October 2013 groby spotlight magazine by Michael Wilkinson

Village Show Winners: page 8 • Loads of Small Ads: page 11 • Job Vacancy: page 18

Another successful Groby Street Fair!

Groby residents improve their health and fitness by walking

We would like to say a big thank you to all the helpers who made this years Street Fair another success. Thank you to all who helped on the entrances, selling raffle tickets and helping at the climbing wall. A special thanks to Max who ‘just turned up’ on Friday evening and helped finish off the staging, and came back on Saturday for more! Julie - who wanted ‘to give something back to her village’. Kevin, who has been our ‘litter picker’at all the fairs. Ivon, David and Steve who are there at 6.30AM and turn up again after you have all gone home to help clear up! A big thank you to the group of G.E.Volunteers who came and ‘fought the 5 gazebos’ and helped with so many other jobs! We must not forget those who so kindly gave a donation which helped make the day possible; Groby Parish Council, • Thomas Herbert Smith Trust Fund, • • Midland Quarry Products • Groby Kitchens APT • Henson’s Hardware • Newby & Co • • Terjon Scaffolding Thank you everyone for your support. From all the committee: Christine Sturgess-Smith - Chair • • Allan Johnston - Vice Chair • Jim Coley - Entertainments Organiser Sylvia Beck - Treasurer • Carol York - Secretary • Violet Atkins • • Liz Eaton • Kelly Hodges Barbara Johnston • Sandra Jones • Please think about joining us on the committee - we can’t keep doing a 16 hour day on the day of the fair!

The Groby Street Fair Committee

For four weeks, members of Groby’s Slimming World, Heart Smart and Exercise on Referral have been starting to improve their fitness by embarking on a walking programme put together by John Alton of Let’s Walk Groby and Amy Morgan of the Ramblers short walk project Get Walking Keep Walking in Leicester. The initial walk was for 2-miles around the Blue Gates Quarter of the historic and scenic Castle Hill Country Park and despite a damp overcast evening 10 hardy souls turned up to enjoy the walk. The remaining walks were all held in Groby and were parts of routes used by Let’s Walk Groby on their regular Thursday walks and were attended by over 20 enthusiastic participants. The walkers have enjoyed the programme so much that they are determined to carry on as a walking group. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Free trees for hedges The County Hall based Stepping Stones Project has teamed up with the Woodland Trust to help encourage farmers and community groups to provide much-needed habitats for wildlife by planting hedges and hedgerow trees. Applicants can apply for packs for planting on publicly accessible land or land that is visible from a public right of way or highway. This includes agricultural and recreational land, but not private gardens. To find out more, or to apply, please contact the project on 0116 305 7221 or 7264. Offer excludes planting.

Community Spirited Bricklayer Wanted! Groby Parish Council is seeking to engage a community spirited bricklayer to construct 5 small brick structures which will house a recessed plaque indicating the dedication of 5 open spaces in Groby as ‘Fields in Trust’. Please contact the Clerk for further information. Tel: 01162 876985.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I haven’t slept for ten days, because that would be too long.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • 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.

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The Annual Randonnee Round the Island Cycle Challenge here we come...

Isle of Wight Charity bike ride for ADAPT Friday the 13th September and we are packed ready to go. The weather doesn’t look promising but that’s life, what could go wrong. The car journey down passes quickly and making good time we book in on the earlier ferry, Southampton to East Cowes. Considering the size of the island and with the holiday season drawing to an end, the island is still buzzing. The weather is still iffy as we dock but with the possibility of the rain lifting we head to the hotel, lets get fed and some rest. Saturday morning greets us with sunshine, no rain but very windy with the tail end of the storms from around the country. The vote is to tackle the island Anticlockwise, (quieter road/ cycleways) hugging the river Medina from Newport up to Cowes, here we go! The roads are surprising clear as all the other bikers that we meet seem to be going the other way, a bit off putting but lets get stuck in. Gurnard, Newtown Calbourne and Newbridge pass by peacefully. From Yarmouth Freshwater Bay, the incline begins and by Brightstone and Black Gang it’s getting serious. We stop for lunch to refill and a quick breather and reflect that this place is hillier than we thought but with the weather beginning to draw in we crack on. Niton, Ventnor and Wroxall then downhill to Bembridge and St Helens. By the time we get to Havenstreet the hills are back, it’s been a long day from our starting point in Cowes at 9.30 am and as we pass through Wootton, Whippingham and back into East Cowes and then downhill to Newport its just gone 7.00 pm. It has been a relief to get this challenge under our belt. Tired and weary as the light begins to fade, it’s fish & chips, beer and bed. At 9.30 pm it’s goodnight and thank you. As we packed the bikes into the car on Sunday morning we noted that the milometer read 120 km from start to finish. We bid our farewell to the island as we boarded the ferry home. At present the fundraising total is stands at approximately £700.00 but still have more pledges to collect so will update you shortly when the final figure is known. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in raising money for Adapt (All dependent and pre-term babies) it is greatly appreciated. My nephew Gage Bloxsom (aged 15) from Glenfield also completed the mighty challenge together with his dad and raised in excess of £100.00 for the RSPCA.

Simon Moore, Field Head

Loros Need New Venue For Groby juniors football club Annual Fireworks Event LOROS Hospice is desperately searching for a new venue to hold their Annual Fireworks Event after news emerged on Monday afternoon that Mallory Park Race Circuit has gone into administration. The event which has been held at Mallory Park for the last 6 years has attracted over 30,000 people and raised over £30,000 for the hospice is now in jeopardy after receiving the news that Mallory Park has gone into administration and until a buyer is found all events have been cancelled. The LOROS fundraising team have been busy organising the event for months and with entertainment booked, volunteers recruited and over 50,000 flyers produced there is now a real fear that if the event has to be cancelled they stand to lose a considerable amount of money. Laura Betts, fundraiser for LOROS said; “The situation at Mallory Park is a very unfortunate reminder of the current difficulties businesses are facing. While we are very sad that we will not have the fantastic support from Mallory Park this year; we now have to focus all our attention on finding another venue and delivering an event that over the years the local community have come to love while at the same time raising vital funds for our charity.” Last year the LOROS Annual Firework Event was under threat due to the fact that no sponsors had come forward, however, after word got out that the event might not go ahead LOROS received several offers of support from local organisations proving just how popular the event had become over the years. The plea for support resulted in Morningside Pharmaceuticals coming forward as the headline sponsor and saving the event. The partnership with Morningside was so successful that the pharmaceutical company agreed to be headline sponsor again this year. With funding, infrastructure, entertainment and volunteers all secured LOROS is now hoping that an alternative venue can be found to ensure this much loved event will go ahead. If you think you may be able to help please contact LOROS fundraising urgently on 0116 2318431.

looking for new secretary After many years of working tirelessly for Groby Juniors, club secretary Mark Bond has made the decision that it is time to pass on the baton to someone else. When Mark first took on the role Groby Juniors had just six teams, they now have 18 teams covering all age groups (boys and girls) from the foundation academy up to the under 18 team, all playing in many different leagues. In order to spread the load it is envisaged that Groby Juniors now need a club secretary assisted by other volunteers who can help coordinate with the dealings of the various leagues. Anybody interested in taking on either of the above roles should contact Mark Bond on 07817 661250 or Scott Upton on 07901 652061.

When I was a boy, I laid in my twin-sized bed and wondered where my brother was.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Walking Groups Continued from page 1 Hazel Hickson, founder of Let’s Walk Groby who organises the three groups, says that ‘ Walking at a moderate intensity brings many health benefits, including; • Lower blood pressure and less risk of heart disease • Reduced risk of colon cancer ,breast cancer and cancer of the uterus • Stronger bones and joints • Stronger muscles and better posture • Reduced risk of diabetes • Keeps your mind sharp as it helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline and early dementia from middle age into older age. It’s fantastic for motivation and has an amazing effect on mood and feelings of well being: increasing energy levels, reducing stress, boosting confidence and self esteem it can even reverse depression! Building some activity into our regular routine alongside a healthy balanced diet, such as Food Optimising will bring great results. Your metabolism will increase so you’ll burn more energy-even when resting! You’ll find appetite better matches your energy needs and can add over a stone to your weight loss in a year by briskly walking for 30 minutes each day! So with all these major health benefits on offer, why wait until the New Year for a New You! Start now and have an Awesome Autumn!’ There are morning and evening Slimming World sessions on Thursdays. The Heart Smart classes are tailored for people recovering from heart related problems. Exercise on referral is for people with medical conditions; obesity, hypertension, stress, strokes, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis and are held each Wednesday morning in the Community Centre. All are warm and friendly groups! I look forward to hearing from you. If you would like more information call Hazel on 07817303018/ 0116 2879272. If you’re interested in walking for exercise, companionship and getting to know your village then Let’s Walk Groby may be for you. 1-hour walks are held every Thursday leaving the Village Hall at 10 am - call John on 07929212723 or e-mail letswalkgroby@gmail.com for details. Some of the group’s walks are available (for a small photocopying charge) from Groby Library. There are also some great short walks available in and around the city that take in historical and cultural sites, river and canal walks, and parks, recreation grounds and green spaces. Register on www.Ramblers. org.uk/go-walking to obtain free maps and walking directions.

Don’t miss the Redgates Big Autumn Dog Walk!

