HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY NEWS - PAGE 6
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: 8th November
ARRANGEMENTS for this year’s service, which normally takes place on the Groby Exservicemen’s Club car park, will depend on what restrictions the government decides over Covid-19 nearer the day. If it does go ahead it will be limited to small groups, and social distancing and track & trace, will all have to be adhered to. We will be advising on the plans nearer to the day and posters will be put up on the club notice board and in shops around the village, so please look out for these for more information. Wreaths will still be able to be laid at the war memorial at 11 am by individuals who want to do so.
Paul Brudenell
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN UPDATE - PAGE 19
Tribute to Anstey Lane neighbours I THOUGHT you might like to include some lovely news in the Groby Spotlight.
Once lockdown began back in March, the neighbours of Anstey Lane came together via a what’s app group. Neighbours were quick to offer help to each other from collecting shopping to offering a friendly chat over garden fences. We decided to plant sunflowers and then as they grew we put them out for people to help themselves to and then plant, Several houses began to grow the sunflowers on their front gardens, neighbours would stop to have a look and it would bring a smile to passers by. Our neighbour Pauline set up a small garden stall on her front and plants of all kinds could be taken in exchange for a donation to the NHS and soon after handmade face masks were added to the stall and donations continued to rush in. To this date the stall has raised £1,000 to help the NHS in the COVID pandemic. We are very proud of our little Lane and we are very lucky to have the neighbours we have around us. A special mention to Pauline who worked so hard and grew the tallest sunflowers!
Ashley Lambert
LETTER: ‘SORRY I’M LATE, HORSES ON THE PATH!’ IN THIS difficult time it is good to be reminded how fortunate we are to live where we do. On our way to my son’s archery club in Kirby Muxloe a couple of weeks ago we were stopped in our tracks by some stubborn horses! We were cycling along the path that goes from Sacheverell Way to the Ivanhoe trail, but when we came to the field with the horses they were blocking the way and there was no budging them! We stood for a few minutes wondering if they would move, trying fruitlessly to persuade them… We conversed with people on the other side of them – none of us knew how to resolve the situation! So Isaac and I turned back, and found a footpath that we had never taken before. We were a few minutes late for archery, but really what a lovely way to be inconvenienced!
Ruth Mwenya NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 14TH NOVEMBER • ADVERT & ARTICLE DEADLINE IS 31ST OCTOBER
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby & Field Head Spotlight
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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. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.
The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/ or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 14th November 2020 DEADLINE: 31st October 2020
Groby Surgery Patients Group
The flu clinic, the future and the annual survey IT’S THAT TIME of the year again, time to get some extra protection from the influenza virus which is particularly prevalent during the winter months. This year, however, is like no other. There was no overcrowded reception area to wait your turn, or Saturday morning queue, to get vaccinated. As a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, and the need for social distancing, it wasn’t possible to have the normal flu clinic at Groby Surgery. For this year the clinic was held at Glenfield Surgery on Sunday 20th September. Anyone eligible who is was unable attend, or to travel to Glenfield, should contact the surgery if they haven’t already done so.
Looking ahead DR GAJEBASIA and Dr Ghag have now left the practice to pursue other opportunities, so Dr Chotai attended the September Zoom meeting of the Patients Group.
Letter
Street Lighting Sacheverell Way and Excess Speed I FEEL I must reply to Steve Brown’s comments about my letter concerning Excessive Speed on Sacheverell Way. Firstly the Police’s primary role is not to prevent accidents; they have the unenviable task of telling relatives that their daughter or son will not be coming home ! I would much rather they spent their time catching burglars than chasing speeding cars when other methods could be used to slow them. The main task of preventing accidents lies with the Highways Department who are responsible for ensuring our roads are safe for all. I am led to believe, from Ozzy’s statement, that they were not in favour of the new lighting scheme. With regards to Mr Brown’s statement on the ROSPA report
Some patients have speculated that the transfer was a take-over by Glenfield surgery which would result in the closure of the Groby facility. Dr Chotai made it clear that this was not the case and our surgery continues to be a separate entity. He believes that the new arrangements will bring benefits for patients, as lessons learned at Glenfield are applied at Groby. He said that there would continue to be a doctor at the surgery each morning and afternoon. Dr Chotai will be seeing patients one day a week, Dr Vagani and a new lady doctor would each attend two days a week. The aim will be to use their expertise to treat more complicated conditions,whilst giving patients who don’t need to see a doctor access to other skilled clinicians such as pharmacist, physicians associates, and advanced nurse practitioners. He added that one example of the improved services would be the availability of an extremely skilled clinician in muscular skeletal matters such as shoulder, knee and hip problems, who used to work in the orthopaedic department at Glenfield Hospital.
I would suggest that, rather than cherry pick a single report, he “takes some time” to read the many scientific studies that conclude speed is a major contributor to traffic accidents. And I would suggest, in view of this, controlling speed would be more beneficial than lighting. In support of this I note, on the A50, speed cameras were introduced instead of improved lighting. My house backs on to Sacheverell Way and you can plainly see that speeds are excessive on this road. During the recent 2 “blackouts” I noticed a marked decrease in vehicle night time speed but no increase in accidents. I do applaud Ozzy’s recent action ref speed on this road and is a welcome step in the right direction. I’m sorry if Mr Brown feels I’m criticising Ozzy but, I’m sure that with his many years in the police,
Annual Patient Survey IT HAS BEEN an unprecedented year for Groby Surgery and it will come as no surprise to learn that the local patient survey will not be taking place this Autumn. The national survey of GP practices has, however, been completed and the results can be viewed online. Just Google grobylinx and follow the link.
Norman Griffiths for Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group
he’s used to people not quite agreeing with him. The fact remains that The Highways Department were not in favour of the lighting scheme and numerous scientific studies would suggest that reducing speed would prevent more accidents than lighting. It would therefore appear that the Popularist view won the day and that the large amount of money spent could have been used to better effect. As a closing point I’d be interested to know how many times the signs on the very well-lit island, at the end of the road, have been knocked down. I’m sorry Mr Brown does not agree but must thank him for keeping this important subject in the public arena.
Alan Axon
Tudor Grove, Groby
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I have a lot of growing up to do. I realised that the other day inside my fort.
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Tributes Paid to Former HBBC Mayor Denis Bown TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth and long-serving Earl Shilton councillor who has died aged 88. Denis Bown served as a Labour councillor for Earl Shilton ward for a total of 34 years in three terms between 1962 and 2007 and was Mayor twice – in 1974-76 and again in 1999-2000. Labour Group Leader for the Borough Council, Matthew Lay said: “This is very sad news. Denis was a very honourable, decent and hard working person who served Earl Shilton with great pride over the many years he was a Councillor. I had the pleasure of working with him and his brother on the Council and they were stalwarts of the community.”
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I’ve just spent ages waxing my car. I’m still not sure how it gets that hairy.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Family tree AT A DRINKS party at a wealthy golf club, the conversation turned to the subject of ancestry. “Of course, we trace our family back to coming over with William the Conqueror,” observed one lady with satisfaction. She turned to a second woman, who was new to the club, and asked, “What about you dear? Can you go back very far?” “Not very far,” came the reply. “You see, all the early family records were lost in the Flood.”
Champagne MY HUSBAND and I were delighted the day we finally bought our first house. After years of renting, it was wonderful to own our own home. Our minister even gave us a bottle of champagne to mark the occasion. But in the hustle and bustle of getting moved in, his champagne was put in a cupboard and forgotten. Months later, we held a Baptism party for our third child. Wine flowed until, running short, we suddenly remembered the housewarming gift of champagne. So, in front of our guests, I opened the attached card from the minister and read it aloud: “Dave, take good care of it – this one is really yours!”
Food PEOPLE at my workplace have started a funny new tradition where they give names to the food in the office fridge. Today I ate a sandwich called Mark, followed by some cake called Rosie.
How to cut the cost of parking at Bradgate BRADGATE PARK is a popular destination for visitors from far and near, including Groby. Some visitors, however, feel that the parking charges are not flexible enough and do not reflect either the time of day that visits take place or the length of time that some want to stay. Avoiding the charges has contributed to parking at the side of the roads approaching the car parks. In Newtown Linford additional restrictions and time limits were introduced on some roads, but near Old John parked cars may slow the flow of traffic if there is insufficient space to pass. The Leicester Mercury has reported that Bradgate Park Trust is planning to revise parking charges later this year, increasing all day rates whilst reducing the amount visitors pay for off peak parking. At the Newtown Linford car park from Mondays to Friday • a new ‘early bird’ rate of £1 before 9am is to be introduced, • a ‘late bird’ rate of £2 after 4pm. • a three hour stay will cost £3 • all day parking will be increased to £4.50. They’ll cost a £1 more at the weekends, apart from the after 4pm charge which will remain at £2. The £5.50 charge may not be popular with those who stay for just over 3 hours, so they’ll be better off going to the less expensive Hunts Hill car park, near Old John, where a full day will be £3 during the week and £4 at the weekend. “The Trust has recently carried out a thorough review of parking arrangements and is delighted to announce improvements which look to resolve recent concerns expressed by visitors and local residents,” a spokesperson for the Bradgate Park Trust told the Mercury. “We have also identified that a number of people only wish to visit for up to three hours so we are also introducing a rate for this length of stay.” In these days of people using cash less frequently many would welcome the introduction of contactless payments. “We are working hard to find contactless solutions,” added the spokesperson, “and the intention is to use a pay by phone app which will be contactless, and subject to mobile signal, useable at all of our car parks.”
Norman Griffiths Enjoy reading the Spotlight? Please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks - it’s good to share!
Blinded by Corona By John Ashton
PROFESSOR ASHTON has lifelong hands-on experience and a deep scholarly understanding of the science of public health, a discipline invented in Britain. In this wellwritten, bracing critique he notes that nothing that the UK government has done to deal with COVID-19 is recognisable against two centuries of knowledge. Instead, it is designing untested methods at exceptional expense that have created a public-health and economic crisis never seen before. The government should urgently return to the science as set out in Blinded by Corona. From February, Professor Ashton has applied its precepts to Bahrain, where he was appointed special COVID-19 adviser, and the country topped the WHO league in August. It also suffered the least disruption of the economy and social life and did not have a general lockdown.
I met this girl who asked me to paint the town with her. It turned out it was part of her community service.
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Canon Paul Hardingham considers how we cope with an uncertain future.
