THE HERALD March 2022

MID-MARCH 2022 Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth

Local Building Products Manufacturer Forterra Donates £2,500 to Thornton Community Centre LEADING BUILDING products manufacturer Forterra has donated £2,500 to Thornton Community Centre to help continue its regeneration as a hub for the local community.

Supporting the communities within its operational area is an important consideration for Forterra, so when Thornton Community Centre - located close to its Desford plant – approached them for assistance, the company was delighted to help. A representative from Forterra visited the centre to meet with the trustees to get an understanding of the issues being faced by the centre and as a result, a £2,500 donation was made.

The area has been hard hit by the pandemic, with older residents often feeling isolated. It’s made many in the community recognise the important role the local community centre has to play in helping people to connect and feel part of something bigger.

The community centre volunteers are aiming to improve its facilities so it can become a central hub for the local area, catering for a range of events and activities, from wedding receptions to a meeting place for local clubs and societies. At their request, the donation has been put towards the purchase of a new projector.

To recognise Forterra’s donation, the centre plans to purchase a three-seater Trustees at the Thornton Community Centre bench made from recycled materials containing a plaque thanking Forterra unbox a newly purchased projector for their generosity.

Helen Newberry, Head of Marketing and Communications at Forterra said: “As soon as trustees at the Thornton Community Centre explained their difficulties, I knew we needed to step in and contribute as to allow this important building to continue as a hub for the local community.

“I’m delighted that renovations have THIS MONTH, I will be raising vital funds taken place and that a projector has been for The Brain Tumour Charity, the UK’s purchased which can be utilised to great leading charity dedicated to fighting this benefit. The building is looking fantastic devastating disease, by completing at least and I’m hopeful that it will continue to 2 olympic triathlon distances throughout the support the community and those who may course of the month. Thats 3km swimming, otherwise feel socially excluded.”

80km bike riding and 20km of running in my Forterra are well underway on a £95m project to double production capacity at hometown of Bagworth, Leicestershire. the Desford plant which is due to open in The reason for undertaking this challenge is because 2022, with major investment promising to in 2019, three weeks after giving birth to my second transform the facility into both the largest daughter I was diagnosed with a grade II meningioma. and most efficient brick factory in Europe – A week in hospital saw the removal by craniotomy of 97increasing overall production capacity and 99% of the tumour and a long recovery ahead. consolidating their role in the future of UK I recovered well, with no complications and I am so housebuilding. thankful that I get to watch my girls grow up. My regular MRI’s keep an eye on the cavity that remains and if the tumour decides to re-grow I will be there to fight it once again.

Every March since my operation I set myself a monthly challenge in support of The Brain Tumour Charity and my aim throughout the month is to raise as much Matthew Lay reports: “All three awareness as I can whilst pushing myself out of my outstanding applications for further comfort zone. This years challenge is no different. development in Markfield have now This year I would love to reach out far and wide and been rejected because of the impact of ensure awareness is spread across the country. this neighbourhood plan.”

My justgiving page is Read our Borough Councillors’ articles https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dominique-nicholson4 on pages 6 & 26 inside this issue.

My triathlon fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity

Important news regarding planning applications in Markfield ...

Dominique Nicholson, Bagworth

Next Issue Out On 16th April - Adverts & Articles Required By 2nd April Please

www.oaktreelettings.co.uk

LANDLORDS Demand for rental property has never been higher, whilst the risk to landlords is increasing in these uncertain times Place your property under full management with us and receive free rent guarantee and tenant eviction protection for 12 months* We pride ourselves on our friendly yet professional approach and are pleased to be celebrating our ten year anniversary this year, Contact us and see why so many landlords recommend us * terms apply, please see our website for full details

Contact Louise or Marianne for an information pack or to arrange a free property appraisal

Call: 0116 287 0334

Email: lettings@oaktreelettings.co.uk 86 Faire Road, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8ED

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

THE BAGWORTH FORWARD GROUP

Signs of Spring in Bagworth THE BAGWORTH FORWARD GROUP (BFG) know when Spring is around the corner because the daffodils that they have planted throughout the village begin to flower.

To celebrate Spring, they are organising the Bagworth Spring Fayre on Sunday April 10th at Bagworth Community Centre. It will take place from 11am to 3pm. As it is just before Easter, it will mark this as well as Spring. Admission will be £1 on the door for adults, children do not need to pay to get in.

There will be a wide variety of stalls set up in the Front Hall, Rear Hall and Meeting Room. There will also be games and activities for children. The ever popular Raffle and also Tombola will play an important part on the day.

In addition our catering team led as usual by Debbie, will be preparing and selling lunch and refreshments. This will include jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings including chicken curry. There will also be a vegetarian soup. Hot hot cross buns will also be served.

Don’t forget that all of the profits made are ploughed back into Bagworth so that we can enhance the life of the village. Come along, have a good time and make a difference to the village.

Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation

‘Wellbeing at the weekend!’

3

Markfield WI News FOR OUR February meeting we again welcomed Kath Reynolds who took us back to our school days with her talk entitled Gymslips and Chalkboards.

A good number of our members and a couple of guests, braved the weather to reminisce about games lessons in our substantial knickers and the teachers’ accuracy in blackboard rubber throwing amongst other things Quite a few members admitted being punished in various ways unimaginable today and a couple even owned up to the ultimate punishment of having to stand outside the headmistress’s office.

We remembered walking to school in all weathers, as school never closed, and never being dropped at the school gates by car. We also took a trip down memory lane with Janet and John, Ladybird books and much loved comics. It was a very nostalgic evening with many groans and much laughter.

At our next meeting we have a talk about Buying and Selling at Boot Fairs and members have a chance to bring an item to be valued.

As ever visitors are welcome and if you are looking for something new for 2022 we would be pleased to see you.

Kath Reynolds

Lynda Owen

Wellbeing Winnie H A T H A BOOK

Now REGISTERED Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is expanding its supportive and inclusive ethos from Saturday 2ndApril as the Foundation launches weekend opening at Ulverscroft Grange Community Support and Wellbeing Centre.

Helen Baxter of Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation said ‘we wish to convey a very warm weekend welcome to our visitors, supporters, service users and volunteers! Our Saturday opening will allow us to build on our supportive services and provide new opportunities for people to enjoy all that the Foundation has to offer’. She added ‘You are invited to explore our accessible Yew Trail, discover the natural environment of our woodland pathways and drop in to the tearooms for refreshments or lunch overlooking the Charnwood Forest’.

To find out more, drop in to Ulverscroft Grange, Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB – open Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm – and Saturday’s 10.00am – 4.00pm from 2nd April 2022.

Children’s Easter trail available from Monday 11th April – Friday 22nd April 2022!

For more information regarding the supportive services and activities provided at Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, contact Helen Baxter on 01530 244914 or visit www.shuttlewood-clarke.org

Y O G A

C L A S S E S

Suitable for all abilities 07932689036 sarahgreen@wellbeingwinnie.co.uk

IDC Home Maintenance Painter and Decorator NO JOB TOO SMALL From papering one wall to a complete house re-decoration

For a Free Quotation Call Ian on 07885 541428

or

E-mail: i.crowhurst@btinternet.com Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

I finally realized my parents favoured my twin brother when they asked me to blow up balloons for his surprise birthday party.

4

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald Council maintains one of PO Box 8, Markfield, the lowest Council Tax Leics. LE67 9ZT rates in the country 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.

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH Borough Council is to increase its council tax charge for 2022/23 by £5 following a decision of the full council at its budget-setting meeting on Tuesday 22 February 2022.

This means the average Band D council tax (including the Special Expense Area) for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will increase to a charge of £144.87 for the 2022/23 financial year, the lowest in Leicestershire and anticipated to be the fifteenth lowest in England, and certainly within the lowest quartile.

This figure will be supplemented by the charges levied by Leicestershire County Council (1,452.96), the Police and Crime Commissioner (£258.23) and the Fire Authority (£74.29).

Overall, this increase in council tax and the other measures set out in the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy enable the council to plan with more certainty and to operate a balanced budget.

Residents are reminded they can pay their bill annually, half-yearly or monthly. In a full year the monthly instalments will normally be paid from April to January, however residents can also opt to pay their council tax over 12 instalments if they prefer.

Councillor Keith Lynch, Executive Member responsible for Finance, said “At this time when the country is hopefully beginning to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, and while many are still suffering financial hardship, the last thing that this council wants to do is another increase in the council tax. But further reductions in government support grants have put yet more pressure on the council’s finances forcing us to raise the borough council tax by £5 a year (10p a week) to try to maintain our present level of public services. I am pleased to be able to say that even after the increase the Hinckley and Bosworth council tax will still be the lowest in Leicestershire and among the lowest in the country.”

Mobile foot care service ER LOOK AFT ND TA YOUR FEE KE TA L THEY’L ES! A L YOU P C

All instr Autoclauments ved for 10 STERIL 0% ISATIO N

Treatment in the comfort of your own home. Nail cutting, thickened nails, corns, callus, cracked heels and foot health advice.

Call today for an appointment 07340 029861 or email Donna at: hinckleyfootcare@gmail.com

Don’t Forget to Send Us Your News!

GOT AN interesting snippet?

Let us publish it in next month’s issue!

Send items by post or email to:

THE HERALD, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9ZT or email to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk Meeting someone halfway sounds exhausting.

Letter

Thank you to kind couple WE WOULD LIKE to say a big Thank You to a very kind couple who helped three elderly ladies in Newtown Linford, after one of us had a nasty fall.

After excellent treatment at A&E, she is now recovering.

Cynthia Hunt & Two Friends

National Pet Month 1st April – 2nd May 2022

HERE IS AN educational campaign that is unique in bringing together animal welfare charities, professional bodies, pet business, schools, youth groups and pet lovers.

The Campaign is coordinated by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).

The aim this month is to raise awareness of responsible pet ownership across the UK. For more details, please visit: www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk

To Advertise In The Herald, Contact Mike Wilkinson On 01530 244069 Or Email: info@ markfieldherald. co.uk

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

SKILLS SCHEME rolls out to communities TAILORED SUPPORT with skills, training and employment is now available at special pop-up events in communities, thanks to a popular Leicestershire County Council scheme.

Work & Skills has already helped over 300 people since its launch last June and is now expanding and holding sessions in Measham and Anstey.

The scheme is open to anyone who is seeking employment or training – from those who have never been employed, to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, or who are at risk of redundancy.

Weekly pop-up sessions are being held from 10am until 12pm at Anstey’s community-managed library - on 31st March, and 7th, 14th and 21st April.

Work & Skills Leicestershire also runs at four main centres – at Loughborough Library on Tuesdays 10am until 12 noon, in partnership with Moneywise Plus and on Fridays at Hinckley Library between 10am and 12 noon, in partnership with the WiLL project. There are also sessions at Wigston Library from 10am until 12 noon every Wednesday and at Coalville Library, in partnership with the WiLL project, between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesdays.

Everyone who signs up to Work & Skills Leicestershire is offered one to one support and the opportunity to have a tailored work plan drawn up for them. Help is given with CV and letter writing skills, job searches, interview techniques and much more.

5

CCTV • INTRUDER ALARMS DOOR / GATE INTERCOMS NETWORK • AV Mob: 07932 724926

Email: dvsleicester@gmail.com

To find out more, drop into one of the hubs, call 0800 988 0308 or visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/work-and-skills Later this month, the service will be working with Blaby District Council to support a hospitality, tourism and retail careers event.

Councillor Peter Bedford, cabinet member for post-Covid recovery, said: “Work & Skills Leicestershire has already helped many people seeking a new direction in their working lives and we are delighted to be able to roll it out into communities with our pop-up hubs.

“I would urge anyone who would like to find out more about what Work & Skills Leicestershire can offer, to get in touch and find out more.”

When people go underwater in movies, I like to hold my breath and see if I would have survived in that situation.

6

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Significant local housing applications rejected thanks to Markfield’s Neighbourhood Plan Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald WHEN I WAS much younger, I used to enjoy watching the TV series the ‘A Team’.

