Soar valley jan feb16 issuu

Issue 46/47 Jan/Feb 2016

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Northern area: Su on Bonington Long Wha on Loughborough Nanpantan Kegworth The Wolds Zouch Hoton Cotes Hathern Stanford Prestwold Normanton Wymeswold Rempstone

Cook

Beef Stew with Horseradish Dumplings Palmiers

Garden

Advice from Claire Jones Derry’s Tips for New Year

Special Feature Local Re red Vulcan Pilot Lives to Tell the Tale

Southern area: Barrow upon Soar Woodhouse Eaves Old Woodhouse Mountsorrel Cossington Seagrave Rothley Sileby Quorn Cropston Swithland

Walk

Foremark Reservoir

Win

A Three Course Meal for Two

‘Twilight of the Gods’

by Timothy O’Brien GAvA

www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Copy deadline for March/April Tuesday 23rd February

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Contact our friendly team on 01509 813125

1 Burton Road, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7RU 01509 813125 steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk ­ www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

NEW

Style Arch Composite Door Now available in a variety of colours and styles

All work carries a 10 year insurance backed guarantee

Manufacturers and Installers of A Rated PVC Windows, Doors and Conservatories

Specialist win repairs, sealeddow and lock repla unit cement.

Call us now fo r expert advice.

Bi-Fold doorsle now availab for es conservatori Unit 6, Festival Drive, Loughborough, LE11 5XJ

01509 211990

E: whelband@btconnect.com Š SVL

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Six Degrees of Separa on It is said that each of us are only ever six connec ons away from anyone else on Earth ­ so here are two connected pieces of evidence...

I was shown a book a few years ago by Ian Jarvis, a friend of ours, which he’d just received from Tim O’Brien, a friend of his. Timothy O’Brien was the author and he and Ian had been in the Air Training Corps together.’ The tle, “Last Post at Newton”, was of interest to me as it told the history of RAF Newton, which was only a stone’s throw from where I, Steve, had grown up from the age of 11 into my early twen es. I asked Ian if he could order me a copy and when it arrived I took it to show my brother, Paul, who s ll lives near Newton, as I knew he’d be interested, too. As soon as Paul saw the author’s name he said, “He used to go to school with Jus n! Can you order me a copy to send to him?”

Jus n, is Paul’s eldest son who now lives in Canada.

Connec on number one!

Then, recently, one of our adver sers, Alan Postlethwaite, asked if I could write a li le piece on a client of his called Bob McLuckie who lives in Sileby.

Bob had been helped by the treatment Alan had dispensed to him in his work as a Foot Care Professional. Bob’s story is on page 42.

Needing a photo to go with the ar cle, I thought of “Last Post at Newton” which contains some lovely photos and pain ngs done by Tim that would fit perfectly as Bob McLuckie had been a Vulcan Bomber pilot. I rang Tim to explain what I hoped to do. On men oning Bob’s name to him he immediately announced that they were good friends and knew each other very well! Connec on number two!

Small world, eh?

You can read a li le more about Tim on page 38, see an example of his art on our front cover this month, and see the bigger picture on his website: www. mobrienart.co.uk Here’s Tim O’Brien on board HMS Ocean off Cape Wrath on 14th April 2015 sketching for a commission for the Royal Navy.

Page 4

What’s On at The GCR January 2016 29th to 31st

Winter Steam Gala

The first spectacular steam event of 2016. Goods trains, twilight running, visi ng engines, special metables.

February 2016 13th & 14th

Valen ne’s Dining Train

A roman c dinner with your loved one.

15th to 19th

Villains & Superheroes

A chance for the children to dress up and meet their superheroes. But watch out for the villains!

Meet special guests Queen Elsa and Princess Anna.

March 2016 6th

Mothering Sunday Luncheon

A chance to say thank you to the lady that looks a er you.

13th

Swap Meet

Be there early to grab that bargain at Quorn & Woodhouse.

19th & 20th

Diesel Gala

Clock up the miles at the GCR’s first modern trac on gala of the year. All ac on with passenger and goods trains a plenty.

25th to 28th

Easter Vintage Fes val

A steam powered road and rail spectacular centred at Quorn & Woodhouse sta on.

Fairground a rac ons to keep the children entertained.

29th to 31st

Easter Bunny Specials

Come along and let the children find those Easter Bunnies ­ and maybe an egg or two. Fun for all the family. Face pain ng and other events at the sta ons.

