Spotligh potlightt Groby & Field Head MID-OCTOBER 2021
The Monthly News & Information Magazine For Groby, Field Head & The Brantings Groby’s people – David Hartridge
Mobile mast campaigner wins the LeicestershireLive Heroes Good Neighbour Award GROBY’S David Hartridge has won the Good Neighbour category in the LeicestershireLive Heroes Awards 2021.
David sought out the best advice he could find in the village as part of the opposition to a mobile phone mast on Pymm Ley Lane, and it is his energy and persistence in dealing with this challenge which led to his nomination for the 2021 award, as his other voluntary work was greatly reduced by the arrival of Covid -19. “I was nominated for this Award for leading the ‘Move the Mast’ campaign and that is what the neighbours wrote about,” explained David. But, as significant as this is, his community involvement goes much further, and although it
RECENTLY, vacancies on the Parish Council have been filled by co-option, but there is still the opportunity for someone else to join as a councillor.
As the Spotlight went to the printer, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council had not finalised the election timetable, though if it is needed it will be no later than November 23. The critical dates, however, are the date that nominations open and close, as there is only a short window of around a week to complete the forms and have them validated at Hinckley. When nominations close there are three possibilities • There are no nominations, the cheapest option for the parish as the vacancy could be filled by co-option; • There is only one nomination, another cheap option as that candidate will be returned uncontested; • There is more than one nomination, and an election costing Groby several thousand pounds.
Categories targeted contributions throughout the community from volunteers and people such as the emergency services, healthcare heroes, and of course Good Neighbours. Three finalists were shortlisted within each category by the judging panel, and the winners were announced at the awards at the King Power Stadium on Thursday, September 23, 2021.
As part of the judging process he was interviewed by Kemal Yildirim, who is an award winning independent filmmaker nominated to become an Ambassador of Northampton due to his filmmaking contribution. A video of the interview was shown at the award ceremony.
NORMAN GRIFFITHS REPORTS
In fact, if there are enough candidates, the parish could be having an election in November, as ten residents have requested that a vacancy be filled by election.
The awards, which were headline sponsored by The Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner recognise individuals from all walks of life that inspire with their acts of bravery, determination and selflessness. The Good Neighbours category was sponsored by emh group, one of the largest providers of affordable homes and care & support services in the East Midlands and known in Groby for the Hello Homes development completed last year.
David has had connections with Groby for more than 60 years. His parents moved to the White Cottage, Whitehouse Close in Groby, in 1959, at a time when it was surrounded by fields and accessed through three gates. After marriage in 1968 he and his his wife lived in Markfield and had three children. When the family went abroad in 1976 he managed their Bahrain quantity surveying office for four years, moving back to Groby in 1980.
Still time to stand in the November Parish Council election
David Hartridge pictured with his wife Deborah after receiving his Good Neighbour Award may not have been relevant to this year’s award, there is more to be said. For example, many Leicestershire residents will have benefited from his work over the years as a volunteer driver role for Loros. Before Covid-19 this involved: • bringing in out-patients for appointments and day-therapy classes, • bringing in visitors, • delivering equipment and/or medications to out-patients, • taking patients for X-Rays at the LRI, Glenfield or the General hospitals, • transporting LOROS staff to lectures at hospitals or to out-patients, • delivering LOROS information to Health Centres throughout Leicestershire & Rutland, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 ...>
In terms of their demography the older generation are well represented on Parish Councils, as they are in most voluntary sectors. The services Parish Councils provide are, however, well used by younger residents – recreational facilities, parks and allotments – and Parish Councils would be strengthened by more councillors representing young family households. This is a group with less free time because of work and familiy commitments, but whilst councillors are encouraged to participate fully in the work of the council, it is up to individuals to draw the line limiting how much time they can contribute. Whatever your age, gender or ethnicity, now is the moment to consider whether you have something to offer and can make a difference. If you want to go for it, then think about who you will ask to nominate you. They need to be on the Register of Electors for Groby Ward. As the timetable has not yet been published you will need to check online or ring the Parish Clerk on 0116 287 6985, as time will be of the essence. It will probably be available by the time you read this, so you can check the Parish Council Home Page at www.groby.com or the Borough website at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ currentelections.
Next Issue Out On 13th November • Advert & Article Deadline Is 30th October
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Groby Postman Simon has been running for charity again
Groby & Field Head Spotlight
40th Anniversary Great North Run 2021 SIMON MOORE WRITES ... THE LAST 18 MONTHS have been extremely difficult for everyone, the tragic loss of lives, lockdown, restrictions and disruption to our everyday life throughout the pandemic have been immense. Throughout the turmoil, the NHS hospitals and staff have worked tirelessly to care and support patients and families and Charities across the uk have faced huge challenges to continue their vital to help and support adults, children, families and friends.
PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
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01530-244069 Email us at: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. 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: 13th November 2021 DEADLINE: 30th October 2021
With light at the end of the tunnel, the fund raising events started to open up and go ahead and I had been asked constantly on my round in Groby if I was going to undertake a fundraising event. With so many restrictions and uncertainty I felt that I could not promote anything in case it didn’t go ahead and everything was very much up in the air until the Great North Run was given the go ahead - on the proviso it changed its traditional route finishing at the seaside in South Shields, to prevent mass gatherings on the Metro! However, I can now say that I was lucky enough to be able to take up my place with the other 57,000 runners to do battle with the abridged course of the 40th anniversary Great North Run on Sunday 12 September 2021. Everything started well until both my phone and garmin ran out of charge (school boy error) and I had no idea how fast or slow I was going, looking for pace runners through the crowds of runners. The spectators were fabulous and cheered everyone on and when I finally finished and collapsed in the nearest pub, I checked my time with Hayley and the girls - 1 hour and 47 minutes! Personal Best by nearly fifteen minutes and it all seemed worth it with my pint tasting even better! Friends and family pledges have begun to roll in and if anyone would like to donate to Adapt (All dependant and preterm babies) and MND in memory of my best friend, please either call in at the Post Office or catch me on my round. For more information to donate or to fundraise for Adapt call Sue Williams, Trustee on 01455 459523 or 07739 504783. I am, as always, very grateful for your donations and continued support in helping my chosen charities reach the people, children and their families that need them the most.
Determined to help
HALF OF PEOPLE in the UK who are aged over 50 have cut down on the amount of meat and dairy that they eat. They want to help the environment and to reduce their carbon footprint.
A recent survey by the charity Rest Less, which offers advice to older people, found that many older people “feel a huge sense of responsibility for the health of the planet and their role in reducing climate change.” The charity found that “the vast majority of mid-lifers are making changes to their own habits, from recycling more to consuming less, changing travel habits, and even giving up their car.”
Is it hard to park your car in the GARAGE? IT IS NOT your fault: the bestselling modern cars have become bigger by about up to a third.
A comparison of the most popular models sold in 1965 and 2020 had found that most popular modern models have expanded from 59 inches (1.5m) in width to 71 inches (1.8m) in width. Their length has gone from 153.5 inches (3.9m) to 169 inches (4.3m). The most popular 2020 model, the Ford Fiesta, has a width of 66 inches (1.7m). Yet the average garage door is still only 82 inches wide (2.1m), often leaving just six inches (15cm) each side of the vehicle.
The condition of the patient who complained about the hospital food, the bed, the ward and the nurses was described last night as ‘highly critical’.
It’s “Jamaican hairstyle day” at work tomorrow. I’m dreading it.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Sings Autumn 2021 Update
Good Neighbour Award - from page 1 • delivering/collecting collection boxes to various establisnments throughout the County,
THE GOOD NEWS is that Groby Sings is alive and well even though we are still unable to assemble in our prepandemic home, the Groby Club.
• taking goods to the LOROS stores or shops, • collecting unwanted flowers from supermarkets who donate them to LOROS • and carrying out ‘last wishes’ like collecting fresh salmon or a packet of cigarettes for a a patient. COVID reduced the workload and as not all the services are up and running yet he is back in a reduced capacity at the moment. He has delivered equipment and serviced the new Snack Van they have purchased: filling up the water containers, filling the generators and the van with petrol and generally making sure it is ready for its next outing. As he lives close by, he is called upon for any last minute jobs that need a driver. Other community work includes the table cricket he has been involved with at Grace Road for children with cerebal palsy, and the Whatsapp Group set up in his Close collecting medications, going shopping and generally being there for those shielded during Covid. If that isn’t enough one shouldn’t forget his work as a local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. He has also contributed to The Spotlight, your local community magazine, writing about the days before the new estates arrived, the days when the Martinshaw Shopping Parade was dominated by shops, as well as his more recent contributions about the mobile phone mast. Sometimes David gets things wrong. Before the judging he told the Spotlight “I’m sure there are more worthy cases than me,” but clearly the Judges didn’t agree with him and he now has a plaque and a framed certificate. He was rather overwhelmed at winning the award. “There were no acceptance responses at the Awards ceremony,” he said “but if I had been allowed to speak at the Ceremony I would have dedicated it to the Groby Community and my lovely daughter and neighbours in particular, who nominated me. With regards to the mast planning application we mustn’t forget the support we had from Councillors Martin Cartwright and Ozzie O’Shea, ex-councillor Peter Batty and Edward Agar, our Member of Parliament. And also Norman Griffiths, and Mike Wilkinson, the editor of the Groby Spotlight, who enabled us to take the campaign into every home in the village.” “I set up the strategy and analysed the Application detail in order to make the village aware of what this ‘Mast intrusion’ meant.” he added. “But it was the Community who enabled the campaign to be a success by coming together in great numbers to object. It was a wonderful example of ‘People Power’ and I thank them very much for what they did, which culminated in this special Award”
Throughout all the lockdowns and restrictions we’ve managed to keep going by keeping in touch via newsletters and singing at home on Mondays to one of the songs from our concert repertoire. We even had a sing-at-home summer concert last year, Carry On Groby Sings, which was greatly enjoyed by many choir members. We had hoped to resume as normal this Autumn but as there is still evidence of Covid cases occurring in our area the management and trustees have judged that, as the safety of all our singers is a priority, it would be wise to postpone our get-togethers a little longer. So we will carry on singing at home on Mondays for the time being, with tea and cake of course, and we’ll be singing a song from each concert season in turn. Throughout September we’ve enjoyed singing along to I’d Do Anything from Oliver!, which we sang at our very first concert in Summer 2013, followed by Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma! (June 2014) and the Groby Sings anthem, Down at Groby Sings (words by Paul Cox to the tune of Funiculi, Funicula) which has featured in more than one concert and is a particular favourite of the choir. The second piece of good news is that the trustees have been working hard looking for a replacement for Helen Hayes, our conductor and musical director since Groby Sings was formed early in 2013 and a very hard act to follow. This has not been straightforward even with the help of Helen’s many musical contacts. Most of the local conductors are fully occupied with other choirs or musical activity so to take on the very demanding work of directing a 200 strong community choir in Groby is not easy. However, the trustees are optimistic that a plan has been worked out and that Groby Sings will soon have a new musical director to take us forward as soon as we can sing together again. Fingers crossed and watch this space!