We Will Remember – 80 years on
THIS YEAR we’ve been remembering the Battle of Britain, described by Winston Churchill in August 1940 as ‘one of the decisive battles of the war... never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ It was a dramatic turning point in the history of the Second World War. The occasions for Remembrance this November will provide us times of gratitude for what was achieved in the darkest moments of war. However, this year we are very aware of our own struggles with the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. We face an unseen enemy, but the effects on our lives and society are almost as devastating as world war. Remembering is not just about focusing on past events. It is also about making present past events, as we give thanks for all that took place. The Battle of Britain was fought by the Few and won in the skies over the Channel. In our battle with the virus, we can call to mind the victory of Jesus: ‘Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.’ (2 Timothy 2:8). Jesus secured the victory of death by His cross and resurrection, so that we don’t need to fear death, but trust in His loving purposes for our lives. Currently we can’t see clearly what the future holds for us; it may be very different from what we might expect. However, we can pray for God’s will to be done and that we will play our part, just as each of those airmen did so many years ago. ‘They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.’
THE PANDEMIC is leaving a “lasting digital legacy”, and changing the UK’s internet habits and behaviour “indelibly”. So says a recent Ofcom study. Since March we have broken the four-hour barrier, which means that, on average, we spend more than a quarter of our waking hours each day online. That is up from an average of three hours and 29 minutes this time last year. Zoom has soared in popularity. Last December it reached 498,00 people in the UK; by April this had soared to 13million in the UK. TikTok, which lets users share short videos set to pop music, had 5.4 million UK users in January; by April it had 12.9million users. In February, 35 per cent of UK adults made a video call once a week. By April that had soared to 71 per cent. The largest increase has been among the over-65s, with now 61 per cent of them making weekly video calls. Older people favour Zoom, in order to ‘visit’ their relatives and friends; while many teenagers have become addicted to TikTok and endless videos.
LOOK OUT for the Poppy Appeal again this year, but not so much via street collections. Instead, the Royal British Legion will focus on contactless donations, as a safer way forward during the pandemic. One such method will be ‘point of sale donations’. This means that when you shop at your supermarket and reach the till or online, you may be invited to round up your total to the nearest pound to help the Poppy Appeal. A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: “The Poppy Appeal 2020 is very much still going ahead”, but that “the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and members is paramount. This means that collectors who fall into the vulnerable category have been advised “not to take part in activity on behalf of the Poppy Appeal that would expose them to any additional risks while coronavirus is still present.” And yet the need is still huge: “Members of the Armed Forces Community are suffering significant hardship as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and we at the Royal British Legion will do everything we possibly can to support them.”
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Surely, after all these years, they can just call it Zealand now?
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
LIBRARY NEWS Opening Hours WE ARE still opening each week between 10.00 am 12.00 noon on Tuesdays and 2.00 - 4.00 pm on Fridays. As from October 1st will we be open on Saturday mornings from 10.00 am -12.00 noon.
Staying Safe WHEN YOU come into the Library, we will be asking you for your name and telephone number for the Trace and Test system. If you prefer you can use your phone to scan the QR code, we have been issued from the government. On average, over the past few weeks there have been about 20 users per session. The Library is easy to use, we have installed a sanitiser station and a one-way system. Books will be issued by the Librarian working behind a Perspex screen. Do come in and see what we’ve got on offer for you. Lots of new books have arrived. Here is this month’s top ten.
Top Ten Reads Matt Haig Harlan Coben Victoria Hislop Jojo Moyes John le Carre Maggie O’Farrell Elly Griffiths Lisa Jewell Karin Slaughter Fern Britton
The Midnight Library The Boy from the Woods Those Who are Loved The Giver of Stars Agent Running in the Field Hamnet The Lantern Men Invisible Girl The Last Widow Daughters of Cornwall
Please be aware that regrettably we are unable to reserve books for you due to the covid19 limitations on the countywide Library system.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) THE AGM due to held in March was postponed due to the Covid19 restrictions. To comply with the requirements of the Charity Commission we held a delayed AGM via Zoom on 28th September. All of the existing Trustees agreed to stand again and were reelected. The members of the Trustee Board are: David Robinson, Chairman, John Martin, Vice Chairman, Roz Smith, Secretary, Sue Yates, Treasurer, Janet Harrison, Café Manager, Chrissie Fowler and Lisa Hawkins. All of the Trustees and three Library volunteers attended the AGM. The Chairman thanked all of the Library/Café volunteers and Trustees for their hard work and commitment over the last year. He also added that a new volunteer had started, this was very welcome but rather surprising during a pandemic. He reported that the Library and Café are seen as a great benefit to the village and acknowledged as such by the general public. Evidence of the support we have from the community comes in many ways, by volunteering, using the library and café and donating money. For example, this year we have had monetary donations from Groby Club, Bradgate Rotary Club and The Stamford Arms. Thanks all very much! The Chairman concluded by saying the Library is in good shape both physically and financially. The annual reports from the Chairman and the Treasurer are available on the Library website: www.grobylibrary.com.uk
Dr. Janet Harrison, Trustee
‘Hello’ development helps with affordable housing needs BY NORMAN GRIFFITHS WHEN Housing Needs Surveys are undertaken they are a snapshot of the situation at a particular time and a forecast of needs in the next few years. They cannot take account of the unknown, and the great unknown at the time of the latest survey was that there was a pandemic on the horizon that would impact on the income and living standards of millions of people. Only time will tell whether Groby is well placed to avoid the worst financial effects on its estimated 3,000 households, but it is possible that the pandemic might increase the number of affordable homes required. It is likely that some of the respondents to the most recent Housing Needs Survey will be moving into the new homes on the Hello site on Leicester Road, completed after the survey was undertaken. “For this site there was a local policy meaning that applicants had to have a connection to Groby, and the criteria was strict,” explained Borough Councillor Martin Cartwright. “As I understand it all the allocations comply with the policy”. In the latest survey 2,939 questionnaires were sent out. A total of 744 responses were received, average for a survey of this size. The survey reports that affordable housing and shared ownership provision in Groby in 2011 was low, with just 127 households living in a shared ownership home, or one form of affordable rented property or another. Property prices in Groby across all house types have, in the last 5 years, increased by 28.18%, and the report estimates that a house buyer would need a deposit of £21,429 (20%) and an annual income of £38,097 in order to afford a semi-detached property valued at £214,298. The average rent in the private rented sector at the time the report was written was £751 per calendar month. When asked whether they would support a number of homes being built for local people, there were slightly more households in favour of new homes being built compared to those not in favour; 365 and 322 respectively. The survey adopted a two-step research process, analysing the survey data, and then carrying out a cross-referencing exercise with the Local Authority Housing Register. The 120 respondents classing themselves as being in housing need fell within the following timescales : • 18 in immediate need • 14 within 12 months • 40 within 3 years • 48 within 5 years. The report concluded that 28 respondents were considered to have a need for affordable housing as follows : Tenure
Number Required
Property Type
Affordable Rent
7
1 or 2 bed home
7
2 bed bungalow
1
2 bed house
3
3 bed house
2
1 or 2 bed home
5
2 bed house
2
3 bed house
1
2 bed home
Shared Ownership
Specialist/ Supported Housing
My girlfriend’s leaving me because I don’t take anything seriously lol.
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Does marriage make you happy? Elizabethans IT MAY. But then again, it may not.
By Andrew Marr
Research spanning 40 years has found that being married does not necessarily make people significantly happier than if they were divorced or single. Psychologists at Michigan State University found that, while married people showed a slight increase in happiness, the difference was still less than one percentage point. The findings are in contrast to a previous study by the Office for National Statistics, which found that being married or in a civil partnership was the third most important factor in happiness, behind only health and employment. One researcher observed that, if someone longed for a lifelong partner to build a happy life together, but that individual was not completely happy to begin with, then getting married would be unlikely to cause a dramatic change in the long term.
David Attenborough. Marcus Rashford. Diana Dors. Winston Churchill. Elizabeth David. Bob Geldof. Zaha Hadid. Frank Crichlow. Quentin Crisp. Dusty Springfield. Captain Tom.
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Where do you store your various food items? WHERE DO you put your parsnips and eggs, and what about the potatoes and onions?
Who made modern Britain the country it is today? What does it mean to be the new Elizabethans? In this wonderfully told history, spanning back to when Queen Elizabeth became queen in 1953, Andrew Marr traces the people who have made Britain the country it is today. From the activists to the artists, the sports heroes to the innovators, these people pushed us forward, changed the conversation, encouraged us to eat better, to sing, think and to protest. They got things done. How will our generation be remembered in a hundred years’ time? And when you look back at Britain’s toughest moments in the past seventy years, what do you learn about its people and its values? In brilliantly entertaining style and with unexpected insights into some of our sung and unsung heroes, Andrew Marr offers up a first draft of the history we are all living. This is our story as the new Elizabethans – the story of how 1950s Britain evolved into the diverse country we live in today. In short, it is the history of modern Britain.
The correct answers, according to new government guidelines, are that the first two below in your fridge and the second two belong in your cupboard. More guidance on storing food safely can now be found on Wrap, the Government’s food waste watchdog. The aim is to stop households throwing so much food away. And so Wrap.org.uk offers advice on storing everything from aubergines to onions, bananas to cheese, fizzy drinks to wine. It could be a good refresher course for many of us, and a lifeline for younger people trying to get the most out of their weekly shop.
Nurture your friendships LOCKDOWN has damaged our social life, so badly that many of our friendships may not be the same for up to a year after lockdown. And although Zoom is ‘extremely good’ at slowing down the rate of a friendship’s decay, ‘nothing on earth is going to stop a relationship quietly sliding away, if you don’t once in a while meet up physically.” So warns an Oxford University academic, Robin Dunbar, who is an evolutionary psychology professor. He was talking to BBC Radio 4’s Today.
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I hate being the only drunk person at a party. It totally ruined my son’s fifth birthday.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Leaning on a lamppost at the corner of the street? HOPEFULLY George Formby would have checked the Health and Safety report for the lamppost before he started leaning on it, as sometimes they fail their inspection. In Groby lampposts are used by the Parish Council to make the summer months more pleasant with the hanging baskets, and the middle of winter more pleasant with the Christmas lights. Lampposts have to have periodic inspections to ensure that they are completely safe for such uses, and on Leicester Road six hanging baskets have had to be removed as the posts failed the inspection. One of the posts was clearly wobbling as the work was undertaken. The inspection failure also exposed another problem. All the baskets removed showed signs of the plants withering, in common with some baskets in other parts of the village. It was clear that the water reservoirs were empty, an issue that will be taken up with the suppliers.
