September 2016 groby spotlight online by Michael Wilkinson

Groby Players

Great fundraising effort by Mes Enfants

Two comedy plays to be performed at Groby Village Hall GROBY PLAYERS next production will be performed on 27th /28th/ 29th October, 2016 in the Village Hall , Groby. The performance will consist of 2 one act plays , both with a comedy theme. The plays feature a light hearted look at people and their interaction in differing situations, one a drama workshop and the other a book club. The performances begin at 7.30pm, (doors open at 7pm) and is café style seating. Patrons are invited to bring their own refreshments. Tickets are £6.00 (no concessions) and can be obtained and/or reserved by email; dot@dhollins. freeserve.co.uk or tel 01162877373 or tel/text 07790861033. We will also be selling tickets in the Village Hall in Groby every Saturday from 10am -12noon beginning 1st October 2016.

The Mes Enfants team had a lovely time with parents and children walking in Bradgate Park. We would like to thank you for your support and your donations, we raised over a £100 in aid of “ADHD Solutions“.

Anyone for Badminton? Friendly Badminton Club requires players at Groby Community College on Wednesdays 8pm-10pm. Tel: 0116 267 5800 for details.

Local man to scale Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Rainbows ASHOK Kotecha from Groby, Leicester will be setting off in the Autumn of 2017 to face the biggest challenge of his life, as he takes part in the Kilimanjaro Trek Climbing the Highest Mountain in Africa (at 5895 m). The Rainbows Hospice (East Midlands only Children and Young person’s Hospice). As life limited children move into young adulthood, their needs may become greater and support by people like Ashok Kotecha and his sponsors will ensure Rainbows are there for them and their families. Sadly the need for Rainbows will never disappear Ashok Kotecha will be setting off, as part of a group of trekkers, to Tanzania to hike towards the sky and the summit of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895m and it is world’s highest free-standing Mountain. It’s no holiday, with some tough climbing at altitude and arduous days trekking over 7 consecutive days but it will certainly be rewarding and will without doubt be the trip of Ashok’s lifetime. Ashok said – “I know it’s going to be tough but I want to push myself and am hoping to raise £3,750 for this really worthwhile cause and at the same time accomplish a real sense of achievement”. If you would like to make a donation to Ashok Kotecha all you need to do is log onto www.justgiving.com/ashokkotecha and donate from there.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Bradgate Rotary Club News

A trip on the canal with the Baldwin Trust

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Watercolour painting classes at Groby Village Hall BRADGATE Rotary Club had a wonderful sunny day for their trip on the canal with The Baldwin Trust (a local charity offering Pleasure Cruises on the local canal network). Bradgate Rotary have adopted the Baldwin Trust as one of the beneficiaries for its charity work during 2016 – 2017. Anyone can organise to have a fun day out with friends and family on the canal with The Baldwin Trust which comes fully crewed so passengers can either support the crew and do the hard work of steering and getting through the locks or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. The Baldwin Trust also offers charity cruises to community groups of disabled, seriously ill persons and disadvantaged young people to give them an opportunity to discover the delights of canal cruising. The boats have well equipped kitchens, toilet facilities and cater for wheel chair users and cruise length can vary from 4 – 7 hours. We took the opportunity to call in at a canal side hostelry for lunch as part of the cruise but picnics are also possible at the side of the canal. For bookings please call 07923 817718 or email: web@baldwintrust. co.uk. Bradgate Rotary are also planning to host an evening at Rothley Wines Vineyard and a cream tea to take advantage of our lovely English summer – or so we hope! We are always looking for new members to join us. We try to combine charity fundraising with enjoyable social activities as part of our Rotary Club Activities. If you are interested in joining us please contact our President Clare Walker on 0116 2701935 or pop into the “Stamford Arms”,Groby on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning at 7.30am, where we meet for breakfast.

LEARN to paint in watercolours at local artist Mark Wilde’s classes starting in September! Mark has been running classes for many years in the area and now has vacancies in his Autumn term, at both beginners and intermediate levels. Step by step demos and one to one tuition are features of the courses which are run in a friendly workshop atmosphere. The 12 week daytime classes are held Groby and Woodhouse Eaves village halls. For more information, please contact Mark at markwilde8@gmail.com or ring 07757 010982.

My house has really let itself go.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE *This comparison has been calculated using the average 80% LTV 2 year fixed mortgage rate (source: Moneyfacts) and the lowest rate available at the same fixed rate period and LTV. Rates correct as at 29.06.16. Values are based on a £160,000 repayment mortgage loan and £200,000 property purchase price, over a 25 year term. Products may or may not be available to you, depending on your circumstances. Whole of market mortgage advice is provided by Nottingham Mortgage Services, an appointed representative of Intrinsic Mortgage Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3089887. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Nottingham Building Society. Nottingham Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Financial Ombudsman Service and is a participant in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Nottingham Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered under number 200785. Nottingham Building Society, Nottingham House, 3 Fulforth Street, Nottingham, NG1 3DL.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Musical Village travel the UK to support Russell Watson’s celebrated ‘Songs from the Heart’ tour! MUSICAL VILLAGE, the Leicester family of adult and children’s community choirs, has received exceptional reviews from audiences and fellow professionals for their singing with Russell Watson.

Groby Allotment Society News “Life With A Lottie” By Jane Marston MELLOW FRUITFULNESS – my absolute favourite time of the year. Most crops are in and stored, blackberries are like little nuggets of black gold and the raspberries have made some wonderful jam and a freezer full for the Christmas season.

Russell, the UK’s best selling classical artist, is touring the country with his ‘Songs from the Heart’ concert. He invited Musical Village to accompany him on classic favourites such as ‘Nessun Dorma’, ‘Barcelona’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Russell Watson himself says: “It was an absolute pleasure working with Lesia and the choir on my tour once again this year. Musical Village are always extremely well-prepared for the shows and give a professional, enthusiastic performance every time”

Musical Director Lesia Smaditch

Beans I never freeze but try to give away as many as we can. Sweetcorn is a favourite on the bar-b-que and seems to indicate that autumn is upon us. Weeds are growing apace and just trying to keep them down is almost a full time job at the moment. We did well at the village show this year, vegetables, flowers, fruit and cookery were all winners! For those allotment holders and general gardeners that entered, a big thank you. As Alvar said at the time of the show, it’s all the people that don’t win that make it the show what it is and supports the community. The boss won his much sought-after RHS medal so all you plot holders it’s there to be won next year. The onions that were showing signs of disease earlier on in the year - and which the boss sprayed with a weak solution of Jeyes Fluid - won first and second prize so I think we can say that worked. The carrots that were grown in compost, again won first prize so we will grow some parsnips in the same way next year. The little round carrots that I grew this year were good but ‘normal’ carrots’ are still best for us. We have already started to plan for next year’s show. I did see the boss with the seed catalogue the day after the show - another sign of the passing season. Hopefully we will have a quite few weeks now apart from picking the crops.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH Cod with Tomato Sauce (I cooked this the other night and the boss loved it!)

• • •

Musical Village have taken to the stage with Russell in Norwich, Leicester, Kings Lynn and Wolverhampton this year. Robert Braidwood attended the packed-out concert at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester and says: “To see Russell perform would have been enough but the presence of the choir gave the whole evening a massive lift. They turned an event into a special occasion”. Musical Director Lesia Smaditch says ‘I’m delighted that we have achieved such exceptional success and excellent feedback in professional concerts. I am so proud of how Musical Village has not only brought together people from around the county to sing, but also showcased our Leicestershire talent around the country with such a gifted singer as Russell Watson’. About Musical Village: Musical Village is a family of adult and children’s community choirs based in Leicestershire. It has been set up with the intention of bringing communities together and to provide an enjoyable and affordable opportunity to take part in community singing. It was founded by its Musical Director Lesia Smaditch, who was recently recognised for her work in the community by an invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Anyone interested in joining our growing and celebrated community choir can find out more at www.musicalvillage.co.uk

Shopping My favorite part of grocery shopping is rushing home to look at the shopping list on my counter to see what I forgot to buy. It’s never too early to get life size cardboard cuts-outs of yourself made up for this year’s Christmas presents.

2 fillets of cod loin, or one per person. 1 red onion finely chopped. 1 tin of chopped tomatoes or if like us you have plenty of cooking tomatoes – skin and chop. • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce • 1 teaspoon brown sugar • Salt and pepper and some dried herbs to taste. Cook the onion gently till soft, add the chopped tomatoes and the rest of the sauce ingredients and simmer gently for five minutes – you might need to add a little water or stock at this point – it depends on how juicy the tomatoes are. Place the cod loins on top of the sauce covering with a tight-fitting lid simmer very gently for approximately 15 minutes until the cod is just cooked and falls into nice shiny pieces. Again, as with most of my cooking other things could be added to the sauce.

A50 speed limit reviewed

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council’s ruling cabinet will decide whether to reduce the limit from 50mph to 40mph on Bradgate Hill and between Groby Rd at the A46 and Glenfield Hospital, following public concern after two recent accidents on Bradgate Hill. Councillor Peter Osborne, county council cabinet member for highways, said: “Local residents, the local councillor and the MP have concerns about the current 50mph limit on this stretch of road. Cabinet will look at the consultation findings and take a decision.” The current 50mph zone at Bradgate Hill, Groby, is between an existing 40mph stretch of the A50, through Field Head and another stretch on Markfield Road. The proposals also include the closure of nine gaps in the central reservation along Markfield Road, to further improve road safety along this corridor.

When I said I liked you..I never meant every day.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter

Enjoy Autumn outdoors but look after your health ANY OLDER readers who grew up in semi rural surroundings will no doubt have spent long summer hours outdoors playing with friends, blissfully unaware of video games, mobiles and Pokemon. There would probably have been warnings from mum and dad of the risks, including the possibility that wooded and bracken covered areas would probably harbour ticks, particularly if sheep, deer or foxes shared the space. Those may have been days when dogs had free reign to come and go as they pleased, so they were equally vulnerable to inadvertently picking up ticks. Groby residents are spoilt for outdoor attractions with Martinshaw Wood, Groby Pool, Bradgate Park and the Charnwood area on our doorsteps.