Norman Griffiths SEE ALSO: ARTICLE ON PAGE 23 ABOUT TELECOM CABINETS ...>
Retired couple looking for Bungalow to Rent in Groby
Glenfield couple Mr/Mrs A and P Jones (age 70+) are looking for a bungalow to rent preferably in Groby.
If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. It’s good to share!
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At hospital over the weekend I heard a load of patients reciting Scottish poetry, apparently it was the serious Burns unit .
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Nestegg Mortgages continue their support for Groby Juniors U14’s Gladiators GROBY JUNIORS Under 14 Gladiators are delighted to announce that www. nesteggmortgages.co.uk have continued their support and sponsored the team with a new kit for the 2021/2022 season. Nestegg Mortgages have very kindly supplied the team with a full kit and training top, which doubles up as an away kit. Groby Gladiators coach, Phil Chick commented: “We were in desperate need of a new kit, as our kids had grown out of the old strip. The old kit was looking rather tired but had lasted the team three years! It’s great to have a local business supporting us and without their help, offering local sport activities to kids is very difficult. “We’re very grateful to Anna Warwick from Nestegg, who continued her support with sponsorship. She is a local resident to Groby and has a wealth of experience in mortgage advice”.
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A driver crashed her 4 x 4 whilst listening to Adele on the radio. She was rolling in the jeep.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Where to build in Groby?
THE DRAFT ‘Hinckley and Bosworth Local Plan 2020-2039’ includes a presumption that a minimum of 200 dwellings should be built in Groby in the next twenty years. Which sites are the most suitable (or would receive the least opposition) in Groby? What types of houses do we need? Large or small? To rent or to buy? These are some of the questions our Neighbourhood Plan should seek to answer. We will eventually be given a quota of houses that we cannot refuse but we can guide where they are built etc. The draft Local Plan seeks to answer the same questions for the whole borough. Our plan must be aligned with the Local Plan while benefiting from greater local knowledge of our parish. The starting point for potential development is the ‘Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment Report’ known as SHELAA 2020 and available from the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) website. Overview maps may be found in Appendix 1 of the report. Those pertinent to Groby Parish are reproduced here. Sites ‘available’ for development are outlined in red in the maps. Regardless of the amount of development needed, these sites have been compiled through consultation with developers, agents, and land promoters and then assessed by HBBC for their potential for development. Some have more potential than others. As we develop our Neighbourhood Plan, we will make a ‘call for sites’ that may reveal land with potential for development not previously identified. Our community will then need to decide which site(s) to recommend for development. It is highly likely that the final Local Plan will feature many more than 200 dwellings for Groby. The final minimum housing number will depend on several factors including national government policy and a possible need to provide housing to help meet Leicester’s needs. The rule of thumb used by other recent Hinckley and Bosworth Neighbourhood Plans is a pro-rata percentage of the gross housing requirement for HBBC based on population plus a contingency. For Groby this would mean around 630 houses to be built by 2039. We should all monitor development of the Local Plan and be prepared to challenge the numbers if necessary. High numbers of new houses will inevitably put extra demand on already stressed schools, nurseries, doctors, dentists, and sports and recreation facilities. How can we mitigate this through our Neighbourhood Plan?
Help Shape the Future of Groby Parish
TO HAVE YOUR SAY, find out more and see how you can help, visit us online at http://www.groby.org.uk/ neighbourhood-plan or write to Groby Council Offices, Village Hall, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DQ or call 0116 287 6985 for further information.
Groby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group SHELAA 2020:https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/info/200387/past_consultation_2021/1766/draft_local_plan_consultation
My girlfriend drew a map of India then asked, “Does Mumbai look big in this?”
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Letter
Horse Chestnut tree vandalised - why? ABOUT FIVE years ago a young Horse Chestnut tree was planted at the Groby CIC Meadow. Regular users of the field have watched it grow, this year it flowered for the first time. It had reached about 15 feet tall and was a great example of its type. A few months ago some idiots broke off a large lower branch badly damaging the trunk. It survived and was doing well.
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Then some more idiots decided to scrape off the bark round 1/2 the trunk near where the other damage was. Now they have returned and broken the tree off about a foot above ground! (see photo). What enjoyment do these idiots get from ruining their surroundings? They moan that there is ‘nothing to do’ but that is no excuse for ruining what they have got. It’s your village, stop spoiling it!
Name & Address Supplied
I just passed a whole field of sheep on the bus today. What on earth they were doing on the bus I don’t know.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Ratby Methodist Church 31 Station Road
Groby ‘Marathon’ takes place at Stamford Memorial Park
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ON SUNDAY 3RD October, at the same time as the London marathon, 12 intrepid ladies from Groby W.I. between them walked 67 times (totalling over 26 miles) around Stamford Memorial Park, meaning they averaged 6 laps each.
Teas, Coffees, Cakes, Teacakes & more! Donations of books would be welcome on Friday 29th (4 - 5pm)
The walk was purely for fun, thought up and organised by Committee member Pat on a dark dull day during lockdown back in February. The 12 were expertly marshalled by Elizabeth and Diane who scrupulously kept notes of the times and numbers of laps everyone did. All enjoyed it, in spite of the day being so blustery that the temporary gazebo, put up to protect the stewards, nearly came adrift, so had to be taken down a little before it was meant to be!
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I love my six pack so much, I protect it with a layer of fat.
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Groby Village Society Meetings are resuming
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Enrich Your Child’s Learning Experiences
GROBY VILLAGE SOCIETY is hoping to hold the October and November meetings. Thursday October 28
Lady Horsemen of the Road Speaker: Bob Massey
Thursday November 25
Our Rare and Unusual Wildflowers Meetings held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. unless stated otherwise For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- pcastell42@gmail.com Non Members are Welcome
What is outside your front door?
OUR TRADITIONAL front gardens are disappearing at a phenomenal rate, as more and more of us turn our green space into a driveway for car parking.
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More than one in 10 (12 per cent) of people in the UK have now converted either some of or all their front garden into a parking spot, according to a recent survey by Direct Line Home Insurance. It seems that homeowners are fed up with crawling the streets outside their properties looking for a space to park, and they are reluctant to leave their vehicles too far from their doorstep.
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My father is a soldier. He’s not a real soldier. He’s a thin strip of buttered toast.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
GROBY SURGERY PATIENTS GROUP NEWSLETTER
The FACE TO FACE consultation debate No need to make an appointment to check your blood pressure
SINCE THE PANDEMIC, getting to see a doctor has become a much more controversial issue. It seems that some Groby patients have asked “when are we going back to face to face consultations?”
PATIENTS NO longer need to see a clinician just to check their weight or blood pressure. Accurate scales and a blood pressure machine are now available in the surgery waiting room, and will particularly help those who do not need to see a clinician. Just pop your arm into the machine and push the button. The sleeve will tighten in the familiar way and your readings will be printed out for you. Full instructions are displayed for anyone a little uncertain. One patient who was shown how to use it said “this is great, it saves the surgery staff time and saves me waiting to be seen.”
After all the press headlines they may have been surprised by the answer that face to face consultations at Groby Surgery are available every working day. The difference between now and February 2020 is that patients are asked to initially speak to a doctor by phone, as a face to face consultation with a GP may not be necessary. Surgeries across the country are under pressure, and Pickering surgery in North Yorkshire provided the NHS with a case study of how to ease the problems. A rise in patient demand was pushing the team to breaking point, GPs were struggling with workload and staff saying they could no longer cope, and so they examined all their processes with the aim of reducing workload pressures on GPs and staff by redesigning current systems to make them more efficient and effective. There was no strong evidence to support a single solution, so they conducted a series of surveys with the team that provided a number of key findings. • The average waiting time for a routine GP appointment was 19 days, creating high levels of patient complaints and greater demand for urgent appointments. • Although only some appointments required face to face, only 3% of all appointments were by telephone. • GPs were collectively spending up to eight hours per week on medication tasks, most of these could have been dealt with by a clinical pharmacist. • 30% of GP interruptions were inappropriate or could have waited, a further 40% of interruptions could have been dealt with by a more junior member of the clinical team. The team introduced a number of changes • Patients are now offered a telephone appointment first rather than face to face. For every one face to face appointment a GP can deal with two patient calls, freeing up capacity to deal with more patients. • A clinical pharmacist has been appointed to deal with all
Groby now has a Social Prescriber MS LAURA DODDS is now working at Groby as a Social Prescriber.
medication tasks, which has helped free up some of the GPs’ time. • An interruption protocol has been created setting out when it is necessary or not to interrupt a GP. Interruptions that can wait are dealt with in a new duty team huddle at 11:30am daily. The result has been that average waiting time for a routine GP appointment has reduced from 19 days to 10 days, and as patients are able to see or speak to a GP sooner the demand for urgent care appointments has fallen. The new clinical pharmacist has meant a 90% drop in medication tasks that were previously sent to GPs. Interruptions to GPs have reduced by 30%, helping GPs finish duty earlier and safer. Nationally one estimate based on statistics for last May is that patients are waiting half the time for a GP appointment compared to before the pandemic. The findings from May indicate that the average waiting time for a non-urgent inperson appointment following triage is down to 8.7 days, while the average wait for a phone or video consultation is 7.4 days. No doubt the GP’s at Pickering Surgery would be very pleased to get their waiting times down to the national average, but if they could get them down to the Groby levels they would be ecstatic or
perhaps opening the champagne. The reason for such elation would be that Groby patients can be speaking to a doctor on the telephone in the morning and normally sitting opposite a doctor in the afternoon. “ This is something which, from a national perspective is extremely unusual,” said Dr Chotai at the September meeting of the Groby Surgery Patients Group. “A full return to 100% face to face would jeopardise both this high level of service and the protection of staff. The system enables patients to be directed towards the health care professional most appropriate for their condition and actually improves access. It reduces the number needing to see a doctor and means patients who need a consultation are normally able to have it on the same day. ” One group member had been told that some patients were not happy that they hadn’t been asked in, another said that patients had grown up used to a face to face system, but she hadn’t heard of any dissatisfaction. Another cautioned about changes to current arrangements at a time when no one knew what challenges lay ahead, not only from possible Covid variations but also flu and the other viruses that circulate through the winter.