Back in the day when we had only four TV channels, most people tended to watch similar things and TV shows from America were always popular. I always remember my younger sister having a particular fascination with the character ‘Mr T’ who was the tough man in the show.

Essentially the programme had the same format every week, some bad people would be up to no good and when nobody else would help, the A Team would step in and against great odds, they would triumph and save the day. There would always be a moment at the end when the A Team’s leader ‘Hannibal Smith’ played by George Peppard would light a big fat cigar and say ‘I love it when a plan comes together’.

This came into my head when we finally got the verdicts on the three outstanding planning applications for Markfield that I discussed in last month’s Herald, and which had been hanging over us for the past year and more. Although confident about the outcome I didn’t want to count any chickens until the decisions were finally taken.

The three applications, which have all been refused by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, would have added some additional 200 plus houses to the 282 being constructed by Jelson and would have been way more than any reasonable allocation for this community up to 2039. The applications were either side of Ashby Rd (one of which was largely in Charnwood Borough and had been passed by them) and on Ratby Lane.

Having these three applications refused didn’t happen by chance; they were essentially the result of a well thought through plan which has at this junction worked and prevented these speculative applications from gaining consent.

This at a time when the Borough Council does not have a 5-year land supply and no up to date local plan. Because of this, any application which is sustainable should according to national planning policy, be passed and not refused.

I have written many times on this subject and played out the various facts in full detail over

the past three years. Nothing has happened which has not been set out in numerous Herald articles.

It is unfortunate that despite this, some (and it’s a very small minority thankfully) still spout ill-judged comments devoid of knowledge or fact, but because that is how they (in the singular) perceive the situation to be, so it must be correct. For the avoidance of doubt, I want to briefly go over how we have got this point and why we have succeeded, but also to acknowledge that this is not yet over.

More than three years ago a group of local resident volunteers supported by myself and the Parish Council started work on developing a local neighbourhood plan. We did this in the knowledge that such a plan would hopefully give some protection to the community in the years to come. It would do this by trying to allocate enough land to accommodate the housing numbers which were likely to be allocated to the Markfield settlement. Markfield was we understood, to be targeted by developers who see it as an ideal place to develop and who are not constrained by notions of community, but to maximise returns on investments made. It wasn’t helped by some land ownership being already controlled by a large developer who had begun development to the south of London Road which was allowed on appeal some 10 years ago.

When this developer brought forward plans to build 450 houses to the south of London Road it was a shock to all of us. This was on a scale much bigger than had ever been anticipated and the Government was now promoting its strategy of ‘build, build, build!’ with an emphasis on accelerating development regardless of consequences. The omens were not great, compounded because the Borough Council had no 5-year land supply (the minimum criteria ensuring 5 years of land for housing growth is available) and the environmental assessment, which was carried out, flagged no strong grounds for opposition despite the feelings of residents.

Based on the appeal verdict from the first development already built to the South of London Road, we were always going to struggle to oppose this application. At this time the Markfield Neighbourhood Plan had also not been completed so it was not going to have any weight

in the planning process. This meant that even if the neighbourhood plan had not chosen the site South of London Road as the preferred location for development it would not have been able to prevent it.

I am very clear, as it stood two years ago, we were facing a 450-house development, South of London Road and Croftway and indications by developers of another possible 400 houses in various other locations. This would have been devastating to our community when we actually only needed to find housing for c300 houses up to 2039, to have a competent and weighty neighbourhood plan. A plan that would provide a strong defence to the speculators who had swarmed upon Markfield.

Thankfully the local neighbourhood plan volunteers stepped up efforts to address these issues and moved at speed to make the sort of progress that would give us back the upper hand. In accepting the very limited (if there was ever any) chance to prevent the developments off London Road and recognising that the past planning appeal verdict had opened up the land for development, this site was chosen (following further public consultation) as the community’s favoured site for future development. In taking this step we were able to engage with the developer Jelson to reduce the scale of their proposal down to 282 homes avoiding vehicular access from Croftway.

What this did was give the neighbourhood plan for Markfield the maximum credibility in the planning system. It was a plan that met the future housing targets set for the village, allowed for a good component of affordable housing for local people and further it would deliver a significant investment in local schools and services to accommodate future population growth.

This plan was taken to a referendum of Markfield residents, and it passed with flying colours. It became a ‘Made’ neighbourhood plan and in doing so it gave the village significant protection. It meant that development sites not in the preferred location would be looked on unfavourably in the planning system despite the Borough Council not having a 5-year land supply or, an up-todate local plan which covers

“It’s remarkable with so much against us that we have achieved what we have.”

Matthew Lay development for the whole Borough.

This has now been tested and has more than demonstrated its value.

All three outstanding applications for further development in Markfield have now been rejected because of the impact of this neighbourhood plan. This includes the development north of Ashby Road which was largely in Charnwood. Further to these victories, the developing local plan for Hinckley & Bosworth includes no further housing allocations for Markfield and complements the neighbourhood plan. This will be important if the Borough Council can ever demonstrate a 5-year land supply again.

If we had adopted any other strategy than the one followed, we would have lost. It’s remarkable with so much against us that we have achieved what we have. Those involved should be congratulated and feel themselves proud. This is not over, and it is possible the defeated applicants will take their case direct to the Government and its planning inspectors. We cannot prevent that, but we are in a good place should they do so. We also need to keep the neighbourhood plan updated and strengthen further when possible. This was a plan worthy of the name, and it has come together at the right time. I want to thank all those who took up the call and got involved when it was needed.

It’s easy to find detractors who can type away on social media knowing little of what they are talking about but who can cause upset and hurt.

It is those who are willing to get stuck in to addressing a problem who count in any community and long may that continue.

I got the sack from my job on the Bumper Cars. I’m appealing against funfair dismissal.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

75 years since the school age was raised

IT WAS 75 YEARS AGO, on 1st April 1947, that the school leaving age in the UK was raised to 15.

This had been planned in 1939 but was delayed because of the outbreak of war. The Education Act of 1944 put it on the Statute Book, and it was brought into effect in 1947.

The same Act created the grammar school / secondary modern system, although grammar schools had existed for many years before that.

The 1944 Act meant that 11-year-olds would sit exams to decide whether they were suitable for an academic or practical education. This was a good idea but poorly executed, which led to those not in grammar schools being regarded as “failures” instead of differently gifted; this was exacerbated by many from poorer schools who passed the exam not being able to take up their places in grammar schools.

In due course this imbalance led to the comprehensive system, with most grammar schools being abolished. The school leaving age was raised to 16 in 1972.

The architect of the 1944 Act, Rab Butler, pushed it through despite Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s objecting to getting involved in all the intricacies and “party politics” of it in wartime. The main problem was the integration of church schools into the state system, which had been attempted unsuccessfully before. But Butler persisted, writing later that, having seen the Promised Land, “I was damned if I was going to die in the Land of Moab”.

One result was the establishment of voluntary aided and voluntary controlled church schools, both of which had at least some of their costs met by the local authority, but differed in the amount of control the authority had. The Act also stipulated a daily act of worship in all schools – although it is still required, this rarely happens today.

Est.

2015

Ben’s Kitchen is based in one of the oldest pubs in Leicestershire offering a wide array of proper, locally sourced homemade food.

Light Lunch / Proper Pub Grub Modern Restaurant / A La Carte Specials Children’s Play Area / Beer Garden Large Car Park / Disabled Access Pooches are also welcome in the pub and garden area.

Famous for Sunday Lunch, Tapas Tuesday and around the world specials from talented, passionate chefs.

Ben’s Kitchen can cater for ANY occasion, fine or simple, small or large and I am now very proud to also offer a beautiful venue called The Old Crown Inn, Snarestone which also has function rooms available to hire.

Don’t just take my word for it!

Ben’s Kitchen is rated one of the best restaurants in Leicester on TripAdvisor with over 250 five star reviews! Just search “Ben’s Kitchen Leicester” to find out more.

Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-9pm, Sundays & Bank Holidays 12pm-5pm Booking recommended to avoid disappointment.

015304486468 info@benskitchenleicester.com benskitchenleicester.com

The nice thing about being single is I’m always there when I need me.

7

8

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk • Tel: 01455 824733 Web: www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt I WANT TO START this month’s update by expressing my thanks and gratitude to the many residents in and around the area who helped to remove hazards, such as fallen trees and debris, from local roads following the recent storms.

Whilst the County Councils response good the entire county was inundated with dozens of obstructions across the county network; so a big thank you to all involved.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee A HOST OF special events will be held in the and county this year to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and mark her 70year reign as monarch.

The events include a garden party which the Lord Lieutenant will host for people turning 70 in 2022, as well as the planting of trees and an art competition for primary school children. There are also awards for businesses and communities for 70 organisations. All you need to know can be found at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee with information also available on how you can arrange your own community event or street party.

Dozens of beacons will be lit on the evening of Thursday, 2nd June to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Local communities, parish councils, schools, youth groups, and farming communities can get in-volved by setting up and lighting beacons, sponsoring beacons, or illuminating a home or building.

Everyone in the city and county is also being invited to plant a tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Anyone wishing to plant their own tree for the Jubilee can access trees through schemes offered by the Woodland Trust.

Residents can also apply to close their street or road for a street party to celebrate on a day over the extended bank holiday weekend, from Thursday, 2nd June to Sunday, 5th June or as part of The Big Lunch on the 5th itself!

Normally, a street party road closure would be subject to an administration fee. However, Leicestershire County Council is waiving the fee for Platinum Jubilee street parties.

Development Matters IT WAS GREAT to receive the news that after much delay HBBC has finally recommended refusal of the Owl Homes development off of Ratby Lane Markfield.

Having met regularly with residents of the retirement village I know the stress that uncertainty has caused to local residents.

It is easy for politicians to take the credit for local successes, but this great result really is testament to months of hard work by Markfield Parish Council (particularly vice-chair Margaret Bowler), the retirement village (in particular John Hales) and the c.100 residents that wrote to the planning authority with their concerns about the proposals. It further demonstrates the added protection that Markfield now has as a result of passing its Neighbourhood Development Plan back in September. A mammoth task years in the making!

County Council Budget 2022/23 IN THE MONTH I spoke at the County Council’s budget meeting on the need to continue to protect the most vulnerable from what is a very challenging financial backdrop.

I very much welcome the Government’s policy of a £150 rebate, due to be paid in April, for all qualifying Band A-D properties; but continue to press for greater funding for local government – who after all deliver so many of the services that local residents depend on day-to-day!

Casework DURING THE MONTH I have worked through a number of local issues including; replacement of street lighting, progression of highways fund initiatives such as MVAS signage and sign cleaning, as well as taking forward a number of planning queries with HBBC – which still appears to be experiencing backlogs in its planning casework.

I would also like to highlight some great work by the County Council’s Highways Team in fixing this footbridge at Botcheston Road, Newtown Unthank; and thank Parish Councils for flagging these issues early on.

Highways Matters HIGHWAYS MATTERS are by far the top issue in my inbox with dozens of requests for reviews of speed limits, speed bumps, and cameras across the area.

Whilst measures will only go so far; I am pleased to confirm that the County Council has decided to continue with the Members Highways Fund for another year. If you do have any ideas of any minor highways initiatives that you would like me to consider please get in touch!

If I can help with any local issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes,

Peter

(County Councillor for Markfield, Desford & Thornton) E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt

HBBC Review to look at how local communities are run PEOPLE in Hinckley & Bosworth are being given their say on how their local communities are run.

This is because the Borough Council is reviewing parish and town council electoral arrangements in the borough and wants to hear people’s views.

Called a Community Governance Review, it will look at how local communities across the area are governed to make sure the arrangements are appropriate and relevant. It has been 10 years since the last review took place.

The review will consider: • creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes; • the naming of parishes and the style of new parishes; • the electoral arrangements for parishes (the ordinary year of election; council size; the number of councillors to be elected to the council, and parish warding), and • grouping parishes under a common parish council.

