Syston Town News Your Independent Community Newspaper March 2018 by Fiona Henry

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

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YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL.22 No 2

MARCH 2018

ISSN 2045-0974

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Local Support Group Celebrates 30th Anniversary Cancer Research UK (CRUK), Syston Support Group Celebrates Fundraising £250,000 and their 30 Year Anniversary.

Occasions Tea Room in Syston hosted a fabulous Afternoon Tea to celebrate Cancer Research UK, Syston Support Group reaching a huge fundraising milestone of £250,000 along with our 30 year anniversary! They were joined by Caroline Mellor,

Regional Manager for Volunteer Fundraising from CRUK Head Office who presented them with a certificate for their achievement and pin badges to mark their 30 years involvement with CRUK. She told them about Cancer Research UK’s ambition to accelerate progress and see three in four patients surviving cancer by 2034. Carol Ridlington very kindly said a few words to help them remember how far they have come since the group started in 1988. The afternoon was spent reminiscing over our events of the last 30 years and taking time to realise our massive achievement.

Sue Bowey, the group’s treasurer, organised the afternoon and also created a scrapbook of memories including newspaper cuttings, photographs and even social media quotes. Gemma Bowey said: “We are a small friendly group of volunteers but we have loyal family members, friends and helpers who all pull together to make our events a success. Most of whom have been involved in the group for over 20 years.” The group would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community and businesses for their support, especially the Syston Methodist Church for allowing them to use their Hall for their Spring and Autumn Fairs and the Syston Carnival Committee. Other businesses that have supported them for many years include: Continues on page 4

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Eyelash Extensions and Caci Non-Surgical Face Lifting. She said that they pride themselves on their professional customer service and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. They offer a wide range of hair and beauty Owner Vicky established treatments, carried out by highly Boudoir 10 years ago after qualified, professional staff. Some relocated to Syston from of the treatments include Shellac Before London. She has over Manicures, Universal Contour 20 years experience Wrap, Spray Tan, HD Brows, in the beauty Microblading and Neal’s Yard industry and facials. For a full list visit their previously worked website: in London’s www.boudoirhairandbeauty.co.uk Mayfair for 13 Microblading is a fabulous new years, where she treatment that introduces carried out After pigment into the skin in fine hair treatments on strokes with a handheld tool to celebrity and royal fill in missing sparse brows so clients. Vicky improving the shape and lasts specialises in 12-18 months. See pictures right. In the salon they offer Nano Keratin smoothing/full straightening treatment for frizzy hair which lasts up to three months. Vicky’s team consists of two therapists, three stylists, a junior and a Saturday girl. She also wanted us to include that Andrea, one of the stylists, used to own Hair Affair, so any of her previous clients can book in with her. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, as well as the recently refurbished salon and beauty rooms, they are offering a special Mother’s day treat, see advert below.

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The Stn is now available to read anywhere via ISSUU. Just download the free app and search for Syston Town News. Never miss a copy again!

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MARCH 2018

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St Peter and St Paul’s Church News Shelter Collection After all of the envelopes came in and with the collection from the Carol Service, the final total was a record breaking £720, which has been sent to Shelter - the housing and homeless charity. Many thanks go to all who contributed. Ladies Friendship Circle The group met on January 22nd and enjoyed an amusing evening of Call My Bluff discovering the meaning of some very unusual words. For instance ‘gentacular’ isn’t a spectacular gentlemen but anything pertaining to breakfast. As to ‘gowl’ this turns out to be a fourteenth century maiden who, when she wants somebody to do something she wants, wails and cries bitterly! Everybody laughed a good deal at this and denied ever doing anything of the sort! Thanks were given to Pam Tyers for such an entertaining evening. Margaret Snowdon The speaker at St. Peter and St Pauls’ Friendship Circle on February 12th was Douglas Clinton – his subject Folklore of Leicestershire and Rutland. We were interested to learn that folklore was found to be different in various areas of the country. Some of the traditions were at times quite violent and would not pass in today’s society. The talk was illustrated with drawings and, in the more recent times, by photographs. Two of the more local traditions were The Halaton Bottle Kicking which is still held on Easter Monday and here in Syston the ‘Ringing of the Pancake

bell’. This was rung here until the 1960’s by my father-in-law Ernest Payne. The church bell was rung around noon on Shrove Tuesday which, when women heard it, they knew it was time to prepare the batter for the pancakes. A very interesting evening which ended with the usual tea and biscuits. Doreen Payne Eleven30 Sunday 4th February was an exciting time for the members of the eleven 30 congregation when Abigail was Baptised and welcomed into the family of St Peter & St Paul’s church.

Her parents Andrew and Wendy, her brother Daniel with other members of her family and friends thoroughly enjoyed the special service. Afterwards there were extra special refreshments and activities for the children. The next services will be on March 4th and 18th at 11.30am do come and join us!

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS

Continued from Front Page

GE Gamble & Sons, MD Lowe & Sons, Pukka Pies Ltd, Charles Street Buildings Leicester Ltd, Co-op, Tesco and many more. In their Anniversary year they have chosen to split the money raised between brain tumour, ovarian and pancreatic cancer research in memory of friends of the group that have passed away or been affected this year. The group want to Thank You for all your continued support. Dates for your diary:

Spring/Summer Fair Saturday 9th June, Syston Methodist Church, 10.00am to 12noon. Syston Carnival Saturday 1st September, Central Park, Syston. Autumn Fair Saturday 6th October, Syston Methodist Church, 10.00am to 12noon. Looking forward to seeing you all at our Spring/Summer Fair!

Certificate and pin

Help can be offered about career ideas and planning, CVs, interview skills, suitable letters of application and general support and Occasions Tea Room at 8a High encouragement. Street, Syston have agreed to host a If visitors wish to buy refreshments at Careers Event in the tea shop Occasions there is no charge made between 3.30pm and 5.45pm on for using this service, but if Wednesday 18th April. refreshments are not purchased, This will be a drop-in time aimed at there is a charge of £2 for offering information, advice and unemployed people and between £4 guidance to anyone aged 18 or over and £6 for part-time workers who is interested in seeking work or according to their hours and wage. training and who is either unemployed As this is a non-profit venture, half of or in part-time work (not exceeding 24 those proceeds will go to Occasions hours per week). who have kindly agreed to let us use

Careers Event Coming Your Way!

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their well located premises. The other half will cover transport and stationery costs. We are also based every alternate Monday at The Hub, Syston Methodist Church Centre, High Street between 10.00am and 12.15pm, so if you can’t make April 18th we would welcome you to visit us at The Hub. Hope to see you there! Robin Perry and Lisa Emerson

MARCH 2018

70 Aspiring Young Actors Fill Screen at Leicester Cinema for Ladies Fashions and Lingerie Premiere

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Over 300 people, including 70 young aspiring actors from local Drama group, Urban Young Actors, attended the premiere of their first feature film ‘Whose Afraid of the Duke of Edinburgh’ on Saturday 27th January at Leicester’s Odeon cinema.

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Prior to the feature, a short '10 year celebration' documentary was screened featuring former members, current members and associates of Urban Young Actors sharing their memories. This included messages from Joe Dempsie, star of HBO'S 'Game of Thrones' and local pop star, Mahaliawho, who is currently listed on BBC 1XTRA'S Hot for 2018 list. Melissa Smith, Director of Urban Young Actors commented; “It was an amazing night, I am so proud of all our members who put in memorable performances. We were delighted to be able to shoot all of the feature film in Leicestershire and are thankful for all the support we received during the making of the film from Wreake Valley Academy. What a way to celebrate 10 years, it was certainly a night to remember!”

This is just a quick update regarding the Stop the Arriva Cuts Campaign in Thurmaston and Syston. They have now changed the group name to 'Thurmaston and Syston The actors aged between 8 and 21 Bus Users' as their goal has become who made the film during last year’s broader than their original intentions. summer holidays, got to walk the red They still intend to campaign for a carpet and were made to feel a star suitable alternative service to replace for the night, celebrating with their service 6 between Thurmaston and friends, family and fellow actors as Syston or the reinstatement of the they witnessed their performances on former service. the big screen. You can keep up-to-date with their As well as their first feature film, Urban progress and contact them via their Young Actors were also celebrating 10 facebook page Thurmaston and years as one of Leicester’s leading Syston Bus Users. drama groups.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS

Roundhill Flower and Garden Club

surrounded by swirls of red/purple organza, flowers used were red anthurium plus red germini with striking yellow tips to the petals. Bold foliages of cordyline, fatsia, and clipped palm contrasted these.

Our programme of demonstrations, talks, and garden visit began again in January We remained in the heat with a depiction with Lyn Wherret, from Earl Shilton, of a Kenyan safari. A sloping frame made whose title was ‘Looking Forward’. from dried stems and vines became the Arguably, we look forward to some surround for a parallel design in orange. depicted events more than others, e.g. Large gerbera were mixed with roses, pinno-one wants to encounter the frost and cushion protea, and small germini to form frozen taps of winter portrayed in the first vertical lines of different heights. arrangement, but frost can look beautiful, Eucalyptus and clipped palm foliage stood and the element of beauty was captured in between, while the base was a mix of by the floral design. curled aspidistra leaves and marbled arum italicum. In white, grey and silver, plant material was set into a wooden whitewashed box Finally, we looked to flower festivals. A from which rose metal pipes either side, rectangular metal frame supported an meeting with a water tap in the centre. Tall asymmetric design, as in a church window. white twigs with silver glitter were placed In neutral shades of green and white, at the back for height, whilst in front stood columns of shamrock chrysanthemum, a column of white longiflorum lilies. white longiflorum lily, white roses, white Beneath came clusters of roses; carnation, lisianthus buds, and one white alstroemeria; and a tumbling spray of anthurium, staggered down to meet an dendrobium orchids. Eucalyptus foliage arching spray of dendrobium orchid. filled the gaps. A stem of twisted hazel curved above to From winter we looked to spring with a one side, while a trail of rubus tricolour design in yellow and green plus hint of flowed down from the other. Between white, see picture. The main flowers were these was a base of palms; fatsia; and viburnum tinus.

SHOP LOCAL Support your local shops Small Business Saturday for your Mother’s Day Gifts!

LETTERS The views and opinions expressed on our Letters page are those of the respective authors and do not reflect the opinion of the Syston Town News.

Dear Editor It was good to read the encouragement to 'SHOP SMALL' in the February issue of STN, especially when there are so many vacant shop premises in Town Centre, High Street and on Melton Road. Businesses seem to be closing almost weekly. Empty lots give our vibrant bustling Spring heralds the wedding season, and Syston a rather sad and dismal look. Lyn’s next design was a table centrepiece. Please may we know what steps the Shimmering organza fabric was pleated around a foam posy pad, making a frill. In Town Council is taking to re-invigorate the Syston Retail Offer and to attract contemporary style, differing flowers and foliages were placed in groups around the the many new residents in the pad, but the very centre left open. A glass immediate area to 'Shop Small and cylinder vase with one rose stem was Local'? Syston has its own unique placed into this space. The posy pad was character and atmosphere - but are put on a larger woven wreath ring. rents and business rates now too high Colours were shades of pink including for pioneering new entrepreneurs? tulips, gerbera, and lisianthus. Foliages Yours faithfully, were berried ivy; choisya; and pittosporum. J & R Craven A hot themed design followed. Semicrescent and set in a small black planter Address submitted

daffodils, which flowed over the edge of a pottery urn. Above those came white ‘cheerfulness’ narcissi, then small yellow chrysanthemums, all interspersed with short stems of conifer, bay, and variegated elaeagnus. To top it off, a tall topiary of daffodil, narcissi, golden rod, and marbled arum italicum leaves was placed in the centre.

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MARCH 2018

Declan’s Diary

Chocolates are still taking up half the room in the fridge and the Christmas lights are still sparkling as nerves are filling the Spencer house hold. Today is the day Declan takes his practical driving test, I know he is more than capable of passing his test as he is a very patient, competent driver with incredible special awareness which is much needed

when driving a 3.5 tonne van. So, on a cold January morning I’m waiting for Declan to return back to the test centre, his examiner waits for me to come over before telling Declan the great news that "You've passed with only three minors, I really enjoyed that drive" - I let out a very proud mum scream and hug Declan. The following weeks included interviews and well done cards. Declan felt such a sense of achievement and set about making plans to travel to Germany and realise his dream of driving around the famous Nürburgring. Driving there will be the easy part, it's finding accommodation to meet his needs that is proving difficult. We will make it happen though as that's what we do.....we live life to the full. Every now and again we are reminded that this life is not forever, tears spill down my face as I'm told Declan’s heart is now pumping very slowly with little power, severe cardiomyopathy the consultant called it. He was soon asking if Declan had a end of life plan. The following day a videofloroscopy shows that Declans swallowing

muscles are so weak that both food and drink are going into his wind pipe and into his lungs, which can cause pneumonia. Duchennes likes to tell us occasionally that it's still in control, slowly taking Declan’s life away, slowly reminding us that there is no treatment or cure So what do we do? Cry, shout, shut ourselves away, wonder why. No we don't, that's not what we do, we take a few days to register the news and then make plans to carry on having a incredible life to the last breath, why, because life is precious and a gift. Alexandra.

