Brac, Crafts, Cakes, Raffle Refreshments including homemade soup, scones
Saturday 12th March - 12noon till 3.30pm COPT OAK MEMORIAL HALL Whitwick Road - LE67 9QB - NEXT TO COPT OAK PUB
Admission 50p – children free For further information ring - 01530 244229 or 0116 2674746 Ample free parking Proceeds in aid of St. Peter’s Church, Copt Oak.
Saturday 12th March - 12noon till 3.30pm COPT OAK MEMORIAL HALL
Holy Week and Easter
Meditations
Good Friday 25th March 2-3pm at St Michael’s, Markfield
Special services across the Benefice
An hour reflecting on the story of Good Friday and Easter, with hymns, readings, prayers and silence.
Experience the old story in a new way this Holy Week and Easter
7.30pm at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon
Tenebrae
Tuesday 22nd March 7.30 pm St Peter’s, Copt Oak ‘Tenebrae’ means shadow; lighted candles are extinguished in this ancient reminder of the Passion of Jesus from the shadow of the Betrayal to the darkness of the Cross through Bible readings, hymns and silences.
Fish and Chip Supper and Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday 24th March 6.30pm at St Mary's, Stanton u B An evening of fellowship over supper, followed by sharing together in an informal service of Holy Communion.
Family Stations of the Cross
Good Friday 25th March 10.00am at St Peter’s, Thornton Share in recalling the story of Good Friday and Easter in a journey round the church with pictures, songs, readings and prayers. About 30-40 minutes followed by drinks and Hot Cross Buns. Suitable for all ages.
An opportunity to listen to the Passion narratives from the Bible and reflect the story of Jesus’ death.
Easter Day Services Sunrise Service
Easter Day, Sunday 27th March 6.40am at Hill Hole, Markfield Greet with joy the day when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection; with singing of Easter hymns and sharing the Easter acclamation Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!
Other Easter Day Services 8.00am Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Markfield 10.30am Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton 10.30am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Stanton u B 6.00pm Evening Prayer at St Michael’s, Markfield 6.00pm Evening Prayer at St Peter’s, Copt Oak
Just did the calculation and found out I can retire next year if I start saving £164,478.09 a month.
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THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon Sunday 13th March. Service 10am Tuesday 15th March. Singing cafe Shepshed library 10-11am. Fellowship dinner 6pm Friday 18th March singing cafe Loughborough library 10.15-11.15am, Coalville library 1.30-2.30pm
Local Church Services 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 of this magazine.
Sunday 20th March. Service 10am
Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield
Tuesday 22nd March. Singing cafe Shepshed library 10-11am. Bible study 6pm
Sunday 13th March - Passion Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Service
Sunday 27th March. Easter cafe 4u breakfast 10am
Sunday 20th March - Palm Sunday 10.30am United Churches Together Service at Methodist Church 6.00pm Special Service for Easter
Friday 1st April. Singing cafe Loughborough library 10.15-11.15am, Coalville library 1.30-2.30pm Sunday 3rd April service 10am. Joint family service with lunch Tuesday 5th April. Singing cafe Shepshed library 10-11am Friday 8th April singing cafe Loughborough library 10.15-11.15am, Coalville library 1.30-2.30pm Sunday 10th April. Service 10am
Markfield Congregational Church 01530 242142 Sunday 13th March 10.15am Morning Worship Sunday 20th March Palm Sunday 10.30am United Service in Trinity Methodist Church Friday 25th March 7.00pm Meditation for Good Friday Sunday 27th March EASTER DAY 10.15am Morning Worship Sunday 3 April 10.15am Morning Worship followed by Communion Sunday 10 April 10.15am Morning Worship
Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton
Thursday 24th March 2.00pm - 4.00pm Music Café Thursday 24th March - Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Communion Service Sunday 27th March - Easter Sunday 8.30am Easter Morning Communion 9.15am Easter Morning Breakfast 10.30am Easter Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service Sunday 3rd April 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 10th April 10.30am Morning Communion Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Service
Friday 25th March 2.00 pm Good Friday “Hour at the Cross” Sunday 27th March 6.40 am Sunrise Service at Hill Hole Easter Sunday 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service Sunday 3rd April 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 10th April 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion
Sunday 17th April 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at the Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer
Sunday 17th April 10.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 24th April 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service
Wednesday 27th April 10.00 am Midweek Communion and Coffee
St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 13th March 10.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 17th April 10.30am United Churches Together Service at Congregational Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service
Thursday 24th March 6.30 pm Maundy Thursday Fish and Chip Supper followed by 7.30 pm Holy Communion
