April 2014 - Coalville Community Eye

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COALVILLE

COMMUNITY EYE

FREE MONTHLY LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, PUZZLES, COMPETITIONS & MORE

IN THE GARDEN WITH BEL

CHOOSING COLOURFUL SPRING PLANTS

ISSUE 25 - APRIL 2014

EASTER LEG OF LAMB LEARN HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT EASTER DINNER

Fishy Business

WITH COALVILLE AQUATICS CENTRE

DECORATE AN EASTER EGG WIN A KIDS PERSONALISED T-SHIRT

Bake With Fee

EASTER NESTS

STORY TIME

CHRISTIE CAT & HER YUMMY CARROT MUFFINS

UPDATE FROM YOUR LOCAL MP ANDREW BRIDGEN

Mon - Sat 10:00am - 5:30pm Sun 10.00am - 4:00pm

Tropical, Pond, Marine, Coldwater Fish Dry & Frozen Goods • Lighting Tanks and Cabinets • Filters & Pumps Liners & Much Much More...

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT & UNDER CONSTANT VETERINARY SUPERVISION

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COALVILLEAQUATICS

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| LOCAL ADVERTISERS

KIDS GO FREE WITH SUNDAY LUNCH FOR ADULTS CHARNWOOD GOLF COMPLEX

BAR / RESTAURANT / FUNCTION VENUE / SKY / SHOP/ FOOTBALL / GOLF RANGE

Derby Road | Loughborough | Leicestershire | LE11 5AD T: 01509 212854 - E: enquiries@charnwoodgolfrange.com

WELCOME

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HELLO! Welcome to your bigger and better Easter Community Eye magazine.

I am so pleased that we have lots of new advertisers joining us, many of whom have personally been in touch to let us know what fantastic responses they have been having from, you so please do keep using our advertisers and recommending them to friends. Due to the wonderful increase in advertising we are not only increasing the size of our magazine’s but the Coalville Eye is increasing its circulation to 7500 making it the largest of our 7 magazines!

This month we have some fantastic new columns for you! Fee (a prize winning baker) is writing a new family cooking column, Judy from Acacia blinds is writing our new Window Dressing column and Sally from Hinds Feet Foot care is helping us to look after our feet and get them summer ready! We also have our usual contributors too including Bonita from Hallcroft Opticians with her eye care guidance and of course the lovely Bel with her gardening page.

I’ve been busy getting ready for Easter and have included my Easter Lamb recipe for you to try! I’ve also put some competitions in; children have the chance to win a personalised kids T-Shirt on page 22 and for you adults, try our word Sudoku and win a mug printed with a name or photo of your choice on page 6. Both prizes courtesy of our friends at Norwood Press.

Please let us know what you think of our new layout and don’t forget to send any articles over to me for our next magazine which will have a Spring focus. You can always keep in touch using our Facebook and Twitter feeds too.

Enjoy!

EDITORIALS, ADVERTISING & LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION Visit our website for advertising rates, circulation figures & more

SALES MANAGER - MIRIAM BENTLEY T: 0800 6446 150 M: 07454 779877 E: miriam@openboxpromotions.co.uk W: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk

r, LE9 2HQ Open Box Promotions Ltd, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leiceste 20 366 073 No. ny Compa 28 VAT No. 105 4819

PRINTED BY NORWOOD PRESS ress.co.uk T: 01530 262020 - E: info@norwoodpress.co.uk - W: www.norwoodp 1EU LE67 n, Ellistow Estate, Unit 1, Moore Road, South Leicester Industrial original advertisers & contributors The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the ns Ltd. Terms & Conditions Promotio Box Open or Eye ity Commun t represen ily and do not necessar erms s.co.uk/t omotion apply. To see full terms & conditions visit www.openboxpr

NEXT ISSUE OUT EDITORIAL & ADVERT DEADLINE DATE: 4th May 2014 DELIVERY DATE: 14th May 2014 Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change depending on how far we are ahead or behind.

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| LOCAL NEWS

1188 (COALVILLE) SQUADRON AIR CADETS PRESENTATION NIGHT

1188 (Coalville) Squadron Air Training Corps received certificates and awards at their annual Presentation Night.

This year the presentation night coincided with the squadron’s 73rd anniversary. Every year the hard work of the cadets is recognised with awards at the presentation night and this year was no exception. The trophies and certificates were presented to the cadets, in front of their families

by Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson OBE, Police Inspector Helena Bhakta, the NW Leics Local Policing Unit Commander, Cllr Geraint Jones Chairman of NW Leicestershire and Flight Lieutenant Jackie Glover the squadron’s commanding officer.

There were certificates for marksmen shooting, radio operator certificates, a Btec in Public Services and a food hygiene certificate.

Flight Lieutenant Jackie Glover RAF VR (T) said "It was an enjoyable night, it is very important to recognise the achievements of the cadets and for their families to be able to show their support for them.”

She thanked her staff that have helped her settle into the squadron and also into her new role as commanding officer. She also outlined her plans for the future.

She is hoping to increase the number of cadets and also for the squadron to win more trophies.

RAFA CUP CADET OF THE YEAR Cadet Warrant Officer Clark

JOHN BANCROFT ENDEAVOUR TROPHY Cadet Bell

COMMUNITY AWARD Cadet Johnson

MOST ENTERPRISING CADET Corporal Benjamin

VIN SHEPHERD CUP FOR BEST ATTENDANCE Corporal Hart

BEST SPORTS CADET Sergeant Robinson

LEON POXON MEMORIAL AIR RIFLE NEW ING MOST PROMIS Corporal Graham CADET r Cadet Potte

COALVILLE TROPHY CENTRE

42 Belvoir Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3PN John Tomlinson - Proprietor No engraving change on trophies sold from shop 3 new catalogues for 2014 are now available No die charge for a 1” acrylic centre with your club logo Large showroom with over 500 products on display

Shop 01530 810100 Home 01530 450106

off the price of a trophy with this advert.

Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm Sat 10am - 2-pm

1188 CADET, DRILL AND CEREMONIAL AWARD Cadet Hargadon

SQUADRON SHOOTING AWARD & SHARLOT HAMMOND TROPHY FOR ADVENTURE TRAINING Sergeant Flude

LOCAL NEWS IS YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL A SCORE SCHOOL?

COALVILLE CUP SHARED

Get practical support and guidance on energy efficiency from Leicestershire County Council.

The Schools Collaboration on Resource Efficiency (SCoRE) is a 12 month practical programme which helps schools reduce energy bills and save money. Advice and guidance is given on energy efficiency, including adjusting boiler times and temperatures, switching off lighting and electrical equipment and draft proofing.

