October 2011 Groby Spotlight by Michael Wilkinson

The News & Information Magazine for Groby, Field Head & The Brantings

“We will remember them” Groby Club has revealed plans to unveil the Groby memorial on Sunday November 13th. A Club spokesman said “We had grand plans for an elaborate memorial but many members have commented that they would prefer something simple”. It has been decided that a simple tribute to the ex-servicemen and women would be erected in the small garden area in the top left hand corner of the Club’s car park. The committee expressed their thanks to Midland Quarry Products, especially Ian Bradbury for their help and cooperation during this project. The unveiling of the memorial will take place at 11:00am on the 13th of November 2011. We welcome all members of the community to watch the raising of the flag and to see the Cubs marching. If you would like to pay a personal tribute to the war hero’s a small box can be found alongside the memorial in which you will find candles.

Simon Thompson

Local swimmer to represent GB

This month, Groby swimmer Jamie Thorpe will be representing Great Britain in Berlin for the FINA/Arena World Cup Championships competing against the best swimmers in the world.

2011 has probably been one of the busiest and most successful for Jamie, not only for his swimming achievements but various other awards such as: • Sportsman of the Year for 3 years running awarded by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council • The Leicestershire Amateur Swimming Association Swimmer of Jamie Thorpe in action (Photo courtesy of GBSwimstars) the Year award for 09/10 and 10/11 • Finalist in the Leicester Mercury’s Young Sportsman of the Year for sporting achievement and rising talent • He was featured on the TV Midlands News as ‘an up and coming star’ TURN TO PAGE 6

GROBY STORE THANKS CUSTOMERS A Groby store raised £920 for charity on Sunday, by holding a family fun day. Colleagues at Midlands Co-operative’s Groby Village Store, raised the money by holding the Fun Day on Sunday 18 September for their staff-elected charity the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. Store Manager, Paul Simpson said: “The day was a great success, with a wide range of activities taking place including a raffle, a tombola, a cake stall, family games and the ever-popular “Throw Wet Sponges at the Manager” game. I would like to thank our customers for their generosity and local businessees; Conkers, Twin Lakes, Deja–Vu, Ashton Marketing, Chip Shop and Cathy Stevens for providing raffle prizes.” “The MND Association is our staff-elected charity for 2110/2011 and we are committed to supporting them as much as we can. Organising a summer fun day helps the store raise money for charity and give something back to the local community at the same time.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Sunday Lunch Gang - 4 National Trust - 9 Jottings - 11 & 12 Groby is Tops! - 16 Groby WI - 19 Village Green Application Fails - 20 Allotment News - 21 Gardening Society - 22 & 23 Groby Scouts - 26 X-Factor - 28 Live & Local - 28

Store Manager Paul Simpson at the end of the “Soak the Manager” game

Churches Together - 30

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

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01530-244069 Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight 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. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT Saturday 12th November

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Improvements to protect Groby Pool Car Park

A series of improvement works to Groby Pool nature reserve and car park will take place this autumn and winter to protect and preserve this important Leicestershire beauty spot.

The improvements are a joint project between Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire Police and Groby Parish Council in a bid to deter antisocial behaviour. Works planned include clearing the vegetation in tree belt between car park and nature reserve, digging the ditch at the front of the car park to prevent illegal incursions, and tackling the graffiti and litter under the A50 bridge with the help from Leicestershire County Council. At the same time, the Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens and the Police will continue to make regular visits to the site. Meanwhile migrating autumn birds will be using the Pool over the next few months, so anyone interested in seeing some different wildlife is encouraged to take advantage of this excellent nature reserve on their doorstep.

Coming to Groby ... Exercise on Referral! ‘Exercise to Enjoy Life’ starts on November 3rd, between 10am-11am at Groby Village Hall, under the guidance of a qualified exercise professional in a friendly environment! It offers individuals who are inactive, or who have a condition that could benefit from physical activity, the opportunity to participate in exercise at a reduced rate, which is subsidised by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. People need encouragement and support to help them to take the first steps to becoming more active on a regular basis. Regular exercise will help you to perform every day activities more easily. People can be referred by their GP onto the scheme, or they can self refer. So if this is you, please get in touch on 0116 287 9272 or mobile 07817 303018. I look forward to meeting you.

Hazel Hickson

Volunteers are required for the 2011 Poppy Appeal I have just taken over as Poppy Appeal Organiser for the Ratby/Groby/Markfield area and do not have contact details for the previous volunteers who delivered and collected poppies and collection tins to local shops, schools and public houses. The area also includes Thornton, Bagworth and Stanton-underBardon. Poppies and tins are delivered to various premises by 29th October 2011 and collected after 11th November 2011. Please contact me if you can help. Contact details: Anita Holt Tel 01455 823202 Mobile 07514297457 email: aholt21@talktalk.net

Groby And Ratby Residents: Has Anyone Knowledge Of This Gentleman? Can anyone remember Reginald John Hales Hubbard who lived at 69 Church Lane, Ratby? He passed away in 1973; his partner was Kathleen Hubbard who died in 1987. The Granddaughter of Mr Hubbard is making enquiries about him, and would like to know more about her Granddad. Any one who can help would you please contact Merle Joyce at Ratby Parish Council Office. • Telephone 01162390167, • e-mail address is ratbypcouncil@btconnect. com • postal address is 13, Station Road, Ratby. Leicester. The Emperor Nero is watching some Christians being thrown to the lions. He turns to his wife and says, ‘Do you know what I like most about this sport? No pitch invasions.’

The number of people watching is proportional to the stupidity of your actions.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

It’s a local social group!

The Sunday Lunch Gang (SLG)! Groby Village Society

~ Preservation ~ ~ Conservation ~ ~ Communal Interests ~ Thursday October 27 Down the Garden Path Mr. David Bell Thursday November 24 Island Life - Teaching on a South Pacific Island Mrs. Sophie Hadfield-Hill Thursday December 22 A Tudor Christmas Mrs. Alison Coates Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

We are reaching our Fourth Anniversary in December 2011! This means that we have met for approximately 35 times to have a shared lunch, watch a film, go out together, celebrate Christmas in style, etc. The group was initially organised between friends who felt lonely on Sunday afternoons because their spouses had died, children and grandchildren were busy, they were ill or frail, or they did not have too many friends around. However, the group started growing and from meeting in each other homes, we have moved to use the community facilities available in Groby. Members of the SLG are mainly (ladies and gentlemen) mature adults who otherwise would be alone on Sunday lunch. We have a few younger members who volunteer to organise the group and the activities that will take place each time we meet. There are people from the Church of England, URC, Methodist or from no church at all (including people from Groby and Ratby). The common denominator is that we meet each other to have a time for fellowship and a lot of good fun. Each person brings something to share, although most of the time we finish with more food than we need. If you would like to join our group or know someone who would benefit from attending our Sunday Lunch Gang meetings please contact Peter Beaman in the first instance (0116 2245517 or pbleicester@yahoo.co.uk). Our next meeting will be on 23 October 2011. Our Christmas Lunch is going to be on 18 December 2011, both of them will take place in the URC’s hall in Groby. Please contact also Peter if you consider that you could spare some hours to volunteer to help us to organise the lunch and the rest of the activities.

Sunday Lunch Gang A woman tells her husband that her car won’t start. ‘I think there’s water in the carburettor,’ she says. ‘How do you know that?’ asks the husband. The wife replies, ‘I drove it into the canal.’ I know a farmer who’s invented a scarecrow that’s so hideous that none of the local crows will touch his corn - a few of them have even brought back the corn they stole last year.

Blowing out the other fellow’s candle will not make yours shine any brighter.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

National Trust Leicester Association Members of the public have until 30th October to visit most National Trust Houses, except for the Christmas events that I will outline next month. During the 1920’s and 30’s Belton House near Grantham was the home of Peregrine Brownlow and as in previous centuries it continued to be a place of lavish hospitality and entertainment. The Brownlow family lived the high life at the heart of society and were close friends with the Prince of Wales. Shortly after Edward’s succession to the throne, Peregrine became Lord-in-Waiting to the King. In that position he became heavily involved in the abdication crisis caused by the new King’s intention to marry Mrs Simpson. Abdication hits Home is an exhibition (until 30 October) that focuses on the year 1936 and tells the story of an exceptional year for Peregrine Brownlow and reveals a very poignant personal story. That story is told in a succession of rooms in the house and involves four main characters “Perry” Brownlow, his wife Kitty, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. On a different level, Mr Straw’s House, which is an Edwardian semi-detached property in a quiet residential area of Worksop tells the story of a well to do working family also in the 1920’s and 30’s. Mr Straw owned a very successful grocers business and the family cherished their possessions and lived without many modern comforts. They grew their own food, made their own clothes and led a fairly simple life. Visitors to the house (until 29 October) will see the interior of a house complete with its furniture and decorations that was left in a time warp dated about 1923. The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 26th October at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm and Anne Halsey will present a talk on the Land of the Pharaohs. There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 8th November when Denise Edwards, NT General Manager, will present an illustrated talk on What’s Going On In Hardwick. The meeting will be held at Highpoint Conference Centre, Glenfield Road, Leicester at 7.30pm. Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50 and visitors £4.00. They are also holding an Autumn Fair on Saturday 5th November at Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester from 10.00 to 12.30. Many stalls, Raffle, Tombola and refreshments. For information on the Association and its Talks Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler

RATBY ROAD, GROBY, LEICESTER, LE6 0GE.

IN YEAR 11? THINKING ABOUT STUDYING A LEVELS NEXT YEAR? In 2011 27% of all A level grades awarded were A*-A and 74% were A*-C Why not find out more about the College and what we can offer you in Post 16. Come and meet our Post 16 Team, staff and current A level students at our Post 16 Open Evening on Thursday 10th November 2011 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm www.grobycoll.leics.sch.uk or contact us: Email : michellewood@grobycoll.leics.sch.uk Tel: 0116 2879921 xt 242

Chairman, NT Leicester Association

My wife got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Local swimmer’s great year Continued from page 1

Jamie’s swimming achievements include;

•

• •

Lady Jane Grey walked the plank!

