March 2017 - Your Local Ratby, Kirby Muxloe & Leicester Forest East

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Eddie and the Gold Tops – coming to the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, Leicester Forest East

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Eddie and the Gold Tops – coming to the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, Leicester Forest East on Saturday 8th of April – 7.30pm. Tickets £9 each and available from the Parish Office on 0116 2392198 or email – clerk@lfeparishcouncil.org.uk

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It’s the 1960’s and everywhere you look there are bands determined to hit the big time. This tale follows our Eddie, a hardworking milkman, inspired by the cream of the pop charts and tired of the milk float of ordinary life.

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But it’s thirty years before ‘the X-Factor’ and he’s got a long way to go if he wants to make a go of it.

Eddie inherited the family milk round from his father and has fulfilled his promise to never miss a delivery for the good of the people of the village. But suddenly things are on the up! His songs are heading up the charts and if he can get there by tonight he’ll be on Top of the Pops….but when things take a churn for the worse, will he make it back for the morning milk?

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NEXT ISSUE OUT

Village Writers

DELIVERY DATE: Friday 7th April 2017

The Village Writers regularly meet 7.30 – 9.30pm: 1st & 3rd Weds. of the month: Kirby Muxloe Free Church, in the rooms located on Church Road.

DEADLINE DATE: Friday 31st March 2017

We all share a common interest in writing, whether it be recording memoirs, creating poetic verse, inventing short stories or writing articles covering any subject.

Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change depending on how far we are ahead or behind.

The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the original advertisers & contributors and do not necessarily represent Your Local or Open Box Promotions Ltd. Open Box Promotions Ltd reserves the right to amend or refuse to publish articles or adverts submitted for publication.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. To see full terms & conditions visit www.openboxpromotions.co.uk/terms

Our aim is support and encourage members and the evening is always filled with lively discussion and interesting feedback. Each meeting we offer a themed subject to work on but this is entirely optional. During the meeting on the third Wednesday of February we discussed contributions brought to the table on the theme of ‘a school trip’.

We welcome new membership, whatever level of writing you indulge in. If you have an interest in putting pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, make Spring the time to come along for a visit to meet us.

You can bring something to read out at our table, or simply sit in and listen whilst drinking a cup of coffee. We look forward to meeting you!

Derek by email: mcgauley5948@yahoo.co.uk or call David - 07552 107 461 or Gail 07929 729544

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KIRBY MUXLOE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY HUB We are now making rapid strides towards becoming a fully community-managed Library and Community Hub. Much has been accomplished - and there is still much to do!

First and foremost, we have had a really good response to our efforts to recruit volunteers.

We now have volunteers to cover all the activities associated with running the Library, including maintenance and cleaning, help with IT and website design, gardening, running activities, as well of course as processing book loans. We are immensely grateful for this splendid show of support. It is of course always the case that a volunteer army is liable to fluctuate over time, due to other commitments, perhaps moving house, being unwell and a whole host of other reasons. We are therefore always anxious to recruit more volunteers.

If you are interested in any of the volunteer roles, from issuing books to baking cakes, to cleaning and gardening, please either call in at the Library to complete a volunteer registration form, or call Alison Smith on 0116 2387388, or email her at smithalisonm@btinternet.com Training for volunteers who will be involved in actually dealing with books has been arranged for the last two weeks in March. Alison is in contact with these volunteers to arrange suitable dates. If you have not already booked your place, once again please contact Alison.

We are indebted to Kirby Muxloe Parish Council for giving us a grant under Section 137 funding for £4,500. This will be put towards capital items such as new and upgraded computers for public use and the purchase of a high quality coffee machine for refreshments, coffee mornings and so on. The support of the Parish Council is much appreciated. Leicestershire County Council will also be providing a capital grant of £5,000 which we will use for refurbishment and other items.

As many of you will know, the Library has an excellent modern meeting room, capable of taking groups of around 12-14 people. This room is available for hire at a rate of £5.00 per hour for non-profit-making organisations and £8.00 per hour for commercial hire. If you are interested in hiring the room, please contact Jan Cooper on 0116 2392844, or by email at jandave.ariscraig.btinternet.com Please note that we have made a slight change to dates for the opening of the new Library.

This is to enable us to have sufficient time to reorganise the interior. We have also rearranged the date of the opening ceremony, which will now take place on Saturday 6th May - this means that we shall avoid a clash with the Easter holidays. We hope to have a range of activities and events on offer, with a media presence, so do make a note in your diary.

DATES ARE: Friday 31st March - the Library in its present form closes Monday 10th April - the Library in its new form opens Saturday 6th May - formal opening ceremony

Kirby Muxloe Players

The next production of the Players is by a ‘local’ girl, Sue Townsend born in Leicester and best known for her Adrian Mole books, she also wrote six other novels, two nonfiction books and twelve plays. Bazaar and Rummage was first presented at The Royal Court theatre in 1982 and was televised in 1983. Set in the ‘70’s this play tells the story of three agoraphobics leaving home for the first time in years to hold a jumble sale. Sue Townsend always stressed that this play is a comedy and indeed the cast in rehearsal is having many a laugh but there are also poignant moments as we discover the reasons that have caused these women to become agoraphobic.

This play does contain some strong language and is not suitable for children, Sue Townsend tells it like it was in the ‘70’s and in doing so carried on the tradition that theatre should mirror ‘real life’. Dates for this show are Wednesday April 26th to Saturday 29th April at the Kirby Muxloe Village Hall commencing @7.30pm. The number to call for tickets 07804435235.

For those of you who took a leaflet home with you from our last show we would draw your attention to the dates of the production ‘Love Remembered’ that will follow Bazaar and Rummage’. The dates shown are incorrect and should have read 26th July – 29th July.

We hope to see you at both!

Friday 17th March 10.00 - 12.00 Ratby Methodist Church

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Pets at Home Christmas Appeal raises over £3,000 for local animal charity

LFE Film Evenings LFE Film Evenings will be showing on Thursday 6 April 2017 “Light Between the Oceans”.

In the years following WW1, Tom Sherbourne, still numb from his years in combat, takes a job as lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Western Australia. He finds comfort in the monotony of the chores and the solitude of his surroundings. When he meets Isabel, the daughter of the school's headmaster in the local town on the mainland, Tom is immediately captivated by her beauty, wit and passion, and they are soon married.

Woodside Animal Centre – the Leicester branch of the RSPCA – has been presented with a cheque for £3,106.73 by the Pets at Home, Fosse Park store.

Employees and customers raised the money through their ‘Santa Paws’ appeal which ran during December. Nationally, the appeal which aims to support rescue centers, particularly over the festive period, raised an astonishing £1,064,064.86 with customers making donations in stores, online and by text.

As their love flourishes, he begins to feel their happiness is marred only by their inability to start a family, so when a rowboat with a dead man and infant girl mysteriously washes ashore, Isabel believes their prayers may have been answered. Tom is torn between reporting the lost child and pleasing the woman he loves, and against his better judgment he agrees to let Isabel raise the child as their own,

making a choice with devastating consequences.

As part of the Fosse Park store’s charity appeal, Deputy Store Manager Jamie Sands also made the ultimate sacrifice by shaving his hair and beard. Three years of growth was ceremoniously shorn by their in-store pet groomers, the Groom Room.