Hats for Smoothie Bottles Age Concern Syston are still collecting and counting ‘little hats’ for the Smoothie Bottles in Sainsbury. If you have any, please take them into the Age Concern Syston Office which is situated in the Methodist Church Centre, High Street. If you want to start knitting the little hats, there are patterns available in the office. Age Concern Syston raise 25p per hat, which will benefit the people of Syston and district.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 7

The raffle prizes were won by Mrs D. Broadhurst and Mrs B. Lancaster. The Mrs Shirley Franklin, Vice tea hostesses were Mrs J. Green and President of New Barkby Mrs J. Vann. WI, welcomed members There was a social evening held on and visitors to the February meeting. 21st February to raise money for the Sadly, the planned speaker had Denman College owned by the WI in passed away but Felicity Austin Oxfordshire. stepped in at short notice and gave a the next meeting will be held on talk on ‘Nursery Rhymes and Games’. Wednesday 7th March ‘Cooking for Who was Old King Cole? Maybe not a Spring’. The competition will be a monarch, but a prince who may have Decorated Hen’s Egg. been responsible for building Syston Community centre 7.30pm Colchester or even a clothier from Visitors are always welcome to attend. Reading. Lucy Locket lost her pocket the pocket probably hidden away in an undergarment. There were also Syston Town News rhymes associated with the alphabet, numbers; counting in and counting out, Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper association with the seasons; days of the month and the heavens through Twinkle Twinkle little star. Make and Play The rhyme Oranges and Lemons begins with many Churches in London but ends up with one person being caught under the arch made by two people and asked to choose between oranges or lemons. The chopping off of one’s head although sounding gruesome may have been associated with public executions. As well as rhymes there was mention of riddles and parodies, some connected with either WW1 or WW2. Members participated in the reciting of On 29th January the make and play the rhymes and ended up completing early years group put on a messy play wise sayings that are often said, session! almost without thinking of where they Little mess Leicester came to provide originated from. Afterwards there was messy play for all of the local children an opportunity to look at Felicity’s in our community… display of artefacts and memorabilia Messy play contributes enormously to that she has collected during many the development of children’s years of research. cognitive and creative abilities. The vote of thanks was given by Mrs The children had a fantastic time and V. Cobb, who also won the competition with a newspaper cutting were very very messy! Make and play are currently helping to of a cartoon. (What makes you laugh?). She also won the competition raise money for the new church roof, with the proceeds from the messy cup and a certificate for the most session being added to the fund! points gained in 2017.

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MARCH 2018

includes myself and Kate, so we thought, why not bring them to us!” He continued to say “It’s nice to be able to offer something different and interesting to our customers.” The Mash Tun Bob, in the hat, with stall holders cafe, the lovely old doubledecker bus that is located within the Nursery share similar principles when it comes to local food and produce. The two young owners are On Sunday 28th January, Church View from the area and source locally as often as they can, with all of their meat Nursery held their first local food and coming from Mr D in East Goscote. produce event. Bob, who runs Church View along with After the fantastic success of this event, Church View have decided to repeat Kate, explained that they started this on the last Sunday of every month, Church View by travelling and entry is free - A showcase for small participating in events like these, so local food producers! realise the importance of how it can help people to grow their Bob said: “Without events like the ones businesses/dreams. we run we would never have got Church View up and running.” Bob said: “We decided to run it on a Sunday as most people who work To keep up-to-date with future events you can follow the facebook page cannot get to events like this as they ‘Church View Nursery Barkby’. are mostly run on weekdays - That

Church View Nursery Food And Local Produce Event

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Caudia Equina Charity Shop The Cauda Equina Charity Shop in the Town Square have revamped their much loved craft area. They have lots of new craft items so come and take a look, they would love any wool, cake making accessories, card making bits, broken jewellery, cross stitch items and embroidery silks, buttons and button tins. They have some lovely specialist hobby books for all sorts of craft. Pop in for a browse, you never know what you may find!

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• Craft Fair Saturday 17th March • Food & Local Produce Event Sunday 25th March • Wild Bird Seed • Vegetable Plug Plants • Spring Bedding • Logs and Coal

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MARCH 2018

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f SYSTON TOWN NEWS 9

This month in the garden This is our monthly gardening feature by our own local expert and regular panellist on “Down to Earth”. First let me say how pleased I am to be able once more to use my right arm after dislocating it on New Year’s Eve. During the first week in February the Royal Infirmary gave me the all clear, not only to drive, but also to carry out work in my garden. Between November and the first week in February I had counted 14 night frosts, but as 4 degrees Celsius was the hardest, many of my winter flowering shrubs and perennials were not affected. As I walk around the garden I am amazed to see Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ in flower, see picture left, which although being native to the Balearic Isles in the Mediterranean, not only withstood the frosts, but started to flower during the first week in January and as I write this it is still in flower. You will find this Clematis listed in books as only suitable for a sheltered spot in the garden, but mine is growing on a trellis and over an arch at the rear of my garden exposed to the East and is now 10-years-old. I have mentioned before about the numerous polyanthus that I grow in my garden, but while we were shopping at Gambles the butchers, next to Syston brook, I spotted some brilliant Polyanthus outside Scott and Cathie’s, the greengrocers next door.

One of these was an outstanding orange-red with a bright yellow centre, so I bought six of these and planted them in the two small troughs on my terrace where they look outstanding. I must admit that they were planted very quickly, not because of the weather, but due to the strong scent of the thousands of small white flowers on the metre diameter Sarcoccoca hookeriana ‘Purple Stem’ that grows in the border at the side of my terrace. If I stand by this for a long time it upsets my asthma, but as this shrub is a magnet for bees, I would not be without it. Recently Caroline (miss Muddy Knees), who helps me with weeding, forked over my bog garden and I told her to take out all but one of ‘Bowles Golden Grass’, which although its bright yellow foliage is a brilliant addition to the garden, it has one fault - this being that it does seed around the garden, often in amongst other perennials. Now, as the surface of the bog garden has been forked over, the local cats have now decided to use it as a toilet! This year my Hamamelis (witch hazel shrubs) came into flower about three weeks later than the previous year. ‘Barmstedt Gold’, pictured above right,

is still my most outstanding forming a seven feet (2m) tall shrub, which at present is a mass of golden flowers. Odd though it may seem, ‘Westerstede’, which is a stronger grower, usually flowers during late February and March, but this year it is in flower a month earlier. In my rockeries, many of my Saxifrages are now in flower and many of these have attractive evergreen silver foliage. Last year I grew ‘Jazzy’ as an early potato and found it not comparable with the earlies that I have grown in previous years. This year I shall go back to ‘Swift’ as a first early and ‘Charlotte’ as my second early. More about these next month as I prepare them for growing in 50 litre black tree tubs.

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Syston Bowling Club Men

Ladies Registered Community Amateur Sports Club “At the heart of the local community for more than 85 years” LOOK at what we offer to help you survive the Winter months, before the green opens again in April next year. * * * * * * *

Weekly indoor bowling sessions just for fun! (Mondays) Weekly social afternoon and Pub quiz (Wednesdays) Non-members and potential members are offered a Fortnightly meetings of Art Group warm welcome to all events. Come and sample the Monthly Ladies Lunch great Club atmosphere to help you to decide whether Regular Saturday evening social programme you want to join us as a player next Season. Active gardening group with talks and visits Fully licensed clubhouse Bar More information can be obtained from Club Secretaries Rob Wilbourn - 01664 424 813 (Men) or Val Foreman - 0116 260 9635 (Ladies)

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MARCH 2018

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The Stn’s editor was asked to give a talk to the monthly U3A group meeting, held in the Malt House Suit on Wednesday 10th January. The hall was full with over 138 people present, and with the aid of the overhead projector, Fiona talked the group through the history of the newspaper. The group found it fascinating how the newspaper has grown and changed from black and white when it began in 1996 to full colour today, as well as the changes made by each of editors along the way including Fiona who is the third. We saw how the newspaper has increased the number of copies published from 5,500 per issue when she took over as editor in 2009 to the 7,200 copies distributed today by a small army of 62 volunteers. We were told about the process of getting each issue together with advertising paying for the production of the newspaper - She added that hopefully, everyone that uses an advertiser lets them know where they saw it, as without continued support from local businesses through advertising the newspaper wouldn’t exist! At the end she took questions and everyone said they felt more informed now, the great little newspaper goes from strength to strength, and Syston is well served by its hard working editors and band of volunteers. Brian Syston & District U3A is part of the nationwide organisation the University of the Third Age. A voluntary body aimed at people in their ‘third age’ i.e. retired, who wish to maintain an active and interesting lifestyle. For more information go to: https://u3asites.org.uk/syston

Charnwood WIgs We welcomed the new year in with a dazzling display from a belly dancer! What a spectacular delight, see image. With members participating, it was an energetic and fun way to welcome our members to our 2018 programme. The March meeting guest is going to introduce us to Laughter Yoga, on Thursday 29th March at Beedles Lake Golf Club, East Goscote. Come along as a guest (£4) and see if it's for you? A warm welcome awaits. For more information please contact Sharon Astill 0784 988 8752.

Syston Town News Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper

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on Parade’ is a lighthearted and Fabulous Fashions from the 40’s to entertaining show that the 90’s by The History Wardrobe weaves stories The History Wardrobe will take us on illustrating the cultural a sensational journey through the and social history of clothes and culture of five decades on an era around the Thursday 15th March at 7.30pm in fashion of the times. Hoby & District Village Hall, LE14 3DT From the new look to Price £12.00 with all proceeds going the new romantics, to All Saints Church, Hoby from flower power to maintenance fund. power dressing, this costumes in Contact Diane for tickets on: 01664 context evening has it all. Whether it 434 422; diane@horsfste.plus.com. was you, your mother or your grandmother wearing these clothes, Beginning with wartime austerity and there is something for everyone. It ending with 'anything goes', ‘Frocks

Frocks on Parade!

promises to be a brilliant ‘Do you remember?’ experience, with fantastic music and beautiful frocks from the History Wardrobes collection of period costumes. There will be a bar so bring your friends and enjoy ‘Frocks on in the church steeple. Many thanks to Parade!’ St Mary’s Church all who provided the soups and sweets The History Wardrobe are based in and especially to Tesco, Syston who Barkby York and their popular presentations donated the bread and butter, custard can be enjoyed at venues across the Despite a cold, wet and windy day our and flowers for the table decorations. UK. Each presentation is based on a Soup 'n’ Sweet Saturday was very well On Mothering Sunday 10th March at wealth of academic and textile attended and seats were fully occupied. 10.00am there will be a special SMART research presented in a lively and There was a choice of four home-made all age worship in the church, all are engaging manner. Visit soups to warm us up and then a welcome. www.historywardrobe.com for more selection of tasty hot and cold sweets; information. Our Easter Services are a short over tea and coffee there was time to Syston Town News catch up with new and old friends. With Compline at 6.00pm on Good Friday, a Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper SMART Service at 10.00am and Holy a raffle and book stall and children’s corner there was plenty to do and also Communion at 6.00pm on Easter and buy the clothes. This is on Sunday. a chance to look around the church. Wednesday 11th April at 7.30pm in Our next fund raising event is a Almost £400 was raised, which will Barkby Village Hall, tickets £5 to probably go towards mending the crack Fashion Show when you can also try include a glass of plonk!

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Jeanne Douglas offers psychic readings in Palmistry, Tarot, Crystal and Personal Astrology. Her telephone numbers are 01664 562 471 or 07931 293 855.

ARIES March 20 - April 19

LEO July 22 - August 22

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 20

March turns out to be an exciting time for you, as the planet of communication; Mercury and the planet of love; Venus, both make a dramatic entry into your birth sign. So expect sizzling opportunities for romance and at the very least fun and games and the chance to catch up with your favourite hobbies and pastimes. Seems you're due for some 'time out'!

Fast, active sport gets your blood moving! Whether it's simply a quick walk around your favourite shops or something more elaborate, you're likely to feel fitter than you have done for quite some time. Work is heavy and serious and you have important news to give, wielding your power and authority! Luckily, your very close friends are at hand.

Great energy gets you buzzing but you may have to 'sit on' new ideas until the right time arises. So, for now, you're just given notice that changes are due. Meanwhile, you have to give some serious attention to your finances and abandon some old worn-out courses of action. Love and warmth abound on the domestic front. Pursue some hobby.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

VIRGO August 23 - Sept 22

CAPRICORN Dec 21 - Jan 19

A loved one needs some support! And they'll be looking to you to 'do the honours'. Seems that they've been making fantastic headway and now need to slow down a little, to take their time. So maybe you can plan to 'take time out' together and catching up with a few friends and relatives and favourite walks and haunts? Yes, time for 'you two'!

You're coming out of a social phase and it really is time to draw in a little and catch up with 'home and hearth', maybe do a little gardening and home refurbishment as well as spending time with family. A community group or charity may ask you to give a talk or take on some important role, such as Chairman or presenter! A loved one gets really amorous.

You have to steel yourself, so as to cope with some important position involving power and authority. You want to rush into things so as to get them sorted out quickly, but do try to control your rash behaviour; some things are better if given careful consideration. Enjoy the chance to pursue romance and love opportunities. Entertain a loved one at home!

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 17

A loved one is 'running rings around you', maybe running around in circles sometimes. Goodness, they're exhausting! Thank goodness the stars are helping them to slow down and take their time. Yes, they've 'done their stint' and it's time to 'down-tool'. Meanwhile, you get on amazingly at your own career, breaking through as regards communication.

