December 2022 Your Local Ratby, Kirby Muxloe & Leicester Forest East

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Eat To Beat Joint Pain

Article by Gary Trickett

The term ‘arthritis’ literally means ‘inflammation of the joints’, and it is estimated to affect one in five of us. As you grow older your body is often unable to replace new cartilage to counteract any loss, allowing insufficiently cushioned bones to rub together causing inflammation, pain and stiffness. Excessive sporting wear and tear, through running or cycling for example, can accelerate this process, and some forms of arthritis are hereditary.

The good news is diet and natural remedies can go a long way to helping reduce joint pain and stiffness.

Let’s start with your diet first: some foods help with joint pain, others make it worse. Eating less of the foods that increase inflammation and more of the anti-inflammatory foods that help to reduce inflammation is a good first step. Reduce your intake of coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks and foods made from refined white flour and white sugar, as these foods are known to promote unhealthy levels of inflammation.

Do eat lots of oily fish or plant oils, nuts and seeds, and plenty of fresh vegetables and berries; they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation, and are key staples of the Mediterranean diet, whose anti-inflammatory characteristics have been the focus of a number of studies on arthritis and joint pain. Replace refined foods with brown rice, millet, barley, quinoa or buckwheat. These foods can be eaten in their whole food form, or try the pastas, noodles, breads and crackers made from them in place of your usual choices.

Local Author Releases Children’s Book

Article by Kirsty

Hi, I’m Kirsty, author of the children’s book ‘PASCAL POODLE PERSEVERES’.

Here is a little bit about me…I grew up in Markfield and then moved to Groby at the age of 16. I have been a primary school teacher in Leicestershire schools for 12 years and it has always been a dream of mine to release my own story book for children to read and enjoy.

I have thoroughly loved writing this story and I was so happy when I found a local illustrator, Glen Holman, who could bring the story and characters to life.

This book has rhyme and alliteration throughout and it covers the import themes of teamwork, problem solving and perseverance. It is aimed at children aged 4-8 years and I would love for you to buy a copy to share with your little ones this Christmas.

Copies of Pascal Poodle Perseveres are available to buy online at Amazon.co.uk for £6.99

Not got a QR scanner or not working? Use this link: www.issuu.com/norwoodpress

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Magazine printed by Norwood Press, Moore Road, South Leicester Industrial Estate, Ellistown, Leicestershire, LE67 1EU

Spice things up! Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are known to help relieve muscle soreness, menstrual cramps, headaches and arthritis. Turmeric is also well-documented for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action in the body.

Another natural anti-inflammatory is Devil’s Claw, or Harpagophytum, a plant only found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. It has been used for many years to help reduce rheumatic, muscle and joint pain and studies suggest that long-term use of Devil’s Claw is not only safe, but may also lead to improvements in those with chronic lower back pain. Try A. Vogel’s Atrosan Devil’s Claw tablets. Atrosan may also be used to help with rheumatism, for the relief of joint and muscular pain.

For further information, visit Gary and his team at The Health Store, West Bridgford or call 0115 9814080.

Fixes Plaque At Kirby Church

Article by Alice Lyon

A huge thank you to my grandpa (David Jones) who fixed and replaced a plaque located next to the oldest tree in the Kirby Church ground. He took it upon himself to replace the old one that had rotted and fallen apart and being an ex carpenter he has made a new one and replaced it by the tree.

Kirby Muxloe Local Committee For Cancer Research UK

Article by Jenny Vincent

A huge Thank you to Newbold Verdon Community Choir for singing at our recent fundraising supper on Saturday 26th November, at Kirby Muxloe Golf Club. The Choir kindly gave their time and wonderful voices free of charge.

A very big Thank you goes to the wonderful people that supported the K.M.Fundraising Committee. We raised the truly amazing amount of £1,139, not only from the event tickets, but also from your generous donations on the evening.

The concert was amazing and the jokes kept coming from one member who did all the introductions. We all came away happy after being well fed and entertained. Thank you everyone involved and the committee.

Happy New Year!

Ratby Parish Church Services & Events For December

Article

by Rev’d Dr Ed Bampton

Monday 19th December 7pm

Sing Christmas with BBC Radio Leicester- Bulls Head Ratby

Friday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 3pm

Crib Service Parish Church

11-30pm Midnight Holy Communion Parish Church

Sunday 25th December (Christmas Day) 10am

Family Christmas Communion Parish Church 11-`15 am Telephone service for housebound people

For more details about any of our services or events please contact Rev’d Dr Ed Bampton

Ratby Parish Church, Church Lane Tel: 0116 239 6520

Email: revdredbampton@outlook.com

Protecting Your Family Inheritance

Article by Klara Dixon

Our frontline staff follow Government guidelines for visiting you in your home and they are fully vaccinated. LevLaw Ltd remains here for you.

Most people hope that their estate will pass on to their children and grandchildren eventually.

But this will not happen for many, unless careful arrangements have been made to protect their assets from being taken towards the end of their life to pay for care home fees. The solution to help protect your estate is a Will incorporating a Property Protection Trust (PPT).

A testamentary PPT can only be executed whilst both partners remain alive. Upon death of the first partner, their Will specifies that their share of the property is placed into trust and names the ultimate beneficiary of this share, normally the children and grandchildren of the deceased. The surviving partner, under the terms of the trust, has the unequivocal right to remain living in the property for the rest of their life. On the death of the second partner the Trust comes to an end and the property passes to the beneficiaries.