A growing problem with ticks

Recent newspaper reports seem to suggest that the problem has moved closer to home to local parks and even gardens where the conditions are right, and that this is a problem both for dogs and their owners. The spider-like ticks are present across the country, and apparently a dog is just as likely to pick one up in both rural and urban areas. The ticks can carry a number of diseases and this includes Lyme Disease which can lead to complications like meningitis or heart failure if not detected quickly and left untreated. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include a distinctive bulls-eye rash, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. In the early 1970s, a number of rheumatoid arthritis cases occurred among children in and around Lyme, Connecticut. Researchers looked at several possible causes, but realizing that most of the children with arthritis lived and played near wooded areas, they

then focused their attention on deer ticks. They knew that the children’s first symptoms typically started during the summer, the height of tick season, but it was not until 1981 that researchers identified the cause of Lyme disease and discovered the connection between the deer tick and the disease. A former Groby woman was reported to have been one of the first subsequently diagnosed in the UK. The University of Bristol has been conducting the Big Tick project, the largest ever veterinary study of ticks and tick-borne disease in the UK. It was launched in April 2015 in the New Forest. Last year veterinary practices were asked to examine dogs for ticks each week and the results indicate that 31% of the 15,000 dogs checked were carrying a tick. The south-west, East Anglia and Scotland were the highest risk areas. The research is now being extended to cats. Ticks prefer moist areas with dense vegetation or long grass. The species of tick most frequently found on people is commonly known as the sheep or deer tick. They are usually found in woodlands, grassland, moorland, heathland and some urban parks and gardens. Ticks wait until an animal or person brushes past then bite to attach to the skin and feed on the blood. It may take several days before they finish their meal and drop off. Ticks are most active between spring and autumn.

is the brown dog tick. Unlike ticks commonly found in the UK, this species can survive indoors, which can lead to infestations if left untreated. Infestations also present a potential health risk to animals and humans, due to the ability of this tick species to transmit diseases.

Wasps This is also the time of the year when other insects such as wasps come looking for us, so a few tips on how to treat insect stings might come in handy over the next few weeks. To treat an insect bite or sting: • Remove the sting or tick if it’s still in the skin • Wash the affected area with soap and water. • Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes. • Raise or elevate the affected area if possible, as this can help reduce swelling. • Avoid scratching the area, to reduce the risk of infection. • Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. • Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments that can help. There’s lots of advice about ticks and insect stings online.

And don’t forget the flu jab

How to remove a tick If you do get bitten, removing the tick quickly and correctly can help to reduce any potential risk. The safest way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, or a tick removal tool pulling upwards slowly and firmly. Mouthparts left in the skin can transmit infection. Apply antiseptic to the bite area, or wash with soap and water and keep an eye on it for several weeks for any changes and contact your doctor if you begin to feel unwell. Remember to mention you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors. Dog owners should check their dogs for ticks, particularly the ears, where the hind leg meets the body, and the paws. A vet should be consulted for advice on treatment. Recently in the UK, there have been increasing reports of nonnative ticks imported on dogs and the subsequent infestation of owner’s houses. The tick species associated with these infestations

Once you’ve fully recovered from any bites you can start to look forward to the next landmark in the health calendar, the influenza season. There are two schools of thought about the flu jab. There are those who say that when they’ve had it they’ve immediately suffered with flu-like symptoms and those who attribute their lack of influenza infections to their annual jab. This group probably includes some who have experienced the genuine misery of a full blown flu attack in the past and have vowed to get the jab so it never happens again. The injected flu vaccine contains inactivated, or killed, strains of the flu virus and therefore cannot cause flu. The nasal spray flu

vaccine for children contains live, but weakened forms of flu virus but again this vaccine does not cause flu. The flu virus in both the injected and nasal spray vaccine is grown on fertilised hens’ eggs so anyone with an egg allergy should have an alternative egg-free vaccine. The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults over the age of 18 at risk (including everyone aged 65 and over) and children aged six months to two years at risk of flu. If you are currently 64 but will be 65 on March 31 2017, you still qualify. Pregnant women and carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill are also eligible. If you are unsure of your eligibility ring and ask. If you are not registered with Groby Surgery and believe you are eligible for the flu vaccine you should contact the Practice you normally visit. The date for the 2016 flu clinic will probably have been set by the time this edition drops through your letterbox, so check on the surgery website for the date. If you can’t check online ring the surgery to enquire but please don’t call early in the day when other patients are ringing to book appointments to see a doctor or nurse.

Changes in the waiting room The new computer system now seems like yesterday’s news, but if you are fit enough not to have needed to visit the surgery in recent times you’ll notice some changes the next time you call. There’s a new touch screen facility so that you can record your presence and book yourself in. The scrolling display has gone and has been replaced by a new large screen to tell you your doctor or nurse is ready to see you. Please remember that this newsletter has been published on behalf of the Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group and the advice given has not been written by clinical staff at the surgery. It has been taken from trusted sources, but you should contact the surgery • if you have any concerns or need further advice, • or your condition does not improve, • or do not think it is appropriate for your circumstances.

Norman Griffiths

for Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group

So there I was, just minding my own business, when someone forced me to eavesdrop.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Girls in distress in the East Midlands – report reveals rise in unhappiness THOUSANDS of girls in the East Midlands are unhappy with their lives, with huge numbers struggling with the way they look, according to the latest Good Childhood Report. The Children’s Society’s annual state-of-the-nation review of young people’s well-being finds an estimated 20,300 girls aged 10-15 across the region say they are not happy with their lives overall – one in seven of all girls in that age group. The picture is even starker when it comes to personal appearance, with the number of 10-15 year-old girls who do not feel happy with their looks reaching 50,200 across the East Midlands – more than a third (34%) of the total. The proportion of girls in the region who say they are unhappy with their lives or their appearance is based on the proportion for the UK as a whole. Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “It is desperately worrying that so many of our young people in the East Midlands are suffering rather than thriving. Girls are having a particularly tough time and it’s clear that concerted action is needed to tackle this problem.” One teenage girl said: “There are so many things that are difficult about being a young person. There are so many pressures from your friends, from your family. You don’t know who you are going to be, you are trying to find who you are in a certain way.” Another said: “Girls feel pressured by the boys that they should look a particular way and that leads girls into depression or low self-esteem and makes girls feel ugly or worthless.” Across the UK, an estimated 283,000 girls say they are not happy with their lives overall and 700,000 do not feel happy with their looks. The picture for girls is even worse than it was five years previously, with the number unhappy overall up 21% between 2009/10 and 2013/14 and the number unhappy with their appearance in particular up 8% over the same period. In contrast to the deteriorating situation for girls, the proportion of boys aged 10-15 who are unhappy with their lives has remained stable at one in nine, while the proportion of boys who say they are unhappy with their appearance continues to hover around 20%. The picture for the East Midlands is the same as for the rest of the UK because a breakdown of the figures shows no regional variation. The trend builds on findings from last year’s Good Childhood Report, in which England ranked last out of 15 countries for happiness with appearance and also had the most pronounced gender differences of all participating countries. The same report suggested that gender differences in children’s well-being are not inevitable. The reasons for the widening gender gap are unclear, but the report does find that emotional bullying such as name-calling, which girls are more likely to experience, is twice as common as physical bullying, which is more likely to affect boys. About half of all children aged 10 to 15 had been bullied at school in the past month, the report finds. Separate research by the Office for National Statistics suggests that girls are much more likely to spend extended periods on social media, which has been linked to a higher risk of mental ill-health.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Coalville and District Photographic Society welcomes new members CDPS is a small friendly photographic society that meets every other Monday at Marlene Reid Centre, Belvoir Road, Coalville. The club is currently accepting new members. Whatever level your photography is at, beginner looking to learn and improve or more experienced, why not come along and join in. The first two meetings are free. The next meeting, on 31st October will be a talk entitled “Journeys” by talented Leicestershire photographer John Whitby whose images have won him many awards.

Groby Tuesdays Guitar Club IF YOU have a guitar and some basic knowledge of chords but want to improve your skills, why not come to The Groby Tuesdays Guitar Club! The group starts again in September and meets every Tuesday at 7pm at Groby Village Hall. It is a great way of experiencing the fun of playing and performing along with others. The 12 week term includes lessons in chord theory, arrangement and performance skills held in a friendly workshop atmosphere. For more information, please contact Mark at markwilde8@gmail.com or ring 07757 010982.

Bargain Booze coming to Groby? MYSTERY still surrounds the future use of the former Barclays Bank premises at 28 Ratby Road. There was a flurry of activity earlier this year when a planning application for a change of use was submitted which would allow the unit to be used as a takeaway. This sparked speculation that this was an enabling application which would broaden the market potential if someone was interested in a takeaway. More recently work has been carried out internally and an unconfirmed report suggests that Bargain Booze may be a possible tenant. Bargain Booze is part of Conviviality Plc. The company owns the UK’s largest franchised off-licence and convenience chain with franchisee-operated stores, and acquired Matthew Clark (Holdings) Limited, a leading independent wholesaler and distributor of alcoholic beverages to 17,000 hotels, bars, restaurants and venues. It was founded 205 years ago as a wine and spirit importer serving London. The report is unconfirmed as no-one, including Bargain Booze, is inclined to confirm or deny it. With four other stores in the village offering beers and wines many residents may be hoping for a tenant that would increase the retail offering in the village rather than more of the same. Those who are customers of the Bargain Booze outlets nearby may welcome such a development. But with a lack of information forthcoming it’s very much a case of watch this space. The agents describe Groby as ‘a popular village located approximately 3 miles north west of Leicester City Centre’, a distance which may surprise those who have relied on the 5.1 miles route to the Clock Tower described by Google. This could be ideal propertyfor anyone with a way of making money that will cover the service charge and the £18,900 annual rent and rates. The premises have ground and first floor accommodation totalling around 120 square metres. Any takers?