Deadline for initial consultation is Wednesday 18 May. The terms of reference can be viewed on the council’s website at www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/communitygovernance or at the Hinckley Hub. Maps showing the current boundaries can also be viewed on the website or at the Hub.

I accidentally took an extra step when I reached the top of the stairs and now I’m in a marching band.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Hard floor cleaning On site curtain cleaning Rugs, including oriental and antique All types of upholstery, especially leather RUGS - we are CLEANING SPECIALISTS traditional Persian or Chinese, Gabbeh or Kilim, we even love Wiltons and Shaggy ones!

01530 244900 ■ 07825 795558 stuart@theprofessionalcarpetcleaner.co.uk www.sjscarpetcleaners.co.uk CHECK OUT QUALITY OF OUR SERVICE ON SJS GOOGLE REVIEWS FOR BOTH LEICESTER AND LOUGHBOROUGH

0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way.

• Qualified Funeral Directors • Floral Tributes arranged • Hearse, Limousines and alternatives available • Monumental Service • Car parking available

• Online tribute and donation profile • Catering suite • Chapels of rest • Funeral plans available • 24 hour service

Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred.

Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com

I thought it was my birthday cake but it was just the shed on fire.

9

10

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Letter

Irresponsible Dog Owners Caught on Camera A MARKFIELD Resident wrote an excellent letter in the February issue of The Herald, about irresponsible dog owners not picking up their dog’s poo.

I agree with everything the Markfield Resident said. I have actually used video footage of my home CCTV system, to report these bad dog owners and enjoy knowing they got fined!

When out for my daily walk, I have noticed many dog owners who intentionally walk several paces ahead of their dog, and do not have their dog on a lead. The dog trails behind, and inevitably does a poo on someone’s front garden or footpath.

The bad dog owner does not notice this as they intentionally carry on walking in front of their dog — just so they can avoid picking up their dog’s poo, because they “didn’t see it”!

When I have been walking behind such bad offenders, I have whipped out my mobile phone, taken a photo and/or a video of the offensive dog and owner, and sent it off to the council.

It would be great if someone could create a specific website about this problem locally, where the general public can anonymously submit their photos or videos, of these irresponsible dog owners, to be uploaded to the website. Then, these awful people can be recognised via photos & videos, name and shamed by others — on a local level!

Hope this letter makes these bad dog owners aware that they are being watched and filmed for their bad behaviour - in not picking up after their dog’s poo via not putting their dog on a lead and walking in front of their dog.

Fingers crossed that due to photos and video footage being taken and submitted, resulting in fines for such bad behaviour, will alter their behaviour for the better, for everyone’s benefit.

Name and Address Supplied

Comfort

AS THE NEW vicar in the community, I tried to have a friendly word for everybody. And so, even while I sat in the reception area of my doctor’s surgery, I felt ‘on duty’.

Just then a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room.

As she went to the receptionist’s desk, the man sat there, alone and silent. I was thinking I should make small talk with him when a little boy slipped off his mother’s lap and walked over to the wheelchair.

Placing his hand on the man’s, he said companionably, “I know just how stupid you feel. My mum makes me ride in the pushchair, too.”

Letter

A big thank you from The Bridge FROM US ALL at The Bridge (East Midlands), we would like to thank the Markfield and local community for your support that enables us to prevent and relieve the homelessness of our vulnerable clients across Leicestershire.

We would like to thank in particular, the congregations of the churches of the Markfield benefice, and Churches Together in Markfield; whose fundraising and donations have helped our clients start their new lives in safe and secure homes.

Your generosity makes a real difference, daily.

The pandemic has affected us all, resulting in new way of working for many. The vital support work of The Bridge (East Midlands) has evolved to be a hybrid version of in-person, over the phone and online assistance. As a leading regional charity, our response is to move away from our long-term home in Loughborough to a new satellite hub model of locations across Leicestershire.

From 1 March 2022, we will no longer be located at 38 Leicester Road, Loughborough, our main office since October 2006 - and we will relocate to a developing community hub model. Frequent updates will be made in the coming months with details of drop-in venues across the county, developing a new, exciting, and responsive way of supporting our community.

This will also change the way we work with physical donations, so please if you have any queries, please get in touch through socialmedia@thebridgeeastmidlands.org.uk

Don’t forget: Tell them you saw their advert here!

Our fabulous advertisers make your magazine possible - please use them if you can.

I always put in a full eight hours at work. Spread out over the course of the week.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

11

Forthcoming Events at Little Markfield Farm 25th March 7pm.

CHURCH SUPPER WITH QUIZ £10.00 each, Jacket Potato and Mince.

Vegetarian option available EASTER EGG HUNT on 9th and 14th April £3.00 per child 24TH APRIL DRIVE IT DAY If you would like to book a classic/ vintage, vehicle in for the road run please email Brenda at brenda_featherstone@hotmail.com Or Tel 07774 047571 13TH MAY BARN DANCE -7PM £10.00 each including food Raising money for Markfield Church 12TH JUNE OPEN FARM SUNDAY 10.30am to 3.30pm See Little Markfield Farm Facebook page for more info about the events.

ELECTRICIAN A one-stop professional & reliable service ♦Fixed Wiring Testing ♦Landlord Certification ♦Expert Fault Finding ♦Fuse Board Upgrades ♦Extra Sockets & Lights ♦Electric Heating

♦Complete Rewiring (with minimal disruption)

♦Cottage Specialists ♦Electrics Showers (Inc. Plumbing) ♦Security (Alarms, CCTV, Lights) ♦Free No Obligation Quotes

Control Electrics (Leics.) Ltd

Call: 0116 268 2910 Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7BR

I’ll clean my house when the last kid has moved out.

12

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Talk to Your Cat: How to communicate with your feline friend

By Susie Green

WE ALL KNOW cats can talk – but how do we find out what our cat is actually saying?

Talk to Your Cat is the book that reveals the secrets of the enigmatic feline. With a host of cat lore and wisdom, as well as explaining body language, facial expressions, and the meaning of meows, the book breaks down the mysteries surrounding why cats do what they do!

You’ll find information on cat psychology, how breeding controls behaviour, finding the root cause of what has made your cat unhappy and all sorts of fascinating facts to help you better understand your feline friend. Soon you will know everything there is to know about your cat! But we may never understand why they knocked that glass off the table…

The Markfield Defibrillator Project March Update

HOW MUCH can one fit into a month?

The answer for this project is quite a lot, which could be even more by the time you read this.

We have had another most generous donation from Markfield residents. This and the previous donations will enable the Project to help ensure that Markfield has top quality Defibrillator (AED) coverage for the future, for example to support the installation of AEDs at sites that could otherwise struggle to raise all the money to buy and fit an AED and its cabinet.

AED Cabinets will soon start popping up all over Markfield!

THE COACH AND HORSES has made brilliant progress and expects to take delivery of its first Defibrillator and Cabinet in early March. Watch out for more details and further news in next month’s Herald.

HILL LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE is on the brink of starting the work to purchase a 24/7 AED and Cabinet.

MARKFIELD LIBRARY is poised to start the purchase process for an AED and Cabinet to be available 24/7 providing AED cover in the locality including Mercenfeld Primary School.

MARKFIELD’S COMMUNITY CENTRE has long wanted its Defibrillator (AED) outside the Centre available to the community 24/7. The Project put the Centre in contact with the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (jhmt.defibrillators@gmail.com) who, among its activities, provide assistance for the acquisition of secure AED cabinets for organisations providing community sports facilities, with a particular focus on those for young people. Following a meeting and discussions the Trust very generously agreed to provide the Centre with a state of the art Defibsafe 2 Cabinet with a secure coded lockable polycarbonate door (the material used for police shields). Its 24/7 availability fulfils the Centre’s hopes and will be a big boost to the Project’s aim for maximum AED coverage across the community.

On behalf of the Markfield community the Community Centre and the Project are hugely grateful to the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust.

AND A NEWS FLASH! I’ve just heard that Sporting Markfield FC who play at Altar Stones Sports Ground have just received an AED from the Football Association. Great News.

More excitement for the April Herald!: Three, four, perhaps even five other sites should be well on the way between now and the next edition.

As ever I must thank all those who have given support to the Project in so many ways, but this month I would like to give a special mention to Ben Ryrie from the East Midlands Ambulance Service. Since late October Ben has patiently given advice and coped with my endless questions, and two weeks ago he even toured Markfield with me, visited all the probable sites, gave helpful comments and advice, and a nod of approval for each one of them. Thank you Ben. To support the Project or help one of the AED sites, or to find out more about the Project please contact: Robert at MarkfieldAEDProject@outlook.com

• New Guttering • Wood Staining • Repointing • Ridge Tiles • Chimney Stacks • Roof Valley • Dry Verge • Flat Roofing • Dry Ridge • Lead Flashing • Moss Removal • Slate/Tile Roofing • UPVC Fascia, Soffits & Gutters FREE QUOTATION AND FREE EMERGENCY CALL OUT Proprietor: Elias Bell

1 Maynard Close, Bagworth, LE67 1BU

Mobile: 07494820600 - Telephone: 01530 231 631 Email: eandlmaintenanceltd@outlook.com Doing yoga got me out of the habit of biting my fingernails. Now I bite my toenails.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Latest news from the Friends of Charnwood Forest IT IS A LONG TIME since I wrote one of these reports, but, on Wednesday 23rd February, the Friends of the Charnwood Forest held a face-to-face meeting at Woodhouse Village Hall, so I have taken up the pen (keyboard actually) once more.

Dr Jack Matthews spoke on the subject “Building a UNESCO Global Geopark in Charnwood”. This involved describing the evolution and events of 460,000,000,000 years, not easy to do in 45 minutes. He therefore concentrated on one outstanding fossil which was discovered by a schoolboy in 1957 which has been named Charnia, and which has been shown to be one of the oldest recorded animals on earth recently.

It is the one that looks rather like a feather.

A UNESCO Global Geopark is a single geographical area where sites and landscapes of international importance are maintained, with the aims of protection, education and sustained development. The object of Dr Matthew’s work is to include Charnwood in the lists of such sites.

There is no suggestion of restrictions of access; the intent is only to bring international attention to its existence.

The next meeting of the friends will be on March 23rd (lock-down day), when Richard Bailey of Bawdon Lodge Farm will speak on “Not just a field and a farm – diversification of Charnwood Forest”. It will take place after the A.G.M. at the Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall.

I love what you’ve done with your hair. How do you get it to come out of the nostrils like that?

13

14

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Planning Apps

National Trust Leicester Association

Turn your unwanted items into CASH!

Proposed alterations to the existing dormer bungalow including internal / external alterations including render - at 28 Lawnwood Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0BH Single Storey Detached garage/ store - at 160 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DP Two storey side extension, loft conversion and other alterations at 2 Parkside, Groby, Leicester LE6 0EB Dormer window extension to front roof elevation - at 1 Meadowcourt Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DW First floor front extension and single storey rear/side extensions - at 46 Jacqueline Road, Field Head, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9RB Single storey extensions to front and side of dwelling - at 26 Preston Close, Stanton Under Bardon, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9TX Demolition of existing workshop, erection of new twin-bay workshop - at Keith Burdett Haulage Contractor, Broad Lane, Stanton Under Bardon, Markfield Leics. LE67 9TB Single storey rear extension and conversion of garage into habitable room - at 33 London Road, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9UR

Useful Gardening Tip THE EASIEST way to tell the difference between young plants and weeds is to pull up everything. If they come up again, they’re weeds.

Are You De-Cluttering?

OUR LOCAL NT property, Stoneywell Cottage at Ulverscroft, reopened to the public on 4th March. It is now open until 31st October, four days a week, Friday to Monday, 10.00am to 4.30pm and all visits have to be pre booked to comply with the planning permission from the local council.