The Redgates Farm Animal Sanctuary Annual Sponsored Dog Walk takes place on Sunday 27th October 2013. The walk covers around 6 miles of fields and copses at the back of Redgate Farm, near Stanton and Thornton. The good news is - you don’t even need to be a dog owner to take part, because you can ‘borrow’ a sanctuary dog! For full details, see advert on page 29.

Walking more ‘would save thousands’ of lives in the UK Tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year in the UK if people got off the sofa and stretched their legs more, say charities. The “Walking Works” report by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support said walking was a free activity which could transform people’s health. Being physically active decreases the odds of heart problems and stroke. But it also makes a difference in other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and many cancers. In September, a British Medical Journal study showed that exercise was as good a medicine as pills for some conditions including heart diseases and another study showed walking at least an hour a day significantly cut the risk of breast cancer.

What is moderate physical activity? UK chief medical officers recommend 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. That’s enough to make the heart beat faster while still being able to readily have a conversation. It includes walking, cycling and gardening. The latest report said that if everyone, in England alone, did the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise every week it would: • Save 37,000 lives each year • Prevent 6,700 cases of breast cancer • Stop 4,700 people getting colorectal cancer • Lead to nearly 300,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. The two charities run the Walking for Health programme in an attempt to get more people up on their feet. Benedict Southworth, chief executive of the Ramblers, said: “We’re facing a serious crisis of inactivity, but there is a simple solution, “We need to see greater investment in initiatives which support and promote walking as the most accessible and affordable way for people to get active.” Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “For cancer patients, being active can help manage some of the debilitating consequences of treatment and can even help reduce the chance of some cancers returning. “Inactivity is a nationwide epidemic that must be tackled now before it is too late.” Public Health England said inactivity had “life threatening consequences”. Its director of health and wellbeing Prof Kevin Fenton said: “Inactivity increases the risk of serious illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. “It makes it more likely that people will be overweight or obese. Supporting people to get active through walking can be a major part of the solution.”

Graeme Chilvers

Health and Recreation Manager Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

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I find a duck’s opinion of me is very much influenced by whether or not I have bread.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Allotments Society News From John Thornton

HMRC warns of new phishing scam In this latest scam, HMRC tells us that a number of tax credit claimants have received emails which purport to be from HMRC: they are from the address “taxretund@hmrc.gov. uk” and ask the recipient to open a “PDF report on your 2013 tax refund”. The attachment launches a Trojan virus and should not be opened.

Who would have thought our Society would make national news in the gardening press? But we did. It all started in the early spring with a phone call from the Kent publishers of the nationally distributed ‘Grow It’ magazine. Dawn Francis Porter spoke to Kathy our secretary to see if we could help to put an article together with photographs and history of our Society. Little did we know what we were in for. First Kathy gave her a complete history of our beginnings up to the present time. But Dawn kept coming back with questions which required full answers. Next she wanted to interview, by phone, one of our plot members. This was difficult as the person had to be able to tell a good story and be a good gardener. We asked Bill, to see if he was willing to undertake the grilling, by a lady we had never met, to take part in a number of phone interviews. Fortunately he agreed more out of interest than anything else. But we knew Bill was knowledgeable and a practical gardener. The next requirement was pictures. I had a large collection from over the years but she needed current pictures of high resolution. So I spent many hours roaming the plots asking members if they would mind appearing in the magazine. No one refused and all entered into

the operation with excitement. But she needed pictures which would fit into her text, I began to feel when is this going end? The next thing, as happens with publishing, was dead lines, I thought I went through all this at work. Allotments are supposed to be fun. But it did end and nothing more was heard of Dawn Francis Porter. What brought her notice to our Society we never found out. It wasn’t as if she was local. It may have been that we are members of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. We heard nothing more for months, then completely by chance a lady who walks her dog along the Chapel footpath, mentioned that a lady she had met in Spain, whilst on holiday, had sent her an email upon arriving back home in England, to say that her picture had

appeared in a gardening magazine. It appears that unbeknown to us, the article was published, all four pages of it. One of the pictures taken was of our shed Open days, when produce is sold for funds. This picture included the lady with the dog buying from our stall. What a roundabout coincidence. If the lady had not gone to Spain, we wouldn’t have known about the publication. Kathy emailed the publishers who were very apologetic, in not sending free copies, which they soon rectified. If we had had a chance to proof read the copy, some mistakes wouldn’t have been printed. One glaring error was Ratner Road, not Ratby Road. But what is the price of fame? Even for a day.

HMRC will never send notifications of a tax rebate, or ask its customers to disclose personal or payment information by email. If anyone has any doubt that an email they receive from HMRC is genuine, they should not follow any links from it, disclose any personal details or respond to it. They should instead forward it to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it.

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I got my hair highlighted, because I felt some strands were more important than others.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings BMX revival It’s now two years since the BMX track was opened at Marina Park and since then its fortunes have been up and down just like the track itself.

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

In the meantime the message from local businesses is that you can drive into the centre and you will find a convenient parking space for your visit, as long as you don’t want to stay for more than two hours.

Beacon Field working party

There was initial elation in the spring of 2011 when there were record numbers of users and concerns that cyclists were even coming from outside the area to use it. But the use dropped off and there were tales of anti social behaviour by a minority and even vandalism aimed at damaging the facility. Efforts to establish a BMX club were unsuccessful. The summer of 2013 has seen a turnaround and young people have been making the most of the track during the dry weather. “It’s spot on,” said dad Dave who was at the track with his son. “Whoever conceived and executed it needs to be thanked.” That’s a compliment for local rider Jamie West who was instrumental in persuading the Parish Council to provide a track and the Council for scaling back the original more expensive scheme. “If there’s one other facility I would have liked it would have been an additional small semi-circle where the youngest or least confident riders could build up confidence,” he added. “I had to coax my son on to the track initially as he was a little nervous, but now he really enjoys it.” As the lad made his way back to the track Dave reminded him to put his helmet on, good advice for users of all ages.

Linophobia A Google search may define this as a fear of string, but locally a fear of yellow lines may be a better definition. And it seems that this fear of the new parking restrictions in the centre of the village, and the parking charges at the Stamford Arms overflow car park, is discouraging some residents from using the local shops. “Trade was affected when the lines went down,” said Greg at Wilson’s newsagents, “but it has picked up a bit since then. People think they won’t be able to park in the centre, not realising that because of the two hour limit the cars that parked all day have had to go elsewhere.” This means that there are actually more kerbside parking spaces for shoppers than there were before. Greg points out that most shoppers just want to park for 10 minutes or so and this means that there are usually spaces free. The spaces outside Chaplins the butchers are convenient for those wanting to buy their meat products locally, although Margaret Chaplin has noticed that the lack of enforcement of the restrictions has meant that some vehicles have been left for up to 3 hours. It is, however, only a very short walk from the parking spaces on Ratby Road or Markfield Road, In due course there will be a review of how the new regulations are working and perhaps this will consider the difficulties long trucks and the new buses have turning out of Ratby Road, visibility up Markfield Road at the same junction, and the call for additional short term parking on Chapel Hill.

The clean up of Beacon Field by GE Sensing working party (above) on September 10 went ahead as planned. “We had a team of 30 individuals from GE volunteering to help,” said Steve Chalmers. “It was great fun. Unfortunately, the only helper from the community that turned up was Mr Fitzgerald, the headmaster at the school, but he did an outstanding job helping us with the BBQ. Amongst our team we had 24 volunteering leaders from across UK and Ireland, 6 more volunteers from the Groby site, 3 of our senior executives and a Welsh International rugby player! We brought our own tools and hired some heavy duty strimmer/lawn mowers to get stuck deep into the undergrowth with many a yelp from nettles, thorns and thistles, but at the end of the day we had cleared enough to fill the skip provided twice over. To top off a great couple of weeks we were able to help the Groby Street Fair not just with our normal support for the stall holders parking on site, but also by using four of our volunteers to help setting up the Fair.” Steve would be pleased to have suggestions or requests for other ways GE volunteers could help in the community, and can be contacted by email at Steve.Chalmers@ge.com.

I’m a hard act to follow, because when I’m done, I take the microphone with me.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Traffic problems The improvement works at the A46/ A50 roundabout, which continue to cause delays at certain times of the day, are set to go on for some time yet. The latest information can be viewed online at http://www.leics. gov.uk/a46_a50_ junction_improvements. Alternatively you can follow the direct link from the www.grobyonline.tk Home Page. A set of rather contradictory yellow signs appeared at the junction of Markfield Road and Ratby Road, but hopefully no-one was confused. Which way did you go?

New gate fitted at the Meadow Security has been improved at the Meadow on Newtown Linford Lane with the fitting of a new gate and height barrier. “Secure-A-Field have supplied and fitted a great product and Tony Onions, with help from Steve, Pash and Stu from Ratby, did a fantastic job in preparing the site and finishing it off,” said Alistair Cooper for the CIC. The improvement has been funded by a grant from the local community forum.

Electronic prescription service The Co-operative Pharmacy is advising customers that they can now have their prescription sent electronically from Groby surgery to their local branch on Ratby Road. This means that if you currently collect repeat prescriptions from the surgery you can save time, as they will be sent direct to the chemist and be made up ready for you to collect. It’s an NHS service and not considered ideal for those who do not get prescriptions very often, pick up medicines from different pharmacies or travel or work away from home a lot. If you need to change the arrangements you need to remember to advise the surgery or the chemist before your prescription is issued. You don’t need a computer to take advantage of this service but those who do have internet access can also arrange with Groby surgery to make requests for repeat prescriptions online.