The Great Central Railway Loughborough, Quorn, Rothley & Birstall www.gcrailway.co.uk 01509 632 323

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

Plumbing Merchants & Heating Equipment Distributors

Showroom opening times: Mon – Fri 9am to 5.30pm Sat 8am to 12 noon New Bathroom displays now in our Showroom

We have been designing and supplying bathrooms for over 15 years. Our friendly and helpful staff will always endeavour to make sure that buying your bathroom goes as smoothly as possible with our free design and delivery service. Sit back, relax and let us do the hard work for you.

Coalville Branch: Hermitage Industrial Estate, Vulcan Way, Coalville LE67 3FW T: 01530 513590 Loughborough Branch: 10 Prince William Road, Loughborough LE11 0GU T: 01509 218668

Š SVL

New display NOW OPEN

at NS Heating & Plumbing, Vulcan Way, Hermitage Ind Est Coalville LE67 3FW

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Page 5

Soar Valley Life Contents

Editors Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing Steve Johns

HOW to ADVERTISE: See page 2

Telephone 01509 813125 Email enquiries Adver sing info@soarvalleylife.co.uk

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Page 12

Alan Dayman’s Gardening Tips for New Year

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Quick Crossword

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A Meal for two at the White Swan

Nicky Morgan MP

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Page 57

Recipe ­ Beef Stew with Horseradish Dumplings

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Gardening Feature 1

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Sponsored by by Sponsored

Front Cover Pain ng: © Timothy O’Brien GAvA “Twilight of the Gods” See ar cles on pages 4 & 42 and Tim O’Brien’s bio on page 38 To contact Tim: 01949 877590 tobrienart@ hotmail.com

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Foremark Reservoir

Copyright © Fantas c State Limited trading as Soar Valley Life. The Publisher reserves and controls all rights to the work presented in this magazine. Any applica on for any use of any of the work, features, adver sements, quota ons, photographs, images or other work within this publica on must be made directly to the publisher. No part of this publica on may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmi ed, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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Pictograms

Walking

Address 1 Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU

What’s On at the GCR Alan Dayman’s

Web www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ SoarValleyLife

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Wisterias – Time to Prune

23

Editorial editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Six Degrees of Separa on

£

£ £ PLAN FOR YOUR END OF YEAR Page 35

Cake and Bake ­ Palmiers

22

Quiz – Gold and Silver

27

Looking a er those le behind

29

Trivia – Local Nicknames

31

Plan for your end of year!

35

Age Related Macular Degenera on

37

Tim O’Brien GAvA

38

Wishful Thinking...

39

Walking – Foremark Reservoir

40

Thread Veins and Spider Naevi

41

Brace! Brace!

42

New Year Resolu ons

45

Look What You And Another Thing...

Could Have Won! A look back on all Pets Page our compe on winners

Page 60

WIN!

Recipe Beef Stew with Horseradish Dumplings Page 20 Gold & Silver Quiz Page 27

46 48

Spot the Difference

50

Henry Hedgehog’s Puzzle Page

51

Astronomy

52

World Cra Beers

53

BRACE! BRACE! Local Vulcan Pilot lives to tell the tale Page 42

Win! A Three Course Meal for Two

57

Astronomy Feature

Easy & Hard Sudoku

58

Look what you could have won!

60

Sponsored by

Solu ons to Puzzles

61

HENRY HEDGEHOG’S PUZZLE PAGE

Local Business Directory

62

Page 51

Page 52

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Soar Valley Life We deliver 30,000 magazines every two months.

This includes most of the accessible private proper es in the villages shown on the map together with about 9,500 private houses in Loughborough.

We split this distribu on over two months: 15,000 to the North in month one and 15,000 to the South in month two.

We make about a thousand available in retail and business outlets in Loughborough and on the borders of our delivery areas.