Qualifying for the British Championships at Manchester in March, breaking a County record in the 100m fly event with a personal best time of 54.40 seconds. This qualified him for the Olympic trials that take place at the new Olympic pool in London next year Gained the overall title of the ‘British Youth Champion’ by coming first in the 50m freestyle that took place at the National Championships in Sheffield in July. His time of 23.22 seconds also qualified him for the Olympic trials The 50m and 100m fly County and Midland Champion, 100 individual medley and 50 breaststroke County Champion breaking several records along the way Being placed on the ‘World Class Development in London, Rio and Beyond Programme’ Placed on the British Swimming long list of athletes that are believed to have the ability to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

All of Jamie’s aims for 2011 were achieved through sheer hard work, dedication, determination and many sacrifices. Jamie is looking for sponsors to help him achieve further success. Ahoy me hearties… On Friday 23rd September a great day was had by all when the children and staff of Lady Jan e Grey Primary School turned into Pirates to celebrate national ‘Talk like a pirate day!’ Throughout the day, the children and adults participated in many pirate activities. This was because Captain Jack Sparrow and his ship had encountered a treacherous storm on the way to find their TREASURE! This meant we had to make pirate hats, parrots, ships and hooks. Captain Jack also asked us to make some new treasure maps as he agreed that all children at Lady Jane Grey must know where the treasure is! The Headteacher Mr Fitzgerald exclaimed ‘What a fantastic day!’, and a child was overheard saying ‘this is the best day ever!’. At the end of the day the children showed their costumes in an assembly and Lamar in Year 2 shared a pirate joke… ‘Where do Pirates get there shopping from?’ ‘ARRgos’. All the staff would like to thank parents and carers for providing their children with such fabulous costumes and supporting us with such a brilliant day! It is already booked in the diary for next year.

Free cookery classes teach people to ‘love their leftovers’ A series of free cookery classes are being held to teach people how to conjure up tasty meals using leftovers. The Leicestershire Waste Partnership, which is made up of the county, district and borough councils, is hoping the classes will teach people to love their leftovers and save up to £50 a month by reducing food waste. Sessions will be held at: • Hastings High School in Hinckley, 6pm to 9pm, on Mondays October 17th, 24th and 31st • Markfield Community Centre, 2pm to 5pm, on Tuesdays, October 25th and November 1st and 8th • Wreake Valley Community College, Parkstone Road, Syston, 6pm to 9pm, on Wednesday, November 9th, Friday, November 11th, Wednesday, November 16th To sign up or find out more about future sessions call 0116 3057005 or email: wasteprevention@leics.gov.uk

Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?

Proud New Owners at The Queen’s Head - Belton Exciting changes are taking place, having taken over in April 2011, Amanda & Simon are ready to take things at The Queen’s Head to a whole new level. With a new team of chefs under Executive Chef Simon’s expert guidance, & a new team serving Front of House, Amanda & Simon aim to make your visit to The Queen’s Head a culinary experience with life long memories, you’re sure to want to repeat again & again. With their recently awarded AA Rosette & 4 Stars The Queens Head are proud to be Seasonal, local and homemade produce from sustainable sources wherever possible

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Is it possible to be a closet claustrophobic?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

LETTERS

Groby Players

In defence of the outdoor gym equipment: 1 I was rather taken aback by comments in John Mason’s letter in the September edition of the Spotlight. If John is expecting state of the art sophisticated electronic gym equipment costing hundreds of thousands of pounds that is only suitable for indoor use then maybe he might like to donate the money himself to the village for this purpose. The proposed equipment, fencing and installation will NOT cost the Parish Council £11,437 as he suggests because it is the subject of a grant and other contributions totalling well over £20,000 which will cost the village virtually nothing and far from being useless junk, comes with a proven track record that has earned both high accreditation and certification and has been successful and well used in other areas. The immediate positive benefit will be felt by the local Groby footballers that will be using Quarry Park and any members of the public who may wish to use the outdoor gym equipment free of charge. Groby is a village and lacks the type of funding available to large local authorities and while some gym equipment may seem less sophisticated than others, it does have great potential for those who do not consider themselves to be elite state of the art connoisseurs who can afford the high prices that indoor gyms charge. Overall, the amount of children’s play equipment at Quarry Park will actually increase as some additional items will be available after the relocation and replacement of others. If the writer is so disillusioned with Groby Parish Council, why did he not put his name forward when we advertised in the Spotlight recently for members of the public who had something to offer Groby, to apply for cooption to fill the three vacant seats on the Parish Council? With Groby voted eleventh on the list of the best places to bring up children in the UK, I think that on balance, your local Parish Council must be doing something right.

Cllr Norman McCausland

Chairman of the Quarry Park working party, Groby Parish Council)

In defence of the outdoor gym equipment: 2 John Mason’s negative and rather bad-tempered letter in the Mid-September Spotlight needs a response. I have, over more than two years, used the equipment on the Millennium Green which he so violently denigrates and have found great benefit. I’m sorry he never passed while I was doing my work-out. While waiting for a hip replacement and unable to do my usual walking, I found the Space Walker and Skier machines kept the leg muscles strong so that I was able to make a quick return to strength and activity. The Pull Down Exerciser also helps to maintain muscle strength when the joint tissues are torn and painful. And a general work-out benefits heart and lungs. Many of us do not have the resources to join a gym; the provision of this rugged, basic equipment is of huge benefit. Others, too, have told me, at the Green, how useful they find it. I don’t know the site in Groby but perhaps it would be possible to have some equipment for younger children, which they could use while safely in view of adults in charge of them, who could be using the adult equipment. This would be good on the Green, too; but all these things need paying for. Meanwhile I am grateful for what there is and shall go on using it.

Ruth Ledbury

A man asks a judge to let him off jury service. The Judge says: ‘But surely your firm can manage without you for a few weeks.’ The man replies: ‘Certainly. They can manage without me altogether - and I don’t want them to find out.’ Harry operates a one-day dry cleaning service. People give him clothes on the understanding that one day they might get them back again.

Tickets are selling now for Groby Players production of ‘Murder in Rehearsal’ by Angela Lanyon.

The dates are November 10/11/12 in Groby Village Hall. The play is set in the rehearsal room of a village hall where the characters are rehearsing ‘Romeo & Juliet’. Little work is done as minor disaster follows minor disaster ending with the murder of one of the cast. The seating will be ‘cafe style’ to enable the audience to talk to each other at the interval to try to guess the murderer! This is not compulsory and you may just like to enjoy the performance. No questions can be asked of the cast, and they will disappear during the interval to allow the audience to ‘eat, drink and be merry’ whilst guessing.( please bring your own nibbles,supper and drink) There will be a prize!! Tickets, priced £6.00 are on sale in October, in Groby Village Hall, every Saturday, between 10am-12md,or from Tel/Text 07790 861033 or 0116 2877373, or email, dot@dhollins.freeserve.co.uk .

Do you feel the need to answer the phone in the toilet? By Bill Allen If you do, you may be suffering from ‘immediate response syndrome’. You won’t find it on Google as I invented it to help a businessman understand why he felt it would be impossible for him to put his phone away while I was teaching. ‘Immediate response syndrome’ may resonate with you if you feel you could not be parted from your phone, email, or text messaging device for more than a few minutes, let alone hours. It is the new worldwide phenomenon and has been brought about by the natural tendency to want to respond to a request, in whatever format, as it arrives. The extreme of this can be witnessed when you hear someone answering the phone whilst they are in the toilet. It’s a good thing they are not automatically switched to video phone! Tests show that if you answer your phone, text message or email as soon as you see that tempting icon that says that ‘You’ve Got Mail’, then you are saying to the person who sent it that you are always available, and that they can leave it till the last minute to do so. Hence all your communication will be urgent – no wonder you are worried that you may not be there to respond immediately! In fact, you could be leaving the other person vulnerable if this happened to be the time that you could not answer their urgent request immediately. But do we want all our communication to be urgent? The truth is that none of us ever wanted this to happen, it just crept up on us. The cure is to allow the phone to go to answer-phone, (in the short term you can check the answer phone immediately to see if it’s truly urgent and if not do not respond immediately). Don’t answer text messages for at least half an hour unless it is absolutely vital; in time they will get less. Do your emails in batches so there are natural time breaks before they get a response. In the short term you can scan them for the really urgent and only deal with those. If you start building the gaps into your communication cycle then those who want to contact you will realise that they must get in touch with you sooner, which in turn gives you longer to answer them, and takes the stress out of the situation. Bill Allen is Business Improvement Specialist who works with companies of all sizes to help improve their productivity, leadership, sales and marketing. As a Trustee of his Church he also speaks at events and churches on “Finding Time for God” – time management for Christians. He can be contacted at www. improvementspecialist.co.uk

What was the best thing BEFORE sliced bread?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Families will be spoilt for choice with half-term events in Leicestershire There will be plenty to entertain families this halfterm as Leicestershire County Council’s award winning museums, libraries and country parks host a fantastic array of events to keep everyone occupied. Visitors to two of Leicestershire’s top attractions are in for a real treat this half term with a 2 for 1 entry offer at either Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre or Snibston Discovery Museum (cheapest ticket is free). There’s something for everyone this half term, including arts and crafts, poems and puzzles, treasure hunts and falconry plus plenty of Halloween themed events in preparation for the big day! Families will be spoilt for choice with events that include: • A treasure hunt to help find the lost weapons of King Richard III’s Army and an opportunity to get hands on with hawks, owls and falcons in the beautiful surroundings of Bosworth Battlefield Country Park. • The chance to make Halloween hats and follow a Halloween trail at Charnwood museum. • It’s the season for jumping in muddy puddles so join in a wacky welly workshop at Melton Carnegie Museum • Learn how to play the Indian Tabla drum at the Century Theatre – a great way to develop coordination. • See and smell Snibston Discovery Museum’s stationary steam engines come to life. • Meet and handle exotic and extraordinary creatures at Harborough Museum The vast programme of activities taking place from Saturday 15th October is listed on the County Council’s website. For inspiration and heaps of fun, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/schoolholidayevents Alternatively, pick up a copy of the latest Events Guide listing hundreds of fantastic events throughout Leicestershire. Copies are available from County libraries, museums and country parks, local Tourist Information Centres or can be downloaded or requested online at: www.leics.gov.uk/events alternatively please email: eventsguide@leics.gov.uk

