GROBY SPOTLIGHT OCTOBER 2022

Spotlight

Praise for former Groby woman’s opera performance

A FORMER Groby woman has received a great review of her performance as Gilda, in Knighton Opera’s version of Verdi’s opera Rigoletto.

Writing in the Leicester Mercury, Roger Cairns of Swannington said : “Dramatically she lived the part, musically she swept us away and bowled us over.” He singled out Caro nome chi il mio cor, and added “I have never heard it sung so movingly, so beautifully simple. Or do I mean so simply beautiful?”

She was on stage again at Hinckley’s Concordia Theatre for Stanley Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala Concert earlier this month. It’s 40 years since Groby’s Debbie Coley (now Debbie Dubberley) first performed as a child in Leicester Opera’s performance of The Queen of Spades and began her adult appearances in Carmen in 1998.

Norman Griffiths

Simon’s Thames Challenge in support of ADAPT

WE TRAVELLED down to London early on Saturday morning after receiving assurances that the challenge would go ahead after the sad passing of our Queen.

With it being an organised event, check in was fast and efficient and we were soon on our way from Bishops Park, Fulham to Runneymeade, Egham along the River Thames towpath. The route was clearly marked with Marshalls and rest stops along the way and a very welcome hot meal at the end of the 50k which I completed in 10 hours and 34 minutes!

The fundraising was rolling in with a cheque for £500.00, which included match funding from Royal Mail, on it’s way to Adapt before we left for London. Now that I am back on my round, the pledges are being collected, and as always, I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who continues to support my fundraising - it is greatly appreciated by myself and Adapt.

If you still wish to donate then please catch me on my post round in Groby or pop into Groby Post Office. For more information to donate to Adapt call Sue Williams, Trustee, on 01455 459523 / 07739 504783 or visit www.prembabies.co.uk Thank you Simon Moore

CAN YOU HELP THE GREAT GROBY LITTER PICKING EVENT?

FOLLOWING the success of the previous litter pick event in July, the Parish Council has decided to organise another Great Groby Litter Picking Event for Saturday 29th October 2022 and hopes that residents will volunteer to help tidy the village.

The assembly time will be at 10am at the Parish Office in the Village Hall, and as litter picking can be thirsty work, refreshments and time for a chat will be provided for volunteers after the Event. Contact with the litter will be avoided by the use of long handled litter pickers which will be supplied, along with sacks, protective clothing and gloves. Or alternatively please feel free to bring your own.

If you think Groby needs a bit of a tidy up, give the Parish Council a call on 0116 287 6985 so they know how many participants there will be. Make sure you leave your contact details just in case the litter pick has to be cancelled unexpectedly.

Sue Hackett, Parish Clerk

Parish Council will consider leasing land to Groby Surgery

THE WORKING PARTY set up by the Parish Council, to investigate what could be done to help the Surgery in the search for a site for new premises, has asked members for guidance on what they are prepared to consider.

The Council has ownership of most undeveloped land in the centre of the village, but has a policy of not selling it. Members confirmed, however, that if the sub-committee recommended a council owned site which members considered suitable, the council would agree to enter into leasehold negotiations with the practice.

If a site is identified there are hurdles to overcome before such a process could be concluded, but it is hoped that these would not be insurmountable. If there are any other landowners in the village that have all or part of a site available for sale or on a long lease, the Parish Clerk would be pleased to receive details.

Although the pandemic has highlighted some of the shortcomings of an old, small, surgery, there is no immediate threat of closure. The situation is becoming more urgent, however, as the lease of the existing premises needs to be renewed next year. The last full inspection by the Care Quality Commission rated the surgery as Good, and a recent desktop update confirmed that no further inspection is required at the present time.

Norman Griffiths

Rose Blayney’s pickle & jam sale raises £256 for Help For Heroes

IT’S WITH GREAT PLEASURE I send you the update for Mum’s fundraiser on Saturday 24th September.

We had a super attendance of lovely and most generous people who support Mum.

On the day we raised a whopping £256 through the sale of jams, marmalade and pickles. On that same weekend she got down to making more pickled onions, raspberry jam, marmalade and piccalilli. (Can you believe her dedication to this cause?)

We had clean jars returned and generous cash donations too.

The wonderful folk of Groby never fail to surprise me on these special days of mum’s fundraising, and again the super help that Bradgate Stores do in stocking mums produce. Thanks to Sue, Mick and the Girls.

Mum will continue to sell her produce … so make sure you get your Christmas pickles and jams and continue to support Mum and Help for Heroes.

Many thanks again to all who attended and those who support Mum throughout the year.

Wendy Lemmon (Rose’s daughter)

Groby man’s fundraising walk for Leicester Hospitals

GROBY RESIDENT Bob Wallhead has recently undertaken a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Leicester Hospitals Charity, specifically their appeal to build an extension to the L.R.I Chemotherapy Suite which will increase capacity by an additional 6 chairs.

Having had chemotherapy last year followed by cancer surgeries, Bob felt he would like to “give something back” for all the care and treatment Leicester hospitals have given, and continue to give him.

He decided to do a sponsored walk from his home in Lena Drive and around Bradgate Park of 64 miles over 7 days (his age at diagnosis), with the aim of raising £500.

Thanks to the support and generosity of wonderful neighbours, friends and family, last week Bob handed a total of £2,000 over to the Charity.

He would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave him their support and raised this sum for such a deserving cause.

Letter of thanks Guardian Angels

I WOULD LIKE to send my very grateful thanks to the three ladies who helped me when I collapsed at the Glenfield island bus stop whilst waiting for the 29.

They practically carried me onto the ‘bus, (many thanks also to the driver for letting me on.) and made sure I arrived home safe and sound.

You were truly three excellent Samaritans.

Thank You.

Name and Address Supplied

News from Groby Community Library

Sunday Times Best Sellers - available at your community library!

FOR THOSE PEOPLE who like to borrow books from the library, here is this month’s list of bestsellers from the Sunday Times, in stock at Groby Community Library:

• Robert Harris Act of Oblivion

• Wilbur Smith & Mark Chadbourn Titans of War

• Colleen Hoover It Ends With Us

• Bella Mackie How to Kill Your Family

• Delia Owens Where the Crawdads Sing

• Colleen Hoover Verity

• Colleen Hoover Ugly Love

• Richard Osman The Man who Died Twice

• Taylor Jenkins Reid The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

• Liane Moriarty Apples

Researchers develop 3D treatment that could revolutionise diabetes treatment

RESEARCHERS at Queen’s University Belfast have designed a new bandage treatment, known as a scaffold, to treat diabetic foot ulcers, which is cost-effective while improving patient outcomes.

Produced by 3D bioprinting, the scaffolds slowly release antibiotics over a four-week period to effectively treat the wound.

Diabetes, a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high, is among the top ten causes of deaths worldwide.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), is a serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 25% of diabetic patients. When identified, over 50% are already infected and over 70% of cases result in lower limb amputation.

HI! OUR NEWS this month is that our latest project, the Groby Community Library Baby Group, had its first session on October 5th, in the library café.

The group will meet once a fortnight on a Wednesday morning from 10.3011.30, while the library is open. We’ll provide baby mats and toys in a sectionedoff area while mums and mums-to-be can compare notes (and babies?) over a cup of coffee.

Whilst we’re in the café, we still need some willing volunteers to serve drinks and cake to our ever-increasing number of customers, especially with the onset of winter and our role as a warm retreat.

If you’d like to be a friendly face behind the counter, please say hi to the friendly face behind the counter!

And if you bought cakes or second-hand books at our sale in August, thank you very much! It was a nice sunny morning and people stayed to raise over £200 to keep the library ticking over. It was a valuable exercise as we look forward to a winter of increased running costs.

All of those cakes contribute to keeping a community library open in Groby, run completely by unpaid volunteers. We try to be a real community service, so if you have any comments or suggestions, please look out for our new Customer Comments Forms, available on the library counter.