She is not a doctor or a clinician but will be able to help patients referred to her. The NHS says that social prescribing supports people who lack the confidence or knowledge to approach other agencies or to get involved in community groups on their own. It connects people with a wide range of community-based activities and support. It helps people to improve their health and wellbeing, based on “what matters to me” conversations and a personalised care and support plan developed between the social prescriber and the person they are working with. It will depend on what that person’s own priorities are, but it might be to services such as debt counselling, housing and other practical support agencies. Or it could include creative activities such as art, dance, and singing. And it could be activities like walking football, gardening, fishing, or knitting groups. It is said that social prescribing improves wellbeing for people, giving them more control over their lives. Evaluations of local social prescribing schemes have reported reduced pressure on NHS services, with reductions in GP consultations, A&E attendances and hospital bed stays for people who have received social prescribing support.
Norman Griffiths, for Groby Surgery Patients Group
I remember once we had a candlelit dinner, so everything was undercooked.
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Six-a-Side Football Marks Kick-off for Alex’s Wish NEW, annual event in the Alex’s A Wish calendar has kicked-off a return to face-to-face fundraising events. The annual six-a-side football tournament took place in slightly rainy conditions but still raised over £2,000 for the Leicestershirebased charity. The event, which was the idea of Ryan Astill from Astill Planning, was well supported by onlookers cheering on their teams, was catered by local company Ben’s Kitchen – a stalwart supporter of Alex’s Wish, and also provided attendees with the opportunity to taste a brand new gin courtesy of Multum Gin Parvo, from Rutland with beer supplied complimentary by Kiran Parmar, Winstanley House. Speaking about the event, Emma Hallam, Founder and CEO of Alex’s Wish said, “Whenever you try something new there’s always a part of you that’s nervous and excited in equal measure. With this event taking place so close to the UK coming out of lockdown I was thrilled to see it so well supported and am so very much looking forward to it taking place again next year and to it becoming a regular feature in our events calendar. “I’d like to thank Ben’s Kitchen for their ongoing support as well as our ethical Business Club Members Chaz Ellis of Multum Gin Parvo and Kiran Parmar of Winstanley House, all who played and all who supported from the side-lines. It was a fabulous event and the money raised will go towards supporting projects that are aiming to find treatments and, ultimately a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a childhood muscle wasting disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys. “Next year’s event is already pencilled in our diaries for early June and will be bigger and better than ever with 16 teams competing!” Adds Ryan, “It was great that we were able to raise so much money for Alex’s Wish and it will hopefully be something we can build upon for other years going forward. The football tournament seemed a great opportunity for company team building and socialising, whilst raising money for a great cause.” To find out how you can get involved or to learn more about Alex’s Wish please visit: www.alexswish.co.uk
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Elizabeth Woodville News Round Up IT HAS been another busy month at Elizabeth Woodville, which has included debates on climate change and a very first trip for our Reception children. You may have seen the class out and about exploring Groby village!
Looking for local landmarks We have had an exciting first few weeks in Foundation Stage, the children have enjoyed mapping the school and walking around the school grounds. We now know our way around really well! Having fully explored our surroundings, it was time to venture out into the village of Groby itself! Our aim was to explore and look for local landmarks that help us navigate from one place to another. We spotted lots of places we knew well such as the library, church and Post Office. The class were able to spot different types of houses and describe the varied materials used to build them. Upon their return to school, the children looked at an aerial map of Groby and mapped the route they took. They then drew their own maps for different journeys, such as their route to school and programmed Beebot robots to travel from one place to another. Thank you so much to all the parents who volunteered to come and help us. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know this year’s new class, they have all settled brilliantly and we are having lots of fun!
COP26: Climate Change Conference Debate We have been discussing some very important and current issues in Year 5. We have been learning all about COP26 and the important meeting of world leaders to act on climate change. The class debated a range of issues facing our planet, including changing weather patterns, melting polar ice caps and the use of fossil fuels. The session ended by answering our big question: “What more would you like to see being done about climate change?” Our views and those from schools across the country are being collated and sent to important climate change organisations to share how we can all work together to protect our planet.
Year 6 have been studying ‘Skellig’ by David Almond: ‘When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister’s illness, Michael’s world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Then, exploring a ramshackle garage with new-found friend Mina, he finds something magical. A strange creature - part owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael’s help if he is to survive.’ Year 6 have been exploring the different themes of friendship and kindness in this gripping novel. Pupils have written diaries as if they were the main character as well as developing their understanding of persuasive language and writing through the difficulties Michael has with the dilemmas he is facing. We have found the book to be filled with huge emotions, quiet courage, abiding hope and a fair bit of magic.
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I normally play the trumpet with some buxom ladies. I am part of a big bras band.
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Groby Gardening Society News AROUND 40 MEMBERS attended the meeting at the Groby Club called to discuss the way forward for the Society. Several members of the committee have decided to stand down, and the positions of Chair, Secretary, Trips Organiser and Programme Organiser are all vacant. The Society has been running for 44 years and has had varying levels of support throughout that time, some of the current members have been with the society since it started. It has run an Annual Plant Sale for many years, and has also organised the Village Show in conjunction with the WI. A show of hands indicated that almost all those present wanted the society to continue, but there were no volunteers to join the committee. Several people offered continued practical help with setting up the rooms, tea rotas, setting up for the plant sale etc. The committee acknowledged the help given and thanked those involved in making things run smoothly.
GROBY GARDENING SOCIETY Invites local gardeners to join the committee to bring fresh ideas to our group.
Some alternatives were considered, such as reducing the number of meetings to bi-monthly or quarterly, or merging with other groups either within the village or locally.
Could you be the next Monty Don or Carol Klein of Groby?
RAGE
The meeting closed with the committee Can you be instrumental in saving Groby Garden Society agreeing to investigate ways of attracting and take us into an exciting 2022? new members, possibly looking further If so please contact Beverley Shooter 07929 070309 afield to tap into the widely-reported uptake in gardening during the ongoing pandemic. There will be an AGM in February by which time the future of the society should be clearer. Details will be announced in the Spotlight.
Call Vic
If any members of the society have any comments, suggestions or observations, please contact Helen Box in the first instance, via email at helen_box@hotmail.com.
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Enjoy your garden when you can. Stay safe.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS
Councillor Ted Hollick reports Markfield
Underground FOLLOWING last month’s topic on trees and hedges a resident contacted me to say he had a problem with his drains being blocked with tree roots from a neighbouring property. As this is an environmental health issue I advised contacting Severn Trent in regard to this which he did. I am happy to say that ST were on his doorstep the same day. The operative used a camera to check on the condition of the drains and was able to confirm that there was indeed a substantial intrusion of roots. The householder has now been assured by the neighbour who is responsible for those trees that they will deal with it.
Overground THE RECENT installation of a 5G phone mast alongside the M1 on the Groby side of Ratby has prompted mixed views on its desirability. There are those who say it is about time we could get a decent signal and then on the other hand there are those who feel it is too tall, too near the schools and looks unsightly. The Borough Council’s current policy states that wherever possible telecommunications upgrades should utilise existing infrastructure and this appears to be the case here. Groby Parish Council had no knowledge of this as it is in Ratby Parish, so any comments should be addressed to Ratby Parish Council. Footnote: Telecommunication companies do not require planning permission but they do have an obligation to inform the local planning authority of their intensions and they (the LPA ) decide it’s suitability.
Visit to Hinckley District Museum ON SEPT 11TH we made a formal visit to the Hinckley District Museum which coincidentally featured an exhibition on the Greys of Groby and the feud with the Hastings Family. The Museum closes for the winter at the end of October which means there are only two Saturdays left in which to visit. Full details on the website www.hinckleydistrictmuseum.org
Motor Show SEPT 19TH was the Hinckley Bid Motor Show which featured over 500 vehicles of all types shapes and sizes from a BMW Isetta bubble car, through to motorcycles, tractors, to a very large and heavy traction engine.
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I was pleased to present a trophy to three of the awards winners and grateful that I did not have the incredibly difficult job of judging the widely different vehicles. Hands – Face – Space still seems to be sound advice stay safe. stay well.
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
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Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it.
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15
All the latest news from the Allotments Competitions continue
End of an Era WE SADLY said goodbye to a founder member of our Allotment Society Committee last month. Kathy Griffiths served as Secretary of our Society from its foundation back in 1983 until 2017 and continued as a committee member until her retirement from the committee in September. She is not resting on her laurels though; she is off to pastures new to continue to serve our community by becoming a Parish Councillor and we are sure that she will continue to look after the interests of Groby residents with all the passion and commitment that she showed to allotment members through the years. She, along with other longstanding committee officers and members, has fought off several attempts to sell-off the allotment sites to development and worked long and hard to look after the members, improve the sites and maintain a vibrant and thriving membership. The Society became a devolved management group in 2007, taking over full control of the management of the allotments from the parish council. I took over the role of secretary during 2017 and so I know only too well how onerous the task of secretary is, almost becoming a full-time job, and find it difficult to contemplate that Kathy managed it for over 34 years! I am full of admiration and am truly indebted to her help and guidance as I took over the role. Thankfully Kathy is still remaining an allotmenteer, continuing to tend her two plots so we will still be able to benefit from her expertise and guidance. A sincere thank you Kathy!