Skeptics in the Pub Event Radiation and Reason

A clear and positive scientific account of the effect of radiation on life When? Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30PM Where? Square Bar, 5-9 Hotel Street, Leicester LE1 5AW Who? Prof Wade Allison What’s the talk about? For more than half a century the view that radiation represents an extreme hazard has been accepted. This talk challenges that view by facing the question ‘How dangerous is ionising radiation?’ Briefly the answer is that radiation is about a thousand times less hazardous than suggested by current safety standards. For many this will come as a surprise. Why are people so worried about radiation? Should we choose nuclear power or face climate change? Education, understanding and simple scientific fact, not popular fear inherited from the days of the Cold War, are essential to mankind’s survival on Earth. Professor Wade Allison is a nuclear and medical physicist at the University of Oxford.

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I backed a great horse yesterday. It took seven horses to beat him.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Christmas Lights With only two months to go the Parish Council has had to consider when to have the lights switched on and off. They will be lit this year from 4pm to 2am from 21st November through to 14th January 2012. The contractors are to be asked to ensure that the timing devices are working properly to avoid a problem previously experienced.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Christmas may be approaching but the Jubilee is still a long way off. It may seem that way but for those wanting to organise events to coincide with the Jubilee it’s closer than you think, so if your organisation wants to plan something it will help everyone else if you start to make the important decisions now. The Parish Council feels that there should be some sort of celebration, but on balance thinks that it is probably best left to the many organisations within the village to take care of the detail. In the coming months the Council will be looking at it’s budgets for next year and could possibly set aside some funds to oil the wheels, so to speak. There is no clearing house for planned celebrations set up yet so one of the problems organisations face is knowing what others are organising and on what date. If you have set a date for an event and want others to know you can email info@grobynews.tk and it can be mentioned in the next available Spotlight and passed on to a co-ordinator if one emerges.

Did the survey look at dentistry? Last month the Spotlight reported

on the threat to NHS dental services in Groby for children following the termination of the contract when an Associate at Crofton House surgery left the practice. This month we report the good news that Groby is in the Top 20 places to raise a family. The irony hasn’t been lost on local dentist Mrs Lesley Trivett who is trying to get the Primary Care Trust to renew the contract. “I feel that it is rather ironic that Groby has been voted one of the best places in the country for families but the PCT can’t provide children’s dentistry,” she said. “If the general public want to have this facility then we need their support and for people to voice this. There are over 2500 children in the area and although we don’t treat all of them we are here to treat as many as would like to come to us. We can also provide some adult care within the scope of our surgery facilities.” Mrs Trivett appreciates the level of support she has received within the village and the letters residents have written to the Trust. She also reports that she has met with local MP Stephen Dorrell and is awaiting feedback from him on any response he has received from the Primary Care Trust. If you want to know how you can lend your support contact the surgery.

The right to buy dilemma The Government has announced plans to increase the discount available to council tenants under the Right to Buy scheme, which may be good news for some of the 17 families living in qualifying homes in Groby. Some reports claim that discounts as high as 60% were given to long standing tenants under the previous Conservative CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Come and Celebrate

Harvest Time

With a three course home made meal • Soup • Harvest Casserole • Harvest Pudding with Custard At Congregational Hall Main Street, On Thursday October 13th From 7pm for 7:30pm Tickets £6.00 each For tickets and more information Tel Brenda on 01530 242173

FENCING

S G S

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NEW & REPAIR WORK UNDERTAKEN ALL WOOD IS PRESSURE TREATED

CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY

0116 2879715 / 07814224630 TURN TO PAGE 12

Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

administration and although the Labour Government kept the policy it reduced the discounts. The current maximum discount for the East Midlands region is £24,000. In Groby only one home has been sold in the last 9 years. When the Conservative government boosted the sale of social housing in the 1980’s the proceeds were given to the local authority, but they had to use it to reduce their debt and not to build new council houses. As many as 2 million council houses were sold, halving the national social housing stock. The good news for those on the housing waiting list is that the new policy proposal provides for the proceeds from each sale to be used to build a new affordable home. But the bad news is that there may not be land available to build houses in the parishes where the houses are sold. The affordable homes project in Groby failed because no suitable land was forthcoming, so if any of the 17 homes in Groby are sold in which village will their replacements be built?

MARKFIELD MEDICAL CENTRE

We Would Like To Hear From You! The Partners, Doctors and staff at your surgery are keen to ensure that patients are involved in decisions about the range and quality of services provided and, over time, commissioned by your practice. To enable the surgery to obtain your feedback, together with representatives from the patient participation group we have developed a survey which will be available for patients to complete until the end of December. Patients can either complete this survey through our website which is www.markfieldmedicalcentre.org.uk or paper based at the surgery. Please take this opportunity to let us know what you think about your surgery. If you would also like to know more about your patient participation group or would like to join please contact Angela Patton, Practice Manager on 01530 242313.

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths is increased to 80mph. But those in Groby who live with the background noise of the M1, A46 and A50 may not be so happy if faster does mean louder. Even if it doesn’t many residents of downwind villages like Groby are hardly likely to welcome the increased fuel consumption and the resulting pollution which a change may bring. Are there any readers with a scientific or technological leaning who know whether the amount of engine and road noise a vehicle generates increases with it’s speed?

New village sights map The new Groby in Bloom village map recently erected outside the library will be of interest to both visitors and residents. It contains sketches and information about places of interest in Groby. The map has been sponsored by Thomas Herbert Smith’s trust Fund.

Does faster mean louder? Many may welcome the suggestion that the speed limit

SPIRITATPLAY SPIRITATPLAY is committed to compassionate horsemanship and is opening a new Saturday club for young people eager to learn how to care for horses and how to understand them a little. Because the horses are all rescues there is no riding but this club is the perfect opening into the world of the horse and a great opportunity to learn about the horse and to understand them more before getting on to ride. The activities include: • Learning how to care for horses • Learning how to care for horses • Unmounted games and competitions • Learning how to work as a team to deliver care to horses The activities are spread over two hours of fun and enjoyment in the company of the beautiful horses of Birchaven. The club will run every Saturday and everyone is welcome. All proceeds will go the SPIRITATPLAY to help people who need out help. If you are interested please contact Judith on 07904053899 or email spiritatliberty@aol.com Spiritatplay is based at Birchhaven Equestrian Assisted Learning Centre, Priory Lane, Markfield.

Hospitality: Making your guests feel at home, even though you wish they were.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

BOOKSPOT 9/11 Ten Years Later: When State Crimes Against Democracy Succeed By David Ray Griffin AMAZON PRICE: £6.73 Though most britons thought the Afghan war justified in the aftermath of 9/11, Griffin shows that it was a legally and morally unjust war from the outset. He demonstrates that the official account of events of 9/11 would have required a dozen miracles - which he interprets as violations of the principals of science - and asks Why do many left-leaning journalists, who in most contexts would emphatically reject the possibility of miracles, nevertheless endorse the official account? Griffin also asks how the controlled demolition of Building 7—a huge, 47-story building—was “hidden in plain sight.” Turning to the Pentagon, Griffin asks whether there is any evidence for the view that it was struck by American Airlines Flight 77. Where is the evidence that the attacks were carried out by Muslim terrorists? And, in the wake of Osama Bin Laden’s death in May this year, Griffin seeks to resolve how involved Bin Laden wa sin the planning of the attacks, and whether he was a convenient scapegoat.

The Power of Present Moment Awareness The value of living in the present moment is easy to understand. But it can be very hard to actually make that happen. This is especially true in the midst of the stress and chaos of our everyday life that dominates so much of our time and saps so much of our energy. The Power of Present Moment Awareness: How to Turn Ordinary Moments into Peak Experiences bridges the gap between having an understanding of present moment awareness and truly opening to the experience of it. Author Shannon Duncan combines an engaging, accessible, down-toearth exploration of the meaning and value of present moment awareness with his vast collection of simple, practical, immediately usable techniques, strategies, and exercises. The result is a program that makes one of the oldest, most fundamental, yet most elusive principles of spirituality readily accessible at last. With this you can: • Move through life with a more calm, relaxed awareness. • Actually enjoy and appreciate your daily life. • Learn to stay present in the moment when you most need to - and when it’s hardest to do. • Recognize and overcome the limitations you place on yourself and on others. • Stop being hurt, offended, saddened, or negatively affected by the actions of others. • Intentionally live your life instead of merely “surviving” it. • No longer be enslaved by reactive thoughts and actions. • Literally reshape your experience of life. The Power of Present Moment Awareness will show you how to open yourself to the lasting sense of peace and deep sense of gratitude for life that the present moment offers. CD Version – 6 Compact Discs, an Electronic Focus Tool and Quiet Ponderings CD (24120CD) Retail price: £71.44 Visit: www.nightingaleconant.co.uk to order online.