At the risk of sounding as if we spend all our time drinking coffee, I should also remind everyone about our Cuppa and Chat mornings, held on the second Friday of each month from 10.30-11.30, when the library is otherwise closed. It’s an opportunity for anyone who might otherwise feel a bit isolated to meet old friends and make new ones, with a free drink from the café! Just turn up – no booking needed.

For our younger members, we still have Wriggly Readers for pre-schoolers and their adults on alternate Thursday mornings, and Construction Club on alternate Wednesday afternoons. Watch out for details of a CRAFT AFTERNOON on the Wednesday of half term!

Thank you to everyone who joined in with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge ‘Gadgeteers’.We had 85 children taking part with 55% completing the challenge of visiting the library three times and reading at least six books. Congratulations once again to Elizabeth Woodville Primary School who contributed 42% of participants. Dave Robinson

GROBY GATHERERS ARE HOLDING A COFFEE MORNING

At 10 Jonathan Close, Groby. LE6 0DH

On SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER from 12 noon – 3pm

In aid of The Leicestershire Hedgehog Rescue Society. Please come along for a cuppa and a cake to help support our cause.

There will also be gift items, a Raffle, delicious homemade scones, fudge and mince pies on sale.

Plus - Lots of hedgehog-related items to buy!

Admission is Free

And I quote ...

“Honest

“I only

him

bit.”

Groby Parish Council responds to escalating household costs

AS HOUSEHOLD costs soar, many residents will not only face a struggle with shopping and energy bills this winter, but also higher interest rates and rents. For many, wage rises, pensions and benefits will fall below the inflation rate.

Groby Parish Council members acknowledged these difficulties at their October meeting when they had to consider the renewal of the Christmas lights contract for the next three years.

Everyone agreed that the lights do lift the spirits of residents in the depths of winter, but couldn’t escape the comparison of twinkling lights in the street whilst some residents shiver at home. The energy cost of the lights borders on the insignificant, with the major part of the cost relating to their rental, installation and removal.

Options such as reducing the number of lamps decorated were considered, but it was thought that this might look like an economy version. It was decided to investigate concentrating more resources into the heart of the village in the area of the Stamford Arms, library and village hall. This could halve the budgeted cost and release funds to find ways of mitigating the cost of living crisis for struggling residents.

Norman Griffiths

Has covid changed your personality?

IT MAY WELL have done – especially if you are a young person.

A recent study has found evidence that the pandemic may actually have changed the way they think, feel and act.

Researchers at Florida State University College of Medicine found that young people have become more prone to stress and less cooperative with others.

Other social personality traits such as extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness, have also declined.

Online archive of burial records now includes over 100 years of cremations

ANONLINE archive that lets people search for details of 170 years of Leicester burials has been updated with over a century of cremation records.

Information on more than 200,000 cremations has been added to the 410,000 burial records already available online as part of a joint venture between Leicester City Council and website Deceased Online.

It means people can now easily access information dating back to the first burial at Welford Road Cemetery in 1849, as well as the first cremation at the city’s Gilroes Crematorium which opened in 1902.

The council’s bereavement services team handles requests from family members seeking details of burials and cremations at the city’s cemeteries, but the online service is accessible 24/7 and will connect to thousands more records held by other councils across the UK, as well as the National Archive.

The online information includes records of burials and cremations up to 2019. People searching for more recent records will still be able to do so through the bereavement services team.

Leicester City Council’s bereavement services manager, Alan Brown, said: “People come to us regularly wanting to find out details of where and when relatives were buried, particularly when people are researching their family history or trying to piece together information from the past.

“Every burial and cremation that takes place in the city is registered and documented, but in the case of historic ones it used to be very time consuming to view those records manually.

“We’ve worked with Deceased Online to include over 100 years of cremations, meaning there are now over 610,000 local records available for people to search for directly. The website will also allow people to cross reference the information with burial details held by other participating local authorities, and the National Archive.”

People will be able to search for a record for free, and pay a small charge to get copies of documents and other information online.

More information about burial and cremation records is available on the city council’s website at: www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/births-marriagesand-deaths/funerals-burials-and-cremations/

Latimer Players 70 Years and Counting!

THE LATIMER PLAYERS first performed a nativity play in 1952, followed by ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ in the Memorial Hall, Thurcaston, the following year and ever since then we have either done a play, music hall or pantomime every year, usually twice a year.

On the anniversary of our seventy years we are pleased to announce that we will be presenting an entertainment looking back over the past years. We are delighted to perform for you extracts from pantomimes, music halls, plays and sketches all of which we have performed before over the years and have been much enjoyed by our audiences. We are also lucky to be including in the cast most of our membership. Some have even come out of retirement to join in.

On 24th, 25th and 26th of November we will perform ‘Three Score Years and Ten’ at the Memorial Hall, Thurcaston. Following popular request, the audience will be seated at tables and invited to bring their own drinks and nibbles. We hope we can get our loyal friends and followers in the mood for a real birthday celebration with the emphasis on laughter.

Tickets are available from: Christine Deavin Tel 0116 237 6855. Email christinedeavin@gmail.com

Groby & Field Head Spotlight

How some homeowners may pay twice for services

IT SEEMS THAT developers may have found a way of avoiding paying millions of pounds of section 106 monies that would have been given to democratically accountable councils to be invested back into local communities. S106 contributions are required to compensate communities for the impact on local services of new development.

This is how legal avoidance works. Some housebuilders hand the management, and perhaps ownership of public open spaces, to third party private concerns, obliging residents to pay an annual management fee which can be hundreds of pounds. This fee can increase without any safeguards, protections, or guarantees that services of an acceptable standard will be provided. The Welsh government has already examined this problem and concluded these charges had created two-tier public open spaces.

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.

The practice has been around for some years, and back in 2017 the Guardian revealed how, not only recreational spaces, but also “unadopted” new-build estate communal areas such as roads, grass verges, and pavements, were sometimes retained by the developer, who sub-contracted dayto-day management.

So how do some pay twice?

The paper said that costs are passed on to homeowners (both freeholders and leaseholders) via a deed of transfer which obliges the homeowner, under the Law of Property Act 1925, to pay for maintenance of this land. (An “estate charge” or “service charge”). These are on top of full council tax – even though

the council doesn’t undertake maintenance.

Cathy Priestley, spokesperson for the Homeowners’ Rights Network, and a freeholder on a private estate, commented that the private estate model seemed to be the norm for new-build estates.

“We can only speculate as to why this has happened. The main benefactors are the plc developers who get to keep the estate land, don’t have to prepare it to adoption standards and don’t have to pay for its maintenance or the commuted sums for adoption,” she added.

While leasehold owners have some (albeit limited) statutory protection, explained the Guardian, freeholders have very few options. They can take cases to court, but this can be expensive and time consuming. If they decide to simply not pay, they can ultimately lose their home. “Any arrears will normally be recoverable as a debt claim in the county court.

Adrian McClinton, associate solicitor at Coffin Mew, warned that homeowners should be cautious as the rent charge owner may have

a number of options including the ability to take possession of the property.

Borough Council to act

The issue was raised by Borough Councillors Lay and Furlong at the HBBC September meeting.

Their draft resolution for action was supported by members and it was agreed that the Council should:

• raise the matter with local MPs,

• work with other local authorities to campaign effectively

• offer support to residents wishing to challenge unfair fee increases

• enable the council to work with parish councils to retain public ownership and accountability

• consider what more can be done to ensure parish councils have greater support and guidance in the negotiations with developers. Norman Griffiths

The POPPIES of Remembrance Sunday

In late 1914, WW1 erupted across Northern France and Flanders. Great swathes of previously green fields and forests were blasted and bombed, leaving them bleak and barren, with seemingly every living thing destroyed.

But then in the Spring of 1915, something beautiful began to come out of all the destruction. Tens of thousands of bright red Flanders poppies began to put out tentative shoots across the endless vistas of mud. These resilient little flowers had actually flourished in the middle of so much chaos and destruction, because their seeds grow when exposed to sunlight, through disturbances to soil.