Don't despair if your finances start to go 'a Spending cash on things that you love, little flaky'! For it's time to spend a little so whether a much-desired item of clothing that you can get 'your house in order'. or a romantic 'crush', will be amazing fun! You're also catching up on all those little Talking with close soul-mates chases off jobs, whether tidying the cupboards at feelings of loneliness and gives you a work or simply catching up with practical sense of purpose. So life is pretty tasks at home. You have to 'lay the law enjoyable at the moment and you just down at home' when loved ones act a little need to relax and 'let it happen'. You have miserable. Just tell them. ideas of a career promotion on your mind.

CANCER June 21 - July 21

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

PISCES Feb 18 - March 19

A partner has an important social obligation to fulfil. They may need your help or, if not, will need to take time out to do what they have to do! Happily, you're energised this month, with lots on your plate. You haven't much time to socialise and pursue your favourite things. However, some pleasant study and appreciation of music is possible.

Don't worry about revisiting and revising your long-term aims and plans! This is a sign of intellectual maturity and will only improve your thoughts and ideas and – in the long run - help you to stabilise your situation. So nothing is ever lost. Your finances start to calm down after a period of expenditure, thank goodness. Some new position of power is likely.

You relax down to catch up with personal 'close ones' and romantic partners. You are happy and fulfilled in the process – and even find time for favourite artistic hobbies and pastimes. You're happy enough with your financial situation, at last and have some great ideas towards furthering this in the future. Others hand you a promotion 'on a plate'.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 13

for the required housing and Leicestershire needs 96,580 new employment. homes and 367- 423 hectares of People are being asked to have their employment land from 2011-2031. Key areas for potential growth are the say on a plan setting out how Some of these homes have already city of Leicester and the corridor of Leicester and Leicestershire will grow been built or have planning land around the proposed new road. in the future. permission. Secondary areas for growth are A draft Strategic Growth Plan is being Beyond 2031, the plan identifies the identified in the north and the south of developed by a partnership formed by need for a further 90,500 dwellings the county – there would be a Leicester City and Leicestershire and additional employment land, ‘northern gateway’ close to East County councils, the seven local which is why further land needs to be Midlands Airport, and a ‘southern borough and district authorities and unlocked. Local Plans will deal with gateway’, close to Magna Park. the Leicester and Leicestershire the detailed allocation of which sites Growth is also proposed for Melton Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). will be brought forward. and Lutterworth, where it would It puts forward proposals for the new Draft proposals put forward in the support transport improvements and housing and transport improvements Strategic Growth Plan include major relieve congestion in the towns. New that would be needed to attract jobs infrastructure improvements on which housing would be built closer to where and investment to Leicester and new growth is dependent. people work, to minimise congestion Leicestershire from now until 2050. from commuters. These include a new link road – the The final version of the plan will A46 Expressway – to the south and To take part in the consultation, provide strategic direction and help east of Leicester, running from the please see the website shape the Local Plans that the city, M69 and the M1 to the A46 north of llstrategicgrowthplan.org.uk or contact borough and district councils are or the city. any of the local authorities or the will be preparing or reviewing. LLEP. The A5 and A42 would also be It will also be used to support bids for upgraded to expressway status, Local consultation events are also Government funding to deliver the supporting growth in these areas. Rail being planned. Details will be on the infrastructure needed to support improvements are also proposed. website given above. growth. These road and rail improvements People are invited to comment on the would require significant Government To advertise in the plan by taking part in a county-wide investment and would relieve SYSTON TOWN NEWS consultation which runs until 5 April congestion pressures along the M1 2018. and more widely across the Midlands. Telephone 0116 269 3221 The plan estimates that Leicester and It would also potentially unlock land

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MARCH 2018

staff speak about how to become a there’s electricity to watch TV. The things I take for granted aren’t there in responsible business at the Hire Association Europe convention: some villages in Africa,” said Rory. “Adaptability was really “The opportunity to make a difference by collaborating with Raleigh important. You strip International marks a key step forward your life back down to in making our corporate responsibility the absolute basic activities tangible. The future potential things and you realise of our young employees is so you have to appreciate important to our business and projects people. For me I’ve like this can really help them achieve matured being here I think. You realise more their goals and make a difference.” what’s important in life.” Kate Tinsley, CEO at Buildbase visited the volunteers in Tanzania: “It The Buildbase was brilliant to see how the project volunteers found that having previous relevant and volunteers were developing. The short-term benefits of the new knowledge and skills helped them acclimatise facilities were obvious, but we also got a sense of the longevity of our Rory Simmons, aged 19, of Syston, is to the new working environment. contribution with classes and pictured above teaching in Tanzania, Knowledge of construction, such as workshops helping educate the use of cement, gravel and sand, as has returned from a seven-week community.” well as communication and leadership project where he worked on a water, skills were sanitation and hygiene project at developed as part Nanenane school in Nyamwezi. of the project. Funded by his employer Buildbase, Rory said: “I go Rory worked alongside six of his onsite quite a bit, colleagues as part of a project with so I have to get on sustainable development charity, with people for a Raleigh International. As well as living. This was constructing 18 new toilets, a hand useful in that washing station and a menstrual environment hygiene management room, Rory because you’re helped run workshops on hygiene with people all the with the children. time, so you have Rory said, “When you lead those to get along. I’m lessons, afterwards you feel like only 19 and want you’re having more of an impact. It to be a manager, seems like a little thing, but when you and I want to Buildbase volunteers L-R: Connor Hanlon, Rory Simmons, come to realise the impact of hand move up quickly. Josh Ward, Simon Brooker (back) and Scarlett Manley, Max Squire, Kate Tinsley, Adrian Rowley, Rory Simmons (front) washing – when you do it, you realise This project has it genuinely saves lives.” given me the opportunity to progress.” THIS SPACE The rural Tanzanian village was a world away from Rory’s life in Buildbase funded seven employees COULD BE WORKING Leicester, where he works as aged between 17-24 to volunteer on FOR YOU! Assistant Branch Manager at the project with Raleigh. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Buildbase Syston. Adrian Watts, Managing Director at RING FIONA or BARRY ON “In my day-to-day life I turn on a tap Hirebase, a division of Buildbase, led 0116 269 3221 the initiative after hearing Raleigh and get water, I press a switch and

Syston Youth Tackles Sanitation in Tanzania

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 15

Tomb Raider Speaking of Angelina Jolie from earlier, Ray Palmer here’s another reference to her as Depending when you’re reading this, the Oscars 2018 could have happened. she spiritually passes on her I scribbled down a few predictions last Tomb Raider month and you can recap them below. But also this month, four films you need crown to AcademyAward winner to catch… Alicia Vikander. Red Sparrow Lara Croft, the Director Francis fiercely Lawrence and independent Hunger Games’ daughter of a Jennifer Lawrence missing brings the world a adventurer, is back! The Tomb Raider kind of Angelina (also the film title) must push herself Jolie’s Salt movie beyond her limits when she finds mark two. Ballerina herself on the island where her father Dominika Egorova disappeared. (J-Law) is recruited to 'Sparrow School', This is a grittier, darker and punchier version of the previous rendition, let’s a Russian intelligence service where call it the ‘Nolan Batman effect’ – enjoy! she is forced to use her body as a weapon. But her first mission, targeting Out in UK cinemas 16th March 2018 a CIA agent, threatens to unravel the Ready Player One security of both nations. A sultry, Spielberg is back in kick-ass thriller is basically what it is. the sci-fi seat again! Out in UK cinemas 1st March 2018 The big man will be You Were Never Really Here debuting his highlyanticipated Ready Here’s one for the Player One in March. movie-thinkers out The movie follows there. Lynne OASIS users (a virtual Ramsay’s You reality world) who Were Never Really search for an Easter Here starring Joaquin Phoenix is Egg that the creator of OASIS leaves a drama to saviour. behind after he dies. The finder will also be the finder of his fortune. Wade Watts A traumatized (Tye Sheridan) discovers the first clue veteran (Phoenix), unafraid of violence, and starts a race for the Egg. This is a classic cat and mouse movie with the tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job backdrop of a futuristic world – a proper spins out of control, Joe's nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening. This flick Treats corns, ingrowing toe nails, etc, will get in your head and make you in the comfort of your own home. ponder long after the credits roll. I think Christine A. McGovern this should have been released earlier M.S.S.Ch., M.B.Ch.A. HPC Registered Number CH. 20870 for awards contention – that good. Tel: 0116 274 2630 Mobile: 0784 008 9961 Out in UK cinemas 9th March 2018

Film Reviews by Adam

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nail-biter. On paper, this film looks crazy. In reality, this could happen sooner than we think! Out in UK cinemas 29th March 2018 Oscars 2018 predictions: Best Picture: Will win: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Should win: The Shape of Water Best Director: Will win: Guillermo del Toro Should win: Guillermo del Toro Best Actor: Will win: Gary Oldman Should win: Gary Oldman Best Actress: Will win: Saoirse Ronan Should win: Saoirse Ronan Best Original Screenplay: Will win: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Should win: The Shape of Water/Lady Bird Adam Ray Palmer Editor-in-chief of Cineroom Twitter: @AdamRayPalmer @CineroomTweets Cineroom is an award-winning website!

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practices are more expensive but with us you will find that we offer quality, choice and style at affordable prices that is always value for money. Put us to the test and come in for our ‘Best Price Promise’ guarantee. We take pride in our status as an Independent practice because to us it means that we are able to offer you a We, as a family based dedicated team caring professional service matched of local Independent Opticians, are by our ability to source quality celebrating our 20th anniversary products and services most suited to providing eyecare needs in the your needs. community. Rather than spending vast amounts Why You Don’t Need To LOOK Any on advertising and promotion to Further generate a flow of new patients, we At Syston Eyecare we appreciate that prefer to rely on satisfied patients who you may feel you have an abundance return time and time again of choice in choosing the right recommending family and friends who Opticians. For this reason we wanted in turn also become loyal patients. to explain why we believe our we decided to open our own practices Through this, we have built a solid Independent practice is the right where we were able to provide the presence within the community solely choice for the whole family and quality of eye care that we felt was community. through word of mouth and more appropriate to our ethos. recommendations. A Little Background First As a result of providing an honest, We began working for the big SEE The Difference multiples where, to us, the service felt caring, personal service alongside As a family orientated business, work traditional values, our practices have impersonal, rushed and target led. colleagues have become our grown from strength to strength and extended family with most having Consequently, as a result of wanting we help look after the eyecare needs been with us since the beginning. to provide a more personalised of 21,000 patients and even have service without the constraints of Our work ethos has always been to three generations of the same family commercialised selling of spectacles, treat our staff as we would want to be visiting us !! treated ourselves and because of Our these family values we do not open SPECIAL Commitment To on Sunday as we feel it important for 20TH You our staff to have time to spend with ANNIVERSARY We have always OFFER their families. believed that you It is great to see whole families are the most important person coming for their eye care every day of the week and it is a pleasure to be in our practice and integral to our working in such a happy and cheerful business and that work environment. Come And Take A Closer LOOK is why our The atmosphere at our practices is mission has always very open and welcoming. Our always been to longest serving members of the team exceed your have built something special between expectations at themselves and our patients who every level. often pop in just to say ‘Hello’ and We pride have a natter. ourselves on Optics has changed significantly over treating each the years and eyecare is even more patient as an important now than before. But, as individual and people, our work ethics and how we take the extra time with them to look after and educate those in our community still remains unchanged. find out more Come and see the difference for about them and yourselves !! what they need. We like to make it both an effortless and enjoyable experience. Vision Of Value A myth exists that Independent

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 17

Be a Friend and help CALM Charnwood

The Baldwin Trust has been operating since 1983. They operate two 70-foot narrow boats on the canals and river system throughout Leicestershire. The Trust is completely manned by 45 volunteers. They were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2010. The mission of the trust is to enhance the wellbeing for people of all ages, especially those living with disabilities, mental illness or social exclusion or isolation. The boat trips provided by the Trust can provide learning and recreational opportunities to disadvantaged or isolated people and their carers which will allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle or discover new experiences or gain skills. This in turn can improve the quality of their life opportunities. Their two narrow boats are very old. St. Clare was built in 1988 and Dandelion (they think) in 1980. During the last six months, mechanical failures have resulted in the cancellation of approximately 35-day trips booked by their service users. This equates to over 400 individuals who were not able to enjoy a day in the fresh air, on the water and accordingly, they would have remained in their care homes or normal accommodation. The condition of the boats will lead to more breakdowns and the replacement of one or more boats is the only option that they have. The age of the boats is now meaning that spare parts are not readily available thus increasing the amount of non-operational activity and expense as alternatives have to be sought. The beneficiaries of their work are varied but generally, they are all from within Leicestershire and Rutland or close by. They have served a variety of different organisations, mainly Care homes but also Autistic and Asperger’s organisation, ‘HITS’ homeless teenagers, AGE UK, Women’s Institutes and a variety of centres for the physically and mentally disadvantaged including ‘Headway’ 18 SYSTON TOWN NEWS

and LCC Child Protection homes. By the end of October 2017, they will have expected to carry more than 1700 people from in and around Leicestershire and environs on 160 trips. The charity hope that you can see that they do ‘make a difference’ to people’s lives. At least 70% of their groups contain one or more wheelchair users. Their volunteers are desperately trying to raise funds to place an order for a new boat. The project is called ‘Put a foot in the water for the Baldwin Trust’. Even if they can raise the necessary funding in the next three months to place an order, they will not get the new boat until 2019. They have raised 50% of the required funds for the new boat and are applying for more grants and donations. They are also implementing a major refurbishment programme for the two existing boats because, if they fail to take action now, we believe that 2018 will see a continuing heavy drain on their valuable financial resources (due to repair costs), trying to keep the ageing boats operational thus, pushing the possibility of attaining the new boat further away from reality. The Charity’s vision is to operate four boats in all, providing services to between 4,000-5,000 clients throughout Leicestershire and the surrounding counties. Age Concern UK (Leicester), states in their latest survey that there are over 1 million ‘lonely’ people in the UK and that 3.7 million people live alone! It is not hard to see that this problem will grow and the charity believe it is that with early, low level interventions from active community projects, such as The Baldwin Trust, will lessen the impact on health and well-being of isolation and exclusion for many. If you would like to donate to the Baldwin Trusts campaign ‘Put a Foot in the Water for the Baldwin Trust’ then please visit their website: www.baldwintrust.co.uk www.systontownnews.co.uk