Sunflower Competition Winner IT’S THAT time of year again, and we had our judges go round the allotment sites, measuring the height of the sunflowers grown from the seed we had sold specifically for the competition earlier in the year. The winner this year was Pol Law whose sunflower reached an incredible 10ft 2in sunflower! (3.1m)! The runner up was Lilian Martin, whose sunflower reached 8ft 2in (2.5m). These heights are a great achievement this year as there have been real drought conditions on the plots and we have had many harvest failures, due to the sustained dry spell, so well done to all entrants!
WE ARE soon to judge who has grown the heaviest pumpkin, with one or two serious rivals! The rules are that the pumpkins have to be still growing on the plot of the entrant. Last year, one of our members made sure that their pumpkin was even heavier by putting their grandson inside, so we will have to make sure that there aren’t any ‘extras’ on or in the pumpkin! Unfortunately, we didn’t think to also have a competition for who could grow the most pumpkins but our youngest allotmenteer, Fred, aged 4 years old grew a huge number of pumpkins this year (see photo). Sadly he decided to harvest them before the competition was announced.
We have the power! THE RATBY ROAD allotment site now has an electricity supply to the allotments social area. This will allow us to offer a better selection of food and drink at our Open Shed Sunday events in future. We have been saving up for the installation for some time. Having electricity to the site will also allow us to increase site security. Sadly, we have had a spate of thefts from some Fred with his pumpkin crop of the plots on the Ratby Road site recently. The police have been informed and have raised incident forms, but we know that the thief or thieves have been very canny by only targeting those plots which are not currently covered by our CCTV cameras.
Pol Law’s 10ft 2ins Sunflower
The addition of electricity to the site will allow us to add more CCTV cameras, so covering those currently ‘hard to reach’ plots and making our site even more secure. It is a sad reflection of the times that we have to go to such lengths to protect our fruit and vegetable harvests, but we hope that this will mean that we can either bring the thieves to justice or at least deter them from trying to steal from us again. The main aim is to make sure that it is the plot holder who decides what to do with their harvest and who to give it to.
Carol Lincoln
I’m taking anti-barn dance pills. I’m not allowed to exceed the stated dosey-dosage.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • 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
Parking Issues Ratby Road Groby RESIDENTS will be aware of the parking issues over the past three years on Ratby Road Groby. I have had numerous complaints from both Parish and Borough Councillors and local residents. Prior to the current problems with vehicles parking on both sides of the road, vehicles only used to park on the left hand side of the road travelling from the direction of Ratby into the centre of Groby. I arranged for Highways officers to investigate these problems. Officers visited the location to understand the issues encountered. The carriageway is under 7m in width; therefore, vehicles which are parked on either side of the carriageway create a narrow passage, with difficulties presented for any larger vehicles attempting to drive along Ratby Road. The footway is also 1.6m in width, with some vehicles partially parked on the footway and creating obstructions. The County Council agreed to carry out a consultation. They consulted on introducing double yellow lines down the right hand side of Ratby road coming into the village from Ratby. The scheme was advertised on 10th May 2021 for a period of 3 weeks – in the local press, to all frontages affected and on Leicestershire County Council’s website. As part the consultation, 21 residents were identified as being immediately affected by such proposals and were subsequently written to and provided with a copy of the scheme plan. The Police, Freight Association, Road Haulage Association and other statutory consultees have raised no objections to the new proposal. Fourteen objections were received and Twenty Eight comments were received in support of the proposals. The Director of Highways has agreed to implement the scheme as per the consultation on the grounds of road safety. The bus lay-by on Ratby road will be taken away to allow extra parking and double yellow lines will continue past the bus lay-by to the junction of Oak Tree Close. The Council will be installing double yellow lines in the coming weeks.
Road Closure Ratby Lane, Kirby Muxloe RESIDENTS please note that Ratby Lane as you
travel out of Ratby village towards Kirby Muxloe will be closed from 25/10/21 to 28/11/21 and again in January from 10/01/22 to 21/01/22 this will have a major impact on Ratby and Groby residents wish to access the A47. Details: Advance Notice of a Temporary Regulation Order. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is to be made for the following location Ratby Lane & Desford Road junction, Kirby Muxloe. The purpose of the TTRO is to allow MJ Evans acting on behalf of William Davis and their appointed contractors to undertake associated development works, utility connections and various highway maintenance & infrastructure improvement works. TTRO will incorporate a temporary road closure. The duration of the restriction is not anticipated to exceed a period of 7 weekscommencing on the 25/10/2021 until the 28/11/2021 then the 10/01/2022 until the 21/01/2022.The proposed alternative diversion route will be via: Desford Road, Desford Lane, Kirby Muxloe; Desford Lane, Ratby; Desford Lane, Botcheston Road, Markfield Lane, Desford; Markfield Lane, Thornton Lane, Bagworth & Thornton; Thornton Lane, Ratby; Ratby Lane, Launde Road, Markfield; Leicester Road (A50), Groby; Groby Road, Leicester Road, Glenfield; Groby Road, New Parks Way, Hinckley Road (A47), Leicester City; Ratby Lane, Leicester Forest East; Ratby Lane, Kirby Muxloe and vice versa. A Press Release will be issued to confirm these details approximately 2 weeks prior to the work starting.
Overnight road closures on Markfield Road / Bradgate Hill / Wallace Drive / Lena Drive, Groby TEMPORARY road closures and speed restrictions are required on Markfield Road / Bradgate Hill (A50) between A50 Roundabout At The Junction Of Bradgate Hill And Leicester Road To Landfill Reclamation Site and Newtown Linford Lane, Groby slip Road on the 18th October 2021 for 3 nights from 20.00 to 06.00. The Temporary Traffic Regulation
Order will be implemented for public safety for Leicestershire County Council to facilitate carriageway maintenance and any other associated work to the highway. • Monday 18th and 19th October overnight - Full Southbound road closure. • Wednesday 20th October overnight – Full Northbound road closure. The proposed alternative diversion route will be via: A50, M1 J22 to J21, M1 J 21 to J21a, A46, A50 and vice versa. The proposed diversion for non-motorway traffic will be via: Launde Road, Ratby Lane, Markfield; Markfield Road, Groby Road, Sacheverell Way Ratby; Sacheverell Way, Leicester Road, Markfield Road, Bradgate Hill, Groby and vice versa. During the closures, alternative routes available to all traffic can be viewed at https://one. network/?tm=GB123785560
Grass Verge Leicester Road Junction of Highway Close, Groby WITH REGARD to last month’s article, I can now confirm that officers from Highways are in talks with the developers, to get this land restored. Highways will then maintain it to a proper standard. I will keep up with this, until it is sorted on behalf of residents.
SHIRE Environment Grants - up to £3,000 GRANTS OF up to £3,000 are available for community groups and organisations to deliver local projects and activities to improve Leicestershire’s environment. LCC is looking to support projects that improve the local environment through waste prevention and reuse to minimise the amount thrown away, reducing carbon and improving biodiversity. Although applications can be received at any time, the SHIRE Environment Grants scheme will operate a series of deadlines and decision meetings. The remaining deadlines for 2021 / 22 are: Friday 29th October 2021 with decisions made by Friday 26th November 2021.
For further information please visit: https://www. leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/ grants/environment-grant.html
Fake Wetherspoon Meal Voucher Competition FAKE MEAL vouchers for Wetherspoon pubs are being promoted on Facebook, despite the chain shutting all its social media accounts in 2018. Facebook users who comment on the posts published by the fake Wetherspoon pages are told they will win meal vouchers if they receive comments from Wetherspoon. But these comments come from scammers who have set up the pages. The posts read ‘Congratulations for those of you who have received comments from us, you have the opportunity to win them’. You are then asked to like and share the post with your friends. Luckily, the fake profiles don’t have large followings unlike other competition scams we’ve warned about, but they do have the potential to reach a large audience. Over the past few weeks, searches for ‘Weatherspoon’s Facebook scam’ have risen by 800% on Google, eclipsing earlier searches made when this scam circulated earlier in the year. We found two Facebook pages claiming to be legitimate Wetherspoon social media profiles, both sharing posts following the same format. Users are asked to ‘like’ and ‘share’ and then enter a competition by following a link to a ‘competition’ website. Once here, users are asked to click a button to enter their details and claim their prize. Read more about this at: https:// www.which.co.uk/news/2021/09/ dont-get-scammed-by-this-fakewetherspoon-meal-vouchercompetition/ - Which?
Blue Badge Scams FOLLOWING a recent report to Leicestershire Trading Standards, we would like to warn residents about blue badge application scams. Whilst a blue badge application is free (£10 if a badge is issued), some people can find the process a little daunting. This is when the scammers step in by offering to apply for a blue badge on your behalf. They use a variety of methods to con people into feeling
The first time I sang in the church choir, two hundred people changed their religion.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk
Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 that the application fee is money well spent, by using methods such as official-looking websites, convincing website addresses, and exaggerated claims about how hard the process is. The amount the scammers charge for submitting an application for a Blue Badge on your behalf varies, but it’s normally around £50, and some don’t even forward your application on your behalf once you’ve paid. This could mean you have handed over your money for nothing and will still need to apply through the official channels yourself. Spotting a Blue Badge scammer is easy, if the website address doesn’t end in GOV.UK or a local county council website (which will end in ‘gov.uk’ too), then it’s a scam.
•
Arrive unannounced at your home
•
Ask for copies of personal documents to prove your identity
More information can be found on this NHS website link: https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/coronaviruscovid-19/covid-pass/ I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support. Remember I am only an Email or a phone call away. I am always here to help in any way that I can.