We all know that these endless fields of cheerful poppies, growing in the midst of such misery and destruction, were what inspired the Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, to write the now famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.

And it was McCrae’s poem which inspired an American academic named Moina Michael to adopt the poppy in memory of those who had fallen in the war. She got it adopted as an official symbol of Remembrance across

the United States, and worked with others who were trying to do the same in Canada, Australia, and the UK.

A French woman, Anna Guérin who was in the UK in 1921, caught the same vision, and planned to sell the poppies in London. There she met Earl Haig, the founder of the Royal British Legion, who was persuaded to adopt the poppy as its emblem in the UK.

The Royal British Legion, which had been formed in 1921, ordered nine million poppies and sold them on 11 November that year. Ever since then, the red poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance, of support for the Armed Forces community, and also of hope for a peaceful future.

“The main benefactors are the plc developers who get to keep the estate land, don’t have to prepare it to adoption standards and don’t have to pay for its maintenance or the commuted sums for adoption.” Cathy Priestley

HINCKLEY

Advice Day success

ON SATURDAY

as

1st Officers

of representatives from

to

The Council decided to hold this event as it had become apparent that lots of residents are facing increasingly difficult decisions in regard to their cost of living. Advice and help was available with regard to Benefits, Debt, Council Tax, Energy Bills, from organisations such as British Red Cross, Citizens Advice Bureau, Trading Standards, and teams from the Council’s Housing, Welfare and Energy Advice Team.

Those who attended were given demonstrations and tips on health and wellbeing and how to cook nutritious food on a budget.

Following the success of the day it is now proposed to host a similar event for the Rural Areas but of necessity it would need to be a virtual presentation.

Groby Pool environs

FOLLOWING a comment from a resident with regard to the state of the Groby pool surroundings, particularly after the fire in the summer, I explained to him how I have for a very long time been trying to get a reasonable surface for people to walk on, especially from the weir to the Donkey Drive.

The difficulty is, it is all private land including the Pool itself. I would like to express my appreciation to the Groby Quarry Staff who on numerous occasions have responded admirably to a request for grass trimming and have already intimated that they are due to do some more tidying.

Prior to the pandemic there was some hope that an improvement could be achieved but global events, the oil and energy crisis have brought about more financial constraints.

Contact with Leicestershire County Council regarding the highway tends to get the same answer: ‘It is a rural lane and highly unlikely to get any further improvement’. As far as the real pinch point goes - namely the weir itself - that comes under the Reservoir Act and will not support a bridge.

Ted Hollick

Forensic investigator talks about the real CSI

THE TALK at this month’s meeting was ‘The Real CSI’ and was given by Paul Taberner.

For those of us who did not know anything about this subject, a CSI is a Crime Scene Investigator (sometimes known as SOCO). A CSI is more often than not a member of law enforcement who is responsible for identifying, collecting, preserving and packaging physical evidence at the scene of a crime.

Tests performed on physical evidence are carried out by forensic scientists and other forensic professionals using scientific methods and technology to process evidence. This is in order to assist both the investigative and judicial sides of the criminal justice system.

The glorification of crime scene investigators, thanks to a number of popular television shows, has brought this profession in to the spotlight, although the job may not be as sensational as TV makes it out to be!

I love to watch ‘Silent Witness’ and was very disappointed to hear from Paul that he feels it is factually 99% incorrect. A CSI would not usually go out to a crime scene to investigate, as in ‘Morse’ or ‘Endeavor’, but would delegate this task and a Pathologist would never attend a crime scene, but an incident room would be set up and CID would normally gather all the evidence from the various parties. Sadly, this doesn’t make for exciting television!

I was surprised when Paul told us that, when skeletons are discovered, dental records are rarely used because the investigators would have no idea where the deceased’s dentist was, so DNA is far more widely used. Any swabs taken during an investigation are kept in freezers at -80 degrees for between 20 and 30 years.

A perk of the job

Paul said that a newly appointed CSI would usually start to investigate burglaries and later, murders, suicides, suspicious deaths and fire investigations. Personally, he had worked on Anne Diamond’s baby’s cot death over 25 years ago and also on ‘Dangerfield’ where he was kissed by Amanda Redmond (one of the perks of his job)!

There have been some changes for CSIs over the years. They are now not allowed to ask ‘leading questions’ or express an opinion. Technology is far more advanced in burglary prevention in that there are many more cameras around and also light activated drawers with coated money which can then help to track down burglars. One amusing anecdote that Paul told was of a criminal who was handcuffed, put into a white forensic-style suit to avoid any cross contamination. When the handcuffs were removed, the criminal ran off but police didn’t chase him as they thought he was a CSIthe suits are now bright blue to differentiate between the two!

Despite all the information Paul gave us, I shall still enjoy watching ‘Silent Witness’ and other police dramas!

We sang ‘Jerusalem’ at the beginning of the evening as usual but particularly in memory of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who herself had been a stalwart member of the WI. We also had one minutes silence as a mark of respect to her.

In the business part of the meeting, our 70th Anniversary celebration next year is likely to be a meal at The Royal Oak in Kirby Muxloe.

Trips arranged in Diane’s corner include ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Fishermans Friends’ and ‘The Bodyguard’, all at Curve.

Several members participate in the weekly walk on Fridays from Stamford Memorial Park to Glenfield Market.

Ruth Rolinson

Groby Parish Services and Facilities

MOST GROBY PARISH residents think the Neighbourhood Plan should be used to protect existing services and facilities and many residents would like to see additional or improved services and facilities according to the responses we received to the community survey administered in March this year.

Out of 727 responses, 718 (90%) agreed that existing services and facilities should be protected through the Neighbourhood Plan although one resident that selected ‘Other’ noted that ‘Field Head has no services at all within walking distance within Groby Parish Council boundaries’.

When asked to choose from a list of any additional services and facilities residents would like to see, of those that responded, an expanded GP surgery was the most popular with 426 (60%) respondents selecting this option. The second most popular was facilities for young people with 381 (54%) of responses and the third most popular was an NHS dental survey with 358 (50%) of responses. The full breakdown can be seen in the chart below.

Comments from the 69 respondents who chose ‘Other’ identified another 6 additional services and facilities: another pub, a bank/building society/ ATM, a restaurant, facilities for older people, hall hire, and public toilets.

Neighbourhood Plan

Neighbourhood Plans can identify key services and facilities and seek to protect them through guiding any development associated with them. Neighbourhood Plans may express support for modernisation and improvement of services and facilities for example for retail development.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that footfall in the village shops is down at the moment but it is not yet clear if this is a trend resulting from changing shopping habits or an anomaly caused by the current economic situation. Ultimately, local services and facilities depend on the demand of local residents.

Community Survey

Full results from the community survey are available to download from the Groby Parish Council website http://www.groby.com or for reference as paper copies in the Parish Council Offices and in Groby Community Library The Steering Group are working to produce more in-depth analysis that will be released periodically online and in the Spotlight magazine.

Groby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Paul Taberner

Make

Martinshaw Primary School, Groby is looking for a School Governor.

Governors play an important role in leading our school.

set the strategic vision and direction,

hold the senior leadership team to

The benefits of being a Governor are immense, but:

the budget

Can you bring to the School your professional skills and experience in strategic planning, chairing, financial planning, and team working?

Do you like building relationships and networks in your locality and supporting children and young people in your community?

Our school Governing Body is made up of Governors from ALL walks of life and come to us through a variety of routes and with a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences.

But they are all volunteers who work together for the benefit of the School and are the link between the School and the community it serves. Anyone over the age of 18 can be a Governor and you don’t need to be a parent.