The George Formby Quiz ALTHOUGH George Formby’s 40 years as an entertainer ended in 1961 the George Formby Society is very active keeping his memory alive, though because of the pandemic their annual convention in November has been cancelled. He appeared in 21 hit films, cut over 230 records, made hundreds of stage performances, appeared in two Royal Command Performances and entertained an estimated three million Allied Servicemen and women during World War II throughout Europe and the Middle East. Once he entered show business he bought a banjo ukelele from another entertainer, learnt a few tunes, and accepted a bet that he dare not use the Banjo Ukulele in his act.. It was a bet that was to change his life. If you think you know a bit about George try this quiz. The answers are on page 17. George Formby with the army in 1. Where was George born? France in 1940 - By War Office Aberystwyth, Liverpool or official photographer Puttnam L Wigan A (Lt) 2. What was his real surname? Benson, Booth or Best. 3. Although his father was an entertainer he didn’t want his children to follow in his footsteps. What trade was George sent to learn when he was 7 years old? Chimney sweep, jockey or window cleaner. 4. How much did he pay for his first ukelele? £2-10 shillings, £5-19s-11d or 10 guineas. 5. How old was George when he died? 56, 67 or 78.
Norman Griffiths
Cat charity is on the prowl in Leicestershire CATS PROTECTION has launched a volunteer appeal in Leicestershire to find kind-hearted people to play a vital role in helping cats get back on their paws. The branch is currently looking for a fundraising events team leader, a treasurer, a publicity team leader and a number of TrapNeuter-Return (TNR) volunteers. The branch relies on public donations, so the fundraising events team leader is an essential role to enable the branch to be #HereForTheCats during the current pandemic. The team leader will be involved in organising virtual fundraising events and supporting a team of volunteer fundraisers. The volunteer treasurer will oversee funds in the kitty to enable the charity to help even more cats. The publicity team leader will help promote the work of the branch as well as advertising lost and found cats, helping to reunite them with their owners. TNR volunteers humanely capture feral cats, transport them to a vet to be neutered and then release them back to their colony. Shaki McFarland, New Branch Development Manager, said: “Volunteering for Cats Protection is a fun and rewarding experience. We work hard to match people’s skills, interests and time availability to the roles on offer, so if you have something to contribute please get in touch.” The branch is currently running a Hands-Free Homing scheme so cats can still be adopted within Covid-19 restrictions. Since launching Hands-Free Homing, Cats Protection has rehomed 5,000 cats across the UK. As well as finding new homes for unwanted and abandoned cats, the charity also offers cat care advice to the public and can help towards the cost of neutering. More information about the work of Cats Protection’s Leicester & County Branch can be found at https://www.cats.org.uk/leicester If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please email bsunorth@cats. org.uk or call 01825 741 001.
Women like hugs WOMEN are more genetically predisposed to giving you a hug than a man is. According to a recent study at Arizona University, about 45 per cent of a woman’s desire for affection is hereditary, while the remaining 55 per cent is due to environmental factors. In comparison, men’s ‘skin hunger’ is due to entirely environmental factors. The scientists found that, ‘almost without exception’, women tend to be more affectionate than men. “There is some speculation that affectionate behaviour is more health supportive for women than it is for men, and that it helps women to manage the effects of stress more than it does for men.”
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National Trust Leicester Association SINCE LATE September the National Trust has reopened forty of its historic houses to the public. However not all of the usual rooms are open. In all of the properties a one way system is in operation which basically means that only rooms with separate entrance and exit doors are included on the route. Whilst this tends to mean that only the large rooms are open there are exceptions. One example is where a personal maid had a small room next to her mistress’s bedroom, entered from a corridor and with a personal door to the bedroom. All visitors still have to pre book, via the NT web site, to visit the overall property. However entry to the house is on a first come first served basis with a queuing system. The gardens, general estate and tea room are also open at all of the properties. There are seven houses within a 45 mile radius of Leicester that are open. The first is Calke Abbey, which is infamous because the Trust left it just as they found it. Not far from Towcester is Canons Ashby which was built for the Dryden family who lived there for over 400 years. Just off of the M1 south of Chesterfield is Hardwick Hall, built for Bess of Hardwick, the second richest woman in England after Elizabeth 1. Also built in the late sixteenth century is Packwood House, south of Solihull, where the family managed to stay neutral during the Civil War.
9
Letter
Junior football on Stamford Memorial Park I WOULD like to say how wonderful it was last weekend to see organised junior football again taking place on Stamford Memorial Park.
At Shugborough (above), near Rugeley, in addition to the house built in the late 1600’s the “model” farm complete with animals, the formal gardens and the estate are also open. The Workhouse in Southwell is the most complete example of a Workhouse in the UK. Finally, Wightwick Manor near Wolverhampton, built around 1890, is the best surviving example of a large Arts & Crafts house in the UK. The National Trust Leicester Association has currently suspended all of its activities. Please check the Association web site at – www.leicesternt.btck.co.uk for updates, including details regarding Stoneywell Cottage. The Association also runs an extensive second hand book stall with good quality paper backs at 50p and hardbacks at £1.00. All books are now available for sale, in safe conditions, in Groby. Please call 0116 2229133 to arrange to view the books.
Alan Tyler
Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association
To see the children running about enjoying themselves in such a healthy activity was a joy to behold. Such a lovely flat open space should be a benefit made available to provide enjoyment for everyone in Groby, especially the youngsters in these difficult times. Our thanks should go to the organisers behind Groby Juniors Football Club for managing to reinstate such activities safely taking place at weekends on this park - which, incidentally, was renamed as a memorial to young footballers who tragically lost their lives in a road traffic accident. It did seem incongruous at the time that junior football was no longer allowed to be played on the field but thankfully it would appear that this very strange ban has at long last been hopefully rescinded by the Parish Council.
T A Kennard
A long time resident of Groby
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My friend Ena is very giddy. Whenever we meet and I say ‘Hi, Ena’, she laughs her head off.
10
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com
Wallace Drive planning application refused REFUSED Planning Application 19/01407/FUL. Change of use of land to 2 No. Gypsy / Traveller pitches comprising of 2 static caravans, 1 day room and 2 No touring caravans and associated infrastructure, on land to the East of Wallace Drive, Groby. Just over 4 years ago I was working with local residents and the Highways Department at Leicestershire County Council when a similar application was refused and also lost at Appeal. The applicant submitted a similar application to the Borough Council in December 2019. This application was finally heard by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee on the 29th September 2020. The application was debated at the Planning Committee meeting where I raised serious concerns regarding Highway Safety should vehicles towing caravans enter and leave the track at the entrance on the A50. I also confirmed as an experienced caravaner of 39 years that you would not be able to use the Wallace Drive track due to its width and geometry as you would also be unable to turn at the T junction where the two tracks meet without ripping into the side of the caravan. Due to this difficulty the applicant would have to gain access to the site via the A50 which would have a significant impact on Highway Safety. Cllr Martin Cartwright presented the key reasons for recommending refusal on the grounds of Highway Safety, particularly the issues causing conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on the public right of way footpath that runs along the track from the A50 and parallel to Wallace Drive towards the applicant’s land as well as both access tracks. As County Councillor with responsibilities for Highway Safety, I fully supported Cllr Martin Cartwright. Following a proposal from Cllr Martin Cartwright & seconded by the Planning Vice Chairman Cllr Danny Findley (Chairman for the evening), the vote was taken and the application was unanimously refused. This application has always been fought on the grounds of Highway Safety. I will continue to work closely with the Bradgate Hill Groby Residents Group and Cllr Martin Cartwright and keep you informed if the Applicant decides to submit an Appeal to a government inspector.
Coronavirus Regulations update as of 29th September 2020 I appreciate residents are getting tired of restrictions changing. I thought it might help if I gave you the latest information to hand. Set out below is a summary of the regulations issued over the last week with the Issue Date and the impact • Protected area / Childcare1 22.9.20 - Oadby and Wigston added to the protected area. Allows linking of households for informal childcare to a child under 13 years of age subject to various conditions • Face coverings 2 23.9.20 Extends requirements to wear a face covering to those travelling in taxis and private hire vehicles. • Face coverings 3 24.9.20 Amendment to the Face Coverings regulations to include theatres, restaurants, bars and public houses in the scope of the “relevant places” where members of the public are required to wear face coverings (except for in some limited cases such as when it is reasonably necessary for a person to remove their face covering to eat or drink). They also require employees and other persons providing services in certain “relevant places”, including in shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and public houses to wear face coverings when they are in close proximity to members of the public unless they are exempt or have a reasonable excuse. • Various restrictions 4 24.9.20 - (1) requires the closure of businesses selling food or drink from 22:00 – 05:00 (allowing premises to stay open beyond 22:00 to conclude a performance that has begun before 22:00 and businesses to offer drive through / delivery and allowing exceptions for e.g. corner shops / motorway services etc) (2) requires businesses to take reasonable steps to ensure customers only consume food/drink whilst seated (3) imposes various restrictions in relation to gatherings to limit attendance at e.g. weddings and receptions to 15 persons and 30 persons for funerals (4) increases in the amounts of fixed penalty notices for breach • Self-isolation and Tracking information 28.9.20 - Requires adults who have been notified by the NHS or LA that they have tested positive for coronavirus or have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, to self-isolate for a specified period. This means that they must remain in their
home or another suitable place for that period. There are specified exceptions from the requirements, for example, leaving the place of self-isolation to seek urgent medical assistance, fulfilling a legal obligation, and (where it is not possible to do so by another means) to obtain basic necessities such as food or medical supplies. People required to self-isolate must provide, when requested, the details of the address at which they will be staying. People who have tested positive will also be required to provide the names of other people living in the same household as them. Where an adult has responsibility for a person under the age of 18 the adult must secure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the young person self-isolates for the specified period and notify the address at which they will do so. The periods of isolation are specified; for someone who has tested positive for SARSCoV-2 the requirement is to self-isolate until 10 days after the date on which their symptoms began, if that is known and has been reported, or otherwise 10 days after the date of their test. For people who are notified that they are a close contact of another household member who has tested positive, the requirement is to isolate until 14 days after the date that the other household member’s symptoms began, if that is known and has been reported, or otherwise until 14 days after the date of that person’s test. ‘ The employer of a person required to self-isolate is under a duty to not knowingly allow that person to work The regulations also create duties for designated venues to collect the names and contact details of customers, visitors and staff. • Venue restrictions 28.9.20 - Introduces a requirement on various defined service providers to take reasonable measures to refuse booking of 6+ persons and ensure that no persons join another group such as to contravene the requirement to limit gathering size. Introduces new requirements to take measures to stop singing and dancing, subject to some exemptions, and to not play music which exceeds 85db(A). Requires either a notice to be displayed informing persons on the premises of the requirement to wear a face covering (unless an exemption applies, or the person has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering) or to take other measures to ensure that persons entering the premises are so informed.