It doesn’t matter how official the website appears to be if it doesn’t end in gov.uk it’s not an official website and is almost certainly a scam. For further information from the official government website, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/ apply-blue-badge
Ozzy O’shea
NHS Covid-19 Scams
Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com
Kind Regards Always Working for you Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email: Ozzy.O’shea@leics.gov.uk
AS WE approach winter, look out for potential NHS Covid-19 scams.
Burglar disturbed in Crane Ley Road
In the past criminals have used text messages, phone calls, fake websites and even home visits to try and trick people into making a payment or handing over their financial information. This could be for things like the Covid pass, Covid jabs including the booster jab, and even the NHS app.
A MAN was seen acting suspiciously in Crane Ley Road, Groby in the early hours of Monday 20th September.
Fraudsters will try and convince you that you have to “pay” for these things, but they are all available from the NHS free of charge. Remember the NHS will never: •
Ask for payment or bank details
The man - who arrived and left the area on a pushbike - was seen to be trying the handles of front doors, and garages. The Police were informed. Residents in the area are advised to lock their garage doors, car doors and front doors.
I don’t always have time to study, but when I do, I don’t.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Community Library News
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOUR
FROM DAVE ROBINSON
Opening Times
by SUSANNA BEARD
FROM NOVEMBER 1st our opening times will revert to the pre-COVID service, following the lead of other Leicestershire Libraries. You’ll be able to visit us as follows: Monday
2-5pm
Charts! News from The Groby Community Library
Tuesday 9.30am-1pm Wednesday 2-5pm
Books from the Sunday Times
Bestsellers, now inagain. stock at Groby delighted that the ‘Time Out’ café is OPEN The café is open when the library is open. Community Library: Friday 2-6pm 9th August the library and café will be open 6 days a week. Hours will be Mon 2-4, Tues 10-12, Wed Saturday 10am-1pm Matt Haig Thurs 10-12 Fri 2-4 and Sat 10-12. Thursday 9.30am-1pm We are
The café will be open, and all public computers will be available for use.
THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY
Can you spare a couple of hours a week? We’re looking for volunteers to help run the café and the l Victoria Hislop or perhaps you’d like to be a trustee? If you’re interested ONE AUGUST NIGHTemail volunteers@grobylibrary.co.uk or ask BETH wants to love her new application form in the library.
During October we’ll be open at the existing times.
Stuff for kids!
home on a quiet suburban Taylor Jenkins THE WRIGGLIES are back! Wriggly readers will be street. THE SEVEN HUSBANDS all ourwill volunteers to continue to wear face coverings and would encourage customers meeting fortnightly,We andare the asking next session be at OF EVELYN HUGO wishes she could make 10.30am on Octoberso 21st. too to keep everyone safe and the Covid rates down. We continue She to offer hand sanitiser and you
friends with her beautiful neighbour Mums and pre-school children will be getting to listenQR code. still register withtogether the Covid Ken Follett Oksana. She longs for a new group to stories and maybe sing some songs, and borrow some great THE EVENING AND THE MORNING of friends. Welcoming neighbours books! We’re still being careful to avoid COVID infection so towho visit. Coffee dates and dinner We were sorry to say goodbye to Janet Harrison, one of our trustees, has been instrumental in numbers will be limited to ten children and their parent/carer. parties. Harlan Coben the or ‘Time Out’ Community café off the ground. We wish her WIN well in her future endeavours. Thanks Janet! Book in advance at the library from Groby Library But life here feels so closed. Then Facebook page. Beth runs into Oksana’s garden Have you seenConstruction our new picnic have been purchased with thetohelp of a grantdog, from Hin October 20th sees the return of the Library Club tables? These one day fetch her runaway Stuart MacBride (Lego), from 2-4pm. Againand we may have to limit numbers, Council. so come We’re Bosworth Borough hoping that, while the weatherand is good, can have t she seescustomers something shocking THE COFFINMAKER’S GARDEN early! Watch out for more events in the coming months! thatin makes wonder whoWe her were coffee and cake outside. We hope to use them for activities and events the her future too. new neighbours really are. Time Out Café is open when the library is – come in for a drink, John Grisham disappointed, however, to find that within Adays being installed they had been damaged by names and those cakes…. TIMEof FOR MERCY A girl in the window. scratched to or them. Wefordo see you! We welcome people Volunteers are always welcome, in the on library café. Ask a have CCTV covering the patio so we can A pale desperate face. form at the library counter.the Remember, member of staff is a Baldacci tables every but please treat them with respect.David We’d also appreciate anyone using the tables A hastily scribbled sign bearingto use th volunteer! DAYLIGHT only two words. bins for their rubbish.
Reading Well
Overcollection the last few weeks we have DON’T FORGET our new of books, donated themaround are onthe thesubject best seller lists. by The Reading Agency, of health and wellbeing.
Bill Clinton/ James Patterson
HELP ME.
received a stock ofDAUGHTER great new booksWho for isboth adults children so the girl? Whatand are the THE PRESIDENT’S neighbours hiding?
Lynda La Plante JUDAS HORSE
Sometimes, it’s the most perfect
neighbours that hide the most GrobyforLibrary Charts! There are fiction and non-fiction adults and children, covering terrible secrets. topics like anxiety, loneliness and autism. Books from the Sunday Times Bestsellers, in stock at Groby Community Library: All titles can be reserved for a small fee.
Bill Clinton and James Patterson The President's Daughter Matt Haig The Midnight Library Peter James I Follow You Maggie O'Farrell Hamnet Philippa Gregory Dark Tides Douglas Stuart Shuggie Bain Stephen King If It Bleeds Ian Rankin A Song for the Dark Times Lee Child and Andrew Child Sentinel.
We are so pleased that we are once again offering children aged 4-12 the Summer Reading Challen This year it’s the ‘Wild World Heroes’. Help the heroes to save the environment! Register at the libra receive your folder, stickers and gifts. You need to visit the library twice and read at least 6 books. Y need to hurry as it finishes on 5th September. While you’re there you can try out our new bean bags.
I have so much debt, I can start a government.
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19
Don’t Miss Out!
Letter from Uncle Eustace
Community Initiative funds open for applications 2022/23
There are more frightening things than bishops out there ...
COMMUNITY groups in Hinckley and the parishes of Hinckley and Bosworth are being encouraged to apply for their share of the Borough Council’s Parish Community Initiative Fund and Hinckley Community Initiative Fund.
St James the Least of All
The Rectory
My dear Nephew Darren You really should not worry about having reversed your car into the bishop’s gatepost, knocking it over and destroying his rose-beds.
New play equipment in Peckleton
This year a total of £162,000 has been made available to support community projects throughout the borough. Grants are available for up to 50 per cent of the total project cost. These grants fund a wide variety of projects such as play areas, community building improvements, new pathways, heritage trails, and sports facilities, and again this year, the Borough Council is giving high priority to any schemes that help improve the environment. Grants for 2022/23 will be provided on the following basis: •
Projects must be within the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth
•
Maximum of £12,000 per project
•
Maximum of 50 per cent of total project costs funded
•
All works must be completed within the financial year
•
Projects must demonstrate that they meet the council’s corporate aims and that they are of community benefit.
Councillor Martin Cartwright, the Executive Member responsible for Rural Communities and Environment at the Borough Council, said: “As in previous years I would like to see these grants spread as wide as possible, with special emphasis on the smaller organisations as well as parish councils. As the council has declared a climate emergency any project with a focus on climate impact reduction or help towards being carbon neutral by 2030 will have extra points awarded in the overall scoring process. I would urge your group or parish council to apply. Good luck.” Councillor Scott Gibbens, Chair of the Hinckley Area Committee welcomed the initiative and said: “I am delighted the council has once again been able to continue with this funding and look forward to it continuing to have a positive impact on the development of community-based projects in the Hinckley area. Local groups – please apply.”
How to apply: More information about the scheme and how to register can be found by visiting: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/communityinitiativeschemes A link to the online application will automatically sent to parish and town councils. Applications are open untl 7 January 2022.
It gives him an opportunity to exercise Christian forgiveness. Your real mistake was scribbling a note of apology and pushing it through his letterbox. Far better would have been to have sent an anonymous letter (and to have written it on lined notepaper in capital letters, preferably in green ink, to make it look truly authentic) saying that you had seen the archdeacon do it, and then you had watched him drive off without stopping. That would have taken the minds of the senior clergy away from parish matters for quite some time. No, never worry about the wrath of bishops; dangers lurk much nearer home. For a start, never incur the displeasure of your flower arrangers. I only crossed their path once – and arrived in church the following Sunday, to see a ten-foot-high floral arrangement at the front of church. I assumed it was by way of making amends, until I discovered it had been placed in front of the pulpit. I was obliged to preach, hidden behind a large multicoloured hedge, while the congregation listened to what were apparently talking chrysanthemums. A colleague offended his own ladies and arrived to find that the contents of the safe had been removed and replaced with all those exotic pieces of equipment that seem to be indispensable for arranging flowers. He was obliged to administer Communion using a small vase until peace was re-established and his chalice returned to him. Similarly, organists are a delicate breed. Congratulate him on the anthem, and if it happened to be unaccompanied, he would assume you were implying that the services were better without his playing. Offend your organist and you can be guaranteed that hymns will be played at either half or double speed, stopping one verse short and that the final piece of music as you process out will stop, leaving you and the choir stranded halfway down the aisle. And finally, never, ever upset your verger. One forgotten Christmas present and you can be sure you will get half-way through a baptism to find he hasn’t put water in the font; at marriage services, the sheets for last week’s funeral will have been accidentally put out and when you sit in your stall you will discover where he now stores the mop and bucket. No, bishops are warm, fluffy bunnies; real dangers lurks much nearer home. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
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It’s not difficult to tell crocodiles and alligators apart. One will see you in a while and the other will see you later.
20
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Telecom cabinets
You’ve probably seen better fly tipping LIKE IT OR NOT 5G, the fifth generation mobile network, is the future for our telecommunication services.