ARE YOU WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Why not look at our website: www.martinshaw.leics.sch.uk

Find out more about the role by contacting: Chair of Governors Peter Griffin on: 07970 251417 or email Peter via: pgriffin.gov@martinshaw.leics.sch.uk

Craft

Groby Allotments News

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

SEPTEMBER is well known as the beginning of the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and we experienced our first misty morning at the beginning of the month.

This is the month where we gardeners continue to harvest our crops with sweetcorn, courgettes, tomatoes, beetroot, autumn raspberries, blackberries and other fruit such as apples, damsons, pears being ripe and ready for picking. Thankfully, the coming autumnal weather has seen a welcome return, to gardeners anyway, of frequent rain showers, some heavy, and I am very pleased to see my many water butts filling up again at last. I have invested in a large water butt on my plot and several secondary water butts, connected to the main ones around the house this season and may well need to invest in even more if the prediction of more hot dry summers in the future holds true.

Badgered

MY AUTUMN raspberries have been really small this year understandably and my sweetcorn plants only yielded one cob per plant instead of several this year, as well as being smaller than usual.

However, I had an even smaller harvest as the foxes took a fancy to three of the sweetcorn cobs! I and my fellow allotmenteers are grateful that we don’t have a lot of problems with competing for our produce with our wildlife neighbours in Groby. However, my brother has an allotment over the other side of Leicester and his site has become home to some badgers, who have totally demolished a compost heap looking for grubs and have taken a fancy to ripe sweetcorn cobs, taking every single cob from every sweetcorn plant on the site! They are a protected species and so there is little that anyone can do to protect their crops, and as badgers have been “badgered” unmercifully over the years, no one wants to cause them harm. The situation has caused several “old wives’ tales” to emerge and currently some of the tenants on my brothers site are busily collecting male urine, as the smell is meant to deter badgers. Never mind the badgers, the odour would deter me as well if it was liberally sprinkled over my neighbours plot! Face masks may make an appearance once again!

Jobs for the month

I’M TRYING to tidy up my plot to remove hiding places for slugs around my overwintering crops.

I used to buy cheap lager and put it out in shallow dishes by my susceptible crops to divert the slugs so that they feasted on the alcohol and drowned happily intoxicated, but with the rising cost of food I’m having to find alternative ways of deterring the little critters.

I don’t mind sharing some of my crops with nature but slugs don’t know when to stop, so tidying up any hiding places for them is now the priority. I’ve had a pile of leaf mould form since last autumn which looks ready for me to put

over the bare ground as a mulch for the winter and also have some compost ready to spread on the fallow ground too.

I have also sown some green manure plants, my favourite is Phacelia, which will grow slowly over the winter and can be dug in next year. I like to let the Phacelia flower before I incorporate it into the soil though as the flowers are so full of bees and other pollinating insects and I love to see them enjoying the nectar from them.

September Open Shed Sunday

WE HAD OUR usual monthly social morning at the beginning of the month, and welcomed quite a few new visitors from Groby and even further afield.

Our bacon cobs, hot dogs, veggie sausage cobs and hot drinks were well-received as usual as well as our plant sales and produce.

We had some homemade damson jam on offer this time, which I can confirm was absolutely delicious, as well as big bunches of rhubarb and some apples and pears.

If you fancy coming down to say hello and perhaps pick up a bargain with a bite to eat and a cup of tea, do come and join us on our next event. They are held on the first Sunday of the month on the Ratby Road site car park area from 10am to 12 noon.

Carol Lincoln

Do you still cook roasts?Sunday

IT SEEMS that one in five of us feel we can no longer afford to use the oven for that length of time, and so we use our microwaves for other meals instead.

A recent poll by the BBC has found that soaring energy costs are influencing our kitchen habits, with 23 per cent of us saying we use the oven and hob much less than we did.

And nearly 19 per cent of us are opting for meals that are faster to cook.

Meanwhile, 34 per cent of us say we have stopped buying takeaways, and 31 percent of us are eating out less often.

Planning Apps

Two storey side extension and loft conversion - at 90 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DN

Proposed installation of 15.0m Phase 9 slimline Monopole and associated ancillary works - at Ratby Road, Groby, Leicestershire.

Paisley, an 8-year-old Domestic Shorthair, is a very shy girl with a gentle nature. She’s going need an owner that is willing to help build her confidence and understands that she is going to need her own space.

She will need an adult only home with no other pets. We do think in time she will come around and could be an affectionate cat in the right environment.

Bella, a 12-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Papillion cross, is also looking for a new home. Despite being an older lady, Bella loves her walks and being out and about. She will need to be on a lead, as her prey drive is as spritely as her personality. She loves to play and will happily entertain herself for hours with squeaky toys. Bella

would be happy in an adult only home, without any visiting children and for her new owners to be understanding of her quirks.

The Centre is open to visitors every Wednesday and Saturday. Between the hours of 10am to 2pm for the Kennels, and 11am to 2pm for the Cattery. You can also visit www.leicesteranimalaid.org. uk to see the other cats and dogs available for adoption and find further information on the adoption process.

Leicester Animal Aid is a rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and cats. Every year, we care for more than 400 dogs and cats who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer look after them.

We rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our doors open to the hundreds of animals who need our help.

Our vision is happy pets in loving, responsible homes.

West End Cast Announced for Loughborough Town

Musical evolution Aynsley Lister – Beyond the Blues

AFTER A WAIT of six years,the new album from local musician and former Community College student Aynsley Lister, is long overdue.

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL and producers Little Wolf Entertainment are excited to reveal the full cast for their eagerly awaited new pantomime Sleeping Beauty, which opens 19th November 2022 and runs until the 2nd January 2023.

This year the West End is coming to Loughborough with four of the cast fresh from the very heart of UK theatre. Victoria Lucie, Jake Reynolds, Harry Polden, and Sean McKenzie will star as Princess Rose, Prince Vince, Mervin The Magician, and Nurse Nancy Nightly respectively in a production once again written, designed, and directed by UK Pantomime Awards winner Morgan Brind.

Having previously starred in the hit West-End play The Mousetrap, Victoria Lucie is guaranteed to enchant the audiences of Loughborough as Princes Rose in what will be her seventh professional pantomime to date. In addition to her impressive work in the West End, Victoria is also a celebrated film actor, having recently starred in both Scandal in 97 (Amazon Prime) and Dartmoor Killing (Amazon Prime).

Harry Polden will be bringing all of his West End pedigree to the Town Hall this Christmas, which he will be using to create a hilarious new twist to the comedy role of Mervin the Magician. Having starred in numerous productions such as; Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Adelphi Theatre), Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre), Harry is guaranteed to have the audience in stitches

Currently starring as Doody in the production of Grease at London’s Dominion Theatre, Jake Reynolds will take to the stage as the pantomime’s dashing Prince Vince.

Sean McKenzie whose credits include West End hits such as War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime as well as work for the RSC, National Theatre along with many film and tv appearances including Downton Abbey. He will be causing havoc as Nurse Nancy Nightly, Marisa Harris (Carabosse), Penelope Simons (Fairy Lights), and local actor Oliver Stanley (King) as well as up-and-coming actor Zac Hanlon who makes his professional acting debut in the role of Steward and St John complete the cast for what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable spellbinding production this Christmas.

With daring duels, doting dragons, lavish sets and costumes, and of course bucket loads of laughs, Little Wolf Entertainment are excited to return to cast their spell over Loughborough with this magical new pantomime choreographed by returning Loughborough Town Hall favourite Kristian Cunningham.

Sleeping Beauty runs at Loughborough Town Hall from the 19th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023 with tickets starting from just £16. For more information on other performances and to book tickets, visit loughboroughtownhall.co.uk or call our Box Office on 01509 231914.

Many consider that his tenth album, Home, marked a milestone in his musical development. The title track was declared the year’s best song in the British Blues Awards and in addition he was voted best songwriter. He was also runner up for three more awards : Best Guitarist, Best Male Vocalist and Best Album (Home).