Towards the end of last year some damp patches appeared on the wall of the master bedroom. So over the closed season investigation work took place to reveal the cause of any water ingress. Originally it was thought that there was a leak in the roof but the investigation revealed that the roof was in excellent condition and that the damp was due to cracks in the chimney stack.

Some internal work has been carried out which required both the master bedroom and the adjacent bedroom to be completely cleared of furniture and artefacts. This large task was assisted by an army of NT staff from Charlecote Park and Sudbury Hall. However the majority of the work will be carried out in the spring when scaffolding will be required and the property may need to close for one weekend.

Other work carried out over the closed season included servicing the shuttlebus and the fire and intruder alarms and some remedial electrical work. Also a large oak gate post to the drive had to be replaced. This was all in addition to the usual winter clean throughout the property.

When the cottage reopens a new system of cottage tours will be in operation. The tours will alternate throughout the day between guided tours and self led exploration with a brief introduction being given prior to entering the cottage. In addition the four acres of garden and eleven acres of woodland will be open throughout the day.

• THE NT LEICESTER ASSOCIATION has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 23rd March when Pat Hall will present an illustrated talk entitled “Life can be Funny”. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm.

There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 12th April at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm.

Following a short AGM Joe Whitehead will present an illustrated talk entitled “Burghley House Gardens”.

Admission to meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 222 9133 or visit our web site at www.leicesternt.com New members are always welcome.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

I am interested in: Jewellery Silver China Brass Ornaments Artwork Sculpture Fair Prices Paid for Items in Good Condition

RAGE

&RARE Call Vic

07583 016098

Grandparents

• Grandmothers are mums with lots of frosting. - Anon • Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. - Pam Brown • Grandchildren don’t stay young forever, which is good because grandfathers have only so many horsy rides in them. - Gene Perret • You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.

- Proverb

Mobile, Visiting Chiropodist, Podiatrist SUFFERING FOOT PROBLEMS? Why not have them treated in the comfort of your own home?

Treatments include: Corns, Callus, Nail Cutting, Nail Problems, Diabetic Foot Care, Plus More.

Please contact Christine at Stepwell Podiatry

Tel: 07954 052 736

Or email: stepwell.pod@gmail.com

Retirement is wonderful. It’s doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

A big Thank You from St Peter’s Church, Thornton

15

Bookings now being taken for Easter Sunday 17th April

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

A HUGE THANK you to everyone who supported our first ever Clear Out Sale at Thornton Community Centre.

The glorious weather added to this very happy day. On sale were items of every kind from children’s toys, games and books to vacuum cleaners and bread makers, ornaments, cuddly toys, beautiful hand crafted items, jewellery, pots for the garden, cutlery, walking sticks, bedside cabinets, crafting kits, retro clothes…... Wow. So much to choose from and at bargain prices. An indoor Car Boot but without the car boot or the cold outdoors!

The Water and Wine game was extremely popular and ran out of wine! The quiz taxed our brains.

Don’t forget to submit your entry; there is still time. The kitchen did a sterling job with bacon

St Peter’s Church in Thornton will benefit from the £500 raised at the Clear Out Sale and sausage baps and plentiful supplies of tea and coffee.

After donations were included, an amazing sum of £500 was made for the upkeep of Thornton’s beautiful ancient church. Thank you!

Following on from the success of this venture we are hoping to have more of these events in the future. Do watch out for details.

All the tables were booked very quickly. I am sorry to those of you who would have liked one but were unlucky this time.

Thanks again to everyone who supported this event or helped in any way.

Shirley Garlick on behalf of the Friends of St Peter’s

You can read the latest issue of The Herald on the website in page flip form.

Go to www.markfieldherald.co.uk - click on The Magazine tab, and then click on the image of the magazine.

WEDNESDAY is

“STEAK NIGHT” 2 Steaks, With Hand-Cut Chips, Peas, Tomato, Mushrooms & Two Glasses of House Wine - £19.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £9.95 2 Courses - £12.95 3 Courses - £15.95

With personal service to your table

Home-Made Pie Night - TUESDAY- FROM £6.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

WANTED VINYL RECORDS

ALBUMS & SINGLES IN GOOD CONDITION ALL GENRES CONSIDERED WHOLE COLLECTIONS PURCHASED RING JOHNNY ON 07941 237223

or email: strawdog33@hotmail.com

Hey, if anyone knows how to fix some broken hinges, my door’s always open.

16

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Final Bagworth School Memories from Bob Austin IN 1973 Mr D Fearnehough became the new Headmaster at Bagworth.

At the Managers’ meeting on March 6 they were told that Mrs Towersey had resigned as the ancillary assistant. Mrs Pittam of Kirby Muxloe had replaced her. It was suggested that if the temporary buildings were to continue, then perhaps the old buildings needed to be demolished.

The Headmaster suggested that they should consider offering nursery education.

At March 31 there was £75.98 in the Maynard Trust account. The Headmaster was given £35 for school books from the Maynard Trust at the Managers’ meeting on June 5.

The Managers’ meeting on November 6 heard that there were no definite proposals about a new school but it was under active consideration. However, the Director of Education did not want to spend money on a site that might not be required. In addition there would probably be cut backs in the money that was available to Local Education Authorities from the Government.

The Managers were disappointed by the lack of progress. They wanted to know about a new school as soon as possible.

At the same meeting it was noted that Coalville Urban District Council was allowing members of the public to swim at the same time that the baths were being used by schools. This was felt to be a retrograde step.

Consequently, the schools in the district had cancelled their use of the baths for three months as a protest. £7 was granted to J Wilson from the Maynard Trust.

Mrs Pittam resigned as of the end of the Autumn term.

In 1974, the Managers’ meeting on March 19 heard about the recent death of Mr H Roberts who had been a Manager for many years. Tribute was paid to his life

Can you see yourself in this photo?

Girls enjoying a game of netball. and the work he had done for the school. They then stood for a moment’s silence as a token of respect for his memory.

The meeting heard that the Education Authority had earmarked a site of two acres for a new school in Bagworth.

The land was allocated by the NCB to Market Bosworth Rural District Council. If extra land was required in the future for playing fields, then they would need to look outside of this safe area. With regard to the site in question, the RDC had erected some bungalows for old people on part of it. Leicestershire Education Committee had held their last meeting. The

new Leicestershire Education Committee with new powers and responsibilities would begin on 1 April 1974.

The Managers acknowledged the difficulties but felt that there should be some satisfaction in making negotiations for the new site for the school. Mr Ball showed a plan for 26 houses and 60 bungalows giving total accommodation for 312 people.

The County Council had given permission for the plan to be put into operation and the work would probably start in 6 months time. The possibility of younger people being housed there could increase the numbers on roll at the school. It was also noted that the difficulties with the Coalville Baths had also been resolved.

The final point was that the Local Government Reorganisation would come into force on 1 April 1974. The Instruments and Rules of Management for all Primary Schools would have to be revised. [This is the last of the Managers’ minutes and the last of the information I gained from the Leicestershire Records Office.]

There was a great deal of material published in local newspapers regarding the closing of Bagworth School. So many letters were written to the Leicester Mercury that the Editor wrote in his newspaper that they would no longer publish any more letters on this matter from Mrs Blanche Holmes and Mrs Celia Miles.

Eventually the Bagworth School was closed and demolished.

Many of the children were transferred to Dove Bank in Nailstone, along with the school bell.

One of the last images of Bagworth School

Children and energy drinks UP TO A THIRD of our children are consuming energy drinks every week, according to recent research by the British Medical Journal.

The study, commissioned by the government, found that some under-18s have as many as five or more a week.

Now experts have found that too many energy drinks lead to physical symptoms such as having trouble sleeping, irritability, headaches, and stomach problems. Having an energy drink on five or more days a week can result in low psychological, physical, educational and overall well-being.

One scientist from the University of York said that the findings “offer support for a Government policy banning the sale of energy drinks to children.”

Positive Thoughts “When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the centre of every constellation, and people want to be near you.” – Shannon Alder

Diet Day #1 - I removed all the fattening food from my house. It was delicious.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

INITIAL CONSULTATION New Groby employment park proposed near A46/A50 roundabout

FAST FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ZANUSSI

BOSCH

Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 8kg Load Capacity E Rated 2yr Guarantee

Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7kg Load Capacity D Rated Express Wash

ZWF845B4PW

14 Programmes

15 Programmes

HOTPOINT

Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7Kg Load Capacity 28 Min Fast Full Load 16 Programmes D Rated

Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7kg Load Capacity D Rated 45min Rapid Wash

NSWE743UWS

White

BOSCH

BEKO

Dishwasher 12 Place Settings 4 Programmes Time Delay Vario Speed F Rated

Tall Freezer Frost Free F Rated 168 Ltr (Net) White H145 W54.5 D59cm

SMS24AW01G

Development of the 57 hectare site, located next to the A50, would respond to a continuing need for employment sites in Leicestershire and support long-term growth of the local economy – with the potential for over 2,000 jobs across the manufacturing, light industrial and logistics sectors, which offer an increasingly diverse range of employment opportunities.

WAJ28008GB

Blomberg

LWF174310W

PLANS TO CREATE a new net zero ready employment park and increase coverage of the National Forest in Groby are being unveiled as part of an initial consultation.

17

Fitted Kitchens We are pleased to announce that we are now agents for A.W.E Kitchens and Bedrooms Who specialise in Bespoke made to measure kitchen & bedroom furniture Please call in for further details

FREE DELIVERY

FCFM1545W

ANSTEY

with Personal Service

“Ask About our Same Day/Next Day Installation and Removal Service”

The plans are at a very early stage and include proposals to increase coverage of the National Forest, with plans to create a new five acre community woodland on a nearby site known as the Klondyke.

The vision for the new employment park is being brought forward by Midlands-based property company, IM Properties which aims to provide a home for local and national companies needing to expand and improve their existing accommodation, while also attracting successful new businesses to the area. When completed and fully operational, the development has the potential to generate an estimated £182 million GVA productivity boost and support a more resilient local economy.

Do you run a local community group or club?

Publicise your activities in The Herald!

Send your email to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an oriental chocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa.

18

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

DATE DATE

Dear Friends, MARCH this year starts with Shrove Tuesdaypancakes, yum! How do you eat yours?

When I was at university, there seemed to be a “who can eat the most disgusting combination of toppings?” competition going on. Sausage and golden syrup, anyone?

But why do we eat pancakes?

Yes, they’re nice comfort food on cold days. But it goes back to when most people fasted during Lent- not eating nothing, but eating less, and much more simply.

Pancakes used up their eggs, butter and other things they weren’t allowed to eat.

But why fast? Was it just part of the Church being miserable spoil-sports?

Well, the Church has sometimes (fairly or otherwise) had that reputation.

But for many people, it was a way of living more simply, setting certain things aside for a while, so they could focus on God more. It was also a way of remembering that good food wasn’t to be taken for granted.

Today, talk of shortages, and rises in the cost of living, remind us that good food, and other good things, are not to be taken for granted. I hope that we will be thankful for the good things we have, and become more generous in how we share them with others.