Norman Griffiths

County Council

Accommodation strategy for older people and extra care review IN LEICESTERSHIRE, there are increasing numbers of older people living in accommodation that doesn’t best meet their needs or support them to remain active, independent, safe and healthy. It has also been estimated that that between 2015 and 2030 the number of people aged over 75 years will increase from 59,900 to 94,400 - an increase of 39.74%. Have your say until midnight on Friday 23 September 2016. We have to respond to this increasing level of demand for social care services at a time of major reductions in the council’s budget. The draft adult social care accommodation strategy for older people 2016-2026 and extra care review 2016 outline how, by working with partner agencies, we can ensure that people can get the right level and type of accommodation support, at the right time. To take part in the consultation go to the Leicestershire County Council web site and type in the search area current consultations. The consultation will run until midnight on Friday, 23 September. The consultation is also available in an easy-read format by calling 0116 305 0232 or by emailing ascengage@leics.gov.uk .

To advertise in the Spotlight, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 or email: info@ grobyspotlight. co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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REBEKAH RYAN Four Yes’s from the X Factor Judges for Rebekah Ryan came as the result of an emotion fuelled performance. An outstanding vocalist you have the chance to see her live exclusively at The Groby Ex Servicemens Club It’s a YES from us too Rebekah!

Membership from just £8 per year See next months advert for even more fantastic Tributes including Elvis, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi and Take That If one of you hacks into my wifi can you please let me know the password?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report Planning Application 15/00767/OUT Leicester Road, Groby THE ABOVE application was heard by the planning Committee on Tuesday evening the 16th August 2016. Earlier that morning I had arranged with the Planning officer dealing with this application for the Planning committee and chairman to carry out a site visit. I arranged with a local resident on Leicester Road - who had previously been affected by flooding - for the planning committee to inspect the rear of his garden and the rear aspects of the site. I also pointed out the impact that this development would have on the neighbouring properties. Members were also able to witness first-hand the speed of the traffic travelling along Leicester Road approaching the proposed entrance and spot traffic island. At the committee I spoke out strongly against this application and seconded the motion to refuse on Highway grounds put forward by Cllr Cartwright. That motion was lost after a vote of 6 for and 6 against with the Chairman casting his vote against. The motion was then put forward to accept the application and that was lost on a vote of 7 to 6. Never has this happened before. I then proposed that this application be deferred without a decision and to come back to committee. To put the matter factually correct, the motion to accept the application was put forward by both a Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillor. The application will now come

back to the planning committee on Tuesday 13th September for the committee to hear again and make a decision on. I will update residents of the result in next month’s article. I have also arranged for the police to do speed checks along Leicester Road, Groby.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support Please come along on the 30th September and support their Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. I will certainly leave a donation as I am unfortunately already committed.

Groby and Macmillan Need You on Friday 30th September 2016!

Fallen tree

I’M hoping you like cake... Local Groby resident Louisa de Souza Says “You’ve possibly started to hear the radio adverts or see the posters for the national World’s Biggest Coffee Morning - Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual fundraising campaign. “Macmillan nurses and support teams are crucial for people going through cancer yet are funded through donations. Cancer has affected the lives of too many of my loved ones of late so I jumped at the chance to help fellow villager Mairead Collins organise the event at Groby Community Centre” Louisa and Mairead are holding their Coffee Morning in aid of this very worthwhile cause on Friday 30th September 10am-12noon at Groby Community Centre, 40 Forest Rise LE6 0BD You can donate as follows Please use the following text code JAM3REA to 70550 a £5 donation goes to our Groby total If you feel the urge to get baking feel free but mostly they need friendly faces and healthy appetites! Louisa has registered this village event with the Macmillan website:

At 4.45pm on Monday 5th September, I took a call that a tree had come down on the footpath leading to the college through Martinshaw Wood. I was told that the tree was totally blocking the footpath and had taken out a street light. I contacted the County Council’s Highways department and the street lighting department asking the both to attend. I also contacted the Woodland Trust asking they also attend. I am pleased to say no one was injured. On inspection the street lamp had been knocked off and loose wires were left hanging touching the lamp column. The arm of the tree had come to rest across the kissing gate totally blocking the footpath at this point. I liaised with Chris Williams from the Woodland Trust at the scene and established the tree belonged to them. Arrangements were put in place for a team of tree surgeons to attend the following morning to clear the path. I waited until the street lighting team had attended and made the street light column safe. I returned early the following morning and shared the resident’s concerns about some of the trees backing onto their properties and I was assured by Mr Williams that he and another senior experienced

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I’m never so lost that I can’t find the refrigerator.

tree surgeon would be inspecting all the trees in the next two weeks or so. The offending Oak was felled and the path cleared. The Street Lamp will be replaced by the County Council and the Woodland Trust billed for the damage.

Do You Know The Signs That Could Indicate Your Child Is Being Groomed Online? A message from Leicestershire Police.

ONLINE grooming is a growing threat and can take place in your home without you knowing. In November last year 15-yearold Kayleigh Haywood received a Facebook message from Luke Harlow, a man she had never met. Over the course of 13 days they exchanged 2643 messages. Harlow told Kayleigh all the things many teenage girls want to hear. He told her she was beautiful, how much he cared for her and that she was special. Harlow was grooming Kayleigh, along with two other young girls he had also been speaking to. But it was Kayleigh that finally agreed to his requests to spend the night of Friday 13 November 2015 at his house. She spent the next day with him too, and in the early hours of Sunday 15 November, having been held against her will by Harlow and by his next door neighbour Stephen Beadman, Kayleigh was raped and murdered by Beadman. • Kayleigh’s Love Story With the support of Kayleigh’s

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

from Ozzy O’shea

Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825

Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com family, Leicestershire Police has made a film about aspects of the last two weeks of her life. Entitled Kayleigh’s Love Story, the film is a warning to young people, both girls and boys, about the dangers of speaking to people they don’t know online. The film highlights just how quick and easy it can be for children to be groomed online without them or those around them knowing it is happening. Its purpose is to protect children now and in the future and to stop another family losing a child in this way. From September the film will start to be shown in schools to children 11 and over. A trailer of the film has also been made and can be seen at www.leics.police.uk/ kayleighslovestory • Do you know what your child is doing online? Many children and young people spend a lot of time online so it is important to know what they are doing and who they are speaking to. There are signs that could indicate your child is engaging in a dangerous online relationship and steps you can take to protect them https://leics.police.uk/adviceand-information/informationzone/child-sexual-exploitation/ online-grooming-parents There are also places and people that can help and where you can report any concerns https:// leics.police.uk/advice-and-

information/child-sexualexploitation/parent-orguardian • Show your support You can show your support to tackling this crime by supporting our CEASE campaign. CEASE (commitment to eradicate abuse and sexual exploitation) is a major multi-agency campaign to tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We want everyone to play their part by making a commitment that such abuse and exploitation of children will not be tolerated. We all have a responsibility to help tackle it. You can show your support in the following ways: • Sign our online pledge • Add our CEASE twibbon to your social media profile • Text CEASE to 87007 (texts will be charged at your standard message rate) • Sign a CEASE hand Send a CEASE hand selfie to LeicsPolice via Snapchat

Suspicious Callers WE HAVE recently received a report of a suspicious caller posing as being from both Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, advising people that they are required to make an additional payment to their council tax. The caller then went on to try to take the payment over the telephone. Neither Leicester City Council or any of the district councils who collect Council Tax would ring you to try to take a payment over the telephone. If you do receive a call from someone in relation to Council Tax, ask them to give you the Council Tax reference number and the balance outstanding, and check this against your bill. Never give bank details or personal information to anyone that you don’t feel is 100% genuine.

Any reputable company will be happy for you to check they are who they say they are before you give out personal information. If you receive a call of this nature please be cautious and double check that the person calling is who they say they are. If you live in the county your council tax is dealt with by the relevant District or Borough Council, not Leicestershire County Council. The Police recommend asking the caller for their name and contact details so that you can call them back in order to check that they are legitimate. Official callers should have no problem providing you with this information as they will understand that you are cautious about giving out personal information over the phone. If the caller is not genuine they are likely to become defensive or flustered when questioned for this information. If the caller provides you with their contact details, please check the number against the number of the relevant council tax department for your area. If the numbers do not match we recommend calling the number on the council’s website and asking to speak to the person who has called you. If you have a Council Tax query for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Please call 01455 238141. If you believe you have been a victim of this type of call please report it to the Police by calling 101. I would like to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea. Always Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 Mobile 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Groby Village Society Forthcoming Events Thursday September 22 Violet Jessop ~ Mr Bob Massey ~ Thursday October 27 You cannot be Serious ~ Mr Mick Rawle ~ Thursday November 24 Leicestershire in the 1940s and 50s ~ Mr David Bell ~ 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.

I called roadside assistance, but they didn’t want to hear about my problems unless it had to do with my car.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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I love waking up to the sound of birds arguing with their spouses.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Pros and cons with the new LED lights

Junior Team Bring A Groby Kind of Love to the Foxes

THE PROJECT team installing 68,000 LED street lights across Leicestershire is making excellent progress with the £25.1 million scheme on target to save £2m a year and reduce energy use by 60%. The savings have been welcomed as the amount the council was spending on lighting the streets had doubled in 10 years because of rising energy costs. Many lights throughout Groby have now been converted and although some residents seem to have mixed feelings the overall consensus is probably in favour of the change, though this may alter as winter approaches and the hours of daylight shorten. The county council had previously began turning off 35,000 street lights overnight and dimming 1,000 to help save £800,000 a year. The new lights will be controlled centrally, with the ability for those in part-lit areas to be switched back on temporarily during the evening, for example to help the emergency services at incident scenes. Groby residents have commented on the more natural light from the LED lamps and the reduction in light pollution. Some with lamps outside bedroom windows welcome more focussed illumination. Others have commented that there are now unwelcome pools of darkness between lamps. Those who may feel they are in a minority in not liking the new lamps can take comfort from the fact that not only have residents of other areas complained about the changes, the protests can be found in other countries as well. Hundreds of residents complained of feeling unsafe in the dark in Edinburgh so the council brightened the city’s new LED streetlights. Critics argued that the new lights were going into lamp posts which were never designed for them and that they don’t throw light back toward front doors as happened previously. In Hartlepool residents complained that their new LED lights left dangerous dark patches that create a ‘muggers paradise’ and dark patches that made it particularly difficult for elderly people to see and avoid trip hazards. When Kent planned saving money by switching off streetlights for part of the night there was opposition from residents. They then considered the alternative of returning every residential area to all-night lighting by converting its stock of 120,000 street lights to LED. Their new proposal was to dim some lights after peak hours, but nevertheless leave them on all night. In the USA the nature of the complaints has been very similar, with criticism that there are pools of darkness. One Baltimore city councillor said that the light from new LED streetlamps failed to reach sidewalks. “LED lights may be okay for drivers,’ he added, “but where do people get mugged? Not in the middle of the street. They get mugged on sidewalks.” Luckily that isn’t a problem in Groby. It seems the output of the lamps can be increased so no doubt residents will be calling for more light if, as the dark nights approach, they feel some adjustments are needed.

