March 2021 - Your Local Shepshed & Hathern

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Norwood Press Celebrating 70 Years Pilates What Is It? Jane Thomas Explains

National Day Of Reflection

Hallcroft Opticians Celebrates 30 Years In Shepshed

A New Foot Health Clinic Has Arrived In Shepshed!

DESIGN & PRINT SOLUTIONS 01530 262020 info@norwoodpress.co.uk www.norwoodpress.co.uk NorwoodPress  @norwoodpress Norwood Press, Unit 1, Moore Road, South Leicester Industrial Estate, Ellistown, Leicestershire, LE67 1EU

PILATES From My Home To Your Home Here are just four ways online Pilates with us can work for you at home

your local Pilates Specia — with list — Pilates can help you: t e g r n R eg ou l of ✔ Move more freely tes you ca Y ula r ❏ m o nl lai k Tria sses ✔ Improve muscle tone ❏ Pila in e C t s e e a cla ✔ Become more flexible ❏ eb sse 4-We lar cl h T s fo gu OW ✔ Improve posture ❏ st.

N r ere ali joint pain ✔ Ease backciand ❏ v Regular, online ✔ Feel great & have fun! matwork classes — Our Absolute Beginners Course is a self❏ contained, six video class course that guides 6–8 live classes broadcast each week on you through the basics of Pilates, showing you various days and times. All classes recorded correct techniques and explaining the principles. then made available for viewing 24/7.

The Course is accompanied by a 52-page full-colour All inclusive for just £10 a month. book of the classes and exercises.

Once you’ve completed the SPECIAL OFFER: a free 4course you’ll be able to continue Week Trial of our regular your Pilates journey by joining online classes. You will our regular classes. get full and free access to everything for four Costing just £30, we believe our whole weeks to see for your Absolute Beginners Course is simply self how online Pilates works. the best way to start Pilates.

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While the Covid-19 pandemic is with us, we are not able to meet with clients on a 1:1 basis, however this will return just as soon as Government regulations allow. Our Studio is Tier 3 Covid-Secure and ready to accept 1:1 clients immediately the area is taken out of Tier 4.

Meanwhile, online 1:1 Pilates matwork and Reformer sessions are available for those who prefer a more personalised guidance than group classes allow. Ask for a free consultation to discuss your individual requirements and see how we can help. in e c

For those lucky to have a Pilates Home Reformer, our Reformers At Home series of online classes could be the best thing since... err, you bought your Home Reformer in the first place.

We know that finding good routines to do on your Home Reformer isn’t easy. After you’ve completed the first few sessions included when you bought your machine, finding new routines to do is draining. Our Reformers At Home series gives you a weekly email with a new Reformer routine to do at home. Cost is just £10 a month.

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For more information about Pilates and anything covered above, please email office@janethomaspilates.co.uk including your mobile number Or take a look at our website: jtp.zone

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Pilates - What Is It? As a lucky few know, Pilates is an exercise programme that promotes fitness, flexibility, mobility and strength. It was originally developed a hundred years ago

by Joseph Pilates, a German born in 1883 and a gymnast, who came to England in 1912 to work as a self-defence trainer to the police in Scotland Yard. When WW1 began, Joseph was classed as an “enemy alien” and held in internment camps for the duration, working in hospitals to aid recuperation of soldiers after injuries.

are quite large, heavy, expensive and difficult to teach in large groups. He cleverly took his Reformer exercise programme and developed the exercises into a suite of exercise that can be done on the floor - hence what we know today as Pilates matwork.

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Alongside the development of matwork Pilates and its subsequent uptake around the world, Joseph continued to develop and improve his Reformers over the years, to the modern Reformer comprising several important parts shown here. This is a typical

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Joseph used whatever came to hand to help with his work, making do with metal-framed hospital beds and extra bedsprings to make supportive frames that people could use to exercise. Effectively, Joseph’s exercises helped patients get better faster, and they were less susceptible to secondary infection, which killed so many people in similar circumstances back then.

When the war ended he developed the recuperation and exercise beds further, into what were eventually called Reformers. Emigrating to the USA, he filed his first patent for the Reformer there in 1927, and also filed patents for several other bits of Pilates apparatus after this. Opening his first studio in New York, in the same building as the New York Ballet, his first customers were dancers.

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Originally calling his exercise programme Contrology, his success at treating injured dancers in particular helped him spread his exercise programme throughout the States, and as more people became devotees it eventually became known as the Pilates programme.

As more and more people began to train using his technique, he realised that a more “mass-market” way of performing Pilates exercises was needed - Reformers

Studio Reformer, which quite naturally is big, heavy and bulky. Home Reformers on the other hand are pared down, usually folding in the middle to aid storage, but keep all the important parts shown. Whether Studio or Home Reformer however, your Pilates is taken to the next level.

Joseph had his original team of teachers he personally trained. Becoming known as Pilates Disciples, they took the Pilates programme around the world, in turn training their own generation of teachers, who in turn trained theirs.

Who is Jane Thomas?

Jane is your local Pilates specialist.

In terms of the hierarchical Pilates family, Jane Thomas is effectively Joseph’s great-greatgranddaughter, making sure that the original Pilates principles are maintained to this day. She has been teaching group and one-to-one Pilates classes for over 20 years in the East Midlands, and also now trains other Pilates teachers - eg, most of the local teachers, and many nationwide.

With Covid-19, Jane took her matwork classes, beginners course, Reformer classes, and 1:1 clients online so that everyone can still take advantage of this wonderful exercise format. Online Pilates means you can exercise in a perfectly Covid-19 Secure environment - your own home - and have no travel worries.