40 years a guitar player

He has played guitar for more than 40 years, his father’s collection of blues records acting as his inspiration. After performing in bands for 5 years he decided to form his own at the age of 18. His first album was released 26 years ago, the Leicester Mercury music editor soon describing him as “the new Eric Clapton.”

Writing his own songs from an early age Aynsley became adept at producing a cocktail of rock and blues influenced music with a twist of Lister. When releasing an outstanding album an artist has the challenge of at least matching it, and hopefully bettering it, and in 2016 he released Eyes Wide Open, loved by the fans and cementing the differentiation between Aynsley and his contemporaries.

The blues is more than the “got up this morning” 12 bar music it is often associated with, and Aynsley takes the best of the genre and adds thoughtful words to new melodies embedded in an accompaniment sometimes hard rock, sometimes more relaxed, but always with his characteristic lyrical guitar playing. His new album, Along for the Ride, a further step in his musical journey, doesn’t disappoint and his singing voice is better than ever.

Along for the Ride

In addition to writing and performing, a financially devastating career model for a pandemic, he also teaches guitar techniques. His playing on Along for the Ride is in itself a masterclass in the musical flexibility and breadth of sound that the guitar can produce.

There are songs which are definitive Lister, and which to the uneducated ear perhaps use his favourite chord progressions. And there are songs which reference other genres, for example his No one else but you has the feel of Ray Charles about it. It also has another dimension, and listeners can be excused for feeling they have eavesdropped on Aynsley writing to Steph, his wife. Some of the songs reflect our lives in recent years, as Aynsley asks Is this really happening now? on one track, and adds on another The world is falling around my feet.

Still a darling of the blues clubs and festivals, both in the UK and Europe, there can be no doubt that Aynsley has taken all he has learned over 40 years and gone beyond the blues. If you are able to see him perform live just don’t expect a night of Hoochie Coochie Man and other blues standards. This is Lister music, with a blues pedigree.

Stunning review of Aynsley live

There must be many ways that artists appreciate feedback : social media comments, the enthusiasm of audiences and music industry awards are just three. The views of music journalists are also worth listening to, especially when 2022 comments reflect those of the Mercury reporter all those decades ago. Eighty year old Chris Welch has been a music scene watcher since the 1960s when he was a reporter for Melody Maker and Musicians Only. He has written 40 music books and received a British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Gold Badge Award in recognition of his unique contribution to music.

He caught up with Aynsley at a recent performance. “There is an atmosphere of fresh, youthful excitement and discovery about his stage performance,” he wrote. “He plays with a captivating mixture of taste, discretion and passion. It reminds us of seeing a certain Mr. Clapton for the first time, or Jimi Hendrix in the era of Swinging London. A fine, adaptable singer as well as a magical guitarist, all his talents were revealed on tunes like ‘Cast A Light’. A slow paced, soulful ballad with slippin’ and a slidin’ guitar it is a highlight of the upcoming album and must surely be a hit single. A funky ‘Made Up My Mind’ with strong Hendrix overtones is also irresistible. One of the tracks on Along For The Ride is simply called ‘Amazing.’ That summed up a night with Aynsley, Jonno and Craig, the ultimate supergroup for the 21st century.”

The new album, Along for the Ride, will be released on November 11th. If you’re very, very, patient just put it on your Christmas list!

Norman Griffiths

News from the Friends of the Charnwood Forest

meeting of the new season,

21st

Our speaker was Jennifer Browning of the University of Leicester archaeological department, who gave us a report on the second year of digging. The mosaic floor, which depicted Archilles and Hector and which is unique in Britain, was set in the context of the other rooms in the villa using magnetometry and ground penetrating radar, plus digging.

The hypocaust heating system was uncovered. Also, further buildings were revealed, though to date it is not known if they were contemporary with the main building. Two of these buildings flanked the villa to form a square. A third building seems to have been divided into two parts, one part barn and the other perhaps living quarters.

Under part of this building post holes suggested yet another building. A small building behind one of the flanking ones could have been a bathhouse, but no sign of heating was found.

The University of Leicester is the main participant in the dig at present. It is funded by Historic England, whose archaeologists were also on the dig, among other things digging to examine the ditches surrounding the site. Some burials were discovered. Work is continuing.

FRIENDS now meet on Wednesdays, once a month, at the Woodhouse Village Hall. The next meeting is on 26th October, when a talk will be given on the proposed Mountsorrel quarry extension and the effects it would have on the environment.

Mast APPLICATION REFUSED

THE APPLICATION for a 5G mast has been REFUSED. Thank you to everyone who either got in touch or copied me into their comments on this application irrespective of if being in favour or not.

The vast majority, 99.7%, were not supportive of it going ahead.

Now that the refusal has been issued the applicant has six months from now to appeal the refusal to a government inspector. The right of appeal THEN LAPSES.

Warning

HISTORY tells us that despite refusal on Flaxfield Close the applicant still attempted to install the mast. Would you please advise me straight away if you see any work being completed to the area of land just before the entrance to the lay-by, Groby end opposite Brookvale Campus.

The Refusal Notice to the applicant:

HAVING REGARD to the proposed siting and appearance of the mast it is considered that the development would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area by virtue of the height of mast and its visual dominance to the street scene.

The proposal would introduce an incongruous form within the domestic street scene. It is considered the harm is not outweighed by the public benefit of improved telecommunications.

The proposal is considered to be contrary to policy DM10 of the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD (2016). Paragraph 115 of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Network Development in England (2016).

Phishing Cyber Crime

PHISHING REMAINS the most successful attack vector for cyber criminals targeting individuals and businesses. Cyber criminals love phishing. Unfortunately, this is not a harmless riverbank pursuit. When criminals go phishing, you are the fish and the bait is usually contained in a scam email or text message. The criminal’s goal is to convince you to click on the links within their scam email or text message, or to give away sensitive information (such as bank details). These messages may look like the real thing but are malicious. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords.

As of 30 April 2021, over 5.8 million emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The tool, which was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police last April, allows the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans it for malicious links. Since its launch, over 43,000 scams and 84,000 malicious websites have been removed.

What are the most common phishing scams?

THE MOST commonly spoofed organisation reported in phishing emails was TV Licensing, with victims of these emails reporting losses totalling £5.3m.

The majority of losses occurred as a result of victims following malicious links in the emails and inputting their personal information into what they

thought was the legitimate TV Licensing website. Shortly after, they would receive a call from criminals impersonating bank staff who was able to convince them that their bank accounts were compromised and persuaded them to transfer all of their money to a new ‘safe’ account. Some of the other most commonly impersonated organisations included HMRC and DVLA. We also received more than 40,000 suspicious email reports relating to COVID-19.

How you can protect yourself from phishing messages

FAKE EMAILS and text messages can sometimes be difficult to spot and criminals are constantly getting better at finding ways to make them seem more authentic.

Email address spoofing, for example, is just one of the tactics criminals will use to try and make their fake emails look real. Here are some tips you should follow to protect yourself, and others, from scam emails and text messages:

1: Be cautious of messages asking for your personal information. Official organisations, such as your bank, should never ask you for personal or financial information via email or text message. If you receive a message and you want to check that it’s legitimate, you can call the organisation directly using a known number, such as the one on a bank statement or utility bill.

2: Report suspicious emails.

If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you should report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Your reports will help government and law enforcement agencies to remove malicious emails and websites.

3: Report suspicious text messages.

If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge and enables your mobile network provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.

4: Report fraud.

If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud. Please remember if I can ever be of help to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are listed.

Kind regards

Cllr Martin Cartwright

Cllr Martin Cartwright

Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward.

National Trust Leicester

STONEYWELL COTTAGE at Ulverscroft has now closed for the winter and most volunteers

The volunteer gardeners continue over the winter and so do the volunteer bee keepers who attend to the two hives on the site. One colony can contain up to 50,000 worker bees who each only live for up to six weeks. However a bee can visit 50 –100 flowers in one trip.