Judith Lincoln

Minister, Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org FB Markfield Methodist Church

Local Church Services CHURCH CHURCH

13 March 22 St Michaels and 13 March 22 St AllMichaels Angels, and All Angels, Markfield Markfield St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, Copt Oak Oak St Peter's, St Peter's, Thornton Thornton St Mary's, St Mary's, Stanton under Stanton Bardon under 20 March 22 Bardon St Michaels and 20 March 22 St AllMichaels Angels, and All Angels, Markfield Markfield St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, Copt Oak Oak St Peter's, St Peter's, Thornton Thornton St Mary's, St Mary's, Stanton under Stanton Bardon under 27 March 22 Bardon St Michaels and 27 March 22 St AllMichaels Angels, and All Angels, Markfield Markfield St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, Copt Oak Oak St Peter's, St Peter's, Thornton Thornton St Mary's, St Mary's, Stanton under Stanton Bardon under Bardon 3 April 22 St Michaels and 3 April 22 St AllMichaels Angels, and All Angels, Markfield Markfield St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, Copt Oak Oak St Peter's, St Peter's, Thornton Thornton St Mary's, St Mary's, Stanton under Stanton under Bardon Bardon 10 April 22 St Michaels and 10 April 22 St AllMichaels Angels, and All Angels, Markfield Markfield St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, Copt Oak Oak St Peter's, St Peter's, Thornton Thornton St Mary's, St Mary's, Stanton under Stanton Bardon under Bardon

TIME TIME

SERVICE SERVICE

6.00pm 6.00pm

Holy Communion Holy Communion

3.00pm 3.00pm

Praise Service Praise Service

10.30am 10.30am

J22 Community Service J22 Community Service

10.30am 10.30am

Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

10.30am 10.30am

CTiM United Service CTiM United Service

3.00pm 3.00pm

Holy Communion Holy Communion

10.30am 10.30am

Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

10.30am 10.30am

J22 Community Service J22 Community Service

10.30am 10.30am

Holy Communion Holy Communion

6.00pm 6.00pm

Evening Prayer Evening Prayer

10.30am 10.30am

Holy Communion Holy Communion

10.30am 10.30am

Something Different Service Something Different Service

10.30am 10.30am

J22 Community Worship J22 Community Worship

6.00pm 6.00pm

Holy Communion Holy Communion

10.30am 10.30am

All Age Service All Age Service

10.30am 10.30am

Holy Communion Holy Communion

6.00pm 6.00pm

Holy Communion Holy Communion

3.00pm 3.00pm

Praise Service Praise Service

10.30am 10.30am

J22 Community Service J22 Community Service

10.30am 10.30am

Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

MARKFIELD METHODIST CHURCH

MARKFIELD METHODIST CHURCH CAKES Please join us on SATURDAY APRIL 2ND 10.00 – 12.00 It would be lovely to see you.

TOMBOLA

BOOKS & CDs TOASTED TEACAKES NAME THE RABBIT

FLOWER FESTIVAL

“QUEEN, COUNTRY & COMMONWEALTH” We have started to plan another Flower Festival in our church, this time for the Platinum Jubilee of The Queen, on 3rd, 4th, 5th June.

The theme is “Queen, Country & Commonwealth”. Please put it in your diaries.

We have always valued the support of village groups and invite them to join us again in making their own flower displays.

So if you have the desire to participate, or know anyone who would, please let me know – it is open to anyone.

“Do come and have a try.”

Call Ann Lay on 01530 242166

The first time I met my wife, I knew she was a keeper. She was wearing massive gloves.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Services at Trinity Methodist Church Markfield

www.markfieldmethodistchurch. org FB: Markfield Methodist Church Sunday 13th March 10.30 a.m. Morning worship Sunday 20th March 10.30 a.m. CTiM United Service at Markfield Congregational Community Church Sunday 27th March Mothering Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning worship 6.00 p.m. Taize Prayer Sunday 3rd April Passion Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning worship with extracts from Stainer’s “Crucifixion” sung by the church choir.

Sunday 10th April Palm Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship. CTiM United Service 10.30 a.m. CTiM Procession of Witness with songs, readings and prayer.

We extend a warm welcome to everyone to join us for worship & praise.

Positive Thoughts “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful, and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” – Jack Layton

19

The Life and Times of Mary Attenborough (1896-1961)

BY Richard Graves

A VOICE for women! Richard Graves delves into topics such as social history, women’s history and education in this compelling biography of Mary Attenborough.

Mary’s own story is here revealed and given value in its own right, not merely as ‘the wife of ...’ or ‘the mother of ...’. This remarkable woman deserves her own place in history.

Mary Clegg was a spirited young woman from a liberal, non-conformist background in the East Midlands, the daughter of a head teacher and pioneering educationalist. He believed not just in the value of a broad education, but also in the importance of a stimulating learning environment.

When Mary married one of her father’s former teaching staff, effectively relinquishing the chance of an independent career for herself, she focused on supporting her husband’s career and nurturing her three sons. However, Mary’s innate vitality could not be constrained by ‘domestic tasks’ alone.

As war loomed again during the 1930s Mary’s humanitarian instincts were given full rein as she quite literally rescued and saved young lives, innocent victims of warped political ideologies in Europe.

David Attenborough writes in his foreword for the book, “The suggestion that my mother’s life should be researched and written about came from Richard Graves, one of Leicester’s most enterprising local historians. He had become aware of her existence during his investigations into the story of the refugee children who had been taken in by Leicester people... I welcomed Richard’s suggestion that he might research and write an account of her life. I am very grateful indeed that he has done so, for I have discovered many things about my mother’s life from the following pages that until now, I never knew.”

Richard Graves was educated at Wyggeston Boys’ Grammar School, Leicester, and gained a B.A. in German at Bedford College, University of London. He then embarked on a career in public sector social housing management. Since retiring, he has indulged his life-long interest in Local and European History. He has researched and written several articles for the Leicestershire Historian, journal of the Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society. Richard lives in Leicestershire with his wife Hazel.

Pressure Washing & Garden Upkeep LOCAL, FRIENDLY SERVICE • • • • •

Driveways Patios Garden Walls Decking Garden Furniture

• • • • •

Trimming & Pruning Lawn Mowing Lawn Care Weed Control Border Upkeep CALL TIM for a FREE QUOTATION

on 07942 321709 OR EMAIL tim@kerb-appeal.co.uk FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

Web: www.kerb-appeal.co.uk

My Dad told me to invest my money in bonds. So I bought 100 copies of Goldfinger.

20

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community and Sports Centre News Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com BUSY TIMES ARE BACK AGAIN!

MAYFLOWER CLUB

IT IS WONDERFUL and heart-warming to see the Centre so busy and buzzing with activities both new and old with everything from sports to party bookings back again. Our thanks go to all our customers, our hardworking staff and for all your support for the Centre during these difficult times.

HERE’S JUST a few of the things we have been doing over the past month:

The Markfield Good Neighbour’s Scheme is still solidly in place and continued to provide voluntary support to people in need throughout the past months. So, it is still OKAY to ask for help if you need it. Just call us on 07885 243033 and we will see what we can do for you.

FAMILY CHARITY DISCO A FAMILY DISCO will be held at the Centre on Saturday 30th April from 7.30pm till late.

This is our first big function since lockdown which is good news. The event is aimed at raising funds for Cancer Research. The cost is £5 per person and includes a buffet and disco. There will be raffle envelopes with lots of great prizes and a ‘Guess the Teddy Name’ game for children. The event is ticket only and tickets can be purchased from the Event organiser Dianne on 07748 915829. Everyone welcome, come along to enjoy a great night out whilst raising money for a great cause.

MARKFIELD DEFIBRILLATOR SCHEME FOLLOWING MEETINGS with Charles Poole of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and Robert Quiney, the lead on the Markfield Defibrillator Project, I am really pleased to inform you that we are to be provided with a DefibSafe cabinet.

Once we have received the cabinet we will be able to relocate the Centre’s Defibrillator outside the Centre for public emergency use at all times. A big thank you goes to Charles and Robert for their support and advice in helping us get this important facility up and running.

NEW AT THE CENTRE Mum and Baby Exercise Class

New classes will take place on Monday mornings from 9.30am to 10.15am. For bookings and further information please visit www. mumandmia.uk/classes

Zumba

A new ZUMBA class will start at the Centre on Thursday 10th March from 8pm to 9pm. For further information please contact the Centre

Easter Holiday Football Camp

During the Easter Holidays there will be a Football Camp for children aged 3 to 6 years on 11th and 12th April from 10am to 3pm.

Mayflower Creative Arts Club

The Centre’s new Creative Arts and Crafts Club is now fully up and running. Our tutors Jayne and Michelle are teaching people how to make some wonderful objects that you can take home with pride and show off to your family and friends.

Currently members are starting to make their very own wall clocks decorated with cute animals (see photograph). If you would like to join in just turn up on the day or contact the Centre for further information.

Sessions are held on Monday afternoons and only cost £2 per session with materials provided.

Clock that Creative Arts Club is now making

• ON THE 2ND FEBRUARY we celebrated the Chinese New Year. Did you know that 2022 is the year of the Tiger? Chinese years are named after 12 creatures who, as legend has it, had a Great Race to see who could reach the Jade Emperor first. By a bit of cheating the race was won by the Rat followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and in last place the Pig. Each animal has both positive and negative characteristics so it was fun going round the room to see what each member was.

We then had a Chinese noodle eating competition using chop sticks with various degrees of success or mostly abject failure.

The competition was brilliantly won by Margaret who was presented with a prize by our guest Yvonne. Finally, everyone got their very own fortune cookie to mark the occasion.

On the 9th February our Creative Arts Tutors helped us mark Saint Chinese Noodle Eating Valentine’s Day with members competition Guest Yvonne making a Valentine’s Theme wall giving prize to winner hanging love hearts.

Margaret • ON THE 16TH FEBRUARY Sue Stanyard of Lakeside Wills came along to give a very informative talk on the importance of making Wills and Probate. It was a low key talk but, from the questions asked by members it is clearly an area of concern and worry. Sue was able to answer the concerns and questions raised by members.

• ON THE 23RD FEBRUARY we celebrated the 9th Anniversary of the of the start of the Mayflower Club at the Centre. Coincidently as in February 2013 we were experiencing yet another storm with high winds and heavy rain.

But our members were not deterred and turned out to mark the occasion. Over the nine years Julie with Creative Arts we have put on literally hundreds Valentines Wall love hearts of Mayflower and Friendship Club sessions. Even throughout the Pandemic lockdowns we managed to hold virtual club sessions thanks to the support of Carole Kemp. The sessions included a host social events, indoor activities and games, talks on items of interest and wellbeing, celebration events, parties and trips out.

A collage of photographs taken over the years brought back many fond memories and a chuckle or two. After cutting the anniversary cake members settled down to party cakes and a cuppa. We are all looking forward to the next year and to marking a decade of the Mayflower Club.

Sessions for the coming months include: • 16th March: St Patrick’s “Day at the Races” • 13th April: Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Egg Hunt • 24th April: St George’s “Pub Quiz” On the 1st June we are going to Ulverscroft Manor for a meal to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

If you would like to join in just come along to the sessions and you will be most welcome. The Friendship Club is on Monday afternoons

I was raised as an only child, which really annoyed my sister.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

21

Words & pictures from Ron & Dawn Grantham 2pm to 4pm and the Mayflower Club is on Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm. In both cases it only costs £2 per session and includes light refreshments. For further information please contact the Centre.

NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE THE NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE really appreciate using the Community Centre for blood donation sessions so much so, they have provided a list of sessions for 2022.

The dates are shown below. You can book your blood donation appointment on line with the National Blood Service and “Do something amazing” by donating your much needed blood.

DONATION DATES FOR 2022: • 11th May • 6th July • 31st August • 26th October • 21st December All sessions are from 11.30am to 9pm

For bookings and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre,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.

Ron and Dawn Grantham

Get yourself going this Spring!

ONE THING you need to put at the top of your list this Spring is to simply MOVE.

Whether you like gardening, cycling, jogging, walking or any other activity, make certain that you do some of it every day.

As Prof James Goodwin, of the Brain Health Network in London explains, “Only 25 per cent of our ageing – both physical and mental – is determined by our DNA. The other 75 per cent is lifestyle and our environment, over which we have a lot of choice.”

He goes to explain that aerobic exercise indirectly stimulates the brain, and thus rejuvenates it. “Prolonged daily sitting down is the enemy of brain health.”

Prof Goodwin also advises people to develop a healthy routine and stick to it. “Constantly varying bedtimes, drinking and eating excesses, and irregular habits are bad for you.”

Markfield Acupuncture Clinic Acupuncture has proven bene ts in the treatment of a range of medical conditions including the management of Chronic Pain, Migraines, Tinnitus, Fertility, Mental Health and many more. Please get in touch if you have any questions or to book an appointment.