• Test and Trace Support payments - To support the new self-isolation requirements the government has introduced a support payment scheme in operation until 31 January 2021. Individuals who have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS test and trace who are employees or selfemployed and unable to work from home and who are in receipt of various benefits will be eligible. The entitlement is to a lump sum payment of £500 (subject to tax but not NI). Although the scheme is in force from 28th September the LA is expected to have a system in place from 12 October and this will allow a backdated claim. The application is to be make on line or by phone and supporting evidence of eligibility will be required. The LA administering the scheme will required access to various benefit, HMRC and NHS test and trace data to assess eligibility. Indications are that there will also be a discretionary fund for individuals who do not qualify for the support payment but who require corresponding financial support to self-isolate. The scheme is funded by the government and to be operated by District councils. Here’s the link to a news item on the latest Covid-19 figures for Leicestershire - https://www. leicestershire.gov.uk/news/latestcases-highlight-need-to-fight-virustogether
Groby and Ratby Targeted by Catalytic Converter Thieves in Broad Daylight I want to make residents aware that over the past week or so thieves have been targeting Toyota Hybrid cars in broad daylight jacking up cars on people’s driveways and cutting off the cars catalytic converter. They not only remove that part but cause more damage to the car in the process. I am reliably informed that owners of Toyotas can have a metal plate fitted by the dealer to secure their catalytic convertor. The following is an extract from an email sent to be by a Groby resident who was a victim. On 29 September, the catalytic converters of both our hybrid cars were stolen from our drive on Highfield Road, in broad daylight. The thieves caused damage, significant cost and anxiety to all my family. According to a neighbour’s report, they ‘jacked’ each vehicle
Cows would live longer if they weren’t made of steak and leather jackets.
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(both are Toyotas), got under them, cut off the part they were after and made off in a black or dark Seat. The ‘operation’ probably took less than five minutes. According to the Police, other neighbours, local garages, and as reported in the Spotlight and elsewhere, gangs are currently after catalytic converters. The Police described this to me as ‘an epidemic’. Thieves appear to be targeting this area. Indeed. I would urge all owners of cars with Catalytic Converters to be aware.
Wildflower Verge Scheme 2021/22 Leicestershire County Council are pleased to announce that the Wildflower Verge Scheme will be continuing for 2021/22 and we’re now accepting applications. The scheme proved to be very successful last year with 12 parishes taking part – we’ve seen some excellent results of wildflowers flourishing along our roadsides, helping to improve biodiversity and encouraging wildlife to the areas. The attached photos have been sent to parishes to encourage them to apply. Following the success of our Urban Wildflower Project in 2020, we are pleased to announce that we have now joined forces with the BLUE Campaign https:// bluecampaignhub.com/councils to promote the rewilding of urban verges across the UK. LCC will be the first Council in the Midlands to join this campaign and we will actively work with the BLUE Campaign to make it a success in Leicestershire. There are now 120 blue heart sites across the UK and we hope to see this number increase. The process for wildflower verges on the highway network remains the same. An application needs to be support by a parish or a community group who are prepared to manage and maintain the area as a wildflower verge - this relates in particular to non-parish areas. It will also be their responsibility to ensure that the initiative is supported by the immediate locality prior to any initiative taking place. Earlier this month, the County Council sent emails to parishes to advise them how to apply. The deadline for applications is 27th November 2020. If you require any further information on this scheme please or wish to submit an application, please get in touch via cscparishes@leics.gov.uk
11
Fix Penalty Notice Scam I have had several residents contact me after receiving this scam email regarding a fixed penalty Notice. Please note the email address that it has been sent from, which gives it away. --------- Forwarded message --------From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service <cuponeria@cuponeria. com.br> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 at 13:32 Subject: Your Fixed Penalty Notice Ref:19283891222 To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> GOV.UK This penalty Charge Notice has been sent to you as the registered keeper
Microsoft Scam Email Notice the sender is not Microsoft it’s from a private account and does not even address the intended recipient. Account Notification <Schellenberg_999@hotmail. com> Mon 14/09/2020 12:14 Microsoft ©2020 Respected User, Respected User, Your Microsoft account is being compromised and new messages will be blocked Please confirm your account and location to indicate that it is still in use.
And finally ... Finally I want to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.
Ozzy O’shea. Always Working for you
Tel 0116 2394336 Mobile 07808 585825 Email: ozzy.o’shea@ leics.gov.uk Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail. com
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Some Geordie told me he was really good at flirting, so I threw him in the swimming pool, but he sank.
12
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Cost of plastic bags to increase HANG ON to your plastic bags - the single-use ones are going to double in cost from 5p to 10p in all the shops from April 2021. The Government has said the measure is to further reduce the UK’s plastic consumption. George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, said: “We have all seen the devastating impact plastic bags have on the oceans and on precious marine life, which is why we are taking bold and ambitious actions to tackle this issue head on.” Dr Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “It’s encouraging to see the Government take further steps in reducing our reliance on single-use plastic bags.” The increased charge, she said, would remind people “of everyday, simple changes they can make to help the marine environment.”
How is your Christmas shopping going? IT SEEMS that many of us started as early as September this year, aiming to spread our costs during the financial stress of the pandemic. As for amounts we intend to spend? According to research carried out by American Express, more than 25 per cent of us will spend less than we did last year, 60 per cent of us will spend the same as last year, 12 per cent of us will spend more than last year, and three per cent of us have not thought about it. Meanwhile, other research from MoneySuperMarket predicts that our overall average Yuletide spending will be down from £582 last year to £512 this year.
The Gambler By Tom Bower AS DIVISIVE as he is beguiling, as misunderstood as he is scrutinised, Boris Johnson is a singular figure. Many of us think we know his story well. His ruthless ambition was evident from his insistence, as a three-year-old, that he would one day be ‘world king’. Eton and Oxford prepared him well for a frantic career straddling the dog-eatdog worlds of journalism and politics. His transformation from bumbling stooge on Have I Got New for You to a triumphant Mayor of London was overshadowed only by his colourful personal life, brimming with affairs, scandals and transgressions. His ascent to Number 10 in the wake of the acrimonious, era-defining Brexit referendum would prove to be only the first act in an epic drama that saw him play both hero and villain - from proroguing parliament to his controversial leadership of the Covid-19 Crisis, all against the backdrop of divorce, marriage, the birth of his sixth child, revolts among Tory MPs and the countdown to Brexit. Yet despite his celebrity, decades of media scrutiny, the endless vitriol of his critics and the enduring adoration of his supporters, there is so much we’ve never understood about Boris - until now. Previous biographies have either dismissed him as a lazy, deceitful opportunist or been transfixed by his charm, wit and drive. Both approaches fall short, and so many questions about Boris remain unanswered. What seismic events of his childhood have evaded scrutiny? How has he so consistently defied the odds, proved his critics wrong, and got away with increasingly reckless gambles? What were his real achievements and failures as Mayor of London, what was really going on during his time as Foreign Secretary, and why did he write two articles for the Telegraph, one in favour of Leave and the other for Remain? How have the women in his life exerted more influence than any of us realise, and why is his story ultimately one overshadowed by family secrets? Based on a wealth of new interviews and research, this is the deepest, most rounded and most comprehensive portrait to date of the man, the mind, the politics, the affairs, the family - of a loner, a lover, a leader. Revelatory, unsettling and compulsively readable, it is the most timely and indispensable book yet from Britain’s leading investigative biographer.
Since my mate’s divorce 3 years ago, he’s put on 10 stone. His doctor told him he has to stop celebrating.
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13
Face to Face Scouting is Back! GROBY is among the first Scout Groups returning to face to face Scouting. Meetings are not quite as before; we’re only meeting outside and in smaller groups.
Our leaders have worked exceptionally hard to meet all the new safety requirements and have planned a programme for the coming months with activities including orienteering, night hikes and fire lighting. Not easy when autumn evenings are dark and prone to bad weather! UPDATE - Unfortunately we’ve had to cancel a couple of meetings due to the recent severe autumnal weather. We’d like to purchase a Gazebo to protect the youngsters from adverse weather over the winter months but we need to raise some additional funds. Please support the Group by visiting https:// uk.gofundme.com/f/support-scouting-in-groby or go to the Go Fund Me website and search for Groby Scouts to make a donation. Thank you. The damaged HQ doors have been replaced and additional maintenance projects will be completed in the next few weeks. Thank you to True Roots Carpentry and Joinery for their ongoing efforts. We are recruiting! The role of Group Scout Leader is currently available. This voluntary position is a senior management role within the Scout Group, providing leadership and support to Leaders and the Executive Committee. A Scouting background or knowledge would be an advantage but certainly not essential as full training and plenty of support will be given. Please email gsl@grobyscouts.org.uk for more information.
Spare a thought for your furry friend MANY DOGS have struggled to adjust to the changes that Covid-19 has brought to their owners this year, according to the Dogs Trust. For one thing, coronavirus has meant greatly reduced walkies for many dogs, more people around the house all day, less quiet for rest, and little or no contact with other dogs. No wonder that the Dogs Trust has reported that 82 per cent of owners have reported an increase in barking or whining.
Both of our churches here in Groby have started to re-open for worship, with some restrictions, see below for times. Please be assured that we are still here for your spiritual needs during this time of great challenge. Whether you meet with us face to face, via our facebook services or via telephone.
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As a painter, I’m proud to say some of my work is on show in the National Gallery. I did the skirting boards.