At Attingham Park the walled garden and orchard was built in the 1780’s and this productive area supplied the family with flowers, fruit, vegetables and honey. It is still home to a colony of bees who can be seen hard at work in an observation hive in the Georgian bee house. Safely placed behind a Perspex screen.

At Beningbrough the flower garden is home to several varieties of bees including red-tailed and buff-tailed bumble bees. When wandering past the bee hive by the south border there is always a good chance of seeing the bees hard at work among the flowers.

At Canons Ashby near Daventry, bees as well as butterflies and other insects thrive on plants that were popular during the Victorian era. Throughout the garden and grounds bumble, masonry and cuckoo bees can be seen. At Clumber Park bee hives can be seen hidden among the trees and blossom in the orchards and walled garden. The orchard contains over 58 varieties of local apple trees.

A team of volunteer beekeepers look after the honeybees at Dunham Massey and some of the team have volunteered for over 10 years. Over that time the bee population has grown from three to eight hives. Two hives are located in the Rose Garden but the others live outside the visitor route. This is a year round job as unlike other types of bees, honeybees do not hibernate over the winter.

Between November and April beekeepers clean and maintain the hives and their frames whilst keeping a close eye on the bees. During this time they also check the hives for varroa mites and treat the mites by dusting the bees with icing sugar which the bees groom off themselves.

• THE NT LEICESTER ASSOCIATION has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 23rd November when Bill Devitt will present a talk entitled “Bling – Showing off Wealth in 1800s – 1900s”. 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 13th December at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Ken Moulds will present an illustrated talk entitled “Conquest of Everest”

Admission to meetings is NTLA members £3.00, visitors £4.00, including refreshments.

For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 2229133.

Charity V for Life Invites You to Join Their Monthly Virtual Vegan Luncheon Club

OPEN TO VEGANS, vegetarians, and meat reducers aged 65 and over, the club offers attendees the chance to learn new dishes, get tips from an experienced vegan chef, and meet like-minded people from across the UK.

The club takes place through Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Recipes are provided in advance, so you have plenty of time to get the ingredients. Cook that morning and then join Vegetarian for Life Chef Justina, along with attendees from across the UK, at 1pm.

Justina is a Culinary Arts Management graduate who brings knowledge and passion for sustainable, plant-based eating. She has managed a variety of groups of chefs and created her own menus, working in both Italian and theatre restaurants. Justina is passionate about experimenting with different/unusual flavours and baking. She enjoys travelling and seeking inspiration in cuisines around the globe.

Recipes take a different theme each month and are noted below for the rest of the year….

25th October - Bake off take 2. Spinach Pie, M’hancha

22nd November - Pumpkin Perfection, Roasted Butternut Squash Mac N’ Cheese, Chocolate and Orange Pumpkin Pie

13th December - Festive Fun - A vegan Christmas meal - brought forward due to Christmas! Mushroom and “Steak” Steamed Pudding, Rich Fruit Cake, Christmas Syllabub

Prospective attendees are invited to join the Facebook group at http:// www.facebook.com/groups/252282776191719 where they can socialise with others and watch a demonstration of the dishes being made.

They can email ellie@vegetarianforlife.org.uk to find out more, or to book your place and get the Zoom link and password. Or call the VfL office on 0161 257 0887.

If technology and Zoom in particular are new to you, visit https://www. abilitynet.org.uk call 0800 048 7642, or email enquiries@abilitynet.org. uk for help. If you’re already tech savvy, all you’ll need to do is open the Zoom link in your internet browser and join the meeting.

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Could telecom industry merger mean MORE 5G MASTS?

THE NEWS that the Borough Council has refused permission for a new 5G telecom mast opposite the College Campus on Ratby Road has been welcomed by most residents.

This is the second refusal that Three has experienced locally within 14 months, but some feel that is a finger in the dam, holding back a torrent of unwanted telecom applications. Earlier this year the Government updated the rules and increased the size of masts that are allowed under permitted development. This includes installing new masts of up to 30m in height above ground level on unprotected land, or 25m on protected land, such as land within a conservation area or site of special scientific interest.

In recent years, CK Hutchison (the parent company of Three UK), and Vodafone, have been thought of as potential candidates for a merger. This month they have confirmed they will create Britain’s biggest mobile operator if they merge, with over 27 million customers. Any merger would probably have to be approved by the Competition and Markets Authority.

“By combining our businesses, Vodafone UK and Three UK will gain the necessary scale to be able to accelerate the rollout of full 5G in the UK and expand broadband connectivity to rural communities and small businesses,” explained Nick Read, the chief executive of Vodafone.

A pledge to accelerate the roll out of 5G is unlikely to be something that Groby residents welcome. Most may prefer a technological breakthrough which delivered the benefits of 5G without the tall and intrusive masts.

Norman Griffiths

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Groby Junior Gladiator U15’s pay their respects to The Queen

What is a HYPO?

FOR MANY people living with diabetes, hypos are a part of life.

They can be scary and dangerous. They can lead to blurred vision, confusion, seizures and, in severe cases, unconsciousness and coma.

So, to mark October’s Hypo Awareness Week, Diabetes UK shone a spotlight on what hypos are and how to treat them.

Hypos (short for hypoglycaemia) can affect people with type 1 diabetes, as well as many with type 2 diabetes, who use insulin or certain other diabetes medications.

ON THE WEEKEND of the 17th and 18th September, all football games, across the country, marked their respects to Her Majesty The Queen, with a one minute silence.

The Groby Junior Gladiators U15’s, showed their respects by wearing black armbands and having a minute of silence before kickoff.

Due to the tight time scale, the armbands were quickly manufactured by loyal supporter Izzy Chick and added to the occasion. The team then went onto beat Ibstock U15’s 3-2 and finish off a good day of football. Well done to everyone.

Phil Chick Groby Juniors Gladiator U15’s

Letter

Anstey Lunch Club

ANSTEY LUNCH CLUB is every Friday, run by RVS volunteers and consists of a two-course lunch plus tea and coffee.

The club is held for mainly socially isolated people, who would enjoy a hot meal in the company of others, and served by a lovely group of volunteers. The cost per meal is £6.60.

Transport can be provided at a cost of £5 pick-up and return.

The meals do have to be ordered in advance, so it is not just a ‘drop-in’.

Please contact Elizabeth Jarvis on 0116 287 6110 if you require more information and are interested in joining us.

A hypo is when the blood sugars drop too low, below 4mmol/l. It can be dangerous if not treated immediately, as it means the brain does not have enough energy to work properly. It can happen for various reasons, including taking too much insulin, missing a meal or miscalculating carbs.

Hypos must be treated quickly with fast-acting sugar, so that blood sugar levels rise again. Good hypo treatments include sugary drinks (not diet versions), fruit juice, glucose tablets or gel or sweets like jelly babies.

If someone tells you they have diabetes and are having a hypo, you can help them to find or get a sugary drink or some sweets, but if they become unconscious call an ambulance. If you have diabetes and you are experiencing frequent hypos, speak to your healthcare team who can support you to make changes to your medication or insulin doses.

Everyone has different hypo symptoms, but the most common are feeling shaky; feeling disorientated; sweating; being anxious or irritable; going pale; palpitations and a fast pulse; lips feeling tingly; blurred vision; feeling hungry; feeling tearful; tiredness; having a headache; or lack of concentration.

For more information, go to diabetes.org.uk.

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea

Sobering Report sets out the County Councils ‘Dire’ Financial Challenge

AS YOUR County Councillor I am extremely concerned at the poor funding Leicestershire County Council now receives from the government.

I am worried at the cuts that we will have to make to services if we don’t get funding. We have made the case for fairer funding to our MP’s and successive governments over several years now, but no one seems to be listening. I will always be honest with residents. I want to keep residents fully updated on the current situation. Leicestershire County Council has always been well managed and is highly regarded, but we need funding to continue to fully run all our services. The budget gap is set to grow from £8m to £28m next year – and could even top £140m by 2026 - as the ‘dire’ financial situation affecting local authorities intensifies.