GROBY JUNIORS Under8s flagged up some good fortune for Leicester City when they attended their recent home game against Swansea City. The players were flag bearers at the King Power Stadium and played their part in inspiring the Foxes to a 2-1 victory. The club are proudly sponsored by the Nottingham Building Society (known as The Nottingham) and Harrison Murray Estate Agency, who are part of The Nottingham and have an office within the building society branch in the Leicestershire village.

Groby Juniors U-8s players line up in the King Power Stadium tunnel before the game Building society manager Lesley Adcock said: “It was fantastic to see the young lads carry out extremely important roles as flag bearers and help guide the Foxes to victory.” Estate agency manager Zara Laxman added: “It was extra special to witness the team at the King Power Stadium because we sponsor them and because as a company we have such strong ties with the Foxes too.”

Getting fit My first workout back at the gym was great... I did 15 mins of cardio, 10 mins on the defibrillator, and then 3 days in the hospital.

Norman Griffiths

The Great Groby Bake Off! SOMEONE in the UK is diagnosed with cancer every 2 minutes.

It’s scary and it’s happening to our loved ones right now. Macmillan Cancer Support exists so that no one facing cancer walks alone. Funded by donations and fund raising activities, Macmillan needs our support. And it gives us an opportunity to do something powerful to help. A cuppa, cake and a chat for charity.... The Macmillan coffee morning is coming to our village on Friday 30th September 10am-12. Whether you bake or not, all are welcome. Outdoor seating and indoor children’s play area, music and competitions, join us for the fun. Find us at Groby community centre, turn right off Martinshaw Lane. A lovely walk en route will stir your appetite or drive and use the ample free off road parking. Ground floor with excellent accessibility and toilets. Please help spread the word! Look forward to meeting new friends there,

Mairead and Louisa I judge my day based on how many times I threaten to take my kids to the orphanage.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

News from Elizabeth Woodville Primary School Welcome back for the new school year IT HAS already been an exciting start to the new school year with pupils and teachers eager to begin the autumn term in their new classes and meet up again with friends after the summer break. An especially warm welcome to all our new pupils in the Foundation Stage, who have already settled in so well.

Time for an adventure…

OUR FIRST whole school curriculum theme is called ‘Adventure Time’ with pupils embarking on a range of journeys in their classes. Foundation, Year 1 and 2 will be exploring the high seas with their topic ‘Land ahoy!’ Year 3 and 4 will be transported back in time to learn about Romans and Saxons, for their topic ‘I am warrior.’ Last but not least Year 5 and 6 are visiting Alton Towers to launch their topic entitled ‘Scream Machines!’ We will be telling you all about these fantastic experiences next month. To start our adventures, the theatre will arrive at Elizabeth Woodville as we will be taken into the magical land of Narnia for a performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Pupils will then be using their experiences in this amazing world to produce their own creative stories!

Technology taking a leading role OUR YEAR 4 class have already had a glimpse of the fantastic and creative ways we will be using our new technology to further enhance learning across the school. It was hugely impressive this week, to see Year 4 using their photo-editing skills to create posters starring Elizabeth Woodville pupils!

Whizz Kids Breakfast Club is here WE ARE delighted to announce the launch of our new Whizz Kids Breakfast Club, which starts every weekday at 7.30am until school starts at 8.45am.

Don’t forget to send us your news!

For only £3.50 children enjoy a healthy and nutritious breakfast of cereals and toast with milk and fruit juice. There are also a range of activities available, which vary each day, including puzzles, construction, games, reading and active play. It promises to be a fun and enjoyable start to the school day! Also don’t forget our Whizz Kids After School Club, which runs from 3.15 until 6pm each weekday. For more information please see our website: elizabethwoodvilleprimaryschool.co.uk

I’m pretty good at getting divorced men I date to give their ex another chance.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Price frozen for garden waste service THE PRICE for Hinckley & Bosworth’s garden waste collection service has been frozen at £24 for at least the next two years for customers who sign up to pay by direct debit.

Members of the Borough Council’s Executive set the price of the alternate weekly garden waste collection at £24 for 2017-2018 for everyone who opts into the scheme and froze the price for 2018-2019 for customers who have signed up to pay by direct debit by 31 January 2017 at its meeting on 24th August. As a further incentive, all direct debit customers – including the thousands of households who have already signed up – will be entered into a prize draw to win next year’s garden waste collection for free. To be in with a chance of winning, householders must sign up to pay by direct debit by 31 January 2017. Existing direct debit customers for the service will automatically be entered. Since the Borough Council voted in favour of introducing an annual charge for the garden waste collection service earlier this year, more than 32,000 households have signed up for the scheme, exceeding all expectations. Significant financial pressures forced the council to introduce the charge for the service which was previously included within the overall council tax bill. Now only those households who opt to pay for the service continue to receive it. Anyone wishing to pay for the service by direct debit can choose to either: • download a form at a copy of the form from the council’s website at www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ allgardenbinssign; or • call: 01455 238141 Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5pm (4.30pm Fri) Councillor Mark Nickerson, the council’s Executive Member responsible for Neighbourhood DID YOU KNOW that if Services, said: “I would like to thank you can stop smoking for everyone who has signed up to 28 consecutive days, you continue to recycle their garden are five times more likely waste. By turning this waste into to succeed in stopping for compost we are able to reduce good? amount of waste going to landfill which the County Council has to And that could give you years pay to dispose of. This price freeze more of life to enjoy. Along with the has been introduced to ensure as health benefits, cutting out smoking many people as possible continue will save the average smoker more to recycle their garden waste. than £150 a month, or almost £2000 a year. “By signing up to direct debit, residents help to keep our costs Public Health England’s campaign down, and rewarding 50 people ‘Stoptober’ has so far encouraged with a free service for a year is our nearly one million people to way of saying thank you to these make a real attempt to quit, and customers.” thousands more are expected to take up the challenge this month. Anyone who chooses not to The campaign chunks down the continue to receive the garden quitting process, and presents it waste service does not need to as a more manageable 28-day notify the council. Households can programme – and offers a lot of keep the garden waste bin if they support to smokers who want wish to, but it will not be emptied to stop. More details at: https:// unless the annual charge has been campaignresources.phe.gov. paid. uk/resources/campaigns/6/ The council will make one overview collection of all unwanted garden

Quit Smoking

Stoptober 2016

waste bins within the next few weeks. Residents will be notified of the collection days for unwanted bins in their street via a ‘hanger’ notice, which will be left on their black refuse bin a fortnight beforehand. The unwanted brown bins will then be removed two weeks later, on the next refuse collection day.

A cauliflower is a plant explosion in extremely slow motion.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Library News Update A Coffee Shop for Groby! FOR THOSE of you who are regular readers of the Spotlight, and have been following the progress of the library, this will not be news to you. Some may have heard rumours, where for others this will be the first you have heard of it! Whatever the case, it is very exciting news. With money in the bank and written quotes for the work to be undertaken, we are one step closer to putting our coffee shop plan into action. Our plan is to alter the staff kitchen area into a kitchen with a service counter, from where we can make and serve a selection of teas, coffees, hot chocolate, cold drinks, biscuits and cakes. The staff toilet will become a fully accessible toilet for all of our customers to use, including baby changing facilities. The functional area of the library will not reduce in size, but will have new flooring to part of it, a new arrangement of tables and chairs and hopefully a sofa. A coffee shop will give Groby residents a lovely place to sit, relax, read or meet, while enjoying a lovely cuppa. It will be perfect for lots of different groups, but in particular new mum’s and newly retired folk. When I had my first child I had been living in Groby for four years and working long hours in my career. I didn’t know any other mum’s or baby groups to go to, so during my year maternity leave I often felt quite isolated. I often thought how great it would be to have somewhere to push the pram to and sit with a nice latte and a book for a while. This is why I am so excited about this project, because as well as becoming the libraries much needed source of income, it will provide so many people with a place to go, and some a much needed lifeline. There are still ways in which you can help us to move this project along: • We need quotes from builders, fitters and suppliers for the installation of the kitchen and toilet. • Volunteers to help run the coffee shop area. The more volunteers we have the more hours we will be able to be open for. (We are always looking for additional volunteers to help in the library!) • Flooring fitters. • Plumbers • Electricians • Decorators • Hygiene rated bakers. Do you have a catering or baking business and would be able to supply us with a regular supply of cakes and biscuits etc to sell? • Donations! If you think you would enjoy having a cafe to use, then why don’t you put a donation of the price of a cuppa in our donation box.

A big thank you to Jan Elliott REGULAR library users will have seen our part time Librarian, Jan Elliott, who stayed with us after the library was transferred over to Groby Community Library Group of volunteers. Jan is one of the dwindling librarians which make up the Leicester County Council team and has been a great help to the volunteers since we took over in April 2016. Having Jan at the library has really helped us to have a smooth running transitional period and will be greatly missed. Sadly as we have had to pay Leicester County Council for Jan’s services, we have had to make the decision to end her Librarian, Jan Elliot, receiving contract with us. This now means that a big thank you for all the help all money raised and all the remaining and support she has given precept money, collected by the Parish the volunteers over the past Council as part of the Council Tax paid months. by village residents, can be used to make the changes required to the building and to secure the future of the library for many years to come. Jan will continue her work as librarian at other County Council libraries. We thank her for all the help and support she has given us.

We have some lovely new books GROBY LIBRARY has recently taken a delivery of a lovely selection of new books. So if you haven’t been in for a while, why don’t you pop down and see what is on our shelves. Don’t forget we also have a jigsaw lending service, a book swap shelf and free wifi for library members.