We are told that “5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher peak data speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency empower new user experiences and connects new industries.” It’s a global phenomenon, and even King Canute would probably step aside as it is rolled out.
Proposed single storey rear extension at 31 Glebe Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GT
Like it or not, the new masts that have started sprouting up are part of the deal. But they can be accompanied by additional cabinets, such as those that have been installed on Groby Road in Ratby, this side of the M1. Are there are some things that open our eyes to how our environment has been degraded without us noticing? The street view on Google maps suggests that the array of cabinets at this location have never been a pretty site, and if they were a row of abandoned fridges and freezers they could hardly look worse. With all the investment that has gone into mobile technology why has so little thought been given to the street scene? After all, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has been very good at taking this into account. Last year the Spotlight reported that they had refused planning permission for alterations to a bungalow that would raise the roof to provide a two storey dwelling. The property is in a row of bungalows on the same side of the road, and would be incompatible with the street scene. They also refused permission to an application that went to appeal. The Inspector considered that the remodelled dwelling would be seen as part of an enclosed and distinctive group of bungalows, within which it would appear starkly different and harmful in scale and form. The street scene had been protected. When Groby Allotment Society wanted to improve its facilities by installing a container, the planning officers opposed it in order to protect the street scene, even though it was to be disguised and set behind a hedge. And here we have a string of giant cans, admittedly not on a residential street, but set amongst trees, a hedge and grass. Perhaps Whitehall’s rules governing the roll out of 5G don’t give our local planners much discretion over what they can and cannot refuse, but they do have the power to add a condition that the boxes are painted a specific colour. Some may think that repainting both new and existing cabinets green, like the BT boxes, would be a good choice to disguise them, at least for part of the year. With regards to the new installation, a spokesperson for the Planning Department at Hinckley said : “I have checked the application form which stated these would be grey and we did not add any condition requesting any alternative colour. Therefore, in this instance the boxes are to remain grey.” At a time when residents are frustrated by the lack of influence they have over the rollout of new towers, they hope that the Planning Authority will use the limited powers it does have. This opportunity to protect the street scene by specifying an appropriate cabinet colour would have been an ‘easy win,’ as it is most unlikely that a telecom company would wish to take a disagreement about a few cans of paint to appeal.
Top of a tower video • IF YOU WOULD like a short bird’s-eye view of what’s at the top of a typical 5G tower, just Google www.5gradar. com towers, follow the link and scroll down to the video.
Norman Griffiths
Email: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk
Change of use of residential site to mixed use site comprising a Class C3 dwellinghouse and Class E well-being studio at 55 Highfields, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AE Construction of menage, stables, and storage barn and diversion of public footpath (R81) (partretrospective) at Hollow House, Bagworth Lane, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AT
It will ultimately also provide an alternative to our existing wired broadband, and at eye watering speeds. A film that currently takes 13 minutes to download might, in optimum circumstances, take just 4 seconds. Many people may not care about any perceived advantages, or might have concerns about whether there are any health risks. But it’s on its way and the clock cannot be turned back.
TO ADVERTISE CALL MIKE ON 01530 244069
Planning Apps
My wife complained today that I treat her like a child. I didn’t know how to react, so I gave her a gold star and a smiley face for sticking up for herself. After watching a few zombie films I’ve decided that, in the event of a zombie apocalypse, I’m going to be a cameraman because they never seem to attack them.
Two storey side extension and a single storey rear extension at 6 Timberwood Drive, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YU Erect an outhouse in garden to be used as an office/social space at 15 Newtown Linford Lane, Groby, Leicester LE6 0EA
County Council
School meal voucher help during October half-term
THOUSANDS of Leicestershire families struggling with the cost of living will get help extra help to pay for food during October half-term, the county council has announced. School meal vouchers are to be available for some 14,000 eligible children so their parents and carers can buy £15 worth of food for the week-long break that starts on October 18. The county council is setting up the scheme so the vouchers become available, through schools. Leicestershire has received £3.6 million of Government cash from the Department of Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund, to help support those most in need with food, energy and water bills, as well as pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In total the Leicestershire October half-term school food voucher package will cost £240,000. As well as the 14,000 mainstream school children who qualify, there will be support for eligible youngsters who are in early years education or have special educational needs.
I’m on the 12 step chocoholic program. I’m never more than 12 steps from chocolate.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk
21
National Trust Leicester Association LAST YEAR I reported that the National Trust had suffered a large reduction in their income due to properties being closed during the pandemic.
Approximately half their income comes from paid entries to properties and sales at tea rooms and NT shops. The other half comes from membership subscriptions. In spite of the loss of income the Trust still spent almost £30 million on their houses and collections. At Seaton Delaval Hall the Trust added £3 million to a National Lottery grant of £3.7 million to conserve the hall and add new visitor facilities. The hall was designed in 1718 by Sir John Vanbrugh, who also designed Blenheim Palace, but it suffered serious damage in a fire in the 19th century. At Monk’s House in East Sussex, the home of Virginia Woolf, there is a unique collection of Royal Stuart furniture. Much of the furniture had been damaged and from evidence of damage to some needlework panels it appears all the damage was caused by a cat! Most of this conservation work was carried out at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole in Kent where the NT carries out most of its “off-site” work. Major stonework repairs were required to the Wellington Monument on the Devon/Somerset border. Built in 1817 the monument is 175 feet high and was commissioned by a group of local gentry to commemorate the achievements of The Duke of Wellington. The major repairs cost £3.1 million and funding was received from a number of donors including Historic England and Highways England. At Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk funding from NT members and supporters and also from Natural England and Historic England means a ten-year restoration project is now underway to restore 175 acres of the Grade 2 listed landscape now owned by the Trust. Originally the estate covered 3,000 acres, 400 of which were historic parkland habitat. • THE NT LEICESTER ASSOCIATION has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 27th October when Ken Reeves will present a talk entitled “Wildlife of Scotland & the Isle of Mull”. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm. There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 9th November at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Alan Freckingham will present an illustrated talk entitled “Gilbert & Sullivan - Music & Partnership”. Admission to meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 222 9133.
Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer
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I hate when I get to the office and there isn’t a smoking crater where the building is.
22
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Spotlight Small Ads • Electric Bread Maker. Brand is Ambiano, like new and never used. Stainless Steel and digital display with instructions. Unboxed. £30 • Electric Plunge Router machine for woodworking corners and grooves. Power Craft 1050 watt motor, Parallel & Template Guide complete with Router Bit set and user guide. Boxed. £30 • Exercise Airwalker/ Cross Trainer. Brand is Christopeit Sport. £25 • Exercise Sit Up Chair/ Machine. AB Lounge Ultra Sport folds for easy storage. Takes the stress off the rest of your body whilst focusing on the stomach and side muscles. £25 • Electric Guitar Amplifier. BB Blaster BB10, 10 watt portable/ practice amp. Good condition. Ideal for beginners. £15 Tel: 0116 287 0375 (Groby) • Baby high chair. By Mamas & Papas. White. All complete. Excellent condition. Price: £20. • Dri-Fit Sport Socks. Large size. One pair. Brand new. FREE Tel: 07866 109206 (Groby) • New, still in box Janome 219-S Sewing Machine. 14 stitches, 4 step buttonhole, front loading, snap on feet, free arm, reverse sewing button. Ideal first sewing machine. Retail £129 - Price: £60. Tel: 0116 231 3377 (Groby) • Slow Cooker - Morphy Richards, New, Instructions included. Price: £10. • M&S Health grill - used once, instructions included. Price: £10. Tel: 01530 243778 (Markfield) • TWO Single Electric Beds - can be joined together to make King Size. Easy to operate. V.G.C. Will require mattresses. Can deliver if needed. Price: £65 each. Tel: 07784 709080 (Field Head) • Three pairs new men’s shoes black, size 10, clip over velcro top; leather, size 9, slip-on; brown/dark tan lace-up leather size 9. Price: £25 per pair. • Two almost new bell-shaped ceiling light shades - cream, with fringes. Price: £5 for the pair. • Two pairs of men’s slippers: size 8, with velcro fastener; size 9, memory foam with velcro fasteners. Price: £15 per pair. Tel: 01530 242054 (Markfield) • Black smoked glass two-tier TV stand. Very good condition. Price: £15. • Glass top coffee table with wood surround. Very good condition. Price: £15. Tel: 01530 589564 (Stantonunder-Bardon) Two garden strimmers, both good working condition.Kawasaki BC400FX, Echo SRM.2460. Price £130. Tel: 0116 235 1379 (Cropston)
• Solid Mahogany Nest of Tables (3). Cabriole leg style. Legs and rails hand carved. (L67 x W40 x H53, L50 x W35 x H44, L36 x W30 x H35 - all cms) Price: £150. • Solid Mahogany Round Occasional Table. (H66 cms, Diam 60cms) Pie crust edging, 3 legged cabriole style. Price: £100. • Solid Mahogany Round Occasional Table. (H70cms, Diam 70cms) Pie crust edging, pedestal tripod Georgian style. Price: £100. • Solid Mahogany Piano Stool style seat. ( L60cms, W40cms, H40cms) Intricately carved and turned legs and top rails. (No storage) Price: £100 • YAMAHA Portatone electronic keybpoard. PSR - 16. Has 80’s vibes!! Price: £75. Tel: 0116 287 7915 (Groby) • Tree Loppers - unknown brand Price: £5. • Electric Saw - Black & Decker DN 31 - H1A Price: £10. • Heat Gun, Hot Air Paint Stripper Black & Decker HG 991/H2B Price: £10 • Drilling Guide 795.B Price:£10. All Good Working Condition Tel 01530 245944 (Markfield) • WANTED - a working manual typewriter. Tel: 0116 229 0542 (Groby) • One pair of roof bars to fit Ford Fiesta plus one pair of bike carriers. Price: £40. Tel: 0116 287 2730 (Groby) • Pawhut Folding Dog Bike Trailer – NEVER USED, steel frame, zip fastenings, mesh windows, reflectors. Total height 90cm, width including wheels 73cms, total length including pole to connect to bike 130cms; dog carrier Length 78cms, width 55cms, height 65cms. Price: £50. • Mojo Dog Bed – Waterproof, mattress with hardwearing, tearproof, washable cover. Size: 105cms X 65cms X 8cms. Good condition. Price £12. Tel: 0116 291 3576 or 07891 246871 (Groby)
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).