Nothing cures insomnia like the realisation that it’s time to get up.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

LOCAL YOGA CLASS IN CHARITY EVENT

On 24th September, local Yoga Teacher Tess Hayre organised and took part in a Yoga charity event to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Along with eleven of her students, Tess taught and took part in 108 Sun Salutes. For those unfamiliar with Yoga, Sun Salutes are a cardio-vascular exercise and the movements are synchronised with breathing. They help to build strength and flexibility in the body and in a typical class you’d practise approximately six rounds, so achieving 108 requires a good level of fitness. In Hindu culture, 108 is recognised as an auspicious number and can bring good fortune. Altogether, the group has so far raised over £2,000 with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society. Tess said: “My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s earlier this year and this inspired me to do something positive. There are approximately half a million sufferers in the UK today and more are being diagnosed every day. The Alzheimer’s Society carries out vital work for sufferers and carers alike.” Tess teaches Yoga in Groby both at the village hall and from home. For more information, please go to her website www.yogawithtess.co.uk or ring 07751 186934.

All those who believe in psychokinesis - please raise my hand.

Don’t Miss Closing Date for School Places Parents are being urged to look out for school place application packs which will be landing on doormats across Leicestershire.

Around 14,000 forms will be sent out to parents whose children will transfer to secondary, high or upper school in the autumn term, 2012 and the County Council is urging them to make sure they apply on time. Parents need to apply by 31st October, 2011. Application forms are being sent out throughout September. Transfer to the next school is not automatic so all parents need to apply - even for their child to attend the catchment area school for their home address. Late applicants may not be offered a place at any of their preferred schools, or even their catchment area school. Leicestershire County Council are encouraging more parents to apply online at: www.leics.gov.uk/admissions For more information or an application form, go to: www.leics. gov.uk/admissions or e-mail admissions@leics.gov.uk or call School Admissions on 0116 305 6684.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

GIRLS - fancy playing for Syston Town FC?

HENSTOCKS

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Phone: 0116 262 3202 email@henstocks.co.uk Syston Town Juniors F.C. is a FA Charter Standard Club and the free girl’s football academy was launched Saturday October 9th 2010, to give girls the opportunity to play football for free. Since last Octobers launch over 50 girls regularly attend the girl’s academy. Many of the girls have registered to play for SystonTown for the current season and since the launch the club has entered two new teams in the Leicester City & County Girls League U11’s Bees, U13’s Wasps as well as existing U16’s Aces team. The club also has a U7’s Bumbles team which seem to be growing in numbers every week. The Girls Academy celebrated its first Anniversary today (Saturday 8th October) which was supported and attended by Leicester City Women’s players Katie Lowder, Beth Goodman and Leah Grant and former Leicester City favourites and legends Steve Walsh and Julian Joachim, who were on hand to help and give advice to the girls. Leicester City Women players got involved with the coaching session which the girls thoroughly enjoyed. Steve Walsh and Julian Joachim were impressed with how the Academy had grown after one year. The Girls Academy has been a success for Syston Town

Juniors F.C and that is down to the commitment, hard work of the volunteer Coaches. The Academy takes place every Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Memorial Park, Necton Street, Syston, LE7 8HF The Girls Academy Coaching Team is: Rich Gunn – U16’s Aces Manager/ Coach & Girls Academy Coach (FA Level 2 & FA Youth Modules 1 & 2) Adey Hall – U13’s Wasps Manager/ Coach (FA Level 2) Hollie Gunn – U11’s Bees Manager/Coach (FA Level 1) Ria Graham – U11’s Bees Coach (FA Level 1) Charley Bools – U7’s Bumbles Coach (FA Level 1) Not forgetting our newest recruit the girls Goalkeeping Coach Tyler Sibson Syston Town girls are always looking for new players of all ages and ability and are currently seeking a Goalkeeper for the U16’s Aces and a couple of more outfield players. If you are interested in playing or would like more details regarding the girls academy please contact Rich Gunn 07884117116 or Syston Town Juniors FC Chair Person Sam Chambers 07776291355 or visit the clubs website www. systontownjuniorsfc.co.uk

ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICES

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

As part of our aftercare service, we now offer a monthly Bereavement Aftercare & Support Group, which has been set up to provide a FREE support service, not just to our clients, but to ANY bereaved person, irrespective of their age, creed, religion and length of bereavement. The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month in the catering suite at Anstey & District Funeral Services between 10am and 12noon.

Next dates: Sat 15th October & Sat 19th November ARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548

Fax: 0116 261 9186 www.henstocks.co.uk

Alternative version of My Favourite Things John Eley of Glenfield has sent this item to the Spotlight, and asked us to share it with readers. It is a parody of the song My Favourite Things, from The Sound of Music, which allegedly was recited by Julie Andrews at Radio City Music Hall, although this may be an urban myth! The best effect is achieved if you sing it, rather than read it! Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting, Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings, Bundles of magazines tied up in string, These are a few of my favourite things. Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses, Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favourite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don’t feel so bad. Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favourite things. Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin’, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’, And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames, When we remember our favourite things. When the joints ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so bad.

Nothing is opened more often by mistake than the mouth.

Want to be happy? Switch on the radio If you want to feel positive and far more energetic, listen to the radio. A recent survey has found that our mood and energy levels soar when we tune in. By contrast, watching TV and browsing the internet, while also raising happiness and energy levels, come nowhere near what radio can do for you. It seems that simply listening to media, as opposed to also watching it, stimulates very positive brain engagement levels. The study was ‘Media and the Mood of the Nation’.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Our survey said ...

Groby is tops! (Well, 11th) I wonder how many Groby residents know that in the Family Friendly Hotspots Report for 2011, Groby features at No. 11. This document is a unique appraisal of 2,400 postcode districts in England and Wales highlighting the best places to bring up children. Apart from considering financial concerns for education, property or general living standards, this report has, for the first time, included many aspects that provide a friendly environment ideal for bringing up families. The key factors under scrutiny in the survey are safety, education, amenities, property and population and of course how affordability are all these. As a result of collating all this information across these Regions the authors of the survey have been able to pin-point exactly where the best places are to bring up children. The scoring system allocated points to each postcode according to performance in these key factors and the basic guide lines were as follows:Safety - With the National average of crime per head-of-population standing at 0.05, Groby is 0.02. Education – It was difficult to define this category due to many differing factors to take into account amongst the education authorities, but in arriving at a conclusion, Ofsted inspection reports were studied, particularly with regard to Maths and English, and levels of truancy and quality and quantity of schools available taken into account. In this category the National average Key 2 rating is 27.47. Groby’s is 29.65. Amenities – Here the authors took into account the range of services and activities that support family life including local public parks, neighbouring countryside, adjacent leisure centres, local social clubs and organisations such as football, swimming, scouts, guides and the like. Property – The chief aspect in this category was ‘affordability’. To answer this, the local property prices were compared to average local salaries. Also other factors such as percentage of owner occupancy and speed of house sale were taken into account. The National average of a 2bed property is £167,659 and in Groby it is £132,064. The National average salary is £24,170 and in Groby it is £23,715. Population – When considering this category the main consideration was that families with young children want to live where there are other families. Where there is a community spirit and plenty of other children to play with. Close examination of age and birth rate were analysed. The National average number of live births per 1,000 women is 63, in Groby it is 55.6. Having analysed all these factors for postcode LE6 the Groby score was 18.42, placing us 11th. First place went to Winkleigh in Devon with 19.76. Are we surprised? I think probably not! We only have to drive round Groby to see our pleasant housing interspersed with green areas and venture only a little further out of the village to enjoy Groby Pool, Bradgate Park and the Charnwood Forest. The quaint village centre offers practical facilities and provides a friendly meeting place. Our schools have had an enviable reputation for many years. We are vigilant and our crime rate is low. Our Churches provide support to the Community. There exist many varied sports, educational and social groups We have a Parish Council that works tirelessly to maintain our standards at a high level. Our East Midlands location next to the motorway network gives us easy access to a 250 mile radius of the country. Yes, Groby has a lot to offer and we must all continue to do our bit to keep it tidy and in the manner that obviously rates us so highly in the Country as a whole.

David Hartridge When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Air Cadets achieve Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Seven Cadets from 2070 (Glenfield) ATC have recently completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition in the White Peak Area of the Peak District, Derbyshire. CPL Fielder, CPL Forrester, CPL Warwick, Holford, Allampalle, Davies and Hiom are now ready to complete their Qualifying Expedition. The expedition began on Friday 23rd September with the cadets arriving at the train station bright eyed and bushy tailed, although it would remain to be seen whether their enthusiasm would remain throughout the duration of the expedition! The cadets averaged 15km a day across challenging terrain. Each cadet took a map reading lead to put into practice some of the key concepts of navigation including how to orientate the map, how to take bearings, aiming off and handrailing. The practice expedition was also effective in identifying what the cadets had forgotten! They had to demonstrate other skills such as sound camp craft, effective use of their kit and demonstrate an awareness of their surroundings whilst obeying the country code. CI Anderson commented that “It’s good to take young adults out of their comfort zone to really test them. This weekend did just that with a good time had by all involved” The weather was very much a mixed bag with sunshine on Friday, sunshine and gusty winds on Saturday and a good old drop of rain on Sunday. After all folks; if it isn’t raining it isn’t training! Jokes aside it is important to experience a range of weather conditions to ensure that the cadets understand the challenges they may face on their qualifying expedition in the Dark Peak area of The Peak District. So for now it is Silver, but it won’t be too long before 2070 is going for Gold! Please visit www.2070sqn.co.uk for more information on the Air Training Corps and in particular 2070 (Glenfield) ATC.