The Council published a key report on Tuesday 20th September, it says that the council is in new territory and explains that global events, rising inflation – expected to continue to rise despite recent interventions - surging demand for services and the continued impact of Covid, mean costs are increasing at an unprecedented rate. It reveals that the nationally agreed pay offer alone requires the council to find an extra £8m, whilst every 50p added to the National Living Wage costs over £10m. Inflation is also expected to add another £20-to-£30m every year for the next four.

Service demand is unrelenting, says the report, and expected to go up by £18m every year, excluding the impact of inflation. Capital costs – for building roads, schools and other one-off projects – could grow by £45m if infrastructure price rises don’t reverse.

Although there are no proposals at this stage, the paper illustrates the challenge ahead by providing an initial list of potential areas to investigate for possible service changes or reductions. This includes gritting, parks, bus subsidies, projects reducing smoking and boosting health, Beaumanor Hall and planned big road schemes.

Our financial situation is frightening, worse than the years of austerity. We’ve lost £230m a year in spending power since 2010. We’re very lean so it’s not possible

to balance the books without impacting front line services. We pride ourselves on doing the best we can with the money we have but we will have to make some tough decisions. Nothing is off the table.

“As the lowest funded county council under the Government’s funding system, Leicestershire will always be sensitive to financial shocks. But the challenge currently being faced will put even the best funded local authorities under pressure,” said Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council.

Cabinet member for finance, Lee Breckon, added: “We knew earlier in the year pressure was building, but a perfect storm of global events such as Covid, Russia’s war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis, plus spiralling service demand, means we now have to look across the board at all services. And this will include things that affect our everyday lives such as road repairs, gritting, big road schemes and waste sites, as well as support for adults and children.

“No one wants to do this - and I’m acutely aware this comes at a time when people are increasingly struggling to make ends meet. Support for people who need it most will be prioritised and we’re continuing to press our MPs and the new Government for a better deal for our tax payers and to reform special educational needs and disability support.”

A one per cent rise in Council Tax generates £3.6m – councils are allowed to increase rates by 1.99 per cent without holding a referendum.

Over the autumn, residents are set to be asked to help shape plans –more information about how people can comment will be available later this month.

From the report and the resulting press coverage it could appear that the County Council is in a worse position than similar organisations.

I can assure you that this is not the case and the pressures being faced will impact the whole of local government.

The approach that served us well through austerity was to identify and act on problems early.

The council will publish its four-year budget proposals in December.

Marston Drive and Dalby Drive, GrobyTemporary Prohibition of Through Traffic Order 2022

NOTICE is hereby given that the Leicestershire County Council intends to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1984.

It is expected that the Order will come into force on 2nd November 2022 and have a maximum duration of 12 months.

The works will be completed within the period of the Order. The works will commence when the appropriate signs are erected and may last for up to 3 days.

The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order is being enforced for public safety to allow STW and their contractors to undertake repairs to damaged inspection chamber frames and covers.

The proposed diversion route will be via: Marina Drive, Castell Drive, Groby and vice versa. Ratby Lane/Desford Road, Kirby Muxloe Open

AFTER an 8-week road closure affecting residents of both Kirby Muxloe and Ratby, the road was finally opened on Friday 30th September.

There is now traffic light control at that junction. The resurfacing of the junction area was paid for by the developer. I appreciate residents have highlighted the road surface on Ratby Lane coming into Ratby is poor. I can confirm that I reported this over a year ago and it is on a highway list to be done when they have the funding.

Highway Close, Groby

RESIDENTS will know, that I have been working with officers to get this unsightly grass verge levelled and grassed by the developer who is responsible for the work.

I have had the following update regarding reinstating the verge on Leicester Road, Groby. Countryside builders are presently waiting for an updated quote from their subcontractor to undertake the verge works and associated works to a lighting column that will be done at the same time. Groby Parish Council have applied to the County Council to convert the verge when it has been fully reinstated by Countryside to a wild flower verge.

Amazon Phone Scam

A RESIDENT recently received a phone call from a man with an American accent telling him that someone had taken £900.00 out of his Amazon account and if he wanted to stop this transaction, he needed to press number one on his phone.

Luckily, he just ignored it and put the phone down. He then dialled 1471 to see if he could trace the phone number. It was shown as a Leicester number 0116 2348671. These scammers clone numbers to make them look authentic.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea

Always Working for you

Ozzy O’shea

2394336

Email

Bradgate Rotary News Supporting The Community Across The Bradgate Area Scarecrow Festival

Groby goes to the Oscars ... from ET to Minions and from the Bearded Woman to Harry Potter

THIS YEAR’S Groby Scarecrow Festival attracted over 170 families who followed the Scarecrow Festival Trail all over the village.

After viewing the numerous displays people were invited to vote for their favourite. The Laundon Way Coop also gave away free bags of sweets to anyone taking part on the walk upon showing their trail map.

To expand the Scarecrow Festival, Rotary are looking for support in forming a committee of residents to secure the Trail future and to make it bigger and better.

The village’s vote winner was Emma Jarvis: the Incredible Hulk displayed on Spinney Close.

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Craft Fair and ReLoved Sale raised over £1,000 for Baby Basics (Leicester)

MANY CARS were filled by Rotarians to transport the reloved children’s toys, clothes as well as lots of baby’s equipment, good condition clothes and baby’s toys to Groby village.

The result was a fantastic display of very good value items that filled one of the rooms room.

In the main hall there were over a dozen craft stalls from decorative cards, recycled items and hand made crafted jewellery and more. Charity representatives from Baby Basics attended to run a tombola, and collect the new and very good condition items, which will be passed on the some of the families they support. The £1,000 raised will also be used to support new mums and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby.

Making a difference in your community! New members are welcome!

WE ARE A Breakfast Club that take a keen interest in the community, the environment, and local causes.

Visit a Bradgate Rotary breakfast meeting to see what can achieve with some help. We have two Zoom meetings and two face-to-face meetings, one in Groby & one in Anstey. Email your contact details to Adrian Walker –walk77a@yahoo.com and we’ll be in touch.

JAWS

HARRY POTTER

ELLIOTT FROM ET MINIONS

BEARDED LADY (The Greatest Showman)

ELSA FROM FROZEN

THE HULKSINGIN’ IN THE RAIN

“If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now.”

Marie Osmond

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”

Winston Churchill

Don’t become a victim of Cyber Crime

SEVERAL MILLION cases of fraud and of computer mis use are reported to the po lice every year. It’s staggering, but even more staggering is that so many of those crimes could have been prevented by making a few small changes in online behaviour.

To avoid becoming a victim of on line crime you don’t need to be a computer expert. Developing a few good online habits drastically re duces your chances of becoming a victim of cyber crime, makes you less vulnerable and lets you use the web safely.

Visit Cyber Aware for step-by-step instructions on keeping your devic es up-to-date with the latest security updates, and for more online secu rity advice.

Online fraud, also known as cyber crime, covers all crimes that take place online, are committed using computers, or are assisted by on line technology

Reduce your chances of becoming a victim

• Try using three unrelated words as passwords, eg fishbooktable; and think of three different words for each account, so if one is compro mised the others are safe

• NEVER give personal or sensi tive details out online or over email

• Make sure all devices have upto-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed

• Keep software and apps regularly updated

• Only download from legal, trusted websites

• Only open emails and attach ments from known and trusted sources

• Only ever use websites that start with https://, however make sure that you’re on the correct site by sense-checking the full website ad dress

• Avoid using public WiFi hotspots that are not secure, use your 3/4G data. If you have no choice but to use Public WiFi, then only use it with a Virtual Private Network enabled on your device

• Regularly back up your data

• Control your social media ac counts – regularly check your pri vacy settings and how your data is being used and shared

• Be cautious of internet chats and online dating – there’s no guarantee you’re speaking to who you think you are

• BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS if you’re asked for money

Email and text scams

BE CAREFUL when opening emails and texts, especially if you don’t know the sender.