Bradgate Rotary News Groby Scarecrow Event
THE MAJOR comment that came out during and after the Groby Scarecrow Event was “it was great to see so many people out and about with smiles on their faces”. With over 45 scarecrows scattered throughout the village many family groups were spotted strolling around and enjoying the hard work of entrants put in to making their scarecrows. Over 400 maps were sold at only £1 each, and, with the bonus of the Laundon Way Co-op Store giving away a bag of sweets to each participant, in total over £700 was raised for this year’s Rotary local charities. This is an event Rotary are looking to repeat next year and your views and ideas would be appreciated.
2022 Bradgate Park Calendar THE BRADGATE Rotary Club are proud to announce that their 2022 Bradgate Park calendar is now available. The limited edition calendar is on sale at the Deer Barn, Bradgate Park, the local libraries of Markfield and Groby, other outlets and on-line. Photos for the calendar were chosen from over 600 entries submitted by visitors to the Park, and local companies sponsor each of the pages to ensure all the proceeds are donated Bradgate Park Trust and other local charities, including Heartwize, Baby Basics and LOROS Hospice.
Well-being Events THE THIRD, and most successful event todate, was held at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, with the singing duo of John Montague and Steve Convey providing the entertainment with a wide and varied selection of songs. The finale of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” was fully appreciated with many singingalong and the waving of arms! During the interval everyone was served with large slices of cake and a welcome cuppa, before taking part in the prize bingo and quick-fire quiz. The events have been funded by Leicestershire Council’s Covid recovery fund and it is hoped these events will continue with support from other groups and organisations.
Bradgate Rotary Citation BRADGATE ROTARY have been awarded a Rotary Citation for their commitment and work in the community during the challenging Covid times from the District Governor. This a great achievement and recognises the efforts made across the Bradgate area of Markfield, Groby, Ratby, Anstey, Newtown Linford and Glenfield. Come and join us and make a difference to your community. Anyone interested in joining their local Rotary and helping the community please email your contact details to Adrian Walker – walk77a@yahoo.com
My wife and I found each other on a dating website ... 3 years after we got married. That was awkward.
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“Thanks for saving my life” said no toddler ever.
24
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS
Councillor Martin Cartwright reports
Tel: 0116 287 4500 Mob: 07850 707050 E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk
Remembrance Sunday
DURING Remembrance period this year as last year there is an opportunity to place a Poppy on to the Groby Tommy at Leicester Road, Groby. Netting will be attached to the Tommy as Poppies go on sale until 11.11.2021. Please place your Poppies on to the netting. Normally I would gather there with you on Remembrance Sunday. This year, as the Mayor is duty bound to be in Hinckley, I will be at the church service in Groby and laying the HBBC wreath at Groby Ex-Serviceman’s Club. Please do gather at the Tommy if you wish to. I apologise on this occasion I am unable to join you. We will remember them.
Ratby Mobile Phone Mast - 4g / 5g
THE FIRST time I became aware of this mast was on the day of installation. If you wish to have a look at the details of it on the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council planning portal the reference number to use is 20/00672/TGDO
and Groby users of the network that it supports (EE). Improvement to the signal should have been made for EE customers as a direct result of this new mast installation, by the time you read this, as the installation will have been completed and switched on. Cell coverage for 5g is small so not all EE customers will benefit as a result of this installation. The application and therefore installation of the mast for this location was approved on 1st September 2020 and signed off by Nicola Smith planning development control manager at HBBC. It is important to note that this application and approval was well before the Flaxfield Close mast application and refusal. I am advised by the contractors installing the mast that the smaller existing chocolate coloured mast pictured in front of the new mast nearer the motorway embankment will be removed in the coming days, which again will be before you get to read this article. Question: So why did I and Groby residents have no knowledge of it prior to installation? Answer: The site is in Ratby with a Ratby postcode, therefore as it states on the associated documents the applicant contacted the ward members for Ratby these being, Cllr O’Shea and Cllr Boothby.
The date the application was submitted was 6th July 2020, described in the application as a15m Phase 8 Pole with wrap around cabinets. This is a 4g / 5g mast for the network provider EE. It is not a mast share for the various network operators’ mast at this time so no other network providers will benefit from its installation. It’s siting in this position however will provide coverage to both Ratby
The Borough Council receive hundreds of applications a year (672 by the time of this application back in July 2020) so it is impossible for any Cllr to be aware of every application, indeed this is why you have 34 ward members in respect of Hinckley & Bosworth. To assist members, the Borough Council officers publish a weekly list that is split into individual wards. This application by being located in Ratby as far as HBBC and the applicant are concerned would have been published on the Ratby
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
E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ
Cllr Martin Cartwright
@CllrCartwright
cllr.martincartwright
weekly list (Published 17.07.2020). Both Ratby & Groby Parish Council will have received this weekly list. As Groby ward member I scrutinise every application for Groby as your elected member. I am sure that you will understand that I do not do this for every ward. Because the postcode and location is in Ratby I was not contacted by the applicant or made aware of it by HBBC, simply because it’s not my ward.
Parish Council election will take place on 18th November 2021 with the polling station open between 7am and 10pm.
A50 Roadwork’s Moving of Keep Left Bollard at Lena Drive Traffic Lights
I would argue given its prominent position on the Groby side of the M1 despite being located on land in Ratby the applicant could and should have chosen to contact the Groby ward members too, but sadly they chose not to do this. More often than not applicants only consult the statutory minimum that legislation states, not what is ‘morally correct’. Now the planning permission has been granted and the mast installed we are powerless to do anything about it I am afraid.
AT LONG LAST, during the current A50 roadwork’s project, as promised, the Keep Left sign has finally been shifted further to the left and it no longer obscures traffic in lane 2.
Flaxfield Close Mast
It has now been relocated into a much safer position for vehicles turning right from the A50 into Lena Drive.
David Hartridge, the leader of the residents’ campaign has won a prestigious good neighbour award at the Leicestershire Live Heroes award 2021 for his part in the campaign.
This is an improvement to the safety at the junction for traffic waiting to turn right into Lena Drive but overall the junction still has its issues due to the width of the carriageways at this point not being to modern standards, the solution of which is not an easy remedy given housing on both sides of the dual carriageway.
AS I WRITE this the applicant for that mast has not appealed the decision to refuse the mast in that location.
Well done to David for receiving this award and recognition.
Potential Groby Parish Council Election – Polling day 18th November 2021
RECENTLY Groby Parish Council co-opted a new member to fill one of the vacant seats on the Parish Council. That person having been successful in the co-option and accepted the position resigned a matter of days later, the result of which co-option for that seat is no longer valid if ten residents call for an election. This process has happened with the key dates being Notice of Election 14th October 2021, underway by the time you receive the Spotlight, your application needs to be submitted by 22nd October 2021, close to the Spotlight publication date. If more than one candidate submits an application pack then a Groby
Borough Council’s Parish Community Initiative Fund
COMMUNITY groups in Hinckley and Bosworth are being encouraged to apply for their share of the Borough Council’s Parish Community Initiative Fund. More information - see page 19.
New Community Defibrillators for Sutton Cheney and Shenton
LIFESAVING community defibrillators have been installed in Sutton Cheney and Shenton villages thanks to a grant given to Sutton Cheney Parish Council by the Parish & Community Initiative Fund. The devices, which deliver an electric current to restart the heart when someone is in cardiac arrest, have been specifically designed
“Turn that frown upside down. Now turn those eyes sideways and that nose to the left.” - Picasso
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MTTG are back ... and it’s MURDER
Christmas Comes But Once A Year ... However, this Christmas will be the last for one guest at the party! HAVING NOT been able to perform for over 18 months, the members of Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group are delighted to invite you to a very special Christmas party, to be held at Thornton Community Centre.
to be used by someone with no medical training. Each device has an in-built screen and speaker that gives the user simple step-by-step instructions to operate. Both defibrillators have been housed in heritage red telephone kiosks on Main Street, Sutton Cheney and Pump Lane, Shenton and are regularly maintained by local community volunteers. The installation of these public access defibrillators will ensure that people living in rural communities will have easy access to vital lifesaving equipment that make a crucial difference in the minutes after a cardiac arrest. I would like to thank Sutton Cheney Parish Council for leading on this project and ensuring that the local community has access to this important community resource. It is particularly pleasing to see them installed in the Heritage BT Red Telephone Boxes that used to be a telephone that could potentially save lives but now has potential life saving equipment contained in it whilst retaining a piece of our history in the Telephone Box itself.
Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby ward Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub
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‘Tis the Season to be Jolly’ is a Murder Mystery play, written especially for the Group by Muriel Walker. Those of you who have supported the Group in the past, will know what a talented writer Muriel is so, you are in for a treat! Familiar faces, and some new members are looking forward to entertaining you once again. Here are the performance details: • Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th and Saturday 11th December at 7:30p.m. • Doors open at 7:00 p.m. • N.B. There is no performance on Friday December 10th • All Tickets are £5 • Tickets are available from Anne on 01530 469714 or via email: annedobrowolska@gmail.com or Emily on 07983 669689 or via email: emilygmarlow981@gmail.com The scene is set in Jamboree – a department store owned by the Frost family. It is the night before the store’s main grotto opens to the public. Traditionally, the family and staff members gather for their annual Christmas party, and a visit from the man himself – Santa Claus. However, as in all good mysteries, not all is as it seems. Management, loyal older staff members and newcomers alike have secrets and rivalries. Relationships full of jealousy and intrigue will unfold and, eventually, murder will be committed. The action you see before you will provide the clues to help you to solve the mystery. Who is the murderer?
IN ORDER that we can provide a safe, secure environment in these uncertain times, tickets are limited for each performance.