CALM, Citizens Advice Local Movement, is a new scheme being launched by volunteers at Citizens Advice Charnwood. They say that anyone can experience problems at any time and that getting the right advice and support can stop problems getting worse and help people find a way forward. Paula Tobin, Operations Manager for Citizens Advice Charnwood, says: “People don’t always realise that we are a charity and rely on local donations to keep the doors open for everyone. We want to let people know what we do and how they can help us to make Charnwood a better, kinder, safer and more informed place to live and work.” The CALM scheme invites individuals and groups to become Friends of Citizens Advice Charnwood and help CALM Charnwood by making regular donations or by raising money to support the charity’s work. Donations directly support the costs of keeping the generalist advice service operating from offices in Loughborough and Shepshed, including sessions in Syston from February. Generalist Advisers are all fully trained volunteers who give their time freely to help others. Staff and volunteers are also offering to meet with local groups, giving presentations about the work of Citizens Advice and the difference it makes to individuals and families in the area. Their aim is to get the charity, one of the oldest in Charnwood, better known and more widely understood, and to encourage individuals and groups to become Friends by joining CALM Charnwood. If your group or organisation would like to host a presentation please contact Paula Tobin on 01509 221 220 or email admin@charnwoodcab.co.uk. More information and joining forms are on www.charnwoodcab.org.uk.

Sunday 11th March THIS SPACE COULD BE WORKING FOR YOU! FOR FURTHER INFORMATION RING FIONA or BARRY ON 0116 269 3221 MARCH 2018

to a variety of competing financial pressures. But those who delay for an extended stretch of time will find it much harder to meet their retirement aspirations. For instance, someone who makes a gross contribution of Research provides £150 a month from the age of 25 can insight into the expect an annual pension income of different ages at £7,630 at 65. If they start saving the which people move from one same amount from 40, they can financial phase to another. expect to receive less than half this – The division of human life into a series £3,570 (www.legalandgeneral.com, of ages appears to have been a accessed 24 Jan 2018.). common theme among writers and The High-pressure Years philosophers through the ages. Indeed, the idea is famously explored Midlife is likely to bring about a sense that it’s now or never. Older workers in a monologue from Shakespeare’s in the survey generally reached their As You Like It, which compares the mid-40s before calculating how much world to a stage and catalogues the money they would need in retirement seven stages of a man's life. and therefore how much they would Whilst society has advanced need to save, before ramping up their somewhat since those words were savings from the age of 47. first put to paper, a similar division can be used to look at the milestones Earnings often peak around this time, giving people an opportunity to take at which people today start to move advantage of greater financial from one financial ‘age’ to the other. resources at their disposal, and make The insurer, Aviva, asked over-50s greater strides towards bringing who had been proactive in saving for retirement aspirations to fruition. retirement to recall when they started Yet, pre-retirement doesn’t always doing so (Aviva Real Retirement bring a greater appreciation of Report, 2017. Data from 3,327 UK practical considerations. While there adults aged 50 and over, of whom is a clear motivation among many 1,829 are still working). From this it workers to save more while their constructed the seven ages of income is at its highest, Aviva has retirement planning (see table). found that few are actually channeling Starting Out those savings directly into their Just over a quarter of those pensions. questioned said they started saving Only 12% of over-50s say they have into a pension in their 20s, but only increased, or would increase, their 5% had thought about how much pension contributions to an existing money they would need for this later workplace pension scheme. A fifth stage in their lives. say that they have made – or intend Aside from the financial to make – a big one-off purchase, barriers they face, young adults can such as a new car or kitchen, while often feel disconnected from the their income is at its highest. individuals they will be in the future. Pensions Postponed To those estranged from their future The research also reveals that many selves, saving for retirement is like a older workers are unable to use their choice between spending money peak earning years to add to their today or giving it to a stranger years retirement savings. Coping with the from now. cost of living is preventing some from Getting Serious It is only when the clock starts ticking adding to their pots, while others are restricted by financially dependent that people realise the effect that relatives and lingering mortgage debt. delaying will have on their retirement plans. As such, many use their thirties Interestingly, only 13% say they have or would seek professional advice and forties to map out their financial from a financial adviser, which may be future. Although those surveyed a reason why so few are typically started saving into a private concentrating on adding to their pension when they were 33, most pension pots despite being in such a said they only started taking pension saving seriously six years later; some crucial earnings period. 15 years after they typically began Clearly, those who plan ahead and their careers. take financial advice are more likely to take retirement planning seriously Understandably, those in their 30s at a younger age. They are also more often postpone pension saving due

Seven Ages of Retirement Planning

MARCH 2018

likely look at retirement with greater optimism. To quote the Bard himself: “with mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” Average Age for Proactive Pension Management among Older Workers

Start saving into a private pension Become aware of how much my employer is saving into my pension Start taking pension saving seriously Calculate how much I need to save Calculate how much money I will need in retirement Ramp up pension saving in the run up to retirement Reached peak earnings

% who have not done this yet

Average Age*

24%

22%

42%

41%

58%

Source: Aviva *Among over-50s who have done this To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, please contact Pardeep Singh Narwal on 0116 242 6777 or email narwalwealthmanagement@sjpp.co.uk The value of an investment will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 19

SYSTON TOWN NEWS is published by © 1996 CURZON GRAPHICS 55 Goodes Lane, Syston, Leicester, LE7 2JL Tel/Fax: 0116 269 3221 (Mon - Fri. 9.00am - 5.00pm) email: fiona@systontownnews.co.uk or barry@systontownnews.co.uk www.systontownnews.co.uk has copyright and no part whatsoever may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. The views expressed are the views of individual contributors and does not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Inclusion of an advertisement in the Syston Town News does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service

THE GREAT LITTLE PAPER Can You Spare an Hour a Month? Volunteers Required To Deliver in the Following Areas Alfred Belshaws Road Porritt Way Wallace Healey Close Teal Way Partridge Close

FINAL COPY DATE FOR APRIL 2018 ISSUE IS:

TUESDAY 13th MARCH

GO GREEN! Go green and advertise in the STN Green Pages Directory. An entry costs from as little as £6 per month, giving you your own heading, business name, phone numbers, email and website addresses. Extra lines are only £1 each. In addition the directory is published on our website: www.systontownnews.co.uk free of charge To promote your business in STN telephone 0116 269 3221 or email fiona@systontownnews.co.uk

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

green pages Stn’s DIRECTORY

Your local directory of Businesses, Clubs, Societies and Other Useful Information. USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Post Office, Syston. 0116 260 3765 Age Concern Syston. 0116 260 1476 CRIMESTOPPERS. 0800 555 111 Parkinson's UK. 0844 225 3625 Roadline. 0800 62 63 63 Samaritans. 0116 270 0007 Syston Volunteer Centre. 0116 260 7888 Councils: Charnwood Borough Council. 01509 263 151 Leics. County Council. 0116 232 3232 Syston Town Council. 0116 260 7150 Hospitals/Healthcare: Glenfield Hospital. 0300 303 1573 Leicester General. 0300 303 1573 Leicester Royal Infirmary. 0300 303 1573. Direct Dial to Patient Bedside. 0900 906 1515 Accident and Emergency: Leicester Royal Infirmary. 0300 303 1573 NHS Direct. 0845 46 47 Syston Health Centre The Jubilee Medical Practice: 295 0600 The County Practice: 295 0500 District Nurses & Health Visitors: 0300 300 7777 Chemists: Boots. 0116 269 8218 Sunlit. 0116 260 2695 East Goscote Pharmacy. 0116 260 6734 Leisure: South Charnwood Leisure Centre 0116 264 0057 Syston Community Centre. 0116 260 7150 Syston Library. 0116 305 3500 Syston Northfields Tennis Club. 0116 260 5926 Syston Rugby FC. 0116 260 1223 Syston Twinning. 01509 813 723 Wreake Runners. Dave 07710 448 253 Police: Syston Police. 101 Schools/Colleges: The Merton Primary School. 0116 260 8150 Roundhill Community Academy. 0116 269 3896 SS Peter & Paul Primary Academy. 0116 260 7577 Wreake Valley Academy. 0116 264 1080 Biffa Waste Issues: Biffa Transfer Station. 0116 269 6492

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ACCOUNTANTS Baker & Co Tel: 0116 264 0889 CP Accountancy Ltd Tel: 0116 230 3973 Mob: 0774 965 0129 or email: info@cpaccountancyltd.co.uk

AERIALS Image Aerials, Syston Local, friendly service,competitive rates, repairs, alterations & TV tuning. Free quotes. Tel: 0116 260 3481 Mob: 0797 020 2125

BAKERY Barkby Bakehouse Ltd Mob: 0751 319 1428 email: info@barkbybakehouse.co.uk www.barkbybakehouse.co.uk

BATHROOM AND TILING Souter Bathrooms Ltd Tel: Darren 0116 260 4105 or Mob: 0776 668 5901

BUILDERS Dave Hutchings Tel: 0116 260 7716 Mob: 0777 078 5400 email: dave@dave-hutchings.com www.dave-hutchings.com Sharp Construction Tel: 0116 260 1566 Mob: 0798 955 1994

CARPETS Colby Carpets Tel: 0116 260 7394 Mob: 07973 776 240 email: colbycarpets@gmail.com Costcutter Carpets Tel/Fax: 0116 264 0745 email: costcuttercarpets@tiscali.co.uk

CELEBRATION CAKES Sharon’s Sugar craft Tel: 0778 974 2635 www.sharons-sugarcraft.com

CHARITY GROUPS Age Concern Syston The Methodist Church Centre, High Street, Syston LE7 1GP. Tel: 0116 260 1476. Help and Advice Centre open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.30pm.

CHILD CARE GROUPS Childminders New informal support network for local childminders and minded children, to share best practice in a friendly environment. Free resources. Meets the first Tuesday of every month. 9.30am to 11.00am, at the Syston Methodist Church. £1 per adult. email: cm.network@talktalk.net In B Tweenies A parent, baby and toddler group for parents with children who have been on a neo natal unit. The group meets on Tuesdays from 10.00am until 12 noon at Queniborough Dance Co. 109 Broad Street, LE7 1GJ. Telephone Lindsay on 07847 264 382. www.prembabies.co.uk Make & Play (Mondays and Fridays) Syston Methodist Church, 9.45am until 11.00am both days term time only. £2 for the first child and 50p for subsequent children. For more information about the group contact: Georgina at systonmakeandplay @hotmail.co.uk or Make & Play - Syston. St Peter & St Paul's Church Tots at Ten Pre-school Group Every Tuesday in term time 10.00am to 11.45am Church Centre, Lower Church Street. £1.50. Fun, fellowship, stories, activities etc.

MARCH 2018

CHIROPRACTIC Melissa Fairbrother Tel: 07810 727 176 www.systonchiropractic.co.uk

CHURCH GROUPS Broadway Gospel Hall Activities Mondays 3.45 to 4.45pm (term time only) Children's Bible Discovery Club, five to 10 yrs. Its free to attend and you can come straight from school, and enjoy crafts, songs, games and stories all with a Biblical theme. Parents are welcome to stay with younger children. Tuesdays 6.00 to 7.15pm (term time only). Bible Encounter for 11-16 year olds. Its free to attend, enjoy a Bible discussion, games, crafts. Wednesday 2.30 Ladies meeting. Come and share Christian Fellowship, you will receive a warm welcome. Transport is available. All meetings take place at the Broadway Gospel Hall, Broadway, Syston Leicester LE7 1GA. Syston Girls Brigade A church based uniformed organisation for girls, we meet at the Methodist Church, High Street on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.00pm in term time. We are now recruiting girls aged 5-12 years and we offer a varied programme of fun and activities with experienced, DBS checked leaders. If you want to find out more, please contact Marie Vernon 0778 648 6504.