You can download a fully detailed PDF version of the map, including numbers of proper es in each loca on, from our website: www.soarvalleylife.co.uk/homepage KEGWORTH

North Deliveries in January, March, May, July, September, & November

REMPSTONE & WYMESWOLD

A6

A6

MOUNTSORREL

SWITHLAND CROPSTON

BARROW UPON SOAR

RIVER SOAR

QUORN

SEAGRAVE

SILEBY

COSSINGTON South Deliveries in February, April, June, August, October & December

SOUTHERN DISTRIBUTION AREA

WOODHOUSE & WOODHOUSE EAVES

ROTHLEY

BURTON & WALTON ON THE WOLDS

0

HOTON, COTES STANFORD & PRESTWOLD

HATHERN

NORTHERN DISTRIBUTION AREA

LONG SUTTON BONINGTON WHATTON NORMANTON ON SOAR

Where are we going to?

A pre y apt ques on to pose at the year’s beginning. Some of us will be faced with tricky choices, like the traveller in Robert Frost’s superb poem who is faced with two diverging paths in a yellow wood. The poem is an elegant metaphor, like most good poems, about the choices many of us face throughout our lives.

In business and careers you can choose the well trodden path and be reasonably assured of wages or revenue; become a journeyman, proficient at your trade yet going through life day by day and not really going anywhere. For sure, this is the life many of us will recognise, knowing that the bills have to be paid, mouths have to be fed, and responsibili es owned up to.

From me to me I, Steve, get the opportunity to be the third man on the footplate of a steam loco on the Great Central Railway. The last me was just before Christmas on one of the Santa Specials. It was the best day I’d ever had on the railway and a erwards, as I do, I pondered as to why this was.

A er all, it was just a journey, well three in fact: backwards and forwards to Leicester North 3 mes, push and pull, top and tail. Was it my two colleagues that made my day so rewarding? Fred Franklin and John Cooper are two of the best you could meet, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and non compe ve and willing to impart their countless li le ps for mastery. Or was it the excited faces of the kids and their mums, dads, grandmas and granddads, wai ng to board and meet Santa? That’s a joy you don’t get to experience everyday. My conclusion is that on any journey there are two main factors that make it special or not: the people you travel with and those you are doing it for.

When Mary and I started Soar Valley Life, we were facing some tricky choices. Should I keep looking for another ‘journeyman’ job to make ends meet? Or should we take the road here, the one less travelled by? We did, and that has made all the difference!

And, you might ask, what makes that difference? For sure it is the people we’re travelling with: each other, Ali our graphic designer, our feature writers, photographers, printers and distributors. And then who we are doing it for: our adver sers and of course, you, our readers…

Happy New Year!

Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing prices can be found on page 2

Page 7

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Page 8

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

© SVL

Wisterias ­ Time to Prune

Wisterias are twining climbers with stunning, beau fully scented flowers in shades of white, blue, purple and pink, ideal for training into trees and covering walls, pergolas and other garden structures.

Na ve to Japan, China and eastern United States, they flower in spring with an occasional repeat flowering in the summer. They prefer a sunny posi on but can be grown

in light shade, in well drained fer le soil. Wisteria has a reputa on of being complicated to prune, but it really isn’t.

Regular pruning consists of shortening new growth firstly in August, where long whippy green shoots should be cut back to five or six buds, and then in January or February the growth that has been summer pruned should be cut back to two or three buds. Taking me to prune your Wisteria will bring a much improved flowering display.

Claire Jones

01509 414 169

Page 10

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

C E BELTON

GROUND SERVICES LANDSCAPES • BLOCK PAVING • PATIOS • PATHS • FENCING • TURFING • DRIVEWAYS • & ALL GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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Put these numbers in your phone in case of emergency.

EMAIL: lockxpert@tiscali.co.uk 21 Welland Road, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8NA

Answers on page 61

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Page 11

Seasoned Hardwood Logs supplied in bags or by the tipper load

Established 1976

So fruit trees:

Silver medal award winners at 2012 Chelsea flower show

Raspberries, Blackcurrants, Gooseberries

Alan Dayman’s Gardening

Top 10 jobs for the New Year

1. Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch 2. Ven late the greenhouse on sunny days 3. Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already 4. Repair and re­shape lawn edges 5. Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rots or drying out 6. Prune apple and pear trees, and winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering;

Page 12

Lawns

General Maintenance

7.

8.

9.

10.

in February prune your hardy evergreen hedges.

Start forcing rhubarb Plan your vegetable crop rota ons for the coming season and in February sow some veg’ under cover and chit potato tuber Cut back deciduous grasses le uncut over the winter Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds off

If the weather is mild you can lay new turf or repair hollows and bumps in an exis ng lawn. For the la er make a ‘H’ shaped cut in the turf, peel back the grass, and either fill the hollow with loam or scrape away the soil from a bump. Re­lay the turf, press it into place and pinch the cut edges together.

