Witness extreme adventure with the Banff

Mountain Film Festival Tour!

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THE BANFF Mountain

Film Festival World Tour is bringing a night of thrilling adventure films to the De Montfort Hall, on 19 April.

The Festival features a collection of short films from the world’s top adventure filmmakers, with epic skiing, climbing, mountain biking and more in remote corners of the planet. For more information and to book tickets, see www.banff-uk.com

The Hinckley & District Parkinson’s Group

DR LUKE EVANS, the MP for Hinckley & Bosworth, recently visited some of our group activities. He experienced the ‘Movement to Music’ and ‘Singing for Fun’ sessions on a Friday afternoon at Elmesthorpe.

He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself, taking part in all the activities. He discussed everything from the benefits of singing and dancing to how the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Hinckley Hospital could accommodate the needs of group members and their carers.

This was another important step in making sure that everyone in the area knows about the support and activities available for those with Parkinson’s Disease.

WORLD PARKINSON’S DAY takes place on 11 April every year to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is different for everyone - different symptoms and different experiences. Diagnosis remains scary and there is currently no cure. Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging but one thing stands out: the Parkinson’s community is bright and brilliant.

This year’s World Parkinson’s Day will celebrate those moments of laughter and light that lift us up. It could be the person who is always there for you, or a new challenge that you’ve faced and overcome.

In a group all can share experiences because they understand what everyone is going through, not just on World Parkinson’s Day but every day. Why not wear blue on April 11 to show your support?

OUR MEETINGS continue on the second Sunday of each month, at 2.30 on March 12th but then April 16th because of Easter, at the Mary Forryan Centre; our ‘Challenge’ weekly exercises at 3.00 at the St. Francis Centre; ‘Movement to Music’ at 2.30 and ‘Singing for Fun’ at 4.00 both on Friday afternoons at the Elmesthorpe Village Hall; plus our monthly ‘drop ins’ at Dobbies at Stapleton on the third Monday of the month, [March 20 and April 17] between 2.00 and 4.00 in the Restaurant Conservatory. We also have a monthly Carers Group on the third Tuesday each month at the same time as the exercise class. Nordic Walking is back on certain Thursdays from the Acorn Café at Burbage Common. (Ring Peter on 01455 636776 for details.)

For further information on any of our activities please contact Janet Kavanagh on 07932615233.

So don’t let Parkinson’s dictate how you live your life, come along and join the Hinckley Group and see the benefits for yourself.

Robert A. Leake

Iris Lydia Gleeson

IT IS WITH sadness that we mark the passing of Iris. She was born in Ibstock and grew up in a large family where, however hard times were, her hardworking parents never turned anyone away from their door. Her father, Fred, a talented tenor, supplemented the family’s income by entertaining at various venues, As soon as allowed , Iris joined her father.. and so began her lifelong love of singing and performing. Much of the social life of Iris’s youth centred on Ibstock Baptist Chapel. She sang in the choir and performed in many Concert Parties. It was there that Iris married John in 1967.

The move to Thornton, with son Martyn , to settle into John’s family home, gave Iris a whole new focus as she took the village of Thornton to her heart.

She was one of the people who began the monumental task of raising funds, almost entirely from the villagers, to build the Centre, and how proud she was when the dream was realised! Together with John, she supported all Centre activities…never ceasing to organise events, to welcome users, and to act as unpaid custodian. What a debt the village owes her!

She loved seeing villagers in party mood at the Carnivals and enjoyed participating in Concerts. She had a great sense of fun. Who can forget her appearing in blue tutu, complete with wings, to sing “Nobody Loves a Fairy When She’s Forty/Fifty./Sixty”? One of her favourite songs was , predictably, “Don’t Go Down in the Mine, Dad”?

She found her niche at St. Peter’s, too, where she was a dedicated, supportive member of the congregation and sang in the Choir and rang the bells. She participated in every church event over the years. That dedication was also evident in her long membership of the Broomleys Choir .

Iris did many kindnesses. For years she went, early each morning, come rain or shine , to light an elderly resident’s fire. She helped at the shop when needed and spent many hours as barmaid at “The Bricklayers’ Arms”, enjoying the convivial atmosphere. Iris belonged to the WI, where she could be relied upon to stand up and give a vote of thanks when others shied away from that task! She and John supported the village sports teams and she would cater singlehandedly for events, such as the Cricket Supper, knowing where to obtain the very tastiest foods.

She loved to drive and, in her younger days drove all over the country making deliveries.

Most of all she loved Thornton, its people and its history. John’s intensive knowledge added to her own made them a fount of information , and many people found their way to the Gleesons to ask for information. None was ever turned away.

Now we can no longer say, “Ask Iris!”. She really was a very special lady.

Muriel Walker