Summer Fun at Groby Library AUGUST saw the first of our Children’s activity days which were a great success.

Stories and activities The first day was all about Dragons and Princesses. The children made princess at our pirate themed hats, masks, dragon blowers, shields and children’s activity day colouring/puzzle pages. We also read stories and had refreshments. The second day was all about pirates with eye patches and hooks, treasure maps, pirate faces, colourful parrots and pretty mermaids. Our next Children’s activity day will be Saturday 29th October 2 till 4.30pm and will be Halloween themed. Once again there will be stories, activities and refreshments all for £2.50 per child with hot drinks and cakes available for adults to buy. We may even have a spooky game or two! Watch out in next month’s Spotlight for more info. The Summer Reading Challenge came to the end at the beginning of September, with Elizabeth Woodville School once again having the most number of children completing the challenge. Don’t forget that you can use your challenge cards to get free admittance, with a full paying adult, to Bosworth Battle Field and the 1620s House and Gardens at Donington le Heath. Please check their websites for details.

Donate a book for our book sale HAVE YOU any books that you no longer need? We will be having a book sale in November, so if you have any books you would like to donate, then please drop them in at Groby Library.

Fundraising & Events Volunteers Needed LAST YEAR we had great success with the events we ran, such as the September Open Day, our trip out to Chatsworth House and of course our Santa Trail and Christmas Fair. We are really keen to continue with our fun events and are looking for volunteers who can join our fundraising and events team. It will involve meeting up maybe once a month in the evening to help plan the event, help with the sourcing of items required etc, advertising, setting up and running the event as part of a group. Events will normally be weekends, evenings or during the school holidays. So if you have been wanting to help volunteer at the library, but only on an occasional basis, we would really like to hear from you.

Janet Bishop

Groby Community Library Group janetebb@hotmail.co.uk

Your soulmate is currently working their way through several other soulmates before they finally get to you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Only 8 weeks to the Groby Victorian Christmas Fair Norman Griffiths hears that more volunteers would be welcomed

THE LATE arrival of the long awaited summer sun at the end of August may seem to be an odd time to be writing about the Groby Victorian Christmas Fair on Saturday November 12th, but there’s a team of dedicated local people finalising the arrangements. As always the core team can’t do everything themselves on the day and need volunteers to help make a success of the event. If you can help, even if it’s only for an hour or two, please email the organisers at grobystreetfair@virginmedia.com or send a text to 07866 123151. Amongst other tasks there’ll be cash to collect, queues to manage and even reindeer to keep an eye on! It’s quite a departure from the summer Street Fairs that we’ve become used to as it will have a seasonal theme with the star attraction, of course, being the arrival of Santa to open the Fair at 11.00am. Parents should ensure that they have their cameras or phones to hand as Santa won’t be stepping out of a Ford Transit to go to his log cabin grotto, but will be arriving on his sleigh complete with his reindeer. And these reindeer will be live, not the work of some enthusiastic taxidermist. Children will be able to follow the sleigh up Markfield Road to the church where they can visit Santa and the unhitched reindeer taking a well earned break. A visit to Santa will cost £5 each and this will include a gift.

Number of stalls increased The original proposal was for 30 stalls, but there has been more demand than expected and there are likely to be closer to 50 stalls on the day. Stallholders are being encouraged to remember the Victorian theme when they dress themselves and their stalls and there’ll be a prize for the best dressed.

been a fixture in my calendar because of the warm welcome that I receive from everyone concerned. It always has the most wonderful atmosphere, and this year the Victorian Christmas theme should make the day particularly special... I can’t wait!” You can look forward to other quality entertainment as well, but with no stage it will be more informal and not on the same scale as the summer events.

The sweet toothed visitor can indulge themselves with sweets, candyfloss and fudge. No doubt visitors will have Christmas gifts in mind and there’ll be lots to choose from. Mike Pratt will be there with his remarkable ‘World’s Apart’ images, a unique gift created in Groby. Don’t forget to bring a shopping bag as there’ll also be lots of toys, jewellery, scarves, bags,craft items, children’s clothes, soaps, cards and gift wrap. If you had planned to book a stall and forgotten there’s good news as there are a couple of pitches still available at £20 each. For more information, email grobystreetfair@virginmedia.com

Food to eat,gifts to buy

Popular entertainer returns The popular entertainer (and occasional stilt man) Kevin Burke will be making another appearance despite having moved down to the West Country. He enjoys the day as much as Groby residents and doesn’t want to miss it. “I am really looking forward to coming to the Groby Street Fair again this year,” he said. “Since its inception it has

Operation Christmas Child asks for one million shoeboxes THIS YEAR Operation Christmas Child UK hopes to send one million shoeboxes to needy children in developing countries.

And if you find it hard to get hold of a shoebox, no worries: OCC is now offering flat-pack shoeboxes for individuals, families, churches, schools and community groups. The vision of Operation Christmas Child remains so simple: “a Christmas shoebox gift is a ‘treasure chest’ for a child who has never received such a gift before. It is a powerful symbol of hope that someone, somewhere, cared enough to pack a gift. Last year, people across the UK set 900,008 shoeboxes to 14 different countries. They played a key part in over 11 million children globally experiencing God’s unconditional love through a simple gift. Thank you!” More details at: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/ operation-christmas-child

There’ll be mulled wine, hot coffee and hot chocolate to keep the cold at bay, and for the peckish cakes, crepes, traditional chestnuts, Indian snacks, Caribbean barbeque, cheese, chutneys and maybe even a hog roast.

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How often do I use this exfoliating bath sponge if I want to lose 40 pounds?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Gardening Society News

Our Three day trip to Norwich area - part 2 ON THE afternoon of our second day we travelled to East Ruston to visit the nationally famous Old Vicarage garden. This is privately owned by Alan Gray and Graham Robeson and lies about 1 mile from the North Sea in an exposed prairie landscape containing large arable fields. They have tried to minimise their disruption to wildlife by planting mixed hedgerows, banks, wild flower areas and ponds. The garden is a delightful collection of winding paths with tributary paths diving off at all sorts of angles and revealing tempting vistas to visit. It is therefore almost impossible to see all of the garden in one trip round. Indeed, it is likely that after 3 hours of exploring, none of our members saw everything. There are many garden “rooms” with bewildering displays of perennial herbaceous flowers, annuals and many types of shrubs and trees. Beautiful edging to the vegetable garden was made up of plants of Mexican spinach and, although Alan said it is not too nice to eat, its decorative value is undeniable. A cutting garden is a useful feature as it provides flowers for the house as well as enabling Alan to decorate Norwich Cathedral several times a year. A long, sepentine walk bordered by holly hedges in the wilderness garden was particularly interesting. In the Diamond Jubilee walled garden, Alan and Graham have designed a sheltered area to grow plants, fruit and vegetables that harks back to the days of yesteryear with its traditionalism. There are several greenhouses, a lovely tea garden and a plant sale area, comprehensively stocked by homegrown plants from the stock plants in the garden. Replenished with tea and cakes we meandered back to Norwich for another restful evening in The Maid’s Head. The third day’s travelling commenced about mid-morning after another superb breakfast and saw us wend our way to WellsNext-the-Sea. A shortish stay of a couple of hours enabled us to brouse around the quaint shops, have a breath of sea air and, for more than a few, to indulge in fish and chips or dressed crab snacks! Although we were then homewardbound, we still had a wonderful visit to make to Peckover House in Wisbech. Alexander Peckover, Baron of Wisbech (1830-1919), was

a philanthropic quaker who was a great collector and curator of the family. His home remains a house full of curiosities and surprises: elegant and refined, but also intimate and relaxed. The two acre walled garden has hidden corners, paths and the occasional touch of the exotic. Available was a good eating place at The Reed Barn, a gift shop, a second-hand book store and a sale of plants. This house is now in the hands of the National Trust and, bearing in mind it is about an hour’s run from Groby, it represents a place well worth visiting.

Rosemary Hughes’ talk “FLOWERS of St. Paul” was the title of our talk by Rosemary Hughes on the 11th August. Rosemary is very well known in the field of floristry and even has been granted a royal warrant. This reads “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Supplier of Nosegays”. This accolade comes up for renewal every five years, so there is no room for complacency. Her talk was divided into two distinct halves. The first, whilst highlighting the importance of flowers to the well-being of humans since time immemorial, was centred on the decoration of St. Paul’s cathedral for rather rare wedding occasions. These are held in the crypt and access for large floral displays is not easy. She showed slides of vans delivering such items to the labyrinth which is somewhere underneath the surrounding streets. The actual weddings are held in the OBE chapel and numerous slides illustrated the elaborate and decorative use of flowers. The few and far between weddings included The Queen and Prince Philip, The Duke of York and “Fergie” and Prince Charles and Diana. Her focus then moved to The Church of the Monarch, Westminster Abbey, and the logistical nightmare of its decoration for Prince William’s wedding in 2011. Readers may recall the avenue of large maple and hornbeam trees which formed an avenue down the central aisle. From slides we could see the difficulties of getting these twenty foot trees in the west door! Rosemary had the commission to decorate Leicester cathedral for the re-interment of Richard III. Many beautiful illustrations indicated the intricacies and planning that went into such a prestigious occasion which was beamed all over the world by the TV networks. Rosemary’s second

half was a practical demonstration in making a very large foliage/floral decoration suitable for a church. It was made to look so easy, although all could see that experience and skill had more than a little part to play. She donated the end product to be raffled off and the winner, in turn, donated it to the church in whose rooms we are so comfortably housed each month.

The Village Show ONCE AGAIN the show was deemed a success, although entry numbers were down on last year. The most obvious reason was the atrocious weather on the day before and on the morning of the show. Much soft fruit was thus unpickable and many delicate flowers like clematis and pansies were ruined. The show secretary, Jane Marston, and her band of helpers, did amazingly well in organising and setting up the show, and the W.I. played their very important role in helping to set up and provide such mouth-watering refreshments. More details and show results will appear in the next edition of Spotlight.

Trips, outings and events planned for 2016 1.

October 14th (Friday): A day trip to Batsford Arboretum

2. 3.