Contact: Hayley Curd on 07500 808762 or email contact@mark eldacupunctureclinic.co.uk

Hayley Curd MBAcC is a fully licensed member of the British Acupuncture Council.

LFE Film Evenings on Thursday 7 April will feature “Six Minutes to Midnight”.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1939, influential families in Nazi Germany have sent their daughters to a finishing school in an English seaside town to learn the language and be ambassadors for a future looking National Socialist.

A teacher there sees what is coming and is trying to raise the alarm, but the authorities believe he is the problem. The cast includes Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard Carla Juri and Jim Broadbent.

Phil Durham

01530 231928 Mob: 07535 182402 290 Station Road BAGWORTH LE67 1BN

IT’S BACK!

2 CARPETS FOR £50

Venue: the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, LFE, LE3 3JE. On arrival complimentary hot drink and biscuits are provided. As we have no licence, please feel free to bring your own drinks.

You also get a free raffle ticket for a double ticket prize to be used for a future showing.

Doors open at 7.00pm; showing starts at 7.30pm. Cost: £5.

Dem Bones, dem bones

IT HAS BEEN said that the body of any organisation is made up of four types of bones….

There are the Wishbones – who spend their time wishing someone else would do something about the problem under discussion….

There are the Jawbones – who spend their time talking about the problem.

There are the Knucklebones – who spend their time knocking everything that everyone has already done or would like to do.

Finally, there are the Backbones who quietly come along, get under the load, and carry it! Which type of bone are you?

My girlfriend is absolutely beautiful. Body like a Greek statue – completely pale, no arms.

22

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community Library News Is it us or is this year flying by already?

First of all, we had a wonderful coffee morning at the library in late February with all the library volunteers and what a turn out it was! Fantastic to see all the volunteers and trustees working together, not only for the library but for the community as well.

Thank you all, you are all doing amazing work.

Secondly, we had a display for World Book Day following which tokens were handed out and pictures were coloured in by school children and groups. Budding little artists in the making!

Finally, we have had a phone call from the Easter Bunny and we have been told there is to be an egg hunt at the library. We are so excited! It will be taking place on Easter Sunday 17 April and tickets will be on sale from 1 April at £1 per child. We can’t wait to see you all there. (All children must be accompanied and supervised by an appropriate adult on the day of event) Once the Bunny has been and gone, we will be concentrating on pressing forward with some Jubilee celebrations. Busy times ahead.

Still on an Easter theme If you wish to get creative over Easter, the Methodist Church are providing some craft packs for the children to do over the Easter period, if you would like to receive one, fill in your details and pop it in the box, the box is situated at the library.

Margaret Bowler – Chair Claire Harris – Events Co Ordinator

Spot the Differences

Free 4-hour narrowboat cruises

Baldwin Trust launches ‘Project Waterside’ THE BALDWIN TRUST, a local volunteer run charity which provides adapted narrowboat cruises for the community in Leicestershire, has announced the launch of its new initiative, “Project Waterside”.

This is a new way of linking commercial and other organisations to community groups in Charnwood and Leicestershire via sponsoring a narrowboat cruise with The Baldwin Trust, which offers a free of charge narrowboat cruise to community groups in the local area.

We are pleased to be partnering with local community transport organisations and community neighbourhood organisations for this project. Only one group booking per boat per day is taken, so there is no sharing with other people or groups.

For further information about sponsoring cruises for local community groups, families referred by community organisations or Covid-19 heroes - contact: sponsoring@baldwintrust.co.uk For further information about receiving a sponsored cruise – if you are a local community group, a referral organisation for local families affected by the pandemic or a referral organisation for local Covid-19 heroes contact: pwcruise@baldwintrust.co.uk For further information about volunteering with us – please complete a Volunteer Application Form on our website – www. baldwintrust.co.uk or contact: Andrew Reed, Volunteer Coordinator by Email: Volunteers@baldwintrust.co.uk or tel: 07763 736 906 Website: www.baldwintrust.co.uk

READ A GOOD BOOK RECENTLY? Can YOU spot the 10 differences in the cartoons above?

Answers are on page 25. Good luck!

TELL OUR READERS ABOUT IT!

Thanks to Facebook, I never forget the birthdays of people I don’t really know.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

HERALD SMALL ADS

• RISER RECLINER CHAIR. Willowbrook Newhampton model with back massage feature. Photos available. Price: £300 ono.

Tel 07780 945060 (Markfield) • WALKING BOOTS - Fully furlined, wine colour, size 3/4, zip up comfortable fabric ankle boots.

Brand new. Price: £20.

Tel: 07810 604596 (Groby)

• 2 ALUMINIUM EXTENDED LADDERS. Both 12ft 9 inches long, Solid end for ground support. Good Condition. Price: £10 • OAK GARAGE TABLE - used as Worktop. Height 30 inches, Width 53.5 inches, Depth 29.5 inches.

FREE. Would need a van to collect Tel : 07775 636407 (Markfield) • HAND OPERATED PALLET TRUCK – used but in good condition. Price: £140.00 or very nearest offer. Viewing can be arranged.

Tel: 0116 287 6985 (Groby Parish Council) • PANASONIC DIGITAL CORDLESS PHONE/ANSWER PHONE - Model KX-TGC 420E, 2 phone system, 6 months old.

Price: £25-00.

Tel: 01530 483759 (Markfield) • Lakeland Dry:Soon HEATED AIRER. Excellent condition and perfect for drying a full load of washing - 21m drying space - very economical using only a few pence per hour - folds flat - when fully open measures 73 x 75 x 137cm.

300W. Price: £55.

• JEWELLERY/TRINKET BOXES - new and hand painted - a set of two very attractive and very high quality items - sizes 25 x 16 x 10 cm and 20 x 13 x 8cm - a perfect gift. Price: £35.

• Oneida 44-piece EPNS SILVER CUTLERY SET - excellent quality unused and in original presentation storage case. Price: £50 • Sensor stainless steel MIRROR which lights up automatically as you approach. USB port for battery charging. Excellent condition, 5x magnification. Price: £10 Tel: 01530 242318 (Markfield) • Cosatto 3 in 1 BABY TRANSPORT SYSTEM consists of pram pushchair and car seat. Price: £150.00.

• Also two BABY BOUNCER CHAIRS - they play sounds and soothe, and a PLAY CHAIR. Price: £10 each.

Tel: 07931 130737 (Markfield) • Full set LADIES’ MITSUSHIBA GOLF IRONS. VGC. Price: £30 o.n.o. Other ladies’ golf equipment also available if required.

Tel. 0150 230355 (Bagworth)

• LADIES BICYCLE. Tiger Cyclone. Was an Xmas present 18 years old but never used, kept indoors so still in perfect condition.

Save me from my guilt. Cost £350, will accept £100.

Tel: 07985 027320 (Stanton) • PANASONIC TV - 37 inch Flat screen (model TX-L37D25B).

Price: £40.

Tel: 07885 808207 (Glenfield)

WE DID IT! Groby Sings made a careful but positive start back to normality with the first proper singing together sessions at the Groby Club on Wednesday 23rd February.

23

ON THE ROAD

again!

Everyone said how • WOODEN BIRD TABLE - £20.00 We did it!! they Groby Sings made careful but positive start Some back changes to normality wi much had missed singinga and socialising after so long.

• BIRD BOX - £6.00 together sessions atmade, the Groby Clubunfortunately on Wednesday 23rd February. said h have had to be including, for some, a change ofEveryone day Tel: 01530 245754 (Markfield) to Wednesday.

It was always going tohave be ahad bit oftoa be leap into the singingfrom andMonday socialising after so long.

Some changes made, including start-up was coming before the dropping of legalgoing restrictions changeunknown of day as from Monday to Wednesday.

It was always to bethe a bit of a • Beautiful red leather Italian following day.

DOUBLE BED SETTEE. Bed neverstart-up was coming before the dropping of legal restrictions the following day. Th The Management Team job and of Trustees the unenviable job of trying used. Has been kept in spare room.

Trustees had the unenviable trying had to balance the obvious desire of singers to balanceof the desire singers to get together with thesuch as registe Cost over £1,000. Price: £400 o.n.o. the awareness usobvious all to stay as of safe as possible.

Initialagain measures, awareness of us all to stay as safe as possible. Initial measures, such as for quick sale. the singing room and the spreading out of the seating more than usual, may change • Revitive Advance FOOT registering attendance outside of the singing room and the spreading out everything the country has gone through during the pandemic, Groby Singers are k MASSAGER. Used 3 times. Cost of the seating more than usual, may change as things evolve but, after for one another’stheviews on has keeping £185. Price: £80. everything country gone safe. through during the pandemic, Groby Singers • Automatic PRESSURE are keen to maintain a respect for one another’s views on keeping safe.

COOKER. 14-in-one functions.

Understandably, attendance on the dayday waswas smaller than usual Understandably, attendance on first the first smaller than usualbut buta total of 60 Never used. Still in box. Price: afternoon and evening sessions really enjoyed being back and made a lovely sound t a total of 60-70 singers across both afternoon and evening sessions really £45.00 Musical Director, Simon Lubkowski, who has a wealth of musical experience to bring enjoyed being back and made a lovely sound to welcome the new Musical Tel: 01530 244450 (Markfield) Director, Simon who has a wealth musical experience to bring 16 years as a Head ofLubkowski, Music and Music Teacher in of Secondary Schools across Leiceste • Ladies Red ANKLE BOOTS - freelance to Groby Sings.

As well Singing as 16 years as a Head Music and Music Teacher Musical Director, Teacher, VocalofCoach, Arranger, Performer and C double zipped, size 7, never worn, in Secondary Schools across Leicestershire, Simon works as a freelanceHelen Hayes directing Choirs for the past 12 years.

Groby Sings’ founding conductor, synthetic. Price: £5.

Musical Director, Singing Teacher, Vocal Coach, Arranger, Performer and to the choir and Simon, and is looking forward to visiting us again when we Tel: 07385 797416 (Markfield)message Composer and has been directing Choirs for the past 12 years. performances. For the moment, no concert is planned and the choir is just singing fo • FREE - Glassed-topped Groby Sings’ founding conductor, Helen Hayes, sent a Good Luck message songs for Groby Sings On The Road that we were just beginning to learn before the d COFFEE TABLE - 24” by 44”. Lovely to the choir and Simon, and is looking forward to visiting us again when we The members present in Groby Club for the first sessions back would surely know th condition - bought from NEXT. resume public performances. For the moment, no concert is planned and the home they ourrevisiting lovely rendition Troubled Water Tel: 0116 270 1825 (Glenfield)returned choir is justwhen singing for heard pleasure, the songsofforBridge GrobyOver Sings On The Road that we were just beginning to learn before the dark days of March • Beautiful red leather Italian successful start, we hope thatClub more old and back new, would will feel safe t 2020.aThe members present in Groby for singers, the first sessions DOUBLE BED SETTEE. Bed neverAfter such surely know that Groby Sings has returned home when(no they heard lovely Club on Wednesdays, 1.30-3.00pm and/or 7.30-9.00pm choir in our school holidays) used. Has been kept in spare room. rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Cost over £1,000. Price: £400 o.n.o. necessary and no regular subscriptions are requested. However, there is an opportu for quick sale.

After such a successful start, we hope thattomore singers, and new, will if possibl voluntary donation (into an anonymous box) support the old charity’s costs, • Revitive Advance FOOT feelchoir safe to come along toisGroby Club however on Wednesdays, 1.30-3.00pm and/or inclusive and everyone welcome, good or not so good their singing MASSAGER. Used 3 times. Cost 7.30-9.00pm (noincluding choir in school holidays).

No auditions aremoment necessarythere and no facilities at the Club, ramps.

Unfortunately, at the are no cr £185. Price: £80. regular subscriptions are requested. However, there is an opportunity to make afternoon sessions and, sadly, the children’s choir won’t be resuming yet. However, • Automatic PRESSURE a small voluntary donation (into an anonymous box) to support the charity’s COOKER. 14-in-one functions. these costs, will beif catered before tooislong and willchoir be publicised in the usual way. possible.for Groby Sings an inclusive and everyone is welcome, Never used. Still in box. Price: however good or not so good their singing voice!