14
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter
Are we losing our Community consideration? IT HAS BEEN quite disheartening to walk around some parts of Groby recently. Back in March, when we were locked down and so really appreciated getting out once a day, walking around Groby was such a pleasure. People were very happy to walk at least 2 metres apart and when passing on the narrow pavements, both people walking towards each other would automatically move onto the grass verge or go to cross the road to ensure that the 2m distance was maintained. Everyone also seemed to smile and greet each other, probably to show that they weren’t avoiding others for anything other than to keep both parties safe. Now we are all free from total lockdown, it seems that this consideration for others is beginning to wane sadly. There seems to be a huge increase in the amount of litter left in the streets or on the grass verges. This is not just the ‘usual litter’ of sweet papers, drink cans and bottles, but even worse, masks and plastic gloves! Who knows whether they are contaminated with Covid or not? Who will clear them up? How safe will the people be who have to clear them up? How many animals or birds will be caught in them and be injured or worse? These masks and gloves will remain in the environment for about 450 years unless removed and disposed of properly. As disgusting as masks and gloves casually thrown aside is, the number of used poo bags left around our footpaths seems to be increasing too, despite the fact that we have lots of special dog waste bins as well as ordinary waste bins. What sense is there in clearing up after your dog and removing the poo which if left, although a potential hazard if children fall into it or it is taken into houses on the soles of shoes, but which will eventually rot down into the ground, with going to the trouble of putting it into a plastic bag? The plastic bag will stop the poo from rotting down and will stay in the environment for hundreds of years as well as being a potential hazard for animals which may try to eat the bag and then die an agonising death by having a plastic bag stuck inside their stomach, meaning that they can no longer eat enough and so slowly starve to death? And even more disgusting to look at than a full black poo bag – a full clear plastic poo bag was left in the middle of the Mineral Line footpath recently. Dumping something we want to get rid of doesn’t just stop at wrappings from food or dog poo waste either - people are dumping their garden clippings, or other sundry garden rubbish around our green spaces too. If you want to be shocked, just look at all the gardening waste dumped behind the houses surrounding Cowpen Spinney! Other green spaces have had trees cut down for no obvious reason at all. This is vandalism! My final rant concerns modes of transport. Cars and vans continue to park on pavements, leaving those who have pushchairs or mobility scooters unable to get past. Vehicles park on double yellow lines, across driveways and entrances, considerably inconveniencing those people who live there. People, both adults and children, cycle along pavements and footpaths at speed, not even attempting to slow down as they approach pedestrians from behind or, what would be best, to dismount, and walk past with their bike, observing at least 2m distance, in order to allow those who are legally allowed on the pavement - pedestrians, stay safe. If we all had the same mindset as these few individuals who are so inconsiderate to neighbours and village, then not only would the area would be knee-deep in rubbish and disgusting waste but full of angry residents unable to exit their homes or walk safely around the village, or even worse, be in the orthopaedic ward recovering from broken bones as a result of being knocked over by a bicycle rider. Is one of the effects of lockdown and Covid-19 that we are becoming more self-centred, less socially aware, no longer considering others, and the impact of our actions on others? I sincerely hope not.
Co-op set to double community benefit donations GROBY RESIDENTS that shop at the Co-op supermarket on Laundon Way will be pleased to hear that the group will be doubling the amount it gives to good causes. In future the amount given to good causes operating in UK communities will be doubled to 2p per £ spent on Co-op branded products and services. Those who also look forward to watching their personal cash bonus for buying Co-op brand products grow may be disappointed that this is being reduced to 2p per £ spent, though the Co-op argues that other benefits, some requiring the use of the new phone app, will actually boost the overall benefit to members. Members using the new Co-op app will be able to select up to two offers each week from a unique and personally tailored shortlist – for launch week, this includes an opportunity to redeem a free Co-op ‘Irresistible’ 100g chocolate bar. In addition, members will also be eligible for exclusive in-store deals. The Group says that top spending customers can save almost 150% more with the new scheme, by utilising the biggest discounts they are offered, combined with their reward for ownbrand purchases (2p for every £1), totalling £187.98 per year. Making the most of the personalised offers, and their new membership reward would see them get £15.66 a month – a rise of £9.66 on the current membership reward. They can then add this to the in-store member only promotions and pricing that will be running in the stores every month. Savings can also be made on other Co-op services. “The Co-op was founded to share the value we create with our members and with their communities,” explained Matt Atkinson, the Co-op’s Chief Membership Officer. “Refreshing our membership offer will allow us to do both of these things in a much bigger way. Since 2016 the community reward has generated £70m of community investment, and now we are doubling the amount. With our members help we can do something very significant for our local communities, whilst also giving bespoke, personalised value to our members with offers designed to better meet their needs.” Some hard pressed shoppers may be pleased to hear that that their savings may be given a boost, but others might prefer the discounter’s model where potential savings are used to reduce prices. The message is clear - to get the best deals at the Laundon Way Co-op you need to sign up and carry the card.
Norman Griffiths
Groby Resident My 90-year-old grandmother has finally lost her marbles. So now she insists on playing dominoes all day.
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Planning Apps LISTED below are some recent planning applications local to our area: First floor extension at front and side of house - at 20 Slate Brook Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0EE. Pitched roof to existing detached garage - at 17 Preston Close, Stanton under Bardon, Leics. LE67 9TX. Rear extension - at 1 Warrington Drive, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YS. Residential development of 48 dwellings - at land east of Ratby Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire.
Help our wildlife before it is too late A QUARTER of mammals in the UK are at risk of extinction, and this decline will continue unless their habitats are restored and some species are reintroduced. So warns the chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, referring to a recent list of endangered animals issued by the Mammal Society, and approved by the United Nations. UK mammals most in danger are the greater mouse-eared bat, the water vole, the hedgehog, hazel dormouse and Scottish wildcat. The European wolf is already extinct. Tony Juniper advises that reintroducing some mammals would help others at greater risk. For example, introducing more pine martens would help control the grey squirrels, which in turn would give our native red squirrels a better chance. As one professor of environmental biology said: “Here in Britain we are managing to send even rodents towards extinction. Things have to change rapidly if we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy the wildlife that we take for granted.”
Extension to front of existing garage - at 15 Glebe Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GT. Erection of porch - at 14 Spinney Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0BY.
Mask wearing and social distancing for COVID-19 may have cut influenza cases south of the equator
Rear extension - at 17 Percival Way, Groby, Leicester LE6 0AU. First floor extension and alterations to bungalow to include front and rear dormers - at 27 Glenville Avenue, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8BE
Flu Season Never Came to the Southern Hemisphere Lower your ACCORDING to an article by Katie Peek in Scientific American last month, the flu season never came to the southern hemisphere.
Katie writes: “In March, as coronavirus widened its global sweep, one health statistic quickly flattened: influenza cases. “In the Southern Hemisphere, flu season would have been just taking off, but cases were virtually nonexistent. ‘Never in my 40-year career have we ever seen rates ... so low,’ says Greg Poland, an influenza expert at the Mayo Clinic. “Although researchers need to study the reasons further, several told Scientific American that coronavirus prevention measures—handwashing, mask wearing and social distancing—are working against flu transmission. “If those measures continue, Poland says, countries could see the most dramatic drop in influenza cases in modern human history. U.S. health experts still recommend flu shots, however, because not everyone in the country is observing measures to contain the virus and because COVID-19 could perhaps be more threatening in people who contract flu.”
Answers to the George Formby Quiz 1. Wigan, 2. George Hoy Booth, 3. Apprentice jockey, 4. £2 and ten shillings. (£2.50), 5. 56 years of age
hostility
KEEP CALM, and keep kind, if you want to live longer. It seems that being sarcastic and irritable only makes heart attack victims more likely to die from a second coronary. A recent study in the US on the personality traits of patients who had had heart attacks found that hostile personality traits (sarcasm, cynicism, resentment, impatience, irritability) was a common factor. A doctor at the University of Tennessee said: “We know that taking control of lifestyle habits improved the outlook for heart attack patients, and our study suggests that improving hostile behaviour could also be a positive move.”
I can’t believe I forgot to go to the gym today. That’s 7 years in a row now.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
A hedgehog called Veronica joins the gang
Kay’s Anatomy By Adam Kay
IT’S ODD isn’t it – when you tell people you are getting regular visits from a rat – our cat Sammy’s little friend Gerald – they tend to draw up their skirts and leap onto chairs.
THE HILARIOUS first children’s book from the UK’s bestselling non-fiction author. Do you ever think about your body and how it all works? Like really properly think about it? The human body is extraordinary and fascinating and, well . . . pretty weird. Yours is weird, mine is weird, your maths teacher’s is even weirder. This book is going to tell you what’s actually going on in there, and answer the really important questions, like: How much of your life will you spend on the toilet? About a year so bring a good book. (I recommend this one.) So sit back, relax, put on some rubber gloves, and let a doctor take you on a tour of your insides. Welcome to Kay’s Anatomy*. *a fancy word for your body. See, you’re learning already.
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When you tell them you have taken in a hedgehog – basically a rat with pricklesthey think it’s perfectly charming . I call it the Mrs Tiggywinkle effect. Beatrice Potter has a lot to answer for, We came across our little hedgehog Veronica in the garden in the last week of September. If you see a hedgehog during the day it’s a sure sign that it’s in trouble. A couple of years ago we found a tiny one that we took to a hedgehog rescue. She –Bernadette - was returned to us the following Spring and released in our garden so the two of them may well be family. Veronica – known to her friends as Ronnie - is bigger than Bernie was when we found her and the hegdehog sanctuary has no vacancies so we decided we would rear her ourselves. We began by feeding Ronnie in the garden but it was difficult to tell if the cat food we were leaving out was being eaten by her or our two greedy mogs. We decided she could live in the kitchen. She decided she preferred the living room and has taken up residence in a dark corner under a bookcase. She toddles through into the kitchen when she’s hungry. Her feeding station is a plastic storage box with an entry hole cut in the side – big enough for her to get through but too small for our cats. We have tried putting straw in the box to make a nest for her. She’s sticking to her bookshelf. •MY BIRTHDAY in September fell on the last beautiful day of a glorious summer . I spent in wandering through Bradgate Park, starting at Cropston and returning via Groby Pool. Walking by the River Lin I met this lovely young heron. He was completely unfazed by my presence and paddled up and down posing for photos for several minutes – my perfect birthday treat.
Lindy Hardcastle
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My Aunt has had her left indicator on since 2011.
