September 2012 Herald Magazine by Michael Wilkinson

SEPTEMBER 2012

100 years young!

Last month’s Herald briefly mentioned the 100th Birthday celebrations of Mrs Doris Standley. Doris’s daughter-in-law Dinah has sent us a photo of Doris for inclusion in this month’s issue, together with a little bit more information about the area’s newest centenarian. Doris moved to Lillingstone Close, Markfield 10 years ago to be near her son John, and daughter in law Dinah, (pictured above) who both lived and worked in the village. Doris enjoyed the ladies meeting at the Methodist on Tuesday. Dinah has asked us to say thank you to the villagers for their good wishes on her mum-in-law’s 100th birthday.

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Don’t forget to send us your news! Email your news and information to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Kayaking fun for Chernobyl children

The Markfield Scouts together with Quorn Activity Club ran a kayak session at Quorn Hall for the children from Chernobyl. It was a very wet session with a lot of capsizes, accidental to begin with but later most were deliberate and the coaches were kept very busy with rescues, but they all had a good time.

Dave Morris 1st Markfield Scouts

The Club in Thornton Your help and ideas needed to keep it open Over the last few weeks The Club, Thornton, has been struggling to make ends meet, so we had an open meeting on Wednesday 29th August. The meeting was fairly well attended, and an action committee was formed, with some good ideas, and offers of help. We will be having regular open meetings for anyone who missed this one. Please feel free to come into The Club with any ideas or offers of help at any time, or telephone Karen Orme on 01530 230631, or Alan Hill on 01530 230134, or Stuart Hearn on 01530 231043. We really would like to keep The Club open as it is a valuable facility for the village. Anyone can come in - you don’t have to be a member and you don’t have to live in Thornton. We have a premises license, and the Club boasts the only free function room in Thornton. We also have Darts and a Pool table, pick your own music with the Click and Play and Tuesday evening bingo. Where else in Thornton can you see a live band! If you’re interested in playing in our concert room on a Friday or Saturday evening, please ring Karen on 01530 230631.

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 6th October - Advert & Articles Needed By 22nd September

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The Herald PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.

Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries. Printed by Norwood Press in Ellistown. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Herald Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. The Herald 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. The Herald reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © The Herald None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from The Herald.

This issue of The Herald is being delivered over the weekend of 8-9 September 2012 by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Amy, Maureen, John, Phoebe, Sam, Jordan, Ian, Ann, Gill, Janet, John, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Lauren, Daisy, Heather, Margaret, Matthew, Alexander, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

Awesome Holiday Club attracts 40 children per day!

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 6th,7th and 8th August we held our annual Awesome Holiday Bible Club at Cross Hills Baptist Church. In total over the three days we had 56 children through the doors with approximately 40 children each day. It was a truly inspirational and encouraging three days (as well as tiring!) but all the children who attended went home excited and talking about their day and singing the songs. We looked at both a biblical theme and Olympic theme each day and even lit the Olympic cauldron at the start of the three days. We sang songs, learnt memory verses, made crafts, and lots more each day! The leaders challenge was a particular hit, rounding off the week with a limbo! Some of our church members won’t be seen in the same light again! Tuck shop was always very popular and children loved playing all sorts of games and working in a team. Rosie and Tommy (my puppets) also made an appearance at the end of the morning to share biblical va lues and sing songs. Thank you to everyone who attended – I hope you had an AWESOME three days! Following another successful year with Awesome we are also holding “Awesome Sunday” every month at Cross Hills Baptist Church. It will be starting Sunday 9th September and will be held in the Sunday Club Room. Registration will be from 10.15am with Awesome being from 10.30 – 11.30am. We will be looking at bible stories, memory verses, crafts, games, and having lots of fu n! Children of any age can join us but we do ask if children aren’t toilet trained then they should be accompanied by an adult. At 11.30am children can stay and play in the Sunday club room as the rest of the church join us for drinks and biscuits. We’re really looking forward to seeing lots of you there and having lots of fun in our monthly “Awesome Sunday”.

Ruth Holmes

Bargain Book Sale at Coalville Library Looking for a bargain? Pop into Coalville Library and bag some books! There will be a sale of second hand books and DVDs for bargain prices at Coalville Library from Monday 1st October to Saturday 13th October. A wide range of books and DVDs will be available.

Date for your Diary:

Art in Ratby For all you artists how about the ‘ART IN RATBY’ art exhibition & Craft Fair, Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby. Sat 3rd November - 10.00am to 3.00pm and Sun 4th November 10.00am to 2.00pm.

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Markfield Court Retirement Village

The Tai Chi class will resume after the summer break on Tuesday 18th September at 5.00 p.m. in the Social Centre Cost is £4.50 Ring Tony on 01530242566 for more information. Local photos needed for the ...

Parish Calendar 2013

A Level Results Joy at OLCS

To all you photographers out there it’s that time again! If you have any favourite photographs of Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton-under-Bardon or adjacent areas, please, please email or post them to us so they have a chance to be included in the new Parish Calendar for 2013. (The 2012 calendar proved very popular and over 300 were sold, raising money for use in the parish). The deadline for entry is Friday 21st September. Please submit your photos - landscape format only please – in colour. Let us know which month you took the photograph in. You can submit your photo(so) in one of two ways:1. Post a hard copy photo to ‘Parish Calendar’, c/o 34, Highfields, Thornton, LE67 1AD 2. Leave them with Nigel at Thornton village shop, Main Street, in an envelope marked up ‘Parish Calendar entry’ 3. Or, email your photos as jpg files to our parish magazine editor on: link@beechdrive.demon.co.uk However you submit your photo initially, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET to include your full contact details and also the month the photo relates to. For more information ring: 01530 230 455, or 01530 230 422. We will attribute all photos in the calendar so everyone will know it’s your work. DEADLINE: The deadline for you to send photos to us is Friday 21st September. The winners will be notified in early October and the calendars will be printed ready to be sold at the mid-November craft fair.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR ENTRIES!

Forthcoming Events in Stanton Stanton under Bardon Autumn Fayre Saturday 15th September 2012 • From 2 - 4 p.m. Stalls - cake stall, craft, raffle, bric a brac, please come and join us.

~ Advance notice ~

VALUATION DAY

with Vanessa Savage Senior Advisor for Charles Hanson Auctioneers of Derby which will be held on

Wednesday 3rd October 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.in the church. £1.00 per item, please no more than 5 items. Thank you. Coffee/teas and light snacks will be available.

Our Lady’s Convent School students, parents and staff were in a jubilant mood as the A Level results were announced for this year. Mrs Hawley, Headteacher, said: “We are delighted with this year’s results; a 99% pass rate with 85% achieving A* to C really reflects the hard work and dedication of the students and staff. We pride ourselves on knowing and understanding individual students, therefore it is a matter of great joy when they achieve and then exceed their targets.” “We are always sorry to see our Year 13s move on, but know they leave us well equipped academically and socially for the excitement and challenges of university life.” Kavita Khandhia a Year 13 student, said: “I’ve worked hard and been supported along the way and I’m pleased with my results, now I can’t wait to go to University in September and celebrate my success tonight!” Georgie Hughes added, “When I was at primary school no one expected me to achieve much but since oining OLCS, I’ve excelled myself. Not only did I achieve GCSEs but now I have my A Levels and I’m going to study Business Management at Swansea in September.”

Don’t Miss Out!

Markfield Playaway Playgroup Markfield Playaway Playgroup is based at the Methodist Church, opposite The Green on Main Street, offering a very high standard of childcare. We are experiencing low numbers at the moment due to a drop in the birth rate, which is confirmed by County Hall. This will be followed next year by a sudden increase in numbers. Therefore to avoid disappointment please register your Child as soon as possible for the term starting September 2013 or before. Please contact me on 01530 242578 or 07971 254165.

Make someone happy today. Mind your own business.

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays See ad page 18 www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members We Also Have Bingo Every Tuesday Evening All Welcome www.myspace.com/ thorntonclub The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 8th September and 22nd September with ’King of the Road’. On Saturday 15th September HEY BEATLES - live band - First time at The Coach - if you liked The Beatles, you’ll love HEY BEATLES! See ad on page 16. The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 14th Sept: TINA TURNER Fri 28th Sept.: THE SUPREMES See ad on page 30. Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. For further details, tel: 01530 230205 Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc.

Every time I’m wrong, the world makes a little less sense.

Village pubs have always played a big part in local communities Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald Recently I was mulling over the planning application that had been submitted to the Borough Council, to turn the Red Lion public house into an Indian Restaurant. I had also been reading about the plans as reported to last month’s Herald, concerning the Maynard Arms in Bagworth. I have memories of both establishments especially the Lion which was a good pub back in its day. The Red Lion proposal (which is to turn part of the pub into an Indian restaurant) will at least keep a strong link to the pub it once was and will ensure that the building remains serving the local community, as opposed to my fear of it being considered a site suitable for a small housing development. Looking back it is astonishing to think of the number of public houses which have closed and changed use, or have simply been knocked down. This phenomenon can be seen everywhere you go and in every community throughout the land. I know that many people provide different explanations for this, including the smoking ban, price of beer and the business model which most pubs operate to, where the term landlord really means nothing of the sort, as the pub is often owned by a multi-billion pound property concern. Indeed the business model of many public houses became truly apparent to me, when seeking to secure a public car park to the rear of the old George Inn on Markfield’s Main Street. With a sizeable grant from the Borough Council secured, we just

needed a licence for 20 years to operate the car park on the pub’s land. The landlord at the time was in favour and so were the actual owners of the pub. It was clearly a win win situation. Yet it didn’t happen because although the pub was owned by a brewery, they only had a long lease on the land and buildings, and the freehold was owned by an American property concern that clearly had other ideas. This sort of arrangement is not unusual and I am sure this has contributed to the decline in the number of pubs in operation. Looking back at Markfield, one could strongly argue that the decline in the public house has been a gradual one over many years. Markfield, which has always had a reputation for the consumption of alcoholic beverage, had many more public houses than are present today even excluding the demise of the George and the Lion. Pubs with glorious names like the Abraham Lincoln (once run by a long deceased family member), the Quarryman’s Arms and the Horse and Jockey, once were key features in village life and yet these closed many years ago - long before I came into this world and that’s (I am sad to admit) is over 40 years ago. It’s not as if as a nation or community, we consume less alcoholic beverage than in times past, although in Markfield this may be true. Indeed alcoholic beverage as a percentage of average incomes is actually very cheap in terms of historical comparison, with supermarkets driving the market. This may in part explain part of the pub’s demise, for although alcohol is cheap in general, the price of standard pint is not by comparison.