If an email or text is unexpected or seems unusual, even if it’s from someone you know, ignore it and contact the sender directly to check if they sent it.

Your bank, the police and repu table companies will NEVER ask for sensitive or financial details via email, phone or text.

To protect yourself from scams, known as ‘phishing’:

• Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from send ers you don’t know

• Never give out personal informa tion, financial details or passwords in response to an email, when you receive an unexpected phone call or in response to a text message

• Set up spam filters on all of your accounts

• Don’t respond to emails or texts from unknown sources

• Always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account

Social networking

SOCIAL NETWORKS are a great way of keeping in touch with friends and fami ly, but be careful about how much personal information you share.

Once you post or share something on any social media platform it’s out of your control and could be shared and used by others, even if you de lete it. Make sure you:

• Set your privacy settings to the highest level and check them regu larly as updates can affect settings

• Don’t add or accept ‘friend’ re quests from people you don’t know

• Where possible, block apps and social media sites from tracking and showing your location, to stop people you don’t know from follow ing you

• Think carefully about the images, videos and content that you share

• Remember that if you wouldn’t do or say it in the real world, don’t do it online

Report cyber crime

If you are currently being subjected to a live and ongoing cyber-attack then please contact us on 101.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, defrauded or expe rienced cyber crime, the Action Fraud team can also provide the help, support and advice you need.

Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050).

Spotlight Small Ads

• MOBILITY SCOOTER - Excel

Excite 4 ‘Galaxy’. Two new 85ah batteries and solid tyres fitted.

Head lights, indicators and in good condition.

Price: £750 o.n.o.

Tel: 07388 844276 (Markfield)

• Genuine Kickers MEN’S LEATHER COAT Size XL Hardly Worn.

Price: £100 ono.

Tel: 07885 296828

• Selection of BEANO COMICS from 1997 to 2001. Price: 25 pence each.

Tel: 07885 808207 (Glenfield)

• Dark Red LEATHER ARMCHAIR.

Hardly used. Price: £20.

Tel: 07773 186055 (Groby)

• 3/4 size ELECTRIC BED with MATTRESS. Excellent condition Price: £150.00.

Tel: 07502 339576 (Markfield)

• Hand Made COPPER CHIMNEY BREAST CANOPY, Width 64cm at base and 97cm height, £25.00, can deliver locally.

• Rukka all weather MOTORCYCLE RIDING SUIT, size Euro 54, as new condition, £20.00.

• Frank Thomas Leather MOTORCYCLE JACKET, Black / Yellow, as new, UK size 42, £25.00

Tel 0116 287 6715 (Groby)

• CHILDREN’S BOOKS - all over 50 years old. 10 Enid Blytons, 8 comic annuals, 2 Rupert annuals, 1 Jungle Book, 3 annual encyclopedias. Best offers.

Tel: 07794 612335 (Groby)

• Panasonic 50 inch FLATSCREEN TV, good condition. Price: £75.00 Tel: 0116 232 1960 (Glenfield)

• BATH WITH JACUZZI, taps, panel and shower door. Offers.

Tel: 07436 016191 (Markfield)

• BLUE BRICKS - approx. 200. Price: £120.00

• THERMALITE BLOCKS (100mm)approx. 60. Price: £60.00

• RSJ - 6” x 3½” by 7’9” long. Price: £20.00.

• A good few 3” secondhand BLUE BRICKS - offers.

• SEWER/STORM FITTINGS100mm plastic, mostly bends. Offers.

Tel: 01530 231605 (Bagworth)

• Stainless steel GARDEN FORK AND SPADE. Price: £15.00 each or £25.00 the pair.

• CYCLE SECURITY BAND with lock. Price: £10.00.

• 12-volt LEISURE BATTERY. Price: £30.00.

• Two bricklayer’s SPIRIT LEVELS900mm long and 1200mm long. Price: £30.00 each.

Tel: 07514 900530 (Markfield)

my mate’s divorce

• Avanti Electron Barbel TWIN TIP

ROD - new.

• Lineaffe CARP ROD - new.

• Daiwa Sensor CARP ROD

• Intruder Alaska WHIP POLE - new.

• Saracen PIKE ROD

• 3 CARP NETS

• BITE ALARM set

• BIVVY - new

Price: £300.00 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 245754 (Markfield)

• APOLLO Integer Hybrid SPORT BICYCLE in Blue & White. Shimano 7-speed equipped with 21 gears and made of lightweight aluminium, 18” frame. It has a Pannier fitted. Good working order but needs some TLC hence the price. Price: £50.00.

Tel: 07429 341971 (Markfield)

• Wireless HEADPHONES - brand new, in box.

• De longhi COFFEE MACHINEnew, in box.

• Denver Senior PHONE

• Lovely cottage garden PICTURE

• Brand new LOUNGER Offers invited.

Tel: 01530 249413 (Markfield)

• Manual LOG SPLITTER - never been used.

Price: £10.00

Tel: 07508 723698 (Markfield)

• Ladies GREEN JACKET - Fenwicks, size 14.

• Ladies BEIGE JACKET - M&S, size 16.

• White/black fleck JACKET - M&S, size 16. Price: £5.00 each.

Tel: 01530 244855 (Markfield)

• Halfords Apollo Craze JUNIOR MOUNTAIN BIKE - 24” Wheels. 18 gears. Suitable for 8-12 year old according to Halfords website. White and grey. The latest version is £230 at Halfords. This bike has been hardly used. Excellent condition. Price: £125. Tel: 07891 246871 (Groby)

• ELECTRIC WHEEL CHAIR - HDmax load 120 kg - Range 14 miles - Speed 4 mph. Price: £645 o.n.o. (Item is unused). Text ONLY please to 07561 816369 (Groby).

SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. No business ads. 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).

he’s put

Options Appraisal proposed for Bradgate Stables remedial work

EARLIER IN THE YEAR concerns over the condition and disrepair of Bradgate Stables, a privately-owned listed building, resulted in Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council deciding to ensure that remedial works were undertaken.

The Council served an Urgent Works Notice on Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd, the owner of the building, in May. The owner agreed to enter into positive discussions about the needs of the site and the notice was suspended in July.

“Representatives of the Council, Historic England and Hanson met during August 2022 to discuss the scope of urgently needed work to preserve Bradgate Stables in the immediate term as well as the need to determine the longer term future of the site,” explained a spokesperson for the Council.

“The aim remains for Hanson to undertake any urgently needed work to preserve Bradgate Stables voluntarily. All agreed that an Options Appraisal was necessary to determine a long term sustainable strategy for Bradgate Stables and discussion regarding this work is now progressing.”

Norman Griffiths

Calling the Shots: My Autobiography

By Sue Barker

REWIND TO 1971, and Sue Barker’s coach is sending his 15-year-old tennis protégée to a junior championship in France, alone, with a one-way ticket, telling her she’ll have to win the money to pay for her return fare.

Sue hides in the grounds of the hosting tennis club overnight, to avoid paying for a hotel. The next day, she walks onto court and smashes it. Five years later, and she’s Britain’s No 1.

The same combination of grit, grace and talent took her to the top of live Sports TV. And now, after four decades on camera encouraging other legends to share their stories, she is telling her own.

Going all in for her once-only autobiography, Sue takes us inside the showbizzy world of 70s and early 80s tennis. She reveals the battles she fought for hard-won success in two careers and gives us a ringside seat on the nation’s biggest sporting dramas, and a fascinating insider’s understanding of competitors under pressure.

This is the remarkable life story of a tennis champion, an award-winning broadcaster who has brought sporting history into our living rooms for decades, and a trail-blazing woman who has always called the shots.

DOG BREEDS

WORDSEARCH

IF YOU can find 20 DOG BREEDS in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Stamford Arms in Groby. All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - 20 BREEDS OF DOG. These can overlap and run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?, Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER 2022. 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. Good luck!