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And I quote ... It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. L.M. Montgomery
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GROBY GARDENING SOCIETY NEWS SEPTEMBER turned out to be warmer than average, although there were cold spells and windy spells mixed in with the warm weather. The month ended with storm Alex lurking in the wings (and in the English Channel) with lots of rain forecast. Wildfires continued to threaten large parts of California and there was a tropical storm in the Mediterranean – described as a “medicane” since it showed all the characteristics of an Atlantic hurricane Some Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, and more venues and attractions are starting to open again, although at the time of writing tighter restrictions were being introduced in many parts of the country. It looks as if social distancing will be with us for several months to come, and when this edition of Spotlight is printed, Christmas will be just ten weeks away. Better get the sprouts on! There was of course no meeting of the Society, and the annual show which was scheduled for September could not take place. The rhubarb in our garden is still cropping, although perceived wisdom is that you shouldn’t harvest after August. I’m not sure what the reason is, unless rhubarb has a built-in sell-by date in its DNA. Our runner beans are still growing and flowering, the tomatoes are still producing fruit, and we found a ripe strawberry lurking in the foliage the other day. There Happier Times: A recent Annual Show have already been frosts in the north of the country, however. In more normal times, members of the Society would by now have been on trips to gardens around the county and country, and doubtless made many visits on their own. I’ve enjoyed watching BBC weather’s outside broadcasts from various parks and gardens, too. Browsing the internet recently I came across some interesting facts about soil. It might not look particularly interesting, but all life on earth depends on it. It is essentially nothing more than ground up rock containing dozens of minerals and trace elements, and organic matter from animal and plant remains, plus worms, beetles and other vertebrates. That much is fairly obvious, but the fact that a single teaspoon of soil contains around 100 million bacteria gives you an insight into how much life there is underground. Scientists have calculated that the total mass of life below ground is much greater than the mass of life on the surface. Most of it is involved in breaking down and recycling the organic material that is necessary for a productive soil. The compost that you make and dig into the soil would be nothing without bacteria, luckily the vast majority are beneficial to humans, or at least benign. Bacteria are extremely good at surviving, they’ve been around for 4 billion years, and we humans couldn’t survive without them, nor could life have evolved. Bacteria were able to fix nitrogen from the early atmosphere and produce oxygen as a by-product, the rest as they say, is history. Enjoy the changing seasons. Stay safe. Images from last (If you have any queries about the society, please email Helen Box on year’s 3-day trip helen_box@hotmail.com in the first instance.)
Keith Poole
‘I give it 75 years, tops’ - cynical guest at tortoise wedding.
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In praise of peanut butter ONE QUIRKY change of life under Coivd-19 is that for some reason, we are eating more peanut butter. According to a recent report in The Grocer, sales of the stuff rose by 35.5 per cent in the Spring. Peanut butter producer Kirstie Hawkins (Whole Earth brand) is delighted. “Peanut butter offers an easy way to add more nutrition to breakfast and snack choices.” Whatever the reason, sales of peanut butter, at £98.9million in the past year, are now £2million more than those for jam.
Diamonds are for lockdown… HERE’S AN unexpected outcome of Covid-19: it has inspired more of us to get engaged. Engagement rings sales have risen this year, in some firms by up to 73 per cent, a survey of various jewellery firms has discovered. When, at the beginning of lockdown, Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical officer, suggested that couples could get round the coming isolation by moving in together, it seems that many listened to her. They decided to give it a go and ‘test the strength of their relationship.’ “A lot of people have now resolved to go ahead and tie the knot,” said one jeweller. “Perhaps they are thinking: ‘life’s too short, let’s go for it’.” Another jeweller said: “Maybe if you can make it through lockdown together, you can make it through anything.”
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby ALLOTMENTS NEWS Resurfacing of Ratby Road Car Park
WE MUST offer an apology to all Groby residents who have tried to walk along the footpath between the allotment car park on Ratby Road and the United Reformed Church on Chapel Hill recently. The contractor who resurfaced our car park had a problem with the stones from the quarry and despite rolling the surface to consolidate it, the surface has been really difficult to walk over and it is almost impossible to push a pushchair or buggy over it. However Good News! Today, Friday 2nd October, the contractor has been back to ensure that the footpath across the car park now has a top dressing of fine material to make it easier to walk over. I hope that by the time you receive this magazine, the surface is perfectly fine but if not, the contractor will be keeping an eye on it and has promised to roll it again and add more fine material if necessary. Thank you for being so patient!
Autumn Compost AT THIS time of year, most people are clearing their plots of the sweetcorn plants, french bean plants, runner bean plants and even the courgettes are coming to an end and so their plants will be joining the rest on the compost heap. Often it is assumed that the autumn, once the harvest has been all gathered in, is a very quiet time on the allotments but a lot of us are busy sorting out our compost. I have one heap which I’m now leaving to ‘mature’ while I begin to fill up the other bin. So, I’ve been reading up on what you can and can’t compost, as I need it to look after my soil, adding in plenty of that organic matter to add lots of nutrients and improve soil quality and health as the worms, beetles and other soil-dwellers get to work digesting all that compost, so aerating the soil as well as improving drainage in the process. There are lots of myths about what you can and can’t compost apparently.
Every gardener knows that you can’t eat rhubarb leaves as they contain a high level of a chemical, oxalic acid, which is toxic to birds, mammals and some insects if eaten in large quantities. We can eat the stalks, (my favourite way is stewed with custard!) but while we have to avoid eating the leaves, we can happily put them in the compost bin. The plant produces oxalic acid to protect it from animals, birds or insects who might eat it. When in compost, the leaves decompose in the heap and amazingly, earthworms have bacteria in their digestive system specifically designed to break up oxalic acid. How good is that? The same goes for potato plant stems and leaves. As most of us know, green potatoes contain solanine, toxic to us, which is why we make sure we cover our potatoes with a mound of soil as they grow, to stop them turning green in the sun. This solanine is also found in the rest of the potato plant but will, like rhubarb leaves, safely decompose in the soil and so Potato Plant nourish it.
Gardening Makes you Happy! LOTS OF NEWSPAPER articles promote gardening as a pleasant and healthy pastime; a Royal College of Physicians report in 2018 stated that gardening improves dexterity, strength, mental wellbeing and reduces social isolation. I am always telling people how good gardening is for your physical and mental health whenever I am asked to give a talk about allotments. Well it appears that there is now definite evidence that gardening is good for your mental wellbeing and it is down to the soil! Apparently, soil contains bacteria called mycobacterium vaccae, and they release substances which are antidepressants. Gardeners inhale the bacteria, have skin contact with them or can get it into their bloodstreams through a cut or graze, whilst gardening. A clinical trial, testing the effects of this bacterium on rats, noticed their cognitive ability increased their stress levels were lowered and their concentration increased, compared to a control group. How? Chemicals released by this bacterium cause cytokine levels in our bodies to rise, which results in the production of higher levels of serotonin, the ‘happy’ hormone. Lack of it in humans is linked to depression and anxiety as well as worsening memory and concentration. So, if you want to cheer yourself up, the answer lies in the soil! Get outside, up close to the soil and smell it!
Carol Lincoln
I Follow You By Peter James TO THE outside world, suave, charming and confident doctor Marcus Valentine has it all. A loving wife, three kids, a great job. But there’s something missing, there always has been. . . . or rather, someone . . . Driving to work one morning, his mind elsewhere and not on the road, he almost mows down a female jogger on a crossing. As she runs on, Marcus is transfixed. Infatuated. She is the spitting image of a girl he was crazy about in his teens. A girl he has never been able to get out of his mind. Lynette had dumped him harshly. For years he has fantasized about seeing her again and rekindling their flame. Might that jogger possibly be her all these years later? Could this be the most incredible coincidence? Despite all his attempts to resist, he is consumed by cravings for this woman. And when events take a tragically unexpected turn, his obsession threatens to destroy both their worlds. But still he won’t stop. Can’t stop.
When the chips are down, you can always count on me. I love chips.
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Volunteers meet to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan FOLLOWING the Spotlight appeal for support, a group of residents and parish councillors met online with Zoom to discuss the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. The Plan will play a part in the longer term development of Groby and Field Head, so it was refreshing to see the participation of younger residents. It was clear that although the group have different backgrounds, skills and experience,they have one thing in common – the wish to sympathetically manage and guide the future development of the village they call home. John Preston, Neighbourhood Planning Officer from the Rural Communities Council, gave an informative presentation about Neighbourhood Plans, the process, and how to create them. If you would like to know more with a view to joining the team, just contact the Parish Council on 0116 287 6985 or email parishclerk@ groby.com The next meeting will be held on Zoom on Friday 30th October at 1.15pm. Zoom is easy to use and easy to install. If you don’t have a camera or microphone on your PC you can still watch and hear the meeting and participate with online Chat or even by phoning in on a dedicated number. As calls are chargeable at geographic rates, this option is only recommended if you have a free calls phone package. And you may need to redial if the meeting lasts more than sixty minutes.
Norman Griffiths
Voicing adverts for a living
Putting a face to the voice AS A REGULAR listener to commercial radio - mainly LBC - I realised the other day that I have become addicted to the Vodafone commercials. Not the content of the ads - but the voice of Sophia Brown - the voiceover artist who presents the sales message. An internet search shows that Sophia is attached to The Joneses Voice Agency in Fitzrovia, London, which specialises in actors, comedians and presenters with extraordinary talent. Sophia is in good company ... among the hundreds of other artists on the agency’s books are Nigel Havers, Denise Welch, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Helen Lederer, Martin Jarvis, Martin Compston and Lynda Barron.
This privet hedge looking a bit like the Hogwarts Express was spotted recently in Groby. But not at Platform 9¾ ...
I hate it when you run out of food while you’re still eating.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS Councillor Martin Cartwright reports
Wallace Drive Gypsy/Traveller Site Application
NHS COVID-19 App
PLANNING REF: 19/01407/ FUL : Proposal : Change of use of land to 2 No. Gypsy / Traveller pitches comprising of 2 static caravans, 1 day room and 2 No. touring caravans and associated infrastructure I gave details and the reasons for why this planning application should be refused as well as the proposal to REFUSE. Cllr Danny Findlay seconded that proposal. DECISION : APPLICATION REFUSED See joint statement between myself and Cllr O’Shea on page 23.
COVID-19 AS I WRITE this month’s Spotlight article the daily numbers of the virus were on the increase and the rule of six across the country had come into effect. This could have changed once again by the time you get to read this. Planning for major events like the Christmas Lights switch on for example takes months. With the increased uncertainty especially amongst groups of people gathering indoors and outdoors the Borough Council has taken the difficult decision to cancel practically all the Borough Council hosted events, for the foreseeable future, and certainly until the New Year. The web site www.hinckley&bosworth.gov.uk is the best place to see the latest event information on COVID and Borough Council events. The Hinckley Remembrance Sunday event will not be taking place as it traditionally would do and will only have a handful of selected people invited, the event however will be hosted on the internet by live streaming. Details of how to view the live streaming will be available nearer to Remembrance Sunday. The town centre Christmas Lights switch on, market and fair will not be happening either. Christmas lights will be turned on but by timer (low key) and without the normal festivities around it. Traditionally the town centre would be packed with a festive market, fireworks and of course the Tin Hat fair. Likewise many of the events that would normally happen in Groby between now and Christmas under the current rules will not be able to take place either.
