February 2021 Your Local Anstey, Thurcaston, Cropston, Newtown Linford, Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves

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Anstey WI

Leicestershire Shared Reading

2020 began well for Anstey WI. Attendance was high, including a posse from newly closed Thurcaston and Cropston WI.

‘Make Friends, with a Book’ Do you enjoy reading? Are feeling a bit isolated right now? If so, you are not alone, Leicestershire Shared Reading online will help you feel more connected with other people and the wider world.

Article by Sheila Timms

Our speaker was Samantha Hancock, Cyber Protection Officer at Leicestershire police, on the subject of Cyber Awareness, Scams and Fraud. She was accompanied

by Tiffany, one of her assistants. Her talk was interesting and very helpful. She began by asking each of us to pass her advice on to two other people. Her watchword: “Accept nothing, Believe nobody, Confirm everything.” We were given many practical tips, including useful websites, and which are the safest settings to select. Take a look at ActionFraud, and getsafeonline.org Or have a word with a member of Anstey WI. We are all clued up now.

Anstey Local History Society Article by Jane Cole

Thanks to a grant from Anstey Parish Council, Anstey Local History Society now has the use of Zoom.

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This means our monthly meetings are able to re-commence and by the time this article is published we will have held our first meeting.

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Our February Meeting will take place on Wednesday February 17th at 7.15 pm.

Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change without prior notice.

The speaker will be ‘Bis’ Bisgrove from the Swannington Heritage Trust and his talk is entitled 'Leicester’s Industrialists – their non-industrial legacy.'

Deadline Date: Friday 19th February Delivery Date: Monday 1st March

Read Online

Scan the QR code below to read this magazine and our other magazines online.

Whose offer of paintings led to the creation of a famous art gallery?

Who was not a very good businessman, yet his legacies are still used by people throughout the country every day?

Which businessman gave the council a gift fit for a queen?

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Leicestershire industrialists were involved in coal mines, quarries, iron works, brick making, railways, canals, hosiery and much more. Yet their legacy is far wider than industrial remnants and history. Their legacy includes parks, walks through beautiful woodlands, art galleries, churches, charitable giving and people reaching the highest positions in the land.

Bis’s talk will answer these questions and give an insight into the people who helped shape the City of Leicester we know today.

If you are not on our E mail list and would like to join us, please E mail: jane.m.cole@btinternet.com to receive a link to the meeting.

As one group member said: “Joining this group is the best thing I have done for me for years. It has made the world of difference to me, even more so in the present circumstances. I just love it.”

Leicestershire Shared Reading is a voluntary organisation, set up in September 2016, to work in partnership with Leicestershire County Council's library service to support a thriving network of shared reading groups.

Shared reading brings great poems and stories to life through reading aloud and group discussion. You do not have to have any knowledge of literature, just love reading. Unlike book clubs, you don’t have any reading to do before the shared reading session – it all happens in the group. There is no pressure to read aloud or talk if you don’t want to.

Who can join?

Before lockdown, Shared Reading groups met in county libraries, but since coronavirus has prevented live meetings, the groups have been running virtually. The beauty of a virtual group meeting is that it doesn’t matter where you live: anyone who has a phone or computer can join in.

There is no long-term commitment - you are welcome to give it a try, and come every week or when you feel like it!

Will it cost me anything?

Joining Leicestershire Shared Reading is free. The cost of joining via Zoom or using the phone will depend on your broadband, mobile or landline provider. For many people this will be free.

What if I haven’t used Zoom or WhyPay before?

Don’t worry – this is a good opportunity to learn new skills. Some of our existing members weren’t familiar with these technologies at first and now feel comfortable with this way of communicating. Our friendly reader leaders will help you if you need guidance.

When do the groups meet?

You can come to whichever session suits you.

The two newest sessions use Zoom and are on Wednesdays 1.30-2.30pm and Thursdays 3.30-5.00pm Three existing groups are also taking new members. These meet on: Tuesday 10.30am-noon, using Zoom Tuesday 1.00-2.30pm, using WhyPay telephone conferencing Tuesday 2.00-3.30pm, using Zoom To join, just contact the website (below) and we will send you the details you need. www.leicestershiresharedreading.org

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The Charnwood Gardener Article by Peter Flood

Cure Your Wisteria Hysteria Whilst we gardeners tend to love all plants, we have a complicated relationship with some. For me, one that inspires admiration and ire in equal measure is Wisteria.

Membership Renewal News From Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Social Club Limited!

It is a delight that many members have called and emailed about membership renewals for 2021.