James Brewster

Civilian Instructor, 2070 (Glenfield) Air Training Corps

Marking a Multiple Harvest Harvest supper for St. Philip and St. James this year came with a twist or two. Aching Arms Puppets came to celebrate the event with us; they brought excellent songs, a rather stubborn turnip, and some magic. There was also completely unexpected cake, gloriously decorated by the children at Catch, to mark ten years of Revd. Louise Corke’s ministry here in Groby and the wider parish. Harvest Thanksgiving is simply (and yet profoundly) thanking God for the bounty of our fields and farms and for the remarkable collection of people and processes which bring produce from its roots, so to speak, to the shops near us. That could be it, but somehow the celebration always ends up meaning more, because we start thinking about the fruitfulness of other work we do, or the fruitfulness of our relationships, or the fruitfulness in our community. It’s very easy year on year to take any harvest for granted, to assume it will just happen, and of course it doesn’t just happen. Fruitfulness comes after hard work and weathering the seasons; and actually, sometimes the harsher climes, beit frost, drought or heat, make for a better, sweeter crop. The same is very often true in our lives. Harvest celebrations also lead to a sharing of the goodness and along with Martinshaw school, all non-perishable produce was taken down to the Welcome Project at St. Martin’s House (www. cathedral.leicester.anglican.org). The perishable food and flowers were distributed in the village.

St. P&J church family Some people are so determined to find blissful happiness that they overlook a lifetime of contentment.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Crime Figures for Sept 2011 The following incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during September 2011. Description

Groby

Field Head

House Burglaries Actual: Leicester Road Attempted:

1Actual 0 Attempted

Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Newtown Linford Lane Attempted:

1 Actual 0 Attempted

Theft of Motor Vehicle: Ratby Road

Theft from Motor Vehicle:

Damage to Motor Vehicle: Castle Rise

Non-Domestic Assaults

Anti Social Behaviour Incidents

Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars

TOTAL (Actual)

TOTAL (Attempted)

Theft: 4 / Damage: 2 / Other: 11

PC 0918 Ned Kelly • Sergeant Matthew Trott Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk Information supplied by Martin Cartwright, Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: neighbourhoodwatch@appliancehome.co.uk In An Emergency dial 999. Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222. Next meeting: Thursday 8th December 2011 at 7.30pm at Groby Village Hall.

Some people say I’m superficial, but that’s just on the surface.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby WI report - from Margaret Gamble Oh boy, did we have a Knight when ‘Ruthin it’ at Rhuthun Castle. I think I had better explain. It was our annual weekend away and our overnight stop was at Ruthin Castle just over the border in Wales. Ruthin is the English spelling and Rhuthun the Welsh, I think. Anyway as we approached the arch which leads to the Castle, the driver discovered that 700 year old arches were not built to allow coaches to pass. So out go a couple of ladies giving directions and about l5 minutes later, after the driver had dropped his hydraulics, we actually got through and saw a beautiful castle. It is now a lovely hotel with loads of lounges and restaurants etc which are in the process of refurbishment. My friend and I were in the old part. The room had a lovely view and was fine apart from the fact that we couldn’t find the wardrobe. It turned out to be in the bathroom. Anyway, we just had time to change for dinner which was to be a medieval banquet. We assembled in the Presence Chamber with fully costumed Ladies of the Court and the Court Steward to have bread and salt, a symbol of hospitality. We were then escorted by the Steward into the Banqueting Hall. We sat at long benches in a great hall with a balcony. On the table was a knife, a small glass of Celtic mead and pewter goblet. I then found myself having a bib put around my neck, I now know why. The Steward, a very witty man, gave us a humorous, medieval welcome, at the same time the serving wenches brought us a lovely soup which we drank from a bowl. We were regaled with antidotes and very unexpected singing. The half dozen or so serving girls turned out to be wonderful singers, mostly in Welsh, of course. The next course was a huge lamb shank in gravy with a few small vegetables. I was always told it was rude to eat it off your knife but I got the hang of balancing my veggies on the blade. As to the shank, fingers of course. Then more singing etc and out came a giant baked potato and what seemed to me, half a chicken and large salad. We were stuffed. Finally, we had a creamy fruit dessert. The serving maids, in between clearing and bringing dishes, would break into song. At the top table which happened to be next to me, were the Lord and Lady for the night, visiting Americans. Also along the top table were other Americans and a German couple. They really

thought it great. The Lord and Lady were addressed by the Steward on various occasions asking permission to do something or other, very funny. There were pretty identical twins about 20ish who sang beautifully. All the others also did a “turn”, we could have been at an Eisteddfod. About four hours later the Steward thanked us for our company and said if we were satisfied with their service, an alms box was outside to receive our groat if we thought they were worthy of it. Actually at the end we asked if we could sing our anthem, Jerusalem, which we did and I didn’t think we let Groby down. Talking of Groby, we couldn’t believe that after a few battles between the Welsh and Edward I, he gave the castle to Reginald de Grey whose family remained there until 1508 after a very chequered history. Ruthin Castle then passed from Henry VIII to Edward VI and briefly, at least in theory, to Lady Jane Grey. Through various marriages there are connections of the Greys of Groby and the Castle. We had a wonderful time. It is, in parts, over 700 years old and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit to Blist Hill I should have started at the beginning of our trip but…. Our first stop was Blist Hill, Ironbridge a Victorian town. It was the site of the old Madeley Mine, Blast Furnace and Brickworks. Of course we visited the mine, which had produced iron ore, brick clay and coal. The clay went into the blast furnaces, the coal changed into coke, mixed with ironstone and limestone in the furnaces and made iron. Everything was on site. I especially enjoyed the old sweet shop, bakery, chemist and many more. Some visited the chip shop with chips cooked in lard. I nobly abstained from that especially as I was “sitting”. An artist was drawing charcoal portraits, of course, somehow thanks to encouragement from “friends” I found myself posing, something I have never done before. He was a lovely chap and was quite complimentary but I said, “warts and all” not that I have many! I had to stare at a set spot. When he got down to my mouth he asked if I could hold my smile. Now I smile quite a lot but when “friends” are around it is very difficult. How Mona Lisa kept her enigmatic smile, beats me. Anyway after about half a hour I was done and pleasantly pleased. I am now hung in the kitchen alongside photos of the family pets, I know my place. All volunteers were dressed in period costumes. The Village Bobby

chased a villain down the street and a little later, the same Bobby was found dressed completely differently in the pub giving a great redition of old music hall songs. We changed some modern money at the Bank and for £5.00 received something like: 6d (sixpence or “tanner”), 2x3d (“thre-pence”) and 2x1d (penny). In the shops you could use old money or modern money so when leaving we went into Lloyds Bank, saw the Manager and exchanged back.

The Prisoner The next morning, we found ourselves at Portmeirion which was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village and is now owned by a charitable trust. Portmeirion is used frequently for filming, most famously as The Village in the 1960s television show The Prisoner. It really did feel like Italy apart from the downpour in the afternoon (we sat huddled under a hugh umbrella eating pizza etc) but still enjoyed everything.

Ffestiniog Railway Then for the last part of our trip onto the Ffestiniog Railway where we took a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. A wonderful trip and a lovely finish to our annual weekend away.

Bridget Blair The following Thursday we had our monthly meeting. This month it was Bridget Blair talking on “Over the Waves”. Now I said in last month’s report I didn’t know what to expect but it turned out to be a bit of the sea and a bit of broadcasting. Bridget was a very down to earth and amusing lady who is a producer and broadcaster for Radio Leicester. After leaving a Convent school at l8 with no idea of what she wanted she was offered a job as receptionist at a

It’s hard to be nostalgic when you can’t remember anything.

famous hair salon. She thought it a bit boring and decided that she would like to travel the world and asked for a post aboard a cruise ship. Amazingly she was given one and eventually finished up on the Canberra. Bridget said she didn’t realise how very unworldly she was. When going to a social below decks a crewman said she would be very popular and would spend all night dancing. She said this was so, in fact there was such a shortage of ladies that male crew members were even dancing together. It took a while for the penny to drop. Whilst she had never worked so hard in her life she had a marvellous time, seeing the world and trying her hand when ashore at almost everything. All the time she spoke she was very humorous and gave us a good laugh. After a while she decided that she really ought to get serious and went to University, Bridget found a job working for radio but in the reference department. This was before the days of the computers, so when programmes needed research that was her job. Later she thought she liked the idea of actually becoming a reporter and the rest is history.

Visitor from Canada We have “visitors” most months and this time we welcomed four ladies. One lady, from Canada, was visiting one of our members. They had been pen pals for over 50 years and she said she had enjoyed herself. Another was the granddaughter of another member. We always welcome local ladies but it’s great to meet ladies from other parts.

October meeting Next month’s meeting on the 20th October is “Secret Kitchen”, the speaker being Jane McGovern, again I have no idea what’s that about. We are, as usual, at the Village Hall, along side the Library and opposite the Post Office, meetings begin at 7.30p.m.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Village Green application fails Norman Griffiths reports on what happens next Groby Parish Council has decided not to challenge the decision that the land owned by Bloors next to the village cemetery should not be registered as a Village Green. This follows the decision of the Development Control and Regulatory Board at Leicestershire County Council on September 22nd to accept the report of the Inspector. The meeting considered the report of the County Solicitor which explained the procedure that had been followed. Although the County Solicitor has delegated power to act in all matters on behalf of the County Council as Registration Authority it was considered appropriate, in view of the sensitive nature of the Application, that the decision should be made by the Board.

The County Solicitor’s report

“The Inspector considered the Applicant’s case which consisted of the evidence of one witness who gave oral evidence at the inquiry, and 20 letters and evidence forms for the Applicant whose evidence is set out in his Report and its Submission,” reported the County Solicitor. “The evidence of use was mainly of walking, dog walking, and children’s play. The evidence is detailed in his Report.” “The Objector’s case consisted of the evidence of 8 witnesses and 3 loose leaf binders of evidence, and argued that Land was not used by a significant number during the whole or indeed in any part of the 20-year period ending March/April 2009 and the use claimed therefore did not endure during the relevant 20 years.” The County Solicitor added that the Inspector “recommends that as there was not a significant use by the residents of the locality of Groby by ‘a very wide margin’ and ‘fell very far short’ for the whole of the 20 year period, and that the Application should be rejected. A spokesperson for the County Council

Art In Ratby

said that the only route to challenge this decision would be to apply to the High Court for a Judicial Review, which can be an expensive process.