I mentioned that Markfield had a strong reputation as a consumer of alcoholic beverages with as many as 8 public houses at one time within its parish boundary. Well, legend has it, that during the days when Markfield Quarry was in operation, the workers at the Quarry would compete to roll a barrel of ale up to the summit. The winner would be the first to consumer the contents, no spillages allowed. This at a time, when Methodism was a strong influence within the village and the old chapel (now Bob Jones’s garage) was referred to as the temperance hall. Coming back to the Lion and the Maynard and all those other public houses that have closed or are closing. I don’t pretend to have the answers. What I do know is that they have always played a big part in the lifeblood of local communities. Perhaps as communities have unwound so has the importance of the public house or it may simply be that there are so many other things to do. I just hope we don’t see many more closures. Moving on to another quick item. It’s not often I get heckled, but that was my fate at the last planning committee meeting I attended at Hinckley, when the Crown Crest application was being discussed. I wrote in the Herald some months ago my concerns around an amendment (stopping HGV traffic using roads at Kirby Muxloe) that was passed to the application granting permission to expand the operations at the old Desford Tubes site. This site has become a huge distribution warehouse and the amendment which was passed ensured that all the lorry traffic going to and from the site

would pass via Markfield instead of splitting between Kirby Muxloe and Markfield according to the journey required. This was totally unacceptable to many and the company asked for the amendment to be removed - something I supported. This should lead as originally intended, to a more even distribution of HGV traffic. I was heckled from the gallery by some people from Kirby Muxloe simply because I was speaking up for my community against something that should never have happened. I understand the concerns of Kirby Muxloe but their amendment simply shifted the 100% of the problem over here and that cannot be justified. It was pleasing to note however, that residents from Markfield and other affected areas turned up in force on the night and supported those speaking in support of the changes. I am pleased that the change requested was agreed to and in effect the problematic amendment was removed. A victory of sorts.

My only hobby is laziness, which naturally rules out all the others.

Free workshop for Sport Makers

A SPECIAL workshop is being held this month for those who have been inspired by the 2012 London Olympics and want to become Sport Makers. A Sport Maker is someone who might organise a kick-about with their mates, a weekly game of tennis with their work colleagues, or simply helping out at their local sports club. Others don’t take part themselves. Instead, they do all the other things that make sport possible, like organising a sports event for their village or managing a team of race volunteers. The free, informal and interactive workshop will be held at Bosworth College, Desford on Wednesday 19 September from 6.30pm to 9pm. The workshop is open to anyone aged 16 or over. To register as a Sport Maker and to book a place visit: www.sportmakers.co.uk Councillor David Cope, the Borough Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “By becoming a Sport Maker, people will be helping to deliver the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sporting legacy. They too can be as valuable as the purple Games Maker volunteers.” For further information on the local workshop email: Courtney.sweetman-kirk@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

Date for your Diary

MacMillan Coffee Morning: Friday 28th September GILL FOOTE and Friends invite you to a Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support on Friday 28th September 2012 in the Residents’ Lounge, Willow Court, Upland Drive, Markfield - between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

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Grandparents Day

In praise of grandparents How often do your children see their grandparents? Sadly, an estimated one million children in the UK may not see their grandparents at all, because so many families separate or lose touch. Yet grandparents can offer so much in terms of love and stability. They have the time to really play with their grand-children, to take them places, help with homework, attend school events in a ‘cheerleading’ role, and offer wise advice and support. Research has found that in times of family crisis, children who felt close to a grandparent felt more resilient and protected. There are 14 million grandparents in the UK, and next month they have their ‘day’. It is 7th October, ‘Grandparents Day’ for the UK. It is only the fourth such day in the UK so far; it began in the USA in 1978, and Age Concern brought it to the UK in 1990. If you have grandparents in your family, here is an opportunity to show your appreciation. But really, who needs an excuse to tell grandparents that you love them?

Why hedgehogs are fighting to survive Hedgehogs could disappear from Britain within 15 years, a recent study has warned. Once commonplace, there are only about one million left in Britain. That represents anything from 25 to 50 per cent over the past decade alone – a staggering loss. When you look at the facts, it is a wonder that even a million have survived. Our pesticides kill their food: slugs and snails and caterpillers and beetles. Our rat poison kills them. We tidy and strim and mow our gardens, which leaves them homeless. Sometimes we strim and mow over them. We burn them alive (by accident) in November bonfires. Our efficient garden fences trap them to starve to death in sterile gardens. If they do manage to get out, and go looking for food, we run them over (50,000 a year). And those who survive long enough to reach the next garden – often drown in the garden pond.

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Thornton St.Peter’s Church Spot One of the things I do regularly each Sunday at church is to check our Visitors Book to see who, if anyone, has been visiting.

Car drivers are required to deliver/collect boxes of poppies and collecting tins to/from local shops, schools and pubs in (a) Markfield and (b) Thornton, Bagworth and Stanton-uBardon. Delivery will be towards the end of October (by 27th) and then all boxes and tins need to be collected soon after 11th November. Please phone Anita Holt, Honorary Poppy Appeal Organiser, on 01455 823202 or email her on aholt21@talktalk.net if you can help out.

This past week, apart from Leicestershire people, visitors are recorded from Colchester and from Hampshire - the latter having read about us in Simon Jenkin’s Book England’s Thousand Best Churches, and who broke their journey on their way to holiday in Whitby. Such is fame! But with such notoriety comes the responsibility on our part to maintain and upkeep this small part of our National Heritage. And, it is fair to claim that we are doing just that, as is plain to see and as comments in our Visitors Book will testify. The Friends of St Peter’s - and others - are, as you know, working very hard to install a new heating system in St Peter’s and, if things go to plan, the work should already have started by the time time you read this article on our Heritage weekend of September 8th/9th. The weekend begins on Saturday 8th September when the annual Ride and Stride event takes place throughout the County. Churches are open - ours is from l0am till 6pm. We have our own walk, led by William and Shirley Garlick, who plan to visit all the five churches in our benefice - a distance of about 7 miles. Join them if you can. The church will be open again on Sunday, after the usual Morning Service, from 1.30pm till 5pm. During that time I shall be playing the organ for an hour, beginning at 2.30pm, to support the ladies who will be manning the church and making tea for the visitors. You will be most welcome. Following soon afterwards on September 23rd will be our Harvest Festival. The Service will be at 10.30 but, as there will not be a Harvest Supper this year, we have decided to have a Harvest Lunch after the Service in church. This is a new initiative which we hope will be well supported. With good fortune it may well be the first opportunity for us to inspect, and possibly try out, our new heating system, which will be dedicated by Bishop Tim when he visits us on October 14th. Finally, dates for your diary are the Annual Craft Fair on November 10th and a return visit of Natalie Nightingale and friends for a concert on Sunday November 25th - and a note of appreciation for those who worked for, or supported, the Coffee Morning an August 18th when £215 was raised for Church funds.

Anita Holt

Martin Foster

British Legion Poppy Appeal 2012 Can you help out with this year’s Poppy Appeal?

Churchwarden

Does that screwdriver really belong to Philip?

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My sister’s expecting a baby, and I don’t know if I’m going to be an uncle or an aunt.

News from Bagworth WI Happy Birthday Bagworth WI On a rainy June evening Bagworth WI celebrated their 65th Birthday with a trip to Shenton Glass Studio at Shenton station. Richard Golding, Glass Craftsman, gave us an interesting demonsatration of glass making showing the process and finishing with a beautiful vase. Refreshments flowed and all our members were able to look at his beautiful handmade work. The rain did not spoil the 65th birthday treat and most of us brought a souvenir to mark the occasion. See below for a picture of our members enjoying themselves.

Harvest Supper with Bingo at WOW 135 Main St. Stanton

Ratby Village Society Events •

•

Saturday 15th Sept 6pm Tickets now available from WOW or call

07875378628 £2pp/£5 family

18th September 2012 - ‘My duties as H.M. Coroner’, by the Coroner for Leicester Mrs. Catherine Mason 16th October 2012 - Anne Halsey describes a rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver and into the Rockies, via the Rocky Mountaineer.

Members £1.60 - Visitors £2.50 including refreshements - meetings start at 8.00pm in Ratby Village Hall.

Markfield W.I. Programme Markfield Womens’ Institute has a packed and interesting programme of events lined up for 2012. See below: 19th Sept

Antiques Roadshow - Richard Plant

17th Oct

AGM & Phoebe Whittington: Trip to Tanzania

21st Oct

Our Birthday Meal

19th Dec

Twelve Days of Christmas: Anne Hughes

Visit to Rainbows Hospice On a different note in August some of the WI members visited the Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough. We had a conducted tour around the magnificent building with every room dedicated to some form of fun, relaxation, music or IT. This unique building has been built with patients every need catered for. Nothing is left to chance; their bedrooms are decorated with objects which they love. Their families in some cases stay and the facilities are superb. Around the building there is a calmness and tranquil atmosphere. The patient’s wishes are paramount even if only for a few days or months. Our members were amazed at the dedication of the staff and the whole experience. The Hospice is run purely on private donations and fundraising events. An unforgettable day for all our members.

Bagworth WI Meetings If you would like to come along to a meeting of Bagworth WI we meet on the second Thursday of the Month at Bagworth community Centre at 7 for 7.15pm. The next meeting is September 13th, alternatively if you would like to speak to someone about the club please call Maureen Barber on 01530 231295.

I truly believe that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.

Baden Powell Awards for Markfield Guides

Motown and Rock & Roll

An evening of songs from the 60s Markfield Congregational Church invite you to join us in the Church on Friday 2nd November at 7 O’clock for a fun evening with the Jay Brothers, a local duo who will be singing well known songs from the 60’s, Motown and Rock & Roll. Tickets are £5.00 which includes a raffle with your ticket. All proceeds are for Church Funds. Tickets available from: Mrs Angela Berry - 01530 242578 Mrs Doreen Murby - 01530 243977

Businesses uncertain about the readiness of school leavers for work Eight in 10 businesses don’t believe school leavers are ready for work and say more should be done to help prepare them for employment, according to new findings from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). With thousands of GCSE students due to get their results later this week, 59 per cent of survey respondents who already employ 16 to 17-year-olds reported that their young employees had poor literacy skills. Numeracy was also judged to be poor by 55 per cent and 56 per cent said communication skills fell short. Unsurprisingly, two thirds of FSB members said that improving basic literacy and numeracy skills would better prepare young people for work in a small business. And, with figures last week showing there are still a million young people without work, the FSB is concerned that young people not equipped with these skills will find it tough to compete in today’s job market. Of the 2,774 survey respondents that employ 16 to 17-year-olds, 77 per cent also found that school leavers’ general business awareness was poor. So extending the duty on schools to provide careers’ guidance to pupils as early as possible is key. Early careers guidance and equipping young people with skills such as CV writing, time-keeping, problem solving and team working would not only help employers, but would give young people a better understanding of potential jobs and career paths. John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Businesses are more than ready to invest time and money training staff in job-related skills, but expect them to come with at least the basics. It is a concern that businesses have again highlighted numeracy, literacy and core workplace skills, such as communication, as major problems. “These are the skills with which young people need to be equipped with to be successful in today’s tough jobs market. We want to see schools give these skills a higher priority by embedding them in all teaching from an early stage. All schools should be offering work experience to their pupils and engaging with local small businesses to ensure that young people are getting the workrelated learning that they need.”