I like to play blackjack. I’m not addicted to gambling, I’m addicted to sitting in a semi-circle.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society News The Village Show

Sunflowers

As mentioned in last month’s Spotlight, the section winners and cup and trophy winners are published below.

Surely these lovely flowers have engendered more interest in gardening amongst young people than most other annuals.

Many, many congratulations to all of them and, once again, these thanks are extended to all those entries that were not selected as winners this time: Perhaps 2014? ~ The Winners ~ Class 54: A Creature 1st Isaac Mwenya 2nd Helen Chick 3rd Henry Brown Class 55: Cupcakes 1st Ben Window 2nd Hope Mwenya 3rd Esme Window

Jarram Shield: Most Points in Fruit and Vegetable Sections Phillipe Brown

Class 56: An item of Craft 1st Isaac Mwenya 2nd Ben Window 3rd May O Class 57: Model Garden 1st Henry Brown 2nd George Brown 3rd Arun Stokes Class 59: Small Flower Arrangement 1st Hope Mwenya 2nd George Brown Class 52: Vegetable tray 1st Phillipe Brown (Sponsored by The Allotment Society) Class 63: W.I. 60th Birthday 1st Janet Walne (Special Prize) Best Exhibit in the Floral Section (Classes 1-17) Graham Childs

Gamble Shield: Most Points in Flower Arrangement Sections Janet Walne Firth Shield: Most points in Cookery and Handicraft sections Lydia Hawkes Richardson Plate: The winner of class 53 (Items for a salad) Jane Marston G.G.S. Cup: Best Exhibit in Show (Cup + £5) Marilyn Lawrence W.I.Trophy: W.I. Member with 2nd Most Points in Show Joy Russell/ Anne Brandon Balderston Trophy: W.I. Member with Most Points in Show Kay Blick

The ease of germination and the high rate of growth, coupled with the spectacular mature plant are amongst reasons for this popularity. However, uses of sunflowers far exceed this popular starting point for children. From life jackets of transatlantic liners mopping up nuclear waste in Japan, there is much more to annual sunflowers (Hellianthus annuus) than meets the eye. First domesticated 5000 years ago in what is now southern USA, these prairie plants have become a major global crop for their oil-rich seeds and, increasingly, their ornamental blooms. Yet sunflowers were a staple food for many indigenous North Americans: the seeds were ground up to make all manner of cakes and porridges and the flower buds were steamed and eaten like artichokes. Petals were used to make a golden dye and the leaves and roots were used to treat a wide range of afflictions from maleria to snake bites. The pithy stems were once used as the key flotation material in early life jackets, being one of the lightest of natural materials. This was a huge improvement on their cork-and-canvas predecessors such as though used on the Titanic. These had a nasty habit of snapping the necks of wearers if they jumped into the water from more than 10 feet. Alternative applications of sunflowers are not confined to history as exciting breeding work is developing strains with incresed amounts of naturally occurring hypoallergenic latex which could be used to to make safer,itch-free rubber gloves, boots and personal-care products. Upto 8% of the World’s population have a latex allergy which can prove fatal. A most unexpected use arises from their ability to absorb radioactive ions and heavy metal compounds. They have been planted on a massive scale to cleanse contaminated soil from Chenobyl to Fukushima, slowly turning toxic wasteland back into fertile farmland

Forthcoming events •

October 10th: Any Questions? A panel of local “experts” attempt suitable answers! • November 14th: Oriental Vegetables - Sally Cunningham December 12th: Christmas Meal and Entertainment • Our monthly meetings 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. 0116 287 7870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net

Parish Council Cup: The Second Most Points in Show Phillipe Brown/ Kay Blick The Morris Cup: Most points in Show Beverley Shooter

Alvar Johnson

Best Exhibit in the Container Plant Sections (classes 18-24) Elaine Waterfield Best Exhibit in the Fruit and Vegetable Sections (classes 25-51) Joy Russell Parish Council Young Person’s Cup (Best Exhibit in classes 54-59) Isaac Mwenya Best Exhibit in the Flower Arrangement sections (classes 60 -63) Janet Walne Best Exhibit in the Cookery and Preserves Sections (classes 64-76) Jane Marston

The Morris Cup

The G.G.S. Cup

Best Exhibit in the Handicraft Section (classes 78-85) Marilyn Lawrence Croxtall Shield: Most points in Floral sections Lydia Hawkes Callis Shield: Most Points in Container Plant Sections Elaine Waterfield

Three more delighted prize winners!

I order the club sandwich all the time and I’m not even a member. I don’t know how I get away with it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Next Month’s Spotlight is out on 16th November. Please send your adverts and articles to us by Saturday 2nd November. Thanks!

Under the sea, how come it’s always the starfish that gets to be the sheriff?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Spotlight Small Ads • PUT-U-UP BED - 2’6” wide, used once, very good condition. Cost new £129.00 Price: £30.00 • Aluminium EXTENDING LADDER 10’ basic length. Very good condition. Price: £40.00 Tel: 0116 287 5973 • LARGE RUG - 7’ x 5’. Beige with brown two-tone leaves. Cost new £35.00. Price: £20.00 Tel: 0116 287 0864 • GARDEN HOSE - good condition Price: £10.00 Tel: 0116 287 5654 • Garden Groom HEDGE TRIMMER woth collection bag for trimmings, electric, never used. Price: £25.00 Tel: 0116 287 5092 • DOG CAGE Price: £20.00 • STAIR GATE Price: £7.50 Tel: 0116 287 9778 • mens hybrid bike, 18 speed, 26” wheels, dark blue. Price: £75.00 o.n.o Tel: 0116 287 8694 • TAP SHOES - black, size 3 Price: £5.00 • Double AIR BED with pump, only used once. Price: £15.00 o.n.o. Z-BED - no mattress. Price: £10.00 Tel: 0116 223 5720 GU10 50W Halogen 240V 2000H LIGHT BULBS, brand new x 7 Price: £5.00 GU10 50W Halogen 240V 2000H LIGHT BULBS, used, x 14 Price: £5.00 PINK GUITAR - with case, hardly used, like new Price: £20.00 Tel: 0116 287 4260 / 07753 198340 • Trampoline -13 ft Price: £30.00 • Epson Photo Stylus 915, excellent condition with ink/USB cable Price: £20.00 • Dyson upright hoover spares: hard floor tool, stair tool, crevice tool, universal adaptor, soft dusting tool Price: £10.00 • Nobo jota Whiteboard - 60cm x30cm, good condition Price: £5.00

• Miss Dior Eau de Parfum (new fragrance), unused Price: £35.00 • Nokia Lumia 820 Wireless Charging Shell, new Price: £10.00 • Bob Martin Litter Freshener - 400g, new Price: £1.50 • Velos 950 Eyeletter & Punch, new in box Price: £10.00 • Compucessory Monitor Screen Riser Price: £5.00 • Car Plan 5L petrol can Price: £2.00 • Flute books x 6, starter upwards Price: £5.00 • DVD - Love Actually Price: £2.00 • DVD - About a Boy (unused & unopened) Price: £3.00 • DVD - Before Sunset/Before Sunrise Price: £3.00 • Boys Dark Grey Trousers 14-15 yrs, unused, still labelled Price: £3.00 Tel 07711 849986

LETTER

County Council Cuts Circular This exercise is akin to inviting the Turkeys to select their preferred stuffing. It is a pseudo consultation exercise to protect the council in some way when more cuts are implemented. Surely the Council should be objecting to the Government on the implication they are actually spending thirty three per cent of the budget irresponsibly, and challenge the Government through legal process if possible on its determination to remove its ‘Duty of Care’ to the majority of the population. Government should adjust taxation to increase revenue requiring higher payments from sectors of the population and commerce who, like myself, could or should pay more. I have opposed any suggested ‘cuts’ on my form.

D.Lambert, Groby

Glenfield Squadron Air Training Corps

Lake District Camp 2013

• Princess Barbie Scooter Price: £5.00 • Trampoline - 12 foot circle with spring bumper Price: £50.00 • Slide - will suit child 2 year + Price: £15.00 Tel: 0116 287 8313 • 4 Place Bosch dishwasher Price: £100.00 • Singer portable electric sewing machine Price: £40.00 • Larder refrigerator Price: Free All in good working order Tel: 01530 243424 • Little Tikes – Kitchen - Includes sink, oven, fridge, hob, phone, fold out table. Lots of cups, plates, pans, toaster, kettle, mixer, food! Price: £20.00 • Little Tikes – Vacuum Cleaner with dustet Price: £3.00 • Garden Patio Set – table, 2 folding chairs, parasol Price: £10.00 Tel: 0116 287 7786 • Oral B Triumph 5000 toothbrush for dental professionals, brand new in box, would make nice gift. Price: £70.00 or very near offer. Tel: 07870 466884

Bargain with God Angus was driving down the street worried because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. Looking up toward heaven, he prayed in desperation: “Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up whisky.” Miraculously, a moment later a parking place appeared. Angus looked up again and said, “Never mind. I found one.”