There are disabled facilities £45.00 Finally,atmany thanks should go to the Trustees Management Team the Club, including ramps.

Unfortunately, at and the moment there are no who have Tel: 01530 244450 (Markfield) crèche Sings facilities for the afternoon and, for sadly, the children’s choir keep Groby alive, if in partial sessions hibernation 2 years, and especially to Jane be resuming yet. However, it isher hoped that about both ofGroby these will be and catered Singerswon’t informed and entertained with emails Sings other topi • CLEANER/IRONER required for before tooof long and will be publicised in theand usual way. for keeping the faith. in the for community Groby, surrounding villages beyond 6 hours per week in Markfield.

Finally, many thanks should go to the Trustees and Management Team who have continued to work hard to keep Groby Sings alive, if in partial Groby Sings is back! hibernation for 2 years, and especially to Jane Cox who has kept Groby IF YOU HAVE any household Singers informed and entertained with her emails about Groby Sings and items which you’d like to For enquiries, please contact useveryone via our in website www.grobysings.org. other topics!

Thank you to the community of Groby, surrounding advertise FREE in the Herald, villages and beyond for keeping the faith. please SEND DETAILS by post

Tel: 07795 413846 (Markfield)

Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490.

or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum 8 items please.

Our postal address is: Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

Groby Sings is back! For enquiries, please contact us via our website www. grobysings.org Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490.

Directions

The Revd Billy Graham told of an encounter early in his ministry, when he had arrived for a preaching mission in a small town.

Wanting to post a letter, he asked a young boy in the street where the post office was. After the boy told him, Billy Graham thanked him, and added: “Son, if you come along to the Baptist church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven.”

The boy looked doubtful. “The way to Heaven? But you can’t even find the post office.”

I don’t buy fat-free milk because I don’t want to contribute to cows having body issues.

24

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Warm Welcome to All A Modern Service of Christian Worship in our Community Contemporary Music Family Friendly Refreshments, Chat, Prayer & Support For details contact j22rector@yahoo.com

J22 Community Worship First Sunday of the Month St Michael’s, Markfield 10:30am Second Sunday of the Month St Peter’s, Thornton 10:30am Third Sunday of the Month St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon 10:30am

Markfield Local History Group Presents

CALKE ABBEY GARDENS

1700 to present day

A talk by Tony Woods Tuesday March 15th at 7.30 pm The Methodist Church Rooms, Main Street, Markfield Non-members £3 to include refreshments www.markfieldhistory.org

For CONSPIRACY Fans...

Did We Go To The Moon?

Controversial researcher, film-maker and author Bart Sibrel delivers a 2022 update on his research claiming the Apollo missions never went to the Moon - on Howard Hughes THE UNEXPLAINED podcast Edition 612 of 21st February. (www.theunexplained.tv)

Please send us your news by Saturday 2nd April.

Botcheston WI BULLETIN SelfPublishing WELL HERE we are three months into Conference 2022! How has that happened! returns for its 8th year

It has been a gentle start to the year and at our meeting in January we had one of our new members give a talk on Baby Signing.

Marie joined us at the end of last year and takes the Baby Sign and Rhyme sessions at Bagworth Community Centre. Marie gave an insight into how signing can help both the carers of hearing impaired children and the carers themselves. We found out that there are different ‘brands’ of sign language - British Sign Language and Makaton – being 2 that we may have heard of. Those of you who have seen Mr Tumble on CBBC may be aware of Makaton and some of the symbols. We all learnt how to spell our name out in BSL. Perhaps we should learn to sign Jerusalem!

• AT OUR FEBRUARY MEETING we had a a visit from a couple of Game Show Junkies! They have appeared on The Chase, Bob’s Full House and Pointless where they came away with a trophy! Their talk was very entertaining and well received by our members. To round the evening off we had a quiz!

We have the Annual Council Meeting for Leicestershire on Saturday 19 March being held again at Leicester Grammar School – the main speaker of the day is Dickie Arbiter HM The Queen’s former press secretary.

• OUR MEETING IN MARCH (24TH) is entitled Joyce (Grenfell) and Friends which sounds a hoot and the competition is ‘Your School Photo’, which should also raise a smile or two!

If anyone would like more information on Botcheston WI (or WI in general) please contact our secretary on 01455 821228 or come along to one of our meetings when you will receive a warm welcome, coffee and cake. We look forward to welcoming you.

Sheila Flatt

What a hoot

ONE EVENING a bird-loving vicar strolled over to his huge country churchyard, and just for fun, hooted softly, like an owl.

To his delight, an owl hooted softly back. The next night the same thing happened, and again, the night after that. Soon it became a regular habit, and every night for the following year, no matter what the weather, the vicar would go to the churchyard and hoot back and forth with his feathered friend. The hoots became longer and more complicated, and the vicar kept a careful log of the ‘conversation’.

Just as he thought he was on the verge of a real breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with the neighbour who lived in a big house and garden next door to the church. “My husband comes here each night,” she said, to “hoot to the owl in the churchyard.”

“That’s odd,” the neighbour replied, “so does my husband.”

THE ANNUAL SelfPublishing Conference will take place as a live event on Saturday 9th April 2022, two years since authors had access to the UK’s only dedicated self-publishing event.

This popular conference offers authors a chance to find out about a wide range of self-publishing options, to hear from and question those who work within the thriving self-publishing world, and to network with fellow authors, many already experienced self-publishers.

Having been dormant because of Covid restrictions, the conference will once again take place as a full, day-long ‘in person’ event, and with a new home at the University of Leicester’s premier conference facility, College Court in Knighton.

This year sees an Industry Panel discussing self-publishing pitfalls and how to avoid the ‘sharks’ in the industry.

The informal event aims to educate, inform and inspire authors who are publishing their own work, or who are considering self-publishing as a route to publication. The day attracts a wide variety of authors, from fiction to children’s, non-fiction to business. Previous years have seen overwhelmingly positive feedback for the event.

The Self-Publishing Conference is unique in its scope and the calibre of its speakers.

More information about the 2022 Self-Publishing Conference can be found at selfpublishingconference. org.uk or email: marketing@ troubador.co.uk

The new rules of dating DATING IS NOT what it used to be. Instead of making an effort to dress up and meet somewhere special for the first time, nowadays singletons are increasingly staying at home, and vetting potential partners on Zoom first.

What started during the pandemic seems to be having a lasting impact, with various dating apps reporting that their clients now prefer to have video dates before actually meeting in person. As one relationship dating expert explained: “Single people like having a way to check that their potential date is ‘normal’ before meeting them in real life.”

Another relationship dating expert points out some of the basic benefits of a video call. “Do you like the sound of their voice? Do you feel attracted to them? Can you banter?”

All in all, it seems that preliminary video dates are a good idea – an important stage of the dating journey.

I hate when a couple argues in public but I missed the start and don’t know whose side I’m on.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

REUNITE!

We Need You

If my dog doesn’t love you, I won’t either

After a long sleep Thornton’s King Edward VII community centre is Coalville School gradually waking up to life Reunion post Covid.

We are now open for on Reunion Takes Place business as 9usual.

Saturday April 2022, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The hall is a wonderful Newbridge School, Forest resource in the village Road, Coalville, LE67 and 3SJ welcomes, residents and visitors alike.

Thornton announces date for Open Gardens 2022!

Entry fee is £5 – Cheese ham salad £10.00take the prize for the best view in the county, looking out across Theorhall must certainly Please email, telephone SPRING is here and thoughts begin to turn to our gardens Thornton reservoir and the National Forest. and the months of beauty and enjoyment ahead. or write to request Friends of St Peter’s Church will be looking for gardens in the village Registration and differentThe An ideal venueForm for many events including wedding receptions, corporate days. of Thornton to take part in this year’s REAL Open Gardens event which will Booking Form. business and group meetings, concerts, quiz be nights muchon more. from and 1pm-6pm Sunday 10th July.

Tel: 0116 254 6591 WATCH THIS SPACE!

The community centre also benefits from a separate Sports Hall – where there are facilities Email: reunion@ to play badminton, table tennis, basketball, five a side football and more. oldedwardianscoalville.co.uk

You and anti-social

However, the hall is fast approaching it’s fiftieth birthday.

behaviour

County Council Residents got together in 1972 to fund raise for the hall and by 1973 the hall was built and cracks down on of trustees. being managed by a group David Pickup, a solicitor, considers what you can do when illegal parking The trustees were able to meetyou in July forto the time in many months and take stock of need dofirst something. around the ravages schools of time upon the hall.

IT IS A NICE Spring afternoon, and you want to sit out in MORE THAN 500 civil It is apparent much work isthe needed on to theread old hall move magazine. it firmly into the twentygarden yourtovillage penalty noticesthat have been first century and make it fit for purpose. issued to drivers putting You deserve a break, because you have been kept awake all night by the safety of children at risk noise from certain neighbours in the street where you live. The racket We have aillegally long list outside of essential isworks thatyour need to be carried out at theneed hall. your rest. You feel affecting health as you and your family by parking that your complaints have been ignored. What can you do? the gates of Leicestershire Urgent roof repairs. Extensive work on the entrance borders.

Newwhich toilets.

Drain schools.

Thererequired is a procedure called Community Trigger, offers a

to serious behaviour problems by inspection.

A decking area builtcoordinated at the rear response of the hall.

Hearinganti-social loop fitted throughout.

The penalties have been issued ensuring organisations work together on an agreed plan. It is useful over 12 months by Leicestershire Carpark extended. New kitchen floor. Re-decoration throughout. New furniture. New County Council’s two electric where people feel they have been ignored. curtains.

Screen cars. and They projector. Anti-social Plus, so much more. camera enforcement behaviour is defined as behaviour causing harassment, patrol 167 schools at picking up alarm or distress. It can also include vandalism, drugs use or and dropping off times on aalready regular been obtained for some of the works and it is already apparent Several quotes have intimidation. However, agencies should also consider the cumulative basis. of the incidents of, and the harm caused to the that we will need approximatelyeffect £100,000 to do all complained the works necessary.

Schools with persistent safety victim. concerns are visited with extra We are asking the community and local businesses if they can help us made raise the money To use Community Trigger, you must have three reports frequency to try and improve driver ofinvolved, anti-socialby behaviour within donations the past six(money, months, and made necessary carry outaround the works fund raising, time, goods), behaviour andto tackle issues the reports within one month of the incident happening. The inconsiderate parking.

offering grants or simply hiring Community the hall. Trigger is not for complaints about how a problem has

Between January 2021 and been dealt with or to report new cases of anti-social behaviour.

January were If you 2022, think501 youpenalties can help – please contact us through email address You can apply to your local authority for yourself or someone issued to the keepers of vehicles thorntonvillage@aol.com - www.thorntonvillage.org parked on school ‘keep clear’ can apply on your behalf, such as a councillor, MP or relative. It markings across the whole county. will result in a multi-agency case review which involves various This number is substantially up on organisations such as the local Police, local council, or a housing previous years. association, if they are the landlord.

Using automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR), the cars collect the necessary evidence to issue a £70 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) where an offence takes place.

The cars are equipped with an intelligent enforcement system that uses GPS to recognise where restrictions begin and end as the vehicle is driven though a restriction zone. All funds generated are put towards running the camera cars.

25

For more information search “Community Trigger” on your local authority website.

As always this is a very short pointer to a serious and complex issue.

Always get advice before taking any action.

Did you spot all 10 differences?

1. Clouds, 2. Butterfly changed colour, 3. Bird changed direction, 4. Rabbit’s eyes, 5. Crease under rabbit’s right eye, 6. Easter egg lost a spot, 7. Easter egg missing, 8. Mark missing from bear’s tummy, 9. Rabbit’s tail. 10. Bear’s teeth.