Public apathy

The Inspection of the application was conducted by Mr Alun Alesbury, MA., Barrister at Law. One oral submission was made at the hearing about the recreational use of the land by residents, and this was supported by 20 further written statements. They were not enough to persuade the Inspector, who commented on the ‘paucity and questionable quality of most of the Applicant’s evidence’. Those who took time to make submissions may take exception to his description of the quality of the evidence but would probably not disagree with the paucity remark. The Parish Council was disappointed that so few residents came forward with evidence of their use of the land over the years, and at the October Parish Council meeting it was said that the information gathering exercise was met with public apathy in Groby. The Inspector thought that even taking account of the oral evidence the submissions did not establish that the level and type of local public use was ‘as of right’ by significant numbers of local inhabitants, as opposed to sporadic and fairly isolated acts of trespass. He regarded it as significant that in 2007 Groby Parish Council was advocating that part of the Application Site should be given over to the development of affordable housing and that the professionally prepared objections to Bloors’ application to develop the whole site for housing made no reference to the site being an open area of open land on which local people had acquired, or long exercised recreational rights. He accepted, however, that the Council had not even thought about the question of a possible Commons Act claim until the Parish Clerk researched the subject following comments from local people picked

up during the planning objection process. In summing up all the submissions the Inspector concluded with one of his extra length sentences. “As a matter of judgement I would observe that all this history appears to me much more consistent with there being a widespread view among local people that (on planning grounds) they do not want to see development on this field, and would much rather see it in active agricultural use, rather than there being a general local perception that this was an open area which had long been available for recreation, which local people were actively concerned not to lose. This present Commons Act application is not of course concerned in any way with what ought to be the future status of this land in planning terms.”

The Parish Council decision

In making its decision the Parish Council took into account the poor response for evidence when the application was being prepared and had to consider whether more publicity would generate sufficient additional high quality evidence. Most members thought that it would not. Another consideration was that within the next two years there will almost certainly be a further planning application from the builder to develop the site and this will require the mobilisation of public opinion once again to oppose it. A further, and possibly unsuccessful appeal against the Village Green decision, might result in what could be described as appeal fatigue by the time objections to any further building proposals are needed. On balance it seemed better to focus the efforts of the Parish Council on opposing any unsuitable future development of the land. You can read the full report of the Inspector by following the link from www.grobyonline.tk or going to the County Council website at http://politics.leics.gov.uk/documents/ s63399/B%20ratby%20village%20gre en%20appx%202%20inspectors%20r eport.pdf.

Ratby’s Fifth Annual Art Exhibition and Craft Fair takes place in the Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November from 10am to 3pm both days with unusual and unique crafts, Christmas gifts, and paintings. In addition, the Parish Church will open (Sat. only) 10am to 3pm with crafts including planted baskets, and artists Julia Kent and Peter Griffin will be demonstrating their work. Guided tours of the church (Sat. only) at 11 am and 2pm, by Ratby Local History Group with donations to church funds.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Allotment Society News - from John Thornton Plasmobiophora Brassicae. Where did I catch it? Is it curable? Well it does sound as if the doctor should be interested. If he is not a gardener though, he may never have heard of it. However, give it its common name and we start to understand - finger and toe or clubroot. It is a root disease common to all the brassica family, that commonly includes cabbage, cauliflower and Brussel-sprouts, in fact all of the greens we grow. It goes further, to encompass radish, turnips and all of the mustard family, even flowers are not immune, wallflowers included. How do I know that I have got it on my plot? It will start to reveal itself in the early stages of plant growth, some plants in the row will not be growing as well as others and will slowly fall behind, wilt and then die. Remove the affected plant and the root will resemble a gnarled fist or club or like arthritic fingers, not the familiar root form, hence the old name finger and thumb. There are up to nine variations of the disease, first recorded in this country during the ninth century but with us before that. What can we do? Cysts that cause the problem can live in the soil for 8 or 10 years until a suitable host is available to infect. So rotation on a small allotment plot can be of little use. At one time we were able to buy a mercurial based powder, which was some help but as expected it is now banned. It is easy to spread. Just walking on the plot can transfer it to a clean area. Also be very careful about accepting plants from neighbours as they can unwittingly give you the problem. Clubroot thrives on wet acid soil, so lime the planting area well before planting. Start your plants off in modules using bought in compost and add a small amount of lime which will sweeten the compost. Try to develop a good root system in the pot before planting out. When you are confident your plants are ready to introduce to the plot, dig a hole 12ins deep, dust with lime and fill with a bought in compost, this ensures your plant has developed a strong root before reaching into infected soil. Never compost brassica roots, you can compost the stems but burn the roots even if they look perfect. A long departed allotment friend told me his secret method of attack,which

This is an excellent example of the disease. Two healthy plants either side of an affected one. All planted at the same time. is lime, sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of iron, a third portion of each added to the hole before planting. This seems to work for some members but if you like folklore a small piece of rhubarb in the hole accompanied by a few magic words is practised. • Now the good news, our seed catalogue offers club root resistant varieties, not total immunity but resistant so follow all the previous advice. Available is a resistant cabbage-Kilaton and cauliflower-Clapton and now a Brussel- sprout-Chrispus. I am sure we will soon be able to add broccoli to the list.

Beat the winter blues with over £11,000 of red hot prizes! Whilst it may be cold outside LOROS are turning up the heat with their Local Hospice Winter Warmer Raffle which will take place on Wednesday 21st December. How would you like £10,000 to see in the New Year? Just think of what you could do with a sum like that. Or imagine yourself behind the wheel of a sleek and stylish new Peugeot 207 Access – the choice between these fabulous prizes could really be yours. The LOROS Winter Warmer Raffle is a great way to raise funds and also a way for the hospice to say thank you for the support received through the year. In previous years the draw has been incredibly successful but this year LOROS fundraisers hope to raise more than ever to help people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Every £1 ticket sold will help so to join in the fun just call the LOROS Lottery office on 0116 2318430 and it could be you having to make that decision between a £10,000 windfall or a brand new Peugeot 207 Access.

The way some people find fault, you’d think there was a reward.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society News The Annual Village Show This was a very successful event thanks to all the exhibitors who made the effort to enter and stage such a wonderful variety of produce and articles. A remarkable number of entries was recorded (nearly 600) and all who attended would testify to the dazzling displays in the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower sections, whilst the home-made cakes and preserves etc. were simply mouth-watering. Once again, entries to the Flower Arranging and Handicraft sections left many visitors in awe of the skill and dedication shown by exhibitors. The Children’s sections are always a great attraction and this year was no exception. The W. I. again proved to be invaluable partners as they excelled in the refreshment area and by the number of their members’ exhibits. The display by our Allotment Society is always of interest and reflects its popular position in village life. It is by now a cliché, but the strength of the show is largely due to the number of exhibitors who enter with no great expectations of success. If we all waited until we could be sure of winning, there would be no show. We all hope that visitors, who were encouraged by what they saw, will try to make entries next year.

The Show – Prizes awarded Young Peoples Section Class 60

1st 2nd 3rd

Class 61 1st 2nd 3rd

Class 62 1st 2nd 3rd

Class 63 1st 2nd 3rd

Class 64 1st 2nd 3rd

A Creature

Helen Chick Philip Chick Christopher Pitcher

Shortbread Biscuits Saffron Yarwood Arun Stokes Ashley Stokes

A Decorated Plant Pot

Max waterfield Anya Stokes Ashley Stokes

Model Garden

Anya Stokes Arun Stokes Sarah Pitcher

Faces (decorated cakes)

Max Waterfield Ashley Stokes Anya Stokes

Class 65 1st 2nd 3rd

Special prizes Class 57 Sponsored by the Allotment Society - A vegetable Tray 1st

Sadhana Stokes

Class 59 Miniature Garden (open to adults) 1st

Cups & Trophies

Miniature Flower Arr.

Sarah Pitcher Charlotte Dorsey Christopher Pitcher

Kay Blick

Best Exhibits Classes 1-20 Floral section Jill Waldram

Classes 21-29 Container Plants section Margaret Stones

Classes 30-56 Fruit & Vegetable Section Sadhana Stokes

Classes 66-69 Flower Arrangements Section Lynn Mellor

Classes 70-82 Cookery & Preserves Section Patricia King

Croxtall Shield - Most points in the Floral Section Nigel Chapman

Callis Shield - Most points in Container Section Kay Blick

Jarram Shield - Most points in Fruit & Vegetable Section Jane Marston

Gamble Shield - Most points in Flower Arrangements Section Molly Matson

Firth Shield - Most points in Cookery & Handicrafts Section Kay Blick

Richardson Plate - The winner of class 58 (small bunch carrots) Kay Blick

GGS Cup - Best Exhibit in Show (Cup & £5) Jane Marston

Balderston Trophy - Groby W.I. member with most points in Show Kay Blick

Classes 84-92 Handicrafts Section

W. I. Trophy - Groby W.I. member with 2nd most points in Show

Jane Marston

Ellen Whitelegg

Classes 60-65 Young Persons Section

The Morris Cup - The Most points in Show

Max Waterfield This award was The Parish Council Young Person’s Cup ( A new cup funded by The Parish Council for which we are most grateful)

Parish Council Cup - The second most points in Show

Kay Blick

Jane Marston

Apathy is becoming a major problem - but who cares?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Above (l-r) Sadhana Stokes receiving her prize; the Hall in all its glory; people viewing the exhibits; a young entrant receives his award.