The Management Committee of the Club have voted to keep the price exactly the same as 2020. We hope that you appreciate the decision of which the Committee think is the best thing to do in supporting the Club.

There will be the below options to enable you to renew your Memberships for 2021:-

Wisteria

Come mid-spring, there’s no sight I’d rather see than a mature Wisteria in full flower, its twisting branches laden with heavy, purple flowers like plump grapes on the vine. For the rest of the year, however, I find myself cursing its unabating attempts to swallow anything that stands in its path – gutters, roofs and pets included. I do question the motives of the first person who planted a relentless jungle vine against their front door.

So how do you tame this beast? Quite simply, really: as with most things, it’s all about timing.

The first light prune should happen in summer, after flowering.

By this point your climbing chum will have sent out long, whippy tendrils all over the place (in search of its next victim).

Take each one back to roughly 18 inches in length. This halts it in its tracks for the time being, but you might have to repeat this process in August/September.

The main prune should happen in February. The plant is leafless now so you’re able to get into the tangle of branches.

To encourage more flowers, take all your previously shortened shoots right back, leaving no more than two buds. You should also take out any dead sections and, if it’s looking top-heavy or congested, consider thinning the whole plant. Then clear off before it devours you.

(This advice applies to a mature Wisteria – if you’re still training yours to form a framework, winter is the time to tie-in and train last year’s growth).

FEBRUARY TIP: Snowdrops, heralds of spring, are fleetingly beautiful; once they’ve passed it’s easy to get distracted by new things happening in the garden. But to ensure next year’s display is even better, remember to lift and divide your larger clumps just as the flowers fade.

1. Post an envelope through the door on your daily exercise (if able) with your name and address on with the correct money inside, do not include your club case or card as it isn’t needed.

Cheques are welcome.

2. Post (Via Stamp) your correct money in an envelope to the Club and have a note inside with your name and address on.

Do not include club case or card as it isn’t needed. Cheques are welcome. Cheques should be made payable to Groby ExServicemen’s Social Club.

Also, please if you have an email address include in the envelope as we are collating a database to send updates.

If you are a CIU Member please put in a stamped address envelope so we can send you your 2021 pass card.

You will receive confirmation weekly preferably by Email if you have one but if not you will receive a phone call.

We will be extending the deadline date to the end of April 2021.

If anyone would like to become a Member of the CIU, please wait until we open our doors for you to purchase.

Membership renewal fees are:Life Members: 1-100 £0.00 (£3.50 if you have a CIU Pass Card) Life Members (25 Years) £4.00 (£7.50 if you have a CIU Pass Card) Club Members: £8.00 CIU Affiliated Members: £11.50 If you would like to become a new member then this can be done when we are back open.

Please help us and pass on the message to anyone you know and check our Facebook page if you can for regular updates.

We thank you for your support and understanding during this pandemic and we hope you are all staying safe and we cannot wait to see you soon.

Club Officers and Committee

Martin Tibbles

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Deborah Taylor Borough Councillor for Anstey

T: 0116 2350126 E: cllr.deborah.taylor@charnwood.gov.uk Nationwide Building Society We are continuing to investigate ways to keep the Anstey Branch open, as we know how important this is for many in our community. The closure is due to occur on the 25th February 2021. We have also been working with Cllr Snartt, as this closure will affect many residents in the surrounding villages. Cllr Snartt has written a letter to the Nationwide Chairman, and to date, has not received a response. Our MP, Edward Argar, has also taken the matter up the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Joe Garner.

Mr Argar wrote his first letter on 7th December 2020 and his second letter on 5th January 2021. Mr Argar has asked for further information and requested a meeting with the CEO. To date, he has not received a response. We have now emailed the Regional Director (the only contact we have) to ask why no response has been received and to ask them to re-consider their closure decision, along with a meeting to discuss this issue further. To note – Just as we were sending our report in, we have received a telephone call to advise that a response to our correspondence will be with us in the next week and a meeting is in the process of being arranged.

Member Grants We are each allocated £1,000 per annum to spend in our communities to support local groups and projects. Due to the pandemic this year, many local groups have not been up and running. We have both agreed to donate £500 each to Charnwood Community Action, which is assisting with emergency support offered

by Charnwood Borough Council and John Storer Charnwood. They have been delivering food parcels to residents in need, befriending and signposting residents that need further support. Deborah has possibly agreed to commit £250 so that leaves £750 remaining between the two of us that we would like to give to support a local community group or project. The deadline for applications is 28th February 2021, so please get in touch with us if you require funds to support your local community group. More information is available here: www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/member_grants Anstey DIY Shop Unfortunately, on Boxing Day, a vehicle drove into the front of the DIY shop in The Nook. Thankfully, the store was closed at the time and no injuries occurred. If this had been a normal busy Saturday, it’s likely someone would have been injured. We have asked the Highway Department to consider the possibility of adding a barrier at the pavement side to protect pedestrians from road vehicles.

However, the area has been assessed and we have been advised that due to the layout of the area and the width of the pavement, it will not be possible to add any safety features to this area.

Physical features added to the highway, such as barriers, can cause inconvenience to pedestrians and vulnerable users (e.g. pushchair, mobility scooter and wheelchair users).

Highway records show that there have been no personal injury accidents recorded at this location in the past 5 years, which is a good indication that drivers are aware of the road layout and are driving accordingly. This appears to be an unfortunate one-off accident.

Loughborough Fair Do you have any memories of Loughborough Fair? If so, you are being urged to share your memories of Loughborough Market and Fair as part of the plans to celebrate its 800th anniversary this year.

The first fair was held in Loughborough on 31st July 1221 to mark the feast day of St Peter. It was in the same year that a charter to hold a market in Loughborough was granted to the Lord of the Manor. Both a market and a fair have taken place in some form in Loughborough ever since.

To mark the occasion, Charnwood Museum will host an exhibition to celebrate the milestone. People are being asked to share their memories, pictures, films and memorabilia for use in the exhibition and as part of an archive. The exhibition is a partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council,

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Paul Baines

Borough Councillor for Anstey

T: 07977 178869 E: cllr.paul.baines@charnwood.gov.uk

with Loughborough Local Studies Volunteers leading on the historical research. Organisers of the exhibition want to hear from people of all ages with memories of the fair, whether from many years back or from much more recently. No memory is too small or insignificant for inclusion, as the organisers are hoping to include as much of the sights, sounds and smells of the fair as they can. As well as sharing the memories in the exhibition, they will also be used to create a community film, add to the East Midlands Oral History Archive and catalogue in the archives at the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Anyone who would like to get involved and share their unique connections to Loughborough Fair is asked to get in touch by emailing: louise.sharples@leics.gov.uk Vaccination Centres and Vaccination The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups have started vaccinating residents at four new communitybased vaccination centres including one at Charnwood Borough Council's offices on Southfields Road, Loughborough.

The locations are: 1. Rutland County Council’s Offices, Catmose Street, Oakham 2. The Kube Conference Centre, Leicester Racecourse, Leicester 3. Melton Sports Village, Melton Mowbray 4. Charnwood Borough Council’s Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough.

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

More information about visiting the community-based vaccination centre at the Council offices in Loughborough including details on parking can be found here: www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/ vaccinations The vaccination priority ranking at the moment is as follows: • residents in a care home for older adults and their carers • all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers • all those 75 years of age and over • all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals • all those 65 years of age and over • all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality • all those 60 years of age and over • all those 55 years of age and over • all those 50 years of age and over • the rest of the population (priority yet to be determined but likely to be key workers first) The current target is that the top four groups (identified in red ink) are vaccinated by mid-February.

Paul has recently been accepted onto the Janssens Ensemble-2 vaccine trial run out of the Leicester Diabetes Centre at the Leicester General Infirmary. Whilst he does not know whether he’s received a placebo or the trial vaccine, he is happy to support the national effort to develop suitable vaccines to help build the armoury of different vaccines we will need to help us treat the people of Charnwood, the UK, and throughout the rest of the world. Whilst the end is hopefully in sight, we must all get our jab when it is offered, and we should all continue to keep washing our hands, not touching our faces, and maintaining a 2m space between us and our fellow residents until told we can do otherwise.

If you have any issues or concerns, we are here to help.

Deborah and Paul

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Edward Argar Member of Parliament for Charnwood

T: 0116 269 3789 - E: edward.argar.mp@parliament.uk It is a pleasure to write my first article of 2021 for the Anstey and Bradgate 'Your Local’, and to, slightly belatedly, wish all readers and their families a Happy New Year.

The Covid-19 pandemic, and the restrictions necessary to help suppress it, made 2020 a hugely challenging year for all of us as individuals and for businesses and, although as we begin 2021, those restrictions currently remain in place, with the rapid roll-out of the vaccine that we are seeing (with over 5 million injections administered as I write) we can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and the way out.

So here's to a 2021 that is hopefully much better than 2020.

Turning to an important local issue - following the very disappointing announcement that the Anstey branch of Nationwide is set to close its doors on Thursday 25th February, I wanted to update readers on the strong representations I, as your local MP, have made, opposing the proposed closure, alongside the representations made by your local Councillors, Cllrs Deborah Taylor, Paul Baines, and David Snartt.

As many of you will know, a number of reasons were cited by Nationwide for their decision (based on pre-2020 lockdown usage data) - primarily that they had seen a fall in the level of in-branch transactions taking place; the use, by Anstey branch members, of other Leicestershire branches, rather than the Anstey branch exclusively, and the cost of bringing an older branch, such as Anstey, up-to-date.

While I recognise that, like any other business, Nationwide have to consider commercial factors and the costs to them as a business of operating a branch in any decision like this, I firmly believe that a balance should also be struck between such commercial factors, and broader obligations to customers and communities.

Following the announcement, early last December I contacted Nationwide's Chief Executive, highlighting the huge value of the

Anstey branch to local people, and to the life of the village and surrounding area, calling on Nationwide directors to meet 'virtually' with me to hear my objections to their plans. In particular my concerns that those elderly residents in Anstey and nearby villages who rely heavily on the easy accessibility that a local branch provides, will now be faced with the disconcerting choice of either travelling further afield to visit another branch (with not all people having access to private transport in order to do so), or attempting to move to online banking which can be an intimidating prospect for some of those who have never used these systems before, or perhaps do not have family members that are able to assist.

A few days ago I met Nationwide's Regional Director, Mr Andrew Westhead, (a 'virtual' meeting, using the wonders of technology in the current lockdown) and, raised with him once again my and local people's' strong objections to what is planned. I pressed him on the issues above, should they refuse to rethink. I particularly stressed that, with the exception of Leicester, there were no swift or easy direct public transport links to the alternative branches they suggested, and that even Leicester still entailed a bus journey.

I should say that, while I made clear my disappointment and disagreement with what was planned, Nationwide have been very willing to meet and to respond to the questions I put to them, for which I am grateful. But I fear that, as so often with such things, the decision has already been made by Nationwide, and I got the impression they don't plan to change it. I will nonetheless continue to press them to rethink, and certainly to keep their planned closure date under review in the context of the pandemic - something Mr Westhead did commit he would look at- and I anticipate a further meeting in the coming days.

I remain of the view as your local MP that this is the wrong decision for a thriving, and growing, village like Anstey, for the branch users, and for Nationwide itself, and believe that, even at this late stage, Nationwide should pause and think again.

Vaccinators Needed! - Help Us Overcome The Virus Article by Kartik Bhalla

Healthcare professionals are being asked to come forward to help administer the Covid-19 vaccines in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

A number of new vaccination centres are being set up, and each one requires dozens of staff to administer the jabs.

Any registered healthcare professional can play a part after appropriate training – most of which they can do online at home.

Retired professionals can join a temporary register up to five years after they have left the permanent register.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is recruiting staff on behalf of the local NHS. Anne Scott, director of nursing, allied health professionals and quality said: “We are looking for staff who are registered healthcare professionals, or could easily re-register. This includes a wide range of professions such as physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists as well as nurses and doctors. We will be offering full and part-time work over the next few months. You will be very welcome. Staff who have already been involved in the programme have said it is hugely rewarding to help deliver vaccines which protect life, and will help the country return to normal.”

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We are also looking for administrative staff to welcome patients and to help ensure accurate records are kept for members of the public receiving the vaccination.

In addition, this project is looking for volunteers to help patients at the vaccination sites.

For more details and to apply, please visit: www.leicspart.nhs.uk/ supportvaccinations

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Join our 2 hour challenge- Get crafty; Get active or Get baking! https://livelink.barnardos.org.uk/otcs/llisapi.dll/310043330/Barnardos_-_SL_Poster_NEW_ Take part in our Step into Spring campaign However you choose to support the Great Daffodil Appeal this year it will mean the world to Marie Curie and the people we care for.

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Deborah Taylor County Councillor for Bradgate Division

T: 0116 2350126 - E: deborah.taylor@leics.gov.uk The new year has started off very busy. I have spent a large amount of my time supporting schools and families, following the announcement of the third national lockdown, just before primary schools were due to re-open. Schools have re-opened for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children and the demand for places is high. In May 2020, in the first lockdown, there were 2,500 children attending school per day in Leicestershire; in the middle of January 2021, in the third lockdown, there were 13,800 children attending Leicestershire schools. The majority (75%) of children in school in mid-January were critical workers’ children.

The public consultation on the parking around the three entrances to Bradgate Park closed just before Christmas and over 200 responses were received. Officers are working their way through the comments received and I will then hold a discussion with officers as to the way forward. The results of the consultation will then be made public, along with the plan going forward.

Covid-19 I am sure many of you will be following the news with interest around the vaccination program. Please wait until you have received a letter from your GP inviting you for a vaccination, before you book an appointment. At the time of writing (information is fluid!), you have the option of booking your vaccination at one of the vaccination hubs or to wait to attend the hub allocated to your GP surgery. There are unfortunately scams going around. To be crystal clear, there is no NHS charge for the vaccination, and you cannot get the vaccine from a private provider. I have printed an example of the national letter being issued by the NHS on ‘how to get your Covid-19 vaccine’.

Bradgate Park Following the announcement of the third national lockdown, it was decided to leave the car parks open to allow local visitors to park and enjoy a walk and some fresh air. Both the City and County Councils have taken the same decision to keep their country parks and car parks open to try and prevent one site being overwhelmed and to allow residents to stay as local as possible.

The visitor numbers have reduced over the past few weeks and I hope that this trend continues. The strong message is to stay home as much as you can and to only go out for essential journeys. If you can enjoy some exercise without driving to a location, I would urge you to do so, and avoid driving anywhere. I am aware that this isn’t possible for some people but please stay as local as you can and avoid areas that are busy. This is how we will beat this virus. This decision will be kept under constant review.

Cropston Road, Anstey I have been working on the issues regarding the large amount of parking that occurs near to the Nomads Football Ground when they hold matches and events. A meeting was held before Christmas with the Nomads Football Club, Anstey Parish Council, Police and myself to look at options that we could use to try and address this issue.

The meeting did bring up a few options and with the support of the Parish Council, and the Nomads Football Club, we are nearly there with a scheme that we hope will alleviate some of the pressure on this main road. Updates to follow shortly.

Community Speed Management Initiative The County Council now recognises that the management of traffic speeds on the highway is a major issue for many communities. In some cases, this is because there is an actual problem; in others, it reflects how the speed of traffic is perceived.

To support communities and reflect the Council’s commitment to tackling these issues a new Community Speed Management Initiative has been developed. The initiative will be the first in a number of communications and projects that will look to support communities across several highway matters including safety and sustainable travel.

Evidence will be gathered at selected sites in the first instance. If there is a speeding issue, potential solutions will be discussed with the community and an appropriate mitigation plan put in place.

For sites to be added to the list, they must first be raised with your local County Councillor. I have asked all of the Parishes within my Division for sites they would like to put forward for the scheme and the following sites have been put forward for further analysis:

If you are concerned or have any questions please visit: www.nhs.uk/ conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ or ring 119 There is also an online list of the centres that are carrying out the vaccination program and you can check for your GP surgery on the following website: www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/my-health/ coronavirus-advice/coronavirus-vaccine/ Please be aware that having the vaccine does not stop you getting Covid-19 but should help to stop you becoming seriously ill. There is no evidence yet to show that you will not pass the virus onto someone else, so everyone needs to continue to follow the national guidance that is in place on social distancing, handwashing and not face-touching.

If you have any questions or concerns about the virus or the vaccine, please do get in touch and I will try and help as much as I can. This is a national program run by the NHS with support from Local Authorities.

Anstey Bradgate Road; Cropston Road.

Newtown Linford Bradgate Road (30mph and 40mph areas); Main Street; Markfield Lane; Roecliffe Road.

Woodhouse Eaves Brand Hill; Top of Maplewell Road; Beacon Road.

Cropston Cropston Road; Station Road.

Swithland Main Street.

There will be some further updates coming in the springtime hopefully and I will share further information with you once I have been updated.

If you have any issues or concerns, I’m here to help.

Deborah

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Anstey Parish Council Report Article by Liz Hawkes

At the Parish Council it has been a busy start to the year. Three weeks in four meetings have been held as the work of the Parish Council progresses.

The budget setting process is finalised and the Council confirms its budget for 2021-2022 financial year showing estimated payments of £595,072, estimated income of £584,350 and a £274,989 contribution from general reserves, ear marked reserves and other income. A precept will be raised by Charnwood Borough Council in the sum of £309,361.42 equating to approximately £117.75 Band D and a 2% increase for the financial year 2021-2022 (4 pence per week, £2.31 per week).

The main changes to the budget for 2021 / 22 are due to the desire of the Council to provide more support to the growing community of Anstey.

There are few variances throughout the budget from one 2020 / 21 to 2021/22 these are detailed below.

Cost Centre

Increases to the budget £ 2020/ 21 – 2021/22

Administration

Comments

Reserves and section 106 money (developer contributions) from the Councils budgets will allow the following work to be completed.

Description Setting up of the allotment site at Groby Road

£14,000

Purchase of a new grounds vehicle

£12,000

Contribution towards a Neighbourhood Plan

£4,000

Open space improvements

£10,000

Re-Location of the bus stop

£62,400

Contribution towards community building project £120,000

108 Play equipment

Jubilee Hall

(5184)

Reduction in income for Jubilee Hall lettings

Public Toilets

(1680)

A reduction in salaries due to mechanical locking system on the doors

(3,646)

Reduction in car park income Reduction in staffing costs Reducing in tree costs – no tree survey required

Open Spaces

Cemetery

Projects

Amount

£30,000

Neighbourhood Plan There will be a presentation about Neighbourhood Plans on the 2nd February 2021 at 7pm if you would like to find out more do get in touch and we can make sure that you receive a virtual link so that you attend. If you would like to receive more information about this project do contact the parish office or Councillor Grant Cotton by email at cllr.grant.cotton@ansteypc.org Gary Kirk from Locality will be guiding the Council through this project providing his specialist knowledge on this topic and the changes to the planning system that will impact this project.

You can contact the Council in the following ways.

By Post: Parish Office, Jubilee Hall, Stadon Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7AY Telephone: (0116) 236 2646 mobile: 07458 305025 Email: clerk@ansteypc.org

402

36,000

£3,000 – grounds equipment £30,000 – new play equipment £3,000 – Link Road Project

Your Councillors

Your Councillors can be contacted through the council office:

T: 0116 2362646 E: clerk@ansteypc.org Jubilee Hall Stadon Road Anstey Leicester LE7 7AY

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Parish Council Meetings will be held on the following Tuesday evenings starting at 16th February, 9th and 30 March meetings are currently virtually via zoom, the link to the meetings is advertised on the agenda which can be found on the councils website. www.ansteypc.org.uk/council-meetings.html all members of the public are welcome to these meetings.

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David Snartt Borough Councillor for Forest Bradgate

T: 01530 244804 - E: cllr.david.snartt@charnwood.gov.uk Looking Back 2020.

I believe nearly everyone I have spoken to have said they are pleased we have entered into a new year. 2020 has, in my view, been such a difficult year for so many people. The news being dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has impacted on so many families for most of last year. I do hope as the vaccine is rolled out, life will start to return to some kind of normality.

I have received information from people in my Council Ward who have attended one of the vaccination centres, how brilliant the experience was. Feeling completely safe with all the restrictions, such as social distancing in place throughout the time spent at the centre. I do urge everyone, when offered the Covid-19 jab to take this up, this is the light from a very dark tunnel that will bring back a better way of life during 2021.

It has been a difficult year being Mayor of Charnwood, with many events and engagements cancelled. One of the highlights has been meeting people who have gone the extra mile to help others within their communities. This was highlighted in the recent Charnwood Hero Awards, where I was able to meet some of the nominated people, organisations and businesses who had made a difference helping the most vulnerable and elderly.

I was delighted that the Mayor’s Community Carol Service was able to take place, albeit virtually. I am grateful to Wendy Dalrymple, Rector of All Saints’ Loughborough where the service took place and my Chaplain, Richard Trethewey for their contribution to this uplifting carol service, reminding everyone what Christmas is all about, through carols and readings.

During my term of office as Mayor, I am supporting two local charities, LOROS and Admiral Nurses. All charities are finding it difficult with the lack of finance due to fund raising activities.

Therefore, I am extremely grateful to many people who have supported my charities by donating to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

Thank you all.

Planning Applications.

I am pleased to see many local residents have responded to the consultation for the planning application for up to 36 dwellings on land adjacent to Maplewell Road, Woodhouse Eaves. I have ‘called in’ this application to be determined by a Plans Committee at Charnwood Borough Council. In my view, some of the details raised by the the Inspector, when dealing with the previous planning appeal for this site still remain. The reasons I have stated can be viewed on the Council website under planning application P/20/2107/2.

I am grateful to all who have been involved with the Neighbourhood Plan. I believe the detail within this plan will be most valuable if this application is again decided by an appeal.

I will keep you informed with progress as this application goes through the planning process.

I was disappointed to receive the outcome of the appeal for the planning application, to permit the development at 11 Windmill Rise, Woodhouse Eaves. You may recall this was refused by a Plans Committee at Charnwood Borough Council.

Full details of the Inspector’s decision can be viewed on the Council’s website under appeal reference number APP/ X2410/D/20/3261156.

Charnwood Move into a Covid-19 National Lockdown.