As the surviving partner does not own the deceased’s share of the property it is fully protected for the beneficiaries, so if the surviving partner requires care, or even remarries, this share of the children’s inheritance is protected. This last point can be particular interest to couples who have come together and have children with different partners.

A PPT can help each person in a relationship ensuring that their children inherit their share of the property, while giving their surviving partner the ability to live in the property for the rest of their life. If the surviving partner wants to move to another property, they can still sell the property and the proceeds to be used to purchase a new property, the terms of the Trust remain over the new property.

Ratby Cinema Club For Senior Citizens

Venue Ratby Parish Church Church Lane LE6 0JE Film starts at 2pm Doors open 1-15PM

13th January 10th February 10th March 21st April 19th May 9th June 7th July 18th August 15th September 13th October 10th November 8th December

Refreshments available after the film

There is no formal cost for admission however we do hold a small raffle and all donations go towards our holiday at home week for senior citizens.

Due to our licencing restrictions, we are only allowed to advertise the film title in the church building.

For more information, please contact Joan Hawkins Tel: 07545909868

£1000 Raised For Cancer Charity

Article by Adam Hodges

Bosworth Academy students, families and staff have raised over £1000 for a childhood cancer charity.

In September Bosworth Academy students took part in the Gold Ribbon Run raising money for Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) which was organised by Year 13 student Kiya K.

A total of £1040.88 was raised and representatives from CCLG visited Bosworth Academy on Thursday 17 November to meet Kiya, and other Year 13 students who assisted in the fundraising, and receive a cheque to mark the achievement.

Kiya was diagnosed 18 months ago with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but is now in recovery and is overjoyed by the fundraising efforts:

“It is amazing that I was able to pull this whole event together! I obviously couldn't have done it without the Post 16 helpers and Senior Leader Mr Grest, who sorted all the logistics out.

“I'm so grateful for the amount of people who donated to support me and the charity. It means the absolute world that we raised over £1000 for CCLG as they are such an amazing charity who helped me through my journey,” said Kiya.

CCLG are a national cancer charity based in Leicester that have been funding research into childhood cancer treatment for over 45 years and have raised over £15 million in the past six years. The charity also supports families through diagnosis and treatment.

Kiya said that she will continue fundraising for cancer research: “I am hoping to do a couple more fundraising events for a couple different charities. Thank you everyone for the support that you have all shown me. It means so much!”

Becky Charlton and Hannah Ortega from CCLG said they were extremely grateful for the contribution made:

“On behalf of everyone at CCLG, we wanted to say a huge thank you to Kiya and everyone at Bosworth Academy for raising an incredible amount for vital research.” said Becky.

Rolls-Royce Retired Employees Association

January events on the 10th members meet at Rolls-Royce Leisure from 12:30 to 2:00pm. On the 25th members are going on a trip to Marsh Farm shopping & having a meal there. Any new members who would like to join. Please get in touch with Anthony Norton on 01332 703996.

Christmas 2022 Christmas 2022 at KMFC at KMFC

Thursday 15 Thursday 15 th th December. December.

Saltmine Theatre Company Presents – Neverland – 6.30pm. Tickets available from KMFC (01162393173, tickets@kirbyfree.org)

Saturday 17 Saturday 17 th th December. December.

Messy Church does Christmas – 4.00-6.00pm – Festive Family Fun.

Sunday 18 Sunday 18 th th December. December.

Family Nativity Service – 10.30am – 11.30am.

Sunday 18 Sunday 18 th th December. December.

Carols by Candlelight – 6.00–7.00pm – Traditional Carols at KMFC.

Friday 23 Friday 23 rd rd December. December.

Blue Christmas Service – 6.00–7.00pm. A quieter, more reflective service for those wishing to remember loved ones no longer with us this Christmas.

Saturday 24 Saturday 24 th th December – Christmas Eve. December – Christmas Eve.

Carols Around The Tree – 7.00–7.30pm – outdoor carols & refreshments.

Sunday 25 Sunday 25 th th December – Christmas Day. December – Christmas Day. Christmas Day Family Service – 10.00-10.45am.

Contact us: Phone – 0116 239 3173 Email – admin@kirbyfree.org Facebook - @kmfreechurch

Article by Graham Burton

Leicester Forest East Parish Council

Article by Holly Mann

URGENT! – Grant Applications Reminder

The Parish Council's Grants Scheme’s deadline (31.12.2022) is fast approaching, check out the link below to see if your community group is eligible for a grant: www.lfeparishcouncil.org.uk/uploads/grants-policy-1.pdf

A Big Thank You

To everyone who came to the Quiz Night at LFE Parish Hall on 22 October. 15 teams entered with amusing names including Men Outnumbered and Ratby OAP’s. Only 13 points separated the teams at the end of the evening so lots of knowledge and great team spirit.

On Saturday 19th November a group of over 25 volunteers from Leicester Forest East, and from the Mostyn Gospel Hall Trust, litter-picked around Leicester Forest East. They were then rewarded with a free breakfast bap and hot drink back at the Parish Hall. The Parish Council would like to sincerely thank all those who took part; plans are afoot for another litter pick next year.

A fun filled evening and lots of money raised. I delighted to say that £1100 has been submitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to be added to the building fund for a new transplant unit.

My thanks again to all who came along.

Rosemarie

Interested in becoming a Parish Councillor?

Daniel Smith Blues Band

Craft Fair

Back in October the Parish Hall was filled with craft stalls, selling a wide variety of products. Special thanks to the Parish Council’s Premises Officer for organising this very successful event which raised vital funds for prostate cancer and breast cancer charities.

Quiz Night

At the end of October, the Parish Hall was packed for the Quiz Evening. Quiz teams enjoyed a great night of challenging questions and a supper too. The evening raised over £1,000 for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, towards a new transplant unit.

The Parish Councils seats are currently not all filled, which means there are spaces for Councillors. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, we would love to hear from you. Please call Holly, the Clerk, on 0116 239 0039 or email clerk@ lfeparishvcouncil.org.uk

You can also check out the new Parish Councillor recruitment webpage, for more information, at: www.lfeparishcouncil.org.uk/ parish-councillor-recruitment.html

The Daniel Smith Blues Band is coming to Leicester Forest East Parish Hall – for one night only!

Daniel has been described as ‘a serious challenger to Jools Holland’ by Blues in Britain so this promises to be an excellent night. Get your tickets fast, before they sell out!

When: Friday 17th February 2023 Time: 7pm Tickets: TicketSource.com Price: £10.00 each

Facebook

The Parish Council’s brand-new Facebook page is now up and running so please like and share for all the latest Parish Council news and events: www.facebook.com/ LeicesterForestEastPC

Local Area Co-ordination

At a recent Parish Council meeting, Katie Barradell, Leicester Forest East’s Local Area Co-ordinator was in attendance. Katie explained all of the excellent work she and her team complete across the county, a summary of which is below but includes helping people to manage a wide variety of issues, including debt, cost of living, loneliness, mental health etc, before they get to crisis point. Please get in touch with Katie if you are in need of help:

Lastly… Merry Christmas!

The Parish Council would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Litter Pick – a HUGE Success!

We are extremely honoured to be part of the WHICH Trusted Traders. WHICH is a well known distinguished “consumer champion”.

As a vetted trader of there’s you can guarantee that we are an honest and trustworthy trader. Please visit our Facebook, Twitter and Google Business accounts to see our genuine reviews.

We are advocates of Reconditioned stairlifts. We believe that they are great value, they have the same warranty as something new. They are more cost effective, and kinder on the environment.

Christmas At Leicester Animal Aid And How You Can Help

Article by Lucy Connor

As you can see, we are busy getting ready for the festive season here at Leicester Animal Aid. Ralph, the 9-year-old Husky would love to find his furrever home in time for Christmas, and when Santa called in to see him recently, he promised to try and work his magic!

Ralph has been with us since the Summer, he is a clever and talkative dog, but we think his age, and the fact he is a chunky boy, means he is getting overlooked by people. Also, Cats like Malibu here, who is a shy and sensitive girl who came to us after having kittens, is also looking for a loving and responsible home but finding it is taking a bit longer than it should. We really hope to find them both homes soon but if they are still with us over the festive period, both Ralph and Malibu, and all the other animals in our care, will receive a gift. This is thanks to the generosity of the public who donate to our Christmas Appeal.

Maybe you would like to help animals like Ralph and Malibu? Making a donation of just £6 will mean that each animal receives a gift, and you will also be helping the animals arriving in 2023 feel warm, safe, well-fed and loved. There are plenty of ways to donate that are easy and quick including visiting our website or donating via our Facebook page.

If you would like to help in other ways, perhaps you would like to visit our on-site Charity Shops, order some of our Christmas Cards or the 2023 Calendar online, or maybe even just like and share our posts on Facebook. You could also become a member and support us all year round.

Whatever way you decide to help you can find information about us, our animals, and the work we do on our website. We wish you and your pets a very Happy Christmas and a safe, happy and prosperous 2023.

Leicester Animal Aid is a rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and cats. Every year, we care for more than 300 dogs and cats who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer look after them.

We rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our doors open to the hundreds of animals who need our help.

www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk hwww.justgiving.com/campaign/LAAChristmasAppeal2022 www.facebook.com/leicesteranimalaid

Leicester Forest East Community Library

Article by Paul Turner

A Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year to all

Christmas Fair – Thank you to all those you attended We raised over £250 for the library funds at the Christmas fair which will help to the increased running costs and the removal of the County Council grants in April. The wide range of stalls including Samosas, Cakes, Jigsaws as well as local crafts stalls made an enjoyable event. Many thanks to those you attended and brought items.

The library is a warm hub

During the colder months and beyond, during our normal opening hours we are open as a 'Warm Hub' where you can spend time, reading or working. Bring along your craft or hobby activity, complete a jigsaw, play board games, etc. Meet up with friends to chat and keep warm in comfort. Bring the children along to play in our safe play area. Hot drinks, Cup-aSoups, toast, crumpets will be available to purchase. Everyone is welcome.

Volunteers required – Are you one or do you know one?

The library is a community library run by the community and we are

always looking for volunteers. This can be a regular slot or just helping out at odd events. If you want to commit some time to helping then please drop into the library to see what is involved.

Don’t worry if you cannot get to the library as there are other background jobs and we need some help with our social media presence. Please contact us using the QR code below.

The library 100 Club

We realise that some of us are time deprived so another way of helping is to join the 100 Club. For £1 a month you are entered into a monthly draw with a cash prize for the first 3 numbers drawn out of the hat. Please apply using the QR code below giving your name and address and we can get you an application form.

Library Paper Christmas Quiz

We have our annual Christmas quiz available for £1 with the lucky winner getting a £15 gift voucher. The return date is the 21st January so to keep you brain active over the Christmas period please pick one up from the library.

Christmas Closures

The library will be closed from the Saturday 24th December to Wednesday 4th January 2023.

Opening times and QR Code to contact us

New Opening Hours from 1st Nov 22

Mon 2pm - 5pm

Tue Closed

Wed 10am – 4:30pm 6pm - 8pm

Thurs 10am - noon 2pm - 4pm

Fri 2pm - 5pm

Sat* 10am - noon

* 1st Saturday of the month coffee morning 10am - 1pm

The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group

Article by Judith Upton

The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group generally meets 6 times a year, and membership is open to all. Visitors are always welcome to all our meetings, which usually take place in St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Main St., Kirby Muxloe and start at 7.30 pm.

Details of the dates of meetings, together with the topics that will be covered, are shown on the notice board in Kirby Muxloe Library and on our website, which is www.kirbymuxloelocalhistorygroup.org

Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th January 2023. Our meetings are held in St Bart’s Church Hall on Main Street, Kirby Muxloe and start at 7:30. On Tuesday 21st March we will be welcoming back Steve Allen, a singer and guitarist who visited us around two years ago when he gave part one of his musical tour. This time he will be performing “A Folk Music Trip through History” part 2. The evening will be accompanied by a meal with wine or soft drink. Details to be announced later. Tickets will be on sale at our meeting in January.

Visitors are always most welcome. Full yearly membership £10 plus a fee of £2 paid at each visit. Visitors- £5 entrance fee for each single session.

Christmas.

Sometimes, as Christmas draws near, I find it challenging to think of an interesting subject on which to write an article. This year I decided to explore the way Christmas is celebrated in different countries. Rather than resort to books or the internet I find it much more interesting to talk to people who have lived in the countries and really experienced life at Christmas, not as a tourist but as a resident. Fortunately, it has not been too difficult to find enough people with stories to tell.

Firstly Switzerland, as my own brother and family lived there for more than ten years, it seemed a good country to begin with, so I asked him to write a section.

He says- “Christmas in Switzerland is more traditional and far less commercialised than in the UK. It starts with a celebration of St Nicholas Day on December 6th. In Bern, where we lived this involves sleighs (on wheels) being pulled by real reindeer through the streets. Chocolates and gingerbread are shared with the local children, who line the streets, by an intriguingly large number of Santa Claus’ ably assisted by Schmutzli (Santa’s assistant). Behind the scenes, St Nicholas Day is also an excuse for a multitude of parties of all types in homes and offices.

This is followed throughout most of December by a large and very lively Christmas Market in the centre of Bern. It always has a special aroma, probably due to the combination of hot glühwein, roasted chestnuts, schnaps and fresh iced gingerbread. The vast majority of stalls are run by local people who return every year. Many of the traditional houses around Bern are wooden chalet type with huge window boxes and these are liberally decorated with pine cones, holly, red ribbons, mistletoe and candles. Plastic decorations are frowned upon by the locals who like their natural decorations.

Most years, a few enthusiastic characters wrap up warmly and set up campfires topped with large copper cooking pots alongside the river Aare that winds through the centre of Bern. The cooking pots contain freshly made hot cheese fondue to eat by dipping chunks of bread, washed down with ample quantities of wine and schnaps. The Swiss have a way of drinking freely, but very rarely getting drunk.

Overall, Christmas in Switzerland is a more genuine celebration than we experience in the UK. Irrespective of religion etc., it is a time for enjoyment, friendliness and sharing”

The next Christmas experience is my own, when visiting our eldest daughter and family who live in Manhattan, New York. End of year celebrations in the U.S.A. begin on Thanksgiving Day. As many people will be aware, time off work for holidays is in short supply if you work in the U.S.A. However,

Thanksgiving is different and is a time to gather with family and friends. Thanksgiving this year is on Thursday 24th November. It is always on a Thursday and Friday to allow people to either get away to another part of the country or at least have four days off together. It is traditionally the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving is signified by the turkey with all the usual trimmings. The one thing I always find different and delicious is the stuffing accompanying the turkey. American stuffing has chunks of bread as an ingredient rather than bread crumbs. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cornbread (delicious) are a staple, as are pumpkin pie or pecan pie. The annual Macey’s Thanksgiving Parade is a sight never to be forgotten, larger than life figures together with enormous ballons, cheerleaders and numerous floats, parade from Macey’s store along the streets of Manhattan. Many people who when living in Manhattan live in apartments, choose to spend their days in their “other house” which is often a home on Long Island, close to the beach or a house in the forest in upstate New York. The day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday”. We seem to have adopted this custom here now, although in the USA it is often just one day when prices are slashed in the shops and everyone goes out to do their Christmas shopping.

On to Christmas. Food again- turkey with all the trimming but there is no plum pudding with brandy sauce and no Christmas cake, they are very much British customs. Traditionally people in the U.S.A. are back to work the day after Christmas day, they don’t celebrate Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a British day and was originally meant to be a day when the poor, tradespeople and servants were given gifts by their employers or people who were better off than the general population. Nowadays it seems to be the day when the sales start and everyone is out shopping for bargains. In the U.S.A. Christmas cards usually depict snow scenes and the caption is usually “Happy Holidays” in recognition of the multicultural society of the country.

And so on to Sweden and Germany. In Sweden gifts are given after dark on Christmas eve. The family gathers round the table and eat “julbord”, this is similar to smorgasbord but with more fish. If you have ever eaten smorgasbord with a Swedish family, you will know that the amount of food and the variety of food served is amazing; there are always meatballs, many types of fish (often raw), boiled potatoes, sausage and cheese amd rice pudding, all washed down with a glass of glogg (mulled wine). Often the snow is falling and it is very cold outside, but somehow this gives a real feeling of good cheer to the people inside their well-insulated houses.

Germany again follows the tradition of the children opening their gifts on Christmas eve. The majority of people have real Christmas trees, which are traditionally decorated with wooden ornaments and real candles. Food includes potato salad and sausage (most popular), goose, duck, pork or a fondue.

Last but by no means least is attending Church. Here in the U.K. and in Kirby Muxloe, Ratby and L.F.E. At the time of writing the Christmas eve and Christmas day services have yet to be announced, but normally there are services on Christmas eve and Christmas day. In Germany the most well attended services are on Christmas eve, Sweden, Switzerland the U.S.A. follow a similar pattern.

Enjoy Christmas, wherever you may be and however you celebrate this very special time. See you in 2023.

Frohe Weihnachten, God jul, Happy holidays!

Christmas market in Bern, Switzerland

Ozzy O’shea County Councillor

T: 0116 2394336 M: 07808585825

E: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

I thought the following may be of interest to residents during these difficult cost of living times.

Bookings are open for the sessions which include activities such as arts and crafts, sports, dance, games and music, alongside a nutritious meal.

They are available for children aged five to 16 who are receiving benefits-related free school meals.

Remember please type in the below link that takes you to the Couty Councils page and click on book places

Winter holiday clubs: www. leicestershire.gov.uk/news/sign-upnow-for-free-winter-holiday-clubs

Post Office Scam Text: How It Works

Scammers are again impersonating the Post Office in an attempt to steal your personal details.

and January 2022, and that the age group most likely to fall victim was 19 to 25-year-olds.

Warm Homes Need advice about keeping your home warm, heating it safely or struggling to pay bills?

Public Health runs the Warm Homes service for free advice and information on ways to reduce heating costs and stay warm in your home. For advice call the First Contact Plus team on 0116 305 4286 or visit the website following the link below.

https://firstcontactplus.org.uk/ourservices/your-home/warm-homes/ Residents can benefit from tailored advice by telephone, email, post and in some circumstances a home visit by the Warm Homes Officer. Residents requiring support through a home visit may be offered free energy saving items where appropriate.

Get support with:

• Checking energy tariffs – are you paying more than you need to on your energy bills?

• Grants for heating and insulation measures

• Energy debt management and help to clear it

• Checking heating and hot water controls

• Understanding your properties Energy Performance Certificate

• Accessing subsidies offered by your energy supplier

• Support for vulnerable residents

Home energy advice:

• Grants for energy efficiency measures such as insulation and boiler replacement:

• For Advice use the below link to go to the website

• Warm homes advice: https:// firstcontactplus.org.uk/ourservices/your-home/warmhomes/

You can check eligibility to take part, search providers and book places. To view all available provisions, click on the 'Winter 2022 HAF Activities List' document.

Type in the below link that takes you to the Couty Councils page and click on book places

Winter holiday clubs: www. leicestershire.gov.uk/news/sign-upnow-for-free-winter-holiday-clubs

The free clubs are being offered as part of Leicestershire 'Holidays Together’ - a Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme funded by the Department for Education.

Leicestershire County Council is working with Active Together(link is external) to deliver the scheme, which is being held at venues across the county by schools, voluntary and community organisations, childcare providers and sports clubs.

We are excited to be able to offer these sessions once again.

“They present a brilliant opportunity for children and young people to make new friends, learn new skills and, importantly, have fun. At what can be a difficult time of year for many families, we hope as many children as possible access this great opportunity to receive a daily healthy meal and have fun playing sport and being active.“ Geoff Maltby, sports development manager at Active Together

As well as the winter ‘Holidays Together’, the council is continuing with measures to tackle the rising cost of living and help residents most in need of financial support over the winter months.

These are to include vouchers worth £15 per week to help the families of 14,000 children in Leicestershire who are eligible for free school meals to buy food over the break.

Dodgy delivery texts are among the most common types of scam seen this year, they pray upon people who are genuinely waiting for a parcel to arrive.

The latest Post Office text scam asks you to take action by telling you that your parcel has been sent back to your local branch.

The fraudulent text messages reads: ‘Post Office: Your parcel has been redirected to your local branch due to an unpaid shipping fee.’

It links to a legitimate-looking website, where it asks you to pay for the redelivery of your parcel. Never click on this kind of link or provide any personal data.

How to report a dodgy delivery text

When the Post Office was contacted about this scam, They said they would never send these kind of texts as it doesn't deliver items.

The Post Office is a physical shop where you take your parcels to be sent off, but the parcels are delivered by Royal Mail.

The Post Office and Royal Mail separated in 2012, but scammers are playing on the assumption that some people still believe them to be the same company.

If you need to arrange redelivery for a parcel (for example, if a card is put through your door while you're out), you can do so for free at www.royalmail.com/receivingmail/redelivery

If you receive a text like the above, don’t click on any links – these will take you to unsecure websites, where you'll be prompted to share personal information. Instead, report the text by forwarding it to 7726 and block the number.

Fraudsters stole £15.3m from Christmas Shoppers Last Year New figures revealed victims of online shopping scams lost on average £1,000 per person during last year’s festive shopping season.

Scams ranged from one shopper losing more than £150 trying to purchase a mobile phone on social media to another being duped out of more than £7,000 during an attempted online campervan purchase. Meanwhile, another victim lost almost £500 when trying to buy shoes on a social media platform, and a fourth lost £145 trying to make a similar purchase.

Top tips to shop online securely this festive season: Action Fraud and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are urging online shoppers to protect their accounts, check before they buy, and use secure payment methods in order to stay ahead of the threat from criminals this shopping season:

Protect your accounts: set up 2-step verification and use three random words passwords to prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to your shopping, bank or email accounts.

Choose carefully where you shop: Research online retailers, particularly if you haven’t bought from them before, to check they’re legitimate. Read feedback from people or organisations that you trust, such as consumer websites.

Pay securely: Use a credit card when shopping online, if you have one. Most major credit card providers protect online purchases and are obliged to refund you in certain circumstances. Using a credit card (rather than a debit card) also means that if your payment details are stolen, your main bank account won’t be directly affected. Also consider using a payment platform, such as PayPal, Google or Apple Pay. And whenever you pay, look for the closed padlock in the web address bar – it means your connection is secure.

For more advice on how to shop online securely this festive season, visit: www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ shopping-online-securely

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and councillors for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Remember I am only an Email or a phone call away.

Sign Up Now For Free Winter Holiday Clubs

Families are being encouraged to sign up now for free holiday activity clubs running across Leicestershire over the festive break.

The vouchers are available through the council’s £3.2 million Household Support Fund, which has been funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The figures, which come from reports made to Action Fraud and analysed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), showed that shoppers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were scammed out of £15.3m between November 2021

Planning

As we both have previously reported that due to a lack of a 5 year Housing Supply and the non-existing Local Plan by the Administration at HBBC, rural villages such as Ratby are being viewed as an easy target by developer's knowing full well that should they get a refusal for a development, then an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate would likely to go their way.

In terms of the Local Plan which is a statutory requirement, the plan is already a year behind. Originally, they blamed Leicestershire County Council for not working with them which was not at all correct.

Leicestershire County Council officers from their growth unit including highways and education had worked with Hinckley and Bosworth on their local plan.

Hinckley and Bosworth Council now have a consultant working on their local plan who is working alongside the County Council on their new local plan. We understand that the local plan it not now going to be ready for examination until 2024 and will not be in place until 2025! That puts us at severe risk in terms of unsustainable development especially across the Burroughs.

Chris asked the question to the previous Director of Planning Matt Bowers; how many applications are at the point on nondetermination or gone past and the answer was 365 but that was back in January. Senior Officers are now saying it is 210- 220. He didn't believe this. Yet again, large applications are being given extra time to put forward rebuttals to objections from major consultees such as the Gladman Application for 225 dwellings on Desford Lane which is not afforded to others.

The Planning system at HBBC is a complete mess and cannot and will not be sorted until the current administration are gone, they have simply lost their grip on the planning department.

Remembrance Parade.

A huge thank you to all residents who turned out on Sunday 13th November to join the Parade in honouring those who laid down their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ozzy was away on that day with family business to attend to but we both laid respective

wreaths on the Friday at 11am from LCC and HBBC. Again, Chris as Parade Marshal along with Ozzy wishes to thank all those volunteers who made this possible. Lest We Forget.

Hinckley and Bosworth Christmas & New Year Arrangements. Council Office Closing Times Borough Council services at the Hinckley Hub will close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December and re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2023. However, in the case of an emergency, you can call 01455 251137.

Refuse & Recycling

We will be making alternative arrangements for refuse (black-lid bin) and recycling (blue-lid bin) collections due on Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January:

• Refuse due on Monday 26 December will be collected on Friday 23 December

• Recycling due on Monday 26 December will be collected on Thursday 22 December

• Refuse due on Tuesday 27 December will be collected on Wednesday 28 December

• Recycling due on Tuesday 27 December will be collected on Thursday 29 December

• Refuse due on Monday 2 January will be collected on Friday 30 December

• Recycling due on Monday 2 January will be collected on Tuesday 3 January

For residents living in rural west areas of the borough who usually have garden and refuse bins collected on the same day, collection arrangements are as follows:

• Refuse due on Monday 26 December will be collected Friday 23 December

• Refuse due on Tuesday 27 December will be collected Wednesday 28 December

• Recycling due on Monday 2 January will be collected Tuesday 3 January

Residents can find full details of collection dates on-line at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ collections

All other collections will continue on their usual days during the Christmas and New Year period.

chris.boothby@hotmail.com

Garden waste (brown-lid bins) services will be postponed for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year period (last collection will be taken on Tuesday 20 December, with further collections starting again Wednesday 4 January 2023).

There will be no collections of large items (bulky waste) between Monday 19 December and Monday 2 January 2023, with collections resuming as normal from Tuesday 3 January 2023.

There will be 45+ stallholders including street foods, warming mulled wine and cider, crafts, gifts, collectibles and more plus live music, Santa on Stilts and entertainment from Fosse 107.

Hinckley BID’s Santa’s Grotto Hinckley BID is offering a Santa’s Grotto in Hinckley Town Centre daily from Saturday 17 to Wednesday 21 December.

The grotto is located in the Britannia Centre off Castle Street, it is open from 10.30am to 12.30pm and then from 1pm to 4pm daily. Entry costs £3 per child, with free admission to under 3s. Each child will receive a small gift. No booking is necessary.

Free Parking on Saturdays in Hinckley

Christmas shoppers will once again be able to enjoy free car parking in selected Hinckley town centre car parks on Saturdays this festive season.

Shoppers can park for free from 9am in the Lower Bond street, Trinity West and Castle car parks on Saturday 3, 10, 17 and 24 December.

The Borough Council has agreed to repeat the popular offer again this year in order to thank shoppers for their loyalty and to increase trade for shops and businesses.

Shoppers are reminded that parking is free in all council run car parks on Sundays throughout the year.

Hinckley Market at Christmas

There will be markets in Hinckley on Friday 23 December and Saturday 24 December, plus Friday 30 and Saturday 31st December. However, there will be no markets due to bank holidays on Monday 26 December and Monday 2 January. Markets will return to the usual Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from Friday 6 January onwards.

Festive Feast and Craft Market

A Sunday food and craft market offering a selection of hot and cold food plus crafts, collectibles and gifts will be in Market Place, Hinckley on Sunday 11 December from 10am until 4pm.

For further details please email info@hinckleybid.co.uk or call 01455 698494.

Hinckley Leisure Centre

Hinckley Leisure Centre will close at 12 noon on Saturday 24 December and remain closed on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 December. The centre’s opening hours will be from 8am to 3pm from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December.

The centre will then close at 12 noon on Saturday 31 December and remain closed on Sunday 1 January 2023. The centre will be open from 8am to 3pm on Monday 2 January. The centre will revert to normal opening hours from Tuesday 3 January. For further information: www. placesleisure.org/centres/hinckleyleisure-centre

Finally, We would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and councillors for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy Healthy and prosperous New Year. Remember we are only an Email or a phone call away.

Kind Regards

Chris & Ozzy. Working for you.

Tel: 0116 251 0363 - sales@ designerbathroomsleicester.com www.designerbathroomsleicester.com - 74 Bradgate Street, Leicester, LE4 0AW

With an in-house team of experts who are all fully trained and qualified to the highest standard, Designer Bathrooms can ensure total customer satisfaction.

Specialising in beautiful bespoke bathrooms and en-suites, specifically tailored to meet their customers’ requirements, they strive to create a bathing experience second to none. Just walking around their exquisite showroom, you have the opportunity to see a variety of over 35 room settings, each perfectly showcasing many industry top brands, as well as a taste of the Mediterranean with Italian and Spanish wall and floor tiles.

From speaking to the team at Designer Bathrooms it’s clear that they want everyone to be able to have a relaxing and inspiring bathing experience. As such they are proud of their quality of service, products and their single level showroom plus they also specialise in accessible

bathing. Their displays include walk in level floor showers, fold down shower seats, grab rails, digital push button showers, lever taps and comfort height toilets.

At Designer Bathrooms it is perfectly clear that they understand just how important it is to make the right choices, for what should be, one of the most relaxing rooms in your home. As such they listen to your requirements and will guide you through the entire process, from first thought to final tile.

So when you’re next considering a new bathroom or en-suite make over, why not pay Designer Bathrooms a visit? You’ll receive a warm welcome as well as expert advice.

Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm Private car park available

They look forward to welcoming you soon….

Designer Bathrooms are a family business with two generations of experience based in the heart of Leicestershire.

Free Nutrition and Lifestyle Education

Article by Alan Chapman

It's actually very easy now to take responsibility for your own health and fitness, if you want.

Training is free, and you will feel fantastic and reborn, especially if you've been overweight, unfit, yoyo dieting, sleeping badly, anxious, on tablets, etc.

You can change these things yourself, and it's much simpler and more enjoyable than you might imagine.

A healthy diet includes the tastiest foods - many that we've been told mistakenly are bad for us, but which are actually extremely healthy.

Also, sunshine/daylight and fresh air are all free and extremely healthy. So is walking in nature, singing, dancing, laughter and play, companionship, and particularly: good sleep.

So why do most doctors not teach and prescribe these things?

In the 1970s, after political lobbying, the 'high-carbs' and processed foods dietary guidelines were introduced in the USA/ UK/Europe, and embedded into training for doctors.

Mental illness, obesity, diabetes and chronic illnesses exploded soon afterwards. So did the prescription of antidepressants, antibiotics and other drugs, all of which have bad side-effects.

And so decades ago, GPs and state healthcare services became distributors for the pharmaceutical industry: focused on big pharma treatment, rather than FREE illness prevention, natural immunity and natural healing.

Meanwhile the wealthiest few get richer, through the distortion and monetisation of health, and the addicting and dividing of societies. It's easy to see the connectionsbanks, pharma, politicians - debt, addictions, chronic illness.

Despite this, you can now easily take responsibility for your own health, lose weight, get fit, and reduce or get off tablets completely.

Our healthy nutrition and lifestyle training resources are all free.