November 16th (Wed.): Social meal at The Stamford December 8th (Thurs.): Our regular meeting Christmas meal

Change of date PLEASE note that the October trip to Batsford has been changed to Friday 14th. (Signing board available at meetings)

Future Meetings

October 13th: “Secrets in the garden” - Alvar Johnson (At this October meeting, we will also have our seeds and plants swapping) November 10th: Radio Leicester “Down to Earth” programme from our meeting If you like the sound of what we get up to, why not come along to a meeting and try us out. You will be most welcome. Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Eric Atherton. (Tel. No. 01162876637) or E mail e.atherton637@btinternet.com

Alvar Johnson

Subtlety is the art of saying what you think and getting out of the way before it’s understood.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby’s BMX track to get a makeover Norman Griffiths reports on the latest plan TO PARAPHRASE an old saying ‘a month is a long time in Parish Council affairs.’ Last month we were reporting the appeal by one councillor for some action to be taken to protect the investment in a popular recreational facility. At this month’s Parish Council meeting he had the backing of members to move forward on essential repairs to the Groby BMX track. His concern was that without this work the winter would take its toll on the condition of the BMX, resulting ultimately in an even bigger bill at best - or closure of the track. Members approved the expenditure of around £2,500, a sum which the installers believe will enable them to restore the track to its original condition. It isn’t the end of the story but will buy time for consideration to be given to the drainage problems around the track. It will also enable the council to review whether it should be resurfaced at a cost of £14,000 to make it multi-purpose and capable of being used by skateboarders and scooters. These two groups are believed to be the source of damage to a surface that was designed for cycle wheels. Whether to make the multi-purpose investment may be a difficult decision for councillors as there are compelling arguments for both sides. On the one hand the investment may eliminate the costs of repairing damage to the surface. On the other is the argument that there are already more suitable alternatives nearby for non-BMX activities and making the track multi-purpose may lead to an increased accident risk or even conflict between users who attend at the same time. Some members are very disappointed that the original vision of a track managed by a club that could apply for grant funding for improvements such as a starting gate and lights has never been realised. Other villages have successfully established such user groups that enable the formation of teams to enter regional and national competitions and provide safety advice and training.

Can you help form a club?

During the winter months we are likely to see another attempt to create a club, with Groby Community Library taking a role in helping to publicise the proposals and providing accommodation for meetings to take place. The Parish Council has set aside some money that the Library Trust can call on to meet any expenses in producing promotional material, so the cost won’t come out of the fund raising that the Trust does for its library services. Anyone who is interested in helping in any way with this new BMX project should get in touch with the Parish Council.

My friend David was a victim of ID theft. Now we just call him Dav

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

A film about why the climate crisis is the best opportunity we've ever had to build a better world.

Friday 7th October 2016 Groby Community College 7.00-9.30pm

bar open from 7-9.30, film screening 7.30-9pm followed by feedback opportunities and further information

Come along and be inspired!

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On how long a sermon should last The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren

AM AFRAID we will never agree about the appropriate length of sermons. Your 50 minute exposition on the theology of St. Paul concerning women wearing hats in church is, I am sure, of real interest to you.

But as your sermon slowly unfolds, I suspect it will prompt quite a different concern among your congregation. Have they set the oven timer to come on too early? Whenever I even hint that a matter of theological importance may be about to appear in one of my sermons, an expression of benign incomprehension comes over my congregation. You know the look – you see it on golden Labradors whenever they try and work out what their owners are telling them. There are certain sure signs that should warn you when you have preached for long enough. One is when members of the congregation reach for their prayer books to try to work for the umpteenth time how the date for Easter is calculated. The organist turning on the blower when you say “and finally” is another. Most members of the congregation will count the number of dead flies on the windowsills during your sermon. But when you can see members of the congregation counting the numbers in the congregation counting the numbers of dead flies, that is absolute proof that it is time to stop. There has only been one occasion when I preached for longer than my standard eight minutes. Our former organist was in the habit of taking his dog for a walk during the sermon. I knew I had to carry on preaching until I heard the latch on the vestry door for the second time. That meant he was back, and ready to play the last hymn. Unfortunately one Sunday, his dog ran away. While he searched for it over every field in the parish, I spent the intervening two hours reading the greater part of Leviticus, discussing the food laws set forth in Deuteronomy, and arguing for a Deutero-Isaiah. I was headed for the Babylonian exile when we all heard the vestry door re-open. After the Service, the congregation left looking as though they had just been rescued from a major shipwreck. And at the next church council meeting, we unanimously voted to buy our organist a stronger lead.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace What do you call a dog magician? A labracadabrador.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Small Ads • RATTAN Effect TWO SEATER SOFA with TWO CHAIRS, COFFEE TABLE & CUSHIONS. Very good condition. Price: £150 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 245323 (Field Head) • COMPUTER DESK, pine effect, 151cm x 65cm plus railed pull-out. Excellent condition. Price: £50 o.n.o. • Two straight SHOWER BATH SCREENS, never used, still in boxes. Price: £50 each or £75 for the pair. Tel. 0116 2878609 (Groby) • Green ‘STOVES’ DOUBLE OVEN & HOB. Very good condition. Price: £100. Tel: 0116 224 8279 (Glenfield) • FENCE PANELS - close boarded, suitable for concrete posts and wooden posts. Two 6’ x 5’. Price: £10 each. One 4’ x 5’ (cut down) Price: £5 Tel: 07866 109206. • CAR ROOF RACK. This is to fit Renault 2007 model. Price: £25 Tel: 0116 231 4288. • BELFAST SINK - Price £75. Tel. 0116 2321960 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. Please put ‘Small Ads’ in the subject line, and include your postal address (not for publication).

Message from UNISON regarding Glenfield Hospital

UNISON are working closely with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trusts and are fully supportive of the Trust’s challenge to NHS England regarding the closure of the Glenfield Hospital Children Congenital Heart Unit. UNISON believe that the closure of the Unit and also the impact on other services will be devastating. We will do everything in our power to protect this service from closure and believe that NHS England are making a in ill judged decision and call upon them to provide evidence to demonstrate how they have fully engaged with community representative groups showing that the legal minimum standard of competency on engagement has been reached. This is a public service which is vital not only to the people of Leicestershire but also people across the UK. We do not believe that NHS England have provided any evidence to support their decision. UNISON are assisting the Trust with the collection of signatures on the e-Government petition which has been sent out UNISON Staff, members, Branches and Activists across the UK urging them to share and sign the petition so that the 100,000 signature needed can be achieved and the petition considered for debate at Parliament. UNISON will be organising petition gathering events in the community across Leicester and Leicestershire to encourage members of the pubic to the sign the e-Government petition.

Every Saturday morning 10.00am—12.30pm

Catch meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer 9.30-11.30am every Friday at Groby URC Chapel Hill Fair Cuppa for FairTrade refreshments in fairly traded mugs. Every Thursday 10.3012am at the Village Hall

Why working in an office can be dangerous IF YOU work eight hours a day sitting at a desk, you could be facing a real health risk. According to a recent major study in The Lancet, sitting still for eight hours a day can increase the risk of your premature death by up to 60 per cent. It seems that sedentary lifestyles pose a very real threat to public health. So – if you have to earn a living, what do you do? The advice is to take a five-minute break for each hour at your desk. And then add on even just one hour of brisk exercise, spread over the day. Prof Ulf Ekelund, the lead scientist in the study at Cambridge University and the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, says: “We found that at least one hour of physical activity per day, for example brisk walking or cycling, eliminates the association between sitting time and death… You don’t need to do sport, you don’t need to go to the gym, it’s OK doing some brisk walking maybe in the morning, during your lunchtime, after dinner. You can split it up over the day….” But if you don’t? Researchers warn that the all-tootypical routine of spending the day at a desk, and then the evening in front of the TV, is proving fatal for many.

Weekly events for children and young people

for 6’s to 14’s on Mon evenings, at 6.00pm or 7.45pm; for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm; for 15-18’s on Fri at 7.30pm. We meet at the United Reformed Church All of these activities, along with our work in schools, are provided by the two churches in Groby under the group name EXTEND.

For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Youth Worker Children and Families Worker

Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733 Ruth Cross 07759 087804 John Fryer 07540 957926

My girlfriend says I’m hopeless at fixing appliances. Well she’s in for a shock.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk A NUMBER of us went to see ‘Sister Act’ at the Curve. It was a great show, very much enjoyed. Theatre trips, organised by our Diane, are very popular, she manages to always get us good seats and often at reduced rates. At this month’s meeting Nasser Butt had us doing a bit of Tai Chi whilst at the same time relating the history of the art. There are several forms of Tai Chi but Nasser’s began in the middle of the 1600s. If you wish to learn Tai Chi solely for its health benefits (instead of selfdefence), there are 12 movements which are simple and effective. Nasser explained that from conception babies are in the foetal position and remain so until their habits are changed e.g. from squatting to more upright positions. In China for example people still squat (skip this bit if you are of a sensitive nature) for bowel movements, hence in China there is hardly any bowel cancer or suchlike. In between all this information, we were doing exercises. Apparently the left hand side of the body operates the right side of the brain, so we were practising standing on one leg and holding out our other arm, there were quite a few wobbles. In between various exercises he wanted to demonstrate how everything is connected. To begin he asked “How do you get an elephant in a fridge”. Various answers but none were correct, the answer is to open the door. A few more exercises and we were asked, “How do you get a giraffe in the fridge?”. We knew that answer. More exercises, then he said, “The Lion King demanded every animal to attend a meeting, all did but two, who were they?” We had moved on by then, it was suggested, man, a dodo etc. All wrong, they were the elephant and the giraffe because they were still in the fridge. More talking, exercising and history. Another question, “How do you cross a crocodile infested river, no bridge, no boat, etc?” Answer, they swam, as all the crocodiles