SINCE MY LAST Spotlight article there has been the launch of the new #NHSCOVID19app – all you need to get involved is a smart phone running with a fairly up to date operating system. Based on an Apple/Google privacy framework - the app is the best way to protect and advise our community. Through the app – you can help to contribute a better understanding on how the virus is spreading in Groby. The more people that take part the better the overall data. The app supports contact tracing, checking into venues through an inbuilt QR code scanner, risk alerts by postcode, a symptom checker and the ability to book a test based on your answer to some questions. It is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from the virus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect others as well as keeping yourself safe. You can download the app from the app store on your mobile phone, just open the app store and search for NHS COVID-19 app. Versions are available for apple and android devices It is important to search for “NHS COVID-19 App” as there are other NHS apps out there If you do not have a smart phone, please be assured that all venues, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, barbers etc - all public facing organisations will still be taking ‘pen & paper and over the phone’ details as well. This is now a legal requirement. Please spread the word to your friends, family and neighbours to download the app. You can find out more information at covid19.nhs.uk. Help keep our borough, your family and friends safe by downloading the NHSCOVID19app today and spread the word.
Remembrance Sunday – Leicester Road Tommy, Groby IN GROBY we have had a
gathering of people at the Tommy statue on Leicester Road for the last two years since its installation at this prominent location. I intend to do the same this year (social distancing of course) at 11am on Sunday 8th November. This is very much subject to the government guidance in place at the time of Remembrance Sunday. Last minute details will be available on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages in the days before Remembrance Sunday.
Rural Strategy Review and appendices Document SINCE MAY 2019, as Executive Member for the Rural Parishes, I have visited 23 of the 24 Rural Parishes in Hinckley & Bosworth including Groby. The purpose of these visits was the opportunity for each Parish to inform the Borough Council of its up to 10 most relevant issues and in what order of priority those issues are. In respect of Groby Parish Council’s visit and submission their issues were as highlighted below but are in no particular order. 1. Provision of Primary Education 2. Transport 3. Retail Regeneration 4. Parking 5. Health & Social Care Provision 6. Sports & Green Spaces 7. Street Lighting 8. Anti Social Behaviour 9. Environment Issues 10. Provision of homes The Rural Strategy Document and Rural Strategy Appendices document were launched by me at the Rural Conference held at Twycross Zoo on 5th March 2020. Thank you to Cllr Carol Lincoln who attended the full day conference on behalf of Groby Parish Council. The document now goes to Scrutiny at the Borough Council followed by adoption by the Full Council anticipated as being at the December 2020 meeting (subject to change).
Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward. Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub
Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 07850 707050 @CllrCartwright
I am here to help you AS YOUR Borough Councillor I am here and available to help you If you live in Groby and are experiencing any difficulties please contact me and I will do all I can to help you • Home Phone: 0116 2874500 • Mobile Phone: 07850 707050 • Email: hbbchelp@ appliancehome.co.uk To keep residents updated I am posting as much relevant information as I can on my social media channels. Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. • Facebook: Cllr Martin Cartwright • Twitter: @CllrCartwright • Instagram: cllr. martincartwright Should you have any comments or problems you would like me to mention in my article please get in touch. Please remember if I can ever be of help to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are listed. Kind regards,
E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ
Cllr Martin Cartwright
The issues listed by each Parish will be used as a guide and evidence base as to where the resources of the Borough Council and its partners should be focused. Personally, I am delighted that Groby Parish Council chose to engage in this consultation with the Borough Council as well as 23 of the 24 Parishes. Visits to the Parishes concerned took place over nine months between June 2019 and February 2020. This was shortly before the onset of COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Whilst the pandemic is not mentioned in any of the results from the Parishes because it had not happened at the time the visits took place, the pandemic has had a significant impact upon all our communities. This is acknowledged in this summary. The pandemic and effect of it is being treated as a separate entity on its own by the Borough Council. Groby’s extract from the document is pictured below:
cllr.martincartwright
Cllr Martin Cartwright
My friend David was the victim of ID theft. Now we just call him Dav.
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Next dates when EkoJoe will be in Groby
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Let’s Do It By Jasper Rees
HootS - Head out of the Sand – Groby
Responding to the Climate Emergency at a local level: USE YOUR POWER!
EKOJOE– a mobile refill business – visit Groby on alternate Fridays. EkoJoe are a zero waste company. They have a wide range of products: herbs and spices; dried fruit and nuts; pasta and rice; flour and yeast; cleaning and laundry liquids; face soaps and shampoo bars. Most products can be bought by refilling jars. We are encouraged to take our own containers with us, but when you don’t have any there are always some available or products can be put in paper bags. In addition EkoJoe stock a range of gifts and other plastic free products including: toothbrushes; cotton buds; bags; reusable cups. It really is impossible to list all the products available so why not check them out one Friday morning? You will find them in the car park of Groby Club from 9am until 1:30 every other Friday morning. The dates for the month ahead are: 16th October, 30th October, 13th November.
Ruth Mwenya
IN HER passport Victoria Wood listed her occupation as ‘entertainer’ - and in stand-up and sketches, songs and sitcom, musicals and dramas, she became the greatest entertainer of the age. Those things that might have held her back - her lonely childhood, her crippling shyness and above all the disadvantage of being a woman in a male-run industry she turned to her advantage to make extraordinary comedy about ordinary people living ordinary lives in ordinary bodies. She wasn’t fond of the term, but Victoria Wood truly was a national treasure - and her loss is still keenly felt. Victoria had plenty of stories still to tell when she died in 2016, and one of those was her own autobiography. ‘I will do it one day,’ she told the author and journalist Jasper Rees. ‘It would be about my childhood, about my first few years in showbusiness, which were really interesting and would make a really nice story.’ That sadly never came to pass, so Victoria’s estate has asked Jasper Rees, who interviewed her more than anyone else, to tell her extraordinary story in full. He has been granted complete and exclusive access to Victoria’s rich archive of personal and professional material, and has conducted over 200 interviews with her family, friends and colleagues - among them Victoria’s children, her sisters, her ex-husband Geoffrey Durham, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Dawn French, Anne Reid, Imelda Staunton and many more. What emerges is a portrait of a true pioneer who spoke to her audience like no one before or since.
IN THE LIGHT of the current pandemic, and the climate emergency that we face, it is easy to feel powerless: it is difficult to see how we can change the situations that we face. The climate crisis is still with us. In many senses the Covid pandemic is one way is which that emergency is being played out. Our lack of care for our planet is having, and will have, many impacts on our lives, and it is crucial that we take action to mitigate these impacts. But how do we take action when our lives are by necessity restricted? One way that we can respond to the climate emergency from our restricted lives is to recognise the power that we have as consumers. Every time we consume - every time we pay a bill - we are making choices that impact our planet. This starts with the money we spend at the shop, and the food items we choose, to our bigger expenditures in life. When we choose to buy ‘low carbon’ foods (foods that are produced locally, in tune with the seasons) our choice affects our planet. When we choose to buy products with little or no packaging, our choice affects our planet. When we choose to holiday in the UK, to stop flying or minimise flying, our choice has an affect on our planet. What we do affects the future of our planet. There are two simple and easy changes that you can make from the comfort of your home which don’t need to cost anything. The first is to change your bank. Banks make money by investing money – that is how we get our free banking, our rewards and our interest. But what is your bank investing in? Switching to a bank or Building Society that invests ethically can have a big impact on decisions being made. The other switch to make is your power provider. There are now a number of power companies are 100% renewable. By switching to one of these companies you are supporting investment in renewable power, and making your voice heard. Imagine if everybody chose renewable power – a very clear message would be sent to those in power about our concerns for our planet. When the lockdown started in March, amongst all the news there were many rays of hope: we heard of cleaner skies and cleaner air; we heard of communities pulling together; we thanked those who worked in vital jobs; we walked and cycled more; we shopped locally. The lockdown gave us a different perspective and showed us what we can do in a crisis. As both the Covid pandemic and the climate crisis continue to be with us, are there simple changes we can make that will build on that hope we need for the future? We may not be meeting together, but can we act together for a brighter future? HootS – Heads out of the Sand – Groby normally meets on a monthly basis at the Village Hall. We aim to educate each other and act together in response to the climate emergency. If you would like to know more please find us on Facebook, or contact us at: hoots-groby@hotmail.com
Ruth Mwenya
What do you call a dog magician? A Labracadabrador.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Spotlight Small Ads • Jay-Be SINGLE FOLDING BED with mattress. Little used and in perfect condition. Price: £70.00 ono. Tel 0777 217 2165 (Groby) • Yamaha PSR-GS76 ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD with stand and instruction manual. Price: £60.00 ovno. Tel 07891 171994 (Groby) • Assorted 1000 piece quality JIGSAW PUZZLES for sale complete.GIBSONS, CORNER PIECE, HOUSE OF PUZZLES (ALL £6 EACH) AND WASGIJ’S (ALL £7 EACH. Titles and pictures available via mobile upon request. Tel: 07599 270585 (Groby) • VISTA 8 WHEELCHAIR (red and black). Excellent condition, only used for 6 months. Lightweight & easily dismantled for car boot. Folds when not in use. Large rear wheels for easier manoeuvres. 2 hand brakes plus wheel brake. Accessory bag and fitted seatbelt. Price: £60.00 and will deliver within 3 mile radius of Groby. Tel: 0116 2312866 / 07780 342253 (Groby) • EMBROIDERY SILKS, various colours, 50 in total. Price: £10.00. • LADIES DENIM JACKET, medium. Price: £5.00. • 5 pairs BRASS DOOR HANDLES. Price: £10.00 • Royal Worcester LARGE WINE GLASSES, (2) boxed. Price: £4.00. • Needle work boxes, excellent condition. Prices: Large £5.00 or Small £3.00. Tel: 07547 901657 (Groby) • Just bought - McGregor 1600w ELECTRIC ROTARY MOWER, model MER1737. I’m part disabled and struggled to use it. Still as new. Cutting width: 37cm and includes mulch plug. Price: £80.00 or near offer. Tel: 0116 287 1364 (Groby) • TUNTURI EXERCISE BIKE, fully serviced and ready to ride. No electronics to go wrong. As new condition. Price: £50.00. • Medium sized DOG TRANSPORT CAGE, foldable, as new condition. Price: £15.00. Tel 0116 287 6715 (Groby) • TOY BOX - wooden, white. £10.00 • PLANTERS, wooden, brown, grey. £5.00 • FISHING BAG - Shakespeare, black, new. £7.50. • Combo FISHING STATION, Sensas. Many extras, new. £250.000 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 245754 (Markfield) • Pride Colt De-Lux MOBILITY SCOOTER. Price: £500.00 o.n.o Tel. 0116 2876 013 (Groby) • WROUGHT IRON GATES to fit width 84cm. Height 37/38. Colour Black Price: £60.00 o.n.o. • RUSTIC WOODEN TABLE and 4 chairs. Length 48 cm. Width 35cm. Ideal for upcycyling. Price: £45.00 • White metal outdoor bistro circular GLASS TOPPED TABLE and 2 chairs. Price: £40.00. Tel: 07376 209722 (Markfield)