Repair lawn edges, especially around flower and shrub beds, with turves cut from other areas of the garden.

If your lawn suffers dieback from treading during the wet, muddy season, then consider laying stepping stones through it to allow easy access across it without causing damage.

If the weather con nues to be warm you may need to begin mowing.

Set the cu ng height at maximum and only mow when the grass is dry.

Like us on Facebook for regular updates, news and views from around the region www.facebook/soarvalleylife.co.uk

Roses, shrubs and young trees

Extensive range of Gardening products Turf, landscaping materials, bark chippings and lots more

including: Seeds, Bug and Pest Control, Fertilisers and Plant foods, Gardening Gloves and Protective Clothing and lots more.

Derry’s Nurseries, well worth a visit...

Derry’s Nurseries

Main Street, Cossington LE7 4UU Tel (01509) 812815

Open 7 days a week

Tips for the New Year Flowers

General Maintenance In cold spells, protect non frost­proof containers (terraco a pots for example) with bubble wrap, hessian or fleece, to prevent them cracking.

Grouping the pots close to a south­facing wall may provide addi onal protec on to the most vulnerable ones.

Ensure protec ve straw or fleece is s ll in place on tender plants overwintering outdoors.

Collect leaves that have blown over alpine beds as these plants are easily smothered. Bare patches can be covered with gri y compost. Clear up any weedy beds ready for mulching in the spring.

Keep tubs and containers dy, cu ng back and removing debris regularly. They can be mulched with

compost or grit. Grit is aesthe cally pleasing and will reduce surface puddling that can occur when light composts are beaten into a solid ‘cap’ by raindrops.

Some pots ­ par cularly those sheltered by eaves or balconies ­ may need watering. Check the compost, at a hand’s depth, to see if it feels dry.

Aim to keep pots moist, but not too wet, and do not let them dry out.

Raise pa o containers onto feet or bricks, if you have not done so already, to avoid them si ng in the wet...

Alan Dayman is senior nuseryman at Derry’s Nurseries, Main Street, Cossington LE7 4UU Tel (01509) 812815. Open 7 days a week.

See advert above.

Have your business featured in the next issue – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk Page 13

TWIGGERS MOTORCYCLES

Our Servicing Centre Also Specialises in HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI YAMAHA

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MOT

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A local professional service for all your gas, plumbing and heating requirements Boiler breakdown and upgrade specialists Full range of work undertaken (free quotes) Installations • Breakdowns • Repairs • Service Fully insured • Qualified Engineers Part L • Part P • WRAS • City & Guilds Vented and Unvented heating systems Safety certificates/checks • Power flushing

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info@fabplumbing.co.uk

www.fabplumbing.co.uk

0333 456 7080 07708 917 400 Page 14

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2016 models in stock SOME STOCK ITEMS

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Mobile: 0780 3135382 www.hassallandsonltd.co.uk 17 The Pingle, Quorn Leicestershire

Adver sing prices can be found on page 2

Page 15

“With our toasty log fires and spectacular views of the lock and river a warm welcome awaits you at the Waterside Inn”

Upcoming events Steak night every Tuesday

THE

WAT E R S I D E INN

Great Food, Great Beer, Great Company

- example 2 Sirloins and a bottle of wine £28.95

Light lunches served daily 12-2.30 Delicious roasts every Sunday Booking now - open for Valentines Dinner

Sat 13 February - or why not bring mum for Sunday luncheon on the 14th and we will treat her to a glass of Prosecco

Italian Food and Drink weekend

Friday and Saturday 29/30 January.

Featuring wines, beers and authentic menus

St Georges Day - Seafood weekend

coming 22/23 April Details to follow on Facebook and website

Muddy hikers, small humans, thirsty cyclists and furry friends all welcome…

© SVL

photo ©Ingram Images

0116 230 2758

www.watersidemountsorrel.co.uk

Leicestershire’s premier supplier and installer of quality windows, doors and Bi-fold doors

Visit our showroom to view the latest innovations in glazing.

1309 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester, LE7 2EN

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Page 16

Tel: 0116 266 5088 Email: sales@leicesterwindowsupplies.co.uk www.leicesterwindowsupplies.co.uk

Go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for business directory download

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Richard Watson Professional Painter and Decorator from internal to external

Thirty years experience in the trade - Sileby based

Better value by far! • Free Estimates • No VAT For a full personal service call

T: 01509 815753 M: 07880 754011

Driveways • Patio & paths • Fencing & gates • Turfing Call Tim Dorman 01509

839694 or 0116 2364410 / Mobile 07792 645878

Charnwood based • 20 years experience © SVL

One step and you’re there!

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Page 17

Nicky Morgan MP

Peak Fitting Services

I’d like to start by paying tribute to all the wonderful fes ve events which have been happening locally. I am wri ng this amidst a sea of Christmas cards s ll to be wri en and presents to be wrapped – I am sure it will all get done somehow. However, me spent at local carol services, Christmas tree fes vals or events to switch on the lights remind me what Christmas is all about – spending me with friends, family and our community and remembering the Christmas story.

I hope you had a peaceful fes ve period.

A en on now turns to New Year resolu ons and the year ahead. If your resolu on is to do more to help your local area then I hope you might consider becoming a school governor. This is an important role suppor ng Head teachers and working with other commi ed volunteers to invest me and exper se in the next genera on. Governing bodies are o en par cularly in need of people with financial, legal or architectural skills. If you would like to find out more visit www.sgoss.org.uk/ The end of our Parliamentary season in 2015 was dominated by interna onal affairs – par cularly the vote on extending military airstrikes in Syria. I predict that the focus on security both at home and abroad will con nue. And I am very grateful to everyone who contacted me with their thoughts ahead of the Syria debate. There will also be growing interest in the Prime Minister’s re­nego a on of our rela onship with the EU. I fully support the decision to give people a say on our rela onship and also to get the EU to realise that it has become too big and too bossy. I do, however, also believe that Britain’s interests are best served by staying in a reformed EU which focuses on compe veness and realises not every member state wants to sign up to “an ever closer union.”

Locally I am con nuing to support the Loughborough Wellbeing Project – a drop­in café for those aged around 18­30 who are recovering from or living with mental ill health. The café happens on the first Friday of each month at Loughborough Library between 6pm and 8pm. Access is via the Packe Street entrance. In January those a ending will enjoy a pizza and film night. To find out more e­mail loughboroughwellbing@gmail.com I wish you all the very best for 2016...

Page 18

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Adver sing prices can be found on page 2

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Have your business featuredofininterest the next issuelike – contact Anything you’d to see insteve@soarvalleylife.co.uk the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 19

Recipe This month’s recipe sponsored by

Appliance City

Beef Stew with Horseradish Dumplings

This is a tradi onal and warming casserole which is ideal to serve to the family during the chilly winter months. Serve with steamed green vegetables such as broccoli, Savoy cabbage or green beans.

1

Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas 3. Place the meat and seasoned flour in a large plas c freezer bag. Seal the bag and shake well, un l the meat is coated in the flour.

2

Heat half the oil in a large frying pan and brown the meat in small batches, over a high heat. Add more oil if necessary. Transfer the meat to a large casserole dish.

3

Add the remaining oil to the pan and fry the onions for 5 minutes. Pour in the Guinness, stock and Worcestershire sauce and bring to the boil. Pour the liquid and onions over the meat and add the carrots, thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Cover and cook for about 3 hours un l the meat is tender, s rring once.

4

To make the dumplings, place the flour, suet, horseradish and parsley in a large bowl. Season with half a teaspoon of salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, then s r in enough cold water to mix to a so dough.

Using lightly floured hands, divide and shape into 8 dumplings.

5

Uncover the stew and gently sit the dumplings on top of the meat. Cover and cook for a further 20 minutes un l the dumplings are fluffy and risen. Serve sprinkled with extra freshly ground black pepper.

Tip

Serves 4

Ready in 3 hours 30 minutes

If you don’t want to serve this stew with dumplings, try topping with sliced potatoes instead. Arrange 3 large peeled and thinly sliced potatoes in concentric circles on top of the stew a er 2 hours cooking me. Season well and dot with bu er. Return to the oven, uncovered, and cook for a further 1­ 11/4 hours un l both meat and potatoes are tender.