CLEANING SERVICES Done & Dusted Quality Counts: Domestic and Commercial Cleans, all cleans catered for. Tel: 0116 260 2828 Mob: 0788 754 2884 www.done-n-dusted.com

COMPUTER SERVICES C & E Consumables Tel: 0116 260 5300 email: sales@ce-consumables.co.uk www.ce-consumables.co.uk Microsis Tel: 0116 260 4217 Mob: 0759 502 1206 email: sales@microsis.co.uk www.microsis.co.uk Paul’s Computer Services Tel: 0116 212 9748 Mob: 0796 172 9055 Repairs, upgrades, PC rebuilds, wireless Internet & network set-up. Remove all viruses and spyware, speed up your PC. No call out fees. Tech support. To your door service.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES Kevins Domestic Appliances Sales & Repairs Washing Machines, Dryers, Dishwashers & Cookers etc. Tel:0116 269 7168 Mob: 0771 160 4297

DRIVING SCHOOLS BELT UP n GO Driving Tuition Covering all of Leicestershire Mob: 07868 718 227 www.beltupngo.com. Find us on Facebook. Wheel Pass Mob: 0795 121 5161 Find us on Facebook Lessons to Suit Your Timetable

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES Byrite Electrical Ltd 1286 Melton Rd, Syston Tel: 0116 260 2299 www.byriteelectricals.com

ELECTRICIANS Guy Bacon Tel/Fax: 0116 260 5012 Mob: 0797 626 3229 Letts Electrical Services NICEIC registered Tel: 0116 259 7137 Mob: 0786 651 6286 All Electrical Work Undertaken. M A Skinner Electrical Services Syston Based. Mob: 0799 098 1297 FENCING & GATES Fensit Tim Hendry Tel: 0116 239 6495 Mob: 0786 798 1427

FENCING/PAVING ETC Dave Hutchings Tel: 0116 260 7716 Thurmaston Fencing Company For a Free Quote call Alan on Tel: 0116 269 2039 Mob: 07783 596 792 FLOWER AND GARDEN GROUPS Allotment Society We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at Syston Social Club 7.45pm for more details contact Richard Thorpe on 07973 443 945. Birstall Flower Club Meet on the fourth Wednesday in Birstall Village Hall at 7.15pm. (not July and December). Visitors welcome, £5. Contact either Sylvia: 0116 267 4206 or Mary Linnett: 0116 267 2247. Brooksby Gardening Club Meets on the third Wednesday from September to May, Queniborough Village Hall, 7.30pm. Day trips and a holiday are organised in the summer. For more details contact Barbara Bromley on 0116 269 6130. Roundhill Flower and Garden Club Wednesday 29th March - Preparing Summer Bedding. 7.30pm The Divine Infant of Prague, Broad St. Syston. Visitors welcome, Entry £5.

FITTED FURNITURE Swift Fitted Furniture Ltd. Manufacturers of fitted bedrooms and home offices. Contact: 0116 246 0686

FOOT HEALTH CARE David Bramley Foot Health Practitioner SAC DIP FHP Mobile Foot Care Practice. Nail Trimming, Corns, Calluses, Diabetic Foot Care Etc. For an appointment call 0116 221 3532.

FUNCTIONS & EVENTS Syston R.F.C. Tel: 0116 260 1223/260 7719 email: info@systonrfc.co.uk

GARAGES Queniborough County Garage Tel: 0116 260 0081/260 2288

GARDEN SERVICES I.C.Garden Care Tel: 0116 260 6864 Mob: 0790 259 8344 Lancaster Landscapes Tel: 01509 814 280 Mob: 0797 985 1976 PGM Services Garden Maintenance Grass & Hedge Cutting, Pruning, Digging & Weeding. Turf Laying. Reliable Service. Discount Prices for Senior Citizens. Mob: 0751 634 4439. www.pgm-services.net

GAS SERVICING Gas-Servwell Tel: 0116 236 7923 Mob: 0786 073 5066 Unigas Heating Services Tel: 01664 434 742

GUIDING IN SYSTON Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section & Trefoil Syston District of Guiding caters for girls from age 5 onwards. Rainbows age 5 - 7: Brownies age 7 - 10: Guides age 10 - 14: Seniors age 14 - 25: Trefoil 25 + We welcome volunteers to join our unit leaders too. To join or go on our waiting lists please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/register

HAIRDRESSING Antehc Hair and Skin Studio (New Refurbished Salon) Specialist in hair loss and anti-ageing. Mob: 07877 981 877 Tracey’s at Syston Tel: 0116 260 9582

HEALTH AND FITNESS Syston Friendship Group Clean Start A meeting of friends with learning difficulties, Well Established, Professional Conservatory our member’s ages range from 20 to 75. We Cleaner. Fully Insured and CRB Checked. meet weekly on most Thursday nights from Contact Wayne Mob: 0797 750 5453 7.00 to 9.00pm in the Syston or email: cleanstart200864@yahoo.com Community Centre where we have a range CRAFTS of activities including crafts, bingo, games, North Leicestershire Beaders Lego, general socialising etc. Minibus Meets second Saturday of the month pickup is part of the service that our 10.00am to 4.00pm. The Old School Hall, volunteers can provide. Contact Anne & Thurmaston. A friendly group, open to all, Trevor Carter 0788 990 3907, email: FINANCIAL ADVISORS experienced and beginners. For more trevhme@aol.com Furnley House information contact: Mrs Anna-Maria Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) Bromley 0116 260 7221 or 1165 Melton Road, Syston ambromley@gmail.com. Every Saturday in Gaddesby Village Hall. Tel: 0116 269 6311 www.furnleyhouse.co.uk Beginners lessons start at 7.30pm and more Syston & District U3A Craft Groups Spenser Lees – Financial Adviser experienced at 8.00pm. A social dance Crochet group - meets on the third Friday of Ashwood Law Wealth Management Ltd follows. Cost is £5 per person for beginners the month at Syston Hub Café, High Street, www.ashwoodlawwealth.co.uk and £7.50 per person for more experienced. 10.15am - 12.15pm. Mob: 07925 116 086 Refreshments are available. For further Parchment group - meets on the third information please contact Barry and Wednesday of the month at St Hilda’s Church Audrey Preston on 01664 840 381. Hall, East Goscote, 2.00 to 4.00pm. Over the Hill Walking Club MARCH 2018 Please Mention Stn When Contacting Advertisers SYSTON TOWN NEWS 21 CONSERVATORY ROOF CLEANER

HEALTH AND FITNESS Cont’d Over the Hill Walking Club This club is for singles in the 40 plus age range. We have organised walks in Leicestershire and surrounding counties every Sunday and some Wednesday evenings in the Summer. To find out more contact Dave Gooder on 0116 285 6271 or visit our website www.overthehillwalking.org.uk. Syston Games Club Would like you to join their various games club on Tuesday afternoons 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Syston Community Centre, School Street. Tel: 0116 260 0693 or 260 6931. Syston Methodist Church Centre Dancing every Wednesday afternoon. 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Ballroom, Latin, American, Sequence, Line dancing etc. Syston Wellbeing Group Monday evenings 7.00pm Syston Methodist Church All very welcome - a warm welcome awaits. Contact Tina on 0746 593 8146 All discussions confidential (Self-help group for depression and anxiety) Syston Young at Heart Group We are a friendly group which caters for the elderly and housebound of Syston, meeting every Thursday at the Community Centre from 10.00am to 1.45pm. Transport can be provided, places now available. Please phone Judy Jordan 0116 260 8528.

LEGAL SERVICES HPLC Tel: 0116 260 8990 Mob: 0750 149 5503 email: heather@heatherphilip.co.uk

MONUMENTS De Montfort Memorials Tel: 0116 260 1851

MORTGAGE ADVISORS A & A Mortgages Ltd (Annu) 1 Barkby Road, Syston Tel: 0116 269 8008 Your local independent Mortgage Advisors. Furnley House Independent Mortgage Advice 1165 Melton Road, Syston Tel: 0116 269 6311 www.furnleyhouse.co.uk

MUSIC GROUPS Acoustic nights at QRBL Club 45 Main Street, Queniborough. All levels and listeners always welcome. Free entry. Very relaxed atmosphere. Mondays twice monthly, from 8.00pm. Just come along! March dates: 5th and 19th.

OPTICIANS Henry Smith & Hamylton Tel: 0116 260 2517 Your Sight Opticians 1176 Melton Road, Syston. Opposite Aldi. We provide home visits for those who can’t get to us. Tel: 0116 260 7075

PAINTING & DECORATING Jamie Heggs Tel: 01509 812973 Mob: 0780 384 5465 Rob Toon Painter & Decorator Tel: 0116 260 2856 Mob: 0798 177 1164

PLASTERER R.H. Plastering Tel: 01509 812 190 Mob: 0794 117 0230

PLUMBING Curnock Home Maintenance Tel: 0116 260 7188 S. A. Plumbing & Heating Tel/Fax: 0116 291 9116 Mob: 0780 289 4895

SCOUT GROUPS

Queniborough Scout Group Queniborough Scout Hall, Syston Road, Queniborough. Beavers: Thursday 6.30pm to 7.45pm. Syston Band Cubs: Wednesday 7.00pm to 8.30pm Meet at ‘The Hut’ - next to the Bowls club Scouts: Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.00pm. (Central Park). Every Monday at 7.30pm to Contact: Clive (Group Chairman) 0116 269 practice. New members of any standard 3532. welcome. Contact via email on Rearsby Scout Group systonband@yahoo.co.uk Meetings are at Thrussington Village hall U3A Ukulele Group meets every Friday Beavers: Wednesday 6.00 to 7.00pm Thrummy Drummer Dementia Group 2.00pm to 3.30pm at the Hub, Syston Cubs: Monday 6.30 to 7.30pm meet 2nd Thursday each month for those Methodist Church Centre, High Street. For Scouts: Monday 7.45 to 9.00pm affected by Dementia and their more information contact Len Abraham on Explorer Scouts/DofE: Wednesday families/carers. Elizabeth Park Sports Centre fortnightly - 7.30 to 9.00pm 0781 278 7238. Thurmaston between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Ukulele Classes at Thurmaston Bowls Club, Contact: Jennie Angell on 0793 043 3622. Informal get together with support and Elizabeth Park, every Wednesday afternoon Syston Scout Group entertainment. Syston Scout Hall, Oxford Street, Syston. 2.00pm to 4.00pm. £2 includes refreshments. 'Why Not Come Dancing' Beavers 6-8yrs: Monday 6.30 to 7.30pm. All welcome from beginners to experienced. Saturday evenings, 7.30 pm. Gaddesby Cubs 8-10yrs: Thursday 6.45 to 8.15pm. Contact Len on 0781 278 7238 for more Village Hall. Friendly instructors teaching Scouts 10-14 yrs: Tuesday 7.00 to 9.00pm. information. Ballroom, Latin and Jive. All welcome from Explorer Scouts 14-18yrs : Friday 7.00 complete beginners to more experienced NATURE GROUPS 9.00pm dancers. The evening costs from £5 per Network 18-25yrs : Monday 7.30 to 10.00pm. Birstall Bird Watching Club person. Contact us on 01664 840 381 or Scout and Guide Band 8yrs +: Wednesday Meet second Tuesday of the month at the just come along. 7.00 to 9.00pm. Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. www.whynotcomedancing.com For more information, please contact, Chris Visitors welcome. For more information Bodycot on 0788 424 5089 or HERBAL CLINIC contact Marion Vincent on 0116 237 5156 email gsl@systonscouts.org.uk Ayurvedic Herbal Clinic Ltd NURSERIES & PRE-SCHOOLS SOCIAL GROUPS Ayurvedic massage therapies Broad Street Playgroup Tel: 0116 266 3939 Mob: 0780 102 7571 East Goscote Friendship Club Catholic Church Hall, 63 Broad Street. We are a friendly group of over 50’s who HISTORY GROUPS Funded places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. meet on the second and fourth Wednesday Barkby Local History Group Mob: 0770 250 4113. of each month 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at St We meet irregularly for trips out and talks by Hilda’s Church Hall, Ling Dale, East Charnwood Nursery & Pre-School invited speakers. For more information Goscote. Everyone welcome. Charnwood Five Star Club contact Sandra Moore 0116 236 3739. Contact: Gill Morton on 0116 260 1977. Tel: 0116 269 6162 sandraemoore@sky.com www.charnwoodnurseryandpreschool.co.uk Lavender Club Social Group Syston Local History Group Every Wednesday 1.30pm to 4.00pm. Hamilton Hilltop Nursery School. Monday 19th March - Young Henry VIII and Silverdale Community Centre, Silverdale Quality childcare, purpose built facilities. The Princes in the Tower, Sally Henshaw. Road, Thurmaston. New members always Funded places for 2, 3 & 4 year olds. 7.30pm, at the Methodist Church Centre, welcome. Contact Martin on 07709 936 934. 25 Hilltop Road, Hamilton, Leicester. High Street. Visitors £2 per meeting. Leicester Railway Society (Formed 1939) LE5 1TT Tel: 0116 274 3090 Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month. Start HOME MAINTENANCE www.hamiltonnursery.co.uk 7.30pm at the Cricketers, Grace Road, Curnock Home Maintenance St Peter and St Paul Pre-School Leicester LE2 8AD Contact: Michael School Lodge, Upper Church Street, Syston. Tel: 0116 260 7188 Chapman (secretary) 0116 260 3336 or Tel: 0116 269 8638 Brian Holland (programme Organiser) KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS Tangent House Day Nursery. 0116 236 8328. LFI Kitchens & Bedrooms Quality childcare, purpose built facilities. New Chapter Bereavement Support Tel: 0116 260 0150 Funded places for 2, 3 & 4 year olds. Group LANDSCAPING 640 Melton Road, Thurmaston. LE4 8BB. Meet Thursday Afternoons 2.00pm to Tel: 0116 264 0333 Lancaster Landscapes 4.00pm at Thurmaston Health Centre, Tel: 01509 814 280 Mob: 0797 985 1976 573A Melton Road, Leicester LE4 8EA www.tangenthousenursery.co.uk