Woodside’s Branch and Commercial Manager, Gary Wheway was delighted to receive the donation. He said “The success of the work we do, and the impact we have, both on the animals and the local community, can only be achieved with the support of local people and businesses within Leicestershire and Rutland. Its fantastic when local businesses get behind us; we are so very grateful for the support from all the fantastic employees and customers at Pets at Home Fosse Park. Their incredible donation had a very positive impact for the animals in our care this year, they all had a very special Christmas indeed.

Pets at Home Store Manager, Jamie Maddison, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support such a brilliant local charity. They do amazing work to take care of the unwanted and vulnerable animals in our community and that benefits all of us. “They’re under an incredible amount of pressure to raise the funds they need to keep the center running week in and week out. We’re pleased to have been able to make a contribution to that.”

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The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group 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. They are normally on either a Thursday or Tuesday.

Details of the dates of meetings, together with the topics that will be covered, are shown on the notice board in Kirby Muxloe library.

PLEASE NOTE: Our next meeting will be on TUESDAY 21st MARCH and will include a talk

by Jess Jenkins, archivist at the County Record Office, titled “Burning Passions” The struggle for Women’s Suffrage in Leicestershire.

A Walk Down Main Street In this series of articles, we take a stroll down Main Street, Kirby Muxloe, and a walk into the past.

Each article will feature a shop or business on Main Street. Do you remember it or know anyone who might?

If there is anything else about this, or any other business on Main Street, that you can tell us, please email us kmlhg999@gmail.com or telephone Judith on 0116 2393767 or Mike on 0116 2386026.

Royal Oak Public House There have been “alehouses” in the village since the 16th century and probably earlier.

One of the earliest known ones was in the Old White House on Main Street. It was not unusual for widows to become beer sellers and we find Widow Boyer selling ale in Kirby, probably her own brew, at the end of the 17th century. The early alehouses would not have had a formal name as such, so we only find the “Royal Oak” mentioned when we get to the early 19th century. It was then that we can see the property being licenced, rather than the person. Prior to that, the Quarter Sessions papers would include Licenced Victuallers’ Recognisances, which licenced the alehouse keeper to sell beer. Keeping

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a public house was often a part-time occupation, so for example, we find Jonas Poyner, a tenant of the Royal Oak in 1816, working as a blacksmith.

The Royal Oak appears in the trade directories for 1861, showing that the tenant at the time was James Colpas, who ran the pub until 1880. He was followed by the Spiers family, who were listed as joint tenants with Albert Davey. By 1904, Philip Bosworth had taken over. At the time, the building was at the edge of the road with only a very narrow footpath in front.

One of the best remembered publicans was George Upton, licensee from 1943 until 1963.

He was known as a great prankster and caused much mirth with the jokes he played on his unsuspecting customers. One such story concerned a military gentleman, who often came from Ratby on his horse to visit the Royal Oak. On one occasion, he became rather inebriated, so George decided to play a trick on him and turned the saddle around, so that it was facing the wrong way! On leaving the pub, some men used a ladder to help him onto his horse. The story goes that he then went all the way back to Ratby riding his horse, but facing the

wrong way!

In the 1940’s an upstairs room in the pub was used for various meetings and for the collection of rates- a forerunner of Council Tax. It was located at the rear of the building and accessed by a spiral metal staircase. In WWII, the Royal Oak is recorded in the Air Raid Protection Warden’s record book as having a shelter or a cellar measuring 12 ’x 8’ x 9’ (some 4m x 2½m x 3m in metric) and showing that the public house was inhabited by Philip and Beatrice Bosworth.

As the years went by, the building became more and more dilapidated and in 1970 it was demolished, by all accounts by using “a big ball and chain”. It was replaced by a “modern” building and renamed the “Spanish Blade”. Somehow, the name just didn’t fit the village and in 1981, much to most villagers’ approval, the name reverted to the Royal Oak. In the present day the Royal Oak is a thriving, traditional village pub and restaurant.

The Royal Oak public house, circa 1960 - Courtesy of the Will Walker collection

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County Councillors Report Ratby and Groby Division County - Councillor Ozzy O’Shea Tel: 0116 2394 336 or 07808 585 825 - Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com of State Sajid Javid MP, when we meet his team at Westminster in late March. Residents can be assured that we will continue to fight for fair funding until an acceptable new system is in place and Leicestershire receives its fair share.

I have been re-selected as the Conservative candidate to stand as the County Councillor for Groby, Ratby and Field Head Division. It has been an Honour and Pleasure to serve you over the past 4 years. Thank you for putting your faith in me.

County Councils Budget Meeting At Leicestershire's full County Council meeting on 22nd February, the budget precept for 2017/18 was set, with the county-element of council tax rising by 3.99%, including a 2% levy for adult social care. This year’s 3.99% rise will increase the county's share of a band D bill by around £45 to £1,172.38 from April 2017.

Councillors backed plans to save £66 million over the next 4 years. £43 million of this has already been identified, which leaves a funding gap of £23 million to be filled- either through further savings or extra funding being identified.

Councillors have been asked to make some tough decisions in order to balance the County Council’s budget over the last 4 years, some decisions are really hard to make, but I made these decisions to protect front line services for the residents of Leicestershire.

Ratby Community Library It was a great pleasure and an honour to be asked to attend and say a few words at the official 1st year anniversary of the running of Ratby Library by community volunteers on Wednesday 8th February. I have always said that a Library is a vital part of any community and can be the hub for the community and events. I was pleased when the community group took it over last year. I have always offered and will always give my support to the Library where ever I can. I would like to thank Ken Hunnybun and all the volunteers that continue to run this vital community service.

The Council's deputy leader, Councillor Byron Rhodes, announced that £1.3 million of bus subsidy savings were to be replaced by increased income from improved collection of Council Tax and Business Rates – but other savings would go ahead.

Over the past 7 years the County Council have saved £160 million and repaid £59 million of debt. This means that the County Council saves nearly £5 million per year in debt repayments.

The County Council have also put together a capital investment programme of £189 million.

This is used to support vital infrastructure projects such as £78.5 million for highways, roads, footpaths and LED streetlights, £37 million for schools, including £22.1 million to provide more school places.

The County Council needs to make savings because resources are simply not keeping up with demand and cost increases, including: inflation of £37 million, growth of £25 million, mainly for children's and adults' social care.

There are also major demographic pressures, eg. from a 60,000 increase in the over-65 population by 2030. Leicestershire is one of the lowest funded County Councils and, if it was funded at the same level as Surrey, we would be £104 million per year better off.

Leicestershire’s fair funding campaign, strongly supported by Leicestershire MPs, is starting to bear fruit. We have won the argument that the local government funding system is broken and we intend telling this to DCLG Secretary

valuable equipment kept in them, security measures should certainly be put in place.

Property Gardening tools and garden furniture are not cheap - what's more they are very saleable items for the thief. Don't make it easy for them to be stolen and remember that tools stolen from your shed could be used to burgle your house.

• Postcode or property mark anything in your shed or garage that is value and might be stolen, for example, lawnmowers, garden furniture, bicycles, and sports equipment.

• Take photographs of expensive items - they may be useful to police to identify the goods and return them to you, should you be unfortunate enough to have them stolen.

• Never leave garden tools and equipment outside, even if you are just popping back into the house. It only takes minutes for an opportunist thief to take them.

• Consider fitting a pair of garage door locks that are fitted either vertically or horizontally and can be locked both from the inside and outside of the garage.

County Council Elections 4th May 2017 If you have moved address and are not registered to vote at your current address. You can register to vote on line at the following address. www.gov.uk/register-to-vote you can register up to 13th April 2017.

Well Done!!

Arriva 27 Sunday Service Ratby I have been contacted by residents asking if the number 27 bus service goes around Whittington Drive and Markfield Road on a Sunday. I have contacted Arriva and been informed it no longer does on a Sunday since their latest changes. I can not see why this is the case a and as such I have written to Simon Mathieson their area managing director.

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION Garden Crime Don't let green fingered thieves spring clean your shed.

Many people take a great deal of trouble securing their house and the property within it...but what about sheds and garages?

With the array of lawnmowers, power tools, garden equipment, bicycles, sports and other

You can also register for a postal vote up to 5pm on the 18th April 2017 or you can call 01455 238141 and ask for the election officer.

I would like to thank residents and councillors for your continued support Should you need my help or advice on any matter or issue, I pride myself on always making myself available to residents and councillors and getting straight back to you.

Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Kind Regards

Ozzy O’shea.

Working for you

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11

Ratby Open Mic Night Back on Track

English and Welsh Wine: The local connection

Thirteen different acts performed at the February Open Mic Night at the Plough Inn, Ratby. The audience was entertained by performers playing a wide variety of styles and genres.

The evening was kicked off by a couple of songs from two members ‘Goldfish’. ‘One for Ditch’, a trio featuring an electric double bass, played train-themed rockabilly style songs. The four piece ‘Lounge Out’ played a selection of their self-penned material. We had the entertaining Stuart Rowe on keyboards. Followed

by Paul playing some older songs. Roy, Nige and Mike sang and played guitar.

David played his ukulele and sang.

Glen played jazz/latin guitar music.

The popular Eddy Hall played some of his classic 60’s rock tunes. Ian Lovell finished the evening with Americana influenced songs from his album featuring voice and guitar and harmonica.

Talk by Liz Robson of Kingfisher’s Pool Vineyard, Rothley And Annual General Meeting Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Monday March 20 at 7.30p.m.

We have been pleased to invite Liz Robson, who will explain how she first became interested in viniculture.

Having taken over a 5 acre property in Rothley, she planted the first 6 rows of vines in 2008. More vines were planted and Liz joined the Mercian Vineyard association. She also became editor of “The Grapevine”.

Until then the cultivation of vines and the production of home-made wine had been a mere hobby. After winning several trophies for her wine, Liz took retirement to concentrate on Rothley Wines Ltd.

It was a great night enjoyed by all.

Don’t miss the next one, you can come along to perform or just enjoy the variety of great music.

The next Open Mic will be on Monday 13th March 2107, 8.30pm at the Plough Inn, Burroughs Road, Ratby.

SHOP LOCAL THIS MOTHERS DAY SUNDAY 26TH MARCH 2017 WE HAVE SOME AMAZING SHOPS OFFERING UNQIUE GIFTS, FLOWERS AND PRODUCE IN AND AROUND OUR VILLAGES

2016 was the first year of commercial production of red, white and sparkling wines. At this meeting members and visitors will be able to taste a selection of the excellent sparkling wine and their bestselling white wine, King Richard.

Non-members are welcome; £5 at the door.

The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Further information Peter Bertram 01162 100 572

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So Sorry... …readers Due to ĞdžĐĞƉƟŽŶĂů ĚĞŵĂŶĚ From 3rd April 2017 local discounted rates will stop.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ^ƵnjĂŶŶĂŚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƌŝĐƚĞƐƚ ĐŽŶĮĚĞŶĐĞ͗

ŶLJ ŶĞǁ ĐŽƵƌƐĞ ŽĨ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ŬĞĚ ĂŌĞƌ 3rd April will be at the normal rates.

Tel: 07891 831668 E-mail: info@sf-services.co.uk Web: www.sf-services.co.uk

SF services’ counselling price guide:

Counselling rooms near Kirby Muxloe and West Bridgford

• Adult Individuals: £40 each session will return to £60 • Couples: £55 each session will return to £75 • Children, workplace support, groups, workshops, training and coaching please enquire

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Suzannah Ridgway MNCS(Snr Accred), MBACP, MCYP, MAAMET Approved Clinical Supervisor, Registered Senior Accredited Counsellor & EFT WƌĂĐƟƟŽŶĞƌ ŚĂƐ ǁŽƌŬĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ăůů ĂŐĞ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ͕ ŝŶ ƉƌŝǀĂƚĞ ƉƌĂĐƟĐĞ͕ ŝŶ ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌŬƉůĂĐĞ͘ ^ŚĞ ŚĂƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ŵĂŶLJ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ LJĞĂƌƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ͘

Kirby Muxloe Podiatr y Practice P Practice i established blished shed h d over 25 years.

Welcomes Keithley Hanley as an Associate.

Keithley Hanley is a graduate raduate of the University of Northampton with an honours degree in Podiatrr y.

He has many years of experience.

For all your footcare and foot related problems, s, please call 0116 2392024 024 to make an appointment ent Treatments include thee use of Local ocal Anaestheticc for ingrowing ngrowing wing toenails ails

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13

Reminder to renew garden waste collection service ALMOST a year after the introduction of a payment-based garden waste collection service in Hinckley & Bosworth, the Borough Council is reminding residents that they will need to renew their subscriptions by 31 March.

To ensure the service continues uninterrupted, subscriptions should be renewed as soon as possible because bins that do not display the correct 2017/18 sticker will not be emptied after 1 April. Therefore residents are advised to make payment by 17 March to allow 10 working days for the sticker to be delivered.

Renewals can be made online at www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/gardenwaste, where the council has made significant improvements to the system that was used 12 months ago. Alternatively, call the council on 01455 238141.

Payments can be made by either credit or debit card, but residents should be aware that a small surcharge is made for credit card payments. The price has been frozen and remains at £24 for 2017/18. Those who have already set up a direct debit don’t need to do anything, and should receive their new bin sticker soon. The sticker can be placed on the bin as soon as it is received.

So far, 74 per cent of households that previously used the garden waste service have continued to do so since the introduction of the charge. Garden waste is still collected on a fortnightly basis, closing only for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. This means that each collection costs just 96 pence.

Payment for the service can be made at any time throughout the year. For those who choose not to subscribe to the service there are other options for disposing of their garden waste including: 1. Composting at home - garden waste and other material can be recycled by purchasing a low cost compost bin from www.getcomposting.com 2. Taking garden waste to a Leicestershire County Council Household Waste & Recycling Site (see www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ environment-and-planning/waste-andrecycling)

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14

Sponsorship Kenya & Tanzania Expedition 2018 My name is Rebekah Garratt; I am aged fifteen; I am a pupil at Groby Community College. I am volunteering with Camps International to go to Kenya & Tanzania in July 2018.

I have had a passion for Africa from a very young age and I am very aware that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work in this country. I am a regular volunteer for Ratby Community Cinema as well as being active in the Scout movement and I am looking forward to being able to use the skills I have learnt to volunteer in another country.

The Camp international Schools Kenya expedition is to help local communities in Kenya by building wells and schools. To do this each volunteer has to raise their own funds for the trip. The cost of this is a staggering £4,500 per volunteer for the month long trip.

I have to work very hard to raise this amount of money, one of my funding projects is to have the name and logo of local companies sponsoring me

printed on to a banner that I will be using over the next 18 months. Each company will have an A4 size space on the banner and for this advertising opportunity it

coffee

costs £50. This banner would be visible at the many events I will be attending including

mornings, fetes, the fortnightly Ratby Community Cinema, (where I volunteer), car boots and

the Ratby Bank Holiday yard sale. I am also selling advertising that

space on my t-shirt

I will

also be wearing at my fundraising event as well as Kenya and Tanzania for £200, I am sure

you agree this is a really good advertising opportunity for those companies which take part.

I have already raised £2,000 through a range of activities including raffles, coffee mornings

and a quiz night. I have learnt many skills through doing this and I hope to learn many more.

caring

for

important

This is a great opportunity to advertise your company as a sponsor an

cause and also very exciting for me! If you have read this and in any –

would

like to help

way

either by sponsoring me or donating an item that I may be able to auction off please contact

Rebekah’s

Adventure

(where

me at: Rebekahg16@aol.com or on my Facebook page African

you can also find out about my prize raffles) and I will be happy to speak with you.

Yours sincerely, Rebekah Garratt

Volunteer for the Camps International Kenya and Tanzania expedition 2018

Sunday Lunch Club- Ratby Church Rooms

Our lunch club at Ratby Parish Church is now 5 years old.

It is held in the Church rooms generally on the last Sunday of the month. Sunday lunch has traditionally been a family occasion but it can be a very lonely time for some people so we thought it would be an opportunity for us as a church to offer a hand of friendship to elderly or disabled people and also to those people who live alone, by inviting them to join us for a traditional three course Sunday lunch.

We do not charge anything for the meal as this is not a fund raising initiative however we do appreciate a small donation to help towards the costs of providing the food, currently we have around 35 people on our list who really enjoy the meal but more important the opportunity to socialise as stated by one of our regular ladies "Many thanks for a lovely lunch yesterday, it really is great to get out and to catch up with everyone. Many thanks for everyone's hard work" We have a loyal band of volunteers who help to make everyone welcome and thanks to our small band of fabulous volunteer drivers we can provide transport for those people who live locally but are unable to get to the Church Hall themselves.

If you would like further details or would like to book a place please contact Joan Hawkins (Pastoral Assistant at Ratby Parish Church)Telephone

0116 3670653

Email

jvajhawkins@hotmail.co.uk

t: 0800 6446 150 • e: yourlocal@openboxpromotions.co.uk • w: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk

Looking For New Members

Your Local Gas & Plumbing Specialist

SPRING SPECIAL FREE TRVs

All girls welcome from ages 7-10.

Come and learn and earn badges as well as have fun, meet girls that are your age and join in the fun games we have planned for you also choose the games you want to play too.

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Your leaders and unit helper are: Brown owl: Angie • Snowy owl: Tracy • Barn owl: Sue Elf owl: Emily • Arty owl: Lora So come and join us we are at Ratby Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby, Leicester LE6 0JF

On a Tuesday evening except on half term.

If you are interested please contact us by Angie : Wigrida@hotmail.co.uk • Emily: emilymayhall2201@gmail.com Please join our winter fair which is going to be held on the 12th November 2016 at Ratby Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby, Leicester,LE6 0JF where brownies takes place.

We are always looking for new leaders!

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145958

15

Ratby Primary School

Year 1 Tea Party

In the Foundation Stage we have two lovely class guinea-pigs called Nelly and Nora who love a snuggle and a story with us at the end of the day.

However, as part of our topic work on

Pets we decided to invite some of our own pets from home to visit us as well!

On the 27th January, 2017 the Ratby Young Voices choir performed with 6,500 other children at the Genting Arena, Birmingham. Our journey began last September, when we asked if anyone was interested in joining a choir to perform.

There was a huge interest and unfortunately we could not take everyone. Forms were filled, tickets and t-shirts were ordered and in November the 41 strong choir began practicing. We began with some very quiet,nervous singing of the pop medley (which always proves popular)

then moved onto the dancing and singing of some songs that the younger staff did not recognise! Having boogied through 'Birdhouse in my

soul' and learnt to sign 'You're the voice' alongside 10

other amazing tracks we were ready. Our choir had now transformed into an enthusiastic, professional

and energetic group of singers. Rehearsal and

performance day arrived... the children nervously

entered the arena but after 10 minutes of looking around realised they were well prepared (some

schools had song sheets in hand!). The excitement built throughout the day and they performed

amazingly, the teacher who had come along from

Elizabeth Woodville with her 7 strong choir remarked ' Well done your children were fantastic!' They have

gone back to school ready to encourage more

children for next year. It was a privilege to work with the dedicated Year 4 and 5's, thank you to everyone for your help and support. Special thanks to Miss Stretton, Mrs Gridley and Mrs Bedder and all the parents. Watch this space for information about

Young Voices 2018!

Young Voices 2017!

16

Foundation Stage Pet Road Show

To launch our new topic 'Bright Lights, Big City', we had a tea party fit for the Queen. The children really enjoyed preparing for the Tea Party by making jam sandwiches, decorating bunting and baking scones!

The big event was in the afternoon where the children enjoyed a dance to some traditional music and of course they were able to enjoy the lovely food they had prepared.

They even got their photograph taken with the Queen!

Mums, Dads and Grandparents were

also asked to come along a to share

the experience with us, and to help us to ask questions

and find out as much

as we could about how to care for

each of the animals.

We had a rabbit, guinea-pigs and also some unusual pets such as a ferret and a snake! Thank you to all of the parents who supported us.

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News....

Ratby’s Resident Romans!

Brownies and Rainbows World Thinking Day

In February, Year 3 was transported back to the times of the Roman Empire! Two of their teachers, Mr Barber and Mr Brothwell, dressed up in authentic Roman soldier attire – including wearing full armour and wielding replica weapons.

The children learned a great

amount throughout the day including: why the Romans invaded; how the Romans invaded; what they did when they settled here; how the Britons fought back and they even learned (and acted out) Roman and Celtic battle formations and tactics!

It was a fantastic day for all involved, with memories from the day etched in to the children’s minds for many years to come.

Thursday 22nd February marked a very important day for the

Brownies and Rainbows in our school. World Thinking Day is one of the most significant dates in the Girl Guiding calendar as it represents a time when all members around the world think of each other and their commitment to international friendships. Our brownies and Rainbows came to school dressed in full uniform and were able to share with us all how important this day is to them. Thank you for letting us be part of it.

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17

Borough Councillors Report Cllr Ozzy O’Shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Dear residents, The following is the annual Budget Report presented to Council on 23rd February 2017 by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mike Hall.

FINAL BUDGET SETTLEMENT As Leader of H&BBC and Lead Member for Finance it gives me great pleasure to deliver this budget for the financial year 2017/2018.

One year ago Council approved a Conservative budget that took this Council from a position where financial warnings and challenges had been ignored, to one where we have a balanced budget and an MTFS that shows a sound position for its lifetime. We are still addressing some of the issues caused by the previous administrations decisions, but our Medium Term Financial Strategy is working and tonight I ask members to build on this by accepting all of the recommendations in this budget.

Today we are implementing another stage of better financial management for this Council, and once more I am presenting a balanced budget but also addressing the risks to the future stability of our finances.

This budget and updated MTFS will enable the Council to deliver its new four-year Corporate Plan.

For years this Council has maintained a policy of keeping a balance of 10% of its nett general fund budget as protection against fluctuations in service costs and unforeseen expenditure. The future financing position of Councils is changing, with the possibility of increased business rates retention, further changes to new homes bonus, and limits to what we can fairly collect from Council Tax. As we become more dependent on growth in local businesses we also become more exposed to fluctuations in the economy, and whilst the position looks positive at the moment we need to consider that this may not always be the case. I am therefore seeking Councils approval for a policy change to strengthen our financial resilience through an increase in the minimum balance position to 15% averaged over the lifetime of the MTFS. Today we can take the first step in achieving this.

The General Fund Budget presented to you tonight is supported by a detailed budget book, which has had a huge volume of work to present it in a way that now aligns to our new corporate structure. I would like to thank Ashley, Ilyas and the whole finance team for the work that they have put into this budget preparation. Members may have noticed within the pages of the book that officers

18

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel 0116 2388301 or 07880 711 222 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com

have summarised all of the corporate central (Admin) charges. These central overhead costs are recharged across our core services, and you will see they amount to over £7 million. I know that members and officers would like to be reassured that these costs are subject to the same scrutiny and requirements to deliver efficiencies as other areas of the council’s operations. This summary will enable the Council to undertake a full review of the costs and their allocation. Officers will work in the coming weeks and months to reduce these costs where possible, and to review how they are apportioned to services.

As part of the general fund budget we also include the budget for the Special Expenses area. This budget, and the proportion of the Council Tax charge for the Area, are calculated through historical allocations which need to be updated.

There are a number of issues that need to be resolved before I can recommend these changes to Council, and having discussed with officers and other members I have concluded that changes here can wait until we have greater clarity. There will in the next few months be a full Scrutiny review of the role of the HAC which I hope will recommend changes to responsibilities and how that HAC can have greater power to determine its own funding requirements. All options will be reviewed and considered to ensure whatever is done complies with legal requirements and best practice.

Councils Hinckley Area Committee should have a substantial input to this work, to develop a clearer understanding of what is included in its budget and wether it can have more control over the costs of those services for Hinckley residents. Should that Committee be able to recommend fees and charges to Council which affect the income it receives, should it be able to set the service levels required in Hinckley's parks and cemetery, and determine acceptable costs for those services.

Should the Committee be able to develop a capital programme, access Borough Council funding for infrastructure projects under the same conditions as Parishes will be able to through the Developing Communities Fund, and recommend a precept for the Special Expenses Area.

There is one change however that will be implemented in this budget, and that is to remove the contribution made by the SEA towards discounted car parking in Hinckley.

This charge effectively subsidises economic improvement of the Borough and I believe should fall upon the general fund budget as a whole. This view was supported by the Hinckley area committee and the change will help to increase reserves and balances, by £25k, in the Special Expenses Area budget so that the people of Hinckley can benefit from additional services.

As part of Councils work to update its constitution, and subject to any legal requirements in calculating Council Tax, we shall look to implement recommendations as soon as possible..

Council holds earmarked reserves, some are used to build up funds for planned future expenditure, others for possible future expenditure if certain risks are realised. This year I have undertaken a review of these reserves and members will note that whilst the overall level is increasing slightly there are some shifts in reserves as we remove some that are no longer required. We are significantly increasing others where there is a risk that future costs could be higher. These include the reserves for successful challenges to business rates payments, a building maintenance reserve due to the need to maintain some of our building assets, possible costs associated with The Hub rent reviews, and costs to update our local plan.

When I became Leader of this Council I said that I would be fair to all Residents of Hinckley and Bosworth, and all groups within our community. This year we have had some unplanned challenges. Buying the former coop site has added costs to our general fund budget, a post-brexit slow down in lettings means we still have vacant units in The Crescent. Slower than anticipated disposal of some of our surplus sites has also affected our capital receipts. However we have restructured our organisation, made additional one-off and long term savings, and increased income from some services.

The overall result of these differences is that we can push forward with our commitment to invest in our communities, this council, and local businesses.

Council Officers continue to find savings in running our services, but with anticipated pay awards, some of those officers are not on target to be paid the £9/hr living wage target in 2020/21. Regional and national discussions are currently taking place about the impact of the living wage increase, and we will await the outcome of those discussions, but I have therefore asked officers to look at accelerating pay increases for those who

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would be affected and I hope to be able to bring to Council a recommendation that will increase the pay for our lowest paid staff more rapidly than would currently be the case.

The most vulnerable people in our community require our support more than others, and there is plenty in this budget for them.

We have frozen council tax discount at 88% for over 5000 of our most vulnerable families, including over 3000 pensioners on

low incomes.

Last year we increased funding for programmes of work delivered through our voluntary and community sector. The programmes, delivered at relatively low cost, continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our borough. By supporting those at risk of poor mental and physical health and wellbeing, preventing loneliness, and dealing with the impacts of anti-social behaviour, we are building stronger communities. This year we are providing a further increase in these funds and we shall review the priorities for support so that even more organisations supporting even more people can deliver benefit to our community, details of this years scheme will

be brought to Council in due course.

Last year our residents were asked to support the introduction of a small collection charge

for garden waste and they did so in very large numbers with over 70% choosing to take up

the service. This was much higher than was

anticipated and as a result we will freeze the

price for all residents who use this service for

the next two years, not just those who pay by direct debit.

Last year we expanded the Snapdragon events to enable more activity days for young children to be run across our borough.

This was a great success and we shall build on that further with more events in more locations this year. Our Town Centre events in Hinckley are well known to bring in the crowds, but with additional funding to expand our town Centres management teams and more events funding we will be able to bring similar crowds to our other towns across the borough. Supporting local businesses and giving residents and visitors a great day out.

We have increased funding available to Parishes for small projects, through our PCIF scheme, to £125k. Subject to finding savings in other areas, we shall look to increase future funding still further, to make sure that every Parish is able to benefit from this funding.

Our Developing Communities Fund is being established with many initial expressions of interest from Parishes across the borough and we are increasing the funding available for these community infrastructure projects. If savings allow we will increase this fund further in future years, and subject to changes in the running of the Hinckley Area Committee, to allow them to match fund projects, we shall make the same level of funding available

within the Special Expenses Area as we do to our Parish's. It will be for the Hinckley Area Committee to decide on which projects are required.

We have created some stability in financing by presenting an efficiency plan to Government which has resulted in a known four year government settlement. Officers have delivered and continue to find further cost savings. Businesses, including some of our Boroughs largest employers are expanding, creating more jobs and business rates growth.

As a result of our decisions last year and the measures I am presenting to Council this evening we are better placed to withstand future pressures and I ask Council to support the General fund budget.

The Council Tax charged by this Council remains amongst the lowest of all 203 district councils in England, and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, even with the small planned increases that are included in our MTFS. Put into the context of the costs of Council services the money that residents pay to this Council in Council Tax is only enough to fund our waste collection, recycling, and part of environmental health services.

Everything else that we do as a council uses either Government funding or income from our services. The £5 increase this year will contribute towards a more secure financial future, more investment across the borough, and better services for residents. It will deliver funding to build stronger communities in every corner of the Borough. Caring for people, making places better, and delivering prosperity that everyone can share in.

Our HRA budget is presented in the context of uncertainty about government announcements on high value voids which have yet to be confirmed, and the approaching need to repay some of the services £67million debt. Officers are presently working on a new business plan which will aim to ensure our debts can be repaid, whilst also changing the shape of our housing service to support peoples aspirations for home ownership, or long term secure rental. Council housing is too often seen as the only step on the housing ladder when it should be seen as one step. As part of our business plan we will look to establish new pathways which will support tenants who want to exercise their right to buy, or those who want to move to other tenure types, and we will continue to provide high quality council housing to those in most housing need. So whilst we present a budget tonight for the year ahead it will be subject to change following the publication of our updated business plan and any necessary consultation.

The Capital Programme is coming to the end of its cycle, and therefore has little new expenditure, with most of the growths identified to support essential services.

During the coming months a new capital programme will be created for the years ahead.

The majority of fees and charges have been

Increased in line with inflation and members are asked to support these recommendations.

The final document is our annual Treasury Management report and strategy and I'm sure our finance team will be pleased to answer members questions.

This budget shows that the measures we took last year to move us from the deficit position that we inherited to a balanced position, have worked. This year we do not need to make as many tough decisions and we can now start work to improve our Borough for all of the Residents of Hinckley and Bosworth.

Safer Driver Event Because new laws came into effect on March 1st , concerning the use of mobile phones whilst driving and increased the penalties if caught to 6 penalty points and a £200 fine together with a complete revoking of your license if you have held it for under two years, the Community Safety Team at HBBC held a Safer Driver Event to highlight this. Chris, as Exec Member for Community Safety, supported by Ozzy , hosted the event which saw key partner agencies attend such as Leicester Fire & Rescue and the Police to highlight the dangers of phoning or texting whilst driving . Attendees got the chance to try out interactive aids such as the VF4 which is the latest, most advanced car crash simulator in the UK and to test their response times on the BATAK machine which helps people’s understanding of how much slower their responses are after alcohol by completing the challenge with and without beer googles on.

The police speed van gave people an insight into police enforcement and the chance to have a go with the cameras that they use.

Another extremely popular experience on the day was the VF4 360, a virtual reality experience of a real-life crash from the passenger’s perspective using the latest technology. Users were given viewing headsets and earphones to provide a realistic, immersive experience of a car accident.

Professionals were also at the event to raise awareness of the impact of smoking and substance misuse.

Councillor Chris Boothby, Chair of the Blaby and Hinckley and Bosworth Community Safety Partnership and Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety said “we were delighted to host this event at the Hinckley Hub. The event managed to get across some really key messages to attendees in a really interactive way. We welcome the new harsher penalties for driving whilst using a mobile phone and this event managed to highlight the devastating results using a mobile phone whilst driving can have. We all have a part to play in shifting attitudes and making sure that using mobile phones whilst driving becomes socially unacceptable.”

Best Wishes

Chris & Ozzy working for you.

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Charlies-Angel-Centre Supporting Bereaved Parents & Families When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, there is a common assumption that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case. Losing your baby is something no parent ever forgets. It is a time of intense anguish and sorrow. Aftercare and support is essential and we are here to help.

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Telephone & Email Support - Bereavement Counselling Community Support Group - Information & Support In Your Area

www.Charlies-Angel-Centre.org.uk Tel: 0113 8081507

Award winning garden work at an affordable price Whether you’re looking to completely change your garden, focus on a particular area for improvement or just need some help maintaining your current garden, we can provide affordable expert help with: Paving Walling Decking

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To discuss how we could help with your garden and get a quote Call Pete on 07837 269 504 or email pete@pmblandscaping.co.uk

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Local Charity asks organisations to rally round to build awareness of the ‘invisible’ disability Glebe House, a Loughborough based charity, has invited local organisations and charities across Leicestershire to work in partnership to coordinate a range of events and activities to mark World Autism Awareness Week starting from 27th March to 2nd April and then throughout April.

AUTISM Awareness Across Leicestershire

Raising Autism Awareness

Organisations who have already pledged their support to help raise much needed awareness include Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Autistic Society, Autism East Midlands, RNIB College, Homefield College, Charnwood Borough Council, Attenborough Arts but to name a few.

Glebe House Chief Executive, Peter Warlow stated, “Whilst general awareness of autism is much higher in recent times, research shows that there remains a lack of understanding about what it really means to live with autism, not only for the person with autism but also for those who care for them and live with them. “ He went on to say, “Whether it’s at school, within businesses or in social settings, people with autism are still misunderstood. We are asking organisations across Leicestershire, what they are doing to help raise autism awareness. “ Events include a ‘Living with Autism’ Conference on the 30th March hosted by Leicestershire Autistic Society at the NSPCC Training Centre, Leicester, followed by a worldwide initiative to ‘Light up in Blue’ as we countdown to World Autism Awareness Day. A charity event hosted by Fusion Lifestyle Loughborough will celebrate autism within the community on the 2nd April. Autism East Midlands will be hosting a ‘Pathway to Adulthood’ conference on the 25th April at Glebe House, Loughborough and Contact a Family will run a ‘Challenging Behaviour’ Workshop on the 26th April.

'LIGHT IT UP BLUE' CAMPAIGN 31st March - 2nd April Join us to help raise much needed awareness across Leicestershire

GET INVOLVED! BE PART OF OUR CAMPAIGN

Charnwood Borough Council Leicestershire County Hall Charnwood Museum Carillion Tower Attenborough Arts Rolls Royce

To find out how you can get involved and be a part of our Autism Awareness campaign please contact marketing@glebehouseproject.org.uk

A calendar of autism friendly events across Leicestershire is being coordinated during the Easter Holidays. Anyone wishing to run something or wish to promote their activity or find out how they can get involved can contact marketing@glebehouseproject.org.uk or calling 07398 987 627 by 25th March.

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to Nathan Dickman on me@nathandickman.com.

The details required are: Name of Group; Activities undertaken; Where and at what times the meetings are held; Entrance fee; Contact person and telephone number.

Book Club Anniversary 8th February 2017 Customers and Volunteers celebrated the first full year of this Community Managed Library and Café. A steady stream of customers enjoyed free tea or coffee throughout the day. The event was attended by County Councillor Ozzy O’Shea and his Wife, Borough Councillor Chris Boothby, the Chair and Clerk to the Parish Council Merle Joyce and Linda Fogg. Councillor O’Shea celebrated the event with a speech, congratulating the Trustees and Volunteers for their efforts over the past 12 months that is providing the village not just with the Library but also a fine café and space for community activity or meetings on 6 days a week. Councillor O’Shea also pledged his continuing support for the future of the Community Library

Details of a number of organisations providing leisure activities in Ratby were displayed to recruit new members. Not all organisations were represented but the intention is to keep the records available on the Library Website.

If you would like your organisation to be included please email the following details

The Premier League Trophy Turns up at Ratby Sports Club

The first meeting of a book club was held in the Library on Monday 20th.Five of the seven members attended and the book chisen to read and discuss was Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths.

The next meeting will be held on 20th March, places are available. Membership fee is £1 per meeting and and refreshments will beavailable to purchase

Car parking Another episode of litter occurred this month that prompted me to report the matter to the Police who recorded it as antisocial behaviour. Yes, it was quite a lot worse than that reported last month. I’m told that beat officers will be looking in on their rounds in future

Ecuador/Ratby on Skype Ratby & Groby Labour party held a meeting in the library for an invited audience to listen to a talk by David and Marion Hutchins and their daughter Louise on their visit to Ecuador. Photographs of the flora and fauna were shown but the highlight of the evening was a skype link up to speak to their other twin daughter Lizzy who is working in Ecuador and answered questions from the audience on the political situation in the country where a general election is imminent. An extremely interesting evening was had and thanks were expressed to the Hutchins family for their excellent presentation.

Barney Bear In Contrast the library was visited again by Barnet bear and Lilly in the half term holiday.

www.ratbylibrary.org.uk The Library web site is now under new management and its address is above.

Nathan Dickman is the new Treasurer and has created the new site and Dan Green will join him in managing and developing the site.

The rest of the Trustees are Ken Hunnybun Chair, Avril Hunnybun Secretary, Christine Reid and Adrian Russell who is leading on the changes to the kitchen.

Quiz Night 24th March Teams of up to 5 members, are invited to participate in a Quiz evening. Why not represent you place of employment or leisure time activity or just a friendship group. Publicity and Forms are available at the library or around the village. This coincides with Red

Nose Day so should be fun for all as well a serious element of the Quiz.

Dates for your Diary or wall calendar April 10th to 14th Children’s games Sat April 15th

Easter Egg Hunt and an Easter Bonnet parade

Thurs April 20th

Wriggly Readers Club

Ken Hunnybun Call me on 07720542295 to discuss becoming a Volunteer It’s a lot of fun As well as meeting new people and learning new things

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On Thursday the 2nd March the Premier League Trophy was at Ratby Sports Club, where the trophy was on hand for people to view and take photographs. A good crowd gathered where the talk was ‘who will take over from Claudio’ and ‘what performance against Liverpool’.

With back to back wins and the next game against Sevilla on the 14th March at 7.45pm, which you can watch live at Ratby Sports Club, who knows where this season will take us.

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HEALTHMATTERS Sinusitis Sinusitis is a common condition where the lining of the sinuses become inflamed. It's usually caused by a viral infection and often improves within two or three weeks. It is thought to affect up to three million people a year.

The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead. There are four sinus cavities. The two largest are the maxillary sinuses, which lie just behind the cheekbones, and the frontal sinuses, which are just behind the forehead.

The mucus produced by your sinuses usually drains into your nose through small channels. In sinusitis, these channels become blocked because the sinus linings are inflamed (swollen).

Some experts believe sinus problems are on the increase because modern living conditions mean the sensitive tissue, lining the nose and the sinuses, is being bombarded with constant changes in atmosphere from air conditioning and central heating.

Drier indoor conditions mean there is less production of mucus, which is vital for trapping and killing allergens and irritants that penetrate the nasal passages.

Once these irritants do get in, they cause inflammation in the lining of the sinuses, which can lead to infection. This can cause tenderness in the face, a throbbing headache, tiredness, bad breath and even a loss of taste and smell as the blockage affects the senses.

In two-thirds of cases, the infection clears up on its own in a couple of weeks. Painkillers and decongestants to clear bunged up noses can help. However, for a third of patients it turns into chronic sinusitis that can lead to the formation of polyps — tiny growths in the sinuses and the nose that block air flow.

Sinusitis is usually the result of a cold or flu virus spreading to the sinuses from the upper airways. Only a few cases are caused by bacteria infecting the sinuses. An infected tooth or fungal infection can also occasionally cause the sinuses to become inflamed.

It's not clear exactly what causes sinusitis to become chronic (longlasting), but it has been associated with: • allergies and related conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma and hay fever • nasal polyps (growths inside the nose) • smoking • a weakened immune system

Making sure underlying conditions such as allergies and asthma are well controlled may improve the symptoms of chronic sinusitis. If your symptoms are mild and getting better, you don't usually need to see your GP and can look after yourself at home. Come in to The Village Pharmacy for help and advice on how to manage the condition at home.

You can help relieve your symptoms by: • Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen • Using nasal decongestants – these shouldn't be used for more than a week, as this might make things worse • Holding warm packs to your face • Regularly cleaning the inside of your nose with a saline solution – you can make this at home yourself or use sachets of ingredients or pre-made irrigation solutions available from The Village Pharmacy Kirby Muxloe.

However, if you have the following symptoms you should see your GP: • Your symptoms are severe or getting worse • Your symptoms haven't started to improve after around 7-10 days • You experience episodes of sinusitis frequently Your GP will usually be able to diagnose sinusitis from your symptoms and by examining the inside of your nose. If you have severe or recurrent sinusitis, they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further assessment.

If you would like any further information about anything mentioned above, please call 01162387353 or call in to The Village Pharmacy Kirby Muxloe where one of our highly trained staff will be able to help.

Thank you

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Groby Wine Circle

Whats On At

Groby Wine Circle is a very sociable group which usually meets on the third Monday of the month at Groby Community College. Speakers are invited to give talks on a variety of interesting topics after which there is a chance to catch up socially over a drink with a cheese and French bread.

Ratby Sports Club Regular Events Every Monday

Throughout the year we organise fun nights out such as skittles, quiz nights, meals out and visits, etc.

Our February meeting, Monday the 20th, was, as usual, well attended. The Guest Speaker was Colin Reynolds who gave us a most interesting talk about the background of the Leicester Company “Gents” and how they won a major contract in 1907 to build, deliver and install the largest (25 feet in diameter) multi-dial electrical pulsed clock for the Liver Building in Liverpool at a cost of less than £2,000. Cutting edge and innovative technology was needed for those days. The clock was commissioned in 1911 on the same day as the coronation of King George the V (22 June 2011). Electrically generated chimes were added later. It is still in working order although, after 107 years, the clock is in need of a major overhaul. Gents are now part of the Honeywell Empire.

Future guest talks include: • Monday 23 March – Lost Canals • Monday 24 April - Bits and Bobs (a fun night with things from our past).

If you feel you would be interested in coming along or would like more information about our Wine Circle please contact either: Dave Cooper (0116 2392844) or Robbie Grundy (0116 2393853).

South Charnwood High School - Engineers of Tomorrow

Feature Nights & Events Saturday 11th March Hint of Mint Reunion

Saturday 18th March Dad's Harmony

Friday 31st March Kids Disco

Saturday 1st April Double Trouble

Did you know The Sports Club room is available to hire for functions?

For further information or to book please contact either Steve James on 0116 2393301 or 07523 334708 or Paula on 07739 010108.