Page 20

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • •

1kg braising steak, cut into chunks 2 tbsp seasoned flour 3 tbsp sunflower oil 2 large onions, peeled and sliced 300ml Guinness 450ml beef stock 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves FOR THE DUMPLINGS • 75g self­raising flour • 40g shredded suet • 1 tsp grated horseradish • 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

Recipe sponsored by Appliance City See their full range of fabulous cooking appliances at www.appliancecity.co.uk

Recipe Cake and Bake

Palmiers

Makes approx 28 Ready in 1 hour

These delicious sweet pastries are easy to make using just a sheet of ready­rolled puff pastry and caster sugar. Serve with coffee, or sandwich together in pairs with jam and whipped double cream for an indulgent dessert.

1

Unroll the puff pastry sheet and trim the edges to a neat rectangle, if necessary. Sprinkle over 2 tbsp of the caster sugar and half the cinnamon (if using). Using a rolling pin, gently roll over the sugar to lightly press it into the pastry.

2

Fold in the long sides of the pastry rectangle halfway towards the centre. Sprinkle over a li le more caster sugar and press down with the rolling pin. Fold each long side in again to meet in the centre.

3

Sprinkle with the rest of the sugar and cinnamon (if using), then fold the pastry in half lengthways to form one long strip. Transfer to a board and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

4

Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Dampen a large baking sheet by sprinkling with cold water.

5

Cut across the chilled pastry length into about 28 thin slices. Place the slices, cut­side down, on the baking sheet. Fla en each one slightly with the palm of your hand.

6

Bake in the preheated oven for 8­10 minutes, un l crisp and golden brown. Turn each slice over with a pale e knife halfway through cooking. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool.

Tip

For savoury palmiers, spread the pastry with a li le pesto sauce, then sca er over finely grated Parmesan cheese instead of the sugar.

Page 22

Ingredients: • 1 x 375g pack ready­rolled puff pastry • 4 tbsp caster sugar • 1 tsp cinnamon (op onal)

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Page 26

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

Quiz ­ Gold and Silver 1.

In Greek mythology, which king had the ability to turn everything he touched into gold?

2.

Which fic onal character would o en say "Hi­yo Silver, away" to his horse?

3.

In 1957, the Bri sh colony called the Gold Coast became which independent African country?

4.

According to the Gospel of Ma hew, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus in exchange for how many silver coins?

5.

Which mythical city has a name that means "the golden one" in Spanish?

6.

Which car manufacturer produced a model called the Silver Ghost between 1906 and 1925, a car they claimed was the best in the world?

7.

If something is described as being 18 carat gold, what percentage of pure gold is it?

8.

Which South American country has a name that is derived from the La n word for "silver"?

9.

Which tle character from a well known fairy tale could spin straw into gold?

10. Which element is normally used together with silver to produce the alloy known as sterling silver?

Answers on page 61

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526

Page 27

YOUR ELECTRICAL EXPERTS Mitton Electrical is a family-run domestic, commercial and industrial electrical company working in and around Loughborough, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham.

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Page 28

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

Looking A er Those Le Behind When someone close to you dies, as well as coping with the emo onal upheaval there are o en financial implica ons to deal with...

You may be le with sole responsibility for a mortgage and household bills, or the cost of childcare and other expenses of raising a family, but on a significantly reduced household income. This can be par cularly relevant if couples are neither married nor in a Civil Partnership, as they won't automa cally inherit if there isn't a Will. The impact of this can be especially harsh if the person who died was the sole owner of the property in which the couple lived.

Even if the person who died did have a Will, circumstances may have changed since it was made, meaning that the financial provision for those le behind is no longer adequate. This may be because children have been born, or the value of the estate

could have altered significantly, or a family member may have a disability. In such situa ons, it may be possible to ask the court to change the way that someone's estate is distributed, to be er reflect the needs of those that were married to, living with, or maintained by the person that has died. It is important to act quickly, as claims have to be made within 6 months of a Grant of Probate or Le ers of Administra on. Most claims, however, are se led by agreement and without the need for a court hearing.

If you are concerned that bereavement may cause you financial difficulty, and would like to discuss whether an applica on to vary the distribu on of an estate might be appropriate, contact our Dispute Resolu on Department: Nick Gay n.gay@moss­solicitors.co.uk or Laura Anderson l.anderson@moss­solicitors.co.uk or telephone 01509 217770

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Page 29

Around Britain

Local Nicknames

1. Birmingham: Brummie ­ Both ‘Brummie’ and ‘Brum’ derive from ‘Brummagem’, an old name for Birmingham. Although today ‘Brummie’ is used with pride, in the 17th century a huge number of counterfeit coins notoriously manufactured in Birmingham led to the phrase ‘brummagem ware’, describing anything worthless or poorly made.