It's up to you.

See LiveWildLiveFree.org, PHCuk. org, and LowCarbFreshwell.co.uk (esp the free app).

We are PHC (Public Health Collaboration) Ambassadors, HealthResults.com Practitioners, Nutrition-Network.org Advisors, and Practitioners for The-PHA.org (The People's Health Alliance). We guide individuals and employers in nutrition and healthy lifestyle.

It's MUCH easier than you imagine. And it's FREE.

This content is information not clinical diagnosis. Reference sources: PublicHealthCollaboration. org, LowCarbFreshwell.co.uk, HealthResults.com, NutritionNetwork.org, and other highly qualified NHS practising GPs and dietary professionals, especially in successfully treating obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses including depression.

If you are under treatment/on medication, show your doctor the resources here, especially LowCarbFreshwell.co.uk and PHCuk.org

Hinckley & District Parkinson’s Group

Article by Robert A. Leake

There was a big response to the recent article in this magazine about Jeremy Paxman who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Over the last few years so many celebrities have revealed that they have the disease. Knowing that well known personalities have the disease but still continue to have active lives, helps to create more understanding and acceptance of the disease. It becomes more visible and relatable, with people changing their attitudes towards the condition. It also brings hope and inspiration as those with Parkinson’s realise that celebrities are facing the same day-to-day difficulties but also remaining in the public spotlight.

When a personality shows the world what it means to live with Parkinson's, they offer a roadmap and inspire confidence for how others might do the same with Parkinson’s - or indeed many

other illnesses.

Christmas with the Parkinson’s Group!

During the Christmas and New Year period the Hinckley Group, will continue to offer monthly meetings [December 11 and January 15], a monthly informal tea at the Stapleton Dobbies [December 19, January 16], weekly exercise, dance and singing sessions and [weather permitting!] monthly Nordic Walking on Burbage Common. For further information please contact Janet Kavanagh on 07932615233. For Nordic Walking call Peter on 01455 636776.

So don’t let Parkinson’s dictate how you live your life, come along and join the Hinckley Group and see the benefits for yourself.

2 Triumph Road, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8FR

Knees-Upper

By Paul Markee

Winter-sprung springtime Beats and bleets

Ice-fast greyslime Shrieks in streets

Coffee-tainted papertrails

Candle-painted rigid snails With a snuffle and a shuffle and Bite blue nails

Spring-sprung winter's Heart nailed fast

Green-soaked splinters Glassed to last Rum and rainballs

Passed and grassed Hick hock shudder-strum Lick lock slither drum With a hey! and a lowe! and What's in jars?

Drip-wax spider bars Caught in beards

Singsong scimitars

Flash through smears

Clerks'mas Candlemas Eastermas nears Down the skid, up the grid With a Stay! and a Ho! and Wipe salt tears

The Village Writers

Article by David Schonveld

The VILLAGE WRITERS group is looking for one or two new writers.

At the moment we meet via Zoom twice a month.1st & 3rd Wednesdays@7pm. (Members are sent a link)

You don't have to have any standard of writing.

Anyone who writes, enjoys writing, or who

Raj, Social Media And Me Mam

By Ben Moore

Way, way before he were a gazillionaire me Mam told Raj his eggs were pricey in comparison to Kwik Save. It were funny, he told her, stacking his cigs, he’d been having this daft idea of no longer charging for eggs.

And then he turned, said crusty bread. Free ready-to-roll marzipan! Free herby spatchcock poussin and, holly-molly, some desiccated coconut! Free classic poppy-top salmon spread, and would your boy like a free jam doughnut?

He smiled wide and wild, told her he would write to Jif informing them where their customers live, improving their summat summat summat quota. The shop would be called Raj Quaffs Coca-Cola and he could see house-high Pukka Pie posters.

Because he said it first I said splashcock but me mam paid no attention. Shaking her head in confusion she told him whilst she loved the sound of free, ‘yer wunt be uppen long, me duck. Now, Jif… Jif, I’m glad you reminded me.’

wants to get better at it is eligible. We read the writing we've done as homework & get helpful, creative 'feedback' from our friendly others.

The Writers'WORKSHOP group is also looking for one or two members. It's an inperson group, and focusses directly on the many techniques of writing.(eg.description, dialogue, short story,memoir etc)

All writing is done at the meeting.

Find out more about either group: text or email David: 07552107461 or aschons98@ gmail com

They Egged Me On

By Sue Barry

They egged me on GO ON GO ON

Of course I had to try

But for the life of me why?

Peer pressure?

Not pleasure?

I couldn’t stand the smell

But only taste would tell?

So I waited until I was alone

And no one else at home

Would it be on my clothes?

Would it get up my nose?

How long would they be Before I needed to flee?

Where could I find one?

How do I hold one?

Would I be able?

Oh I just spotted them on the table

Here goes

Hold onto your nose

They’d gone out for a drive

So I sneaked a Park Drive!

I’d watched others smoke

I wondered if I would choke?

I took one

I lit one

I smelt the taste

And took a puff in haste Coughing and spluttering

Put it out no more suffering Stinky horrible smoke That nearly made me choke I really don’t need to tell

Oh dear there goes the bell!

My face it goes red Better flee up to bed I’ve now doubled the fears have yet to face my peers

Oh stuff it peer pressure I’ll go and find my own pleasure A call SUSAN!!