On the 3rd – 7th August the Squadron embarked on an Adventure Training Weekend to the Lake District. An early start was required on the Saturday with Cadets reporting at the crack of dawn, loading all the kit in the vehicles and setting off North. The majority of Cadets are still undergoing their First Class training and this adventure enabled them to put to practice, in wild Country, some of the skills and theories, that had been talked about in the past few weeks. Skills were carried out in all aspects of camp craft, navigation, teamwork and activities were carried out testing each element. The activities were canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing and on the last two days an expedition around the Lake Windermere area, which culminated in the conquering of Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England. Cadets were said to have enjoyed all the different Challenges, particularly scaling the heights of Scafell Pike and also camping, the night before having carried all the kit they require. There is no doubt that the experiences that they had, will benefit them when they embark on the expedition sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes. Well done to all Cadets on the weekend and to all the staff who were instrumental in the training, planning and organisation.

FS ATC M D Parker

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My grandma says she has eyes in the back of her head. I hope it’s not hereditary.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On using Glebe land for allotments The Rectory St James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren I hear you have joined the committee which wants to convert the waste land between the abandoned soap factory and canal in your parish into allotments – although I would have thought there were holier sorts of conversions you could have concentrated on. I am sure you will soon be caught up in arguments which make that little disagreement over an apple in the Garden seem quite trivial. Some years ago, we similarly decided to let part of our Glebe land become allotments; the outcome was not wholly as may have been anticipated. Colonel Wainwright saw it as an opportunity of re-living his War years and was only just restrained from digging trenches around his plot; no doubt he would have offered to play football with neighbouring allotment holders on Christmas Day. It caused some surprise when the Earl of Stowe applied for a plot, but it has become something of an attraction to see his daily procession, preceded by his gardener pushing the wheelbarrow, the under-gardener carrying the tools and following him, his butler with the newspaper, a deckchair and a flask of coffee. He then settles down for a comfortable hour while occasionally supervising the work, once reports on the local hunt have been read. Miss Simpson managed to unite everyone in communal outrage by using her plot to encourage fluffy bunnies, darling foxes and sweet squirrels. She seemed to be particularly grateful to everyone else for providing fruit and vegetables for their happiness. Resolution was only achieved when she was convinced to grow potatoes, helping the Colonel in his War Effort. Fortunately, he did not ask her to arrive equipped with the regulation gas mask. Our local architect seems to spend most of his time beautifying his garden shed, rather than growing produce. With its gothic arched windows, Norman tower and flying buttresses, I do wonder if he may have spent rather too much of his time renovating ancient churches. Neighbouring plot-holders look forward to the agricultural equivalent of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. I am sure you will find you have committed yourself to many hours of unnecessary work. Just make sure you receive a percentage of their produce for your Harvest Festival. Your loving uncle,

Eustace A Sunday School teacher asked her children: “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” One little girl replied helpfully: “Because people are sleeping.”

Bradgate Drama Society

The Wizard of Oz ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’ at Bradgate Drama Society’s production of the Wizard of Oz. This year’s Christmas show promises an exciting musical journey as Dorothy, with her friends the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man, makes her way to the Land of Oz. ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ to Newtown Linford Village Hall for performances at 7.30 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday November 28th, 29th. and 30th and a matinee on Saturday afternoon at 2.30. Tickets are £7 and, though you may be able to get them ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, you’ll probably be better off ringing Sally on 01530 242263 or by e-mailing us at bradgatedrama@gmail.com ‘If I only had a Brain’ I’d be going too!

My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Street Fair: another successful day Norman Griffiths reports on the 2013 Street Fair

t was an early start for the Street Fair committee and volunteers on Saturday September 21st. Hearts must have sunk a little when the first spots of rain fell from an overcast sky. No-one was singing ‘Things can only get better’ but many must have been thinking it and must have been relieved when they did. For the third year the organisers have encouraged the people of Groby to turn out and enjoy the car free environment of Markfield Road. With the admission fee pegged at last year’s pound it was once again great value, as in addition to the stalls there was food, rides, the climbing wall, fun for the children and an entertainment programme with something for everyone. This included a return visit of punk band Goldstein for their last gig of the year before two of the members resumed their studies. “Variety is the spice of life,” said Tom Hickingbottom, “and we aren’t afraid to mix some ska or rap into our songs to keep things interesting.” Visitors of a generation that prefers the classic rock of the Rolling Stones were impressed by Wreckless Venture, described by one visitor as “seriously good.” Throw in a big band, a duo and choral singing and top it off with a third visit by magician Kevin Burke and one can genuinely say there was something for everyone. “It’s wonderful to be back!” Kevin said. “I do love coming to Groby, and walking up and down the street on my stilts gives me the best work-out of the year.”

Traders generally pleased A straw poll of the traders also found that most were pleased with the day. “It’s been a good day for my stall. I’d certainly come again,” said one, whilst another commented “I don’t know what it is but there’s something special about the Groby event.” The friendly atmosphere and the excellent organisation of the event also drew praise from the traders.

Whilst most were positive about the business they had done there were on or two who were a little disappointed, but it all seemed to be a matter of the type of goods they were selling and the ticket prices. There is one product which always sells well, and that’s food. And there was plenty of choice, including local produce which couldn’t have been fresher unless you’d picked it yourself. What looked like an overstocked allotment society stall at the start of the day was as bare as the victim of a locust attack at the end. And for someone looking for something a little more continental there was the trader cooking your crepe while you waited. “No, I don’t have a french accent,” he admitted. When asked whether he also cooked galettes, the savoury version made from buckwheat, he said he would like to but it was problematical. He explained that he had been advised on Health and Safety grounds to stick with the pre-mixed crepe product. “My preference is to start from scratch with fresh eggs but once I cross that threshold the paperwork starts to mount as the provenance of the eggs and other ingredients has to be checked and recorded,” he added.

Groby Sings close the Fair At the end of the day the crowds started to thin but any concerns that the Groby Sings community choir placing at the end of the day might be too late for visitors were proved unfounded. The audience split themselves between the Markfield Road seats and the church grounds dress circle. And as the last notes of their final song died away the next stage of the operation began. It was time for everyone to dismantle everything, clear up and go home exhausted. If you missed the Street Fair, you can watch a slideshow of images of the day on www.Grobyonline.tk or follow the link from www.Grobyonline. co.uk. If you were in the choir see if you can spot yourself singing.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

National Trust Leicester Association News

The Calke Abbey Tunnel In times gone by, the family at Calke Abbey wanted to be able to stroll in their pleasure grounds without their view being interrupted by the gardeners. So a 64m tunnel was excavated in 1816 so that the gardeners could go about their business out of sight. It began by the back sheds to the garden and exited in what is now the deer park. In true Calke fashion the tunnel declined in the late 20th century and it has been unsafe to go down for many years. But thanks to help from raffle ticket sales restoration work, carried out by the NT South Derbyshire Building Team, started in May. The tunnel opened to visitors in August and has had fantastic feedback. Calke have thanked everyone who helped make it possible and hope that many visitors will go and experience it for themselves.

Car Park Improvements During this autumn and winter the car park at Calke Abbey is being improved and whilst the work is carried out the main and overflow car park will be closed and temporary parking will be provided on the meadow. The current car park was installed when the property opened to visitors in the 1980s and is no longer suitable. Once completed there will be over 300 extra spaces, but more importantly will be the creation of a pedestrian only route from the car park to the main visitor facilities. The materials being used are locally sourced and two the NT are particularly excited about are Bodpave and Turfmesh. These are special grid systems which will retain gravel and allow grass to grow through, creating a firmer surface for parking without the need for tarmac. All other facilities remain open.

Forthcoming Meetings The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting Wednesday 23 October at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester, at 2.30pm, when David Siddons will present a talk on the Fascination of the English Language. There will be an evening meeting on Tuesday 12 November when Dr Wendy Freer will present an illustrated talk on the Technology of the English Country House. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 222 9133.

Alan Tyler, Chairman

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

CLA scrap metal victory will frustrate thieves

The CLA says that licensing laws introduced on 1 October – as a result of campaigning by the Association – will make it even tougher for thieves to dispose of stolen scrap metal. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 will require all scrap dealers to apply for a licence from their local authority and to keep records on who they buy from. Together with the ban on cash payments for scrap introduced earlier this year, the opportunity for thieves to dispose of scrap metal without being traced has become almost impossible. CLA Midlands Rural Adviser Donna Tavernor said: “We are pleased to see the results of our lobbying put in place so the growing problem of metal theft can begin to be tackled. “We believe new regulation should only be put in place when absolutely necessary, in this case to deal with the menace of scrap metal thieves. “Farm machinery, lead stolen from roofs, and copper cable taken from power and phone lines all cause major problems to rural business and communities so these changes to the system will give local authorities real power to combat the rise of metal theft.”