Tables of 6 people, up to a maximum of 12 tables per performance will be set up. As on previous occasions, please bring along your own refreshments and tableware. We invite you to dress for a Christmas Party! • Please do not be deterred if there are not six persons in your party. We can easily make arrangements to accommodate you. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOUR COMPANY FOR A HAPPY, FESTIVE OCCASION!
25
Dogs and people DOGS REALLY are in tune with human emotions like no other species, and they are born with this ability.
Such is the finding of a recent study at Duke University in North Carolina, which compared the interaction of wolf cubs with humans, and of puppies with humans. In test after test the puppies came top in their innate ability to understand human instructions. As one researcher explained: “Dogs are born with this innate ability to understand that we’re communicating with them, and we’re trying to co-operate with them.” The study concluded that the social genius of dogs with humans is a product of thousands of years of domestication.
Boys unhappy about their looks BOYS HAVE become as unhappy about their looks as girls over the past decade.
So warns the Children’s Society, which has found a “deeply distressing” downward trend in the wellbeing of children, as it carried out its 10th annual review of data collected as part of the Office for National Statistics’ Understanding Society survey. The charity YoungMinds adds: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for lots of young people, with many struggling to cope with social isolation, loneliness and worries about the future.”
Both of our churches here in Groby are open as below Please see our on-line links below for up to date information.
!"#$%& ! !"' () *+,-$%. /001234152/ !"# $%"& '%&&"( )**+* ,)--*. !!!"#$%&'(()"%(*+,-.$/0,-1 !!!"$%234%2/&$45(3"%(*+%234%2+6678 Every Wednesday 9.30am Communion Online Compline at 9pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10th Oct 8am and 6pm Holy Communion 17th Oct 9.30am Holy Communion 24th Oct 8am Holy Communion and 6pm Evensong 31st Oct 9.30am Holy Communion 7th Nov 9.30am all age worship and 6pm Holy Communion 14th Nov 8am Holy Communion. 9.30am short morning prayer, 10.45 Outdoor service for Remembrance at Groby Club and 6pm Evensong
!" #$% &''( )&# *+,-,.%)/ *%++$-. $- +-)#'-* +/')*' .'0.12'**)3' #$%- &)2' )&( 4$2' .'/'+4$&' &%25'- .$ !"# !$ !!& #'"#&) !" *+,*+*-./00 ! 1!! 23'' 4#5 6 76'' back. Services in church every Sunday at 10am, subject to governmental guidelines. ===@")>'5$$?@>$213-$5#%->1 !"#$"% &'(%)*%+ &%(,$-%& ./"+)0& during or after live service ! 12##23 /& 2" 4)%5226 12( *2(% $"12(*)'$2" )"+ +)$#0 72&'& '2 &/772(' 8 %"-2/()9% 02/: 14th Nov,10am short praise and worship 1045 Outdoor service of Remembrance at Groby Club
Why does everyone want me to come out of my comfort zone? I worked really hard to get there.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-OCTOBER 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
All the latest news from Groby WI WE HAD another enjoyable meeting on 16th September although attendance was well down on even the post-covid meetings. Not all our members have access to email and it was felt that this could have a significant part to play. It was agreed that notices would be put up in the Village Hall and it would be mentioned in the ‘Spotlight’ that WI meetings have now resumed on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. In late September and early October, the WI enjoyed some super events. The Marathon Fun Walk at the Memorial Park on Sunday 3rd October took place, although fundraising was unfortunately not possible as it would have impacted insurance cover and permission would have to have been obtained from the Parish Council. A picnic was held on Tuesday 5th October at 2.30pm at the Memorial Park to which members were invited to bring their own chairs and snacks. The monthly walk took place on Thursday 30th September at 2.00pm from the Village Hall. Our weekly walks are on Fridays at 9.30am from Stamford Memorial Park to Glenfield Market. On Tuesday 19th October at 1.30pm, an outing has been arranged to Little Markfield Farm, Markfield to meet the alpacas and have afternoon tea. A group of members recently went to Curve to see ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ and ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’. They were brilliant shows and it almost feels that life is getting back to ‘normal’. Obviously, some of these events will have taken place before the publication of the next ‘Spotlight’ but I just wanted to illustrate some of the events that take place for WI members and that new members are always welcome. • OUR SPEAKER at the September meeting was Kath Reynolds and her subject was ‘Sweet Memories and Sugary Treats’ and what a delight it was! There were a lot of oos and ahs as nostalgia took a hold and we remembered our favourite sweet treats from yesteryear. The sweet ration during World War II was only 3 ounces. Rations were stopped in 1949 only to be reintroduced when demand exceeded supply. Rationing finally stopped in 1953. Popular substitutes during the war years were turnips, liquorish root and rhubarb but also boiled sweets, as they lasted longer! Kath had some wonderful videos of old TV adverts and slogans:- ‘A
Contactless payment limit goes up
THE CONTACTLESS payment limit has just more than doubled. It now stands at £100.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Sweets ... man’s gotta chew what a man’s gotta chew’ (Toffo by Mackintosh), ‘Don’t forget the fruit gums Mum’ (Rowntrees fruit gums, 3d a tube and manufactured in 19th century), ‘The milky bars are on me’ (originated from 1930s and Terry Brook was the original Milky Bar kid). Rowntrees Dairy Box came to our shops in 1936 and Una Stubbs was the face of Dairy Box in 1960s. It was interesting to note that the name ‘Quality Street’ came from a play of the same name written by JM Barrie and was first manufactured in 1936. Some of the sweets have become very politically not acceptable: gob stoppers are now ‘jaw breakers’, kali is now rainbow crystals and sweet cigarettes and chocolate coated coconut strands known as sweet tobacco have virtually disappeared. I remember feeling so grown up pretending to ‘smoke’, how times have changed! Much of Kath’s talk was telling us when things were first manufactured and I think we were all surprised how long some of the sweets have been in existence, starting in 1820 with Cadburys hot chocolate drink (not technically a sweet!), followed by Frys first chocolate bar in 1847. In 1880, William Wrigley was experimenting with chewing gum which was later followed by Anglo Bubble Gum, Hubba Bubba and Bazooka Bubble Gum to name but a few. Also in 1880 Smarties, Jelly Babies (we all agreed that the heads were bitten off first!) and liquorish products including Allsorts, Mighty Imps, Tics, Victory V and
Fisherman’s Friends, made an appearance. Who remembers using red liquorish torpedos as a lipstick? I certainly do! In 1894 Walkers produced their first slabs of toffee (remember the little hammers?) and they are now exported to 60 countries worldwise. In 1905 Cadburys produced their first chocolate bars and later, Frank Muir would sing the song advertising the Fruit and Nut bar (Everyone’s a Fruit and Nut Case). The 1920s saw the manufactoring of Milky Way, Sherbert Fountains, Swizzels, Love Hearts and Parma Violets. The 1930s saw the manufacture of Marathon (the name was changed to Snickers in 1990), Black Magic, Kit Kat and Cadburys Roses. Not to be forgotten are Black Jacks, Fruit Salad, Flying Saucers, Lucky Bags and Foam Bananas. What a lovely evening we had, sadly there were no samples but it brought back so many wonderful memories of childhood! • THE NEXT meeting will be on Thursday 21st October at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Caroline Boulter and the subject is ‘Making an Owl Paperweight’.
Ruth Rolinson
And while this will be more convenient to many of us, it is also “a thief ’s dream.” So say the critics. As one financial expert from fund shop AJ Bell, points out: “By spending £100 a pop without having to put in a PIN, it will be very easy for thieves to blitz through money quickly, before you even spot that your card is lost or has been stolen.” Another finance expert, from the consumer group Fairer Finance adds: “It’s much more attractive for petty criminals to steal cards and use them a few times if they can spend up to a three-figure sum.”
Are any of your friends ‘flakes’?
IF SO, you will know the scenario: they happily agree a plan with you to do something, and then at the last minute, they cancel and don’t show. As one sufferer of flaky friends put it: “Flakes are on a rise of epidemic proportions. People are becoming less reliable… the younger the generation, the worse it gets.” Of course, it is easier to flake in the digital age. It is easier to text a cancellation than to tell someone face to face that you are letting them down. But if you are a flake, and you do it too often, beware: your friends may begin to distance themselves from you. Who wants to be friends with someone who is unreliable?
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They say you shouldn’t eat right before bed so now I just wait until I’m in bed.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk
27
CLASSIC WESTERN
TELEVISION SERIES
This is your Word Search! WORDSEARCH
IF YOU can find 15 CLASSIC WESTERN TV SERIES in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Stamford Arms inBONANZ ALIASSMITHANDJONES Groby. October Half Term Camp 2021 Boys and Girls Both Welcome U14's and Below
GROBY JUNIORS
HAVEGUN
Find the word in the puzzle.
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GUNSMOKE
All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - 15 CLASSIC WESTERN TV SERIES. These can run LONESOM LAWMAN vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). RAWHIDE THEBIGV Send your marked entry forms to: LITTLE RED CORVETTE, Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive THELONERANGER THEVIRG by SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2021. Please remember to fill in your name and address. (Some people don’t!) The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the voucher for a Meal for Two and a Bottle of House Wine at The Stamford Arms, Groby - thanks to the generous sponsorship of Brian Rigby - owner of The Stamford Arms.
MESSAGE SEAN FOR MORE DETAILS Email: sean.wilton@outlook.com Mob: 07443939559 Find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Words can go in any direction. Words can share letters as they cross over each other.
Here are the 15 TV WESTERNS you have to find:
WAGON TRAIN • ALIAS SMITH AND JONES • THE VIRGINIAN THE BIG VALLEY • LARAMIE • THE HIGH CHAPARRAL THE LONE RANGER • CHEYENNE • GUNSMOKE LAWMAN • MAVERICK • RAWHIDE HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL • LONESOME DOVE • BONANZA
15 of 15 words placed.
Name: .............................................................................................................. Address: ............................................................................................................. Copyright © .............................................................................Postcode: ............................. Last Issue’s Winner was:
JOYCE HARRISON of Sycamore Drive, Groby.
202
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