Sunday 24th April 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service
Friday 25th March 7.30 pm Good Friday Meditation Sunday 27th March 10.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion Sunday 3rd April 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 10th April 10.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 13th March 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper
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 20th March (Palm Sunday) 10.30am Morning Service Easter activities in the Sunday Club
Sunday 13th March 10.30 am Holy Communion 6.00 pm Holy Communion
Sunday 27th March (Easter Sunday) 10.30am Family Service
Friday 18th March 8.00 pm “Still Friday”
Sunday 13th March 9.00 am Holy Communion
Sunday 3rd April 10.30am Morning Service
Sunday 20th March 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Palm Sunday Service and Walk Palm Sunday at the Methodist Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer
Sunday 20th March 10.30 am Palm Sunday Holy Communion
Sunday 10th April 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper
Sunday 3rd April 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 10th April 9.00 am Holy Communion
Sunday 20th March 10.30 am Palm Sunday Morning Service
St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield
Sunday 27th March 10.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion
Friday 15th April 8.00 pm “Still Friday”
Thursday 14th April 2.00pm - 4.00pm Music Café
Thursday 28th April 2.00pm - 4.00pm Music Café
Friday 25th March 10.00 pm Good Friday Family “Stations of the Cross”
Sunday 17th April 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 24th April 10.30 am “Something Different” Service
St Peter’s Church, Thornton
Wednesday 23rd March 10.00 am Midweek Communion and Coffee
Sunday 24th April 10.30 am All Age Service
Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 3rd April 10.30 am Morning Service
St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 13th March 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 20th March 9.15 am Palm Sunday Holy Communion (said service) Tuesday 22nd March 7.30 pm Tenebrae Service Sunday 27th March 10.30 am Easter Day Evening Service Sunday 3rd April 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 10th April 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 17th April 9.15 am Holy Communion (said service) Sunday 24th April 6.00 pm Evening Prayer
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,
I live somewhere between playing my cards right & not playing with a full deck.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk Benediction & Confessions. Parish Priest: Fr Tom Breslin – 01530 832098, www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www.stwilfscoalville. blogspot.co.uk St Clare’s R C Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747, www.st-clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739, www.delisle./leics.sch.uk Markfield Masses in the Congregational Church Hall, Main St, beside the Chinese Takeaway: Wednesday 20 April 2016 at 7 pm Wednesday 15 June 2016 at 7 pm Wednesday 21 September 2016 at 7 pm Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 7 pm For all the family
Saturday 19th March Bagworth Community Centre 4.00-5.30pm
Children of all ages - get a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend or neighbour to bring you There will be lots of things to
Refreshments provided including chocolate, hot cross buns and fruit drinks Children must be accompanied by an adult Organised by Holy Rood Church and the Benefice of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon and Copt Oak
Look out for Real Eggs this Easter THE LEICESTERSHIRE and Rutland Wildlife Trust is asking you to be on the look out for real ‘Easter’ Eggs this coming Easter. Traditionally, this is a time when people give their garden a spring clean. However, this is also often the time that many garden birds start to lay their first clutch of eggs. Neil Pilcher, Senior Conservation Officer, said “Easter is early this year and the winter weather has been remarkably mild which means that birds will also be nesting early. I would urge people to be careful. The Trust has already had reports The photo above is of a linnet’s nest with eggs. Linnets were of blackbirds building nests in common hedgerow nesting birds but are now on the RSPB Red gardens. It only takes a moment List of endangered species. for a nest to be accidentally destroyed or exposed to predators.” The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust recommends that you check your garden before starting work. Hedges are the most likely places to find nests, especially dense evergreen hedges such as Leylandii. However, working in the same area for long periods can also cause birds to abandon their nests. People should spend just a few minutes looking through their hedges and shrubs for signs of nests before starting work. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act all birds are protected whilst nesting. This protection starts from the moment they start building the nest until the young have fledged. The Trust recommends that if there is any doubt then the work should be postponed until the nesting season is over, which is generally accepted as 31st July.
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If my kids knew there was a light in the oven, they’d leave that one on too.