Markfield Guides (left to right) Lizzie Pye, Emma Munson, Hannah Cox, Faye Henderson and Alice Featherstone were awarded their Baden Powell Awards at a Ceremony held at the new Walk Museum in Leicester earlier in the year.

Rainbows Open Day: 15th September Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday, 15th September between 10.30am and 3.00pm. An official opening of their silver medal winning Chelsea garden will be at 12.30pm. The Open Day is intended to give all members of the public an opportunity to visit the East Midlands’ only children’s hospice and discover more about the work they do. Each year over 1,000 visitors attend to meet care team staff, tour the building, enjoy refreshments and browse the merchandise stalls. This year’s Open Day will be even more interesting as visitors will be given the opportunity to see the garden that won a silver medal at the famous Chelsea Flower Show. The garden is a place of relaxation and reflection. It provides a tranquil area to help parents and staff deal with the extremely emotional day-to-day challenges of working and living with life-limited children. Geoff Ellis, CEO at Rainbows commented: “To see a Chelsea garden once the flower show is over is a rare sight - They are normally broken up on the last day of the exhibition. Our garden is special, as Freemasons from Leicestershire and Rutland, along with their Grand Charity, made a hugely generous donation to ensure that the garden was fully funded to be recreated at Rainbows. The Provincial Grand Master for Leicestershire & Rutland, Right Worshipful Brother David Hagger will officially open the garden at 12.30pm. Everyone in the community is welcome to come along.” Throughout the day, visitors can also meet members of the care team. They will be available in a number of rooms (including the hydrotherapy pool, music room, multi-sensory room and soft play room) to give detailed information on the therapeutic treatments each room is used for. Mr Ellis added: “Ultimately, we want everyone in the East Midlands to have the opportunity see the difference their support makes to Rainbows, we now care for more families than ever before in a fantastic environment. Although Rainbows is a hospice, it’s also a happy place full of fun and laughter. We are sure everyone will enjoy their visit.” Visitors are welcome to arrive at Rainbows on Lark Rise, Loughborough, LE11 2HS at any time during the open day. For more information on the charity, call 01509 638000 or visit www.rainbows.co.uk

Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

All the latest news from Markfield Community Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Legacy

The soggy Village Diamond Jubilee events at the centre in June are becoming a distant memory even though many people still come up to us and say what a wonderful day it was. I am constantly reminded of the celebrations every time I go down to the centre by the red, white and blue flowers in the hanging boxes and planters – they are gorgeous. Bearing in mind that we planted especially in time for the Jubilee but our work was hampered by the bad weather and they didn’t blossom into their full glory until now. Still they have seen us through the Olympics and gave us a nice display through what is left of the summer.

Skate Park Update

Things are moving on nicely with the planning of the new skate park. With the help of our skate park kids we have trawled through numerous designs and quotes and have settled on our preffreered option. The new site will be a concrete base to reduce noise and maintenance costs and includes new features that the kids have asked for. The features include an area for younger kids to learn their skills and a seated spectator area for mums, dads and grandparents to safely watch their offspring try out their bikes and skateboards. The new skate park will be on the original site and a copy of the proposed plan is on display at the Centre for your comments. The big task now is getting all the money together so that it doesn’t cost you or the Parish Council. We have spent hours on bids to the Big Lottery, SPORTED, Post Code Lottery, Shires Environmental Development Fund and even our young people have submitted an application to the Sir Andrew Martin Trust for Young People, So, it is everything crossed for our bids to be successful. We will still need to raise some money ourselves through fund raising events and sponsorship and, as I mentioned in the last edition of the Herald our Our local County Councillor and resident David Sprason has bravely offered to do a sponsored 24 hour Discothon to help. He has secured a record playing disco and is raring to go. All we need to do now is set a date for what will be a fun day. I have dusted down all my old vinyl records and I am looking forward to hearing them once again especially my Rolling Stones albums. To help keep down the cost we will be appealing for volunteers to come down to the Centre and help us clear the site prior to construction of the new skate park. If you are willing to help us out we would be eternally grateful.

Volunteer Uganda Charity Event

On Saturday 11th August villager Joe Hayes and his family and friends held a special fund raising event at Markfield Community Centre to raise funds for the Volunteer Uganda Charity. Joe’s aim was to raise money for the education and medical treatment in the poverty stricken villages of Kazuru and Kanugu in Uganda. Joe has been involved in this charity for some time and actually travelled to Uganda to teach in primary schools in these villages. Struck by the lack of education and medical services, poverty and ill health, Joe was determined to raise funds to help out. The day consisted of a fivea-side football competition involving eight teams. The eventual winners were Rangers who overcome Niall’s Team in a hard fought final. Trophies were presented by the Mayor Cllr. Martin Cartwright and his wife Sue (pictured above). But that was not the end as the day also included bouncy castles, sumo wrestling and scrumptious burgers and hot dogs. In the evening there was a fund raising event that included a live band, disco, karaoke and other competitions. Overall Joe raised £1000. We must give full credit to Joe for all his hard work and it is great to see a young person so dedicated to helping out others and trying his hardest to make a difference. Well done Joe.

Centre’s Summer Play Scheme

That’s another summer over and the kids have gone back to school. Thanks to a donation from the trustees of the Miner’s Welfare and the Borough Council’s Summer Play Scheme fund we managed to put on a whole range of activities for our kids over the summer. A great success was our Soccer Coaching School that was

Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life.

& Sports Centre attended by hoards of aspiring young footballers. Now it is back to the planning board for next year and if you have any ideas of what we should include please let us know.

Annual trip to Skeggy

At 8am on the sunny morning of Wednesday 22nd August a coach load of excited villagers both young and old set out from Markfield to enjoy a day at Skeggy. What a great day it was. The weather stayed fine and warm despite it getting a bit black over “Bill’s mother’s”. Even the tide was in for most of the day and the donkeys were doing a roaring trade plying up and down the beach. It is still nice to spend the day at one of our traditional seaside resorts enjoying the pleasures of fish and chips, ice cream and all the fun of the fair. ‘When’s the next trip?’ was the cry when we got back safe and sound to Markfield.

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My mate is in love with two school bags. He’s bi-satchel.

Farmers’ Energy Price Rise Strikes Market Festival this month

On 22nd August, SSE announced that would put its prices up by 9% or £69 for gas and 9% or £50 for electricity. The increase will hit its standard tariffs, affecting 8.4 million customers. It will add an extra £119 to the average SSE standard dual fuel bill, which will increase from £1,235 to £1,354 as a result.

A FARMERS’ MARKET Festival showcasing locally produced food will be held in Hinckley on Thursday 20 September.

The festival, which is being jointly staged by the Borough Council and the Hinckley Town Centre Partnership, will take place in Market Place, Hinckley from 9am until 3pm and will feature a wide variety of locally produced cakes, cheeses, meats, pies, preserves and eggs. There will also be other activities running throughout the day, including wool spinning by the ‘Ewe to You Group’, sheep and pigs and a children’s craft activity in the United Reformed Church. Anyone who wishes to be added to the Borough Council’s mailing list for up-to-date information on who’s going to be at the festival and future markets can email gary.shepherd@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk or find the Borough Council on Facebook or Twitter. Farmers’ Markets are held every third Thursday of the month in Market Place, Hinckley and on the first Saturday of every month in Burbage.

The move is a blow to consumers as it paves the way for other suppliers to increase their prices too. And while E.ON has frozen its prices for the rest of this year, the announcement sends a clear warning that household energy bills are on the rise again. SSE increased its prices in December 2010 and September 2011 by 21.9% or £227 in total. It cut them in March this year by 2.4% or £30. It wasn’t alone - by November 2011 all the big six suppliers had increased their prices twice in little more than a year and all announced a single digit, single fuel price cut in January 2012. Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “This is a serious blow for cash-strapped consumers. With winter on its way households will now have to brace themselves for higher fuel prices too. Last winter, over eight in ten households (83%) rationed their energy use because of cost - a round of price hikes this winter will condemn many more to this misery too. “It’s important that consumers now take action to protect themselves. There are two key steps to keeping a lid on your energy bills - use less energy by making your home more energy efficient and move to a more competitive energy deal. There’s good news here on both fronts, with many free or heavily-subsidised insulation offers on the market and some extremely competitive ‘best buy’ energy deals too. Some of these plans are also fixed price so offer certainty and security too. “The key thing is to take action - the difference between the cheapest energy plan in the market and the most expensive is £315 - this is a substantial saving and could make a real difference for those who are worried or struggling with bills.” For more information visit www.uSwitch.com or call 0800 093 06 07.

COALVILLE MALE VOICE CHOIR will give a concert at Markfield Methodist Church on Saturday, 6th October at 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale priced £5 and include light refreshments. The event is part of the church’s harvest thanksgiving weekend and all proceeds are for the Project Malawi Trust a charity which the church has supported for a number of years. This promises to be a most entertaining evening. We hope that you can join us. Linda Walmsley

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I’d like to see things your way, but I’m looking in another direction.

15 Our next meeting is to be on 13th September, at 7.30 p.m. in Thornton Community Centre. SPEAKER: LARAINE TUCKER - TOPIC: TAI CHI You may have seen pictures of people engaging in Tai Chi exercise in parks before embarking upon the stressful routines of a busy day? Tai Chi practitioners recommend the benefits of this ancient art, not only as a martial art , but also as a form of moving meditation. Experiments have shown that whilst engaging in Tai Chi our brain produces a tranquil brain wave. Many people in the East keep up this discipline in order to live longer and look younger. T’ai chi ch’uan (often shortened to Tai Chi) is a type of internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defence training and its health benefits. We book our cars in for a regular service to ensure all alignment and management units are in order for the car to perform well, and to last. Enthusiasts believe that the benefit of carrying out the repetition of performing the Tai Chi sequence correctly has a similar outcome. They believe that, each time we enter into empty mind by repeating the sequence, our energy flow is activated, our system cleansed, our body repairs itself and our alignment is adjusted. Thus we

THORNTON W.I. NEWS

are psychologically enhanced and philosophically transformed. Ultimately we may each become a more positive, appreciative and compassionate person. We look forward to hearing more about the subject and to, perhaps, trying some moves ourselves! With the Zumba Class next door to us in the Sports Hall and Tai Chi in the Main Hall, the Centre will certainly be a hive of interesting activity on the 13th! At our meetings we always have a Members’ Competition; this month it will be for an attractive handkerchief.

The earliest known reference to a handkerchief is in the works of the Roman poet Catallus, who was born in 84B.C. Initially they were used by men to wipe perspiration from their hands and faces. Later, it became popular for Patrician women to carry them. They were made of linen and were items of great expense, - so much so, that they became a symbol of the power and refinement of life in Ancient Rome. In the Middle Ages it became customary to wave them in church to signify one’s approval of the sermon. Queen Elizabeth 1 is credited for the rise in popularity of the handkerchief in England; in

1562 she received 72 beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs as New Year Gifts – all of which were treasured as tokens of appreciation from her court. Victorian children were lined up in the school playgrounds and had to show that they had clean hands and a clean rag to use as a handkerchief before they trooped into school! (Oh, those sniffs!) I , myself, remember the prominence of boxed sets of embroidered handkerchiefs chosen as Christmas presents for aunties when I was a child. Now it’s much more common for us to have the obligatory box of paper tissues handily available. Children who fell into my tender care at Thornton School will remember my habit of tying a knot in my hankie to help me to remember something... and also my finding the said handkerchief in my coat pocket on the following day... knot still intact and reminder forgotten! It will be interesting to see the variety of handkerchiefs on display for our competition. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A BRING & BUY STALL Please come along and spend an interesting evening with us. You will be made very welcome. There is a Visitor’s Fee of £2.

Muriel Walker

My wife accused me of being self-important. I nearly fell off my throne.

Julia Bradbury becomes a Patron of LOROS Julia is best known as a TV presenter of programmes such as ‘Countryfile’, ‘Watchdog’ and most recently ‘Planet Earth Live’. ‘Wainwright Walks’ saw her walking in the footsteps of the famous fellwalker and guide writer Alfred Wainwright, followed by the 192 mile journey across the UK in the series ‘Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast’. All these activities helped to see Julia recognised as 2010’s ‘Travel Personality of the Year’ and more recently winner of the National Trust’s Octavia Hill People’s Award given to those in the public eye who have raised the profile and importance of the green outdoors for wildlife and our general wellbeing, through writing, and TV work. Diane Morris, Fundraising Manager for LOROS said; “LOROS is extremely honoured that someone in the public eye and as well respected as Julia has agreed to become a LOROS Patron. As Julia still has roots in Rutland and an affinity with cancer related charities, she is a perfect representative for LOROS and will help greatly to raise awareness of the wide range of care services we provide and to boost our fundraising missions. ” Julia Bradbury said; “Being local to Leicestershire and Rutland, I am thrilled to become a LOROS Patron. “Having had personal experience of cancer within my family, any difference I can make to the marvellous work LOROS does for the 2,500 local patients and their families LOROS supports each year, is indeed a great privilege. I look forward to helping whenever I can. ”

Photo courtesy of the BBC

LOROS are delighted to announce that Julia Bradbury has kindly agreed to be a Patron of LOROS.

The Grand Central Chorus Success in the National Championships in May has not reduced the Chorus’s desire to expand the interest in its style of singing. As already reported last month they are to hold an open night at their rehearsal on the 19th September, 2012, specifically aimed at educating singers in the style but they would welcome visitors of any gender at any rehearsal if there is a desire to hear them sing. The rehearsal address is as always Harrington School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BJ, and the time 7.15.pm. every Wednesday. Those who may wish to see the Chorus in performance can do so at the Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers Convention being held at the International Centre, Telford TF3 4JH over the week-end of the 26th – 28th October, 2012. The Chorus are performing in the Saturday evening show which starts at 7.30.pm. It will include the top Ladies Barbershop Chorus along with both male and female quartets. Anyone requiring an entertainment should contact Peter on 01530 243822 or e-mail publicity.gcc@gmail.com . Any number of singers can be provided from four to forty. Fees are negotiable. Quality is guaranteed. For enquiries regarding sponsorship contact Mitch on 07866519837 or e-mail as above To find out more about the Chorus visit the website AT: www.grandcentralchorus.com

I used to go out with an anaesthetist - she was a local girl ...

Former Dunlop Site in Bagworth

Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

Residents will be reminded that this former employment site on Station Road in Bagworth received planning permission some 18 months ago for 61 dwellings and small business units. This proposal was supported by us as it offered the chance to boost the local economy and offer potential local employment. Since then, nothing has happened until Chris was invited to a meeting on site with the owners, representatives of Bovis Homes and planning officers. Chris stated from the outset that he needed the best possible deal for Bagworth if the village had to take a reduction of affordable homes on the site - as seems the norm these days - due to the current economical climate. Discussions ensued and we can now reveal that a deal has been reached and will be signed with an amendment to the original permission. There will still be a development of 61 dwellings and 11% of those will be affordable, a slight reduction in the square footage of business units from 2800 sq ft

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel 0116 238 8301 or 07704 345637 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.co.uk

to 2485 but will still provide up to 12 units on site and 580 sq ft of play and open space that will not have play equipment on ( grassed play area ). Financially , there will be a provision of £7,000 for maintenance to this grassed area once gifted to the Parish Council. Furthermore, Chris has secured £35,208 that can be used towards the replacement of the Bagworth Sports Pavillion and a further £20,000 towards the completion of the next phase of regenerating Bagworth Community Centre. This again, was the best option for the village and the long awaited infrastructure of the village is taking another step forward.

Cllr Ozzy O’Shea Tel 0116 239 4336 or 07808 585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Community Governance Review Last month we reported on the submissions to H.B.B.C. regarding the possibility of splitting the Parish Council so that both villages gets its own. The working group at H.B.B.C, have recommended the split but have agreed to a second round of consultation so that ALL residents can have their say. Frequently asked questions will be on this consultation paper and a non response will be taken as though

you have no objection. The Parish Council will have an input in advising you of the cost implications as H.B.B.C. will not pay for any costs involved such as setting a new precept, employment of staff and maintenance contracts. That cost will be met by residents. The recommendation suggests Bagworth has a 6 seat Council and Thornton has 5 seats. Currently, 35 submissions have been received from Bagworth accepting the proposal and 4 from Thornton that are against.

Goodbye to the Maynard The August Bank Holiday saw a group of local residents in Bagworth hold an informal get-together in the grounds of the former pub to have a picnic/bbq and drinks to say goodbye to this grand old lady. The Maynard is due for demolition on the 20th of September to make way for housing and the Co-op. Although the Police were in attendance after a tip-off that intruders were on the site, we had secured permission from the owners for residents to be there and a good time was had by all those who came including us.

Chris & Ozzy Working for you.

As a kid, I was made to walk the plank. We couldn’t afford a dog.

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CLA welcomes progress on Scrap Metal Dealers Bill New laws to prevent metal theft have moved closer after the House of Commons completed the second reading of Richard Ottaway MP’s Scrap Metal Dealers Bill. The CLA welcomes this progress as part of its ongoing “Scrap the Cash” campaign. The CLA’s Scrap the Cash campaign won a major victory with the passing of the Legal Aid Act earlier this year after the CLA President met Home Office Minister Lord Henley to ensure cash payments by scrap metal dealers would be prohibited. The CLA has made it clear to MPs that to combat the rise of metal theft the following measures should remain within the final Bill: • the extension of the licensing regime to itinerant traders through the proposed collectors licence mechanism, • making the grant of a licence conditional on the suitability of the applicant, • the introduction of powers to revoke a licence in cases in which the authority considers that the holder is no longer a suitable person, • the introduction of a power to close unauthorised scrap dealers, and • the proposed enhancement of the record-keeping requirements because it is essential there is a full and proper paper trail for all scrap metal transactions so that the origins of any metal sold can be traced back to its original owner.

Apply online and on time for school places Parents are urged to look out for school place application packs which will be landing on doormats across Leicestershire. From the first week of September, around 12,500 parents will receive forms for children who transfer to secondary, high or upper school in the autumn term 2013. Leicestershire County Council is reminding parents that moving to the next school is not automatic and encouraging them to apply before the 31st October closing date. The transfer process is the same for a local authority school or a recentlyconverted academy. If parents apply late - even if they live next door to the school - their child is unlikely to get a place. Anyone expressing a preference for a non-catchment school is urged to also apply for a place at their child’s catchment school. Online applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt and be able to view the decision on 1st March 2013. Parents can also apply by post if they wish. To find out more, please visit www.leics.gov.uk/admissions, email admissions@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 6684. Independent advice is also available through the Choice Advice Service on 0116 275 2097 or parent-partnership-service@leics.gov.uk .

My memory’s not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory’s not as sharp as it used to be.

Please Don’t Miss Mttg’s September Production “HOBSON’S CHOICE” – a Lancashire comedy by Harold Brighouse. Wednesday 19th To Saturday 22nd September At Thornton Community Centre, at 7.30pm Nightly. Tickets For “Hobson’s Choice” are priced at £5 (£4 Concessions)and are available NOW at THORNTON‘S CORNER SHOP, (on the corner of Church Lane), or tel: 01455 822148 or from any Group member

Markfield HomeMakers Programme for 2012 Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm. Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436 Sep 12th Thomas Coxon Feng Shui & Chinese Horoscopes Oct 10th ~ Fiona Ure Everything stops for tea Nov 14th ~ Food Link Dec 12th ~ Christmas Party Jan 9th ~ Dinner

The play has been described as a mixture of “boots, booze, love and laughter”. As rehearsals progress, we are constantly aware of how well-written the play is, and delight in the characters which Brighouse created. Henry Hobson, a widower with a weakness for the pub opposite, runs a successful bootmaker’s shop in nineteenth-century Salford. If he could focus enough to peer through the alcoholic haze, he would see that he has three beautiful daughters, a talented assistant and a successful business. If he’s not careful, though, he’ll lose the lot. He drinks his profits and refuses to let his daughters marry as he tries forcefully to run their lives. Maggie, Henry’s eldest daughter, through sheer stubbornness, determination and the occasional choice word, keeps her father and his business sailing in the right direction. Her heart seems as hard as her tongue is sharp, but perhaps there is one man who can bring about a most out-ofcharacter change. Then there’s Willie Mossop, Henry’s talented boot-hand. He is the unacknowledged success behind Hobson’s business and a man for whom the phrase ‘wouldn’t say boo to a goose’ was surely invented! One of Henry’s daughters is about to turn the timid cobbler’s world upside down. Please come along to see our production – we can promise you an entertaining evening and we would really appreciate your support.

Muriel Walker

How the transistor radio began 65 years ago ... Way back in 1955, the radio was that big box in your living room which Mum and Dad controlled. Then transistors and batteries replaced the valves and mains electricity, and radios shrank in size, so that they could be carried around. The transistor itself was invented in 1947 by Bell Laboratories in the US, to provide reasonably portable hearing aids. It tooks only a few years for other inventors to realise this miracle of miniaturisation had wider applications. The first truly commercial transistor radio – the TR-55 - arrived in August 1955, made by a Japanese company that later became Sony. The first British trannie followed in 1956 from Pye. Then in 1967, 55 years ago, the Sony TR-63 was at last small enough to be truly portable. Even so, the manufacturers ordered shirts with extra large pockets - so that their salesmen could demonstrate how these new radios could be tucked away.

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Extracts fromMarkfield Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on Tuesday 3rd July 2012. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration. • June 2012 Crime Figures: • 1 Burglary Dwelling: Hillside, on going investigation • 8 Theft Froms: Elliotts Lane x2, Bracken Way x1, Little Shaw Lane x3, Chitterman Way x1, Janes Way x1 • Catalytic Converters and Diesel stolen • 1 Theft of Motor Vehicle: Little Shaw Lane • 10 Other Non Core Crimes recorded • Additional patrols are now in place. • Burglary other than dwelling, - Link Rise • Theft from motor vehicle x 2; - Leicester Road, and Chitterman Way • 15 other crimes reported PCSO S Williams reported that there had also been incidents of youths climbing onto the roof of Markfield Medical Centre. Speeding on Thornton Lane, PC Harlock had previously informed the clerk that the speed checks have been done, by the Road Policing Unit and the majority were speeding. She suggested that the metal post should be sited just as you enter Markfield from Thornton. The cost would be about £150. Resolved, the Parish Council would pay £150.00 for the installation of a metal post. Car Sales on A50 at the Field Head Roundabout – It was suggested that the Leics County Highways could plant some sort of “Green Screening” such as the Willow Tree planting to the junction of the M1 roundabout. • Overgrown footpaths, highway verges, litter and debris along Shaw Lane: A resident had contacted the clerk regarding the overgrown footpath general lack of maintenance and car parking on the verges. Mr

Sprason stated that Mrs Sprason had already discussed the area with the Neighbourhood Warden and the matter would be dealt with by the County Council. • School walking route policy: - Mr Sprason stated that the policy had been amended accordingly to take into account of DFES guidance. • Grants: 1. The Community Forum had awarded £3475 towards the new skate park project in Markfield. 2. The new BMX cycle track project had been awarded a Shire Grant and Big Society Grant of £6000 3. Bagworth & Thornton had been awarded a Shire Grant and a Big Society Grant of £10 000. • Paintballing Sas 22, Cliffe Lane: - Several members raised concerns about rocks adjacent to the highway being painted red and black. The large advertising signs along the highway were very visually intrusive and distracting to drivers particularly due to their size. • Miners’ Welfare Institute: Mr Lay stated that a new application had been submitted, but it hadn’t been verified yet.He stated that the Trustees’ had now set aside a donation of £35000 towards the new skate park project. Resolved, upon completion of the project a commemorative plaque should be installed to recognise the Miner’s Welfare Institute’s contribution. • Governments new National Planning and Policy Framework: Mr Lay stated that Wind Turbines were classed as a permitted development under the new regulations, but the planning application for the Wind Turbines at the equestrian Centre had been withdrawn.

• Bob Jone’s Garage, The Green: - Mr T Lockley had received complaints from residents of The Green and allotment holders about the large number of vehicles parked around the garage and on the grass verges in front of the allotment gates. Mr Lay stated that the Borough Council were already looking into the matter. • 4 stone planters, Summer bedding scheme – Main Street: - Mrs Lay and Mrs Gondolo-Gordon had completed the summer bedding planting scheme. The Fuchsias were donated by Mr Hartshorn; the clerk would write on behalf of the Parish Council and thank him for his contribution. • Community Centre Skate park: - Mr Springthorpe had repaired the park again. Mr Lay stated that MCA had received a donation of £2000 from the Miners’ Welfare Institute for the maintenance of the skate park; he would discuss this with Mr & Mrs Grantham. Mr B Gannon, Mr B Walmsley and Mr T Lockley had met with several companies and three quotations had been obtained for the installation of a new skate park: 1. £40 000 2. £55 000 3. £70 000 Mr B Gannon, Mr B Walmsley and Mr T Lockley recommended the company “Gravity” quoting the £40 000 option. After a site meeting with the user groups and company the final scheme was being redesigned. A further £8 000 would be needed to remove and dispose of the old park. Mr Walmsley stated that a total of £40 000 funding had been approved so far : £35 000 - Miners’ Welfare Institute £ 3 500 - Community Forum £ 2 000 - MCA

A further £20 000 Funding applications were being completed. £10 000 - Big Society Grant £ 5 000 - Shire Grant £ 5 000 - SportEd Mr Walmsley stated that including contingencies for new litter bins, seating, higher fencing and raising the ground level; a total of £55 000 would be needed to complete the project. • MUGA: - Mr M Springthorpe had inspected the wooden boards and fencing and completed the outstanding repairs. Neither the clerk or Mr Grantham had been able to locate any of the original construction diagrams – relating to the pitch drainage.

Who’d be a landlord? Excerpts from real life requests sent by tenants: 1. “In accordance with your instructions, I have given birth to twins in the enclosed envelope.” 2. “This is to let you know that there is a smell coming from the man next door.” 3. “I request your permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.” 4. “Can you please tell me when our repairs are going to be done as my wife is about to become an expectant mother.” 5. “The toilet is blocked, and we cannot bathe the children until it is cleared.” 6. “Will you please send someone to mend our broken path. Yesterday my wife tripped on it and is now pregnant.”

It takes about a week of treatment to cure a cold, but without treatment it takes about seven days.

Old Telly Series on DVD

Village Hall The Complete Second Series

Are you addicted to Facebook? Now you can easily find out. Psychologists in Bergen, Norway, have designed a chart of symptoms that will alert you if you have an unhealthy devotion to social networking. It seems that ‘addicts’ are more likely to be younger people, and on the whole, women. People who suffer from anxiety or social insecurity are heavier users of the website, because they find it more comfortable to use technology than interact directly with other people. Also, extroverts are in more danger of addiction than the well-organised and ambitious, who use the website primarily for work or networking purposes. So – are you addicted? Here is the chart – how do you score? Are these your symptoms? • At the beginning: ‘You spend a lot of time thinking about Facebook, or planning use of Facebook.’ • The next level is: ‘You feel an urge to use Facebook more and more.’ • Then: ‘You use Facebook in order to forget about personal problems.’ • Then: ‘You have tried to cut down on the use of Facebook, without success.’ • Then: ‘You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using Facebook.’ • Finally: ‘You use Facebook so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies.’ The study is published in the journal Psychological Reports.

With outstanding scripts written by Jack Rosenthal, BAFTA nominee Willis Hall and Peter Ransley, Donald Churchill and star of Randall and Hopkirk, Kenneth Cope, Network is thrilled to announce the DVD release of VILLAGE HALL- THE COMPLETE SECOND SERIES (Cert. TBC), available to buy from all good retailers on 24th September 2012, RRP £19.99. Each episode in this Granada anthology series features a story centred on the events taking place in a typical village hall. The eponymous village hall is used variously as a polling station, a football team’s changing room and also a venue for its annual dinner, a meeting place for a conflict-ridden writer’s group and even a temporary shelter when a street is evacuated. The hall is the focus point for diverse storylines exploring the personal lives and idiosyncrasies of locals and visitors alike; buried tensions, secret loves and rivalry are all laid bare in this gently humorous portrait of provincial English life. This second series sees the village hall hosting a beauty contest with a few surprises, the increasingly ambitious pie-making efforts of two love rivals, the controversial visit of a German brass band, and the final reunion of a wartime battalion. Performers include John Le Mesurier, Zoë Wanamaker, Joan Hickson, Anton Rodgers, Kenneth Cranham, Jan Francis, and Dinah Sheridan.

Your mighty toddler Any mother has already suspected as much: the daily energy expended by a toddler is the equivalent of 83 rounds in a boxing ring. A study by nutritionists with the Growing Up Milk company has found that the activity of children under five is also the equivalent to an adult: running 30 miles; cycling 82 miles; climbing 2,800 metres, or rowing for six hours. It equates pound for pound to a 3,600 calorie daily diet. No wonder toddlers need three times as much energy as adults.

A suburban mum’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.

Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd Rescues the LOROS Fireworks Event Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd, based in Loughborough, heard that without a main sponsor the LOROS Fireworks event would be cancelled and came to the rescue. Morningside has supplied quality pharmaceuticals and medical device products both in the UK and internationally for over 20 years. Diane Morris, Fundraising Manager for LOROS said “I am thrilled that Morningside Pharmaceuticals have agreed to sponsor the LOROS Fireworks Event so that the event can continue. I am extremely grateful to them for their generosity and support of LOROS and very much look forward to working with them to raise further funds for LOROS. I have been overwhelmed by the response to our plea and feel humbled that so many people have come forward wanting to support LOROS.” The Caterpillar Cares Society, formed and run by the workforce at Caterpillar BCP Desford, have also agreed to donate a significant amount to the event. The workforce has attended the event since it was launched. Dr Nik Kotecha, Chief Executive Officer for Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd said “Having seen the appeal by LOROS in the media for a sponsor for their Fireworks Event, I felt I wanted to help such a worthwhile local cause. I know they support 2,500 patients and their families each year and the difference they make, so I had no hesitation in coming to their assistance once I knew the event would otherwise be cancelled. Events like these in the community play a major part in raising funds for charities and I am extremely pleased that the sponsorship from Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd will help generate valuable funds and provide a fantastic night of spectacular fireworks and entertainment.”

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason Crown Crest HGV route - Victory for Common Sense It has been over a year since Hinckley planning department decided to impose an unfair condition on Crown Crest that sent all the HGVs from the site through Botcheston and Markfield. The campaign to have this condition removed started the day after that planning meeting. Botcheston and Markfield residents rallied behind us, with success, to convince Crown Crest to submit an application to have the condition removed. Crown Crest obliged and applied in June with many residents writing letters of support. I am pleased to say that the members of the planning committee at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council listened to the local councillors, local residents and officers’ views. The committee agreed to get rid of the planning authorities unfair conditions imposed on Crown Crest. The decision helps reduce the risk on lives, reduces the cost to consumers, reduces CO2 omissions and reduces the wear and tear on the highway. I am disappointed that all members of the committee did not agree but in the end it is a victory for common sense. So we were pleased to see that the majority of the members did agree with the planning and highway officer’s recommendations to remove these conditions. The decision is welcomed and now allows HGVs from the Crown Crest site to use all legitimate legal HGV routes. They agreed not to send them 25 miles out of their way through a more dangerous route that impacted just on the villages of Botcheston and Markfield. The decision to remove the conditions positively affects 725 properties in the area, the conditions did put

children and older people lives at greater risk. We will now be working with Crown Crest to see if we can establish a liaison committee, which will include local residents, who will be able to monitor the HGV movements, the impact on local residents and address any concerns.

Implications for Bagworth & Thornton on the Local Governance review HBBC are proposing that the Parish of Bagworth & Thornton be split into two parishes. The proposal would see six parish councillors representing Bagworth and five parish councillors for Thornton. The council will send a consultation letter out to each elector that will explain the process. The consultation letter will give all voters the opportunity to comment on the proposal if no comment is received back this will be seen as support of the proposal. So it is up to all the voters in Bagworth & Thornton to respond to the consultation with your views on having two new Parish Councils. All the other area Parish Councils Markfield, Stanton under Bardon and Desford will continue in their current form.

Good luck to the Paralympians We’ve got a number of Leicestershire athletes taking part in the Paralympics so I was pleased to be able to send a good luck message. The Paralympics promise to be a brilliant sporting legacy, like the Olympics. Leicestershire is determined to have a strong sporting legacy from both events, so the council is encouraging people to take part in sport and get more active. Recent events like Sky Ride are a perfect way to get involved and our sports apprenticeship scheme is giving pupils the support and encouragement they need.

Congratulations to all our young people on passing GCSE and A level exams I would like to congratulate all the young people who have worked so hard in passing their GCSE and A level exams. If you are going on to further education, university, into training or employment can I wish you all the best for the future.

If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.

Booksale at Markfield Library Monday 10th September for 2 weeks During library opening hours Stock added daily

Markfield Medical Centre Patient Awareness Day No Appointment Necessary - just come along between 10am and 2pm Doctors Trzcinski, Heaton, Fernandez and Norgain and all the staff at Markfield Medical Centre would like to invite our patients to come along to an Open Day at the surgery on Saturday 15th September between 10am and 2pm. The purpose of the Open Day is to inform patients of all the services available and to make sure that patients are getting as much benefit as they possibly can from the surgery, in terms of whether a Doctor or a Nurse is the best person to see for a particular problem Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants will be here on the day to carry out free body mass index and blood pressure checks, and offer long term condition advice and support to all of our diabetic, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and heart failure patients. On the day Masons pharmacy will be offering smoking cessation advice, and we have representatives from the North West Leicestershire Active 4 Life team to offer lifestyle and exercise advice. A Diabetes Mobility pre screening unit will be offering screening to non窶電iabetic patients to make early diagnosis of this long term condition. This means that patients can take early action to change their diet which helps to minimise progress of the condition to a more severe stage. Our Patient Representatives will be here on the day so this will be a great opportunity to get to know them and to be able to have a point of contact if patients wish to feed anything back to the surgery. Our patient representatives work with the Doctors and staff at the surgery to shape and develop the services for the future.

No appointments are necessary so please come along and find out just what your Surgery can do for you. Markfield Medical Centre, 24 Chitterman Way, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9WU

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Find out how you could save a life!

MTTG Members Learn First Aid

LETTER

First aid is an important skill. By performing simple procedures and following certain guidelines, it may be possible to save lives by giving basic treatment until professional medical help arrives. Why not come and join Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group which has organised a First Aid training course for its members, run by Skillbase First Aid, to be held on: • When: Saturday 17th November, from 9:00a.m - 1:00pm • Where: At Thornton Community Centre. This 4 hour introductory course is designed to give participants a general overview of first aid procedures. The course covers adult resuscitation, the recovery position, burns and minor injuries. On successful completion, each participant will receive a certificate of attendance, valid for 3 years. At a much reduced fee of £20, you could benefit from this opportunity to gain a First Aid qualification directly approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) If you are interested in reserving a place, please contact Anne on 01530469714 or email t.dobrowolski@ntlworld.com

Plant a tree for the Jubilee! The Woodland Trust wants to plant a tree for you in The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood in Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire, this autumn. All it needs is £20 from you. For this Jubilee Woods project, every tree will be planted in the Woodland Trust Supporters’ Grove. You would receive a Limited Edition, numbered certificate which you can personalise with your own words of dedication, in a special souvenir gift pack. You could also be included in their Royal Record of people who celebrated Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by planting trees. Within a few short years, this site will be a flourishing woodland jewel, providing enjoyment and recreation for generations to come, and a home to wildlife.

I would like to thank all who came to the Open House and the parties for my 90th birthday, and also to all who gave me donations to the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance. The photo above shows me handing over the total donation of £450 to the Air Ambulance pilot. Thanks to all for making it a wonderful day.

Evelyn Snell Markfield

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I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.

Charity to host Support Days in September The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation will be hosting Information and Support days from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. at Ulverscroft Grange Community Support and Wellbeing Centre, during the month of September. If you have Parkinson’s, care for someone who does or just want to know more, then come along and talk to Pat Lower, the Parkinson’s Information & Support worker, or Pat Wilkins, from Support for Carers, on Tuesday 11th September 2012. Join us on Tuesday 25th September 2012 for a Multiple Sclerosis Information & Well-Being Day, for sufferers and families. You will have the opportunity to meet your local Support Officer and MS nurse and there will be advice for the promotion of continence, support for carers and numerous information leaflets. Kathleen Wass, Support Co-ordinator for the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation said “we are pleased to be hosting these information days as we are trying to reach the people in the community who can often feel isolated, are struggling to cope with their disability or just need a friendly ear to talk over their problems.” The Foundation’s Tea Rooms, Charity Shops and Wheelchair Friendly Walkways will also be open on both of these dates. For more information about any of these support days please telephone Kathleen Wass on 01530 244914 or email kathleen@shuttlewood-clarke.org.

Glenfield U3A Cream Tea Fest

Look What’s On At The Palace, Ibstock 57 High Street, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6LH • Tel: 01530 267303

~ Forthcoming Events ~ Friday, 7th September – Charity Organ Concert with Brett Wales. Tickets: £6.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or Mr Martin, Tel: 01455 290145 or Mr Lines, Tel: 01530 457274. Saturday, 8th September - Palace Social Dance – A very popular evening of Ballroom, Latin, and Sequence with Eddie ‘The Collector’, (D J and host). Doors/box office/bar open at 7.00pm. Dancing from 7.30pm ‘til 11.00pm. Tickets: £5.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460. Friday, 14th September – 100 years of Film Quiz – Start Time: 8.00pm. Entry: £5 per quiz sheet. Teams of 5 max. Trophy to the winners. Spot Prizes. No mobile communication devices allowed! For More details call Tel: 01530 267300.

August is generally regarded as a quiet month for most organisations, and on this assumption Glenfield U3A decided not to have a speaker, as is their usual practice, but to celebrate the ‘summer’ with a cream tea with strawberries instead. This proved a resounding success. As can be seen from the photograph, there was a large turn-out. What is not obvious was the buzz of conversation, as everyone got to talk with their fellow members. To help break the ice and encourage discussion, Chairperson Carol Knill provided a general knowledge quiz, which really got the old grey matter working! It was pleasing to see not only a good number of existing members, but quite a few visitors too – several of whom signed up on the spot – bringing the membership to over 200. Not bad, for an organisation that is barely two years old. The 27 September meeting speaker is Helen Peden. Her topic is ‘Jane Eyre, tales behind the tale’. The 25 October meeting speaker is Graham Fortey. His topic is ‘A-Z of advertising’. Why not come along and try for yourself? You’ll be made most welcome! Meetings are at 2.00pm on the fourth Thursday of each month, at St Peter’s Church Centre, Glenfield. Full information and contact details are available on the website www. u3asitec.org.uk. Alternatively contact Membership Secretary Janet Fenton on 0751 402 0654, or Chairperson Carol Knill on 0116 291 9464.

Friday, 21st September - Film Night –‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ (PG13) ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ is supposed to be India’s answer for the UK’s most elegant retirees – a place where they can spend their golden years surrounded by lush amenities – that is, until seven retirees who are in need of a transformation find themselves on the front steps of the not-quite-ready resort. Thus begins a comic, romantic and poignant adventure in a land full of unexpected pleasures, brought to life by some of the most honoured and accomplished screen actors of our time. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Sunday, 23rd September Palace Indoor Car boot Sale from 9.00am – 1.00pm. Pick up a bargain! Admission 20p. For More details or to book a stall call Maureen on Tel 01530 452028.

Friday, 5th October – Charity Organ Concert. Tickets: £6.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or Mr Martin, Tel: 01455 290145 or Mr Lines, Tel: 01530 457274. Saturday, 6th October - The Palace Craft & Gift Fair from 10.00am until 3.00pm. FREE ADMISSION. Large variety of interesting stalls, plus craft supplies. Saturday, 6th October – The Palace Community Centre’s 6th Birthday Party. Celebrate with the amazing ‘Party Knights’. A glittering night’s entertainment is guaranteed. Great songs from 50’s, 60’s 70’s and 80’s. Plus fabulous disco to keep you dancing all night! Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.30pm. Party starts at 8.00pm. Tickets: £7.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460. Sunday, 7th October – Northumberland Theatre Company presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. In conjunction with ‘Centre Stage’, the rural touring theatre scheme). An original, imaginative take on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, a delightful, accessible and funny introduction to Shakespeare for children and adults alike. Tickets: £8.00, concessions £6.00, Combination ticket (1 Adult & 2 concessions) £16.00 From Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

I don’t consider myself bald. I’m simply taller than my hair.

26 Happiness and How it Happens: Finding contentment through mindfulness By Suryacitta

Happiness and How It Happens reveals how happiness is a state of being we all want and can have, because happiness is our true nature! Suryacitta, aka The Happy Buddha, explores what happiness actually is and how we all can achieve it through the transformational practice of mindfulness meditation. Extract: “Happiness is the absence of unhappiness - it is not a thing in itself, and this is very important to understand. Happiness happens quite naturally when we cease our addiction to living in the future and past, which are full of promise and anxiety on the one hand, and regret and longing for on the other. “When we cease getting distracted and agitated by our thinking minds, which recall the past and create the future, tensions that we may have carried around for years, are slowly being resolved and dissolved. This happens because we are no longer ignoring the body, but giving it the attention it deserves. we could even say that we are listening to the body and the reward of that listening is the healing of (quite often unacknowledged) pain that we have carried around for years. “Also, as the tensions and contractions begin to release we will experience more energy - more vitality and aliveness. It can be a ‘welcome to life’ experience.” AMAZON PRICE: £5.99

20 First Dates By Rebecca Maddox

Rebecca K. Maddox is 30 years old. After many years as a single Christian woman, she embarked on a dating experiment - to go on twenty first dates, with twenty men, met in twenty different ways. Over the course of a year, Rebecca spent hours trawling profiles on the Internet. She was driven in a rusty car with no floor and chased by an angry granny. She narrowly escaped a squirting tiger and a falling pigeon, attempted to eat a variety of foodstuffs while trying to look attractive, and struggled in and out of her glad rags in the toilets of approximately ten trains to London. She was confused, amused, frustrated and dazzled in equal measure. Her true story of one woman’s determined search for the man of her dreams is funny and moving, with plenty of practical advice on the world of Christian dating. AMAZON PRICE: £7.19

My Historical and Pictorial Scrapbook of Stanton-under-Bardon and Bits about Neighbouring Villages and Places of Interest

Herald Film Review from Tom Flowitt The Bourne Legacy (12A) Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton 135 Minutes

Bourne is back but in film title only. The new instalment doesn’t follow Jason Bourne but instead a new character, Aaron Cross (Renner). In terms of timeline it runs alongside The Bourne Ultimatum and follows the US Governments attempts to shut down and cover all traces of secret programmes related to Bourne. Cross, who is part of one of these programmes, must fight for his very survival. It has the look and feel of a Bourne film but Aaron Cross is simply not Bourne (and not just in the sense that he is a different character entirely). In terms of personality they are as different as night and day. In fact Cross is borderline cheesy at times and hard to take seriously as one of the governments most dangerous weapons. This is though a very grounded action film, you won’t find a million and one explosions (ala The Expendables 2) but it is all the better for it. The fights, as you would expect from a Bourne film, are fast paced and clinical. The only issue with the action is that it has the ‘I’ve seen this all before’ feel to it. The beginning of the film spends an incredibly long time setting the scene. It would have been better advised to get into the action sooner St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak but there is a definite sense that it isn’t just for the benefit of this film but many sequels to come.Supper It also ends very abruptly, when it feels like it is Harvest just getting into its stride. and Entertainment The attempts to make it character driven do fall flat however, as there With choirthere ‘Octave’’ isn’t much character to begin with. You never really get under the skin of Leicester Cross because the makers thought it was enough just to share his Diocese’s own back story (which is very clichéd) as opposed to showing us anything of ‘singing priests’ real substance. th 29 September I’m still not convinced about2011 Jeremy Renner, he just doesn’t seem to in churchinat fit comfortably the7.30pm role butprompt it may well have been the intention to find someoneTickets who differs from Matt Damon. Rachel Weisz is a good £6.00 addition butbooking Edward Norton is vastly under used. Early recommended Overall: Perhaps not as good as its predecessors but with a few minor Sue Gammon 244229 (and some major) tweaks, any future sequels have the potential to be Ted Pepper 249101 better. HHHJJ

Churches Together in Markfield initiative

By Janet Lowe

When Janet Lowe was the landlady of the Old Thatched Inn in Stanton-underBardon, she began delving into the history of her 16th Century home. She borrowed old photos from locals then enlarged and framed them to decorate the walls of the inn. She found herself with a huge pile of leftover bits of information about the local area and decided to put them to good use. The result is this self-published book, which Janet describes as her ‘magnum opus’. There are amusing tales of eccentric characters and some interesting facts about the area, which includes the communities of Bagworth, Bardon, Battleflat, Battram, Bill Barra, Ellistown, Markfield, Stanton, Thornton, Ulverscroft and Whitwick. The book is available, price £15.50, from Stanton Stores, Main Street, Stanton under Bardon, or Kay’s News in Main Street, Markfield or from Janet on 0116 287 4624.

Do you ever need to switch off and be still? Silent prayer and meditation have a long Christian tradition; we can learn much from the experiences of others. There is no right way to pray: prayer is God's action in us. is an opportunity to relax, find peace within ourselves and 'reflect' on our place in the world. It will offer creative suggestions for reading, thinking and exploring prayer.

Trinity Methodist Church - 6-7pm Wednesday 12 September Wednesday 17th October Wednesday 14th November Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome, whether or not you feel church is for you. Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

It’s just like magic: When you live by yourself, all of your annoying habits are gone.

27 Letter from Uncle Eustace

On publishing my book The Rectory St. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren After all these years, who would have believed it: to have my own book printed. I must admit, I had imagined a leather-bound volume with gold leaf lettering on the spine – perhaps even titled “Volume One”, implying future delights when further work would appear. A paperback, held together with glue was a slight disappointment. The publisher’s reason for a print run of 50, saying that it meant fewer would have to be dumped in cut-price bookshops was not what I had expected either. He seemed to think that my commentary on Eusebius’s tables for crossreferencing the gospels, as explained in his letter to Carpianus, would not have mass interest. While I concede it will be unlikely to dent the sales of Harry Potter, and that I am unlikely to be involved in negotiating the film rights, I had hoped for slightly more enthusiasm for this stride forward in global knowledge. The excitement of the book launch and signing was also tempered when only the bishop arrived, expecting a free copy, so he could mark it for theological errors. My suggestion that he take a copy to colour it in did not go down well. I suspect I will not now be asked to deliver a paper on it at the next clergy conference. I was briefly excited when several parishioners came into the shop. But it turned out that one wanted to book a baptism with me, and another wanted to complain that at his recent wedding, I had nearly married the best man to the bride. I was tempted to tell him that the time may come when he wished I had, but decided that would be another sale lost. I could not even console myself with a free drink. The publisher had only brought two bottles of that particular white wine, of unknown origin, that seems specially reserved for book launches and retirement parties. I suspect it derives less from a vineyard and more from a laboratory. One bottle he kept for himself and the other disappeared after my Confirmation class came in to ask whether the book would be serialised on TV. In the end, I bought all 50 copies myself, placed a note in the bookshop window saying that, due to exceptional demand, the print run had been entirely sold out. It has also solved the annual problem of Christmas presents; in your case, a second copy will probably arrive for your birthday too. Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Cohabitating couples ‘should have more rights’ Deborah Jeff (pictured), the Founding Partner and Head of Family at Seddons Solicitors in London comments on the country’s top female judge Baroness Hale of Richmond’s comments that two million unmarried couples in England and Wales should be given greater legal rights. Baroness Hale indicated that those cohabiting in England and Wales ought to enjoy the same legal protection as those in Scotland and said there were “lessons to be learnt” from the law north of the border. The Supreme Court justice made the remarks in a recent ruling that ordered a Scottish man to pay his former partner nearly £40,000 after their relationship broke down. “For some time now the law for those who choose to live together rather than marry has needed revisiting. It is property law that currently applies to cohabitees and this often does not reflect the other contributions one or both parties has made to the relationship. It is fair to say that if cohabitees want all the benefits of marriage then they should marry, but the current law often leaves one party seriously disadvantaged financially which cannot be right. The arrangements must make good commercial sense and, if children are born, reflect the valuable contribution of caring for the family.”

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Artists win cash prizes

OVER 40 young artists from across the county submitted their artwork to a special open exhibition at the Creative Hinckley Gallery in the town’s Atkins Building. They were all vying to win cash prizes, to help with their studies, in the 2012 Young Open competition, which was sponsored by the Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, McDonalds, Croner’s and Wilkinsons. An exhibition of their work attracted over 150 visitors to the gallery, who watched as the prizes were presented by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s Arts Champion, Cllr Jeff Bannister, and the council’s Children and Young People’s Champion, Cllr Mathew Hulbert, as follows: 8-11 age category - 1st Sam Goodwin (£100); runner-up Evie Webster (£50) 12-15 age category - 1st Tom Ruff (£200); runner-up Keira Harvey (£100) 16-19 age category - 1st Beth Jones (£300); runner-up Laurie Coultas (£150) In addition, works by Fin Ellershaw, Sam Goodwin, Fiona Kinnis, Sophie Gooding, Helena Wilcox, Goerge Orrill and Caroline Simpkins were all judged ‘highly commended’. Gallery Manager Bev Chandler said after the awards were presented: “I am very pleased with this year’s

Left to right: Jeff Bannister (HBBC Arts Champion) with young artists Keira Harvey, Evie Webster and Beth Jones and Bev Chandler (Creative Hinckley Gallery Manager). (Photo by Charlotte Louise Photography) response to 2012’s Young Open. The standard of work has been high and varied. I am keen to nurture young artists by offering them the experience of exhibiting in a professional gallery. “For those looking at a career in art and design, “The Young Open” is also something they can add to a CV when applying for an art and design qualification at a college or university course”. Creative Hinckley holds regular exhibitions at the Gallery in The Atkins Building, the next one being “Continuum”, an exhibition by Phil Toole from 1 October to 10 November. Then, from 24 November to the end of December, Deborah Bird returns to the gallery for the second time with stunning images from her Grand Canyon artist-inresidence visit. Creative Hinckley are a not-forprofit community interest company set up to provide an art centre for the people of Hinckley and its local artists. To offer support, or to become involved with volunteering, please visit the contact page on the website at www.creativehinckley.co.uk

The trouble with jogging is that, by the time you realise you’re not in shape for it, it’s too far to walk back.

Local Church Service Details Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 9 September 10.15 am HARVEST FESTIVAL (Church open the previous afternoon for the receipt of harvest gifts)

Sunday 30th September 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Service Sunday 7th October 10.30am Morning Harvest Festival Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service

Sunday 16th September 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield at Trinity Methodist Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Friday 21st September 8.00 pm Taizé Style Service

Sunday 16 September 10.30am Churches Together in Markfield UNITED SERVICE in Trinity Methodist Church

Sunday 14th October 10.30am Morning Communion Service 4.00pm Café Church Service

Sunday 23rd September 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 23 September 10.15am Morning Worship in our Church

Sunday 21st October 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Sunday 30th September 6.00 pm Joint Service at St Peter’s, Copt Oak

Sunday 30 September 10.15am Morning Worship with Sunday Club in Church Hall

Sunday 28th October 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Service

Sunday 7th October 10.30 am All Age Harvest Thanksgiving Service

Sunday 7 October No service - Area Assembly at Ashby Congregational Church 3pm

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Sunday 14th October 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Peter’s Church, Thornton with Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester

Sunday Sept 9th Meeting at 10am with Junior church provided

Friday 19th October 8.00 pm Iona Style Service

Sunday 14 October 10.15am Morning Worship in our Church followed by Communion.

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton Sunday 9th September 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Awesome Sunday starts this week at 10.30am for an hour for children and young people

Monday 10th Sept Coffee morning at 10 am, prayer is also available Sat 15th Sept Harvest Supper 6pm with Bingo & prizes. Tickets available form Church building on Sunday & Monday or call 07875378628

Sunday 16th September 10.30am Morning Service

Sun 16th Sept Special harvest meeting 10am with breaking bread

Sunday 23rd September 10.30am Harvest Festival Service

Monday 17th Sept Coffee morning at 10am

Sunday 30th September 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 23rd Sept Meeting at 10am with junior Church provided

Sunday 7th October 10.30am Morning Service 10.30am Awesome Sunday Sunday 14th October 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section of this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 9th September – Racial Justice Sunday 10.30am Morning Communion Service 4.00pm Café Church Service Sunday 16th September 10.30am United Catholic led Service at Methodist Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service Sunday 23rd September – Back to Church Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Service

Wednesday 26th Sept Bible School, recap of 1 Timothy & looking at 2 Timothy Sunday 30th Sept NO morning meeting, Cafe 4U at 4pm with Coffee & cake, crafts for kids Monday 1st October Coffee morning 10am Sunday 7th October Meeting 10am with junior church provided

Sunday 21st October 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield at St Wilfrid’s RC Church, Coalville 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 28th October 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 16th September 10.30 am “Something Different” Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday 23rd September 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 30th September 10.30 am Single Service at St Peter’s, Thornton Sunday 7th October 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 14th October 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Peter’s Church, Thornton with Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester

Monday 8th October Coffee morning 10am

Sunday 21st October 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield

Sunday 28th October 10.30 am Holy Communion

10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 16th September 9.0 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 23rd September 10.30 am Harvest Thanksgiving All Age Service

Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.

Sunday 30th September 10.30 am Single Service Holy Communion Sunday 7th October 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 14th October 10.30 am Benefice Service with Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester Sunday 21st October 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 28th October 10.30 am All Age Service

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 7th October 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 16th September 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 23rd September 6.00 pm Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday 30th September 6.00 pm Harvest Thanksgiving Service with St Michael’s, Markfield Sunday 7th October 10.30 am Evening Prayer Sunday 14th October 10.30 am Benefice Service at St Peter’s Church, Thornton with Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester Sunday 21st October 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 28th October 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area

Awesome Holiday Club 6th to 8th August

Adoptions increase Chances are that someone in our local community has adopted a child or toddler. Certainly the national numbers of toddlers and young children being adopted has risen to its highest level for 35 years, as the Government tries to move more children who are in care into stable families. According to the Office for National Statistics, 4,734 children were adopted in England and Wales last year. That is up six per cent on 2010. Of these, 2,953 were aged one to four. The average time the adoption procedure takes is 20 months.

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak

Harvest Supper and Entertainment

This year’s Holiday Club was as popular as ever and, not surprisingly, it was based on an Olympics theme! Over the 3 days, we welcomed 56 children from the local area to Cross Hills with 40 to 42 children each day enjoying the many exciting activities. More information from leader, Ruth Holmes, and photos are on page 3 of this magazine. It was good to see some of the children joining us for this year’s new follow-up Sunday, Awesome Plus, on 12th August. Our other new venture, Awesome Sunday, starts on 9th September at 10.30am for an hour and will then be held monthly on 7th October, 4th November and 2nd December. Leaflets with all the details were given to the children who came to the Holiday Club but if you need any more information please contact Ruth on 231893 or at ruthholmes@live.co.uk or Robert and Bekki on 231901 or at r.holmes314@btinternet.com

Parish Nurse - Prayer Tree As part of our commitment to pray for those in need, we have planted a small Olive Tree. If you wish you may attach your prayer to the tree, or you may put your prayer request in the outside post box. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. Perhaps as you sit in our small garden of remembrance at the front of the church and reflect on the tree and your prayer needs, God will also help you overcome the troubles that have flooded into your life. For any further information please contact our Parish Nurse Vera Harding on 01530 230557.

Baptist Union Day of Prayer 9th September As part of this day of prayer, there will be a bring and share Prayer Supper at Cross Hills with soup and rolls and cheese and biscuits starting at 6.30pm. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Church Chairs – In Memory As many will know the chairs in the church have a small plaque on them in memory of a loved one. We now have room for another 10/12 chairs. If you would like to donate 50% towards the costs of a chair in memory of someone then please contact Pastor Garry Kelly, either at church or on 07816 616189. The total cost of a chair is £85.00.

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal With choir ‘Octave’’

Leicester Diocese’s own ‘singing priests’ 29th September 2011 in church at 7.30pm prompt

Tickets £6.00 Early booking recommended Sue Gammon 01530 244229 Ted Pepper 01530 249101

If you would like to be involved this year, you will need a leaflet that gives you all the information about what can be put in a box and includes a label for the outside. To get your leaflet or for further information please ring Glynis or David Straw on the number below. You can see short films about the journey of the shoeboxes at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk Details of our Services are in the Church Service Information section in this magazine. Our Harvest Festival Service is at 10.30am on Sunday 23rd September and all the gifts of food together with a special offering will be donated to Lawrence House, Hinckley Homeless Project. Contact Numbers Pastor - Garry Kelly: 07816 616189 • Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 07910 440243 • Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 • Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557 •

Glynis Straw Treasurer - on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

Chop your own firewood and it will warm you twice.

Don’t forget to microchip your dog

Just a reminder that the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s Dog Warden Service is holding a micro chipping event at Markfield Community Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield on 24 September 2012 between 10am and 1pm. It only costs £10 for the Dog Warden to implant the chip under the skin using a special implant gun. No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination. Each micro-chip has a unique identification number, which is registered to the animal and the owner’s details are placed on a national database. This number can then be read when a scanner is passed over the chip, enabling the Dog Warden to search the national database to find the owner’s details. The owner can then be contacted and reunited with their dog. If anyone would like to discuss the micro-chipping service or arrange for their dog to be microchipped they can do so by contacting the Dog Warden Service on 01455 238141.

Ron Grantham

d Search Puzzle

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You Could Win a Main Course for Two and a Bottle of Wine! M S B Q B F L S I A L O J U A E B

W L V K E F Q L X G I P R E W K Z

C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N

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BEAUJOLAIS CABERNETSAUVIGNON CHARDONNAY CHIANTI GRENACHE MERLOT MUSCAT PINOTGRIGIO PINOTNOIR RIESLING SAUVIGNONBLANC ZINFANDEL

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Wine Wordsearch

Subscriber L

find the names of 12 Types of Wine in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a TASTY prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel. To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through the names of 12 popular Types of Wine. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: BOTTOMS UP, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 26th September 2012. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Fedora will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 wines you have to find:

Beaujolais • Cabernet Sauvignon • Chardonnay • Chianti Grenache • Merlot • Muscat • Pinot Grigio Pinot Noir • Riesling • Sauvignon Blanc • Zinfandel Name: ................................................................................................... Address: ................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................. .............................................. Postcode: ................................................

Last issue’s Wordsearch winner!

Mrs Bridget Millward of Croftway, Markfield

Congratulations! Your Meal & Wine Voucher to spend at the F ield Head Hotel will be sent to you in the next 21 days.

Fed up with power interruptions? Residents of Field Head may have noticed occasional, short, power interruptions over the past month or so. Anyone using a computer when these short power cuts occurred will probably have lost the work they were doing, which can be extremely irritating. After the third or fourth interruption in as many weeks, I contacted Western Power last weekend to ask why the problem was occurring, and whether these were scheduled ‘switchovers’. The staff were very helpful, and took details of where I live, when the power had been lost, and for how long. They promised to investigate the matter and ring me back with their findings. Sure enough, I received a call about an hour later, and the gentleman informed me that the interruptions were not scheduled, but were caused by a safety feature which resets the power supply system if a problem occurs. He suspected that the problems were caused by birds or branches touching the overhead lines, and tripping the power off and back on again. He then arranged for an inspection of the local overhead lines by members of his staff, and phoned me again on Sunday afternoon to confirm that a dead bird had been located - still attached to one of the conductors - and that several tree branches were close to power lines and required cutting back. Fingers crossed - hopefully this will solve the problem.

Mike Wilkinson

Friendly Badminton Club Requires Players at Groby Community College on Wednesdays between 8pm & 10pm Tel: 0116 267 5800

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow they may make it illegal.

News about Brown’s Blue Buses

THE EARLY SIXTIES?

1962

2012

NO! SEPTEMBER 2012 Mick Gamble has written to the Herald to say he has purchased a 1950 AEC Regent RT Bus, which is almost identical to the nine AEC RT double deckers that were purchased from London Transport by Brown’s Blue during 1958. Mick has refinished the vehicle in Brown’s original livery complete with period adverts and destination blinds, which will surely bring back many memories. It will be used in conjunction with the Commemorative events which will take place on the weekend of March 15th 2013 fifty years after the sale of Browns Blue to the Midland Red. The bus can be seen in action on Sunday 9th September 2012 at the Bus Running Day organised by The Leicestershire Transport Heritage Trust and is to be held at the Abbey Pumping Station Museum and National Space Centre, Wallingford Road (near Abbey Lane), Leicester. Free bus services run from 11 am to 5pm on various routes throughout the City and to The Great Central Railway at Quorn. • Mick Gamble’s book “BROWN’S BLUE” will be released on October 14th and pre-orders placed before this date will be subject to a 10% discount. For details please contact Mick on 0116 2387735 after 8 p.m. or e-mail mickgamble@tiscali.co.uk

Libraries target missing books An amnesty is being launched in Leicestershire’s libraries, to encourage people to bring back overdue books, DVDs and CDs. During September, the county council will waive overdue fees, provided that the borrowed items are returned. Anyone who wants to return an overdue item should take them to the help point at their local library and the outstanding charges will be deleted.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this issue of The Herald, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks! I wouldn’t touch the imperial measuring system with a 3.048m pole.

OPEN EVENING

OLCS INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL (3–18) Thursday, 4th October 6pm to 8.30pm

EDUCATION AND FULFILMENT THROUGH CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT Mrs P Hawley, our Headteacher, staff and students would like to invite you to join us at a range of events in the coming year, where you will be assured of a warm welcome.

Open Events Personalised guided tours, no appointment necessary. Talk to our Headteacher and staff and see at first hand the enriched curriculum we offer. Hear what our students have to say about life at OLCS. Thursday, 4th October 2012, 6pm to 8.30pm Wednesday, 14th November 2012, 9.30am to 12 noon Thursday, 7th March 2013, 9.30am to 12 noon Saturday, 11th May 2013, 9.30am to 12 noon

Entrance Exams for September 2013 Admission Wednesday, 16th January 2013, Year 7 Thursday, 17th January 2013, Years 9 and 10 Legis Plenitudo Caritas

Our Lady’s Convent School, Gray Street, Loughborough LE11 2DZ Telephone: 01509 263901 Web: www.OLCS.leics.sch.uk Member of ISA