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MARCH 2018

SOCIAL GROUPS Cont’d New Chapter Bereavement Support Group cont’d Come along and meet others living with loss. Meet new people that can offer companionship and understanding without judgement. For more information and an informal chat contact Lin on 0116 269 3542. Royal British Legion Syston meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Conservative Club, High Street, Syston. 7.30pm. Rearsby & District YFC Meetings every week on Thursdays at 8.00pm in Barkby Village Hall. Call Catriona on 0789 022 6035. St Peter’s Court Club Social Fund Bingo every Wednesday at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Refreshments, bingo, raffle. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Everyone welcome. Coffee morning every Thursday 10.00am until 11.00am. St Peter’s Court, Melton Road, Syston. Syston Chess Club Meets every Tuesday at the Syston & District Social Club, High Street, Syston at 7.30pm. We offer a friendly and comfortable environment and play chess at all levels. We enter local and national competitions. We will teach anyone who wishes to learn! Syston & District Volunteer Centre Hold their Community Lunch every third Monday in the month. Transport available, cost of lunch £7. Everyone welcome. Call our office to book your spot. 0116 260 7888. Syston Family Activity Group Meets every fortnight at different locations on a Tuesday night, plus days out and camps. Arranging anything like archery, canoeing, climbing, biking, bushcraft, cooking etc. For details please get in touch with Stu on 0797 003 4597. Syston Ladies Friendship Circle 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month St Peter and St Paul’s Church Hall at 7.30pm. Guests welcome. Syston Rotary Club A new club meets on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm at the Hub Café, Syston Methodist Church, High Street Syston. Interesting speakers and a varied social programme. Contact 0116 367 2892 for more information. Syston Twinning Association Syston is twinned with Deville les Rouen, Normandy. If you would like more details about joining us please contact our Secretary, Mrs Kathryn Grocock-Matts on 01509 813 723. U3A Syston Canasta Card Group meets every Monday (except bank holidays) from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Syston Community Centre, beginners and experienced players most welcome. For more details contact Tony Hill on 01664 424 905. Thurmaston Ladies meet at Thurmaston RBL, Melton Rd. Tuesday 6th March - Alison, Signing for the deaf. Tuesday 20th March - Easter Supprise! Thurmaston Senior Citizens Playgroup The Old School in Thurmaston every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm until 4.00pm. If you are retired, interested and would like any more details please ring Pat on 0116 269 4938 or Maureen on 0116 261 1419.

MARCH 2018

Wreake Valley Rotary Club Meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Britannia Inn, Queniborough. Visitors made most welcome. Syston Veterans Breakfast Club meets on the third Monday of the month at Brooke Cafe, 8 Brookside, Syston. 9.00am to 11.00am.

SOFT FURNISHINGS D. P. Soft Furnishings Tel: 0116 269 8271

SPORTS CLUBS Badminton Club Soar Valley College Meet Tuesdays 7.00pm to 9.00pm, both juniors and adults. Have a team in the local Leics League, but need new members. For more details contact: Kiran on 0781 278 0174 or email: kizz_mistry9@hotmail.com. Leicester Penguins Swimming Club Leicestershire’s Number One Swimming Club. Training at South Charnwood Leisure Centre. The club has 270 members competing to National level. Are you 6-10 year olds and can swim more than 200 metres, give us a call on 07077 401 602 for more details and to arrange a trial.

Fosse Company of Archers

Syston Syclers An enthusiastic group who meet on The Green, High St. Syston each week. For more details please contact Phil on 0771 778 1501 or phil@systonsyclers.com, of visit www.systonsyclers.com. Syston Town Cricket Club The club has three senior teams and junior teams at all age groups from Kwik Cricket to Under 17 level. New players at all ages are always welcome and for general information about the club contact Ivan Spibey on 0771 113 9711. Practice nets for all age groups are available both winter and summer and further details can be obtained from Scott Cooper on 0792 950 2012. Syston Town Juniors F.C. We have sides in most ages, boys and girls and are recruiting players for next session. We have qualified coaches for each side and want to strengthen the teams. We train on Memorial Playing Fields, Necton Street, every Saturday from 10.00am. For further information please contact: Secretary@systontownjuniorsfc.co.uk. Syston Town Juniors F.C. Girls Football Academy For girls of all ages and ability, S.T.J.F.C. FREE girls football academy Memorial Playing Fields, Necton Street, Syston. LE7 8HF every Saturday during football season from 10.00am to 11.30am. www.systontownjuniorsfc.co.uk. All Managers/Coaches are DBS checked and hold FA qualifications. Please come along on the day or contact: Samantha Chambers S.T.J.F.C. (Chairperson) Mob: 0777 629 1355 or email:sam.chambers37@hotmail.com Tae Kwon-Do Four to eight years Friday 4.30pm to 5.15pm Juniors & Adults mixed classes Tuesday 6.30pm to 7.30pm Sunday 4.00pm to 5.00pm. St Peter and St Paul’s Primary Academy, Upper Church St, Syston. First month free. Contact James Freer on 0116 264 0432. Thai-Tanium Boxing Club Ladies Class Tuesday 9.30am. Bootcamp Thursday 9.30am. Beginners Tuesday 8.00pm, Wednesday 7.30pm. Kids Tuesday/Wednesday from 5.30pm. 29 Overton Rd, Leicester & 760A Melton Rd, Thurmaston Contact Jamie - 0797 365 6778. Wreake and Soar Valley Athletics Club Running - Middle/long distance/sprints club for all the family with experienced qualified coaches, junior athletes from age seven. Adults from absolute beginners to existing runners looking to improve. Contact John 0781 769 3777 email: wreakeandsoarvalleyac@gmail.com. Website: www.wreakeandsoarvalleyathletics.club. Wreake Runners Contact: Dave on 07710 448 253, email: run@wreakerunners.co.uk Web site: www.wreakerunners.co.uk

Saturdays 1.00pm onwards, October to March at Wreake Valley Academy (indoors, gym building). April to September outdoors at Syston Rugby Club. New and experienced archers welcome. For more information visit www.fossecompanyofarchers.uk Riverside Utd Junior Football Club We are always looking for new players to come and join our fantastic football club. We train kids from 4 years and upwards at Wreake Valley Academy in Syston. Please contact Paul Cassidy on 07712 792353 or visit www.riversideutdjfc.com for further details. Syston Bowling Club Provides opportunities for all to gain or develop skills, make friends and enjoy a year-round social programme, clubhouse. Free coaching with equipment provided. For more details contact Rob Wilbourn (men) on 01664 424 813 or Val Foreman (ladies) on 0116 260 9635. Syston Kickboxing Club Training on Tuesdays from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at Syston Community Centre. Suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners to experienced. Cost £3.50 for children and £4 for adults, pay as you go. Contact Brent Penniston on 01664 562 286 or email pennistonbrent@hotmail.com Syston Northfields Lawn Tennis Club Tennis for mixed membership. All levels, all ages. Coaching given. Monday and Wednesday, Senior Club Night, Tuesday, Junior Club Night. Syston Northfields Tennis Club, Northfields, off Melton Road. LE7 1HW. Contact Edd Whetton (Coach) on 07800 TAXI 599 057 or email: edward.whetton@gmail.com for further information. Apollo Cars Tel: 0116 260 7070 Syston RFC The club runs sides from aged five to fifty TELEVISION years. The U6s to U17s play and Glenfield Television train Sundays/ Tuesdays/ Wednesdays Tel: 0116 287 1762 September to April we have over THEATRE GROUPS 300 members. The Senior Club 18yrs -50yrs play Saturdays. We have five sides training Syston QT Theatre Group Monday and Thursday from 7.00pm all A small, friendly, local group, we meet every Tuesday (and Thursdays during rehearsal welcome. Contact the club 0116 260 1223 periods) at the Old Chapel in Chapel Street, or www.systonrfc.co.uk.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 23

THEATRE GROUPS Syston QT Theatre Group con’td Syston. There are two main productions a year. We welcome those who enjoy acting, the technical side, props, stage management, costumes, etc., and we are always looking for new members. Visit our new website: www.qttheatregp.co.uk or email: qtsyston@gmail.com or Contact QT theatre on 0738 859 3913.

TILING Curnock Home Maintenance Tel: 0116 260 7188

TREES Charnwood Tree Services Tel: Freephone 0800 371441 Unicorn Tree Care and Fencing For a FREE Quote contact Alan

Tel;0116 269 2039 Mob: 0778 359 6792 WATER SPORTS CLUBS Roundhill Subaqua Club Meet every Thursday, term time only, 8.00pm to 10.00pm. Either in the swimming pool or classroom for theory. Plus Social club. We offer Try-Dives for £15.00 (which only covers the cost of oxygen and pool use as we are a non profitable club) so you can try the experience and find out more about diving. For further details contact Carole Gilbert, Diving Officer on 07968 388 377. Wanlip Sailing Club Small friendly local club. Learn to sail, just cruise or race. Families very welcome. Social sailing Saturdays, racing Sunday afternoons. For further information please contact Sue, daytime on 0116 210 2254. Neil, evenings on 0116 260 8049, or the clubhouse 0116 260 7864 at weekends to arrange a visit.

What’s On Diary for Fun for All the Family

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 2nd March 10.30am Syston Methodist Church The annual service to celebrate Women’s World Day of Prayer. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLOR SURGERIES Saturday 3rd March 10.00am to 11.00am Syston Community Centre. Your opportunity to meet and speak with your County and Borough Councillors. They are available to discuss any problems or issues you are concerned about and where possible help you to overcome them.

POLICE BEAT EVENTS

Crime Prevention Event PCSO Jo Freeman is holding a crime prevention event on Saturday 3rd March 10.00am to 1.00pm in the Town Square, Syston. Lots of advice will be available and crime prevention gadgets. Coffee with a Cop Wednesday 14th March 2.00pm to 3.00pm at The Hub Café, High WINDOW CLEANING Street, Syston. Please pop along for a Clarity Windows, Doors, Facias, Conservatories and chat. Meet & Greet Guttering cleaned. To discover why people are switching cleaners, please contact us for Meet your local police officer a free friendly quote. Friday 16th March Mob: 07533 991 561 www.really-clean.co.uk 6.00pm to 7.00pm at Tesco Syston.

Saturday 10th March 2018 Start Time 2 pm St Mary’s Queniborough Church Preservation Society A Medal for All Finishers £8.00 per Adult and £7.00 under 18s No Entries on the Day MORE INFORMATION and Download an Entry Form from

Queniborough Stomp Cross Country Race Queniboroughfunrun@gmail.com Refreshments and Prize Presentation

FROCKS ON PARADE Thursday 15th March 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), Hoby Village Hall, Main Street, Hoby, Melton Mowbray LE14 3DT Tickets: £12

GLOBAL HARMONY CHOIR Saturday 17th March 7.30pm start Syston Methodist Church. Tickets advance £7.50 on the door £8. Light refreshments included.

EAST GOSCOTE COMMUNITY LIBRARY FUND RAISING EVENTS

The library is hosting presentations to raise funds. These will be on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6.30pm. These will be 'Pay as you feel' events (suggested donation £2) and will be a way of ensuring that the library receives the regular funding it needs to stay open. Wednesday 21st March - Jenny Caroline Clean Start and Ian Jordan. 'Together we Go: BROADWAY GOSPEL HALL Well Established, Professional Window Adventures in New Zealand' Cleaner. Fully Insured and CRB Checked. SERVICES Jenny and Ian have travelled extensively Contact Wayne on M: 0797 750 5453 or Sunday 4th March and will share with us stories and a email: cleanstart200864@yahoo.com slideshow of their travels in New Zealand. 4.30pm WOMENS INSTITUTES (W.I.) Check out their blog 'Together we Family Service followed by tea. Barkby and Beeby W.I. go' http://togetherwego.co.uk/ There will be activities for the children Meets third Tuesday of the month. Barkby Wednesday 11th April - Dr Phillip Mills during the service. Stay for tea afterwards, Village Hall, Beeby Rd, Barkby 7.30pm. Mclfa. 'Leicestershire Archaeology everyone is welcome. Visitors Welcome. For more information Roman tiles and pottery' contact 0116 260 9274. FILMS IN SYSTON Dr Phillip Mills will talk about the Roman Charnwood Wigs W.I. heritage of the local area, including the SARIC Films at The Old Chapel, Chapel Meets last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Roman tile kiln at Thurcaston and a villa at St, Syston. 22nd February - The Art of Chair Bodger, Bradgate." Tradional Chair crafting. Monday 5th March - Goodbye Beedles Lakes Golf Club East Goscote. Christopher Robin THE DOUBLE A COUNTRY MUSIC Visitors £4.00. For more details please ring Monday April 9th - Murder on the Orient CLUB President Sharon Astill on 0784 988 8752. Express (not the first Monday as it’s Easter) New Barkby W.I. Doors open 1.00pm for coffee, Film at Friday 30th March Meets First Wednesday in the month 7.30pm. 2.00pm. Tickets £4.50 available from The Doors open 6.00pm. 7th March, Cooking for Spring. Syston Card Shop, Syston, 0116 260 6095 or on Andy Smith (Solo) Community Centre, School Street. Visitors the door. The artists perform three x 45 minute sets. always welcome. Entry is £5 on the door. For more details contact President Shirley Avoid a Please note all Country nights will now be Franklin on 0116 260 8498. on a Friday. Queniborough W.I. Fine Up Holwell Institute (The Stute), 41 Welby Rd, Meets first Wednesday in the month, 7.30pm Asfordby Hill LE14 3RD Tel: 01664 812 080. to £1,000 Queniborough Village Hall. For more information contact John For more details contact President Wendy Clean up after your Dog! Gallagher on 0795 226 7226. Taylor 0747 872 9929. 24

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MARCH 2018

WasteNot Leicestershire

What’s On Diary for FASHION FAIR Wednesday 11th April 7.30pm Barkby Village Hall. £5 to Include a Glass of Wine. Clothing to Purchase on the Night from All of Your Favourite High Street Stores. For More Details Contact Heidi on 0116 260 1025.

HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW Saturday 28th April Roundhill Flower Club are organising a coach trip for Harrogate Spring Flower Show. Picking up from outside SPECSAVERs, formally HSBC bank, Syston at 7.30am. Cost of coach and ticket is £37.00 If you would like to join us please call Maureen on 0116 243 2781 or mobile 0780 294 7445.

Need to contact us with a Story or Event - Tel: 0116 269 3221 or email fiona@systontownnews.co.uk

Charlotte added that the site is not in competition with charity shops. The page acts as a facility to bring together those who wish to donate with those who are in need. This aspect of the network is growing so quickly that she has had to set rules for using the page and is in the process of developing a dedicated website called The Leicestershire Community Cupboard.co.uk.

Charlotte Ryan began WasteNot Leicestershire in 2016 for people based in Leicestershire to share ideas and resources, reusing and recycling. Since then it has developed from a facebook page to try to stop unwanted items going to landfill, to a network of people offering clothes and other items to be given to others who are in need. Items include clothing for all ages, both male and female in a varied range of sizes, as well as the likes of baby equipment, beds, furniture, curtains and Some of the donated clothes non-electrical kitchen equipment. She is also looking for volunteers to This hardworking young mother who help her. From donating items or works in child care, has discovered that helping with sorting and distributing the WasteNot Leicestershire is a real items to offering any other relevant skills. passion of hers and it is developing If you are able to help you can contact faster than she thought. Charlotte through the Facebook page: WasteNot Leicestershire Reduce, A generous neighbour has given her some space in their garage, but as time Re-use, Recycle. goes on she will need to find To advertise in the SYSTON TOWN NEWS somewhere else as storage of large Telephone 0116 269 3221 items isn’t possible.

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LET OUR FAMILY LOOK AFTER YOUR FAMILY Contact us for Free Advice and Guidance MARCH 2018

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 25

Barkby and Beeby W.I. At our January meeting we had a very interesting talk by Alison Briggs about the Mercy Ships. Personally I had not heard of these ships before and was quite amazed by what they have achieved and are still achieving. The concept was brought about by Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978 after they saw the appalling lack of medical facilities in war-torn and impoverished nations and decided to do something about it. They bought a retired ocean liner and transformed it into a state of the art floating hospital. It is funded by donations from individuals, rotary clubs, schools, trusts, churches and companies. The staff are all volunteers and raise money to pay for their own board and food. The Africa Mercy boasts five operating theatres, scanners, x-ray machines, labs, 82 patient beds and 474 staff and has travelled to many countries, performing operations, giving health and agricultural education, also teaching procedures to medical staff. Anyone with any form of disability is an outcast in these countries and spend their entire lives at home seeing nobody, some of the stories were quite horrific, which is what makes these ships so invaluable as it gives these people a whole new life. As Alison said, we were lucky to be born here and not there.. If you would like to know more about the charity please visit their website www.mercyships.org.uk Our WI has pledged to knit trauma teddies for them to replenish their stock as these give great comfort to frightened children who have nothing, hopefully we will be able to complete quite a few, any help gratefully received! Pat

•

Wordsearch Christmas Winners Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas Wordsearch, they are

Thomas Grey, Freya Cave and Will Coombe. We will include a photograph in the next issue when they have been presented with their prizes from Tesco, Syston. Thank you to Tesco, Syston for sponsoring the Children’s Wordsearch

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Great Prices On Tyres

New Computers & Laptops Repairs Virus Removal Data Management Merchant Web Design Software Sales Wireless Networking Broadband Setup CD/DVD/Blu-Ray Media Printers and cartridges

Annual computer service plan available Computer system and network commissioning CCTV supply & install Bespoke training

Courtesy Cars Available

Contact Philip Tel: 0116 260 0081 or 0116 260 2288 Unit 4 Queniborough Ind. Est., 1489 Melton Road, Queniborough, Leicester. LE7 3FP email: quenicountygarage@tiscali.co.uk

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

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MARCH 2018

Open wide! Let’s talk teeth

Creative Florist & Giftware Flowers & Plants Gift wrapped for all occasions

Mother’s Day Sunday 11th March

1213 Melton Road, Syston

0116 367 7262 www.designerdaisies.co.uk

Dental disease will affect most pets during their lifetime and is something that we commonly see in practice. In fact, periodontal disease (this is when the supporting structures of the teeth such as the gums, ligaments and bone become inflamed) is believed to affect over 87% of dogs and 70% of cats over three years of age! Figures given by the royal veterinary college, see www.rvc.ac.uk (2017) So, it’s not just something that older pets get. The good news is, there are some easy steps that you can do at home to help prevent your pet getting dental disease and ‘doggy breath’, which will allow you and your pet to snuggle up on the sofa together without the need for a peg on your nose! What is dental disease? Dental disease is caused by the bacteria that lurk in plaque, which is the invisible sticky film that forms on teeth after eating. If this plaque is not removed it can harden into tartar, which is the yellow and brown substance that you can see and smell

(yes, this is the culprit for ‘doggy breath’!). These bacteria cause inflammation and damage to your pet’s gums, teeth, and even the bone around their tooth sockets causing discomfort, pain and sometimes tooth loss. How will I know if my pet has dental disease? This can be tricky, as dental disease isn’t always obvious. More observable signs include: • Bad breath • Rubbing their face • Dropping food when eating • Difficulty eating • Drooling • Bleeding gums • Tartar on teeth Many of these signs occur when disease is advanced. A professional check can help to spot any problems early and you can take action before it progresses and becomes irreversible. What can you do about it? There are some important steps that you can do at home to help keep your pet’s pearly whites looking their very best:

1. Brush their teeth This is still the best method of preventing dental disease and should be done at least once daily, using a pet-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. For those pets that are brush-shy or to help get them used to having their teeth cleaned, try using a finger mitt instead. 2. Feed them a food designed to support dental health Wet foods, in general, are more likely to stick to teeth and encourage plaque build-up. However, don’t assume that all dry foods will help prevent dental disease, stick to those that have been specifically designed to improve dental health. 3. Give them chew toys and safe chews Chewing on toys and safe chews is a great way of helping to keep their teeth clean. However, it’s a good idea to always supervise any chewing activity. 4. Get their teeth checked regularly Make sure your pet has their teeth checked at least twice a year and especially if they are showing any signs of mouth problems. Come and see us for a FREE dental check! During March, we are offering FREE nurse dental checks at our Park Vet Group Scraptoft Lane clinic. So, don’t delay, get your furry friend booked in today. Remember, even if they aren’t showing any signs, they could still have early dental disease, and acting now could save them from dental pain tomorrow! Book by phoning Park Vet Group Scraptoft Lane on 0116 241 8326. www.parkvetgroup.com MARCH 2018

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 27

Editor’s report on the Full Town Council Meeting held on Tuesday 31st January 2018 There were 14 councillors (Cllrs) present, two police officers and three members of the public. The Reflection read by the Chairman Cllr P. Henry. Apologies were received from Cllrs M. Carnal, J. Midgley, L. Gill, and C. Dolan. Declarations of interest were made by Cllr T. Barkley in relation to a Bench item and Cllr P. Henry, Chairman in relation to the Deville item. There was an adjournment for the public to raise matters; the Editor read out a letter received from concerned residents with regard to the loss of independent shops in Syston, see page 6. Cllr E. Vardy responded by saying through the SocioEconomic review, a stakeholder meeting would be held in March, no date given. From that an action plan would be devised. There were no Chairman’s Announcements, but a Thank You had been received from Cllr K. Pacey and a recent audit by Health and Safety Executive Management standards resulted in the council being rated zero which is a good result, meaning there are no issues found. PCSO J. Freeman reported about theft from vehicles and that there had been a shift from cars to vans as the thieves are after tools! The Beat team are targeting van owners as well as caravan owners following thefts in East Goscote and Queniborough. They are delivering leaflets with guidelines for security. She said that there was some good news after speaking with the Chairman, Cllr P. Henry, the police force has decided to fund a vehicle number plate recognition camera in our area. She added that she couldn’t disclose where it is sited. Plus a new CCTV camera is in place near the station. There had been two people apply for the vacant Cllr post and both were in attendance at the meeting, two women, Charlotte Booth and Lara Towell. After each candidate had spoken a little about themselves and why they wanted to be a Cllr, the members voted and Co-opted Lara Towell. The Chairman welcomed Lara to the council and thanked both candidates for their interest, he said it had been a very close vote and hoped the candidate who had not been successful on this occasion would be happy to have their details kept on file so the council could contact them should another vacancy occur. County/Borough Cllrs Reports County Cllr D. Slater updated members on the situation regarding public transport in the County. The County Council’s Public Transport Policy, is now being reassessed and a full consultation will take place in the next month or two. This is the policy document that deals with, among other things, how the County Council will deal with the withdrawal of commercial passenger transport by bus 28

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

operators and how the County Council will introduce subsidised replacement services and what form any replacement service will take. The policy will also detail how other decisions are arrived at. Current bus subsidies vary widely from about £1 per passenger per journey to over £17 per passenger per journey. It is considered that these higher levels of bus subsidies are unsustainable given the current financial situation the County is in, and will have to be replaced by something else such as Demand Responsive Transport solutions or supported voluntary community transport schemes. There are 33 bus services subsidised by the County and the contracts for all these services which include the number 6, are to be extended until Mid 2019 when it is expected that the new policy will come into force. He urged all people to respond to the survey when it comes out. He has been collecting evidence from members of the public through his Monthly Councillors surgeries and by direct contact with people and will feed that evidence into the consultations. Cllr E. Vardy reported about the Loughborough Town Centre master plan and how it is part of the overall development for the borough with lots happening. A Consultation on the economic strategy as part of the over plan will be out soon. It will provide the strategic direction over the next three years and be developed in line with the local economy and council plan which aims to create a strong economic strategy for the area. Cllr T. Barkley spoke about the Charnwood Grants for supporting Communities including Syston and District Vounteer Centre which will receive £9,430. He spoke about the February Half-term holiday programme available through the Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) website. Also social media training for local businesses. He finished by talking about the medium term financial strategy. Cllr K. Pacey reported on licensing and held a training session for borough Cllrs which helped to explain what is involved in the licensing committee and appeals. He referred to a recent news item that was looking at how some taxis charge higher rates for disabled passengers and assured members that this would not happen in Charnwood, as they have one set of charges regardless of mobility. Taxis from outside the borough cannot be legislated for. All minutes where agreed after any amendments. Deville les Rouen Partnership - The Chairman brought to the attention of the Council that on his visit to our Twinned Town, Deville le Rouen, he had been approached by the Mayor and councillors there who would like to develop the www.systontownnews.co.uk

relationship with councils and share information to help each council to develop further links. He wanted to ask council if they are happy for him to do that. Also football teams to create a tournament between the three twinned towns. Cllr K. Pacey said he was heavily involved with four Twinning Associations and had never been able to get the link working. Loughborough do not put any money into Twinning anymore, therefore it is on a social basis, adding that the council should be careful not to commit to anything financially. Cllr E. Vardy said he personally agreed to improving links but is cautious about making financial commitments. Cllr T. Barkley proposed that the chairman should open discussions with Deville. New Bench - A new bench had been donated and the siting of it was referred back to the next Development meeting. Queniborough Parish Council had agreed to adopt the playground on the new Millstone Lane development. A representation was made to support other parish councils and is to be added to the next Development agenda. The Town Manager asked councillors to make comment on Syston Regeneration Project Survey as it had been circulated around Syston businesses. CBC officers were pleased with responses, but asked Cllrs to complete the survey themselves or to ask any residents. Cllr E. Vardy said that there would be a stakeholder meeting arranged in March or April, not date set at the time of this meeting. There is still a vacancy for a Nominative Trustee on the H. Taylor Trust. The Town Manager in her report welcomed Sophie Brown who has now joined the team. The Deville Park repair is underway. They are still awaiting feedback on the MUGA from Wickstead Park. They are replacing all lights with LED, throughout the community centre and daylight bulbs will used in the Brookside room. The Land transfer is progressing for the cemetery, due to take place in the next week or two. Another tree has been identified with fungi and will need to be felled. She finished by saying that she is meeting with the Syston history group to make plans for the centenary of the WW1. There were no members’ questions received to the Chairman. The meeting concluded with a confidential item so press and public left. Fiona Henry, Editor. For the official minutes of this and other Town Council Meetings please visit their website: www.systontc.org. You can attend any council meeting held on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm. Details are posted across all town council notice boards.