Some of Groby WI’s members went to see Sister Act at CURVE. Former X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke was the star of the show. were at the meeting. This was just to demonstrate how everything is related. Sounds simple but with us all those physical (well not really) jerks and listening to him, made one forgot what had previously been said. We all enjoyed our Tai Chi evening. Six of us went to Laxton near Newark to the Holocaust Centre. Now this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but we had a really enjoyable day. The weather was lovely. All were a bit dubious about this particular visit but wanted to see for ourselves the exhibition. We made our way through a lovely garden which had mainly white roses. Under each bush was a plaque commemorating someone, usually relations who perished in various concentration camps, it was most moving and very peaceful. On entering the building our first stop was the small tearoom. A very

pleasant lady served us with a cuppa and was very chatty. Onto the reception area where were given directions and information. In here there are plenty of books all relating to this era. We began our journey through the exhibition, you can imagine the pictures and stories all horrifying and tragic. It took us quite a while and we ended back at the reception. A gentleman then showed us to a lift where we were to go to the first floor. We entered, then the chappie pushed a button, he said, to the first floor. The lift had two doors, so we got out by the other door. Angie said, “Well, I never felt it move”. It didn’t, we were still on the ground floor but not quite in the same area. Back again into the lift and this time pressed the correct button. On arrival we found ourselves in a mock up room of a tailor’s

workshop. We had previously been told there was a secret room where a Jewish family would hide and we had to find it. After pushing and shoving and pressing every knob we could see, Christine got the novel idea of just pushing a small wall with bolts of cloth, abracadabra it opened, easy when you know how. This is where the family would hide, small, with little in the way of conveniences. Back into the lift again where we found ourselves in a small railway station. This was Leo’s journey. This part portrayed a Jewish lad’s journey on the Kindertransport where his parents had sacrificed themselves to let him and other like children get to England. All this may sound harrowing but we agreed it is something we need to remember. In term time practically every day there are trips from schools which we thought it was a good thing. Of course the hope is that they would learn from this but unfortunately, horrible things even to this day are happening. We finished up with a beautiful lunch and then wandered around the garden. On our way out there was a trough full of white stones and we were asked to take one and put it on the large pile already there. Apparently it is a symbol. We played Markfield WI in the skittles competition at a new venue, The Royal Oak at Cossington and were very pleased with it. The good news is that we won 2 – 1, well done girls, sorry we don’t have any gold medals but we may eventually win back the “always needs cleaning” cup. Next month’s talk on the l5th September is a representative of the Leicester firm of Norman & Underwood who specialise in Cathedrals and other large buildings. I knew a chap who worked for them and listening to him relating his tales of famous places he had worked on was always most interesting. So come along at 7.30pm to the Village Hall, you are most welcome.

Margaret

The man who invented throat lozenges died last week. There was no coffin at the funeral.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS

Preserving NT land holding ONE OF THE AIMS of the National Trust is to preserve our property forever, for everyone. This does not just apply to the large houses and other buildings that we own but also to the whole of our land holding. In the Peak District National Park we own 13% of all the land within the Park boundary and in 2010 we put in place a 50 year plan to recover the landscape and biodiversity of the High Peak Moors. We also aimed to inspire and involve people in their care and management. In areas such as the Kinder Scout plateau the impact of air pollution and wildfires over many years had led to widespread and long-standing peat erosion, resulting in a moonscape of bare peat and rock. A £2.7m conservation project, funded by United Utilities and Natural England, to restore this important environment is already showing positive results. Over a five year period our rangers and volunteers have installed over 6,000 dams on the Kinder plateau to raise the water table and retain the peat to help restore a healthy bog. We are doing this because moorlands like Kinder are very special and valuable when functioning naturally. Peat bogs are natural water stores. As well as being important for species like mountain hare, golden plover and short-eared owls, they play a vital role in supplying our drinking water, providing a high carbon store in the battle against climate change and also help with flood defence. The once exposed peat is now covered in healthy vegetation, providing an important natural habitat, helping to lock in carbon and stopping peat being washed off into the reservoirs below. The project has transformed the way we manage the high moors and is a positive response to the threats to our environment. The National Trust is therefore committed to this work for years to come. All National Trust land on the Kinder plateau and in Edale is open to the public 365 days of the year and is crossed by a number of footpaths. There is a NT car park at Mam Nick and numerous other car parks throughout the area owned by other organisations, providing good access to the area. • THE HISTORY OF CASTLE PARK: The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 28th September when Caroline Roberts will present an illustrated talk on The History of Castle Park. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm. • THE HISTORY OF MOSELEY OLD HALL: There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 11th October at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm when Michelle Fulford (NT) will present a talk on The History of Moseley Old Hall. 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, Publicity Officer

Retiring local decorator hands over to his son WELL-KNOWN local painter and decorator Paul Yeomans will soon be retiring and his son Dean, will be taking over. The business name is changing from P.W.Yeomans Painters & Decorators to YEOMANS DECOR. Paul and his wife Kay say:”We hope readers will support Dean in the same way that you’ve supported us. “Many of you already know Dean, who has worked for his Dad for many years, and has always been very loyal to the business. “You can contact Dean on the phone numbers on the advert alongside on the left. “Paul will keep our phone number 01530 249336 for a time, and there is also Paul’s mobile: 07885 442899.”

Local postman needs your support

Simon’s fundraising again for Adapt Prembabies THIS YEAR we are off to Scotland for a walk on the wild side. We plan to tackle the Great Glen Way which is one of Scotland’s four long distance walks. The route we will take runs from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea for a distance of 79 miles. With midges and weather permitting the hike should take 3 days! 2016 year marks the 21st anniversary of ADAPT Prembabies, it’s hard to believe that some of the tiniest of babies which includes my eldest daughter Sophie have now reached and are celebrating their 21st birthday this year. What started out as a small group of parents having the odd coffee together has grown and more importantly has survived to be what it is today. ADAPT now has a dedicated Family Support Coordinator who is actually based on the neonatal units at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General, a Support Group Coordinator who continues with the care for parents when babies go home right up to when they start school and a Development CoGroby Postman and Charity ordinator who handles the day to Fundraiser Extraordinaire, day running of the charity which Simon Moore requires £50,000 each year to keep us going. Throughout the UK over 80,000 babies are born each year needing specialist hospital care so if someone you know – family member, friend or work colleague - is planning to have a baby, then statistics show there is a 1 in 9 chance that baby will need some type of Neonatal support. You may be surprised to learn that of around 10,500 babies born in Leicestershire each year, 10% need special care initially, with 2.5% of those needing neonatal intensive care – a frightening thought, isn’t it? Especially frightening to the parents who don’t understand fully what’s happening – and that is why ADAPT was born and is so needed. Many of you will be aware that my round has been altered as we have lost the bikes! My previous post round has been joined together with another round which I and my colleague Gary now cover with the van! This is why you do not see me as often as you used if you live on Woodlands, Markfield Road, Far Wood, Shaw Wood and Forest View. However, if you live on Crane Ley Road, Meadow Way, Larchwood Avenue, Beacon Close or Beaumont Green then you will see a lot more of me! I have been very fortunate that all my fund raising events have received fantastic support from family, friends, residents of Groby Village and Royal Mail and I would like to express my sincere thanks for your wonderful generosity. The final total for my last challenge which was the 2015 London Marathon was a grand figure of £3600. If you would like to sponsor me for this year’s challenge then please catch me on my post round in Groby or pop into Groby Post Office. For more information to donate or to fund raise on behalf of Adapt call Sue Williams, Trustee, on 01455 459523/07739 504783 or visit the website at www.prembabies.co.uk

Golf A golf player is a person who can drive 70 miles an hour in traffic with perfect ease, but who goes to pieces on a two-foot putt if somebody coughs.

Thank you, student loans, for helping me get through college. I don’t think I can ever repay you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Borough Councillors’ Monthly Report Leicester Road, Former Highways Ground, Groby I SPOKE strongly against the proposals followed by a motion not to accept the outline application to establish the access to the site as, in my opinion, the access to this proposed housing development site was unsafe and would cause a Highway danger. The vote was six members in favour of my motion to refuse the application and six members against it. The Chairman used his casting vote against my motion making the result six votes for refusing the application and seven against (Therefore my motion was lost). The Tories then put forward a motion to accept the officer’s recommendation which was to approve the application. The result of this vote was six members in favour of supporting the application and seven members against the proposal so the vote was lost outright. In these circumstances the Chairman is unable to use his casting vote. The result of both the above votes was stalemate: i.e. no support for me overturning the application and no support for the approval of it either. This has never happened in the ten years I have been a representative on the Council. What happened next was quite bizarre to say the least! The Chairman again proposed that the committee accept the officer’s recommendation to approve the application. I very quickly stepped in and made the point of order that you simply cannot re-run a vote until you get the outcome you are hoping for. This was accepted by the solicitors present on behalf of HBBC and no vote was taken. It was then proposed that the item be deferred to another meeting having taken legal advice. My understanding of the latest position is that the Borough Council are able to bring this back to the Planning Committee and will do so on the 13th September.

Macmillan Coffee Morning YOU’VE POSSIBLY started to hear the radio adverts or see the posters for the national World’s Biggest Coffee Morning - Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual fundraising campaign.

footprint the result is a much improved learning environment for the pupils. Already Ofsted Outstanding 2008-2009 20142015 the school continues to offer first class education to its pupils. Whilst speaking to head teacher Mr Fitzgerald he commented “The new modular classrooms provide a fantastic learning environment for the school and the way forward for all other schools” Martin Cartwright Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 078 50 70 70 50 E-mail: hbbc@appliancehome. co.uk Write: Maverick House, 10 Pine Tree Avenue Groby, LE6 0EQ

Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@tesco.net Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY

Macmillan nurses and support teams are crucial for people going through cancer, yet are funded through donations. Two events are taking place in Groby: • Friday 30th September 2016 10.00am – 12.00 noon at Groby Community Centre, 40 Forest Rise, Groby, LE6 0BD • Monday 3rd October 12.00 noon – 4.00pm at Studio J. 1 Newtown Linford Lane, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0EA

and I to Wilson & Sons for the conversion of the former newsagent to a Mace store with far more offerings to the residents of Groby than before and longer opening times. Sunday – Thursday 6.00am – 8.00pm – Friday and Saturday 6.00am – 9.00pm

Former Barclays Bank Groby THE APPLICATION by the owners of the former Barclays Bank to convert the building into a takeaway has been refused planning permission. At a recent Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Full council meeting, the adoption of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD was approved. This in turn helped the Council to refuse the former Barclays Bank planning application. Policy DM22 of the DPD seeks to resist the loss of A1 and A2 uses in Local Centres. A1 is for retail use and A2 is professional financial services such as banks etc. As the former Barclays Bank has an A2 use, its loss has the potential to impact upon the retail integrity, vitality and viability of Groby. The applicant has failed to submit sufficient information to demonstrate that the loss of the A2 use would not have an adverse impact and therefore the application was refused.