Support Loros This Christmas Imagine winning £10,000 cash to spend on anything you like! Or would you prefer to drive away a brand new Fiat 500 this Christmas? That is the choice the first prize winner of this year’s LOROS Christmas raffle will have to make. Not only are LOROS raffles a great way to help fund the vital work carried out at the hospice, it’s a great way to thank supporters by offering a chance to win fantastic prizes. Previous raffles have been incredibly successful and with £4.5 million to raise this year it is hoped that this one will be no exception. Every ticket sold will bring in essential funds to help local people when they need it most. Lottery Manager Liz Singleton says “Our hospice and home support services offer caring expertise to patients and families who may be spending their last days, even hours together, and the thoughtfulness of our supporters across the region will enable us to provide the best possible quality of life during these precious times”. Tickets are available from early October in all LOROS shops or by ringing the LOROS lottery office direct on 0116 2318430 and every £1 ticket bought will help LOROS to continue to provide care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Groby Players

Another murder at Groby Village Hall Tickets are now on sale for Groby Players production of ‘A Fete Worse Than Death’ by Richard James, on November 7th, 8th and 9th, at 7.30pm in Groby Village Hall. The story goes ...’The Village show brings out the rivalry between competitors, especially in the Largest Marrow class. When one of the entrants is murdered, a TV detective is invited to investigate the crime!’ Act one contains the clues, and all is revealed in Act 2, but can you solve the crime and identify the murderer before the end of the play? The audience is invited to bring their own choice of supper, food and drinks, (no refreshments will be available otherwise) for consumption during the interval. The tickets priced £6.00 are available in the Village Hall, Groby every Saturday morning in October between 10am-12noon. Box office telephone number 0116 287 7373 or tel/text 07790 861033 or email dot@dhollins. freeserve.co.uk

To Place An Advert in the Spotlight Tel: Mike on 01530 244069 or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

I am the world’s leading authority on my own opinion.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

“When this started I was wearing socks on my feet, now I am not, this song has literally blown my socks off.” Norman Griffiths finds out more about Groby Sings Christmas That’s what one You Tube viewer thought of a song to be featured in the Groby Sings Christmas Concert. Helen Hayes has confirmed the speculation last month that Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody” will be one of the songs they will be singing. But the socks comment was made about another of the songs to be featured and it’s one which is both exciting and challenging. Gaudete (“rejoice” in Latin) is a sacred Christmas carol, which is thought to have been composed in the 16th century, but could be older. Wikipedia says that the Latin text is a typical medieval song of praise. For those who may think this is too great a challenge Helen’s message is not to panic. “I have a clever plan so that we can sing the Latin without causing us all to have a breakdown! The Youth

Choir can have solo verses - it will be awesome!” she said. “I loved it, and have been practising round the house. It’s a challenge but I love a challenge,” said a member of the choir. Steeleye Span is credited by some with making the first ever music recording of the song. They had a hit with it 40 years ago. Both their record and a concert video can be viewed on You Tube. You’ll also

Beat the superbugs

Ratby Village Society Open Meetings

Traditional remedies such as hot tea and honey have a lot going for them in the fight against dangerous bugs. With antibiotics on the wane, as superbugs become resistant, it seems that good old-fashioned cups of tea may not seem such a daft way of combating your illness. After all, tea contains compounds called polyphenols, that have the ability to kill micro-organisms. In the meantime, one expert from Cardiff University recently told the BBC that he feared: “we’re heading back towards the pre-antibiotic days when treating serious diseases was extremely problematic.”

find a version by all male group The King’s Singers there. But for a shiver down the spine experience make sure you watch the version by Anuna, an Irish ensemble. You’ can watch it on the Groby Sings articles page on www.grobyonline.tk together with links to other versions on You Tube. Rehearsals are currently underway and 163 turned out for the first sessions on 30th September. This

did not include the Children’s and Youth Choir which meets on Fridays. It’s not too late to join the choir, in fact Helen would probably say it’s never too late. Rehearsals for the adult choir are held on Mondays at 1.30pm and 8pm and for younger singers 7-11 years 3.30pm – 4.30pm and 11-18 years 4pm – 5pm. All rehearsals are held in the Groby Club on Leicester Road.

Ratby Village Society meetings start at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby, on the third Tuesday monthly with the exception of JULY, AUGUST & DECEMBER when there are no meetings. Admission for members is £1.60 (Membership £5.00) and casual guests £2.50 refreshments included. You do not have to live in Ratby to attend everyone welcome.

•

15th October 2013 Jim Roberts delivers a talk on Leicester Children’s Holiday Centre in Mablethorpe (pictured right). 19th November 2013 Chris Mitchinson – Life as a Criminal Lawyer answering “How on earth can you act for someone you know is guilty?” How many times have you quoted that after an appalling crime has been committed! Come and find the answer a talk not to be missed.

Council Approved

Some people are on the edge. Some people are over it. I’m hang-gliding.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Budget Consultation: Have Your Say On Public Services The County Council’s MTFS Consultation 2013/14: despite my request to extend the consultation to cover people returning on late-summer breaks, in my opinion, the most important piece of “tell us your views” LCC has ever done, produced over 7,400 responses. Preliminary results show that people would rather the County Council prioritise services to older people, children, roads and gritting, than museums, street lighting or grass cutting. Naturally, all responses will be analysed and will form the basis for the next round of consultation - the 2014/15 Budget itself (published in draft form Dec 2013 and agreed by Council 19th Feb 2014). I would also like to update residents that the savings the council is being asked to make has now been raised from £100m to around £110m. County Council leader Nick Rushton has lobbied the 7 Leicestershire MPs on the dire financial decisions we’ll have to be making as a result of MP’s Budget decisions. On 11th September, the leadership of the County Council and Chief Officers went to Westminster to tell our MPs how it is and the possible consequences in their funding reductions. Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell was particularly helpful, suggesting Leicestershire should seek to further integrate the local NHS services with LCC’s role, particularly public health and social care services.

Unitary Council Status Nick Rushton has written to all 7 district council leaders outlining his views on commissioning an independent report looking at what Unitary Council status would look like for the County. This idea is not a new one, but has sparked a debate arising out of the meeting with our MPs and a recent debate at LCC’s full council, where it was clear that the idea should be explored. I would be interested in residents’ feedback on their thoughts for a single Council providing all services across the county. Research suggests that those councils who have already integrated the reforms (e.g. Cornwall, Wiltshire, and Northumberland) save on average £20-25 million per year (after two years).

Groby’s Parking Regulations The road repairs have now been completed and the lines repainted where necessary and the new regulations are now in force. These were all agreed before I was elected in May and can be reviewed in the next 6 to 12 months. The issue of inconsiderate parking in parts of Groby still remains and I will be working with both the local authority, the parish Council and the police to address this.

Part Night Lighting Groby and Field Head Further to my article in last month’s Spotlight regarding

Groby moving to part night street lighting, a highways related Risk Assessment has been carried out. Where a potential hazard is deemed to exist, or to be likely, then this has been recorded and mitigated via the assessment process. To complete the risk assessment process, an assessment of non-highway related risks such as crime and anti-social behaviour is necessary for each site, The County Council’s Highways department are currently consulting the emergency services for their views. Groby Parish Council is being fully consulted on these proposals. Tony Bull the lead officer was due to attend the next meeting of Groby Parish Council on Monday 7th October. The Parish Council have until the 30th October to make their comments. A plan showing the proposals will be available to residents in the Parish Council offices. Residents will be able to pass their comments onto the clerk. They can then be fed back to the lead officer Tony Bull at County Hall. Once the consultation is completed, The Parish Council will be notified of the final approved scheme. It is anticipated that works on the ground will start within 3 months of the final scheme approval. Notices will be posted on all approaches into the village a week before work commences.

Broadband In late August 2013 the County Council signed a £16.9m contract with BT to deliver fibre broadband to around 95% of business and residential premises in Leicestershire.

Following this the County Council has worked with BT to develop an outline map which shows how faster broadband will benefit Leicestershire over the next five years. More detailed maps will be produced as the programme progresses, once BT’s planning and survey work has evolved. Further information is provided on the map via going via the following link. http://website/ outlinebroadbandmap.pdf

City of Culture Bid LCC Cabinet has agreed to provide up to £2 million (in guarantees) to support the Leicester 2017 City of Culture bid. Nick Rushton believes that this bid is a once in a lifetime opportunity to put County and City firmly on the map. You may ask why we are committing such an amount of money (one off amount from reserves) in a time of austerity. Past experience from other European (Seville, Spain) and British Cities of culture (Londonderry, Glasgow) shows that there is a significant uplift in visitors, tourism and other economic development opportunities. For every £1 invested, there is a “multiplier effect” of £9 generated in income. So these are exciting times and if successful, will put local attractions, such as Bradgate Park, Bosworth Battlefield firmly on the tourist route. I would like to thank you all for your continued support and to remind you that I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea

Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

If you enjoy reading Groby Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said ‘Tenpin?’ I said ‘No, permanent.’

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

GROBY PARISH COUNCIL

JOB VACANCY

SEASONAL GROUNDSMAN - £10,140 p.a Core hours are 20 hrs per week between October and March, and 30 hrs per week between April and September. The hourly rate is £7.80 (subject to review based on ability and performance)

A full clean driving licence is required. Closing date for applications: Friday 21st October 2013 Interviews to be held week commencing: 28th October 2013 An Application Form can be obtained from the address below or download details from our website www.groby.com Groby Parish Council Office, Village Hall Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0DQ Email: parishclerk@groby.com Telephone: 0116 287 6985

Fairtrade Chocolate Week:

Sport in Desford

Fun fitness activities for older adults OLDER adults are being invited to take part in some funfilled, fitness activities at Sport in Desford this autumn. The sessions are being held on certain Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12noon and the different activities on offer include: table tennis, new age curling, bowls and tennis. The mornings involve three different activities, each lasting for 30 minutes, with refreshment and social breaks in between. The programme is aimed at those over the age of 50. No booking is required; those who attend the first four mornings will get them at the half price of only £2.50 for each session. For more information please contact Graeme Chilvers on 01455 255678 or Anna MacDonald on 01455 255818.