GC-LIFT 13283
0116 234 0548
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Forgot username or password? Passcode/Create New U THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk Solutions for Districts
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Board Games Wordsearch What We Offer
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FIND THE NAMES OF 12 CLASSIC BOARD GAMES in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.
Board Games
To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 well known board games. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: ADVANCE TO GO, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, H T U R M L H Q Y O E Q O L T N V E Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 6th April 2016. K G R U Y G O L U P L N B V H D G T Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Silver Hat will win the Meal for Two at The D Y E I L Q O M I M B Q C S E I J F Field Head Hotel. Good luck!
Z F A M V P L C M B B Y O O G F D G A P U H O I T C J G A R C T A Y D X F C F T T I A D I Q R H G H M H A A G V O I O Z O L K Y C B W R E D E Z D T K N N S E T P N S M B E O C N T E H A P Y V H E D U W Y L I F C N O B R E T A L U C I T R A E Y L L O I Y U D C Q O O H Q I U S S H I U Y T Z K C U H K L P V D X A U D F E G X O T H E L L O P O D N M R I E D R T P G N Y E J Z K J N F Z T N T O D N S U H M B I C U Y E O E C S G D U C B E T L I N H B C U E M K S I R R W W A I I J C N W P Z K V F X L O R Z G C K A Q V V F Y O B L P T G Q Z C
ARTICULATE CLUEDO MONOPOLY OTHELLO PICTIONARY RISK SCRABBLE SORRY THEGAMEOFLIFE TOTOPOLY TRIVIALPURSUIT YAHTZEE
Find the following 12 Board Games: MONOPOLY • SCRABBLE • RISK • TRIVIAL PURSUIT SORRY • PICTIONARY • CLUEDO • TOTOPOLY ARTICULATE • THE GAME OF LIFE • OTHELLO • YAHTZEE
Name: ................................................................................................... Address: ................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................. .......................................................... Postcode: .............................
Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch Competition was: MR F G ALLEN of Beech Close, Markfield. Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you soon.
LFE Film Evenings on Thursday 7 April 2016 will feature “Brooklyn”
Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com This profoundly moving story is about Eilis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within The cast includes: Saoirse Ronan, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent. (Saoirse Ronan was nominated for best actress at the Oscar awards). Venue: the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, LFE. Cost: £5. On arrival a complimentary hot drink and biscuits are provided, as well as a free raffle prize of a double ticket to be used at any future showing. Doors open at 7.00pm; the film show starts at 7.30pm and runs for just under 2 hours.
Someone needs to invent an alarm clock that, if you hit snooze more than three times, will call in sick for you.
THE HERALD • MARCH 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk
Forest East & Kirby Muxloe Flower Guild invites you to visit THE GUILD has been meeting every year on the 3rd Thursday afternoon of every month for many years at at The Village Hall, Station Road, Kirby Muxloe from 2.15pm until 4.15 pm approximately. You do not have to be a flower arranger to visit us. We have a good and varied selection of arrangers who give us a programme of their own making being always amusing and very entertaining. We also have a charity and sales table for a different local charity each year. We hope to increase our membership and raise the profile of the club by sharing our passion and love of flowers to a wider audience. It is always a pleasant afternoon and we hope you can visit us if you can spare just a couple of hours of your time. Tea and biscuits are available and we assure you of a very friendly welcome and a pleasant relaxing afternoon. You can reach us by telephone - 01455 822387
Mrs Sheila Lester, publications secretary.
A recipe for disaster?
Latimer Players’ next production: Curtain Up THE LATIMER Players are pleased to raise the curtain on their first production of the year with the aptly named play ‘Curtain Up!’, a comedy by Paul Quilter. In his will, Michael has left equal shares of a derelict theatre to his trophy wife, his embittered ex-wife, his unmarried daughter, his punk secretary and his slightly dotty mother. A recipe for disaster? The play opens with them discussing what to do with the theatre and it is decided that they will try to work together as a team to rebuilt it to its former glory and have a gala opening night. What they need is a Hollywood star to make the opening a success. Will they all get on, will they succeed, can they raise the money required and who will be the mega star on opening night? Production dates are 28th, 29th and 30th April in The Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston. Tickets can be purchased from: Christine Deavin - email christinedeavin@btinternet.com - Tel: 0116 2376855. Tickets are £7.00 each.
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There’s no time capsule quite like the pocket of a coat that’s been in the closet for a year.
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