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Protecting Your Family’s Inheritance Article by Klara Hesling

Our frontline staff follow Government guidelines for visiting you in your home and they are in the vaccination program with first course completed.

LevLaw Ltd remains here for you. (previously Kornerstone Legal Services)

'Your Local' Printers Norwood Press Celebrating 70 Years Article by Norwood Press

Local printers Norwood Press are celebrating 70 years in business.

Based now in Ellistown, Leicester, this third generation family printers has come a long way since starting in 1951. In that time they have built themselves a solid reputation, offering their customers a professional, personal service at competitive prices.

After outgrowing the premises in Anstey they moved to Ellistown in 2010. They cover all types of printing from magazines, leaflets, banners, brochures and business cards.

As a way of giving something back into the community they are donating £700.00 and are looking for any local charities or groups looking for a donation of between £50 and £200 to get in touch.

Any interested charities please contact Norwood Press on: Tel: 01530 262020 Email: info@norwoodpress.co.uk

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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.

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*Our prices include VAT. These very special rates are only available if you are over 60 years old. Normal price for standard Will £125, £195 for two. We also provide Funeral Plans. LPA if instructed without a Will it is £105. Registration, court fees not included.

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National Day Of Reflection Article by Claire Korsakovs

On 23rd March, let's come together to reflect on our collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future.

Since the first lockdown began in 2020, hundreds of thousands of people have died. Too many lives have been cut short and millions have been bereaved.

Behind the statistics and whatever the cause, every death has been devastating for the people left behind.

Join us on 23rd March, the first anniversary of the first UK lockdown, for a National Day of Reflection to reflect on our collective loss, support those who've been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future.

There are still tough times ahead, as the death toll continues to rise.

This annual day will give us all time to pause and think about this unprecedented loss we're facing, and support each other through grief in the years to come.

More information can be found: www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection

Hallcroft Opticians Celebrates 30 Years In Shepshed Article by Bonita Irish

We opened our doors 30 years ago in February 1991 and our journey began. We have served the people of Shepshed and surrounding areas with pride since then. In 2017 we relocated from Hallcroft to Charnwood Road but our dedicated service remains the same, quality eyecare, friendly service and great eyewear. We’d like to thank all our valued customers for supporting us through the years (especially this past one).

In previous years we have invited people to celebrate with us, but unfortunately due to the pandemic we have been unable to do so this year. Instead we decided to deliver some thanks to the first 30 customers from 1991 who still use our services. We hope some flowers or wine brought a smile and brightened the afternoon for those 30 people. Heart felt thanks from our small team to all our customers and we look forward to seeing you soon.

A New Foot Health Clinic Has Arrived In Shepshed!

Article by Kelly Prytherch

Focus on Feet have opened their doors on Hall Croft in Shepshed, offering treatment for common foot conditions including corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, fungal nails, athlete’s foot, diabetic foot care and nail cutting.

Established in 2012, Focus on Feet are foot health practitioners originally mobile only based but felt there was an opportunity to serve the community by opening a clinic within the village.

Owners Jane and Kelly explain; “With the rise in demand for foot care, private foot health is becoming more popular than ever as it gives people access to treatment that they may not otherwise be able to get. Sometimes we forget about our feet and the everyday stresses and strains that they go through. Looking after your feet is one of the most important aspects of your overall health, especially if someone is high risk, for example diabetic”.

The clinic is following strict Covid-19 guidelines to ensure that it is safe for both staff and patients. This includes; PPE, screens between staff and patients during treatment, hand sanitiser stations and cleaning down of equipment and surfaces between patients.

They added; “We understand that sometimes people can be unsure of accessing these services, especially if they are nervous or have had the problem for some time. We are here to offer a comfortable, friendly and strictly confidential service for all of our patients”.

To discuss your foot health or book an appointment contact Focus on Feet; email hello@focusonfeet.co.uk call 01509 270012, message us on Facebook or visit the website www.focusonfeet.co.uk

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

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

Money Match March Set To Boost Ambitious Rail Link Half A Million Pounds Now Raised Article by Andy Fillingham

Latest plans unveiled for heritage railway ‘Reunification’ project.

The Great Central Railway’s plans to reconnect two halves of the award winning line are set to leap forward with a massive fundraising drive in March 2021.

A donor has offered to match fund any donations received during the month pound for pound up the value of one hundred thousand pounds.

“It’s an incredible moment for the project,” said Andy Fillingham, Chairman of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line who are arranging the fundraising. “We already have good news to share because our totaliser has reached half a million pounds.

With everyone’s help we can spread some positivity and push that totaliser even higher thanks to the Money Match March scheme!”

The multimillion pound project will create an eighteen mile heritage railway linking Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, reconnecting two halves of the Great Central Railway separated after they were originally closed in the 1960s. Five hundred metres of railway needs to be rebuilt in Loughborough.

Two parts of the scheme have now been completed including building a brand new bridge to carry heritage trains over the national rail network.

The next two sections to be built have an estimated cost of three million pounds and have been called ‘The Factory Flyover’ as they cross a factory car park and a road.

“As much as we would like to, we can’t build the next stages until we have the vast majority of the funding in place,” continued Andy. “That’s why Money Match March is so important. We can take the half a million pounds already raised and supercharge our fundraising thanks to this amazing offer. Every contribution takes us closer to building again and delivering the benefits of Reunification.”

The completed railway will be used not only for heritage trains and boosting tourism, but to attract more commercial work to the line including testing and training for other rail companies.

This will help secure the GCR’s long term future as well as bringing income to the East Midlands economy.

Meanwhile the latest plans for the next section have been published by the railway. Developed by engineering consultants Cass Hayward they show concrete beams being used to construct the car park and road crossing. A reclaimed bridge deck donated by Network Rail will also be used.

“These are really exciting times for the Reunification scheme,” concluded Andy, “which was once described as impossible. People power is making it happen though and if everyone gets behind Money Match March, we’ll really have some momentum going.”

How To Donate • Donations can be made online at www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify • Cheques for the appeal can be made payable to The David Clarke Railway Trust and posted to: DCRT, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SL • Donations received in March online, or through the post will be matched pound for pound up to a value of £100,000.

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

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

Who can join?

Before lockdown, Shared Reading groups met in county libraries, but since coronavirus has prevented live meetings, the groups have been running virtually. The beauty of a virtual group meeting is that it doesn’t matter where you live: anyone who has a phone or computer can join in. There is no long-term commitment - you are welcome to give it a try, and come every week or when you feel like it!

Will it cost me anything?

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

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

Don’t worry – this is a good opportunity to learn new skills. Some of our existing members weren’t familiar with these technologies at first and now feel comfortable with this way of communicating.

Our friendly reader leaders will help you if you need guidance.

When do the groups meet?

You can come to whichever session suits you.

The two newest sessions use Zoom and are on Wednesdays 1.302.30pm and Thursdays 3.30-5.00pm Three existing groups are also taking new members. These meet on: Tuesday 10.30am-noon, using Zoom Tuesday 1.00-2.30pm, using WhyPay telephone conferencing Tuesday 2.00-3.30pm, using Zoom To join, just contact the website (below) and we will send you the details you need. www.leicestershiresharedreading.org Local family run business. Our services include installations, removals, maintenance and problem solving.

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Shepshed Conservative Councillors Since the election in May 2019, when the Conservatives took control of the Town Council, we (as a group) have managed to afford some high class outdoor quality gym equipment which is suitable for young adults, adults and disabled residents.

Despite having being vandalised during the first week following installation, it has been well used during the Pandemic, appearing to have received a positive response by the Town on social media.

The Conservative administration is committed to improve Shepshed starting by having 2 flag poles erected in front of the council offices on Charnwood Road.

To enable us to carry out our programme of improvements for Shepshed, we have had to increase the council tax - a formula determined by Band D properties - by less than the price of a cup of coffee per year. As part of our ongoing commitment to keep local residents informed, we are improving our web site, and wider media presence.

75th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations As a Town Council we made a decision to hold a celebration day in the Glenmore Park to commemorate VE Day. Entrance and entertainment provided for this was to be free of charge. Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, this had to be postponed.

Should Covid 19 restrictions allow, it is our intention that this money will now be able to be used to arrange a celebration for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2022. The Town Council have (on order) 2 seats to commemorate VE day, which will be situated near to the hard standing, in front of the war memorial.

Feasibility Study After listening to the residents of the town about the lack of leisure facilities, the Conservative group made the decision that an initial study should be carried out. A report was presented to the Town Council in December 2020 by 4 Conservative members, who requested a sum of money be set aside for a feasibility study, to be undertaken by a consultancy firm. The basis of the study is to explore the viability of a new Leisure, Business and Commercial Centre for Shepshed.

Regeneration of Shepshed The Conservative group have wholeheartedly supported the Town Team in their quest to regenerate the town centre of Shepshed. To support the regeneration of the town centre the Conservative led council has set aside funds to refurbish the public toilets next to the library in the Hall Croft.

festival and the best allotment. He opened 2 new businesses, a chip shop and a micro bar and cut the ribbon to the new improvements, at the football pavilion at Little Haw Lane.

Your Conservative Town Councillors also work very hard on other committees.

Apart from the 3 main ones, they are also members of several sub committees, on the Town Council. Both Shepshed Town and Borough Councillors sit on outside bodies to represent Shepshed.

Charnwood Borough Council The Conservative controlled CBC were instrumental in obtaining monies from developers, a grant from the Borough Council and the LLEP (Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership). In total, this sum of £1.2m is to help the regeneration of Shepshed town centre. Your Borough Councillors’ have worked with officers at CBC to get this money for the Shepshed Town Team.

CCTV Now that the CCTV is up and running in the town centre, the Town Council has committed to spending more money to extend the CCTV coverage in Shepshed (to cover the Glenmore Park area), which will interlink with the existing CBC system.

Existing and Future Projects During the first lockdown, children painted stones which the Town Council are now incorporating in a memorial to the Pandemic. Following a request from the young people of Shepshed, this memorial is to be installed in Glenmore Park (expected completion in 2021).

Skate Park Due to the skate park being neglected for so long, we are now working with a group of enthusiasts to bring to fruition, a bold vision for the area. It is thanks to Section S106 monies, we can look forward to creating an improved, skate park facility.

Money has also been ring fenced by the Conservative majority Town Council to ensure this work goes ahead.

Chairman of the Council As Chairman, Cllr Grainger has found that his year in office has been somewhat subdued, due to Covid 19, but he has still been able to carry out a number of functions. These include, the laying of the wreath at the war memorial, judging of: the best window displays, scare sheep

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CBC also gave Shepshed a grant of £50,000 for Shop front improvements.

Several businesses took up the offer for 50% of the work to be paid by this grant. Unfortunately, not all of the shops participated. The remainder of this grant was used to set up the CCTV in the town centre, after Shepshed Conservative Borough Councillors approached CBC for permission to use the remaining money, for this purpose.

Your four Conservative Borough Councillors are committed to working with Charnwood’s ASB officers and the Police to curb the Anti-social behaviour issues in Shepshed. Even during the lockdowns, our dedication to tackling this problem, remains unchanged. In some circumstances, even paying visits to areas where ASB is sadly, rife. Your four Borough Councillors also support Shepshed Town Council’s aims to extend Shepshed’s CCTV coverage.

Your four Borough Councillors have been dealing with housing issues to the best of their ability during each lockdown, as most of the officers at Charnwood are working from home. This can sometimes prove challenging concerning response timeframes.

Your Conservative Borough Councillors are, Robin Popley, Christine Radford, John Savage and Joan Tassell. Your Conservative Town Councillors are, Eric Chapman, Peter Grainger, David Northage, Robin Popley, Paul Price, Christine Radford, John Savage, Paul Spencer, Joan Tassell and Ian Williams.

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Christine Radford Standing For Re-Election On 6th May 2021 As Your County Councillor The elections for Leicestershire County Council are due to take place on 6th May. I am standing again for re-election to represent Shepshed, and would be honoured to represent you as your County Councillor for another four years.

I have been your County Councillor since 2009 and am deeply committed to doing my best for Shepshed and its residents.

Many residents can testify that I am proactive. I don’t make guarantees but I will always do my best for the residents and Shepshed. An example of this, in recent times I have been working with Public Houses in Shepshed to secure a grant of £1,000 per business from County to help with financial support during the pandemic.

residents to get to work at the airport and other employment areas nearby.

Adults And Communities Since May 2019, I have been Cabinet support member for Adults Social Care, Heritage, Communities, Leisure and Arts.

This has involved me visiting care homes and extra care facilities. Among sites I have visited are where Leicestershire County Council are building new facilities to enable people to live supported lives and independent living.

I keep residents up to date with information via the local magazine and my personal page on the County Council web site. Before the pandemic, I held monthly surgeries in the Town Council offices, together with your Conservative Borough and Town Councillors.

Children And Young People I have sat on the Scrutiny Committee for Children and Young People’s Services and was Conservative spokesperson for Young People. I have chaired panels on how Homes for children in Care are run. I have also sat on the adoption and fostering panels. Due to the nature of this roll, the majority of my work is confidential.

Highways And The Environment In 2017, I was given the job as Cabinet support member for Highways and the Environment. Previously I had campaigned for speed and weight restrictions on roads in Shepshed, including improvements to the junction at the Oakley Road cross roads. I have presented petitions regarding highway issues on behalf of residents and myself. One example of a petition I submitted was to get removed the no left turn at the bottom of Iveshead Road with the A512.

I have been interested in the environment for a number of years. My interest in this area is long standing. I was a founder member of the Shepshed Countryside Protection Group which evolved into the Garendon Park Protection Group and I continue to champion environmental issues whenever necessary.

Skylink I worked with the previous MP Nicky Morgan to get the Sky Link bus service to run through Shepshed. This has enabled

Matthews)and meet the newly elected MP Jane Hunt and have also organised patch walks with the Police.

I have also visited Heritage sites, such as Bosworth Battlefield, given out awards for Carers and represented Leicestershire County Council on the Health and Wellbeing Board, Adults Safe Guarding Board and on the Scrutiny Committee.

I have visited all parts of the County before the pandemic stopped visits. I attended the award presentation of the Green Plaques, visited Libraries, called public meetings to discuss planning, allowed residents to meet and question the Conservative prospective Police and Crime Commissioner (Rupert

Outside Bodies I represent Leicestershire County Council and Shepshed on a number of outside bodies. These include, Shepshed Volunteer Centre, Glenmore Centre, Biffa Incinerator Liaison Committee and Burgess Waste Liaison Committee, Shepshed Special Community Bus (Chairman), Bernard Thorpe and Thomas Harley’s Estate Charities. I was also the vice-chairman of the Fire Authority for two years.

Julie Mather, The Prospective Conservative Candidate, Standing For Hathern And Dishley At The Forthcoming Election.

I write in support of Julie Mather as I work very closely with her. She is a case worker for Jane Hunt MP. Julie has lived in Hathern for 17 years and she says it has been a privilege to be able to help residents in both Shepshed and Hathern with a wide variety of issues. Julie has also helped several local businesses access Government support during the pandemic. Julie has also been working on behalf of residents regarding the on-going flooding problems on the A6.

If you have any issues or ideas to discuss please feel free to contact me on 01509 502974 or christine_radford@hotmail.com You may also wish to apply for a postal vote. If so please contact the electoral office at Charnwood on 634612 or email electoral.service@charnwood.gov.uk Promoted by Christine Radford on behalf of Christine Radford and Julie Mather both of 3 Moscow Lane Shepshed LE12 9EX. Printed by Norwood Press

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Shepshed Lions Help Local Youngsters Article by Lynn Jackson

Shepshed Lions Club have donated £1,000 each to two local youngsters who are facing challenging medical conditions with great courage and determination. Zak Marks is 14 years old, and benefits hugely from sessions in his outdoor hot tub. It has become increasingly difficult for him to get in the tub, however, and his Mum Emma has been working hard to raise funds for a hoist that will make this much easier. She said, 'The donation from the Lions will take us a good way towards our target, and with the hoist in place things will become much easier for Zak in what is an important part of his therapy.'

The Lions also donated £1,000 to Alfie Smith, who will be 9 in March. His Mum, Fay, said, 'We are raising funds for Alfie to have what is called an SDR operation, the total cost will be £15,000.

We hope this will make a big difference to his walking and make a major improvement to his quality of life. Local people have been massively generous with their help for Alfie over more than 4 years now, and this second donation from Lions is a big boost, so thank you Lions, it is beyond generous!'

Shepshed CC On The Front Foot Article by Chris Burton

After a challenging year Shepshed Cricket Club are approaching the 2021 season in positive mood. Chairman Steve Chantrill explains “We didn’t want to stand still in 2020 and over the last 12 months we’ve made several big improvements to our facilities that put us in a good place to push forward in senior cricket and continue to develop our academy section.”

The optimism is well placed. In 2021 Shepshed will field four Saturday senior teams and junior teams in every age group. All Stars, the ECB scheme for 5-8 year olds will return in the summer, and Shepshed’s girls will compete in the national club cup for the first time. On not standing still, Chantrill adds that Shepshed were one of few teams in the area who completed a full quota of junior fixtures in 2020 and pushed more academy players into senior cricket than ever before. “We want to be known as a club that develops young players, that competes at high levels, but maintains a family feel.”

Lynn Jackson, Shepshed Lions President, said, 'The Lions biggest fundraisers are Carnival, and helping Santa tour Shepshed in his sleigh. Last year the Covid restrictions meant that neither could take place, but in spite of this Zak and Alfie's stories show the Club is still doing it's best to help people in our community. We wish both of them all the very best.'

Shepshed Lions Support Salvation Army Article by Lynn Jackson

Shepshed Lions have made a Socially distanced handover of the donation of £700 to our local cheque to the Salvation Army.

Salvation Army church, to help them with their work our local communities. Lion President Lynn Jackson said, 'It is a sad fact that during Covid, many people, not least young families, have been struggling to make ends meet. The Salvation Army have been helping out by paying for electricity, gas, and other essentials, and even though the Lions own fundraising has been hit hard this year, the Club members decided we would make our usual winter contribution to this great organisation.'

Shepshed Lions Planning for Carnival 2021 Article by Lynn Jackson

Shepshed Lions have announced that they are planning for Shepshed Carnival to take place on August Bank Holiday Monday as usual. Lion President Lynn Jackson said, 'Carnival takes many months of preparation, and if we are to have any chance of holding it this year we need to start work now. We will obviously be dependent on the Covid situation, and the safety of the public must come first, but we believe we must be optimistic and plan to deliver Carnival 2021 for the people of Shepshed. It will be a family event first and foremost, with the same low entry fee as always, and a big emphasis on entertainment for the children. We have already booked some exciting arena acts, and hope to have all our old favourites there like Mad Dom, Punch and Judy, exciting rides, a wide range of stalls, and of course the ever popular barbecue and tea tents. Since Carnival was revived 12 years ago it has become the biggest event in Shepshed's social calendar, and after the disappointment of having to cancel it in 2020 because of Covid, we want to bring it back with a bang on Monday 30th August.'

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Chantrill paid tribute to the club’s volunteers who have gone the extra mile over the last 12 months. The club have replaced the pavilion roof at Morley Lane, the nets have been completely refurbished and a new artificial has been laid. State of the art covers were purchased.

At Pudding Bag Lane, the club has new sightscreens, boundary ropes, a re-laid pavilion floor and have secured funding for a new scorebox.

The club has had unbelievable support from its sponsors allowing them to develop first-class facilities at both grounds.

The 2021 senior season begins on April 24th, and Shepshed CC will be relishing the opportunity to get started. Anybody looking to get into cricket in any capacity should contact the club through its social media channels or via the club website, www.shepshedcricketclub.com

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Full eighty years and more gamely we soldier on, assiduously sustained by many doctors prescribing countless pills.

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Meanwhile the bathroom calls, frequent and insistent, threatening embarrassment if swiftness fails.

Upon the appointed day the welcome pension comes, proffering encouragement to beleaguered warriors of yesteryear.

Sadly some poor souls face sterner tests than these: with all our heart we wish them well.

Yet spite of all life’s sweetness clings, defiant to the last – and we’re still here!

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Keith Harris Borough Councillor for Hathern

T: 01509 557701 E: cllr.keith.harris@charnwood.gov.uk The long-running saga of getting the replanting and other work done in Daisy bank may be approaching a conclusion. The heavy rain in December and January meant that the conditions were not suitable for planting trees. However, Cara Wild, the officer in charge of this, and I have managed to move it forward and with the last week in February looking to be dry, Taylor Wimpey on behalf of William Davis will be planting at the beginning of March. I have reported various repairs needed to equipment in the play area and asked for the waterlogged area there to be drained and some permanent solution to the flooding to be implemented.

When these measures have been taken, Cara will be able to issue the first certificate and a year later issue the final one if she is happy with the state of affairs at that time, enabling the parish council to adopt the site.

The parish councillors and I will monitor the planting and ensure that the planting is done before the season is over this time.

I have called in the application for houses off Loughborough Road to the planning committee. That means that it will not be decided by an officer under delegated powers but by the committee. I will be speaking at the meeting. A resident affected by the proposed development has offered to speak as well. He has liaised with all the other directly affected residents and will act as another spokesperson. We will have 5 minutes between us. I will focus on the safety issues arising from the access and egress point onto the A6. Previous applications for the same site have been refused and we are hoping to prevent this one as well.

We are still not able to open our lovely little library yet but we have started a Click and Collect service.

The library will be open for onehour sessions to drop by and collect books. You don’t need to enter the library. A member of staff will hand you your books at the door. I will be handing them out myself on April 3rd. So you can get some reading material with no risk at all. We are all very frustrated by lockdown restrictions after working so hard to establish the library as a community hub. We were keen to keep some kind of service going and came up with this idea. Please make use of it.

Here is a head’s up for upcoming road closures in Hathern. On March 15th Wide Street will be closed for one day for a lamppost replacement. On April 14th Narrow Lane will be closed for a manhole replacement, also for one day.

The street bin situation seems to have improved a bit, but one seems to fill up constantly before the emptying date. I have been unable to squeeze any additional bins out of the officers and my case is weakened a lot by the domestic waste which has been dumped. These bins are for dog waste and casual waste such a crisp packet which residents might wish to dispose of while strolling by. Please use your green and black bins for all other items.

At the time of writing I have done 22 sessions at the vaccination centre at Southfields in Loughborough. I have seen many of my residents come in for their jab including many Hatherners and I am really enjoying engaging with the visitors and trying to reduce the stress of the experience. More than 19,000 people have been vaccinated there and there has been very positive feedback on social media and in the local press. Since I wrote last time the barriers have been removed at the exit and now you can go straight back to the carpark without going through Southfields park. You can still leave through the park if you wish to park on Leicester Road. The national stats for cases, hospitalisations and deaths are all in freefall since the vaccination totals reached a certain critical level. Charnwood remains a bit high at 202 per 100,000. Please come and get your jab when you turn comes and help to bring the easing and then the end of lockdown as close as possible.

The roadmap looks promising with the Leeds/Reading festival set to go ahead. Maybe we will be able to set up a Wicked Fest this year as well! The Hathern Village Association are looking at having a Fireworks event this year. Hathern Together are planning a socially distanced, Covid observant Easter Bunny event and have applied for funding from the Parish Council.

Let’s all do our best to make these things happen by getting vaccinated and staying safe – please wear a mask, stay distanced and follow the guidelines.

Hathern is raring to go and may it be soon.

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Jane Hunt Member of Parliament

T: 01509 262723 E: jane.hunt.mp@parliament.uk Since my last column, the Prime Minster has set out a roadmap to come out of lockdown cautiously and carefully. We all want this to be the last time that these measures are necessary. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for helping to keep cases as low as possible. As we come out of lockdown now is the opportunity to build back better and to consider the local businesses in our community.

As sectors of our economy gradually reopen, I would encourage all residents in Shepshed and Hathern to support our local shops, restaurants, and pubs.

It has been such a difficult few months for local businesses, I hope me can rally around them so that they can bounce back strongly as we recover from this pandemic. Many businesses locally have adapted to the changes by offering takeaway and delivery services, and many have been helping the vulnerable in our community by providing food boxes to those unable to leave their home. My thanks go to all businesses locally who have helped to look after others and who have made significant sacrifices. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and have helped to save many lives.

The Government is, of course, driven by the data and not dates. Whilst it is hugely encouraging to see a timetable for reopening the economy, we must continue to play our part in driving down the cases. Vaccinations are key to this; but we must all ensure that we continue to follow the guidance. In doing so we will ensure that the timetable can be followed and that we start to enjoy the things that we have missed for this past year.

In other positive news, a bid has recently been submitted to Government for an ambitious new freeport in the East Midlands. The bid will deliver an inland Freeport at the heart of the UK with brilliant rail and road connectivity, creating close to 60,000 new skilled jobs in the region.

An East Midlands Freeport would be of huge benefit to our area which is home to a world-class university and sites such as the Charnwood Campus and the Sports and Enterprise Park. The Freeport would also be a great access point for goods and materials coming into the UK to support business and industry both locally and nationally. Businesses such as the animal feeds and medications industries in Shepshed; Life science industries locally, but also the large Charnwood Campus site, which is ready to go for life science business but still has many spaces available.

I am also excited to see East Midlands Airport at the heart of this bid. Whilst the airport is located just outside the Loughborough constituency, it is a major employer locally, and many of residents of Shepshed work in cargo and logistics. The airport is already a superb cargo and passenger site and a hub for innovation and business. We will find out whether we have been successful in the spring, but it is certainly an exciting prospect for our area.

As ever, I’m here for everyone, so please do get in touch if you would like my help.

Hathern Parish Council Next Virtual Meeting via Zoom Monday 12th April 2021, 19:30 Meeting joining notes can be obtained by either emailing the clerk, or by visiting www.hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Once again, we encourage residents with any queries or comments to log on and ask them during the Public Participation section.

Clerk: Maureen Spencer Tel: 01509 842813 Email: clerk@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk www.hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Like us on Facebook: @hathernparish Councillor: Roy Dann rdann@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Councillor: Peter Swift pswift@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Councillor: John Boyes jboyes@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Councillor: Ben Murdoch bmurdoch@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk Councillor: Martin Clayton mclayton@hathernparishcouncil.org.uk

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Christine Radford County Councillor for Shepshed T: 01509 502974 M: 07796 544817 E: christine_radford@hotmail.com

I hope this finds most of you well. I have had my vaccination being in the 70+ age group at the surgery on Leicester Road. It was very well organised, in one door and out another. Standing in line everybody seemed positive. I do hope that if you are offered a slot you accept it.

During the cold weather spell we have been having, can residents check on your vulnerable neighbours, family and friends.

Police The Suicide Audit and Prevention Group would like to bring your attention to the resources available on their website, for all residents of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland www. startaconversation.co.uk The police know that particularly across Leicester and areas of Leicestershire, the COVID outbreak and subsequent local lockdowns may have had a detrimental effect on us all and the relationships we all hold dear.

On the site, a number of resources are available but in particular he police would like to draw your attention to our COVID 19 and Mental Health & Wellbeing Pack. This includes resources of where to find help and 5 ways to Wellbeing, or you can click this link and it will take you straight there. Do you know there’s a wellbeing cafe in Loughborough? They are based at the Emporium, 3 Wards End. You will also find within the Advice and Support Section of the site, a number of support resources in relation to Coronavirus & Wellbeing, Mental Health problems, Abuse and discrimination.

Financial problems, Substance misuse, Children and Young People, Students, Sexual or gender identity, Military personnel and Veterans,.

Finally, you will find a section on bereavement on their website.

If you or anyone you know have been bereaved by suicide (not just as a family member), they can access their free bereavement Support Provider; The Tomorrow Project, The Tomorrow Project, offer ongoing emotional and practical support and also support families through the inquest process.

You can also find help and support from the Samaritans by calling them on 116 123. You can also find details for other bereavement providers here too.

This message has been sent by Ben Widdowson (Freemen & Eyres Monsell Sergeant, Sgt, South Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area) Cold weather and gritting I have had confirmation from County Highways that areas outside of COVID vaccination buildings have been given priority.

At the time of putting this article together we have had our second fall of snow this year. The snow has led to disruption of services at several of the county’s recycling and household waste sites.

Residents are being urged to check the council website before travelling for their appointment.

County start preparing for the winter weather in the summer so by the time county need to send out their gritters, county are fully stocked up on salt and ready to tackle anything. County monitor the weather constantly and have teams across the county on call

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to grit whenever it is needed. At the moment, the lower traffic levels propose a unique challenge for their gritters as friction caused by the passage of vehicles on the grit is essential to complete the de-icing process.

The county council does not grit every road, check if your journey is gritted on their map, on www.leicestershire.gov.uk/winterweather/gritting-and-travel-this-winter The county council has five gritting depots across the county, with 23 gritters and the 17 routes they follow cover 1,300 miles of the county which make up 47% of the county’s road network.

This year, the council’s grit barns are stocked up with 18,000 tonnes of rock salt, ready to tackle the worst of the winter weather.

Community snow wardens also do their bit by gritting paths – and local farmers help out by fitting snow ploughs to their tractors and help the council to clear roads where necessary.

Trial Recycled plastics use on highways Officers in Highways Delivery have been monitoring closely the ongoing developments with regards to the use of recycled plastics, tyres and low carbon materials in surfacing materials. The Highways Department will always strive to ensure they continue to get value for money from their maintenance treatments. They constantly assess industry developments and proprietary products as they arrive in the market place in partnership with their supply chains.

The department has been actively involved in the use of asphalt preservation treatments, low temperature foam mix bituminous products, low energy asphalts, medium temperature asphalts, surfacing materials using recycled aggregates and rubberised asphalts. Many of these products have been used to provide innovative and cost minimising solutions on their highway network.

With the life expectancy of surfacing materials to be in excess of 10-20 years, a complete understanding of the durability and performance of new products is often not fully understood for many years which can mean that trial products take many years to be fully understood and possibly adopted by the industry. As such we have assessed the products available in the market place for suitability with the schemes below.

Challenge fund summary / carbon savings Approx £5m funding has been awarded from the Dft through the ‘challenge fund’ for highway maintenance on project at 426 Blaby bypass, A47 Hinckley bypass and A6 Market Harborough bypass.

Further detailed information on the projects is available on the LCC website; www.leicestershire.gov.uk/bypass-maintenance-projects Iveshead Campus 2020/Reg3Ma0174/LCC As your County Councillor I am in favour of the proposals being carried out to the old Hind Leys block and St Botolphs School.

BUT I have commented that I am concerned that with the large increase in numbers to pupils at this complex I do not feel the road network will be able to cope. I have asked that the highways department take a good look at the area around Loughborough Road and Forest Street which is the only vehicle entrance to the campus, we already have problems in this area currently.

Your help and support For help and advice on County matters, I can be contacted on 01509 502974 or e mail christine_radford@hotmail.com or christine.radford@leics.gov.uk or due to the lock down I will not be able to have my regular monthly Surgery on the FIRST Saturday of the month in the Town Council Offices, 47a Charnwood Road.

Shepshed & District Camera Club Article by Brian Walbey

The spring term for the members of Shepshed and District Camera Club has continued online via Zoom with each meeting attracting a large number of attendees.

A talk entitled “The Power Of Sport” was given by Peter Milsom.

He gave an entertaining talk which started with a section of some of his wildlife images, but concentrated on his real passion of sports photography. As a former athlete himself he is able to get trackside access to big events via his connections in the sport. This has given him the ability to take photos of Olympic athletes, and paraathletes, such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Hannah Cockroft. However, he also discussed a range of more accessible sports to photograph, such as slalom canoeing, jet ski and motor sports.

Another talk was given by Carmen Norman, a professional photographer based in Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, entitled “Lake District Moods”. Carmen’s selection of photographs were certainly moody as most of them were taken either early in the morning or later on in the evening allowing for creative use of the morning and evening light, as against the brighter light during the middle of the day. Also included were several tutorial sections including making use of the facilities on modern digital cameras and her approach to taking her photographs out in the Lake District landscape.

The first Competition League round for 2021 took place in late January, the judge being Peter Wells, a long standing member of Wakefield Camera Club. Peter, online from his home via Zoom, commented on each of the images, which he’d had the opportunity of seeing in advance of the competition, and made the following awards; Open Section: 1st. Martin Wyatt Please “Don't Eat Me” 2nd. Mick Jelly 3rd. Martin Wyatt HC. Sue Hutton HC. Alan Harris

Themed Section - Landscape/ Seascape: 1st. Alan Harris “Foggy Day On The Beacon” 2nd. Mick Jelly 3rd. Mick Jelly HC. Angela Edwards HC. Brian Walbey The most recent meeting saw the members split into three groups and each group had to supply one image for each of six different subjects following which club member Sue Hutton, ARPS. used her experience to comment on each image and award points to it. The final result, of what was in essence a fun evening, resulted in the winning group gaining 142 points with the other two groups tying on 136 points each.