Oil change A man took his rather old car to the garage for an oil change. After the mechanic had briefly inspected under the bonnet he turned to the young man and said: “If I were you I’d keep the oil and change the car.”

12th – 18th October

Schools and churches will be marking the week – why not Swap Your Choc and make sure you enjoy what has been fairly traded?

Advance notice for Remembrance Sunday on 10th Nov: There will be services both at St. P&J and the URC, with a joint Act of Remembrance with the Ex-Servicemen’s Club at 12 noon.

Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

Urban Saints is held during term time, 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 on Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites More details on the church websites

Sunday 20th Oct at 6.30pm at St. Philip & St. James

Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804

Catch meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer. Every Friday in term time, 9.3011.30am, at the URC.

I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

The Class of 61 Reunited Norman Griffiths listens as classmates reminisce

Earlier this year the Spotlight serialised the story sent in by former residents John Hughes and Phil Symons about their nostalgic trip through the Groby of their youth. They met at the Groby Infants School on Leicester Road and more than 50 years later their friendship is as strong as ever. To celebrate they decided to revisit the village, check out the old haunts and call in on their teachers. The first call was to see Miss Mason from the Junior School at Martinshaw Lane “Next, armed with a grainy old black and white photograph of the class of 1961, it was on to visit Mrs Brewer. Not only could this remarkable lady put names to all twenty nine faces of that year’s intake, she could remember the names of our siblings also. Clichéd as it may sound, we recounted incidents and events from those days as if it were yesterday,” wrote Phil. The photograph was to play a key role in what followed next as John and Phil appealed for old classmates to get in touch with them with a view to a possible reunion. A reunion after 50 years? It may seem unlikely but that’s just what happened on the last Saturday in September. Although it only needed one table to accommodate everyone, including former teacher Mrs Jenny Brewer and her husband Mike, it was nonetheless remarkable that after half a century seven classmates met once again, although one arrived too late for the photo. From a photo of 29 pupils that’s a good result. Mike had brought further copies of the photograph and within minutes the years had dropped away as the air was filled with names and anecdotes. Although an afternoon of happy reflection there were moments of sadness as those whose lives had been cut short by illness or accident were remembered. Many of the classmates are probably unaware of the article.

REUNION: (left to right) Phil Symons, Carl Wodke, Martin Chapman, Jenny Brewer (teacher), Lesley Studley (née Porter), Gillian Ball, John Hughes. All but one of those who attended came from other villages and it was clear that some have moved away from the area. Susan’s new home in Alnick seems almost next door compared to Alison who is is now running a restaurant near Lake Como with her husband. Another classmate sent her apologies by text from her holiday at Lake Garda. “Phil and myself were generally happy with the way things turned out,” said John. “We thoroughly enjoyed the day and stayed on at the Stamford Arms for a meal with our wives who came to pick us up.” Without the memory jogging impact of the photograph there may not have been a reunion. This was no official school photo. “One morning I borrowed my husband’s camera,” explained teacher Jenny Brewer, who arranged for the photograph to be taken. The taking of that photo 50 years ago started a chain of events which ultimately led to the September reunion. With the demise of the printed photo in favour of the digital image one has

to wonder how easy it will be for this year’s class to find their photo in five decades time. Perhaps one result of Facebook is that there may be more likelihood of them staying in touch as lifetime friends, or maybe it will become possible to tag a photo so that it pops up 50

years later. There are, of course other aids to nostalgic reunions and in 2041 perhaps someone will come across the Elizabeth Woodville School tea towel - pictured above - in a drawer and start checking out the names.

I became a member of the Secret Seven. It’s so secret, I don’t even know who the other six are ...

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

All the latest news from Groby WI it is a WI Committee! So packing husband and dogs (complete with beds and biscuits, the dogs that is) off to our lovely neighbour across the road, I was prepared. Actually they are quite enjoyable, we do quite a bit of business but with a fair amount of general chatting. Coming up shortly is our AGM and as usual we are keen to get more on the Committee. Not everyone has to have an office but it’s nice to have a different point of view and new ideas, so if anyone is interested!!

It was decided to have a change to our usual Luncheon Club, so off we went to the Belmont Hotel for an afternoon cream tea. Whilst it was enjoyable being able to chat, gossip etc, we were rather disappointed in it. Perhaps we were expecting something a little more posh than what we received. Mostly this was due to not having actual tea pots etc. Tea was served from those large catering flasks, though there was plenty of it. The verdict on the Victoria Sponge was that it didn’t quite reach WI standards and the sandwiches could have been a little more dainty but then again we are rather fussy about these things. Still taken all round, it was nice to dress up, go into swinging Leicester and socialise.

Herbs Lynne Tan-Watson’s subject for our September meeting was ‘Herbs’ and what a wealth of information she had at her fingertips. There was a large selection of plants for sale from her own nursery. Mankind has been making use of herbs for food and healing since prehistoric times; a herb is mentioned in every book of the Bible. Many seeds were brought over from the Mediterranean in the clothes of Roman soldiers. Monks were the main source of establishing herb gardens and using them as a source of healing. Also the village wise woman would grow and dispense herbal infusions etc. When the plague was killing so many citizens gangs of robbers would drink herbs steeped in vinegar, firmly believing it would protect them when stealing from the corpses. Rushes strewn on the mud floors of houses were only changed annually so strongly scented herbs were scattered in the rushes to cover smells and to keep unwanted creepy-crawlies at bay. Preparation of herbs comes in six categories: infusion for teas and decoction (for roots, bark and larger seeds), tinctures - this method is done with alcohol, vodka was suggested for this so if suspect bottles are found hidden

Bloomer

WI Members relax in a Yurt at Ulverscroft Grange away in the kitchen cupboards the hoard could be entirely innocent, syrups consist of infusions with added honey, powders are pulverised dried herbs which can be added to food or made into pills by rolling into pellets of bread (amazingly, empty capsule shells can be purchased to fill), oils are herbs mixed with sunflower oil and beeswax can be added to make a salve, Ointments are achieved by mixing herbs with Vaseline. I noted a few strange facts about common herbs. Angelica was thought to abate raging lust in young people, Jews hold sprays of basil to give strength during religious fasts and a pot of this in the house should repel flies and create a happy atmosphere. Bay, a leaf placed in each corner of the house repels evil spirits. Chamomile is a soothing infusion and a bag hung in the house will protect from lightning. Chives planted around roses help to deter aphids. Comfrey is said to have wonderful powers to speed the regrowth of cells. Once it was used in baths taken by women about to be married to repair the hymen and restore virginity! Lavender is a good all-rounder for flavouring and to treat faintness, fatigue, headaches, soothes burns, encourages hair growth and calms excitable babies. Marigold flowers are known as poor man’s saffron. We are all familiar with mint but

caution is advised, give to children with great care, do not give to babies. Parsley seeds are said to go nine times to the devil and back again before germinating. Thyme has a multitude of uses apart from helping to stuff the Christmas turkey. A sprig in your hair will make you irresistible and help to develop psychic powers. The above is just a small selection of information from Lynne’s book, ‘The Witches Garden Herbal’ this is a fascinating read and a work of reference for using so many herbs. I have just selected a few. She did emphasise strongly that minor ailments could be treated at home with herbs, just as we could use over-the-counter medicines but day to day problems should be seen by a qualified doctor. A very interesting and entertaining subject. Lynne’s book is a very good read and work of reference for a fiver. She lists dozens of herbs, gives loads of information about each including method of preparation for medicinal purposes.

Our Pink Walk At the Committee Meeting our Pink Walk came up. The total so far collected is approx. £1650.00 and with Gift Aid should reach over £2,000.00. Brilliant isn’t it. Talking of Committee meetings, this time it was at my home. I have had too many to panic about but then again

I must apologise for the error I made in last month’s report. The Christmas at Rockingham Castle trip is on Wednesday 20th November not Thursday as reported. My “friends” will tell you that I rarely make mistakes!! However should this make a difference and you fancy a trip please ring me on 0116 2878 323.

Ulverscroft Grange To celebrate the l3th anniversary of our local WI Walk a few members took themselves off to Ulverscroft Grange. They had a lovely sunny day for the walk and a super home cooked lunch, it was a most enjoyable day. In between they found themselves resting in a Yurt which they found in the middle of the woods, it looks most relaxing.

And finally ... Our next meeting is ‘Helping with Hedgehogs’ a talk given by Colleen Powel on Thursday at 7.30pm on l7th October, so come along to have a listen and chat. On looking back at Evelyn’s Herb report, in my youth by the sound of it I should have had a dose of Angelica (fighting lust) but now a more likely remedy for flatulence. The House Leek is a good one I liked, hang it outside the door and it stops lightning striking and also welcomes home a husband no matter how drunk he is. Just a warning, if you plant Parsley you will become pregnant within twelve months, you have been warned.

Evelyn and Margaret

Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069 Hmmm, flags mean fun!

And hats mean treasure!

y! He

or ...f

o ec er

rd!

Stay in time, everyone...

Does the q ueue so lo feel ng if it’s fr ee?

So is this how we see ourselves?

Can we see how he does it?

Photography by Paul Walker Groby Sings again

They say you only use ten per cent of your brain. What about the other ten?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Confirming The Records Village at St. Philip and St. James Society

Please help us update our records. If you possess formal faculty papers for a burial plot in the churchyard, it would be very helpful to see a copy of these so that we can confirm your papers with our registers and files.