MARCH 2018

Former factory worker Nic, tipped the scales at over 25.5 stones. Three years later he has now lost a 100lbs and trimmed 20 inches off his waistline. “Losing weight with Weight Watchers at the Queniborough Meeting has completely transformed my life” said Nic. “My wife Jean, a retired hairdresser, also lost three stone in weight with Weight Watcher Coach Katie Jones to become a Gold Member “so between the both of them they have kept me on the straight and narrow.” Jean explains “I now cook most meals from scratch and our favourite recipe is Kung Pao Chicken”. I also ensure that I only cook enough for the meal so that there are no ‘seconds’ to be tempted by. We both enjoy long walks together now whereas before I had to The recent Weight Watchers Flex(WW leave Nic on a bench to catch his Flex) programme has been developed breath and walk on my own!” in order to support members lose Nic said he now goes to the gym most weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle mornings and one of the most for good. memorable incidents on his weightloss journey was a flight to Cyprus So much so, that 67 year old, Nic recently when he did not have to ask Altobelli from Syston, is looking for a belt extension for his aeroplane forward to treating his wife on seat. He also now enjoys clothes Valentine’s night this year and to be shopping as he can now buy things able to tie his own shoe laces before they go out! from the high street off the peg.

I Can Tie My Own Shoelaces!

Katie said “Nic has been incredible on his weight loss journey losing on average a pound a week which shows with dedication and persistence someone can transform their life”. You can find Katie at her meetings as follows: Monday 6pm, Queniborough Primary School. Tuesday 5.30pm, Quorn Church Rooms.

SHOP LOCAL Support your local independent businesses. Syston has a fabulous range of independent shops providing a wide range of items for every occasion!

We provide home visits for those who can’t get to us. We are located opposite the Aldi in Syston Town at 1176 Melton Road, LE7 2HB

MARCH 2018

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 29

Crime Prevention Advice Vehicle crime is continuing on the beat, follow these tips: ● Fit number plates with tamper Meet & Greet proof screws. Meet your local police ● Ensure you lock all vehicles officer – Friday 16th March 6.00 to properly. 7.00pm at Tesco Syston. ● Remove valuables from vehicles. Coffee with a Cop –Wednesday 14th ● Ensure a good working alarm is March 2.00 to 3.00pm at The Hub fitted. Café, High Street, Syston. Please pop along for a chat. ● Remove tools from vans. Crime Prevention Event ● Protect catalytic converters by I am holding a crime prevention event marking them with postcode or on Saturday 3rd March 10.00am to fitting a secure cage. 1.00pm in the Town Square, Syston. Good News Lots of advice will be available and Two males from Leicester have crime prevention gadgets. received prison sentences for breakCrime Prevention School ins to shops across Leicestershire Roadshows including two shops in Syston – Mace The beat team are holding roadshows and DP Furnishings. with crime prevention advice and For the latest information on crime in gadgets at local primary schools: Syston please visit: Eastfield Primary, Thurmaston – www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL61 Wednesday 7th March 3.00pm. Register your property free of charge Queniborough Church of England at www.immobilise.com Primary – Thursday 8th March Follow us on Twitter 3.00pm. @CharnwoodPolice. Facebook: St Michael and All Angels Primary, Loughborough Police Rearsby – Monday 12th March Instagram: Leicestershire_police 2.45pm. Contact details Further dates will be arranged so PCSO Jo Freeman - 6612 please keep an eye on our social media pages: Tel: 101 - collar number 6612 Facebook – Loughborough Police. josephine.freeman@leicestershire.pnn. Twitter – CharnwoodPolice. police.uk Insecure vehicle checks You can contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. I have been checking for unlocked vehicles, including vans and have the josephine.freeman@leicestershire.pnn. police.uk following results: You can contact the police on 101 or Martin Drive – 2 999 in an emergency. Teal Way – 1 Please ensure you are locking your car properly, many of the above Syston Town News thought they had. Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper Remove all valuables.

Syston Police Beat News

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS

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We Need You! Do You Know a WW2 Veteran? Royal British Legion on mission to find all surviving WWII veterans for free LIBOR funded tours of remembrance.

The travel arm of the Royal British Legion is on a mission to find all surviving veterans of WWII. The Treasury is enabling a series of free-of-charge (excludes lunch, travel insurance and persona expenses, although all veterans are offered £50 travel expenses), tours for WWII veterans to return to where they served to pay their respects to their fallen comrades. The tours are being funded by LIBOR fines, and will

enable a WWII veteran to return with a family member and carer. The Royal British Legion has been running LIBOR funded tours for Normandy veterans for the past four years and thanks to additional LIBOR funding is now able to widen the tours to all veterans of WWII. Nichola Rowlands, Head of Travel, Royal British Legion, explains: "We have organised tours for hundreds of D Day veterans, a family member and carer, and it has proven a very moving experience for all. We have been campaigning to widen the tours for all WWII veterans, as so many gave so much, and we feel that they all deserve a final tour back to lay old ghosts to rest; we're delighted that the Treasury has made this possible." The tours will take place from spring to autumn and will give WWII veterans now mostly in their 90s - the chance to meet up with fellow veterans, visit significant battlefield sites, cemeteries and memorials. The tours will be accompanied by a medic and a guide from the Royal British Legion. The Rt. Hon, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond, said: "I had the privilege of meeting veterans last year, and I'm delighted that we can continue to support those who

want to return with the Royal British Legion to the countries where they served. "We have committed over £5 million of Libor funds to help those who fought for our freedom, to return to pay their respects and safeguard the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice." A call for help! There is no database of veterans from WWII who are still alive today so the Royal British Legion is calling upon the general public to spread the word and ensure every surviving veteran gets the chance to go back one last time. Nichola Rowlands-Smith, says: "We need you! We know how great the British public can be, and we're relying on everyone to help us spread the word to find every single living WWII veteran. There's no database, so if you're a grandchild, neighbour or carer and know someone who fought in WWII please tell them about these amazing tours." For WWII veterans wishing to benefit from this tour, they need to apply via Remembrance Travel's tour operator, Arena Travel on 01473 660 800, or visit http://www.arenatravel.com/ourholidays/remembrance-travel.

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 31

to make a difference in our local communities and we are excited to roll our sleeves up and get involved. We would welcome the support of any other businesses or indeed anyone else in our efforts!”. Emma Hallam, founder of Alex’s Wish, added “Supporters like Furnley House are hugely important to Alex’s Wish and they join a growing number of local Independent Financial Planners Furnley House are about to celebrate companies who are committed to helping us raise vital funds to help find their fifth birthday by giving back and treatments and a cure for the crippling helping out in the Community. and life-limiting disease that is Furnley House are a vibrant and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”. passionate team who care deeply “The team at Furnley House are about their clients and staff and the already talking about their plans which community in which they live. With their Head Office in Syston, they have are likely to include inviting their clients and professional connections grown in size over those five years to a Summer Ball as well as taking and now have over 30 staff and part in some established and offices in Magherafelt (Northern organised sporting events and Ireland) and the latest addition of challenges - possibly a bake-off too! lovely new premises in Leamington I’m so looking forward to working with Spa. them and want to thank the whole Furnley House often get involved in team for getting behind us. Without local charitable events, helping to supporters like Furnley House we spread the word and raise awareness would be hard pressed to do what we and funds for causes close to their do and make a difference to boys heart. suffering with Duchenne.” Richard Burrows, Director, said “It is To find out more about Alex’s Wish impossible to listen to Emma and the please visit www.alexswish.co.uk story behind Alex’s Wish without To find out more about Furnley House being moved and, as a team, we please visit www.furnleyhouse.co.uk decided to make them our Charity of the Year for 2018. They also turn five Syston Town News years old this year so we thought there was an additional great synergy between us! Our overarching goal is

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS

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Across 1. Group, organised like an army but not official and often not legal. (12) 7. Small room that provides dry heat or steam for bathing or refreshing the body. (5) 8. Dress or skirt that reaches below the knee. (4) 9. Describing a person who is a smart and fashionable dresser. (5) 10. Overwhelming feeling of admiration. (3) 11. Female who milks cows and makes butter and cheese on a farm. (9) 13. Title of 2013 single by singer, Katy Perry. (4) 14. Showing no intelligence or sensitivity. (5) 18. Third and final husband of actress, Marilyn Monroe. (6,6) 19. Youngster who is enthusiastically devoted to popular music and current fads. (11)

CROSSWORD Compiled by Barry Russell 1

8 9

10 11 12 13

Down 1. One who eats fish and shellfish in addition to an otherwise vegetarian diet. (11) 2. French cheese usually flavoured with herbs and garlic. (5) 3. Formally known as Burma. (7) 4. One who discards their rubbish in a careless way. (8) 5. Thai soup. (3,3) 6. American football player from Washington. (7) 12. East Sussex town with an association to nearby Hastings. (6) 14. These jokes tend to provoke yawns rather than laughs. (5) 15. Spanish word for ‘Friend’. (5) 16. A tedious or difficult journey. (5) 17. Mistake. (5) The Winner of the February Crossword is

SOLVE THIS CROSSWORD AND WIN £10 Complete this crossword and send it to: Syston Town News, 55 Goodes Lane Syston, Leicester, LE7 2JL

The first correct entry drawn will win £10.

NAME................................................................ ADDRESS.........................................................

Mr D Trotter of Queniborough The answers for our February Crossword were: Across: 1. Equilateral; 7. Usurp; 8. Pipe; 9. Spire; 10. Ley; 11. Odourless; 15. Rigid; 16. Nelson; 20. Una Stubbs; 21. Launderette. Down: 1. Equilibrium; 2. Usury; 3. Lopsided; 4. Taciturn; 5. Repeal; 6. Lapses; 12. Els; 13. Sen; 14. Iguana; 17. Ember; 18. Onset; 19. Fund.

.......................................................................... POST CODE..................................................... Telephone Number........................................... Closing date: March 16th 2018

Check out our website for more pictures of events, up to date diary events and latest news as it arrives. Your Great Little Paper online for everything you need in and around Syston. www.systontownnews.co.uk

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Syston Scout & Guide Band - More Than Just Music... Saturday 17th February saw the 13th instalment of ‘Sticks & Tones’, a variety show produced and performed by members of the 10th Leicester 1st Syston Scout and Guide Band at the Wreake Valley Academy Theatre. Based in the style of the all-singing, all-dancing Scout Gangshows; Sticks & Tones has always been more sketchbased, replacing the traditional singing and dancing with sketches and comedy items from the great comedians of family entertainment, past and present, specially adapted to suit the younger performers. This year certainly did not disappoint… As the curtain went up to reveal Syston’s very own Scout Band that we all know and love, we were thoroughly entertained by a variety of marches and popular tunes, bright and vibrant to get the foot tapping. The fanfare of bugles and the thunder of roaring drums creates a sound that really does stir the soul. This musical treat was followed by an evening of colour and laughter which really showed the ‘spirit of youth’ in the Syston scout and guide community. The stage became awash with enthusiastic bandsmen of all ages; acting, dancing, singing and presenting us with a show that left us all feeling exhilarated and full of pride at the achievements of these young individuals of Syston by the end of the night. A special mention must go to the ‘Drill Squad’. Like most of the acts in this show, this special feature showcased the young members, all under the age of 18, putting on a highly polished and very intricate marching display. This was their first performance of this immaculate display as they are working towards a very special performance at the Brentwood Drill Contest in Essex on 4th March, where they will be up against other groups from all over the country. Good luck Syston! As well as the laughter, there was a very touching tribute in remembrance for the centenary of the end of the Great War. As the evening of true family entertainment was coming to an end, it was time for the finale, which saw all of the young performers on stage resuming their original roles as musicians, showcasing their talents and playing as part of a marching band once again. A true heartfelt tribute to the retiring bandmaster (John Smith) after his 30 years of service in charge of the band was a very fitting way to end the show and the curtain came down to rapturous applause. Well done to all involved in the production of this superb amateur show. Please look out for future episodes of Sticks & Tones and book tickets as soon a possible for an evening of great family entertainment.

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

THE GREAT LITTLE PAPER 34

SYSTON TOWN NEWS

www.systontownnews.co.uk

MARCH 2018

Send us your Sports story and we can include it in our Sports section of the

Syston Town News email: barry@systontownnews.co.uk ahead. John Fraser has taken over as treasurer and will also be multi-tasking with the role of club coach. John Punchard will be looking after player’s welfare, Brian Sutliff will manage the bar as well as the under The Annual General Meeting of 11 hardball team and Andy Woolaston, Syston Town a newcomer to the committee, will be Cricket Club social secretary. was held at the end of Umar Razzaq and Dharmist Bathia January and will once again captain the 1st and there have 2nd XIs respectively and in 2018 the been some club will be entering a team in the important Burrough League to be skippered by changes in the James Howlett. It will replace the under 17 team and be a mixture of make-up of youth and experience. Dave Tebbutt the committee. will look after the under 15 team, Ivan Spibey, pictured, will be Steve Dealey the under 13 team and continuing as chairman and in the Chris Holland will manage the under absence of a volunteer for the role of secretary he will again be undertaking 11 incrediball team. both functions. Ivan is also Sunday XI The club’s website systontowncricketclub.co.uk, contains captain and manager of the kwik full contact details for all senior and cricketers, so he has a busy year

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SYSTON TOWN NEWS 35

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