• Two pairs of large fully-lined CURTAINS, blue and cream. Length: 84” by width 132”. Good condition. FREE to collect. Tel: 01530 245328 (Stantonunder-Bardon) • Dimplex 10L DEHUMIDIFIER as new. Price: £45.00 • Nobex type MITRE SAW. Price: £10.00 • Delongi 500 watt OIL HEATER Price: £15.00 • Gnome SLIDE PROJECTOR with 8 reel slide holders & 5 straight. Price: £20.00 • DTX ELLIPTICAL TRAINER. Price: £50.00 • Parkside air SAND BLASTING GUN with 20 kg GROUND GLASS. Price: £15.00 • Elmo 8mm FILM PROJECTOR. Price: £20.00 Tel 07561 816369 (Groby) • Ladies MULTI-GEAR CYCLE. Price: £40.00 • McCulloch Trim Mac 250 LS PETROL STRIMMER. Price: £40.00 • Stainless steel GARDEN SPADE and GARDEN FORK. Price: £15.00 the pair. • Shakespeare Electric T34 OUTBOARD MOTOR, complete with heavy duty 12 volt BATTERY. Price: £60.00. Tel: 01530 245337 (Markfield) • GARDEN SHREDDER - Black & Decker 1500W, max branch size 30mm diameter. Price £25.00. Tel: 0116 232 1359 (Groby) • Sholley (Shol-eco) SHOPPING TROLLEY. Price: £25.00. • Rectangular glass TV STAND. Price: £10.00. Tel 07974 968454 (Markfield) • LONG EVENING DRESSES - £5.00 each for charity. Size 12-14. In pink, green, black, peach and cream. Tel: 0116 287 5654. • CHESS MAGAZINES - dating back to the 1990s. FREE to anyone interested. Tel: 0116 287 3087 (Glenfield) • Terracotta patio or conservatory METAL TABLE and two matching CHAIRS. Price: £35.00. • Dimplex OIL FILLED RADIATOR with thermostat and timer. Good condition and working order. Price: £45.00. Tel: 0116 287 8987 or 07999 768521 (Groby) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. Our postal address is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS
Councillor Ted Hollick reports Land East of Wallace Drive AT A PLANNING meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday 29th of September the application once again seeking permission to establish a site for static and touring caravans along with day rooms for each was quite rightly recommended for refusal by the Borough Council Planning Officers backed up by a unanimous planning committee decision which I fully supported. The reason for refusal was based on serious highway safety concerns which were supported in no small way by an independent traffic safety report commissioned by a member of the Bradgate Hill Residents Group.
A46 Eastern Expressway - A double edged sword THE GOOD NEWS is that the A46 Eastern Expressway has been scrapped, the bad news is that the thousands of houses proposed to be built along that corridor will now have to go somewhere else near the city. Be in no doubt Groby and its surrounding area will be extremely vulnerable, which reinforces the need for a well thought out Neighbourhood Development Plan to ascertain if we can accommodate ANY - and, if so, where they could go. If this should turn out to be a requirement, Councils surrounding the city have a duty to assist in providing homes because the city has no more room. Well neither has Groby. It is imperative we protect and preserve the green spaces that we have and this includes conserving hedges and trees so that we do not become a concrete jungle. I have seen for myself in the 47 years I have lived here the decline of wildlife and wild flowers over this time. In an attempt to combat climate change the Borough Council is encouraging and enhancing green spaces and green corridors. Our own Mineral Line is a designated green corridor in the HBBC Landscape Character Assessment document .
Bus shelters requested HAVING RECEIVED requests from residents on both sides of the village for Bus shelters, one on the city bound side of the A50 near to Wallace Drive and the other adjacent to the Co-op on Laundon Way my suggestion to the Parish Council was to approach the Borough Council with a view to applying for a PCIF grant (Parish and Communities initiative Fund). I am very pleased to report that this application was successful and the Groby Parish Council was awarded a grant of £3,075 towards the cost of them which will be match funded. The relevant permissions are now being sought.
A growing problem AS THE Parish Council’s Tree Warden I am concerned at the number of residents who think they can cut down or do work on trees next to their properties because of fallen leaves or a perceived loss of light. Loss of light is something that has to be proved to be significant in planning terms. I would like to make it clear that a large percentage of Groby, particularly the new part, is covered by a blanket TPO (Tree Preservation Order) and doing any work on those could lead to prosecution and there have been cases in the last few years where residents have been successfully prosecuted. The exception to this is that you are lawfully allowed to cut off any branches that overhang your property boundary at that point but no further. If you think that a tree is diseased or dangerous then contact the Borough Council Tree Officer for advice.
It’s a cover up I WOULD like to remind everyone that the wearing of face masks is now compulsory when in shops, so I am quite surprised when seeing a few shoppers without masks which apart from being anti-social is unfair to everyone else who is complying with the regulations. Please be considerate and let us all do our bit to help reduce this particularly nasty virus. Remember the guidelines :- Sanitising, Hand washing, face masks and the all important Social Distancing. May we all stay safe and healthy.
Cllr. Ted Hollick
Councillor Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY
Ban sliced cheese. Make Britain grate again.
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Wallace Drive planning application refused This is a joint statement on behalf of Borough Councillor Martin Cartwright and County Councillor Ozzy O’Shea in respect of the planning application 19/01407/FUL. THE APPLICATION - for land at Wallace Drive, Groby - was for a change of use of land to 2 No. Gypsy / Traveller pitches comprising of 2 static caravans, 1 day room and 2 No. touring caravans and associated infrastructure, on land to the East of Wallace Drive, Groby. Although the application was to gain access to the land via a private drive leading from Wallace Drive that the applicant does not own or have a right of access over (civil issue), it was considered that access for the applicant was therefore likely to be gained from the track that runs from the A50. The same would be true as the applicant left the site his only option would be to use the track out onto the A50. This application was debated at the Planning Committee meeting, held at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council via Zoom on 29th September 2020. During the meeting Cllr Martin Cartwright presented the key reasons for recommending refusal on the grounds of Highway Safety, particularly the issues causing conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on the public right of way footpath that runs along the track from the A50 and parallel to Wallace Drive towards the applicant’s land as well as both access tracks. This motion was supported by Cllr Ozzy O’Shea who spoke about the application as County Councillor for Groby who raised serious highway safety concerns about vehicles towing caravans on and off the track at the junction with the A50. Following a proposal from Cllr Martin Cartwright and seconded by the Planning Vice Chairman Cllr Danny Findlay (Chairman for the evening), the vote was taken and the application was unanimously refused. The two reasons for the refusal are listed below: 1. The access as proposed via Wallace Drive does not provide an access track of sufficient width and geometry to allow a touring caravan and car to access the site. In the absence of a suitable access track width from Wallace Drive it is likely that the occupiers would utilise the established access track via the A50. The proposed development would therefore result in an unacceptable increase in traffic using the A50 access that also has inadequate width and geometry. This would lead to vehicles giving way within or reversing on to an A classified road subject to a 40mph speed limit which would have a severe impact on highway safety. This would be contrary to Policy DM17 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD, Policy 18 of the Core Strategy and paragraph 109 of the NPPF. 2. The proposal would result in an unacceptable increase in traffic using access tracks which have inadequate width and geometry and which are also public rights of way or intersected by public rights of way. This would lead to a conflict between pedestrians and motorists using the tracks and ultimately pedestrian safety issues. This would be contrary to Policy DM17 of the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD July 2016 and Policy 18 of the Core Strategy 2009.
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COUNTY COUNCIL SIGNS UP FOR LATEST WILDFLOWER INITIATIVE LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has become the first local authority in the midlands to join the BLUE campaign, which aims to promote biodiversity by re-introducing wildflowers and plants to roadside verges. The BLUE campaign was started in 2014 by wildlife film maker, Fergus Beeley, in response to a report on the State of Nature published by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology that year, which highlighted the dramatic decline in biodiversity and biomass across the UK. A blue heart symbol, made out of recycled materials, is placed in the ground where rewilding is taking place. Currently, there are 12 wildflower verges across Leicestershire, with the county council hoping that the BLUE campaign will inspire more communities to get involved. This year marked the largest reduction in the areas of rural verges the county council have cut, all to allow wildflowers to thrive and encourage pollinators. Councillor Trevor Pendleton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Our roadsides around the county are perfect places to reintroduce and encourage more of our native plants and wildflowers. We are proud to be working with our parish councils to roll out our wildflower verge scheme, improving the biodiversity of our communities and providing vital habitats for our native species.” The county council’s first two cuts of rural verges in a year are for safety purposes, with only visibility splays being cut. Earlier this month, the county council undertook their first full cut in five years after following guidance published by wildlife charity, Plantlife, which states that cutting verges improves their quality and helps promote species.
0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way. • Qualified Funeral Directors • Floral Tributes arranged • Hearse, Limousines and alternatives available • Monumental Service • Car parking available
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What happens next? THE APPLICANT has six months in which to appeal that decision to a government inspector. Should the applicant decide to appeal, both your Councillors Borough and County, working closely as a team with the well organised Bradgate Hill Groby Residents Committee and the local community are well placed in order to fight and defend any appeal. The Bradgate Hill Groby Residents Group along with the two above Councillors will keep you fully updated in respect of the issues with this site. Kind regards
Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred.
Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Cllr Ozzy O’Shea
Leicestershire County Council
Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com
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