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Thursday October 24 Nell Gwyn - Mrs Sally Henshaw Thursday November 28 The Museum of Childhood Mr Trevor Parr Thursday December 19 - History of Loughborough Carillon Caroline Sharpe (Carillonneur) Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 Email: groby.villagesociety@tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

“The new vicar seems pretty confident in his ability to increase church attendance!”

The papers remain yours, but we will simply record or double check the date of the faculty and the name of the applicant, with contact details if appropriate. To do this, please contact • the Parish Office in Ratby church rooms on 0116 239 3768 • or Revd. Louise Corke on 0116 231 3090

Have your say on health and social care services Hinckley and Bosworth residents asked to speak out on health and social care services

•

• • • • •

Got a problem? Start daydreaming about it. It seems that when it comes to problem-solving, the best way to start is to let your mind wander. A recent report by the University of California has found that people who returned to a difficult task after relaxing with an easy task increased their performance by about 40 per cent. But there was little or no improvement for people who did another demanding task during the break, or who used it to rest, or who had no break at all. It seems that “mind wandering enhances creativity”, as one professor put it. After all, Einstein gained inspiration for his theory of relativity by daydreaming about running beside a sunbeam to the edge of the universe. And, closer to earth, Newton developed his theory of gravity when he saw an apple fall from a tree in his mother’s garden in Lincolnshire.

Purring

Healthwatch Leicestershire (HWL) is running a public consultation Little George was visiting event for residents in and around Hinckley and Bosworth on Tuesday 5 his aunt. November 2013 from 2pm-4pm at The Atkins building on Lower Bond He found the cat in a sunny Street. window purring cheerfully. The event is an opportunity for residents to tell the organisation their “Oh Auntie, come quick,” cried thoughts and concerns about the health and social care services in Hinckley George. “The cat has gone to sleep and Bosworth, so that HWL is able to work towards improving them. and left his engine running.” The event is one of a number of public consultation events being held across the county by HWL PUBLIC NOTICE that invite the general public to speak up about their concerns LICENSING ACT 2003 relating to health and social care services. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN HWL is currently in the process of I, Neil Andrew Clapham setting it priorities and is hoping to gain input from the public to help Do hereby give notice that I have applied to the licensing authority at set five key local issues that will be Hinckley and Bosworth Borough council for a club premises certificate at the focus of their work to improve 16-18 Leicester Road,Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ. health and social care services in This premises is also known as Leicestershire. The Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Social Club. For more information or to book onto the events please visit the The application is to apply for a full variation licence to involve live Healthwatch Leicestershire website music, dancing, indoor sporting events, and for the sale of alcohol www.healthwatchleicestershire. between the hours of 11am-12pm Sunday –Thursday and 11am-1am co.uk/events

More real-life notes left for milkmen ... •

Good daydreaming

When you leave my milk, knock on my bedroom window and wake me because I want to turn my mattress and you could give me a hand. Please knock. My TV’s broken down and I missed Coronation Street last night. Maybe we could talk about what happened over a cup of tea? My daughter says she wants a milkshake. Do you do this before you deliver, or do I have to shake it at my end? Please send me a form for cheap milk, as I have a baby two months old and did not know about it until a neighbour told me. Sorry not to have paid your bill before, but my wife had a baby and I’ve been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks. Milk is needed for the baby. Father is unable to supply it. Please leave no milk today. When I say today I mean tomorrow, as I wrote this note yesterday.

Friday and Saturday it also includes an amended plan of the premises. Any person who lives or are involved in a business in the area of the premises that are likely to be affected by the grant of a licence and wants to make a written representation for or against this application should write to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Licencing Service, Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0FR or email esadmin@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk not later than 9/11/13 Representations received after this date will not be considered. Representations may not be made anonymously and must relate to the four licencing objectives – The prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Relevant representations will be included in a public report to the licensing panel and the applicant. Signed on behalf of the applicant and Groby club N A CLAPHAM Date 31/9/13

Don’t spend your life trying to please those who won’t cry at your funeral.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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My doctor gave me two weeks to live. I hope they are in August.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I watched a cricket match for three hours waiting for it to start.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Hand crafted chocolate at reasonable prices! Norman Griffiths hears about the gap Louise spotted in the market For one former Groby woman the opportunity to participate in the Street Fair was of particular importance. You may have seen Louise Lester’s stall selling chocolate products outside the church and if you stopped to talk she may have told you about the day she was on the other side of the wall as she walked up the aisle to take her marriage vows. “I loved coming back,” said Louise. “I saw lots of people who I knew from school and around Groby as I grew up, and it was also very special to be back in Groby on my 22nd wedding anniversary.” Like most other Groby youngsters, her school life started at Elizabeth Woodville Primary, where she remembers planting a tree in the grounds for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Then it was on to Brookvale and the Community College followed by nurse training at Charles Frear’s School of Nursing. She left Groby in 1991 when she married and currently has a very demanding job as a specialist school nurse working with children in the city who have emotional, behavioural and mental health problems. For many people eating chocolate is a stress buster, but Louise goes one step further and creates her own chocolate delights. “I’ve always loved chocolate and cooking,” she explained, “so I combined the two after having a go at making my own chocolate decorations for a cake I was making. I’d found the prices being charged were extortionate and discovered there was a gap for high quality hand crafted chocolate at reasonable prices. I did my research and enjoyed finding a supplier who provides me with really good Belgian chocolate and I was taught how to temper the different sorts. It’s far more complex than I thought.” Tempering controls the crystallisation of the cocoa butter so that only consistently small crystals are produced, resulting in much better-quality chocolate. She has about 20-25 different moulds but adds more constantly, trying to find moulds to meet individual requests and have seasonal as well as all year round sellers. So currently it’s the Christmas moulds that are getting the most use. Louise (née Louise Bowater) sells at craft fairs, street fairs,food and fresh produce fairs as well as by word of mouth, and a riding school shop. She’s also done a couple of weddings making favours for the bride and groom and has a page on facebook( Bemysweetie). Her children are the chief tasters so if you are thinking of volunteering to be a taster please go to the back of the queue. “I do on average 10 - 15 fairs a year with peak times being spring and Christmas,” added Louise. “I have to draft in my husband and mum to help on the stalls. My profit margin is small but I am very lucky to be doing two things I love – I love being a nurse and I love chocolate!”

Tea dances in Ratby Starting on Wednesday 23rd October, TEA DANCES are being held fortnightly in Ratby Sports Club from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a mix of Ballroom, Latin and Popular Sequence Dancing, and FAB-U-LOUS music from Edie ‘The Collector’ (DJ and Host). Admission is £2.50 on the door, which includes tea and biscuits. For further information, telephone 0116 239 5350.

I once built a ship in a bottle. They had to break the bottle to let me out.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Ask about our new Autumn and Christmas menus! www.bricklayersarms.net

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 25th Oct: TINA TURNER See ad on page 30.

The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 12th Oct: Joe Public Fri 18th Oct: Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll Sat 19th Oct - A 1940’s Dad’s Army Evening, Prize For The Best 1940’s Costume. Then Travelling Through The Years To Present Day As The Evening Goes On. Fri 26th Oct: Riot Act Fri 1st Nov: Charity Evening “For Elliott’s Vest” With The Dirty Water Band And Special Guest Mr Simon Henley As Elvis Presley Sat 2nd Nov: Devils Rejects Sun 3rd Nov: Children’s Halloween Party - 3pm - 5 pm Fri 8th Nov: James Bond Casino Evening Sat 9th Nov: The Del Sharrons Fri 15th Nov: Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll - Free Admission Sky Sports Are Back - Bingo Every Tuesday - No Membership Required - www.facebook.com/The Club Thornton The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 Sat 26th Oct: SUZIE SCOTT LEE - female vocalist Sat 30th Nov: A Male Vocalist TBA Sat 28th Dec: MIKE LEE - male vocalist ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK - search Bagworth WMC New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Sat 26th Oct: STEVE COOPER free live entertainment. Sat 9th November: The 1940s Night with Amy C. £5.00 entry on the door, but only £4.00 if you dress in 1940s attire! Doors open 7.30pm. Tues 31st Dec: Looking Ahead to New Year’s Eve - AXIS DUO will be playing their last ever gig! £1 entry. Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions.

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc. POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm Sat 2nd Nov: JOHN STACEY Guitar/Vocalist, Rock ‘N’ Roll The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Next is on Sat 12th October with ‘King of the Road’. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Sat 12th Oct: Meatloaf + Cher Tribute Sun 13th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50 ‘Bingo And Quiz Fri 18th Oct: Adam James Wilford - Very Good Entertainer Sat 19th Oct: Straight Jacket - Excellent Full Show Sun 20th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 25th Oct: No EntertainmentOnly Bingo In The Carling Suite Sat 26th Oct: Soul Providers - Brilliant Duo Sun 27th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo And Quiz Fri 1st Nov: Backstreet Quality Male Duo Sat 2nd Nov: Chrissy - Very Good Local Entertainer Sun 3rd Nov: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 8th Nov: Cats Eyes - Very Good Male/Female Duo Sat 9th Nov: Cracker Jack Comedy And Music From These Sun 10th Nov: Jill Daniels Lunchtime Tribute To Vera Lynn Then Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

The Greys of Groby

Come along to the Tuesday Drop-in Coffee Mornings!