SCoRE supports many aspects of the curriculum including geography, science, maths, design and citizenship. Students are encouraged to be part of the programme and work with staff to achieve the best savings.

Manor High School, Oadby has also taken part in the scheme.

Their electricity consumption was reduced by 12%, and despite a cold winter, their gas usage relative to other years, was also reduced. Paul Clarke, site manager and Liam Powell, head teacher worked to apply the SCoRE principles across the whole school community and achieved savings of £9,400.

Nichole Browne, School Environment Officer, Leicestershire County Council, said “Applications for the next phase of the SCoRE programme are being taken now, and we look forward to working with a new set of schools.

Schools can make significant savings on their energy use.

They achieve real energy efficiencies when the plan is embedded throughout the whole school.”

Interested schools should apply before Friday 25th April 2014 to be part of the next SCoRE programme by calling Nichole Browne on 0116 305 5593, or email Nichole.Browne@leics.gov.uk

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PRINCE'S TRUST 12 WEEK PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Thirteen unemployed young people started The Prince’s Trust Team programme at the Marlene Reid Centre, Belvoir Road, Coalville on Monday 20 January.

They have taken part in a challenging programme which began with team-building activities, including a week at a residential activity centre, and included teamwork on real projects in the local community as well as individual work placements.

The third annual rugby competition between local high schools Castle Rock and Newbridge ended up with them both returning with winners shields in the East Midlands Housing sponsored cup as each school registered a win at Coalville RFC’s Memorial Ground. Coalville RFC Mini/Junior Chairman, Paul Macmillan commented, ‘Once again the standard of rugby was high. Both games were close, with the lead in the Year 8 game swapping several times. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves watching and playing- especially the boys who were new to competitive rugby.’

Team aims to increase confidence, motivation and skills and as a result enable unemployed Team members to move into employment or education/training. It provides nationally recognised qualifications and other certificates for the skills development achieved.

Newbridge were the deserved winners in the Year 7 game. They were four tries ahead at half time and despite a fightback by Castle Rock who scored two tries in the second half, they ended up winning by six tries. Both teams showed excellent running and handling skills and it bodes well for some very competitive games between the year group in the future. The Year 8 game was enthralling as Castle Rock started the quicker and took an early lead to go into half time leading by 27-10 points. Two quick tries at the start of the second half saw Newbridge close the gap to 27-22. Castle Rock then regrouped to score two more ties and make it 39-27. Newbridge came straight back to score from a kick and chase but then Castle Rock extended their lead with two more tries to make the final score 49-27.

It culminates in the Team presenting its achievements on Tuesday 8 April at 2.30 pm at The Palace, Ibstock where Team members will receive their certificates. The Prince’s Trust Team programme is run and managed locally by partner organisations, referred to as Delivery Partners. In Leicester and Leicestershire it is Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service.

‘The competition is growing each year and hopefully next year it will be even larger. The rugby on show was of a high quality and it was also heartening to see so many parents coming down to support their children,’ added Coalville RFC President Tom Siddon.

For further information, please contact Sally McNaughton on 07966 111207.

EASTER AT COALVILLE LIBRARY Looking for a great family day out during the Easter holidays?

Join us at Coalville Library for our Easter Tots Fair on Saturday 19th April 10.00 am-4.00 pm.

We have lots planned to keep everyone happy. Meet real live cute animals and enjoy and Easter stories with Lion Learners at 11.00am. Book your place early to avoid disappointment!

There will be plenty of stalls to browse from 10.00am-3.00pm, selling everything from lovely cakes to new books. Stay and play in the library with face painting, craft activities for children, refreshments and a free kids challenge sheet, too.

Take a break to listen to some Cassy Kindly fairy stories, read by

the author, Mandy E Ward, live in the library at 2.00pm. Information from specialists will be available with stalls including Bookstart and Surestart to name a few.

For the grown-ups we have a prize draw, buy a ticket for a chance to win some lovely prizes including donations from local businesses like Geoff’s Toys.

Membership to the library is free and for all ages. Why not join up whilst you’re in and return over and over again for free book borrowing (up to 12 books for 3 weeks), free computer use ( 1 hour a day ), free children’s home work print outs ( 5 pages a day) and the summer reading challenge, this

year The Mythical Maze, free for children 4 –12 years.

Looking forward to seeing you all there. For more details come into Coalville Library or call us on 0116 3053565.

Monday

9.30am - 5pm

Wednesday

9.30am - 5pm

Friday

9.30am - 5pm

Tuesday 9.30am - 7pm Thursday

9.30am - 7pm

Saturday 10am - 4pm

Over Easter Holidays we will be closed on Friday 18th April and Monday 21st April

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Cute Chick Easter Card

Easter Poem

What you'll need: • 2 sheets of yellow paper • 1 sheet of orange paper • 2 paper fasteners • 2 large wiggly eyes (optional) • White craft glue • Scissors • Pencil • Pen or dark crayon

It’s Easter and by now it should be very clear that the long awaited Springtime at last is here.

Winter storms are finally behind us. Shout hooray!

Long days of sunshine now are not so very far away.

Helpful Tip: If you don't have wiggley eyes you can simply draw eyes on with a marker. Before poking the fasteners through the body of the chick, use a sharp pencil to poke a hole through. Then insert the fastener.

How to make it 1. Trace both hands onto the yellow paper and cut out.

2. Draw an oval onto the other yellow piece of construction paper. Cut out 3. Lay the oval on the table and position the wings (hand cut outs) behind it, using the photo as a guide.

4. When the wings are where you want them, carefully poke the fasteners through the construction paper to attach the wings. Using fasteners allows the wings to flap up and down.

5. Cut out a small diamond shape and two legs from the orange paper.

6. Fold the diamond in half to create the beak and glue one side of the diamond to the yellow paper so that the beak is three dimensional and can open and close.

7. Glue wiggly eyes (or draw your own) above the beak.

8. Position the legs under the oval. When you have them where you want them, glue them in place.

9. Use the pen or dark crayon to write a message on the front of the card.

Easter time. It means renewal and re-birth.

Reminds us all that we must care for planet Earth.

Chocolate eggs, they really are symbolic.

As new born lambs in field and meadow frolic.

Fruity hot cross buns are very good to toast.

Should we choose beef or turkey for our Sunday roast?

Easter is a busy time for gardens, so rejoice!

Those nodding golden daffodils, the flower of choice.

At Easter time the cycle of the seasons starts anew.

Plans for the summer holidays we now review.

The Easter message should by now be very clear.

Passed down the generations for us all to hear.

Chris Rose

Word Sudoku Bake With Fee Win A Personalised Printed Mug *

*Printed with either a name or photo on.

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NAME: ADDRESS:

TEL: EMAIL:

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F R

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Fill in each 3x3 block using the letters DRAGONFLY so there are no repeats in any block, horizontal or vertical line.

Send To: Open Box Promotions Ltd, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2HQ Closing date noon 23rd April 2014

EASTER NESTS • 250g All-bran • 300g milk chocolate • 1-2 bags of mini eggs​ • 24 cake cases 1. Break the chocolate into small pieces and put in a glass bowl, placed over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water.

2. Remove the bowl from the pan when the chocolate is fully melted. Add the All-bran and mix until it is all coated thoroughly.

3. Spoon the mixture into the cake cases, making a slight hollow in each. Position 2-3 mini eggs in the centre of each nest.

4. Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to set.

LOCAL NEWS

COALVILLE OFFICERS AWARDED BAR TO MEDAL

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COALVILLE CADETS THANK RETIRING STAFF

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light Lieutenant Clive Williams was recently surprised to be awarded the bar to his cadet medal. Flight Lieutenant Clive Williams has already been awarded his long service and good conduct medal after he completed his 12 years service in uniform in 2007. The bar is presented for a further 6 years service.

Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson awarded the bar to Flight Lieutenant Clive Williams and joked it is often referred to a medal for undetected crimes.

The Wing Commander thanked Flight Lieutenant Williams for his commitment to the Air Training Corps. Flight Lieutenant Williams first joined the Air Training Corps as a 13 year old cadet and has been a member on and off ever since.

He has served at both Swadlincote Squadron as well as Coalville. He has served as the commanding officer of 1188 Squadron as well as a squadron officer. He is currently responsible for rifle shooting at

T Photo Below - Flight Lieutenant Clive Williams and Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson OBE the squadron and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The majority of the cadets have a marksman badge for shooting and the cadets who are old enough are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

COALVILLE BUSINESS TO HOST A ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’ TRAINEESHIP AND APPRENTICESHIPS Coalville business to host a ‘What’s going on’ Traineeship and Apprenticeships breakfast event Coalville based housing provider, emh group will be hosting a free North West Leicestershire business breakfast event on Friday 16th May 2014 at its group on Stenson Road (Whitwick Business Park: LE67 4JP).

The event, which will run between 0830 and 10am has been instigated by the emh group in response to recent Government announcements around Traineeships and Apprenticeships and will be chaired by the NW Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. The event will involve a panel reflection provided by both Leicester and Loughborough Colleges as large local FE providers; NIACE, the national educational charity and ‘voice of the learner’ Assessor Bank who are a Leicester based SME and also an awarding body external verifier and emh group.

The objectives of the event are to invite the panel to reflect on what is currently available to local businesses, including the value of Traineeships and Apprenticeships alongside where traineeships and apprenticeships are heading;

Delegates will also hear from emh group apprentices about what value they think they can bring to your organisation; an audience question and answer session; how local business can influence and shape the future and what freebies are available to local businesses. emh group Chief Executive Chan Kataria said “The 2014 budget has again raised the profile of Traineeships and Apprenticeships and we felt that it was an opportune time to hold an event with other local businesses to think about how we engage with this agenda as well as ensure that Government and Apprenticeship providers understand that the needs of business must be recognised ” We started our Academy in 2012 and there is no doubt that our apprentices have added real value to our business. We have also just launched our own innovative traineeship scheme in Coalville, which will see us bring in up to 11 unemployed young people as part of our pre-Apprenticeship programme and we are keen to see how our model could be adapted for other businesses.”

The event, which will be chaired by the NW Leicestershire

wo members of long serving staff have retired from 1188 (Coalville) Squadron Air Training Corps. Civilian Instructor John Hallam and Civilian Instructor Jane Ebinger have both decided that it is time to stand down from the squadron and pursue other interests.

Civilian Instructor John Hallam joined 1188 sqn in 2007. He joined the Air Training Corps in Leicester as a cadet when a teenager. He rose through the ranks and became an officer and commanded a sqn before retiring from the corps. He then rejoined as a civilian instructor. He joined to help with the aeronautical subjects but got involved with taking cadets flying, shooting, to air shows, county shows and week-end camps. He helped to build the air rifle range at the squadron and he enjoyed the squadron social events with his other half, Sue. He enjoyed teaching navigation and the NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) syllabus. He was also the health and safety officer for the squadron. Flight Lieutenant Clive Williams said “John will be greatly missed by staff and cadets alike. “ Civilian Instructor Jane Ebinger joined the squadron in 2003, she initially joined as a member of the civilian committee and later became the Chair and Treasurer of the committee. She regularly attended parade nights and attended many camps as female cover, she slept in tents on Duke of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce president, John Merison who said “We are finding that a large number of businesses are still unsure what Traineeships and Apprenticeship are or their benefits. This event will also start a debate on the future challenges for both businesses and Apprenticeship providers.”

Photo Below - Flt Lt Jackie Glover, Civilian Instructor John Hallam, Civilian Instructor Jane Ebinger, Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson

expeditions, helped organise dining in nights and other socials. She sold raffle tickets and raised funds.

She became a civilian instructor and continued to work hard on the sqn. The first Dining she helped to organise is something we will never forget. It was in February and it snowed. Group Capt Cross and the Wing Commander arrived but many of the top table could not make it, some cadets had to walk the last mile through the falling snow, they changed into dance dresses for the meal. There was never a dull moment when she was on the squadron. Flight Lieutenant Clive Williams said ”She will be greatly missed. She was constant that helped the Sqn keep going while the new staff settled in.”

Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson thanked both the staff for their long service with the squadron and presented them with glass tumblers engraved with the squadron’s logo.

1188 (Coalville) Squadron is currently recruiting cadets both male and female. So if you are aged 13 – 17 and would like to join the local air cadets they meet in the headquarters on Forest Road in Coalville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.15 pm until 9.30 pm. If you are an adult interested in becoming a member of staff or committee member please visit the squadron and speak to the commanding Officer Flt Lt Jackie Glover.

If your business is interested in attending this free event, you can register at: www.emh-group. eventbrite.co.uk Places are free, but restricted to 70 delegates. We will provide tea/coffee and a light breakfast.

For further information about the event, contact Chris Swaine, chris. swaine@emha.org

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| LOCAL NEWS

COALVILLE AQUATIC CENTRE

Fishy Business

Starting as a family run business we have been trading since 1992, offering quality aquatic goods for all our customers. However our expertise doesn’t end there.

We advise on what tanks, filters, lighting, food, stones and other accessories to use. We car for our clients’ fish, tanks and ponds offering free of charge, basic water testing. All of which makes us proud to be Coalville’s preferred provider of quality aquatic goods at the best price. Scoring highly not only in the local town but also in whole of Leicestershire, at least that’s what our website says.

I love animals and I’m not a big fan of big, corporate pet shops.

That’s why I decided to ‘rescue’ one of the few independent aquatics shops left in the area Coalville Aquatics. I took over on the 30th of July 2012 and the time has come to introduce myself and my team to you. I am a veterinary surgeon who has been always fascinated by fish.

I was born and raised in Poland where I graduated from Warsaw University of Life Sciences. My further education took me over to The Netherlands and to Dublin. I worked as a vet in Coventry and Leicester and nowadays I only do emergency, out-of-hours work in Nottingham. The rest of my ‘free’ time I devote to this little, aquatic gem which has been hidden well in the town of Coalville.

I kept fish since I can remember.

Even before my first proper setup I used to bring different insects and water creatures from the nearby river and keep them in an old, metal-framed tank I inherited from my brothers. As probably every one, my breeding projects started with livebearers. Then I successfully spawned Bristlenose Catfish, which remained my alltime favourite fish. I succeeded with breeding quite a few other species of fish and my recent project involves Zebra Plecs (L046) Our shop manager, Andrew, has also ‘tones’ of aquatic experience.

It is priceless to have aquatic hobbyists a part of the team! He has been working for Coalville Aquatics for ten years now.

Andrew has kept fish for over 40 years! Starting with community tropicals, then moving onto Oscars and Malawi cichlids and for the past ten years Andrew is a proud owner of 200L marine tank. His other passions are his Ragdoll cats and photography.

Our new assistant is Sacha. She started with us in September 2012 after having studied Animal Management at Brooksby Melton College. She brought in a quite unique asset to the team.

She breeds Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta splendens. I bet you kept or at least have seen these magnificent fish before. It takes an aquatic expert to breed and then successfully raise the offspring!

Sasha also has two lovely Whippets that she races.

We have an extensive stock of items in our inventory, such as: Tropical fish & plants, Outdoor cold water fish & pond plants (through ‘warmer’ months only), Indoor cold water fish & plants, Marine fish, inverts & corals (supplied by Tropical Marine Centre), Turtles and many items for their care, RO & salted RO water, Dry, frozen and live foods, Tanks & cabinets (official JUWEL Aquarium Dealer), also bespoke, Filters, pumps, heaters, Lighting, Pond liners & underlay, Pond vacuum cleaners in stock and available for hire, And more.

WELL KNOWN FACE OF COALVILLE LAW RETIRES One of Coalville’s bestknown business faces has retired, after a generation of being a mainstay of the community.

Peter Chadwick, of QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank has took early retirement at the end of March.

Although originally from Merseyside, Mr Chadwick has been a solicitor in the town for the past 30 years, having arrived in Leicestershire in the 1970s to study at what was then Leicester Polytechnic.

Mr Chadwick, who is married to Sarah and has two grown up children Alice and Nick, said ” whilst sad to be leaving the firm and the profession, he is looking forward to a new chapter. It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of this town and I’ve made many friends, so whilst I’m looking forward to the future, I will miss my colleagues both at the firm and in the profession locally,” he said.

I am glad that I was given this opportunity to introduce Coalville Aquatics and I hope to see you all in the future. We are here for your needs and are always happy to give you even if just a piece of advice.

He reminisced on some of the changes in the legal profession, which he said “has altered beyond recognition, from when he started out in the law as a 22 year-old articled clerk in Long Eaton. It’s hard to believe now, but I remember the secretaries being less than happy about swapping manual typewriters for electric ones.” he said. “The fax Machine was still years in the future, and now the IT revolution has completely transformed our industry. As in all walks of life some changes have been for the good, but not all of them” he said. “Whilst the way in which we do our job has changed beyond recognition, what has not changed is that the good high street solicitor will always act fearlessly in his client’s best interests without influence financial or otherwise from other parties. Whilst the availability of Legal Aid has been greatly curtailed, high street solicitors are still here to represent ordinary clients in dealing with their problems.”

Remember our motto! ‘Fish Are Friends’ - Maciek

Mr Chadwick, who plans to visit New England in the USA

We are all active members of the nearest aquatic society – Robin Hood Aquarists. We meet every second Monday of the month to have a ‘fishy’ chat, listen to speakers, exchange knowledge and experiences. At the end of each meeting we have a mini-auction where we bring our unwanted dry goods, excess of fish/plants. It is a great way of becoming more experienced fish keeper and meet likeminded individuals. You can come to our meetings three times as a guest and to join in it only takes £5 for life-time membership!

later in the year, said he intends to enjoy retirement, where he can pursue his love of rugby, having strong links with Ashby RFC and also being a keen Leicester Tigers supporter. Jim Abbott, a fellow partner at QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank and who helped build up the firm into being the best known in the town today, gave a glowing tribute to his long time compatriot.

“I know I speak for everyone when I say we shall all miss Peter greatly,” he said. “We shall we poorer without his wit and warmth. We wish Peter and his family all the best at what is a time of transition and on behalf of QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank we can’t thank him enough for the enormous contribution he has made in helping us grow into what we are today.”

CALKE ABBEY GARDENS APRIL 18 Steve Biggins, Head Gardener, traces the repair and redevlopment of the gardens from 1987 - 2014.

To find out more contact: David Maltby 01530 222934 Jim Footitt 01530 262389

LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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His mission now with his team is2012 to makeas theSilver it’s doors in early February home part of the community once again and for people to come and Oaks Residential Care Home - A 19 bed The short answer is a young chap visit. called Mark Booth, a young business home which cares for the elderly and “THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY WE CARE FOR OUR ELDERLY

BY WORKING AShave A COMMUNITY AND OFFERING who early onset dementia. man who saw the potential in such a ISpeople OUR TIME, A HAND TO HOLD OR A 5 MINUTE CHAT CAN MAKE A After –2PLEASE yearsCOME of trading you can beautiful building and wanted to create HUGE DIFFERENCE AND VOLUNTEER ” Markreally Oaks the owner. a pioneering care home that setsBooth the- Silversee progress that Mark and his team have made. mission now815665 with his benchmark for the way care shouldToand enquire about volunteering giveHis the home a call on 01530 the community today. teamback is toto make the home part of the can be delivered in Leicestershire. and give something community once again and for people to come and visit.

Back in July 2011 Mark went to visit what was then the old vicarage residential care home. It was being closed down by the local authorities and could no longer operate as a business. Mark saw then the potential of the building and knew that with some loving care and attention and a great team of people it could be a great home for the elderly.

“THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY WE CARE FOR OUR ELDERLY IS BY WORKING AS A COMMUNITY AND OFFERING OUR TIME, A HAND TO HOLD OR A 5 MINUTE CHAT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE – PLEASE COME AND VOLUNTEER ” Mark Booth - Silver Oaks owner.

To enquire about volunteering give the home a call on 01530 815665 and give something back to the community today.

SILVER OAKS RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME “ A historic and loving care home in Whitwick” 11 Silver Street, Whitwick, Coalville LE67 5EW, Tel: 01530 815665

GARDENING

S

pring has Sprung! It’s now light enough in the morning for me to pop into the garden before I leave the house to see what’s new and check on seedlings in the green house. There are bulbs adding bold splashes of colour to the pots around the house and there’s a flush of new foliage on the trees and shrubs in the garden too.

give some interest during the winter months. I’m a great fan of Euphorbia – the lime green flowers last well from early spring to mid-summer giving a zing of fresh colour to sunny borders.

Look out for new varieties like E. ‘Rudolph’, E. ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and E. ‘Ruby Glow’ that give colourful foliage as well as flowers.

With the weather improving I’ve been able to get border rejuvenation projects underway in my client’s gardens and carry out the ground preparation work for the new borders in my own garden.

With a selection of evergreen shrubs selected to act as the backbone of the planting, I’m ready to move on to adding perennials – the plants which flower through the spring-summer-autumn then go dormant in the winter months before re-emerging in spring.

Erysimum (the perennial wallflower) is fantastic as it flowers for months and is available in a range of bright colours. E. ‘Bowles Mauve’ is a classic with vibrant blooms over silvery foliage, it’s also semi evergreen so will add some shape to the border even in winter. They are easy to grow in sunny spots and they just require a trim once a year as soon as they finish flowering.

March & April is a great time to visit the local nursery or garden centre to pick up perennials to add spring-early summer colour to the basic structure of the border.

For the earliest colour, Aubrieta, Primulas and Alpines like Saxifraga are lovely and bright. I tend to use them in containers though, rather than borders so that I have maximum space available for plants that will give me colour for longer.

My favourite early perennials for a border include Hellebores, Aquilegia, Geum, Erysimum and Euphorbia.

Hellebores bring colour to the border in Feb/March in a range of colours and forms. They are well worth a spot in a shady garden and you’ll find plenty to choose from. These along with most Euphorbia are actually evergreen so will

WIN A TRIO OF GEUM PLANTS One each of G. 'Blazing Sunset', G. 'Sunrise' & G. 'Tango' in 1.5 litre pots.

Worth total of £21. I will deliver to the winner within Shepshed, Loughborough & Coalville area only (outside this area the winner will need to collect instead).

In order to enter readers need to visit my facebook page belgriersondesign and like or comment on the prize draw post. I will select a winner by random on April 30th.

Then there are the Aquilegias and Geums. They come in a good range of colours and flower shapes, suited to sun or part-shady spots. There are those with a natural wild look or there are more striking varieties like Geum ‘Tango’ or Aquilegia ‘Mrs Scott Hybrids’– which ever takes your fancy. They are very easy to grow and the Aquilegia will seed around the border so you’ll get more plants in a year or so for free.

Ideal for borders with sun or part shade and good soil, all of these perennials will give a good splash of colour for spring and early summer. We’re not all blessed with the perfect garden conditions though so next month i’ll be looking at how to tackle shady gardens and recommending plants that will grow well beneath a hedge, trees and even in dry shade.

If you are in need of some help with choosing the right plants for your garden or you are looking for design ideas, a Consultation or Planting Plan may be just what you need. Take a look at my website for details of the services I can offer & get in touch, www.belgrierson.co.uk

Hellebore

Primula

Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow

CERAMIC POT GIVE AWAY I have accrued some lovely pots over the years. There are 28 here in ceramic & terracotta that need a new home. I would be happy to pass them on for free to a local school gardening club or a community gardening project. They are in good condition. Most have been used so need a good wash & brush up. Maybe they could help with fundraising?

Collection from LE12. Get in touch if you are interested.

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FOOD & DRINK

INGREDIENTS

• Leg of Lamb (2kg) • 3 cloves of crushed garlic • 4 tbl spoons of Oil • Sprigs of fresh Rosemary • Seasoning to taste

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METHOD 1. Pre heat the oven to 180C 2. Mix the crushed Garlic, Oil,

some chopped Rosemary and a little seasoning together and rub generously all over the lamb joint.

3. Carefully pierce holes in the skin of the lamb and stud with rosemary sprigs.

4. Cover the bone end of the joint with foil to prevent burning and place in an oiled baking tray.

5. Cover the whole joint loosely with foil and cook for 30 mins.

6. After 30 mins remove the foil and cook for a further 60 mins (for medium)

7. Allow to rest for 15 mins

prior to carving and serve with vegetables of your choice. We’ve chosen crisp roast potatoes and parsnips with fresh carrots, broccoli and minted peas.

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| WINDOW DRESSING

SHUTTER PROOF

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Beautifully crafted and made to measure to virtually any size or shape, our shutters are an inspired choice of traditional and contemporary styles, natural wood and painted finishes. Or if you have a particular colour in mind, our custom colour option is the perfect solution.

With a range of different wood types, fixings and slat widths to choose from, shutters are suitable for most window types including sash, bay windows and patio doors – and just as importantly, all budgets!

To find out more or to arrange a no obligation quotation, please contact Judy Andrews on 01509 650832 or 07881 681556

SEASONAL FEATURE

The History Behind

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THE EASTER EGG

E

aster eggs, also called Paschal eggs, are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter or springtime.

As such, Easter eggs are common during the season of Eastertide.

The oldest tradition is to use dyed and painted chicken eggs, but now we tend to use chocolate eggs or plastic shells filled with sweets.

Eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility, and rebirth.

The practice of decorating eggshell is ancient, pre-dating Christian traditions. Ostrich eggs with engraved decoration that are 60,000 years old have been found in Africa. Decorated ostrich eggs, and representations of ostrich eggs in gold and silver, were commonly placed in graves of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians as early as 5,000 years ago.

The custom of the Easter egg, however, originated in the early Christians of Mesopotamia, who stained eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ, shed at his crucifixion. The Christian Church officially adopted the custom, regarding the eggs as a symbol of the resurrection; in A.D. 1610.

These eggs can be hidden for children to find on Easter morning, which may be left by the Easter Bunny. They may also be put in a basket filled with real or artificial straw to resemble a bird’s nest.

Easter eggs are a widely popular symbol of new life in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and other Central European countries’ folk traditions. A batik (wax resist) process is used to create intricate, brilliantly coloured eggs, the best-known of which is the Ukrainian pysanka and the Polish pisanka. The celebrated Fabergé workshops created exquisite jewelled Easter eggs for the Russian Imperial Court. Most of these creations themselves contained hidden surprises such as clock-work birds, or miniature ships.

There are many other decorating techniques and numerous traditions of giving them as a token of friendship, love or good wishes. A tradition exists in some parts of the United Kingdom (such as Scotland and North East England) of rolling painted eggs down steep hills on Easter Sunday.

In the U.S., such an Easter egg roll (unrelated to an eggroll) is often done on flat ground, pushed along with a spoon; the Easter Egg Roll has become a muchloved annual event on the White House lawn. An Easter egg hunt is a common festive activity, where eggs are hidden outdoors (or indoors if in bad weather) for children to run around and find. This may also be a contest to see who can collect the most eggs.

When boiling eggs for Easter, a popular tan colour can be achieved by boiling the eggs with onion skins. A greater variety of colour was often provided by tying on the onion skin with different coloured woollen yarn.

In the North of England these are called pace-eggs or paste-eggs, from a dialectal form of Middle English pasche. They were usually eaten after an egg-jarping (egg tapping) competition.

Natural colours are obtained by using various plants: • Brown: onion peels • Black: oak or alder bark or the nutshell of walnut • Golden: the bark of young apple tree or the marigold flower • Violet: petals of the mallow flower • Green: shoots of young rye or leaves of periwinkle • Pink: the juice of beet.

The egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out, hence eggs can be seen in many religions.

The ancient Zoroastrians painted eggs for Nowruz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The tradition continues among other faiths today. The Nowruz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years.

The sculptures on the walls of Persepolis show people carrying eggs for Nowruz to the king.

The Neo-Pagan holiday of Ostara occurs at roughly the same time as Easter. While it is often claimed that the use of painted eggs is an ancient, pre-Christian component of the celebration of Ostara there are no historical accounts that the celebration of Ostara included this practice. Rather, the use of painted eggs has been adopted under the assumption that it might be a preChristian survival.

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HALL COMPUTING |

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Hall Computing services are based in the heart of Coalville. We are a small computer maintenance and website development business that aims to support business and domestic users. It does not matter if you are a small or large business and you need new computer systems, or a start up or upgrade of your current website, we will accommodate you. Even if you are a home user just needing advice and support or even just to buy the computing essentials: inks, cd’s, dvd’s, flash drives etc, we are here to help.

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The Springboard Centre Mantle Lane Coalville LE67 3DW

UPDATE FROM YOUR LOCAL MP

ANDREW BRIDGEN | My last month in Parliament has been dominated by two issues, The Budget and my amendment to the Deregulation Bill calling for decriminalisation of non payment of the Television Licence fee. In the Budget, there was action taken on a number of issues I have campaigning about over the last year. I have called for a freeze in fuel duty as so many people in North West Leicestershire have no choice but to use a car and the price of fuel is a significant outgoing. I was therefore delighted at yet another freeze by the Chancellor meaning fuel is 20p lower than it would have been under the plans we inherited from the previous Government.

Other measures taken such as the removal of VAT on fuel for the Air Ambulance based at East Midlands Airport, the halving of duty on Bingo and the cut in duty on a pint of beer are all issues I have raised with the Chancellor, and the action taken is very welcome.

HOUSE! TREASURY GIVES BOOST TO BINGO, AFTER CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED BY ANDREW BRIDGEN MP

The action taken on pensions will mean you get the chance to decide how to use your pension pot rather than being forced into buying an annuity paying increasingly pitiful returns. This is a Government that believes you know best how to use your own money.

I have also been spending a lot of time in Parliament pursuing my amendment to see non payment of the TV Licence decriminalised. In 2012 180,000 people were prosecuted for non payment making up 1 in 9 Magistrates cases.

51 of those ended up in Prison, many of whom were single women with children. It seems totally wrong that people are being criminalised for being poor, and I see no reason why the BBC should be a special case when it comes

Andrew Bridgen MP gave their reaction to the successful campaign. ‘I am delighted that George Osborne was not only able to lower the rate of duty but

17

Tel: 01530 417736 - Email: andrew.bridgen.mp@parliament.uk

The increase in the personal allowance to £10,500 will mean thousands of people in North West Leicestershire have been taken out of paying income tax altogether under this Government and the changes will save a typical basic rate taxpayer over £800 a year.

the campaign, by writing to the Treasury following his visit to Flutters Bingo in Coalville.

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to payment. It has been supported by over 150 colleagues from all political parties and I am hopeful that it will see the end to this blot on our legislation.

Locally I have recently visited Leicester and Burton Hospitals to hear updates on their performance and plans for improvement, and also the Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough which serves the East Midlands and does a fantastic job supporting children and parents. I am also holding jobs fair at Snibston Discovery Park on the 11th April between 10am and 3pm and I would urge anyone looking for work or a change of direction to attend. I am pleased to report that there are 585 fewer people are unemployed in the District compared to this time last year and 210 of those were aged between 18 and 24.

That is 585 people in jobs and paying tax. All part of our long term economic plan to get this Country back on track.

Andrew Bridgen

ANDREW BRIDGEN VISITS THE NEW SALVATION ARMY STORE IN COALVILLE

The local Salvation Army have moved into 22-24 Belvoir Road, Coalville.

Andrew Bridgen MP visited to see the offerings at the new charity shop, have a coffee in the community drop in centre and learn about the private discussion area at the back shop which is available for his constituents.

Hundreds of bingo customers are celebrating, after the Chancellor reduced the tax burden on the bingo club in North West Leicestershire following a campaign supported by Andrew Bridgen MP. In this week’s Budget, George Osborne reduced the duty on bingo clubs from 20% to 10%.

It means almost 400 bingo clubs in communities across England, Scotland and Wales can now fulfil their commitment to invest in new premises, modernisation and jobs.

The Boost Bingo campaign, run by The Bingo Association, gathered more than 330,000 petition signatures from bingo players across Britain calling for the Government to reduce bingo duty. Andrew Bridgen supported

to halve it. I know from visiting Flutters Bingo in Coalville how much people value the Bingo Hall and the social aspect of the game.

This announcement will mean more money can be pumped into facilities and secure its long term future. I look forward to visiting Flutters again in the future and hopefully calling the numbers again, particularly Cameron’s Den, Number Ten’ Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, said "This is brilliant news! Bingo operators and bingo players are delighted that the Government has recognised the importance of bingo clubs in hundreds of communities across Britain. I'm

Major Cathy Roe of the Salvation Army said “ The new premise offers us, The chance to re-establish the work of the salvation army in the community, Provide a place of safety and communication with a drink, Provide a place of reference for help (ie family tracing), Social need provision in emergency circumstances (house fire, loss of belongings), Share confidential communication Andrew Bridgen MP said “I was delighted to visit the Salvation Army hub in Coalville after its grand opening early this year. The Charity offers a range of services and is a great resource for constituents who are looking for help and support. The team also informed me that they are open to ideas of activities to help to meet the needs of the community, if you could offer any ideas please do get in touch and visit the store.” sure the constituents of North West Leicestershire who enjoy a visit to their local bingo club will be delighted to hear the game they love has received the boost they campaigned so hard for.

Bingo operators identified a programme of investment that would be freed up by the tax

reduction. Now that's happened, I look forward to seeing the investment and modernisation that will take the industry forward. I'd like to thank the Government for listening to the concerns of bingo players, and thank Andrew Bridgen for their support for a fair rate of taxation for bingo clubs."

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| LOCAL NEWS

JAMIE MCMAHON |

Osborne’s Budget does nothing to tackle cost of living crisis.

George Osborne and David Cameron unveiled their latest Budget last month only for people to find no action to help tackle Britain’s cost of living crisis. This Budget proved that you’re worse off under the Tories and while some positive steps were taken to help savings and pensions what local people really needed was action from the Government to tackle living standards and sadly we found none. This was a missed opportunity at a time when families and local people really need help.

Labour has a plan to help local people. Getting people into work and tackling the cost of living crisis are our top priority.

The Chancellor boasted about how well things were going, but it was totally out of touch with hardworking people facing a cost-of-living crisis. We need a recovery for the many, not just a few at the top.

Tel: 01530 277825 - Email: jamie@labournwl.org.uk

• Wages are down £1,600 a year since David Cameron became Prime Minister.

• The independent Office for Budget Responsibility confirmed that people will be worse off in 2015 than they were in 2010.

• They talk about the personal allowance but forget the 24 Tory tax rises introduced by George Osborne.

earning over £150,000, while everyone else is worse off. Bank bonuses are rising again, even though businesses still can’t get the finance they need. Since George Osborne boasted about a “march of the makers”, manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure investment are all down. Exports are falling not rising.

• Energy bills are up almost £300 since the election.

David Cameron and George Osborne can’t deliver a recovery for the many because they stand up for a privileged few.

They cut the top rate of tax for people

CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON SNIBSTON – HAVE YOUR SAY The Tories at Leicestershire County Council are set to launch the formal consultation on the future of Snibston Museum and Discovery Park. The Tories want to close the Museum and it is vital local residents have their say. As I’ve reported here many times the fight to save Snibston is far from over and working with the Friends of Snibston we’re determined to save this vital part of Coalville.

Labour County Councillor for Coalville, Dr Terri Eynon shares my concerns about the plans and said “The public sector has a reputation for making decisions first and consulting afterwards. The Cabinet papers do not provide any alternative options. It gives the impression of a ‘fait accompli’ rather than a consultation. I do hope stakeholders take this opportunity to offer ways to make the savings without destroying this popular tourist attraction.”

You’ll find links to the County’s consultation on our website as soon as the consultation is launched. Make sure you have your say and help keep Snibston open for the future. Visit our website at www.labournwl.org.uk.

BRITAIN CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS BRITAIN NEEDS A LABOUR GOVERNMENT TO:

• Expand free childcare for working parents to 25 hours a week for 3 and 4 year olds

• Freeze energy bills until 2017 and reform the broken energy market.

• Cut business rates for small firms.

• Put young people back to work, with a job the young unemployed have to take – paid for by a tax on bank bonuses

• Cut taxes for 24 million working people on middle and low incomes with a lower 10p starting rate of income tax

• Balance the books in the next Parliament, in a fairer way including reversing the £3 billion tax cut for people earning over £150,000.

GRAND OPENING AT THE HERMITAGE FM CAFE

Images Curtsey from: Stephen Marriott Photographic Services Copyright 2014

HEALTH & WELLBEING

LOVE YOUR FEET!

FEELING LOW OR TIRED ?

HERE’S 5 SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP

Be active. You don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find the activity that you enjoy, and make it a part of your life.

Keep learning. Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

Give to others. Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word.

Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

Take notice. Be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”, and it can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

CHILDREN'S EYECARE HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY SEE! How do you know what your child can see? Good vision is essential in childhood development and regular eye examinations are the key to good vision. The earlier any problem is detected, the greater the chances of it being corrected.

So even if nothing appears to be wrong, it's important to make sure your child has a sight test at least once a year.

AN EYE EXAMINATION IS PAINLESS, WHILST YOUR CHILD'S EYESIGHT IS PRICELESS One in five school aged children has an undiagnosed vision problem that can interfere with their ability to learn. Good vision during a child's early years is vital as visual learning accounts for 80% of the learning process. Just as children visit the dentist at regular intervals from infancy, they should also visit the opticians for regular eye examinations. Vision problems are seldom immediately evident to parents/teachers and often don't cause pain, so tend to be ignored in a way that toothache can't.

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Submitted by Sally Hinds Feet Foot Care T: 07806786616 E: hindsfeetfootcare@gmail.com W: www.hindsfeetfootcare.co.uk

Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. If you approach them with an open mind and try them, you can judge the results yourself.

Connect. Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.

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IT'S AS IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN'S EYES EXAMINED AS IT IS TO HAVE THEIR TEETH CHECKED An eye examination is free for all children under the age of 19 who are still in full time education and NHS will also give your child a voucher towards the cost of spectacles if required.

VISION SCREENING IS NO LONGER CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM Some tell tale signs you should look out for: • Skipping or re-reading lines • Holding books close to his or her face

Maintaining good foot health becomes increasingly important with age, with most problems being related to general wear and tear and ill fitting footwear. The average person walks around 115,000 miles in a life time, more than four times around the earth! (or 3 times depending on which website you look at!). Many people wear shoes that are a size too small. The size worn in teens and twenties is often smaller than that needed in our forties and fifties, through increasing load on feet by weight gain and changes to foot structure. Afternoon is thought to be the best time to shop for shoes when feet are at their most swollen to avoid those inevitable blisters and sore heels often experienced when ‘wearing in’ new shoes.

So why is good foot care so important? To maintain mobility and to avoid ‘slips, trips and broken hips’ and future problems!

Untreated corns, callus (hard skin), verruca, and long or in-growing toenails can cause pressure and pain altering the way we walk (gait) causing foot, hip or back pain. Broken skin may become infected resulting in sepsis or ulceration; particular care is needed by diabetics who tend to be more susceptible to foot problems.

Socrates (471-401bc) said “To him whose feet hurt everything hurts”.

Simple treatment can often make a world of difference to how our feet feel, and therefore to our whole health and well being. Useful websites: www.foot.com/site/ professional/foot-facts, www.nhs. uk, www.patient.co.uk

• Complaining of print "running together"or jumping • Short attention span • Complaining of frequent headaches • Unduly distracted by other activities • Blinking frequently • Difficulty with hand eye co-ordination • A dislike of bright lights • Bumping into things

different options with you and only recommend spectacles that suit both your child's needs and your budget.

GLASSES FOR YOUNG EYES You'll find that our practice offers a wide range of attractive styles specially designed for young faces.

Many frames have soft nose pads for extra comfort and sprung hinges to stand up to the rough and tumble of everyday life. Children must feel comfortable about wearing spectacles - or they won't use them when they should. So we take great care to explain why glasses are important, as well as ensuring that they fit well and look good.

Normally we supply modern plastic lenses as they are safer and lighter than glass. They're available with special coatings which resist scratches and block out potentially harmful UV light. For even greater protection, however, there are lenses made of polycarbonate.

Although more expensive, they are virtually unbreakable and are ideal for children. We will discuss the

TESTING YOUNG EYES Regular eye examinations could be crucial for your child's healthcare and personal development. Ideally your child should have an eye test before his or her first birthday, with further check-ups at around eighteen months and three years.

That way any problems can be discovered well before school starts. A large proportion of squints, for example, develop before the age of three.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR CHILD IS TOO YOUNG TO TALK OR READ A LETTER CHART. Our optometrists use a range of techniques and modern equipment to detect visual problems at any age. You are also encouraged to take part in the eye test and ask any questions about your child's vision.

Article supplied by Bonita Irish FBDO Hallcroft Opticians Shepshed 01509 650666

20

| LOCAL NEWS

NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE EDITORIAL

North West Leicestershire is clearly a great place to do business - that is evident by the number of large businesses that have relocated to the area in recent years and also by the success of many small businesses that have grown from their humble beginnings. Businesses are attracted here not only by the conditions to do business and the excellent infrastructure, transport links and funding opportunities, but also by the talented & skilled people who live and work in the district. The future of these talents and skills is safeguarded by the excellent schools and colleges across the region. Arguably, the opportunities for our young people to get into training and employment via the likes of Stephenson College in Coalville and Apprenticeship Schemes are greater than ever.

Whilst these opportunities are well publicised and everyone involved in the education, training and mentoring of our young people are well versed in them, the North West Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce in consultation with their members, has recognised that encouraging young, talented people to turn their business ideas into reality is not necessarily as widely promoted as the other paths to success.

If you are lucky enough to be between 16 to 23 years of age and have a credible business idea, what other options are open to you? Whilst some young people may have great support from family and friends, not all of their supporters may be in a position to neither invest in them financially nor be able to offer the experience of starting or running a business that will be so vital to their success.

Now, there is another option.

See on right.

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THE NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS INTRODUCED A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD The winner of the award will receive not only £1000 to help kick start their business & 12 months Chamber membership, but also, and perhaps far more importantly at such a pivotal stage, the opportunity to be mentored by the Chamber of Commerce committee and their 50 strong membership of local business people.

Their members' collective knowledge and experience encompass most business sectors and includes almost every facet of starting or running a business - from experts in sales, marketing and communications, to accountancy, training and funding. The membership itself is diverse, ranging from sole traders to Managing Directors employing many hundreds of staff - a real cross section of the business landscape. This mentoring and guidance is sure to make a huge difference to any young person passionate about getting their business idea off the ground.

The Chamber has tried to make the application process as inclusive as possible but needless to say, applicants must be between the ages of 16 to 23 by the closing date for applications (June 30th 2014) and be a resident of North West Leicestershire. More details can be found on the Chamber Website www.nwleicschamber. co.uk/ye2014 The applications will be individually and independently judged and then narrowed down to between 3 and 5 people. They will then have the chance to present their idea further to a 5 strong judging panel which will be independent of the Chamber committee. The winner will be announced in the autumn.

The North West Leicestershire Chamber of Trade and Commerce was started just 2 years ago and is run by a committee of unpaid volunteers for the benefit of its members. The membership is now more than 50 strong. The Chamber's tag line represents the ethos behind the organisation namely it is driven by members for the benefit of members - 'Your

Voice, Your Vision, Our Goal'.

The mandate for the Chamber's activity was set by a questionnaire sent to members to canvass their opinion as to what the Chamber priorities should be. They hold meetings bi-monthly for members but also actively invite nonmembers to come along and see what it's all about. Investigating opportunities for business funding, training, government support schemes, employment support schemes, engaging with local authorities, championing the 'Buy Local' concept, supporting retail regeneration and lobbying on behalf of members are just a few of their activities.

There are approximately 25 million people employed in the UK. 60% of these 25 million work for micro, small or medium sized businesses which is where our young entrepreneurs will be making their start in business.

Understanding that the region's future prosperity and employment opportunities could well lie in their hands is precisely why the Chamber has created this award.

Ask yourself this question - do you know a young person with passion and a credible business idea that could do with a helping hand? If so, do urge them to apply.

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21

22

| KIDS CORNER

Christie Cat and her yummy carrot muffins

C

hristie Cat decided to bake some yummy carrot muffins. The sun was shining and she could hear the birds singing through her open kitchen window.

Christie started to weigh out all the ingredients she needed and put them in to a large mixing bowl.

Christie then went to the pantry to get the carrots but Oh NO! She hadn’t any left. She was very sad, Carrot muffins are her favourite and she was really looking forward to them.

Christie told Daniel all about her plan to make carrot muffins and that she hadn’t any carrots left so would have to have plain muffins instead.

‘Don’t worry’ said Daniel Dog, ‘I have lots of carrots growing in my garden, I shall go and dig some up for you.’

Christie was so happy, with Daniels help she finished baking her carrot muffins and as a thank you she invited Daniel to stay and share the muffins.

So Christie and Daniel sat in the garden eating homemade (and home grown) carrot muffins and drinking fresh lemonade. ‘Do you know what Daniel?’ said Christie, ‘I think cakes taste better when shared with friends’. ‘I think you’re right!’ said Daniel.

Just then Christie Cat heard Daniel Dog shouting ‘Hello’ over the garden fence.

‘Lovely day Christie’ He shouted.

‘I suppose so’ replied Christie.

‘What’s wrong?’ said Daniel.

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