September meeting

Don Witton was our speaker at the September meeting and some will remember him for a lovely talk in 2007 on his passion for Euphorbias. Well, Don’s passion for all types of plants remains undiminished as he demonstrated in his talk “People, Plants, Pleasure and Passion”. His talk was backed up by a wonderful collection of photographs which augmented his humerous anecdotes. He brought a selection of high quality plants to sell and numerous members took advantage of his very competitive prices for many favourite perennial stalwarts. His Euphorbias and Crocosmia were particularly popular.

Christmas Supper (Dec 8th meeting)

The usual list for members to itemise their contributions to the meal is available at the October 13th and November 10th meetings. Anyone who misses these, but would like to partake, could give Alvar a ring to arrange.

Forth coming events

November 10th Superheroes-The Plant Hunters December 8th Our traditional Christmas supper with entertainment January 12th 2012 Annual General Meeting We always welcome new members and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

It’s a good job Eve didn’t say to Adam: ‘I’m not marrying the first man that comes along.’

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Small Ads 3-drawer Mobile Lockable Pedestal, Beech w40.8 x d51 x h60.2cm, Cost £99 new, immaculate condition, Price: £20 each. ‘Next’ 2-door maple veneer wardrobe with mauve doors, excellent condition. Price:£30. Traditional style solid wood fire surround, excellent condition. Price: £30. Tel. 0116 223 5655 or 0770 9223489 SIZE 12 Red Wool JACKET - £20 Blue Plexon Jacket - £20 White JACKET, evening or wedding - £30 Beige TROUSERS, Planet - £20 Tel: 0116 287 5654 Four large ARMCHAIRS, recently reupholstered., plus LARGE POUFFE. Price: £250 Tel: 0116 231 2897 Wooden extending LADDERS. Cost £100, little used. Price: £50. Two SLEEPING BAGS - £10. DEMI JOHNS - 50p each Tel: 0116 232 1193. Glass-top Coffee Table with Deer Design Base - £45 Chest Freezer - £50 Tel: 0116 287 8987

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Send us the details, cost of item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication). Max 4 items, please. Max price: £300. See page 3 for Spotlight contact details.

Good neighbours are good for your health How do you feel about your neighbours? In a recent survey, it was found that people who can say ‘my neighbours can be trusted’ reported better health on average than those who felt uneasy about their neighbours. If you trust the people next door, it seems that this can help prevent negative emotions such as hostility and shame, and general unease and stress. The survey, carried out by a team from the University of Missouri, concluded that an increase in community cohesion might well help to promote an increase in personal health and well-being.

New sewer ownership rules now effective Norman Griffiths finds out how to stop blockages on the pipes you still own October has arrived and the new regulations about sewer ownership and maintenance previously reported in the Spotlight have come into effect. All sewers outside of your property boundaries and any sewers shared with another property have now been transferred to the ownership of Severn Trent if within their supply area. The current advice from the company is that if you experience a sewer blockage you should ring them on 0800 783 4444. Last month Severn Trent named and shamed the worst towns in the Midlands for clogging up sewers, and revealed that the Leicester area has some the company’s most conscientious sewer users. Leicester comes sixth in their Top 20 of areas with squeaky clean sewers. Each kilometre of sewers only had around 4% of the blockages experienced in Normanton in Derbyshire, the worst area.

Who pays? And of course it’s customers who pay the £10 million Severn Trent spends each year regularly cleaning over 700 kilometres of sewers which are prone to clogging up and clearing nearly 22,000 sewer blockages. Three out of every five sewer blockages in the Midlands are caused by sanitary products, fat, oil and grease. Some of the other worst offenders are items such as cleansing wipes, cotton buds and nappies.

Out of sight, out of mind? “It’s easy to think ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when we put items down the loo that would be better off in the bin,” said Drew Kirby, Strategy Manager for Severn Trent’s sewerage infrastructure. “ A blocked sewer is, of course, inconvenient for our customers but if it leads to sewer flooding it can be extremely unpleasant and stressful.” When blockages and sewer flooding are caused by misuse of sewers and drains, they can be completely avoided. The drains that take waste water away from your home are only a few centimetres wide and are only meant to take water, loo roll and human waste. It seems that things like sanitary products or cleansing wipes can get stuck in smaller drains, unlike toilet paper which breaks down when wet.

Ratby Village Society

“It’s also easy to assume that the warm grease left in a pan after frying bacon, or preparing your Sunday roast would be ok to dump down the sink - that if you wash it down with hot soapy water it’ll be fine,” warns Drew. “But the reality is that eventually the fat and grease will cool and solidify, over time building up and blocking the drain or sewer. Better to wipe it out with a bit of kitchen roll & put it in the bin, or pour it into one of the free fat traps that Severn Trent provides to its customers.” The easy way to order one is to enter fat trap into the search box on www.stwater.co.uk.

Blockage clearance can still cost you money Drew saves the most powerful reason for keeping your sewer pipe clean for last. “Anything that gets stuck in the drain running from your home until it connects to Severn Trent’s sewer is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair and maintain, and unblocking, repairing, or replacing the waste pipe that runs from your home can be costly,” he warns. The new rules about ownership only apply to pipework outside of your property boundaries and any sewers shared with another property. So you can reduce the risk of having to pay to have your drain unblocked by keeping the items listed below out of your loos and drains: • Sanitary products • Fat, oil, and grease-including butter, or frying oils • Cleansing wipes, baby wipes & facial wipes • Cotton buds & cotton wool • Tissues • Nappies • Kitchen roll • Condoms • Razors or needles • Medicine • Car oil, paint thinner or other chemicals • Bandages and plasters • Dental floss • Knickers & tights • Incontinence pads

Meetings are held in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby at 8pm on the third Tuesday of each month except July and December when there are no meetings. Admission: members £1.60, casual guests £2.50 including refreshments. Everyone welcome. Tuesday 18th October - Virginia Wright gives a talk with slides on notorious local murders up to 1920, including James Cook and the ‘Green Bicycle Murder’. Tuesday 15th November - Arthur Beyless delivers his talk entitled “How the Hokey Pokey Men came to Leicester”. This features the Italian people who travelled to Leicester from the late 1800’s to the early 1950’s.

Not only do I not know what’s going on, but I wouldn’t know what to do about it if I did.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

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The trouble with life is, by the time you can read a girl like a book, your library card has expired.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

onday morning, I’m at work, I’m tired and aching. “What did you do at the weekend?” I look up from my tea, and smile, “I was camping with the Scouts and meeting parents”. So here’s my question to you. “What did you do last weekend?” Here is my story. As a Group Scout Leader, I’m responsible for Scouting in Groby, and I had the idea (fantastic or crazy, you decide), to get the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and their Parents together for a day and offer the experience of what Scouts in the village can do. Fortunately for me, Groby Scout Group has fantastic leaders and parents (you know who you are!). The Saturday saw us all come together and experiencing the essence of Scouting. Meeting new people, learning new skills, learning about yourself and having FUN! The Scouts and the Cubs then camped overnight on Saturday. Sunday was Silly Olympics, then heading home. For me, it was a fantastic opportunity to talk to some of the Parents, be a big kid at the (indoor) camp fire and generally enjoy myself. Activities were open to all who attended, including; Archery,

Groby Scouts Group Camp

What did YOU do at the weekend?

Climbing, Abseiling, Air Rifle Shooting, Fire Lighting, Backwoods Cooking, Shelter Building & Axe, Knife and Saw. Even the weather couldn’t stop us! So, it’s Monday morning, I’m tired and aching, but we achieved something. What will I be doing next weekend? Smiling at the last one!

If you think you can help with Scouts, whether it is an hour a day, week, month, or year, there is something for you. Maybe you can cut the grass, help with on the Management Committee, Fundraise or help with a Section meeting. Do you have a hobby or a skill you could share with the young people? I could bore you with other

stories, but instead, why not join in and make some stories of your own? Thank you!! To all the Leaders, Parent Helpers, Parents and Young People who made a typical weekend into a fantastic weekend.

Paul Wren

Group Scout Leader,

Sponsorship deal for Groby Juniors Under-9s

Groby Juniors Under 9’s are proud to show off their new kit which was kindly sponsored by leading Leicestershire Estate Agents, Taylors Property Services. John Waters, Sales Director at Taylors commented “Taylors have deep roots in Groby and the surrounding areas, so it was important for us to give something back to the local community. I have been impressed with the team’s attitude and performances and we are proud to sponsor them”. The photograph shows the team with head coach Scott Upton prior to their latest game. To follow their performances this season go to www.grobyjuniorsfc.co.uk

Scott Upton

If you’ve enjoyed reading this issue of Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend, relative or colleague after you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

The best thing about a hobby is that it gives you something to do while you’re worrying.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Make friends and help the environment at volunteer events NEW volunteer recruits are being sought to help look after and protect some of Charnwood’s most important wildlife sites. Charnwood Borough Council’s Conservation Volunteer scheme is seeking new members who want to help the environment, make new friends, get fit and have fun. The group has scheduled four conservation events between now and Christmas including sycamore clearing, boardwalk construction, using a boat to clear vegetation from an island on Charnwood Water and coppicing. Councillor Hilary Fryer, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Cleansing and Open Spaces, said: “Volunteering to help the environment is not just a noble cause, it is also great fun and a place to meet new, like-minded friends while helping make a difference in the community.” The autumn schedule of volunteer events is: • Willow coppicing on Sunday, October 16 - Dishley Pool, Loughborough. Meet in the car park at the end of Cotton Way next to Derby Road playing fields. • Boardwalk construction on Sunday, October 30 - Holywell Wood, Loughborough. First turn on the left off the A512 Ashby Road, after the gas research centre roundabout. Park by the entrance. • Sycamore clearing on Sunday, November 13 – Outwoods, Loughborough. Meet in the car park off Woodhouse Lane. Island and water • management (barley straw) on Sunday, November 27 – Charnwood Water, Loughborough. Meet in the car park on Tuckers Road. All tasks start at 10am and finish at 4pm but volunteers are under no obligation to stay for the entire day. Members are urged to wear old clothes, stout shoes and bring waterproof clothing. Tea and coffee is provided but members would be required to bring their own packed lunch. Tools and training will be provided and members will be covered by the Council’s insurance. Members are also asked to ensure they are up to date with Tetanus jabs (a booster is required every 10 years). For more information call 01509 634976 or email wildlife@ charnwood.gov.uk or visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/ charnwoodconservationvolunteers