At the beginning of the year the Government placed Charnwood into National Lockdown. I am sure by now people do understand what the restrictions mean. In my view, the main message to get across is to stay at home, you can only leave home for specific reasons which include food shopping, work, medical purposes and exercise.

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I know this has been a long haul for many residents but I am hopeful, as the vaccination programme is rolled out, life will get back to some sort of normality.

Please remember, if you need help, or advice or you know of anyone who needs help contact Charnwood Community Action www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/cca or call 01509 631750. For the latest details on Covid-19 restrictions, planned changes to council services and support available for residents, council tenants and businesses visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/restrictions Call to Share Memories.

People are being urged to share their memories of Loughborough Fair and Market, as part of plans to celebrate its’ 800th anniversary this year. The first fair was held in Loughborough on July 31st 1221 to mark the feast day of St Peter. It was in the same year that a charter to hold a market was granted to the Lord of the Manor.

To mark the occasion, Charnwood Museum will host an exhibition to celebrate the milestone. People are being asked to share their memories, pictures, films and memorabilia for use in the exhibition.

Organisers of the exhibition want to hear from people of all ages who have memories of the fair, whether from many years back or much more recent. Anyone who would like to get involved and share their unique connections to the fair is asked to get in touch by e-mail to louise.sharples@leics.gov.uk Nationwide Building Society.

I thought I would give you an update on the decision by Nationwide Building Society to close their Anstey Branch. I have now written to the Chairman of the Society, copy to the Chief Executive, reminding them of the Nationwide promise to keep branches open until at least January 2023. I also explained the hardship this would have for their local members, especially the elderly who rely on public transport, who in these challenging times should be staying local. I have also managed to have reference to this closure in the Mail on Sunday under the heading ‘It’s Not So Nationwide Now’ I know my colleagues Deborah Taylor and Paul Baines along with our MP Edward Argar are also doing all they can to keep this branch open.

If you need to contact me on any issues, please write to 10 Groby Lane, Newtown Linford, Leicester. LE6 0HH, e-mail cllr.david. snartt@charnwood.gov.uk or telephone 01530 244804.

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Are You Fed-Up With Doing The Same Old Walks?

Article by John Harris

Walking in Leicestershire www.walkinginengland.co.uk/leics is the website for you!

With hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, contact details for all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Leicestershire (part of the Walking in England suite of websites (www.walkinginengland.co.uk) - one for each county in England) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

Brookvale Groby Learning Campus Post 16 Centre Is An Excellent Place To Study!

Article by Christine Anderson

Post 16 students are at the heart of our campus and they stand out as ambassadors because they are caring, committed and hard working.

Why our students love BGLC? • Wide range of subjects • Great teaching • Culture of hard work • Awards-based enrichment programme • Friendly and welcoming atmosphere • Excellent guidance for P18 pathways • Dedicated P16 student areas • Year 12 & 13 tutor teams • Fantastic P16 Leadership team • Student Leadership team We are passionately committed to academic achievement of every individual student and to develop the skills and attributes which are essential for success later in life. Our students leave us as independent learners and secure degrees at top universities and amazing apprenticeships.

We provide the highest standards of Post 16 teaching delivered by subject specialists. We are proud of the progress that our Post 16 students make, in academic qualifications progress is good and in vocational qualifications progress is outstanding and significantly above the national average.

To find out more about Post 16 @BGLC please visit our website (details on the front page) and have a look at our virtual open evening. You can apply through the Positive Steps online application system www.ps16.co.uk and if you have any questions or require further information then please contact us via our dedicated email post16@brookvalegroby.com We look forward to meeting you all very soon and welcoming you to our Post 16 here at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus.

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So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

Thurcaston And Cropston Gardening Club Article by Richard Elks

The 2021 Programme of Events promised to be excellent. It was finished by March last year and we were incredibly pleased with it and so looking forward to another good Gardening Club year.

We are now left wondering when we might be able to resume, and how many of the booked speakers will be able to visit us this year.

We have several speakers who have visited before and who were very well received. These include Adam Pasco, Joe Whitehead, Jeff Bates and Andrew Ward. We also have some new speakers booked, including Jonathan Moseley talking on ‘The Cut Flower Garden’, Paul Green with a talk called ‘Dark and Desirable’, and Vince Edwards from Coles nursery on ‘Running a Nursery’.

Other subjects include ‘Herbaceous Plants and Borders’, ‘Over the Garden Wall’, and ‘Easy Ways to Better Gardening’.

We hadn’t made decisions about outings before the first lockdown. Of course, we are now pleased about that! We do have an outing to the RHS Tatton Show that is booked for Friday 23rd July 2021. This is held over from 2020.

We are in touch with all speakers and some of those in the early part of the year have agreed to come in 2022. In addition, we hope that some of the speakers who were booked for 2020 will be able to visit us in the future.

Membership fees remain unchanged at £12 per annum. We have also decided to only collect membership fees when we are able to resume on a face-to-face basis. At that point, fees will be on a pro-rota basis.

The Gardening Club is keeping in touch with members through a monthly newsletter, and members send us lots of lovely photos and short stories to share with other members.

We leave you with a lovely photograph to brighten up this rather subdued world.

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Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society Article by Sylvia Cole

The speaker at our January meeting was Jo Mungovin whose talk on Joseph Merrick “the Elephant Man” was very informative. Those of us who had been brought up to believe that Joseph was a ‘freak’ whose life revolved around him being exhibited at Penny shows were soon to be told the true story.

Joseph‘s grandfather moved to Leicester in 1837. Later his son Joseph married Mary Jane. During her pregnancy Mary Jane attended a May Fair where, rumour has it, she was frightened by an elephant which affected the foetus she was carrying. People actually believed that the various afflictions which Joseph suffered were the result of this frightening encounter.

The resulting baby, our Elephant Man, was born with many physical defects. Young Joseph‘s father was ambitious and soon moved with his wife and young family into a different house. His father owned two shops and was a successful man.

There was no indication that young Joseph was bullied or teased; many children had physical difficulties at that time. His major trauma was his mother’s death when he was seven years old. His father’s subsequent remarriage did not help. Joseph‘s fingers were thick; he could not do fiddly factory jobs and was beaten at home if he failed to earn money.

Finally Joseph moved to his uncle’s house for two years but when he was 17 he took himself into the infirmary workhouse to join its 1200 residents. He spent four years there, doing dirty and demeaning jobs and eating very poor food. During that time he developed a huge growth in his mouth which required an operation.

Finally, he contacted Sam Torr, a music hall proprietor who agreed to use Joseph as an exhibit at one of his Penny Shows. Later, he went to Nottingham and then to London where he was befriended

by Tom Norman. Tom exhibited him for money but also showed him kindness. Joseph supplemented his income by writing his own pamphlet which he sold. In the mid 19 century there was no legislation to stop exhibits of fat ladies, giants, dwarves etc. At this time Joseph was described as being “a poor fellow, deformed head, skin thick and crinkly, hanging in folds”.

Later Dr Frederick Treves who worked at the Royal London hospital, began to take an interest in Joseph. The doctor had a scientific obsession with the freaks on display at the shows. He persuaded Joseph to attend sessions at the hospital where he was part of medical demonstrations. Joseph finally refused to continue and Dr Treves closed down the Penny Shows.

From 1885 onwards Joseph’s life began to change. His new manager designed a new hat and a facial hood for him so that he

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Courtesy of the Museum of the Royal London Hospital could appear in public without ridicule. He was even exhibited at the world fair on the continent where at times over 400 indigenous people were on show. However, the manager of the foreign tour stole the money Joseph had managed to save and abandoned him.

Joseph returned, penniless to the London Hospital. He was given clothes and his own lodging in Bedstead Square. He was well cared for and doctors visited him daily. They even discussed how he would look preserved in alcohol!

In 1887, after opening the new hospital building, the Prince and Princess of Wales met him and subsequently sent him food and visited him. He made money by weaving baskets ; had three holidays in the country and even wrote letters about his life experiences. His confidence increased but, by 1889, his health was failing. He had bronchitis, a weak heart and a growth in his mouth was increasing.

He attended Mass twice on April 6th 1890 and, early on April 7th, when visited, he seemed in good health. Sadly at 3:30 pm he was found dead as a result of asphyxiation. He was 27 years old.

His body was handed over to Dr Treves at the Royal London Hospital. The flesh was removed and his bones were bleached.

In May 2019 Joseph’s final resting place was finally discovered in an unmarked grave at the City of London Cemetery. Later, a plaque was placed there including the dates 1862-1890. There is a replica of his skeleton, his hat and his hood, plus a letter, and a model of the church he had made from cardboard, on show at the Royal London Museum. No DNA could be retrieved from Joseph’s bones and there is still no medical diagnosis of his condition.

Jo described a human, not a freak, determined to be independent despite all the severe difficulties imposed by his physical condition.

If this story intrigues and interests you, please see Jo Mungovin’s book “Joseph: The Life, Times and Places of The Elephant Man”, which includes Joseph’s 22 years in Leicester.

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