NEARLY HALF of all dog owners would not continue to date somebody if their dog did not like that person. And two in five dog owners prefer to date someone who also has a dog.

For those people who go online to look for dates, one in ten dog owners choose potential partners by looking to see if a dog is present in their profile picture. Two thirds of dog owners say that their dog is their best friend, and three in five dog owners admit they prefer to spend the evening at home with their pet than to go out on a date.

The study was carried out by the Kennel Club, who said that it is not surprising that owners rely on their pet’s instincts when it comes to selecting a partner. Still, Kennel Club adds that owning a dog should not be seen as an obstacle in finding your soulmate, but a real help. Kennel Club suggested that dog owners might socialise more at doggie events like Crufts, where there are lots of fellow dog lovers.

1st April: All Fools’ Day IN YEARS gone by, the rules surrounding April Fool were this: between midnight and noon on 1st April, everyone is ‘fair game’ to be made a fool of.

It is the morning of the practical joke. But the aim is not just to discomfort the victim: he must be tricked into taking action himself, sent on a ‘fool’s errand’.

And so children would be sent to the dairy for a pint of dove’s milk, or to the bookseller for The Life of Eve’s Mother. Practical jokes on a bigger scale were played: in 1860 a vast number of people received an official looking invitation to the Tower of London that read: ‘Admit the Bearer and Friends to view the Annual Ceremony of Washing the White Lions.’ Precisely the same trick had been played in 1698.

Then, on the stroke of noon, tradition decrees, April Fools is finished. If anyone attempts devilry thereafter, even while the clock is still striking, it recoils on his own head. A child would then race through the sing-song formula: ‘April-Fool-Day’s-pastand-gone-you’re-the-fool-and-Iam-none!’

My dog and I both freak out whenever the doorbell rings but we run in opposite directions.

26

THE HERALD • MID-MARCH 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Borough Councillor

Andy Furlong’s

UPDATE

Tel: 01530 231377 • Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk LET’S KICK OFF with the bad news. Tax is the price we pay to live in a civilised society, but let’s be honest, none of us likes paying it all that much.

Our council tax is no exception, but as I’ve said before in my column, imagine a world in which every household in Markfield, Stanton or Field Head had to contract individually on the free market for waste disposal and personal security protection. Pay a premium to insure against accidents on the pavement outside their house or keep the streetlights switched on.

Maybe you’d be happy paying a charge every time you walked your dog at Billa Barra Hill or on a local public footpath. Collective provision paid for through local taxes funds all these things, and for most people, it works most of the time in most places.

Council tax to rise by 5% SO, HERE’S the bad news. Our council tax is going up.

The increase for an ‘average’ ‘Band D’ property looks like this. Last year you were paying £1,925, this year you’ll be paying £1,989. Several different organisations get a cut of the increase. The new numbers look like this: • Leicestershire County Council: £1,453 (5% increase) • Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire £258 (6% increase) • Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council £145 (4% increase) • Leicestershire Fire Authority £74 (2% increase) • Parish Councils £59 (2% increase) There’s more bad news if you use the garden waste service. The charge is rising from £2.50/month to £2.92/month. Many charges are not increasing; for example, it’s good news if you operate a minicab or rent an allotment.

The overall increase comes in just shy of 5%, and you’ll notice this in your monthly bill from April.

Planning system better than a ‘free for all’ HINCKLEY & Bosworth spend around £11 million each year on our behalf. One of its key functions is planning and development control.

As an elected member who sits on the Planning Committee, this is the issue that consumes most of my time. The planning system gets a bit of a kicking – including from me – but, like many other things, it’s much better than a free for all. Imagine a situation where planning controls didn’t exist. Housing developers, aided and abetted by a government that seems hell bent on ‘Build, Build, Build’ regardless of the environmental cost, would be tearing up the countryside in every direction. Your next door neighbour could build what they liked, irrespective of the impact on your quality of life.

It’s a ‘hat trick’ – bulldozers stopped in their tracks THE POWER of the planning system was brought into sharp focus when Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council turned down three applications in Markfield.

Taken together, the sites off Ashby Road, Hill Lane and Ratby Lane could add an extra 213 houses to the village. As a result of some joined-up thinking involving the parish council and its Neighbourhood Plan Team, supported by Matthew Lay and myself, we have drawn the line at the new development off London Road, where work is underway. There is no further housing provision in the borough’s draft local plan either.

Rust never sleeps WE ARE well placed to reject any further unwanted new build for the foreseeable future, but a word of warning.

There is a six-month window in which any of the three decisions could be taken to appeal. This would place the final outcome in the hands of a sole planning inspector appointed by central government. Rest assured, if this comes about, we will be mounting a vigorous defence, but even if no appeals emerge, that may not be the end of the matter. Rust never sleeps, and the parish council is charged with reviewing and updating the

neighbourhood plan regularly. At the March meeting of the Markfield Parish Council, I was encouraged to see that this base is already covered, and the Neighbourhood Plan team will be reconvened soon.

The great pyramid of Markfield LAST SEPTEMBER, many residents will have noticed the appearance of a strange pyramid on the A50 slip road to Markfield between the M1 junction and the Field Head Roundabout.

The unwelcome addition to the local landscape was reported promptly. Was this the work of alien invaders or an obscure religious cult?

The arrival of several traffic cones and a few metres of plastic tape suggested that the matter was in hand, but no. Six months on, the pyramid is still there, prompting several complaints.

I contacted the borough’s Street Scene team. Apparently, there was some suspicion that the rubble had been dumped by a contractor working on repairing the Whitwick Road bridge – on behalf of the county council!

This was hotly denied by County Hall, and a lengthy exchange of emails between the two local authorities followed. Finally, Hinckley & Bosworth gave up and chalked the pyramid up as a ‘fly-tipping’ incident. I was assured that the rubble would be removed at the end of February.

Surprise, surprise; it’s now March, and when I checked last night, the eyesore was still in place, although storm Eunice had taken her toll on the cones and tape. Now it seems that the borough council and the county council have fallen out over the level of road closure required to protect the workforce tasked with shifting the rubble. This is entirely understandable, but surely, it’s not too much to ask for a bit of joinedup thinking akin to that which helped to head off the three planning applications? Come on, lads and lasses, get your act together! Some of us are handing over the best part of two thousand pounds a year for local services and we should expect better than this.

And finally ...

ON A MORE sombre note than usual, my Facebook feed has reminded me that it’s eight years to the day since I was sitting in a hotel in Warsaw reading about the Russian Invasion of Crimea.

Local people were plainly very worried about what might happen next. The terrible images from Kyiv and elsewhere indicate that nothing has changed much. The actions of President Putin have rightly been condemned by all mainstream political parties.

Those who blame NATO for the situation in Ukraine are nothing short of apologists for tyranny. We should all do everything possible to help the people of Ukraine. I have donated to the UNHCR Ukraine Emergency Appeal, and I encourage all Herald readers to do the same via www. unrefugees.org.uk Democracy is precious.

Andy Furlong Contact me on 07881 922293 or via andy.furlong@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

I’m having an introvert party and you’re all not invited.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Desford Bowls Club A FTER A HIGHLY successful season last year, the club are looking for new recruits.

For the upcoming season, we have an expanded fixture list.

We again have teams entered in the Hinckley and District and Coalville triples leagues.

These matches take place on a Monday and Thursday evening respectively.

This year we have entered the Coalville and District over 60’s league, playing on a Tuesday afternoon.

This is a new venture and is very much aimed at the less experienced bowlers. Along with internal competitions, which are open to all members, and a full Weekend friendly fixture list, which runs from Mid April to early October, there should be plenty of bowling for everyone.

With this amount of bowling available we are looking for new members, bowlers of any age or experience who would like to join our club. Bowls is truly an enjoyable sport very much available to everybody, irrespective of age,gender or ability.

If you are interested in joining our small, friendly Club then please contact Gill Whatsize at sidbowls1@gmail.com. You will also receive the added benefits of being an associate member of our umbrella group Sport in Desford, with all the benefits this brings.

Drive it Day on Sunday 24th April 2022

at Little Markfield Farm, Forest Road, Markfield, Leicester, LE67 9UN

JOIN US at Little Markfield Farm for a road run around the beautiful Charnwood Forest. Meet at the farm at 10am for a cuppa, before setting off at 11am taking in the local scenery before returning to the farm.

• Meals will be available at the farm on your return see Little Markfield Farm Facebook for menu.

• We will be raising money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, £5 donation per vehicle to be paid on the day.

• Last but not least have a good day, enjoy the run, the company & the nostalgia.

• Obey the speed limit • The event is open to all classic cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and kit cars, however in order to avoid congestion we have limited the number of vehicles to 50 so entry will be on a First come first served’ basis.

All entries to be received by 20th April 2022 please.

• For more information contact Brenda on 07774 047571 • Please book your Vehicle in via our Facebook page event or call Brenda.

The Latimer Players are back!

Almost Easter, so it must be Pantomime!

I HEAR YOU say Easter is not pantomime time but for the Latimer Players this panto is coming early, or late depending on how you look at it.

Regrettably last November we had to cancel our production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears due to COVID and precautionary isolation. With lines all learned, costumes almost done, scenery well on the way and with three weeks to go you can imagine the disappointment for the cast and our audience when we postponed.

We are pleased to say that we are going ahead with Goldilocks and the Three Bears this coming April on Thursday 28th, Friday 29th and Saturday 30th at 7.30pm and Saturday 30th at 2.30pm. Children 5 years and under are free, 6-12 years £4.50 and Adults £7. Tickets are available from Christine Deavin at christinedeavin@gmail.com or 0116 237 6855.

The action of the pantomime takes place in a circus where we meet all the usual circus characters, including the strong man, jugglers, tightrope walkers, magician and lots more. Dame Gertie and her hapless son Billy run the circus but are failing to make it profitable. Enter evil Heinkel and his side kick Snot who want to steal the circus by tricking Dame Gertie into believing he is a goodie. Goldilocks saves the day with the help of the Three Bears. As always, they are helped along the way by the good fairy or, in this case, Mystic Sharon. Find out what Goldilocks’s father’s big secret is and if Goldilocks and Billy can finally live happily ever.

If you would like to take part in this or any of our forthcoming productions ring Christine on 0116 237 6855 or email christinedeavin@gmail.com.

We are always looking for actors, set builders and backstage people.

No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm. Along with our two productions a year we have monthly members events which usually involves food and alcohol at different venues and a chance to catch up with each other.

Do You Enjoy Reading The Herald?

If so, please pass this copy on to a friend or relative after you’ve finished with it.

It’s nice to share!

27

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST WILFRID OF YORK 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB Sunday Masses – Saturday 6 pm and Sunday 10 am.

Weekday Masses – Monday and Thursday at 10 am in the Oratory in the presbytery.

Please see Parish Newsletter on the website.

Mask wearing and hand sanitising are still encouraged and available to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable in Church.

Ventilation, with internal and external doors open, is still in place.

Sacrament of Reconciliation You can book an appointment with Fr Gabriel to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Please call the presbytery to book an appointment – 01530 832098.

Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor – 01530 832098 www. stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www. stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk School Details St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www. st-clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle.leics.sch.uk Churches Together in Markfield United Services Sunday 20 March 10.30 am at Markfield Congregational Community Church.

Palm Sunday 10 April at 10.30 pm – to be arranged.

Village Contact Margaret on 01530 243292

Positive Thoughts “Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.”

– Harvey Mackay

I am now on three dating sites because you can never get enough rejection.

STEP INTO SPRING WITH US SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH

CHARNWOOD LIVING HIGH STREET SERVICE AT INTERNET PRICES NO SALE NO FEE

LANDLORDS ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING HIGH FEES?

CALL US NOW TO SEE HOW MUCH WE CAN SAVE YOU Charnwood Living Ltd - Terms & Conditions Apply

0116 243 0880

www.charnwoodliving.co.uk

17 The Nook | Anstey | Leicester | LE7 7AZ