Ever notice that even the busiest people are never too busy to tell you how busy they are?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 14th Oct: Limited Edition Sat 15th Oct: D.V.8 Sun 16th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 21st Oct: Lauren Rose Sat 22nd Oct: Hitz Sun 23rd Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 28th Oct: Sam Bailey Sat 29th Oct: Mallennia Sun 30th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 4th Nov: Derren Boulton Plus The Motellas Sat 5th Nov: Laura Elson Sun 6th Nov: Super Sunday ‘50’ SEE ADVERT ON BACK PAGE & FEATURE ON PAGE 20 The Stamford Arms, 2 Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 5616 Fri 14th Oct: SAINTS OF SOUNDS Sat 15th Oct: CAMILLA & THE NIGHT SHIFT Sun 16th Oct: STEVIE RAFFLES Mon 17th Oct: HISS & BOO JAZZ BAND Sat 22nd Oct: ANDREW & ROY Sun 23rd Oct: NEW ORLEANS HOTSHOTS Sat 29th Oct: STONEPARK Sun 30th Oct: CITIZENS OF SWING Sat 12th Nov: FIRE & SKILL Sun 13th Nov: THE ACEMEN General Knowledge QUIZ Every Sunday • Music QUIZ Every Tuesday Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Last Friday of the month – Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.00 admission 8 o’clock. Tea Dance Wednesday

afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Saturday night dances 22nd October and 5th November. Starts 8 o’clock - £1 on the door. Contact: Glenda 01530 230467 The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 28th Oct: MEATLOAF Fri 11th Nov: ROCK & ROLL Quiz Nite: 2nd Tues of Month Wedding Fayre: 6th November The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 8th Oct AND 22nd Oct (’King of the Road’) Sat 15th Oct: KRISIS Sat 29th Oct: LYNN The Nag’s Head, 18 Station Road, Glenfield, Leicester Tel:0116 287 2794 Fri 14th Oct: ‘King of the Road’ Karaoke Fri 21st Oct: CAMILLA & JUSTIN - Accoustic Duo Sat 22nd Oct: ARTHUR PARK - Accoustic Duo Sat 29th Oct: HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS DISCO The Bricklayers Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays BEER & SAUSAGE Festival 12th to 16th Oct, Starts with: Meet the Brewer www.bricklayersarms.net (See Advert on opposite page) The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 15th Oct: WAXIES GARGOYLE Sat 22nd Oct: Friends of St Peter’s MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Sat 29th Oct: FATHER TED www.myspace.com/ thorntonclub

Send details of your LOCAL pub and club entertainments and we’ll include them in this column FREE! Tremendous!

Don’t mess with the X-Factor! What do you think of this year’s X-Factor?

As a big fan of the show, I was curious to see how it could maintain its incredible popularity without main man Simon Cowell appearing each week to orchestrate proceedings. I needn’t have worried. It appears that ‘someone’ is doing everything possible to keep viewers - and contestants - on their toes. First of all we had three new judges to become familiar with. Gary Barlow was well known to the British public, and appears to have taken on Simon’s harsh but fair, ‘voice of reason’ role. The replacement of Cheryl and Dannii with Tulisa and Kelly has been a great success. The new girls have personality, knowledge of the music business and - so far at least - have kept the focus on their acts rather than promoting themselves. Kelly showed that she is not afraid to make tough decisions when she eliminated Amelia Lily - one of the early favourites - in favour of Sophie in the first live weekend. But the two changes to the format this year were not so impressive. First, there was the spectacle of surplus contestants being eliminated before performing at ‘Boot Camp’. Why put them through if you’re going to send them straight home again? Second, the ‘Big Twist’ which saw the judges being forced to send home one of their four acts - which they’d chosen only the previous week - looked like a needless gimmick. The excitement of the live shows is that we - the voting viewers - get to decide which acts are chosen for elimination. By forcing Kelly to send home Amelia Lily, the X-Factor bosses have taken away one of this year’s better acts. All four contestants in the girls’ category this year were potential winners, and I think they may regret kicking out a performer with loads of potential. Unless, of course, Simon Cowell has already signed her up and didn’t want to wait until Christmas to get her career under way ...

Tarquin Vandyke

By doing just a little every day, you can gradually let the task completely overwhelm you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Information board

Anstey & District Funeral Service

for Groby

Independent Family-Run Funeral Directors

We take care of every detail, advise and help you every step of the way. • •

Spotlight readers may remember my previous article where I reported that a sub-group of Groby-inBloom was working on the provision of an information board for the village. Well, if you have passed the library lately, you will have seen the fruit of our labours. Upon deciding the format, the group were fortunate to find sketches of places of interest by many different local artists. These were considered more aesthetically pleasing than photographs and three artists gave their unconditional permission for the use of their work. Similarly, we are grateful to the owners of the houses featured for their consent. The objective of the information was firstly to highlight the wealth of local history. Restrictions on inclusion necessitated careful selection. We aimed to provide an insight into past links with royalty, dwellings, education and industry. Alongside the history we wanted to encourage health. Groby is surrounded by lush water, wood, park and meadow land. This environment offers a wide variety

PLEASED: Carolyn Wheatley (left) and Brenda Burrows check out the new Groby Information Board of flora, fauna and birdlife as well as lungs-full of fresh air. With the welldocumented need for increased exercise in the population overall, public footpaths/bridleways have been marked on the map? Planned walks can vary from an amble along footpaths taking in our historical buildings (also suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs) to a yomp cross-country, uphill and down-dale. We were delighted to gain a licence from Leicestershire County Council to site the information board adjacent to the library in the centre of the village, our first and preferred choice. We hope that you are as pleased with the outcome as we are and that the information will be enjoyed for years to come. This is the wish also of our kind sponsor without whom the project would have fallen at the first hurdle.

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Is your boss a narcissist? If the answer is yes, you deserve sympathy. Because successful, confident people who believe their own hype make bad bosses. Narcissists often get to the top because of their confidence, authority and self-esteem; the people who hire them think that this will make for good leadership. But, on a day to day basis, narcissists are so preoccupied with their own abilities that they do not lead groups well. They inhibit group decision because no one feels free to share their ideas in case the boss does not agree. While in a crisis a strong person may be useful; in everyday life, the less dominant skills of being willing to share information, perspectives and knowledge is more important guiding a group towards good decisions. The findings of the research were published in Psychological Science magazine.

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If you consult enough experts, you can confirm any opinion.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Older? Yes. Old? Never! by Peter Carvell

Hospital Chart Bloomers Don’t be alarmed, but these are actual writings from hospital charts....

Peter Carvell’s new book, Older? Yes. Old? Never! is required reading for the over 45 market, debunks the myths of ageing - and welcomes the Government’s ending of the fixed default retirement age after 100 years.

• • •

“As of October 1st 2011, no one can ever again be thrown out of work on grounds of age only - whether that be 55, 60 or 65,” says Peter Carvell. “This means that anyone can continue to work on, as long as they can do the job, for as long as they want.” This October Social Revolution will not only change the lives of all those over 45 today, but also those 30 years younger, who were hoping to’step into old men’s shoes’, as Charles Dickens wrote. “This is an enormous social change - but with the right attitudes from all quarters, every group wins,” says Peter Carvell. “Older people win because they can now work on, earn more money and stay in a social working environment. Employers win because they get to keep the people with the most experience and most knowledge of the business. Young people win because they can be given more training and education into their twenties, before they start to work. And society wins, because the older generation will continue to pay taxes, buy more goods and remain part of the productive process.” Peter Carvell calls this Third Act the dawning of a New Golden Age - which could change the attitudes of millions, as much as the changes of the Sixties. “There has never been a better time for those over 45. We are fitter, healthier, richer, younger than any previous generation. And, with the effect of inflation ruining so many pension plans, we need and want to continue working to earn enough money to see us through to our eighties.” Older? Yes. Old? Never! the revolutionary new book by Peter Carvell, is aspirational, user-friendly, practical and filled with advice on how the over 45s can make their Third Act richer and more enjoyable. (Published by Delancey Press. £10.99. Available from Amazon and all good bookshops).

• • • • • • • • • • •

The patient refused autopsy. The patient has no previous history of suicides. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993. Discharge status: Alive but without permission. She is numb from her toes down. The skin was moist and dry. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches. Patient was alert and unresponsive. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy. Skin: somewhat pale but present. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

Shuttlewood Clarke Event Based at Ulverscroft Grange Community Support and Wellbeing Centre the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is delighted to announce that it will be holding a ‘Taste Sensation’ Buffet prepared by Chef Anna Garnier on Friday 18th November, between 1.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Peter Welton, Emeritus Professor of Fine Art at De Montfort University, will be on hand to enthral with tales about his life and work as an artist; whilst Jazz Pianist Stephen Hancock will provide delightful background entertainment. Tickets for this wonderful event are £20.00 each - tel: 01530 244914 or via admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org

Churches Together in Groby Fair Cuppa: an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. All tea/coffee is fairtrade Every Thursday, 10.00—11.30am.

Catch

Play, craft, story & chat for pre-

school children with a parent/carer. Every Friday in term time, 10.00 – 12noon

Sunday services: please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.org.uk Mrs Norma Whittaker 287 6606 Children/Youth Worker Deb Goodhead 07730 596309

Remembrance Service (CTG) 10.50am on Sunday 13th Nov at St Philip & St. James

Urban Saints During term time, held at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions. - for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-OCTOBER2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

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