On SeptEMBER 4th Kate from Age Concern UK spoke to us about Gas Fitters and what to safeguard ourselves against when inexperienced but well meaning unregistered persons arrive to help us. One of our number was really pleased with Kate’s talk as only the week before she had used a local ad to find help with her boiler - oh dear! Our photograph this month shows some of us cruising down the river (very 3 men in a boat ) and as you see we are a smiling happy band of over 50’s enjoying life whilst we can. So please come and join us. After all its only two hours on a Tuesday morning. P.S. Have you seen the advert with Ronnie Corbett talking about ‘Winter Warmers’? Well his little helper, Paul, is coming on Nov. 5th with samples of their wares. If you don’t come you won’t know what you are missing. Please make a note in your diary Tuesday’s 10 - 11.45 Drop-in to the Community Centre, Forest Rise all over 50’s. Male and Female welcomed with a smile and cheery hello.

Jean

And so to bed When is your bed-time? Probably later than it used to be.

Send details of your local live entertainment and we’ll give you a free mention here. Tremendous!

Apparently we are going to sleep 90 minutes later than we did 10 years ago – and our smartphones, tablet computers and social networking sites are to blame. It is just so tempting to go to bed, and take them with us.... and spend more than an hour online before we close down for the night. The trend for ‘bedtime browsing’ means the average person is now sleeping for seven-and-a-half hours less during a working week than 10 years ago. The study was carried out by the price comparison site broadbandchoices.co.uk

The good thing about growing old is you only have to do it once.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Craft fair and art sale in Ratby: 2nd & 3rd Nov Ratby’s Craft Fair and Exhibition & Sale of Paintings is taking place over the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November between 10am and 3pm each day at Ratby Sports Club, Desford Lane, Ratby. Quality crafts include jewellery, designer scarves, traditional wooden toys, felt hats, woodturning, pottery, textiles, soaps and hand-made cards. Paintings by local artists will be for sale. There will also be Good Food Stalls with chutneys, preserves, jams, pickles, cakes and baking. Admission is £1 for adults or £2 for families. Refreshments available by Ratby WI.

The Latimer Players Perform Dick Whittington The Latimer Players production of Dick Whittington by John Morley will take place in the Memorial Hall, Thurcaston from 28th 30th November. Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on the 30th. Come along and boo the baddies and cheer the goodies as we follow Dick Whittington on his travels to find fame and fortune. See him make friends with Tommy the cat and the good people of London as he tries to achieve his ambition of becoming Lord Mayor of London. His task is not made easy by King Rat, who tries to disgrace his good name, but he is helped by Tinkle, the Fairy of the Bells, who makes sure that good triumphs over evil. On his journey to rid Morocco of rats, he and his new friends are shipwrecked on a desert island and captured by the Sultan and his henchmen but, in true pantomime style, they all live happily ever after and Dick marries the girl of his dreams! Tickets are available from Anna Lacey, 121 Leicester Road, Thurcaston 0116 2362692. Adults £6.50, Children 6-12 £3.50, Under 5 Free with a ticket.

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My husband said he needed more space. So I locked him outside.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Could you give a welcome to someone far from home? Could you offer someone a home far from home for just a day or two? HOST, a well-established charity, is hoping to hear from people who enjoy making others feel at home, and who would love to meet interesting young adults from other parts of the world who are currently studying at universities in the UK, and who want to understand this country better. One host wrote: ‘It is great to welcome these students and make them feel wanted. They get to see a good side of life in Britain in contrast to what they might learn from the media. It is also fun getting to know someone from another country.’ Invitations can be for a day, a weekend, or 3 days at Christmas. Sharing Christmas with someone who has little idea what Christmas is can be really special – and for the guest, much better than being on a deserted university campus. Invitations are urgently needed from volunteer hosts, no matter how far they live from a university. To find out more, please see www.hostuk.org or contact local organiser Alan Lodge 01845 527448 northwest_RO@hostuk.org

After the Show Was Over

Hope and Isaac Mwenya were both prizewinners at the Groby Village Show with Isaac winning the Children’s Cup (See full show results on page 8).

Is Alpha for me? There was something to learn from everyone else Chinedu

It’s such a great open environment…you can speak your mind Stephanie

The cup is in the photo, bottom left.

Mike Brewer St Philip and St James Church

I get food and I get to have a conversation with good people about interesting things! Kayleigh

will make a welcome return this year from 7th - 9th December If you, or your Family, your Group or your Business would like to take part by bringing along a tree on the theme of

It was cool. I felt completely at home Donna

Details of the next Groby course in the CTG section of Spotlight; more info and clips about Alpha at www.alpha.org

please ring 0116 231 2070 for more information.

Letters are being distributed to those who usually take part.

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King

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I was a vegetarian until I started leaning towards sunlight.

e Ivy d th

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Neighbourhood Watch News: Crime Figures for September 2013 GROBY – September 2013 Assaults - Harassment

Non Domestic Assault

Burglary – Dwelling

Attempted burglary - Dwelling

Burglary OTD

Attempted Burglary OTD

Damage

Damage to Motor vehicle

Theft from store

Theft from M/Vehicle

Attempted Theft M/Vehicle

Theft of cycles

Other

TOTAL

Martin Cartwright

Chairman Groby Neighbourhood Watch Extended weekly crime news is available on www.groby.org.uk

LCFC Academy signs up two local footballers Local Boys William Alves of Beaumont Green and Jack Shaw of Farr W ood close have both been signed by Leicester City Football club academy.

Having enjoyed playing their football under Josh Smith of Groby Juniors for 3½ years they have now been signed to play their football under the supervision of Leicester city at their newly refurbished Belvoir Drive training facility. The Leicester City Academy has been placed proudly among the country’s elite, as one of only six clubs outside of the premier league to receive the category one academy seal of approval. The boys now train 3 times a week and have games at various clubs across the country on Sundays. 16 boys from around the midlands have been signed by Leicester City and enjoy training in state of the art training facilities. They also receive medical assessments, nutritional advice, LCFC training kit as well as professional coaching. The boys were scouted at local tournaments and between them had been invited to play at various clubs including Derby County, Stoke City, Aston Villa, Manchester united and Nottingham Forest but both opted to play for their local team. Philip Alves (Willam’s father) says that both boys really enjoy the training programme and are enjoying making new friends amongst the various age groups at the academy. For more information on starting out in football please enquire at: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/grobyjuniors/

If you get a letter and you don’t know who it’s from, just run after the postman and shout ‘1471’.

rd Search 30 Puzzle

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069http://puzzlemaker.disc

X-FACTOR finalists Wordsearch

Subscriber Lo Find the names of the 12 X-Factor finalists in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel. To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of the 12 X-Factor finalists who are through to the live shows. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

N O S P M I S A N R O L I I K O Y

K I R O U G H C O P Y D A E N E X

K Z C T C R Z V L Y Y F L M O J S

T T R H A N N A H B A R R E T T U

G R E N O P K R I I I K T D L S O

O O T H C L W Z I I P C A V A A I

G O S T T A A T N Y W O C M I M C

Q P O L Q I P S E Y R A I W B C W

H L F M U H M L M D G S Q U A A U

O O A G T K I S N C S F Z J I L I

B D R K O A E A Y D D X A H R L Z

X J E E B N L F Y E D O V O Z A P

Y V M M G S M N R O L H N U V H U

U N A F G I A V T I K L D A G A Y

F S T N S M G F J F E E E G L N M

F D I H I G V G Q X X N O H T D J

U K C X A O L V T X B K D A S W A

Send your entry to: I WANT THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Tuesday 5th November 2013. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Fascinator will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck! Here are the 12 X-FACTOR FINALISTS you have to find:

ABI ALTON • HANNAH BARRETT • KINGSLAND ROAD LORNA SIMPSON • LUKE FRIEND • MISS DYNAMIX NICHOLAS MCDONALD • ROUGH COPY • SAM BAILEY SAM CALLAHAN • SHELLEY SMITH • TAMERA FOSTER Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: MRS J KOTECHA of Bedford Drive, Groby You win a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead 23/8/13 3:39 pm Hotel. Page 1 Congratulations!

RSPB flier 2013

ABIALTON HANNAHBARRETT KINGSLANDROAD LORNASIMPSON LUKEFRIEND MISSDYNAMIX NICHOLASMCDONALD ROUGHCOPY SAMBAILEY SAMCALLAHAN SHELLEYSMITH TAMERAFOSTER

RSPB Leicester Local Group

a m t i s h s C r C r aft F a ir

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/leicester

Groby Village Hall (LE6 0DJ)

Saturday 16th November 2013 Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com 10am to 3pm ADMISSION Craft Stalls include: cards ● photography ● cot quilts ● preserves ● Gambia crafts ● wooden kitchenware - and more ●

including a free cup of tea or coffee

£1

Plus: ● ●

home-made cakes ● tombola ● plants bird food and ● RSPB branded goods

Please join us in Groby, support the RSPB and our local crafters, and buy those special Christmas presents and cards .

❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆ I’ve just been on holiday by mistake to the Norfolk B-roads.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • OCTOBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

NEW RANGES AVAILABLE

Dentures At Home Emergency Mobile

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David Smith - 1 The Burrows, Narborough

0116 275 0101 (home) 07880 973 742 (mobile) I have a telescope on the peephole of my door so I can see who’s at the door for 200 miles.

I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere.