September 2014 groby spotlight magazine by Michael Wilkinson

JOB VACANCY: Seasonal Grounds Person - SEE PAGE 27

Katie is fastest in the UK! At Groby Spotlight, we like to bring readers news of talented individuals living within our area of coverage. Local mum Kelly Parker has dropped us a line about her 10-year-old daughter Katie, who is a really talented runner. We asked for more details ... Kelly takes up the story: Katie first started running back in 2011 when she asked us if she could compete for Lady Jane Grey School in year 3 at the School Cross Country at Prestwold Hall. After coming 12th in her first race out of 173, and thoroughly enjoying it, Katie asked if she could join a running club. She quickly joined Wreake Runners SPEED MERCHANT: Katie Parker of Groby Juniors in Syston. Coached by John Skevington and her Dad Glynn, her running has gone from strength to strength. Katie has gone on to win both the Year 4 and Year 5 girls cross country titles for her school. Katie’s most recent achievements are that she currently holds the fastest time for an Under 11 girl in the UK for 1500 metres - and also for a mile on the track. These are two titles she is hoping to retain for the 2014 Track season. Katie is also a very keen footballer and has just been chosen for the third season to play for Leicester City Girls Centre of Excellence in their U-11 Girls team. We are so very proud of all Katie’s hard work and her achievements.

Marathon Man

London Calling Simon Moore, who delivers the post to lots of Groby Spotlight readers, is well-known locally for his energetic charity fundraising exploits. He has dropped us a line to tell us what he is planning to do next. Read on ... The hunt for this year’s challenge has been a long time coming. It’s something I have toyed with for a number of years but have been unsuccessful in my attempts to enter but this year we’ve had a breakthrough! The official entry ballot came and went but on appeal ‘Adapt’ was entered into a “small charities” draw and I am overjoyed to say that we have been offered a place in the Virgin London Marathon on April 26 of next year. This could be the biggest challenge i’ve undertaken to date and is going to take some serious training, but with careful planning I should be ready come the day!. ‘Adapt’ the hospital based charity is once more my chosen charity and hopefully the sponsorship will ease the preassure on the charities funds and raise it’s profile. The charity supports over 1000 premature babies born at the L.R.I. and General Hospital each year. In the past all my fund raising events have recieved fantastic support from family, friends the residents of Groby and Royal Mail, a very big thankyou to everyone. Hopefully next years will be just as successsful and if you would like to sponsor me please catch me on my post round in Groby, pop into Groby Post office or alternatively via the internet at http:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonMoore11 As a footnote many people will have noticed and some have commented that I am no-longer cycling on my post round but using a van. This has come around as Royal Mail have now decided that deliveries from cycles are too dangerous and expensive and have phased out all bikes. Some would call this progress others would call it a sad end to a British tradition.

Kelly Parker

Simon Moore, Field Head

Help us plan next year’s street fair

Apply online and on time for school places

Thank you from the Groby Street Fair Committee! The Groby Street Fair Committee would like to thank all who were involved in another great success! Whether you were one of the 65 stall holders, a helper, an entertainer, GE volunteer or a visitor you all made it a great day - thank you! We start planning next year’s event this month, so if you would like to get involved early, please email us at grobystreetfair@virginmedia.com (Editor’s apology: This item should have appeared in last month’s issue but was accidentally missed out - I have given myself a severe telling off. - Mike)

Parents are urged to look out for school place application packs which will be landing on doormats across Leicestershire. Around 10,500 parents will receive a letter explaining the application process for children who transfer to secondary school in the autumn term 2015. 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 recently-converted academy. If parents apply late - even if they live next door to the school - their child may not get a place.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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No, I don’t want to come to your cat’s birthday party...you freak. My dog’s getting married that weekend.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Telephone

01530-244069 Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT Sat 11th October

Advert/Copy Deadline: Saturday 27th September

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Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Martinshaw Retain County Orienteering Championship After training from Mrs Ritcher-Wilson, Martinshaw Primary School once again entered a team into the Leicestershire Schools Orienteering Championship held this year around a course at Donisthorpe Woodland Park. The team varied in age from 9 to 11 years and we were told by the Marshals to expect the children to complete the course of 10 checkpoints in approximately 15 minutes. Imagine our surprise to see our leading runners, the Shearer brothers, Ben and Oli who had started 2nd, coming over the last hill in just over 9 minutes, closely followed by year 6’s Jessica and Bekki. The initial thought was that they must have missed a checkpoint, but no, Ben and Oli were first overall in 9.35 minutes and Jess and Bekki were 2nd in 9.53 minutes, winning the girls year 6 competition. To crown a great day, Harry and George won the boys year 5 race in a very creditable 16.51 with the rest of the team posting excellent times. All the team are to be commended for their efforts, running with a map and compass, some of them for the first time.

Owen Lawrence

Groby Allotment Society News from Jane Marston

Life with a Lottie

The season of mellow fruitfulness! Well as I type this article it is late August and we have the central heating on! It is a good job we have all the fruit and veg that this season brings us to give us a warm glow. The last of the beans continue our glut as do the courgettes and now the golden sweetcorn bring another colour to our plate. We continue to harvest blackberries – not sure how many more our freezer will hold but every day the boss arrives home with more black jewels, add to these the autumn raspberries and our breakfast porridge is complete. Our miniature plum tree that is only in its third year has given us many kilos of fruit. Jam has been made with these and I even won a second at the village show – not bad for a very young tree. We both did very well at the Groby Village Show – Firsts – Seconds and Thirds in both fruit & Veg and also my jam and cooking! The Eric & Ernie competition for the longest runner bean was won by Ernie by a short neck. The boss also won a trophy

for most points in fruit & Veg and I won a plate for an assortment of articles for a salad. If plot holders have never entered the show before, we can both recommend it for some good fun and friendly rivalry. The waiting list for plots is quite short now so if you fancy walking round to the lotties on a Sunday morning to pick your veg and fruit for lunch please apply with the online form, the hard work you need to maintain a plot you will have to supply yourself. It’s a great way of life and a very good way to encourage children to eat their 5 a day.

Bacon Buttie Sunday Morning The October bacon buttie Sunday morning will be held on the second Sunday morning in October owing to holidays. Come and join us and chat and eat and maybe buy some plum or blackberry jam.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH We’ve just had this for pudding.

Autumn Crumble •

1lb of plums – halved and stoned – could use rhubarb instead. • 2 large cooking apples – peeled cored and chopped into chunks • 1tsp of cinnamon or ginger • 2oz sugar white or brown Topping: • 6oz plain flour • 2oz semolina • 3oz cold butter cut into cubes • 2oz caster sugar Put prepared fruit with the sugar into a pan and simmer until soft. Meanwhile rub the butter into the flour in a bowl until resembles fine breadcrumbs stir in the semolina and the sugar. Place fruit in a heat proof dish – gently cover with crumble mixture and place in a hot oven (180 degrees c gas 4) bake for 30 mins or until golden brown and bubbly. Mmm ... serve with cream or custard.

Twitter is the only place where you’re thrilled when a complete stranger starts following you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Parish Council left off the circulation list At the August Parish Council meeting the Clerk advised members that Groby Parish Council had been left off the circulation list and had only just she had received correspondence from Leicestershire County Council(LCC) concerning the grass cutting requirements for the LCC verges for 2015. The letter indicated that the County Council would be reducing the number of cuts from 9 to 5 for 2015 and that if the Parish Council wished to take on the grass cutting on behalf of LCC a response was needed by the 31st August 2014. The Clerk indicated that the Parish Council already subsidised the grass cutting of the grass verges by some £2,500.00 and this new arrangement would necessitate a further £2,800 to be added to the budget for the next financial year. After discussing the issue it was resolved unanimously to retain the grass verge cutting contract with LCC and negotiate the number of cuts with the grass contractor when the contract was due for renewal in March 2015.

MUGA and library consultations The closing date for returning consultation responses on the proposed Multi Use Games Area and the future of Groby library was September 5th. The Parish Council has confirmed, however, that late submissions will not be rejected. So if you recycled last month’s Spotlight before completing the questionnaire you can still comment. Further copies can be obtained

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from the Parish Council or you can print the form from www.groby.com, the council website. Although it is not known what the response has been to date regarding the Multi Use Games Area it is clear that some regular library users have not participated in the consultation, believing that the decision to close the library has already been made. The purpose of this consultation, however, is to gauge the level of support for a continuation of the library service, even if it has to be funded and provided in a different way. It is not a binding referendum, just a way in which the Parish Council can form an opinion about whether residents want, or indeed don’t want, a local library. It is important, therefore, that as many people as possible respond whatever their views.

Housing in Field Head? With the Bloor’s saga now set to drag on into 2015 before a decision is made there’s news of two potential planning applications for up to 300 houses in total in the Field Head area.

Affordable housing on the Klondike? When it was announced that a compulsory purchase order(CPO) could resolve the long standing issues surrounding the land on Newtown Linford Lane known locally as The Klondike, residents were warned that it could be a long process. This month members of the Parish Council were told that “whilst a meeting of interested parties has been arranged for 1st October, progress has stalled due to the position taken by the quarry owner.” A spokesperson for the Borough Council explained that “the quarry owners do not need the site for some considerable time and their potential use for it makes a successful CPO application unlikely.” He added that “the new owners have continued to have constructive dialogue with the Council.” The October meeting is planned to confirm the position of the quarry owners and to explore and agree a clear way forward which might satisfy all concerned, especially the residents of Groby. At the September Parish Council meeting members were asked to consider consulting with the community about affordable housing as an alternative use for part of the site. Members voted to support this suggestion “subject to requisite planning conditions and regulations, it being of a limited scale and that local approval is sought.”

On the buses Although it has not yet been possible to confirm the exact details with Arriva it appears that it will be suggested that the current Hail and Ride system which operates off the main roads will be replaced with designated bus stops which may also act as fare stages. This perhaps explains the mysterious X paint marks that have appeared on the 28 bus route. There have been a number of changes since Hail and Ride was introduced, including a worsening parking situation and much larger buses. No doubt affected residents will hope that there will be consultation before any changes are implemented.

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I did a sponsored walk, once. In the end I managed to raise so much money, I could afford a taxi.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 Meanwhile Arriva has relaunched it’s website (http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/ Midlands/) where timetables can be checked, and introduced a mobile phone application which can be downloaded. They say that “if you allow it to use your current location it will be able to help you find the nearest bus stop, tell you the time of the next bus or plan your journey from A to B. You will be able to see your bus on a map as it progresses along its route and see whether it’s on time or caught in a delay.” You should test check that it delivers on these promises before you rely on it to plan a journey.

Look behind you!

Groby has had more than its fair share of successful and attempted robberies at local businesses such as Santander, Cathy Stephens and Barclays Bank. The Barclays robbery in June 2013 was one of a string of offences carried out across the Midlands. Earlier this month five men who blew open dozens of cash machines, eight of them in Leicestershire, have each received jail sentences of between 13 and 18 years. Police said that the cost of repairs and replacements came to more than £200,000. They stole about £1.5 million in cash in total. Incidents like this encourage banks and building societies to improve internal security measures to reduce the risk of threat. But what about external security? Thankfully muggings and thefts from customers who are withdrawing money from cash machines(ATM) in the street are not commonplace locally, but despite the camera on the corner some users do like to ensure that they are not overlooked by strangers as they complete their withdrawals. There is sometimes a short queue at the former Santander ATM but it is noticeable that the next customer courteously keeps their distance whilst waiting. There is generally no particular reason to be standing nearby unless it is to use the ATM. This may change, however, if a planning application to fit four large display panels on the Rookery Lane side wall of the Nottingham Building Society is approved. They will, perhaps, be used to display photographs of houses for sale by the Society’s estate agency business. This will give anyone a reason to be standing between the corner of Ratby Road and the cash machine, behind and out of the line of vision of someone making a withdrawal. The property is within the Conservation Area and there have been objections to the planning application, but if it is approved it is something to bear in mind if you have concerns when using the cash machine. Alternative all hours withdrawal facilities are available at the Barclays Bank cash machine, and those who don’t mind the limitation of opening hours and prefer to get cash indoors can use their debit cards for small amounts of Cashback at the Co-op. Budgens also provides a cashback facility in addition to an ATM inside the store. “ We are pleased to be able to offer this useful service both to our customers and the local community,” said Stephan the store manager. Another option is to withdraw money with a debit card over the counter at the post office. The disadvantage is shorter opening hours, but for many this will be outweighed by the personal service, seeing the cash being counted out for you, and being able to choose the denomination of the notes.

Another library book sale soon It’s sale time again at Groby library. Books will go on sale at bargain prices from September 27th to October 11th, so make a note in your diary.

I read somewhere that 26 is too old to still live with your parents. It was on a note, in my room.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the perils of being a school governor The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren I was interested to hear that from this academic year, your vicar has asked you to take his place as a school governor.

Thank you! Ratby’s Annual Show took place on 9th August, at Ratby Sports Club, and the ‘Show Girls’ would like to thank Groby judges, Alvar, Graham and Stan for the sterling work they put in on the day. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks a million!

Jane Rayne

A whole new world of exciting meetings is about to open up to you. Naturally, you will have been told that the governors only meet three times a year. You will probably not have been told that you will also be expected to be on at least two sub-committees, where you will be immediately asked to become secretary, as a way of getting to know the job. Add on training days, parents’ evenings, sports days, school socials, end of term services, charity events and accompanying classes on days out and you will begin to realise that your vicar’s suggestion was not as innocent as you may have thought. Remember, too, that all meetings require you sit on chairs designed for 5 year-olds. You will then spend countless hours going through a 40 item agenda, trying to look dignified with your knees somewhere round your ears while drawing up school plans as if they were the Normandy landing. Be prepared to receive paperwork measured by the hundredweight; entire rainforests have been obliterated by your education authority sending what they seem to think is vital information; it does, however, make good cat litter. Most meetings will be so full of acronyms that for the first few years you will have the feeling that conversation is taking place in a language that may bear a passing resemblance to English, but isn’t. There is little point in trying to learn what they all mean because before too long, they will all be replaced by another set anyway, which will be equally incomprehensible. Your computer abilities will be expected to be far beyond what anyone over the age of 30 could ever be expected to achieve; if you sink without trace, ask a seven year-old, who will soon put you right. You will also be encouraged to attend training days; I strongly suggest you select all-day events, as at least you will get a lunch out of it. You needn’t bother to arrive on time, since the first hour will be spent with everyone introducing themselves and you can leave early, as the final hour will go on filling in evaluation forms. Just keep reminding yourself that your term of office is a mere five years; you may even get remission for good behaviour. Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Spotlight Small Ads TWO Dawes Childrens Bikes in excellent condition: Dawes Redtail bikes, 20” wheel. Aluminium frame, 6 Shimano gears, front suspension forks. Suitable for boy or girl aged 7-12. One bike=red, one bike= grey/silver. Price: £45.00 each Tel: 0116 287 3229 TWO Brand New Girl’s Bikes • 12” wheel Pink/Purple Price: £45.00 ovno • 14” wheel Aqua Price: £50.00 ovno • Two Black Leatherette Sofas, 2 seater and 3 seater Price: £90.00 - (would deliver locally) Tel. 01530 249202 • Bandit Guitar, Case, Stand, Tuition Booklet, Tuner and Amplifier. Excellent condition Price: £60.00 ono • Boation 49cc scooter, 61 plate, Tax till Jan 2015, Mot due Jan 2015 .requires tlc and tidying up a little but runs well. Price: £400.00 - offers welcomed for quick sale. Work required has been considered in this price. • Girl’s pink push bike, 16in Price: £15.00 • Chunky Pine dining table with 6 chairs - Length 122cm (4ft), Width 91cm (3ft) Price: £130.00 ono Tel: 07809 466725 • Brand New Metal Framed Front Door - White with Glass Panels, 830 mm x 1906 mm x 45 mm Price: £100.00 • Slim-Gym Pro 12 - advanced body toning kit (as new) Price: £40.00 Epsom Picture Mate 100 Personal Photo Lab (as new) Price: £120.00 Tel: 07736 967411. • GAZEBO - 3m x 6m - very good condition, used once. Price: £45.00. • Wooden sun lounger with cushion, in vgc. Price: £15.00 Tel: 0116 255 8163. • WRIST WATCH - quartz Price: £6.00 • Full size WOOD SAW - said to be USA design and manufacture Price: £6.00 • Dimplex ELECTRIC FIRE - good condition. Price: £80.00. Tel: 0116 287 6958

If you have any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Our postal address is Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Did you hear about the woman who got fired from a hot dog stand for putting her hair in a bun?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I went to the park today and played frisbee with my dog, but it wasn’t much fun. I think I need a flatter dog.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I have no problem with genetically modified food. I had a lovely leg of salmon the other day.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

How did you spend your wet and windy August Bank Holiday? Well, a few lucky people enjoyed their day socialising at the new Groby Active Together Social Group at the Community Centre, Forest Rise, Groby, where they were able to join in with card games or chess and draughts, share tips and chatter as they quilted, or challenge friends to a game of ping pong. Others simply enjoyed a cuppa or two as they whiled away a typical gloomy bank holiday in the company of friends, old and new. At lunch time, volunteer Jane Marston provided everyone with a delicious ploughman’s lunch followed by home made fruit crumble and custard. Many of the fruits and vegetables used were grown by Jane and her husband on their allotment and everyone agreed it was delicious. The Group meets every Monday (including Bank Holidays) and is open to all ages. Why not come along and see for yourself. In addition to the regular Monday morning meetings, there are several other special events organised for the rest of the year: • MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER Autumn Craft Fair Local and original crafts to purchase • MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER Light Lunch *** Tea Dance For more information contact Jane on 0116 2321384. We look forward to welcoming you to the group very soon.

Jigsaw time!

Fancy a game of draughts?

Litter Project

Which side of the fence are you on? A PROJECT designed to show how much litter is dropped on Hinckley & Bosworth Borough’s streets and open spaces took place in Hinckley’s Richmond Park. It was called “Which side of the fence are you on?”, with Borough Council staff able to demonstrate how much rubbish is regularly discarded by litter-bugs by cleaning one side of a fence every day and leaving the other side unpicked for a week. Staff from McDonalds Restaurant helped with the litter pick at the end of the week. Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive Member responsible for Neighbourhood Services, said: “The project proved a real success and emphasised the important work which the council’s street cleaners do. It also highlighted how much litter people are dropping. If only they used the bins that are provided, they would play their part in keeping the borough clean.” Keeping the borough’s streets clean is a top priority for residents, with the council spending over £800,000 a year on this task. The next part of the project will see council officers conducting a litter workshop at primary schools across the borough.

BADMINTON

Can’t beat a bit of quilting

A game of cards - whose deal is it?

Friendly Badminton Club requires players at Groby Community College. Wednesday evenings: 8pm - 10pm. Tel: 0116 267 5800

My dog always barks when there’s someone at the door. I don’t know why, it’s never for him.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

How far will you travel to hear live jazz? Norman Griffiths looks for venues in nearby villages

There’s not a lot of opportunity to hear jazz in Groby nowadays. So how far would you travel to attend a live jazz session? Sadly The Brant, the Stamford and Groby Club have all tried to establish regular jazz sessions but all have eventually been dropped. In August there was a one-off café format session planned at Groby Village Hall featuring Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, a saxophone and keyboards duo from Scotland. Unfortunately it had to be cancelled and it seems that local jazz fans missed a treat. The duo have had sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and perform classic jazz standards as well as original compositions to a video backdrop of scenes from the Scottish landscape.

Would you travel 3 miles? With little jazz in Groby you could try the monthly big band sessions at the Royal Oak in Kirby Muxloe. They play on the last Monday of the month, so the next performance is on the 29th September at 8.30 pm and costs £5. That’s good value for a band this size. Musical Director Roger Parsons and the Leicester Big Band provide for your entertainment “the very best in hot foot-tapping music from the great swing and jump jive era from the 1940s to the 1960s, recreating the original arrangements of the great Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Artie Shaw.” Fronted by two vocalists and having a full complement of saxes, trumpets and trombones, they are well placed to produce some nostalgic big band sounds.

Would you travel 6 miles? If so you’ll enjoy the monthly sessions at the Newbold Verdon Working Men’s Club on Main Street. The club was saved by it’s members when the promoter said he was pulling out. If you decide to visit you’ll find drinks at club prices and although you can’t get a meal there you can pick up a filled roll for supper. “Newbold Verdon Jazz Club has been running for over twenty years and has hosted some great traditional jazz bands,”

said Maureen. “If you enjoy traditional jazz we would love to see you at our concerts. Dancers are always welcome too. Do come along and join us and have a great evenings entertainment. ” The next concert is on Friday October 3rd, with Johnny Rodgers and Friends. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 8.30pm start and admission is £8.00. The November date it is Friday November 7th with the Annie Hawkins Jazzmen. More details from Kelvin 01455 822824 or Pauline 01162 865496.

Would you travel 9 miles? You could head off in the opposite direction to the long running Priory Jazz Club on Nanpantan Road near Loughborough. There are bands every Thursday. Most bands booked are traditional, dixieland or New Orleans style bands but some mix this with swing or mainstream numbers for an interesting variety. They have about 20 bands which they book each year but also like to try new bands that are recommended to them. At times, they have been able to book bands from abroad while they are on tour in Britain. These include The Bla Mandag band from Denmark and The Spicy Advice Jazz Band from Sweden. International jazz violinist, Tim Kliphuis from Holland with his Hot Club of France style tribute to Stephane Grappelli has also appeared. On Thursday October 23rd the Swedish 9 piece Jelly

Babies Trad Jazz Band return to The Priory during their sixth English tour, with their lively, happy brand of Jazz. Food is served up to the time the jazz starts at 8.30pm and admission is £8. The club website at http://www.jazzpriory.co.uk/ has full details of bands booked for the next couple of months.

Would you travel further? You may prefer to listen to jazz at lunchtime which may mean a trip into Leicester or out to Stoughton or Oakham. Trombonist Dave Harmer, whose jazz pedigree goes right back to Leicester’s Russ Merryfield Jazz Band, has produced a list of jazz venues throughout the East Midlands. You can view it on www.grobyonline.tk but always check with the venue before you travel.

I’ve been dating a homeless woman recently, and it’s getting serious. She’s asked me to move out with her.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

LETTER

National Trust Leicester Association News

The Screen in Groby Church I am writing regarding the recent attack on the character of our local vicar, Rev Louise Corke which appeared in the August issue. The photo of the screen in the Spotlight is taken of the front of the church from the aisle and from someone standing up. Anyone sitting in the congregation either side cannot see the front of the church through this screen. They are separated from the Church by it. The screen is beautiful but is not an asset to the Church. If we want the next generation come into the Church, and it is a big if, then they will need to see the front of the Church and also have a space at the front - for a band to play their own kind of music in their own services - perhaps on a Friday or Saturday. To say that an idol should be made of a Church Building is a valid argument. However to question the character, integrity, and life work of a Godly vicar here, who has a servant heart, is not - just because of a difference in opinion over what a Church is. Firstly she is not pragmatic. Bouncy she is, bossy she isn’t. She could not be less pragmatic. Secondly the accusation that she is uninformed is not true. Well - she might be naïve about the strong power base in the Churches around ‘Religion’ certainly. However, outside International Bible Teachers, she is the most learned and informed Teacher and Preacher I have heard. She has been to a Bible College that actually believes in God, and she is always explaining the Hebrew and Greek nuances of the text in services, which are a joy to be at. We asked her was there any way that the Screen could be moved so we could see the front of the Church, and now feel very upset that this has resulted in her being attacked in such a personal way.

Name & Address Supplied

The First World War had an enormous impact on British society, heralding the end of traditional country house life. Servants and family members were called up to fight in the war, with many tragic deaths. The loss of aristocratic heirs during the war and the crippling impact of death duties led to many families selling their estates. The war also brought about a significant social change in the shape of the servant crisis, with many people previously employed in domestic service finding that they could earn more working in factories. Many great houses and estates were affected in some way by the war, as were the families and servants who lived and worked in them. This year the National Trust is commemorating the lives of those who were on the battlefield and on the home front by sharing their stories with its visitors through various exhibitions. The 7th Lord Vernon’s eldest son and heir to Sudbury Hall, George, died in 1916, aged only 28, while on active service in Gallipoli. Also at the Museum of Childhood at Sudbury you can see an “Ally” teddy bear dressed in British army uniform. These were sold as mascots for the Allied Forces and were manufactured by Harwin & Co Ltd of London who were established in 1914 after the import ban on goods from Germany. Longshaw Lodge in Derbyshire was used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers during the war and a photo album of the time shows the great physical and mental recovery made by many of the men. At Gunby Hall near Skegness two of the inhabitants survived the war – Field Marshal Sir Archibald MontgomeryMassingberd and his son Stephen Massingberd who was a Major in the Lincolnshire Regiment. There is a “Poppy Trail” throughout the house connecting all the items linked to the Great War. Finally, at Canons Ashby a family scrap book is on display showing the house’s connections to the war. All of the above properties are open until 2nd November. The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 24th September at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm when Nick Marshall will present an illustrated talk on Women in the Great War. There is also an evening meeting on Tuesday 14th October when Lt Col Gerald Lesinski will present an illustrated talk on The Lord Leycester Hospital. The meeting will be held at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler

FENCING

S G S

SHOOTER GARDENING SERVICES

NEW & REPAIR WORK UNDERTAKEN ALL WOOD IS PRESSURE TREATED

CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY

0116 2879715 / 07814224630 My girlfriend came round last night. I didn’t even know she’d been in a coma.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Overwhelmed by response

Markfield Medical Centre Fund Raising Appeal

Dr Trzcinski and the partners at Markfield Medical Centre have been overwhelmed by the response to their recent fund raising appeal. The partners launched the appeal to raise money for a Hyfrecater which is used during minor operations to cauterise and stop blood flow. This machine is used during the removal of moles and skin tags and means that patients can come to the surgery rather than go elsewhere to have these procedures carried out. The appeal raised nearly £3,000 which means that other vital pieces of equipment can be purchased such as an advanced blood pressure machine which provides a more effective solution for GPs in the prevention of strokes. The Patient Participation Group (PPG) played a big part in supporting the fund raising appeal, although their main role is to interact with the Doctors and become more involved in the

FUNDRAISING: Muj Rahma of Indian Fusion Restaurant, Markfield is pictured handing over a cheque for £300 to Dr Chris Trzcinski of Markfield Medical Centre. Included in the photograph are Angela Patton, Practice Manager, and members of the Patient Participation Group, Alan Bourne, Angela Berry, Anne Cook, Mary Pepper, June Oakley and Rosie Woodland. running of the surgery. They do this by providing practical support and improving communication between the practice and its patients. The PPG at Markfield Surgery is made up of a number of patients as well as medical and administrative staff from the surgery and the local Pharmacist. The group meets four or five times a year and is involved in discussions concerning such things as new Health initiatives, patient views (as shown in the results of the patient survey) and ways in which the experience of the patients can be improved.

My kids are seven and five. We couldn’t think of better names.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society News Three day outing to South East England On Thursday 31st July, forty members set off for our first visit of the trip which was to the R.H.S. showcase garden of Hyde Hall. Not only did this prove to be a wonderful place for beautifully kept gardens, but our visit coincided with their annual flower show. The herbaceous borders, rose and clematis displays, along side ponds and immaculately trimmed lawns, were a true delight. The show itself had a very relaxing and informal ambiance. There was plenty of room to wander around and the stalls were packed with high quality plants at reasonable prices. Naturally, advantage of such bargains was taken by numerous members. The day was hot and a real bonus of this visit was the many seating areas within pleasantly shaded glades. After the visit, we made our way to our hotel in Canterbury. The accommodation, food and proximity to Canterbury city proved to be more than acceptable. On our second day, we spent the morning at leisure in Canterbury with the option of spending the whole day there. In the afternoon,those who so opted could join the party to travel to the “Secret Gardens of Sandwich”. What a treasure this proved to be! Three acres of exceptionally well- maintained gardens which were split into smaller “rooms”. Not only were the flowers at their peak, but there were informative notices posted around to inform visitors of points of interest. It seemed a great pity that the two gardens visited up to this point are relatively inaccessible from the Midlands. Day trips to either would be very tiring. After another restful stay at our lovely hotel, we spent the Saturday visiting the iconic Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. These consisted of many garden rooms, each of which had a theme. Again, there was so much to admire, especially the many hundreds of yards of immaculately trimmed hedges. The more ambitious could explore the wider estate and there was a challenging climb to the top of a viewing tower. Once on the top, great views of the garden were revealed and gave a real bird’s eye view of the lay-out of these architecturally designed gardens. The return journey was uneventful with the traffic flow maintained throughout, although the traditional slow bit of the M25 was encountered. On both the outward and inward journeys we used the South Mimms service area which proved to be a notch or two up on the M1 facilities.

Meeting held on August 14th 2014

by asking people to open their gardens to visitors and charging a modest fee that would support these nursing charities. The first charge was one shilling. In 2013, the N.G.S. charity donated £500,000 to Macmillan Nurses and the same amount to the Marie Curie charity. £450,000 was similarly donated to The Carers’ Trust and Help the Hospices. In 2014, 3793 gardens were opened and 240 of these offered B. & B. accommodation. Mary finally suggested that by going on-line, vouchers for the 2015 handbook could be purchased for about £10 and she opined that these would make excellent Christmas presents.

Village Show The Show, held on August 16th was thought by many to be one of the best in recent times. There were increased numbers of entrants as well as more entries than ever. Pleasingly, some entrants were first-timers and hopefully enjoyed the experience enough to return next year. More details, especially about prize winners will appear in the October Spotlight.

A generous gift One of the award winners in the “Painted Picture” class has donated the picture to be auctioned and the money to go to the 2015 show funds. The picture, featuring the local “Old John” building, is shown here, and will be available at the next two G.G.S. meetings in September and October. If you would like to bid for the picture, a simple phone call to our treasurer, Mr Eric Atherton, will get you involved. More details will follow as they emerge. Everyone associated with the show would like to thank Francoise Menestrey for her generous donation and note that she undertakes commisions.Her web site is www. originaloilsandpastels.webs.com The picture is 35.5 cm X 26 cm and has a light coloured wooden frame of 52.5 cm X 43 cm dimensions

Future Meetings • October 9th: Garden Birds, Autumn & Winter by David Tideswell • November 13th: The Woodland Trust by Sarah Croft • December 11th: Christmas meal and entertainment Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail anjjmj1@outlook. com

Alvar Johnson

On this evening we welcomed Mary Hayward, Assistant County Organiser for The National Garden Scheme. Essentially this organisation deals with opening gardens for charity and the original concept was based on our perceived national obsession with gardens and our inate curiosity to know what is over someone else’s garden fence. Many readers will be familiar with this scheme and their quite famous yellow book of available gardens to visit. What may be less well known is the very close link it has historiclly with the nursing profession. In 1859, a well-known Liverpudlian and philanthropist, William Rathbone, hired a lady to look after his very ill wife. After his wife’s death, Rathbone kept the nurse on to help poor people in the neighbourhood. Later, Rathbone raised funds for the recruitment, training and employment of nurses to go into deprived areas of Liverpool. Based on the idea of local nursing set up by Rathbone, “District” nursing spread across the country. With support from Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria, the movement became a national voluntary organisation setting standards and training nurses. In 1926, the organisation decided to raise a special fund in memory of their patron, Queen Alexandra, who had recently died. The fund would pay for training and would also support nurses who were retiring. Miss Elsie Wagg came up with the idea of raising money for charity

I once met a girl who had trouble written all over her. It wasn’t the most artistic of tattoos.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Buy some Christmas Raffle Tickets

Support Loros in memory of Bethan Natasha Marie Jackson Golf Memorial Trophy 2014 My family and I would like to thank you all for supporting this annual event held at the ‘Groby Club’ on Saturday 9th August, in memory of our daughter ‘Tasha’.

Following her admission to LOROS in December 2013 Bethan Spencer sent her husband, Neil, a text message which read “I’m at the LOROS hotel, it is amazing!” It was only due to the care she received at LOROS that Bethan was able to share her last Christmas and 45th birthday at home with her family. To say thank you to LOROS Neil has decided to tell their story in support of this year’s Christmas raffle. He also hopes to reassure anyone who finds themselves in a similar position that LOROS is a wonderful place, he says ‘we know what LOROS did for us, we’d recommend anybody to go there’. Tickets costing £1 each will be on sale from October in all LOROS shops, from the Hospice on Groby Road, Leicester or by ringing (0116) 231 8430 and 18 lucky winners will share a total of £11,100! Joining in the fun not only offers the chance to win but is also a great way to support the vital work carried out by LOROS both at the Hospice and out in your local community. Neil says that his family will be eternally grateful to LOROS and want to do everything they can to support the charity to ensure that other people can enjoy the care that his family received. Every £1 ticket bought will help LOROS to continue providing care to people like Bethan and her family across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland so please join in today.

We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone for attending and making this again a special and successful event. Thank you all so much for remembering ‘Tasha’ who is the reason behind all of these proceedings, she is and always will be a huge loss in our lives, even more so at this time of year as she would be celebrating her birthday at the end of August. All proceeds from the day, a total of £2700.00 will go towards and support the fantastic work of the ‘Air Ambulance Service’ - Since holding this event we have raised approx’ £15k. Congratulations go out to this year’s golf tournament winner: - Malcolm Hercock, who accepted the Golf Memorial Trophy’ from last year’s winner Chris Cockram. Our special and heartfelt thanks must go to: • Mick Quilter and Andy Eversfield for organising the golf and the whole of the day’s events throughout. • Adey Dale, Gary the Doorman and colleagues from the ‘Groby Club’ for holding this occasion & supplying the evenings music and live band ‘The Roosters’. The hard work and determination of Stuart ‘Raffles’ Holmes was missed this year in his raffle ticket duties, but hoping he will be back with us next year, accompanied by his two new assistants, Sharon Eversfield and Ann Jackson. Our biggest thanks go to the 250 (plus) people who attended this special day, without whom it would not have been such a successful event. Again this year, our 5th year, the golf and raffle prizes were in abundance, thanks to the generosity of friends, family and many local businesses. Stapleford Park Golf Club, Sytners – BMW, Reiss – Leicester, Bistro Live – Leicester, Whites Hair & Beauty, Cathy Stevens – Groby, Flints – Groby, Stamford Arms – Groby, Kasbah – Leicester, Birstall Golf Club , Kirby Muxloe Golf Club, Gift Donation – Lever Family, Gift Donation – Tasha’s ‘Bezzies’, Gift Donation – Collins Family, Gift Donation – Deb & Dave Bagshaw. Again, thanks to you all & we hope to see you at next year’s 2015 tournament to be held on Saturday 8th August – ‘save the date’!

‘The Jackson’s’ Colin, Ann, Nick & Nathan

Could you bear to be left alone with your thoughts? How would you cope with doing absolutely nothing but being alone with your thoughts? It seems that most of us are unable to switch off, and struggle to spend even brief periods of time alone, with nothing to do but think or daydream. In a research study situation, people who were deprived of access to music or smartphones even preferred to give themselves mild electric shocks rather than simply sit still and think for 15 minutes. The study was published in the magazine ‘Science’.

I always seem to cry at weddings, especially the one I went to last week where the vicar said to me: ‘I’m afraid your bride hasn’t turned up.’

My wife decided on an underwater birth. The leisure centre manager was furious.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

I failed my driving test. The examiner asked: ‘What do you do at a red light?’ I said: ‘I usually check my emails.’

Parish Council Office Village Hall Leicester Road Groby Leicestershire, LE6 0DQ Opening Times Mondays 11.00am to 2.00pm Tuesday s 11.00am to 2.00pm Wednesdays 11.00am to 2.00pm Thursdays 12.30am to 3.30pm Fridays 10.00am to 12.30pm Outside these times by prior appointment Parish Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7.00 pm in the Council Chambers within the Village Hall. Planning Committee meetings are held every two weeks, usually on a Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm. Forthcoming Meetings September 1 Full Council Meeting 10 Planning Committee 24 Planning Committee October 6 Full Council Meeting 8 Planning & Development 13 Finance & General Purposes 13 Parks & Cemetery 22 Planning & Development 30 Scout Liaison November 3 Full Council Meeting 5 Planning & Development 19 Planning & Development December 1 Full Council Meeting 3 Planning & Development 17 Planning & Development Carols Around the Tree Tuesday 16th December 2014 at 7.00 pm All meetings are Open to the Public and Press

A word from the Chairman â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cllr. Jim Coley

This summer seems to have been busier than normal at the Groby Parish Council offices with a plethora of issues affecting the Village of Groby. Below are just a few of the issues involving your Parish Council. Goodbye: First and foremost is the news that our Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, Beverley Greenwood, is sadly leaving us for pastures new to take on a new challenge in helping to rebuild the Kirby Muxloe Parish Council as their Clerk. Beverley, with the able assistance of Sue Pugh, has been the public face of the Parish Council for the past three and a half years. I personally and publicly wish her all the best for the future in her new endeavour and thank Beverley for all the support she has given me in my period as Chairman of Groby PC. Beverley has been instrumental in many beneficial changes in Groby PC's structure including taking us to the status of having a General Power of Competence which has given your Parish Council the authority to be more proactive in our dealings with supporting the Village, particularly in financial matters. Bloor Homes (yet Again): As we had been expecting, following the rather unsatisfactory result in the Judicial Enquiry in their favour on the H&BBC Housing Supply figures, Bloor Homes have resubmitted their application to build some 90+ houses on the Ratby land to the East of Groby Cemetery. After taking suitable legal advice, both Groby and Ratby parish councils have again agreed to wage a joint robust rebuttal of this application. Our planning advisor has intimated that there is a chance of defeating this new application based on the results of the last 3 appeals which support the Judges support of the Green Wedge issues at the judicial enquiry so we have taken the view to continue to defend the green wedge area between the two villages on your behalf. The planning appeal on this application is currently timetabled for January 2015. We understand that all previous objections to the plans will be carried over unless specifically removed by the objector, however this does not preclude any new objections being aired on the H&BBC website. The Planning Application reference number for anyone wishing to add to their objections via the H&BBC planning portal is: 12/00250/FUL Groby Library: As you will probably have been made aware from the various Spotlight reports (from Norman Griffiths and LCC Cllr. Ozzy O'Shea) that there is currently a slight lull in this process whilst we all wait for both the outcome on Groby PC's survey in last month's (Aug) Spotlight and for the decision by the LCC at their September meeting based on their own consultations. Under current thinking from LCC, and as has been previously stated, we are likely to be presented with 4 basic choices.

1: Let the Library close 2: Fund the library through the precept at about 50p per month per household 3: Fund the library though another (independent) source 4: Run the library with volunteers to cover the removal of LCC staff. More on this when we have more information so keep an eye on Cllr. O’Shea's monthly news bulletin in the Spotlight for the latest news. Groby Street Fair: Congratulations to all those associated with another greatly successful Street Fair. For those of you already looking at your next year's diary, the date for the 2015 Street Fair has been provisionally arranged for 20th June 2015. GE (Druck) fire: This was very traumatic for quite a few people both inside and outside the company and was quite a talking point for some weeks afterwards but the aftereffects of the fire, both positive and negative, are still being felt both in the company and in the Village. On the negative front GE have had to rebuild a key part of their processing plant and are still having to have key components produced “off-site” with the resultant personnel being shifted about to meet the demands of the business. On the positive side they will end up with a replacement “state of the art” production area (early 2015 I understand) plus they have built new friendships within the Village in dealing with the fire following the open day (hopefully to become a regular occurrence ) and their stand at the Street Fair. Wallace Drive Drive planning Wallace travellersapplication: site application: application for for the thetravellers permanent has had considerable coverage The application sitecaravan has hadsite considerable coverage both here bothinhere in local newsletters which I’ll not repeat, a reportfrom in the and localand newsletters which I'll not repeat, however I'vehowever had a comment Spotlight last month regarding the support being given to Wallace Drive residents some residents that, unusually, Norman Griffiths has made a slight error in his in their opposition to the planning that Council had Jottings last month in that Grobyapplication PC are not incorrectly bearing thestated costs of anthe initial appeal agreed tothe provide funding up to any initial (against site) as was printed, but haveappeal. agreed to fund the cost against the This is not the current position of the Council. and At to thereassess Augustthe meeting application up to determination to approx £1,500.00 matter it was only agreed fundthat the against the planning in September 2014. to I hope thiscost clears up residents queries. application up to determination to approximately £1,500.00 and to reassess the matter in September would require a further council resolution. Wishing you2014. all wellAdditional for what'sfunding left of the summer. I hope this clarifies the position of the Council for residents and other readers. VANDALISM in Marina Park Sometime during August month Wishing you all well for what’s left of the summer. mindless vandals damaged six of the young trees on Jubilee Walk, planted VANDALISM in Marina Park to August commemorate the Queens Sometime during month mindless vandals Diamond Jubilee. Three of the six trees damaged six of the young trees on Jubilee Walk, planted had to be removed as damage was so to commemorate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Three thatremoved there was nothingwas that of the six trees severe had to be as damage so could be done to save them. As well as severe that there was nothing that could be done to damaging the trees, stakes to save them. As well as damaging theten trees, tenhad stakes be asreplaced these had also. been had to be replaced these hadas been removed removed also. This is criminal damage and it has been reported it to the

police. The Parish Council are very keen to protect our beautiful parks and prevent This is criminal damage and it has been reported it to the police. The Parish damage in the future, particularly to the trees which take so long to grow. We have Council are very keen to protect our beautiful parks and prevent damage in the very few details of this incident so if you have any information e.g. narrowing the future, particularly to the trees which take so long to grow. We have very few timescale when this happened and who might have been responsible, please can details of this incident so if you have any information e.g. narrowing the you let us know. If you see anything untoward going on in the park please contact timescale when this happened and who might have been responsible, please can the police on 101, your help is greatly appreciated. you let us know. If you see anything untoward going on in the park please contact the police on 101, your help is greatly appreciated.

Groby Parish Council is made up of 16 unpaid members. They are supported by a full time employed Clerk, a part time Admin Assistant, the Cemetery Sexton, a Grounds man and two other part time Grounds Maintenance Operatives. Parish Councillors Cllr. Jacqualyn Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Sylvia Beck - 2876716 Cllr. Jim Coley – 07860523567 (Chairman) Cllr. Richard Douglas. JP - 2877065 Cllr. Liz Emmerson - 2312111 Cllr. Rob Fraser - 01530 244175 Cllr. Ted Hollick – 2875955 (V/Chairman) Cllr. Barry Jones - 07877697484 Cllr. Sandra Jones - 07977746108 Cllr. Helen Lindsay - 2314487 Cllr. Eileen Marvin - 2876799 Cllr. Norman McCausland - 2321165 Cllr. Leigh Quilter – 0772523033 Cllr. Cathy Thompson 01530 249203 Cllr. Keith Yarwood – 2870252 Parish Clerk Beverley Greenwood. MBA.BSC.AILCM

0116 2876985 parishclerk@groby.com

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Councillors Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Martin Cartwright – 2874500 Leicestershire County Councillor Cllr. Ozzy O’Shea – 0116 2394336 / 07808585825 Member of Parliament Mr Stephen Dorrell - 2608609

We hope you will find the newsletter and our website interesting, informative, useful and easy to access. Whether you are a resident, newcomer or visitor to the parish, don't hesitate to contact us. This newsletter is also available on the Parish Council website www.groby.com

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Order and collection of your prescription from any surgery and FREE delivery to your home*

RATBY PHARMACY 10 Main Street, Ratby Leicester LE6 0JG

Please call

*in Leicester, Leicestershire

Learn to make money saving meals Come along to a FREE cooking session to learn how to use your leftovers and save up to £60 a month. Groby Community College, Ratby Road, Groby, LE6 0GE • Wednesday 24th September, 7pm-9pm • Wednesday 1st October, 7pm-9pm • Saturday 11th October, 10.30am-12.30pm Rawlins Community College, Loughbrough Road, Quorn, LE12 8DX • Saturday 20th September, 10am-midday • Tuesday 23rd September, 7pm-9pm • Thursday 2nd October, 7pm-9pm

To book* your place call us on 0116 305 7699 or email etddemo@leics.gov.uk To find out about other FREE classes on offer visit www.lesswaste.org.uk/green_skills

*Leicestershire residents only not Leicester City.

Some crocodiles can grow up to 14 feet, but usually they only have four.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Companies invited to marketing seminar in aid of LOROS

Letter

Praise for Groby Cemetery As we draw to the end of a relatively good summer, I would like to pay tribute to the foresight and ambition of our Parish Council regarding our newly revamped cemetery. Whoever thought out and designed the changes ought to be congratulated. The area has been a delight throughout the spring and summer. A special word of thanks and praise is owed to Mr Preston who has worked tirelessly, not only to get the trees, shrubs and flower beds in place, but for his tenacity and commitment in maintaining them to such a high standard. I have heard this area described as “The jewel in Groby’s crown” and I fully understand and appreciate this comment. In addition, I am sure his input into the displays of crosses throughout the village is also much appreciated. As a community, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated groundsman whose pride in his job is self-evident.

A.N.Johnson

The aim of the seminar, called ‘Growth x3’, is to provide business owners with the tools to grow their business in three key areas. The half day event is being held at The Waterfront Restaurant in Harborough on Thursday September 25th starting at 9am. It will then be repeated at 2.30pm for those unable to attend the morning session. Alastair Campbell, MD of The Ideal Marketing Company is hosting the event. An experienced public speaker, Alastair is also author of three business books. With experience spanning two decades, Alastair has helped hundreds of companies across the Midlands to grow by advising on marketing, PR and social media. “It’s important that busy professionals have the opportunity to keep up to date and learn new tools to make the most of the growing economy,” Alastair comments. “Good marketing is key to growth. However, trends and technology are moving at such a pace that it can be difficult to decide where to start when implementing new ideas and strategies. This seminar will offer a huge number of ideas, whilst raising valuable funds for a worthwhile cause.” The seminar costs £50 per person and 100% of the money raised will go to LOROS Hospice who offer support and care for those suffering from terminal illness in the East Midlands. Alastair hopes to raise £2,000 in total from the event. Laura Betts, Partnership Development Executive at LOROS said; “This is a great opportunity to learn some “tricks of the trade” from a marketing pro! Alastair has been so supportive of LOROS in the past and his innovative ideas have proved extremely beneficial. We highly recommend attending this seminar, not only will you learn some valuable advice, but you will also be helping to support your local Hospice”. The seminar is being held upstairs at The Waterfront Restaurant at Union Wharf. For more information or to book a place visit www. idealmarketingcompany.com call 01858 445 543 or email alastair@ idealmarketingcompany.com.

Enjoy Music More! Do you enjoy classical music but would like to know more about it?

Enjoy Music More is a friendly music appreciation and enjoyment group which meets at the Adult Education College in Wellington Street, Leicester on Tuesday mornings from 1012 from mid-September to late March each year. The group is led by Robert Foreman, the well-known local musician and teacher. We would love you to join us! For more information ring Jim on 0116 271 9329, Ken on 01455 822285 or Martin on 0116 259 2868. Alternatively you can e-mail me at taceymartin@hotmail.com

Groby Village Society

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Thursday September 25

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Mrs Denise Taylor Thursday October 23

Great Central Railway History, Decline, Restoration Mr Mike Riley

Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

Martin Tacey

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The other night I ate at a real family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Retiring after 43 years at The Glenfield Surgery! I am retiring at the end of October after nearly 43 years of continuous employment at The Glenfield Surgery, the last 20 of which have been as Assistant Practice Manager. There have been so many changes over the years. When I was first employed by Dr Small in June 1972, the premises had not changed a lot since Dr Parkes Bowen had lived there with his wife and children. There were toy cupboards in the large attic, one for each of his children and they are still there today but it is now the staff room. What is now the rear car park was a lovely, large lawn complete with rose beds and greenhouses and one of our jobs would be to water the tomatoes in the summer! The photograph was taken in 1973 and shows the entire reception, nursing and administrative team with Dr Small and Dr Patterson, how things have changed! Our health visitor at that time was Miss Powell and she would do all her home visits on a very old, rusty bicycle with a basket on the front. I have witnessed at least four computer systems, three major extensions to the premises, not to mention the 150 plus GP Registrars, Foundation Year 2 doctors and medical students who have had, and continue to have, part of their medical training at the practice. One of our first GP Registrars, Dr Mike Mead, a partner at Forest House, Kirby Muxloe for many years, recently retired and that did make me feel very old as I was responsible for his training schedule at Glenfield Surgery many years ago! There have been some sad times, particularly with the deaths of Dr Patterson, Dr Moore and Dr Small (although he had already retired from the practice) and Glenda, a much loved receptionist and friend. I have also had many happy times both with staff and patients. I have always tried to help and encourage the staff and I have made lifelong friends with many of them. The most satisfying part of my job has been the contact with patients, and their health and well being has always been of paramount importance to me. To come home at the end of the day and know that your actions, albeit sometimes only listening, have made a difference to someone is a good feeling. I do feel however, that it is the right time for me to retire from an ever changing NHS and be able to enjoy my beautiful granddaughter, gardening, watercolour painting and spending time with my wonderful family and

‘The Good Old Days’: L-R: Sister Heather McLavy, Corinne, Sister Peggy Light, Elaine Berry, Sister ?, Pam Bywater, Sheila Teague and the young one on the end is me, with Dr Small and Dr Patterson at the back. friends. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, I shall miss you all so much.

Ruth Rolinson My mother ran off with the milkman when I was five years old. Watching them drive away together on his float was the worst hour and a half of my life.

I’ve developed a taste for fabric conditioner. My doctor says it’s just comfort eating.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Martinshaw Year 6 Production on the theme of World War I It is traditional that year 6 at Martinshaw Primary School produce a show to say goodbye to the school. This year, as it was the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1,the teachers thought the leaving production should be on this subject. Therefore, as it was such a large production, Year 6 teamed up with year 5 to manage a play from the BBC called “Archie Dobsons War”. Because of SAT’s, we only had 2 weeks to rehearse and perfect the play. But, with much stress and sleepless nights, we pulled off the almost impossible task of finalizing the production. The play started with the assassination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand in 1914 and ended with armistice day in 1918. The story surrounded the life of a young village boy called Archie Dodson who saw relatives enthusiastically rushing off to join the Army, thinking the war would be over by Christmas. After receiving the news of his cousin’s death at the front, and seeing his father also called up, he started to realise what the war really meant. At the end of the production, which lasted over an hour, the casualty numbers were read out for each country and finally the figures of Groby where 24 people died. 24 large poppies were made containing individual names of all those from our village who died in the service of our country. The poppies were carefully laid in front of the now very sombre audience and a silence was kept. J. Ball, D. Hyde-Thomson W. Spencer L. Brotherhood H. Ingram S. Storer G.H. Burdett H.W. Liddell W. Steer J.W. Burdett J.H. Overton K.C. Thomson T.R. Burdett W.W. Preston S.P.D.Thomson H. Clarke E.C. Saunders S.L. Warder C.G. Finney T.A. Slingsby W. Watson G. Gillet G.H. Smith J. Wood ‘Lest We Forget’

Benjamin Shearer (Aged 11 Years)

My identical twin was run over by a steamroller last year. He’s not been the same since.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 Date for your diary

Momentous week for talented local couple

Groby Players next production Groby Players next production will be staged the Village Hall Groby on November 6th,7th,8th at 7.30pm.

Norman Griffiths catches up with Aynsley and Steph Lister It’s natural for newly weds to look happy when they take time off work and jet off somewhere. When Markfield residents Aynsley and Steph Lister left for Cuba for their honeymoon last month they had another reason to be smiling. Aynsley had just won two of the five categories he had been nominated for in the annual British Blues Awards, and was named runner up in the three others. The title song from his 2013 album Home won the award for Best Song, and Aynsley also won the Best Songwriter award. It’s been a long road for the former Groby resident and Community College student and these awards are an important milestone in his career. The twelve months since the release of Home last summer have been significant for Aynsley and Steph, as the album was the first release on their own record label, Straight Talkin’ Records. This new venture was in addition to the other business services they offered such as an in-house, professional design service for a range of different projects. This includes tour flyers, leaflets and t-shirt design to album covers and full promotional campaign work. Then there’s a website design service, catering for many different styles and providing ecommerce solutions so clients can start selling their products and merchandise. And with Steph taking over as Aynsley’s manager they also gained the experience to offer Artist Management services. They can help with booking full tours to providing advice on professional matters, long-term plans and personal decisions. They currently book venues in the UK, Netherlands and parts of Germany. All this is in addition to a demanding touring schedule which is

particularly intense overseas with rarely a day off. Aynsley also gives guitar tuition and there is even the opportunity to spend the weekend with him and his band for a guitar workshop. After dinner on the Friday evening there’s an evening jam - 2 guitarists at a time getting up to jam with the band. During the rest of the weekend the blues/rock musician, and now award winning songwriter, talks to the group about various aspects of playing and they will get a chance to put any ideas discussed into practice with the band. As if this isn’t enough the couple have signed a young German to their record label which meant an extra workload in the studio recording his debut album with him. “It’s a different direction to Aynsley and certainly isn’t blues,” said Steph. Their honeymoon plans meant they weren’t able to attend the awards ceremony but Aynsley said he wished to thank everyone who had nominated and voted for him. “There were some amazing musicians nominated this year and a lot of my closest friends were in the running, so it’s a real honour to have won two of the awards,” he said. And their thoughts on their marriage? “Finally married my best friend... my straight talkin’ woman! The most amazing day ever,” said Aynsley. “It’s been such a fantastic week - two awards, a wedding and a honeymoon!” added Steph.

The play is entitled ‘Day of Reckoning’ by Pam Valentine. The play features a number of characters on ‘The Committee’ , who are supposed to be discussing the arrangements for the village fete that year. This discussion gives way to bickering and gossip, and the personalities of the characters begin to appear! The play is funny, but has an air of pathos, as the secrets of ‘’ordinary ‘’ people unravel. Tickets will be on sale in October in the village hall, but can be reserved before then by emailing dot@hollins. freeserve.co.uk or 07790 861033, or 0116 2877373. (‘’Day of Reckoning’’ is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD)

Dot Hollins

Your children need an adventure! Next half-term, why not take your children on some sort of outdoor adventure? Ben Fogle, the adventurer and father of two, says that the dwindling amount of time that children spend outside exploring is a worrying trend. The weather, computer games and concerns for safety are often blamed for why children are spending more and more time indoors. Now as many as eight in ten parents admit that they have never taken their children stargazing or fishing. In fact, a quarter of parents in a recent Mothercare survey said that their children spend fewer than 30 minutes a week playing outdoors.

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An East Midlands Focus. Tutor: Dave Taylor— Loughborough WEA Revolution in farming with the coming of new methods: revolution in transport by way of turnpikes and canals, and the beginning of the industrial revolution. All this against the background of political revolution in America and France. The course will examine how all of these impacted on our local area in various ways. Groby Village Hall; Tuesdays 10.00—11.30am 9 meetings starting 16 September. Fee for course :£52.00 (discounted £46.80) To enrol phone 01509 268636 or online at https://enrolonlinewea.org.uk/online—for an informal chat phone Dave Taylor 0116 2871895

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Changes to Car Tax Disc Display & Sale Borough Councillor Martin Cartwright has supplied the following information about the changes to the Car Tax arrangements: From 1st October 2014 you will no longer receive a car tax disc to display in your car window •

From October 1st 2014 You will no longer be required to display your current car tax disc in the car window • From October 1st 2014 You will not be able to sell a venicle with any remanding car tax to the new owner (the current registered keeper will automatically get a refund of the unexpired complete months left. The new owner will have to apply for a car tax disc themselves. From 1 October 2014, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle windscreen. If you have a tax disc with any months left to run after this date, then it can be removed from the vehicle windscreen and destroyed. Customers with a Northern Ireland address will still need to display their MoT disc. There is a video available (Goodbye to the tax disc) which explains that the tax disc will no longer be issued from 1 October 2014. You can watch the video on YouTube. You can apply online to tax or SORN your vehicle using your 16 digit reference number from your vehicle tax renewal reminder (V11) or 11 digit To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you will still need to get vehicle tax and DVLA will still send you a renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire. This applies to all types of vehicles including those that are exempt from payment of vehicle tax.

Buying a vehicle From 1 October, when you buy a vehicle, the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. You will need to get new vehicle tax before you can use the vehicle.

Selling a vehicle If you sell a vehicle after 1 October and you have notified DVLA, you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax.

Newtown Linford Bridge Drive The Bridge Drive on Thursday 13 November is at at Newtown Linford Village Hall -1.30 for a 1.45 pm. start. At £6.00 per person, the cost includes afternoon tea and a donation to Macmillan Nurses, the nominated 2014 charity of Bradgate Flower Club. Contact Sue on 01530 245373 to book a table.

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It doesn’t take much to make a woman happy. However, it takes even less to make her mad.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

New Beginner Dodgeball Sessions at Enderby The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Ask about our new menus! www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sun 14th Sept: The Dirty Water Band - Local Band Playing Rock & Pop Covers 3.30pm Sat 4th Oct: The Wanderers Young Band Playing 50’S & 60’S Covers Sat 25th Oct: The Boneyard Blues Band - Rhythm Blues And Rock Covers Band Fri 31st Oct: Halloween Special With Band Called T.b.c. - Twisted Melody’s & Mash Ups Sat 1st Nov: Childrens Halloween Party 4-6pm Sat 8th Nov: Tony Wadsworth’s Upbeatles - Charity Evening For Redgates Animal Sanctuary Free Room Hire Available For Your Perfect Party - Bingo Every Tuesday Evening - View Our Website On www. facebook.com/TheThorntonClub The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 Sat 4th October: TRACY - female singer - party night Pub Quiz - last Thursday of the month. ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK - search Bagworth WMC New members welcome. Saturday 13th September: SOCIAL DANCE - £2 entry, on the door. Friday 26th September: CHARITY DANCE - £2.50 entry on the door - in aid of the Air Ambulance, with organist RICHARD KEELING Saturday 27th September: ‘ALI BY REQUEST’ - free entry. Every Tuesday night - target shooting - call for details Every Monday night: DOMINOES only £1.50 entry, which includes supper. Bargain! Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month - and RAFFLE with excellent prizes. Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £2.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions.

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Friday 26th September - Blues Brothers vs Madness Sunday 5th October: WEDDING FAIR - free entry - 10am-3pm Friday 31st October - Lady Bacardi Drag Act plus Male Vocalist The Bull’s Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Sat 13th Sept: NITE AIR featuring JOHN STACEY Sat 20th Sept: WAYNE CURTIS All FREE Entry! Garden & Pub Games etc. POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:Next two are Saturday 13th September and Saturday 27th September with ‘King of the Road’. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Friday 19th Sept: Charity EVENT For Loros And Wishes 4 Kids Sat 20th Sept: The Munix Quality - Local Band Sunday 21st Sept: Super Sunday 50 Bingo And Quiz Friday 26th Sept: Just Jacob Guaranteed A Good Night From This Guy Sat 27th Sept: No Strings - Very Good Male/ Female Duo Sunday 28th Sept: Super Sunday 50 Bingo And Quiz Friday 3rd October: A.k.a. - Brilliant Male Duo Sat 4th October: Limozine Excellent Duo Sunday 5th October: Super Sunday 50 Bingo And Quiz Friday 10th October: Savannah Very Good Female Solo Sat 11th October: Limited Edition - Very Good Local Band

Enderby Dodgeball Academy from Tuesday 2nd September will be running Beginner Dodgeball sessions for new female and male players aged between 15 and 50 plus. Our beginner sessions focuses on developing the basic skills of Dodgeball helping all new players to have fun learning the sport. Our beginner sessions takes place every Tuesday from 8.30pm-10.30pm at Enderby Leisure Centre each session costs just £2 with a membership pack provided to all new players. Our beginner sessions are ran by UKDBA Level Two Dodgeball Coaches. Come and get involved in our fun and friendly Dodgeball Academy.

Groby Police News There has been an increase in dog on dog attacks in the area last month which the police are investigating. If you own a dog which isn’t friendly towards other dogs, then please ensure it is on the lead at all times whilst out of the house, or use a muzzle. Allowing your dog to be dangerously out of control and causing fear to other people is an offence, and as an owner you could be prosecuted. Please ensure that serious dog attacks are reported to the police via 101. I am appealing for witnesses to a road rage incident which occurred on the A50 at Groby on 24th July 2014 at 5pm. The incident involved a black Citroen Xantia and a green Volvo. The vehicles were travelling county bound. If anyone has witnessed this incident then please contact me on 101 ext: 5675 and leave a voicemail for PC 4675. Details for the up and coming beat surgeries are as follows: • Sept 20th 12pm • Nov 29th 12pm These will be held at the Library by PCSO Ed Green, everyone welcome.

PC 4675 Katie Harris

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When my uncle was dying, his wife Tina and sister Marge were grieving at his bedside. He turned to them and whispered: ‘Don’t cry for me, Marge and Tina.’ My wife said she wanted something black and lacy for her birthday, so I bought her a pair of football boots.

My cooking is so awesome, even the smoke alarm cheers me on.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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It is not MY fault that I never learned to accept responsibility!

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 01162 879760

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

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Part night lighting I have been contacted by some residents who have concerns about the County Councils Part Night Lighting scheme that has been introduced across Leicestershire since 2010. Certainly I can confirm that Ratby has had part-night lighting for the past 3 years and has not seen any significant rise during the night. I would like to allay resident’s fears as I said in last month’s issue i was a strong critic of the scheme when it was introduced 3 years ago in Ratby but my fears were unfounded. Tony Bull one of the lead officers implementing the scheme says: “There is now significant experience across Leicestershire which suggests that the introduction of part-night lighting does not have any discernible impact on crime. In fact since 2010, overall crime across Leicestershire has fallen by 10% during the switch-off period in the first year of each scheme (when compared to the year before partnight lighting was introduced), in a similar way to falls in other districts. The police have been involved with the part-night lighting since 2009 and Leicestershire County Council has been working closely with them throughout the project and will continue to do so. Hopefully this will go some way to allay people’s fears, although it is understandable that in the first year of any part-night lighting scheme people will have worries. Studies conducted by other councils have shown that this initial rise in the fear of crime reduces to pre part-night levels after a year once people have gotten used to it”

Planning Application Ref: 13/01029/COU Wallace Drive Groby Residents may be aware that the above planning application for the Gypsy and Traveller site has been dragging on for months and has yet to be determined. We have now been made aware that the applicant has submitted an amended plan. A 21 day consultation period started on the 21st August.

Parking On Pavements And Grass Verges I regularly receive numerous complaints with regards to people parking their vehicles on the pavement and grass verges.

I would urge drivers not to park on the pavements and to consider pedestrians mothers with push

PAVEMENT PARKINGothers Thinking of

The RNIB, Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicestershire Councils are working together to encourage people to be more considerate when parking.

Did you ever consider that parking on the pavement can be dangerous as people, such as the blind and partially sighted, wheelchair users and those with pushchairs, sometimes have to walk on the road, make detours or turn back if they can’t get past.

chairs and disabled mobility scooter riders. The verges were not provided as car parks and I would urge drivers to not park on grass verges and open spaces. The weather is about to change as we head towards autumn, the grass gets churned up and a muddy mess is left behind. The County Council is not in a position to repair damaged areas. If residents have issues with drivers parking on the pavement and they are causing an obstruction please call the police on 101.

call away.

Ozzy O’shea Cllr Ozzy O’shea

Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

My daughter won first prize in an unusual pet contest. She entered a tin of sardines.

Temporary Road Closure Of: Bridleway R115, Ratby Ivanhoe Trail I appreciate that a large number of residents use the Ivanhoe trail. In order to safely gain access to the motorway bridge for repairs, Leicestershire County Council Highways have agreed to closure of the above Bridleway, between Taverner Drive and Mill Lane. The Highways Agency will close the above bridleway whenever there are vehicles requiring access to the site. There will marshals on site to guide members of the public through the works. The works commenced on the 1st September and last for up to 20 weeks. During the closure the alternative route will be signed on site. Once the Highways Agency has completed this work the County will complete the works and tarmac along this stretch of the Ivanhoe Trail. The County Council expects the completion of this section of the Ivanhoe trail to be completed in January 2015. This will then complete the up rated footpath between Ratby and Glenfield. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for their continued support and remind you that I am only a phone

JOB VACANCY SEASONAL GROUNDS PERSON Approx 1300 hours per year Seasonally loaded towards summer working Circa £10,140 p.a (subject to ability and skills)

Seasonal opportunity for a well organised and proactive individual to assist with tasks around the village and within the Parish Council cemetery – planting of display flower beds (including feeding and watering), minor hedge trimming, strimming of pathways, weeding, installing benches, etc.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 24th September 2014 An Application Form, Job Specification and Person Specification can be obtained from the address below, alternatively details are available to download from our website www.groby.com. Return completed forms and letter of application to:

Clerk to the Council, Groby Parish Council Office, Village Hall, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0DQ.

Email: parishclerk@groby.com Telephone: 0116 2876985

A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Loads happening at Glenfield U3A!

Have fun, make friends, stay fit and exercise the mind. That is the ethos of the Glenfield branch of the U3A. Membership has expanded to over 230 members in four years and we can now boast over 30 active and thriving groups. Some groups are so popular that we have created second or third groups on the same topic to avoid disappointment. The current groups include; Art appreciation, Badminton, Bird watching/natural history, Board games, Card making, Computing, Craft, Cycling, Days Out, Discussion, Family History, Film Club, Flower arranging, Gardening, German for beginners, History (1 & 2), Indoor bowls, Luncheon (1 & 2), Photography, Pilates, Reading (1 & 2), Strollers, Table tennis, Tai Chi, Walk & talk (local history), Walking (1,2,& 3) and Writers. Some groups are for the creative, some for the intellectual, some for the sporty, and some for the social. Many of the groups overlap and cover all those aspects mentioned. There is something for everyone and if there isn’t, then tell us and we will do our best to create a new group. Following on from the success of the formation of a Catering team, Angela Barbour, the membership secretary, now has a Welcoming team on hand at the monthly meetings to greet new members – we realise how daunting it can be for some people to attend

gatherings on their own and we try to make our meetings as friendly and as welcoming as possible. Apart from group activities we organise a number of Social events throughout the year. Over 70 members attended the Summer Special held at the Ratby sports club at the end of June. They danced the night away to music from the 60’s and 70’s played by local band Hint of Mint and the club supplied a superb buffet. It was another excellent night which will no doubt be repeated next year. Events in August included an outing to Trentham gardens, a gardening group visit to Melbourne Hall and gardens, and a tea tasting/cream tea at the monthly meeting. More events to add to your diary: At the monthly meeting on Thursday 25th September, the speaker, Val Williams will talk about an Arctic Experience. Members will be bringing (and buying) cakes, and proceeds from this meeting will be donated to Macmillan. On Saturday 4th October there will be a Barn Dance at St Peter’s Church Centre. Tickets are £10 and include live music and a buffet. On Thursday 23rd October at the monthly meeting, the speaker,

Margaret Baldwin will be talking about the Stoney Cove Diving School. Another Glenfield U3A ‘Roadshow’ will be held during the morning of Tuesday 4th November at the Scout HQ, Glenfield. Featuring information and displays on all the existing groups and potential new groups. This is your chance to meet with Committee members and group co-ordinators. If you are interested in joining and can’t make a Thursday afternoon meeting then why not pop in and see us at the roadshow. Have a chat over a cup of tea and biscuits and see what we have to offer. On Wednesday 5th November the Gardening group have arranged for speaker, Mike Dunnett to talk on ‘Gardening Made Easy’ this event will be at the newly refurbished Ratby Sports Club. Tickets are £5 and include cakes and refreshment On Thursday 27th November at the monthly meeting, there will be a talk on Farming and Wildlife by Andrew Parsons. In December there will be a Christmas party at St Peter’s Church centre and to end the year on a high, members will be travelling to Thursford Christmas spectacular on Saturday 13th December.

Thinking of joining the U3A? Then why not bring fresh ideas and join the Committee too – what better way to become involved in the organisation and make new friends? Do you have a special interest or talent that you are prepared to share? If so we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in any of our activities and have entered your ‘third age’ (are retired or semi-retired) then why not join? Membership is only £1 per month + an annual fee to head office for insurance of £3.50. Monthly meetings are held at 2pm on the fourth Thursday of the month at St Peter’s Church Centre, Glenfield. There is usually a round up of U3A news followed by a guest speaker, refreshments and a chance for a natter with friends old and new. The new Welcoming Team will be there to meet and greet visitors at these meetings and discuss group activities and introduce you to group coordinators. Please take a look at our website www.u3asites.org.uk/glenfield it is full of information, newsletters, committee meeting minutes, useful links. Membership forms are available on line. Email glenfieldu3a@aol.com or telephone Gail Nunn – 0116 2314895 for information.

Gill Tapping

Urban Saints groups are Back! And they will go on building friendships, having fun and exploring faith.

Please note, Quest will not be running this term. Groups meet at the URC: - for 7’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm

Fair Cuppa:

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

CHuRCH OPEN FOR PRAyER

- Need a space to step aside for a while? - Got things you would like to say a prayer for? - Like the chance to think without interruptions? - Facing something that worries you? You can be alone, maybe write and leave a prayer request, you can speak with someone who will pray with you or just use some of the prayers and readings available. St. Philip & St. James Church, Markfield Road Saturdays 10.00-12noon

All of these activites, along with our work in schools, are provided by the two churches in Groby under the group name EXTEND.

Catch

meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer. Back in September!, 9.30-11.30am, at the URC.

For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 united Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733 Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804

I saw that show, 50 Things To Do Before You Die. I would have thought the obvious one was “Shout For Help”.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

All the latest news from Groby WI This month we had our annual charity walk which was for the Twenty Twenty charity. A local charity whose aim is to help hundreds of disadvantaged and disengaged young people to develop self belief and motivation, achieve in education, learn work ready skills and attitudes, find and keep good jobs. In other words youngsters who for various reasons i.e. family problems, get into the wrong crowd, low selfesteem etc need a bit of help. They are probably trying to get a job or get into college. They are helped by mentoring, volunteers who work with them on a one to one basis. The walk itself was on a lovely sunny day around the village. I am very pleased to say that there were plenty of participants who were not WI. A young lady from Africa who was doing a course here, young families, people employed locally, all of whom the WI give many thanks to for their support. Talking of support, our local Budgens, as usual turned up trumps and supplied us with very welcome bottles of cold water, again many thanks. At the last count we were coming up to £600.00, well done all. The Village Show was very successful, there were more entries in most sections. The main hall was a picture of flowers and produce. I loved the children’s section, it’s wonderful to see what marvellous imaginations they have. The crafts were well represented, I only wish I could do any of them, I am useless. WI members entered into the spirit with more entries than we have had for a while. Personally I was more interested in the cookery section. Never the one to crow, being somewhat modest, but I did get a 2nd and 3rd, the only trouble being was that my cake, so the Judge said, undercooked. This I dispute, it was definitely cooked, all the ingredients were right but I must admit in the wrong order, hence it looked a soggy mess – but it was cooked. My husband, ever loyal, said it wasn’t too bad. Enough about me, our star, the

WI member with the most cups and points etc was Kay Blick who I believe had about 40 entries, how does she do it. Second was Lynn Mellor who deserved the prize with some lovely entries, good job I am not the jealous sort! I thought our ladies who did shifts in the kitchen, serving etc did brilliantly, did you notice their new pinnies?

Some of us had a trip out to Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire (above). The weather wasn’t as warm as it had been but it didn’t rain. We met up at lunch time at the Melbourne Tea Room, adjoining the Hall. All said they enjoyed it, especially the large pots of tea which kept coming, most unusual nowadays. After that with a little time to spare we wandered around the courtyard looking into the little shops, very varied, small but interesting. Then we met up again to begin our tour of the Hall. Melbourne Hall was a Royal Manor until its sale by James 1st in 1604 but previously to that there was an unfinished Lancastrian castle built between 1311 and 1322 which was demolished in the early 17th century, leaving Melbourne Hall as the most important house in the parish. The Australian city of Melbourne takes its name indirectly from Melbourne, Derbyshire. Melbourne, Australia was named after Lord Melbourne in 1837, while he was Prime Minister under King William IV; it was previously known as Bearbrass (I bet you didn’t know that). Family names dating from the 16th century was Coke (pronounced Cook), then the Lamb’s (the Viscount Melbourne’s) and now the Kerrs. The 2nd Viscount Lamb married Lady Caroline Ponsonby. Lady Caroline had a public affair with Lord Byron and it was she who coined

the famous phrase about him as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”. It was this Lord Melbourne who was Prime Minister when Queen Victoria came to the Throne and he helped Victoria during the early years of her reign. The present family are the Kerr’s and Ralph Kerr who is the present owner of the Hall is actually Marquess of Lothian. This is because Michael Ancram (who, I think, has plenty of other titles, passed down this title to his younger brother Ralph because he wanted to be in the Government. Michael Ancram was a lawyer and dropped the title of ‘Lord’ because in Court he didn’t want the Court to become confused with having two ‘My Lords). Are you still with me, anyway Ralph Kerr (pronounced Rafe Carr (I had this trouble last month with names) is now Marquess of Lothian and occupier of the Hall. He has I think six mostly grown up children and apart from August when the Hall is open, it is the family home. The tour itself took us around the house, loads of family paintings and lovely contents. After we went into the formal garden which is quite large and beautifully kept, another interesting trip. Talk about being amazed, the Groby WI ladies are very rarely dumb founded but they were at the last meeting. We went along to hear a talk from the “Stammering Toastmaster”. Enter Steve West – followed by two really handsome young men. I thought my luck had changed! Anyway back to the talk, these gentlemen were all stammerers.

Steve began, he being the older explaining that the other two chaps were more or less fairly newcomers to the McGuire Programme. This is a treatment run by stammerers which involves the use of costal breathing (diaphragmatic breathing). The programme’s best known graduate to-date is the British singer Gareth Gates (pictured above) who has regularly promoted the course during TV interviews in the UK and Ireland. Also Graeme Duffin, lead guitarist of the band Wet Wet Wet who joined the programme with great success. Scottish international rugby union captain, Kelly Brown, is another graduate of the course. Basically costal breathing is when we fill our lungs then breathe out at a much slower

pace and speak (or sing, singers use this). Steve explained that every day you must do at least 20 minutes breathing exercises in front of a mirror. You have to stare at yourself, just breathing for a start from the diaphragm then go on to three words, breathe and say the next few words. It sounds easy but it is not. After about 3 – 4 lessons you have to go public i.e. stand somewhere where there are people e.g. the Clock Tower and talk about anything. This is because most stammerers have suffered lack of confidence mostly due to when at school etc they were taunted. Hence part of the course is on confidence. This is where ‘Toastmasters’ comes in, they all belong to this Society and are encouraged, again, to give talks. These three men, especially the younger ones, stood in front of 40 or so women and gave a talk on their experience. Vineet the younger one said he choose to become an accountant because he thought he would just sit in an office and work but of course that’s not the case, he has to give budgets, financial statements to meetings etc. Parmdeep also spoke about himself and his experiences. In between this Steve, who is able to converse more easily because he has been doing this for some years, kept us amused with various stories and anecdotes. Steve then said to encourage public speaking they had devised a game where they asked the audience for half a dozen topics for each of them to make up a story. My two pennies worth was the WI, others said The Queen, cats and dogs and various others. Each in turn brought these subjects in making it a funny follow on story. They did this obviously displaying their breathing technique but we had a laugh. It was, I think, the best evening we have had in a while so unexpected, interesting and amusing . At the end they asked for questions, I have never heard so many ladies put their hands up. Normally you are lucky if you get the odd one but we had plenty of questions that night. At the end the speaker usually does a quick get away but bless Steve, Vineet and Parmdeep they hung around still prepared to talk to us over a cuppa. I could tell you loads more, it was a fascinating evening. September’s meeting is our one and only Rev. Helen Hayes of Groby Sings fame. Her talk is “Talk Singing” but knowing Helen anything goes. I can guarantee a great evening. Come along on the 18th September at 7.30pm to the Village Hall and join in the fun. By the way, I must mention my other half Evelyn. Evelyn has spent a few days in hospital but is now home and getting on fine, hence all the rubbish is mine. Evelyn said she always misses the good ones but I am sure there will be plenty more.

Margaret Gamble

“Always leave them wanting more” is my standard approach to paying bills.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

British Freshwater Fish Wordsearch

T R V G K T C H U B G Z X O W

H U J A V D L J F O N T S B C

D C E Q T A P M J D S R J F S

BARBEL BLEAK BREAM CARP CHUB DACE PERCH PIKE ROACH RUDD TENCH ZANDER

V L R E M M U A D Z L J K W A

B O N E L D D W W B T F R X E

M C I L P T O H P C A L I N I

H C A O R A K S U A D R W O Y

R S A D J C M F L R B L B E Z

Passcod

Find the names of TWELVE British Freshwater Fish 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 freshwater fish. These can run (or should that be swim?) vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: TIGHT LINES, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 1st October 2014. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s float box will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck!

H D D D X Q A P L P D R C E N

P N D U J D E I M T X A Z Y L

U I J R W I R H O Y D V C S T

L F K Y D Z B X E M F I Z E N

L P K E S N D N Q P H W L I X

J G R A Q D C R E Z A N D E R

W H N M F P V X V J G K X L B

Here are the 12 Freshwater Fish you have to find:

BARBEL • BLEAK • BREAM • CARP CHUB • DACE • PERCH • PIKE ROACH • RUDD • TENCH • ZANDER

Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................

Last Issue’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: MARGARET HACKETT of Leicester Road, Field Head Your prize - a Voucher for a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel will be sent to you within 21 days.

Do YOU have storage space going spare?

The LOROS Fundraising Department are desperately searching for a new home to store their event props and equipment due to the changing ownership of their current premises. LOROS have an event calendar full to the brim with fundraising activities ranging from, golf days, to dog walks and fireworks to luncheons. Over time the LOROS Fundraising Department have come to “collect” a large amount of event props and infrastructure which helps them to put these events on and ultimately and keep costs to a minimum by not having to outsource. Do you currently have an empty space that LOROS could utilise? Ideally the new premises would be within a three mile radius of the Hospice (Glenfield, Leicester) and would be on the ground floor. The space would be a minimum of 70 square metres and would allow for free standing racking to be erected. Please contact LOROS Fundraising on 0116 2318431 or e-mail fundraising@loros.co.uk if you feel you may be able to help.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Bradgate Flower Club News On Wednesday 1st October, Bradgate Flower Club welcomes Lynda Stamp from Market Harborough with ‘Nature’s Fantasia’ as her theme. We meet at Newtown Linford Village Hall at 7.30 pm. Visitors are welcome. A charge of £5 is made. Details from Lillian Coleman on 0116 2363191. Bradgate Flower Club meets at 7.30 on Wednesday 5 November. The guest demonstrator joins us from Sheffield. Glenda Bream’s floral arrangements will be ‘Inspired by Constance’. Visitor are welcome. A charge of £5 is made. We meet at Newtown Linford Village Hall at 7.30 pm. Details from Lillian Coleman on 0116 2363191.

Geraldine Abbott Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it’s all over much too soon.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • SEPTEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

NEW RANGES AVAILABLE

I took my wife’s family out for tea and biscuits. They weren’t too happy about having to give blood, though.