Wilson & Son Newsagent – Conversion to a Mace Store Congratulations from Ted

Not only has this improved the shopping experience for customers but also further employment opportunities. If you have not visited the new store yet please do so. Well done and good luck from your Borough Councillors.

Flunch Groby Makeover FLUNCH at Lawnwood Shopping parade has undergone a significant makeover. Now serving tea and coffee as well as the sandwiches, snacks etc. The visual aspect of the shop is significantly improved as well as the seating area within. Congratulations from Ted and I on a significant makeover we hope it proves beneficial to you.

Lady Jane Grey Primary School – Modular PUPILS returning to Lady Jane Grey Primary School this term will see the old mobile classrooms replaced by state of the art modular classrooms. Being sustainable in terms of both the materials used and solar powered to reduce the carbon

Social Media Grooming - Kayleigh’s Love Story YOU MAY have heard of the tragic murder of Kayleigh Haywood, who was a 15 year old girl from Ibstock who was groomed over social media and within 13 days of the first messages being sent was killed. Leicestershire police, along with the family of Kayleigh Haywood, have put together a short, five minute film called Kayleigh’s Love Story, highlighting the dangers of young people speaking to people they don’t know online. The film highlights how quickly and easily children can be groomed online without them or people around them knowing what are happening. The film aims to help young people understand the importance of staying safe online and for parents to spot the signs that may indicate their child is being groomed. The film is to be shown in all schools to children aged 11+ after the summer holidays. Public showings are also available at the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council offices on Wednesday 28 September with showings at 3:30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm and at 7:30pm.

We Are Here To Help You SHOULD you have any comments or problems you would like us to mention in our articles please get in touch. Please remember if we can ever be of service to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact us, our details are listed above. Kind regards

Martin Cartwright & Ted Hollick

Who is God? During a youth service, the minister asked if anyone could tell her who God is. One youngster waved a hand, and ventured: “Isn’t God the man who saves the Queen?”

Can you believe that my neighbour knocked at my door at 2am!? Luckily, I was up playing my drums.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Martinshaw pupils enter Groby Village Show

AS PART of the school’s commitment to the wider village, children with an age range of 4 to 10 years were tasked to produce entries for the ‘Groby Village Annual Show’.

As the Olympics were taking place at the same time, the students thought that the Olympics, in fact, would be an appropriate theme. Therefore, using various techniques, including painting, colouring, sticking, plasticine and even some inventive 3D work, over 70 entries were produced and judged, with winners from the various age groups. All the children will be presented with their medals in a special assembly at the beginning of the new school term. Talking about the new school year, no sooner are they back than year 4 are off to Beaumanor Hall for a residential visit to clear away any cobwebs with a spot of wall climbing, night walks, hide building and canoeing, followed a week or so later by year 6. I personally am feeling shattered just writing about it.

Owen Lawrence

Tomorrow I am going to open the time capsule I buried as a kid. I can’t wait to see how big my puppy got.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Beatles & ABBA: another triumph for Groby Sings! THE WINNER Takes It All! Our community choir, Groby Sings, had a definite winner with Groby Sings The Beatles and ABBA – what a fabulous weekend of ‘60s and ‘70s music. As promised, the audiences were ‘amazed in both sound and vision’ and certainly went home with smiles on their faces. The sell-out concerts were a riot of psychedelic colour with both singers and musicians really entering into the spirit of things. There were some fantastic Beatles and ABBA costumes, lots of bright, colourful outfits and, of course, flower power. The scene was set for some lively music and the opening number, She Loves You, made sure that everyone was in the mood. The selection of Beatles songs in the first half was full of fun and nostalgia. Penny Lane bounced along with verses that were perfect for showcasing each section of the choir and introduced a young trumpeter, Oli Matthews (11), who impressed everyone with his confident playing. The young singers excelled, as always, with an enthusiastic rendition of Yellow Submarine, a song which allowed the men of the choir to add some unexpected but appropriate props – namely waves, periscopes and snorkels! It all added to the fun. The beautiful sound of In My Life was very moving and suited the choir’s sound perfectly. A superb first half was concluded with a rousing Hey Jude which everyone seemed to enjoy judging by the mass arm-waving from both choir and audience during several repeats of the chorus. After the interval, everyone was thrilled to hear that ABBA was on a reunion tour and, having heard about Groby Sings, had decided to pay Groby a visit. The band started up and, to everyone’s amazement, in bounded Agnetha, Bjorn and Benny suitably dressed for the occasion (sadly it seems that Frida was ill and couldn’t make it). What a tremendous scoop for Groby Sings! From then on the atmosphere was electric with Waterloo opening the second part of the show with a bang. It could have been the Eurovision Song Contest all over again. From then on the music flowed through I Have A Dream, with the first verse sung by the children and men who then went on to produce powerful harmonies

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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.

in The Winner Takes It All, a real favourite with the audience. Noone could resist singing along to two more disco favourites, Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen and finally came Super Trouper, which began with all the ladies singing a cappella (unaccompanied) harmonies, not easy for amateur singers but which came across as a beautiful sound. The whole choir sang their hearts out in this rousing finale to yet another magnificent Groby Sings production and at the end singers, musicians and, of course, ‘Agnetha’, who was now conducting, received a well-deserved standing ovation. There were many post-concert reactions, including: ‘So proud to be in Groby Sings’, ‘Most polished performance yet’, ‘Paul and Cliff were amazing on the keyboards’. ‘One of the best community choirs around’ (from a former BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year winner). Groby Sings’ main aim is to be an inclusive choir and it particularly

welcomes those who are lonely, isolated or vulnerable to join for the sense of friendship and community as well as having fun singing together. For those who like a bit of a challenge there is harmony singing but others are happy just to sing the tune. Many of those who join lack confidence and say that they never thought they would be good enough to sing in public but that Groby Sings has proved them wrong. There is fantastic support in the area from villagers, local churches, organisations and businesses, particularly Groby Club, which generously provides a rehearsal space every week. Groby Sings warmly invites new members to come and experience the fun of singing together when rehearsals start on 5th September (children from 9th September) for Groby Sings Goes Technicolour to feature songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and more. The excitement is already building!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article should have appeared in last month’s issue, but was accidentally omitted. Apologies for the delay - I’ll try not to do it again - Mike Wilkinson

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 15th October DEADLINE: 1st October

I had such a rotten day. First my ex got run over by a bus. Then I got fired from my job as a bus driver.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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I accidentally gave my girlfriend a glue stick instead of chapstick. She’s still not talking to me.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

FOOTWEAR Wordsearch

9/6/2016

Word Search Puzzle

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Passcode/Creat

If you can spot the names of 12 TYPES OF FOOTWEAR in this issue’s Wordsearch Solutions for aDistricts Free Resources puzzle, you could win yourself 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.

What We Offer

The Prime Minister’s favourite shoes

Who We Are

Teachers

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 VARIETIES OF FOOTWEAR. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: IMELDA MARCOS, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by E H U O N F G Q B M D A Z S Z O P Saturday 1st October 2016. Remember to include your name and B S V F L I U E O R D T K R B R T address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s swimming cap will win the prize. P A P K A S D C W K O J P E Z F A Good luck! Y K Q A Y B C S C I R G P K W L H Here are the twelve footwear types you have to find:

S W E S D A L A A T J Z U A X A L O E W J S R I R T T G Z T E P Y S R R H I Y P I P N E B V V N S R A K S N S S G O L C N B U V S E W N O S O Z O F J U L H N A S P Q P D I O B W I L K H D E Z K P Q Y X A S Q P P A Y A H S E S I I H Q T L E Y H A V W A G Q L L Z Y M T Z S S P O L F P I L F S K K U F J G U K Z F V T V E R G I Z L P W W P M L O A F E R S H Q K E B W X R E W H Q C U M I O G B S A M T S T O C N F L O U V V W Q B F B L W H O B

BROGUES • CLOGS • ESPADRILLES FLIP FLOPS • GALOSHES • KITTEN HEELS LOAFERS • MOCCASINS • MULES SANDALS • SLIPPERS • SNEAKERS Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................

Last Issue’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: GEOFF LINTHWAITE of Forest View, Groby Congratulations! Your prize will be with you soon.

IsBROGUES the internet taking over your life? OFCOM, CLOGS the media watchdog, has ESPADRILLES issued some sombre FLIPFLOPS warnings based on GALOSHES KITTENHEELS a recent survey of LOAFERS national internet MOCCASINS habits:

The Nottingham Building Society & Harrison Murray Estate Agents (Groby Branch) are holding a Coffee Morning and Face Painting Session on Friday 21st October 2016 from 11am to 2pm. The event is a fundraiser for the Heart Link Children’s Charity at the Glenfield Hospital.

• MULES More than half SANDALS (59%) of all 50 SLIPPERS million internet SNEAKERS users in the UK say they are addicted to surfing the web. (That includes 45 per cent of the over-65 age group who are using Friday 21st October 2016 the internet.) Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com • We now spend an average of more than 24 hours each week 11am to 2pm online. • Huge numbers of us have neglected housework, been late for work, and even walked into people on the street, because we simply could not put down our digital devices. • The internet is damaging our social and working lives. Around a third of us have avoided friends and family in order to stay online, while a quarter of teenagers are late for school because they are online. • A third of us have attempted a ‘digital detox’. One in six of us has We would love you to come along for a cuppa even chosen a holiday destination with no online access. to support this worthwhile cause. • Meanwhile, perhaps most awesome - a quarter of adults admit to We are in Ratby Road, Groby. sending a text or instant messages to someone in the same room as themselves while at home. Why not just say something?

Coffee Morning & Face Painting

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

Raising funds for

Somebody drilled a hole in the fence around the nudist colony. Police are looking into it.

& cake

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-SEPTEMBER 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Why should you never date a tennis player? Because love means nothing to them.