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Saturday 8th April

Our photo shows Louise Vernon showing off her wind turbine.

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Every Tuesday 7.30pm-11.30pm Crib Night. If you fancy a game contact Steve on 01162 393301 or 07523 334708

Freddie Mercury Tribute tickets cost £6.00 each

Thank you to Mr Maggs, Head of Science, and colleagues from the Engineering Development Trust for organising such an interesting day.

JOANNE CLARKE

Every Monday 6pm-8pm Youth Club. For information contact James on 07887 844727

Every Wednesday

There is a skittles night (including supper) on 7 April, at the Red Lion, Huncote. Starts at 7PM (please reserve your tickets in advance).

Sixty enthusiastic and aspiring engineers from Years 7, 8 and 9 recently took part in an exciting, hands-on workshop about the global energy challenge facing the world.

The pupils got the chance to talk to real engineers, as well as develop their own engineering skills.

11.30am – 12.30pm Mature Movers.

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RATBY OPEN ART EXHIBITION 2017 We are pleased to announce that this popular Art Exhibition is back!

Our new venue is the RATBY LIBRARY, and the exhibition will be over two days Saturday 24th June and Sunday 25th June As ever, the exhibition is open to ANY artists in Ratby or surrounding areas, and it always attracts a wide variety of art work.

If you are interested in exhibiting any of your art work this year, please contact Alison Graham: (0116) 2387901 or email: alison57graham@gmail.com with your contact details so we can send out entry forms in good time.

The best way to read a bedtime story DO YOU want a closer tie with your children?

Read them a bedtime story at night - from a book. It is much more effective that using a kindle or tablet device.

A recent study by the University of Sussex has discovered that children feel less of a physical and emotional connection with their parents if they are read bedtime stories from an electronic device. It may be due to the fact that children know they could be watching a film or playing a game on the same device. Or it may be that a book allows for closer physical contact during the reading of the story.

As one researcher noted, “The use of digital technology and the activity of reading seems to exist n two somewhat separate spheres.”

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Loughborough market crowned best in Britain Loughborough market has been crowned best large outdoor market at the British Market of the Year Awards 2017.

The market was praised for supporting traders with its ‘Try a Trade’ offer, which allows people have a free stall on the market for a day and 50 per cent off a stall for three months, to help local entrepreneurs grow their business.

Loughborough market traders collect the NAMBA award for Best Large Outdoor Market in Britain with (L-R) Mike Bird, Market and Fairs Manager; Chris Traill, Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing; Jonathan Smith, Assistant Town Centre Operations Officer; Sylvia Wright, Head of Leisure and Culture and Councillor Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Planning and Inward Investment from Charnwood Borough Council.

The awards also recognised the market’s work with Loughborough University, where traders spent a day at the campus and students held a lecture in the marketplace. The aim of the project was promote the market to students and encourage them to buy local produce.

The awards were held by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and saw markets across the country battle it out to win a coveted award.

Councillor David Hayes, Lead Member for Regulatory Services and Town Centre said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won best large outdoor market!

Loughborough market is a fantastic part of our town centre and provides not only the Thursday and Saturday retail markets, but also vintage, farmers and festive markets throughout the year too.

“Well done to all the team and the traders who ensure that the market continues to flourish and provide local, affordable produce to our residents and visitors to the borough.”

Loughborough’s markets are held every Thursday and Saturday, between 7am and 5pm in the town centre. There is also a vintage market every Friday between 8am to 4pm and a monthly farmers market which is held on the second Monday of each month.

For more information about the market visit https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/markets, call 01509 634624 or visit the Loughborough Markets Facebook page.

Team Anstey Amblers and Runners

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We have had a busy start to the year, with the Leicester Road Running League starting again for the winter season, and having over 60 runners from the club take part in the first race. We have many sessions during the week and the weekend that we welcome new members to if you’re a runner and are looking for a local team to join. Our sessions can be seen on our website www.teamanstey.co.uk Junior Sessions: Our junior sessions are going well. We still have room for more kids, so if you are interested, or would like more information please see our website http://www.teamanstey.co.uk/team-anstey-juniors.html You’re welcome to come along for your first session free of charge to see if it’s for you.

Gaddesby 7 race – 21st May 2017: Our race last year was a huge success. We had over 500 runners take part, running in the glorious sunshine through the countryside in Gaddesby and surrounding areas. This will happen again this year, hopefully the sun will shine again! We are now looking for local companies to get involved. We are looking for local companies who would like to sponsor the event and have their branding on the race memento or the race bibs. If you’d like to be involved, please email sarah.stainton2@googlemail.com

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A record amount of women Bradgate Drama sign up for this year’s Twilight Society – see Walk in just one month Two for the Price of One! Having had to cancel our Christmas production at short notice when our leading actor became seriously ill, the Society is back in action again for its Spring production.

The production comprises two one-act plays, both hilarious comedies which will keep you entertained through the evening. The first, Sharks in the Custard, is set in a museum where a group of cleaners face redundancy or outsourcing of their jobs – can’t say that we don’t combine current affairs with drama in our productions!

A record amount of women have signed up for this year’s Twilight Walk since the beginning of January. Nearly 1000 women have signed up for the 10km walk in just one month, which is a record in such a short space of time, for the Hospice.

The annual walk, which snakes around the city centre, has a theme of myths and magic and has raised more than £250,000 since it first launched in 2010. LOROS Fundraising Co-ordinator Laura Fitzsawyer, said: “I’m overwhelmed to see that we’ve already had such a fantastic response to this year’s Twilight Walk.

“Last year, we had a total of around 1,050 walkers and to be so close to this after just one month is incredible.

“We promised that this year, the event would be bigger and better than ever and looking at sign-ups, it’s going to be just that.

“We’re hoping the sign-up rate continues over the next couple of months, which will mean this will be the most successful Twilight Walk to date.”

Starting and ending at Leicester City’s King Power stadium, the army of women walk a total of 10km, through the city, in fancy dress. Speaking about last year’s event, Gaynor Adcock, who took part in memory of her dad, Roger, said: “There was a big group of us that took part, we had such good fun and raised a lot of money for a local and good cause.”

Sign-up for this year’s Twilight Walk, which takes place on Saturday 8th April, costs £12 per person. For more information or to secure your slot visit loros.co.uk/twilightwalk For the men or for those who do not fancy walking this year, LOROS are always looking for people to volunteer at the event. For more information about volunteering at this year’s Twilight Walk call (0116) 231 8431

The second, Two Sisters, is a bit darker, which you might expect from it being set in 19th. century Russia and having a coffin as the centrepiece of the set! Any resemblance to Chekov stops there, however, as the play rattles along at a joke a minute to its final twist at the end.

All this is yours for an extremely reasonable £7 per ticket (better than your average Tesco buy-oneget-one-free offer). Plus there’s a bar available which you definitely don’t get in Tesco!

The production will be staged on Thursday 4th., Friday 5th. and Saturday 6th. May in Newtown Linford Village hall, starting at 7.30p.m.

Tickets are available by e-mail at bradgatedrama@gmail.com or from Toby Manning on 01530 245298

Look forward to seeing you there.

CLOCKS GO FORWARD 26th March 2017 at 1.00am

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