The club continues to meet on Tuesday evenings on Zoom with a full programme for the next few months, further details are available from the Club Chairman at 07733 314605.

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Christine Radford Borough Councillor for Shepshed T: 01509 502974 M: 07796 544817 E: christine_radford@hotmail.com

I cannot quite believe that it is already March and Spring is on its way! We’ve had a few days of snow to enjoy but it will be nice to usher in what hopefully, will be a better few months ahead, with far nicer weather.

Since the last column, usual business continues at both Charnwood Borough and Shepshed Town Council.

Full Council - 22nd February 2021 The latest Full Council meeting took place on 22nd February 2021. Among those set to bring questions to Council, were Councillor Popley, acting in his capacity as the new Disabilities Champion for Charnwood. Other ongoing business at Charnwood under scrutiny, includes the updated Local Plan, which is now going through its next stages of consultation and consideration.

More on this specific item later within this column.

Anti-Social Behaviour [Asb] (Training & Ongoing Case Work Matters) In early February, your four Borough Councillors, took part in an online training session hosted by an expert in the field of AntiSocial Behaviour. The trainer was someone who had extensive experience of working with local authorities in this field and gave an outline summation on the current legislation concerning ASB. At the conclusion of the training, a short questions and answers discussion took place, and Shepshed’s voice was heard during this same forum. There has been subsequent dialogue opened up to try and seek further information to filter through to your Town Councillors and Officers on this same subject.

In respect of wider ASB matters, your four Conservative Borough Councillors continue to do their best to support residents with any arising concerns regarding the same, and are also supporting Shepshed Town Council in their aims to have additional CCTV cameras installed across the community. These new CCTV cameras are in addition to all existing ones. In turn, this will interlink with Shepshed’s current CCTV set-up.

Finally, our working relationship with the Police continues to be positive and our dialogues remain ongoing.

Housing Matters Irrespective of the obvious troubles, which have been created by the pandemic, housing matters continue to be something that your Conservative Borough Councillors are trying their best to help support residents with.

Notwithstanding, whilst our support to try our best in each situation remains unwavering, we must reiterate that many Housing Officers continue to work from home in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. This can prove to be difficult at times, when urgent matters are brought to our attention, as we have to allow for this change.

presentation ahead of the same due to be presented during a public Extraordinary (Special) Full Council Meeting on 29th March 2021. Due to the need for more housing, the five year housing requirement cannot be met. Therefore, Shepshed are experiencing a heightened interest from developers. The housing requirement is calculated by an algorithm which determines how many new homes should be built in each area. Due to Leicester’s reluctance to build new homes in the city boundary, the wider County is being hit harder than would necessarily be otherwise the case. Should Charnwood Borough Council’s Local Plan be ratified, then there are several processes for it to go through, before adoption.

Planning Applications - decided by Delegated Powers - in Shepshed P/20/1802/2 - 216 Charnwood Road (granted with conditions) P/20/0475/2 - 34 Church Street (granted with conditions) P/20/1836/2 - 166 Conway Drive (granted with conditions) P/20/1631/2 - 13 Conway Drive (granted with conditions) P/20/1820/2 - 9 Chiltern Avenue (granted with conditions) P/20/1487/2 - 10 Spring Lane (granted with conditions) New / Revised Planning Applications in Shepshed P/20/1347/2 - Rear of 62 Iveshead Road (an update in application has been submitted reducing the prospective housing numbers on site to 63, including a new layout plan) P/20/2217/2 - 38 Charnwood Road (Change of use of residential institution to Assisted Living Home; alterations to window fenestrations and internal alterations to create two additional units) P/20/2421/2 - LCC Application re Iveshead School (Proposed extension & internal configuration/refurbishment to original Hind Leys College School) P/21/0005/2 - Biffa Newhurst Quarry (Submission of Landscaping Scheme) P/21/0006/2 - Biffa Newhurst Quarry (Submission of Green Commuter Plan) P/21/0012/2 - 21 Kirkhill (Erection of a single storey extension) P/21/0039/2 - 19 Northwood Drive (Erection of a single storey extension to rear of house) We can also confirm that the Rainer planning application for Land west of Iveshead Road, Shepshed, now has been assigned the planning number P/21/0027/2.

AOB A revised scheme has also been submitted for the planning application which relates to the Land to the rear of 62 Iveshead Road, Shepshed. In light of local resident’s continued opposition to the scheme, Cllr. Popley (in his capacity as Borough Ward Councillor) and several other Councillors continue to do their best to support residents, making representations to CBC’s Planning Department in respect of this prospective scheme.

Councillor Contact Details Your Conservative Borough Councillors are, Robin Popley, Christine Radford, John Savage and Joan Tassell.

However, please do continue to contact your respective Conservative Borough Councillors about any matters which you feel need addressing, and we shall endeavour to continue to pass on any said relevant information.

cllr.robin.popley@charnwood.gov.uk / cllr.john.savage@ charnwood.gov.uk (Shepshed East) cllr.christine.radford@charnwood.gov.uk / cllr.joan.tassell@ charnwood.gov.uk (Shepshed West)

Planning Matters On the 24th February 2021, the updated Local Plan will be discussed with your Borough Councillors, in a closed

Your Conservative Town Councillors are, Eric Chapman, Peter Grainger, David Northage, Robin Popley, Paul Price, Christine Radford, John Savage, Paul Spencer, Joan Tassell and Ian Williams.

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