2. Lincolnshire: Yellowbelly ­ No one knows why Lincolnshire na ves are nicknamed ‘Yellowbellies’. One sugges on claims the name refers to the yellow waistcoats worn by members of the Royal North Lincolnshire Mili a, while another points to the yellow undersides of the frogs and toads of the Lincolnshire Fens.

3. Liverpool: Scouser ­ ‘Scouser’ comes from ‘lobscouse’, a stew thought to have been brought to the Liverpool area by Scandinavian sailors in the 19th century. Even today, ‘scouse’ is a s ll local tradi onal stew made with meat, potatoes, carrots and onions.

4. London: Cockney ­ ‘Cockney’ comes from the Middle English words cokene and ey, literally meaning ‘a cockerel’s egg’. It probably originally referred to a bad or misshapen egg, but by the early Middle Ages the word had come to describe the rela vely foppish and preten ous inhabitants of big ci es, and by the 1600s had come to be used solely in reference to London.

5. Newcastle: Geordie ­ Geordie comes from the boy’s name George, but which George it refers to is unclear. One theory claims it is George Stephenson, the inventor, while another claims it is George II, as Newcastle was a stronghold of support for the Hanoverian kings during the Jacobite Rebellion of the 18th century. © Taken from The Bri sh Isles: A Trivia Gaze eer by Paul Anthony Jones

Something interes to in share?

Anything of interest you’d like tongsee the next issue?

Then be a Call feature writer Valleyeditor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Life. Email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk 01509 813for 125Soar or email

Page 31

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Page 35

Loughborough May Mills House on Forest Road Ingleside on Ashby Road The Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3QL

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Page 36

Abbeyfield Loughborough Sheltered Houses are a community of sheltered bed-sits providing a safe and stress-free option for people who are looking for some personal support and companionship, whilst retaining their independence.

There’s no ‘make yourself at home’ - it is your home, your space, housing your memories and the things that matter most to you. The way you choose to furnish and accessorise is down to you. We want you to be comfortable: bring your favourite recliner, pictures and most treasured possessions.

Time is personal, so it’s up to you where and how you choose to spend it.

That goes for whom you spend it with as well. You have complete freedom to invite family and friends to visit you whenever you want. Get to know and share experiences with fellow residents over shared meals in the dining room or sitting in the garden, join in with arts and crafts, music, outings and other social events.

Enjoy comfort and freedom, but with the added stability and security that’s inherent at our Houses. With the freedom to live independently, with close links to local shops and amenities, you can be relaxed in the knowledge that © SVL you’re in a safe environment.

Go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for business directory download

Age­related Macular Degenera on is the Leading Cause of Blindness in the UK What is Age­related Macular Degenera on (AMD)?

AMD happens when the macula at the back of the eye becomes damaged. This can make it harder to see fine detail, such as recognising faces, or to read or watch television.

Does AMD cause blindness?

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the UK. It does not normally affect your ability to walk around as the edge of your vision should not be affected.

Does AMD happen more as you get older?

As the name suggests, it affects the elderly popula on. Around 1 in 10 people aged 65 or over show some signs of AMD. What are the symptoms?

Some people simply no ce that things appear blurry or they have difficulty with reading, even with their normal reading glasses. Others may no ce that they have a smudge in their central vision which does not go away, or no ce that straight lines are distorted or wavy.

Some people may no ce that they become sensi ve to bright light, or find it difficult to adapt when going from dark to light environment, or colours appear faded.

Can I do anything to protect myself?

Smoking is a major risk factor, so if you smoke, try to stop. Obesity is another risk factor, so try and maintain a healthy weight. Your chances are increased if a family member suffers from AMD. It is more common in women than men. UV light exposure is a risk factor, so wearing good quality UV sunglasses is recommended. A diet that is rich in coloured fruits and green vegetables such as spinach or kale may reduce your risk of developing AMD. Are there any supplements I can take?

Your optometrist can recommend you dietary supplements which may be beneficial for eye health.

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Vinesh and Tanni Patel Principals of Inter Eyecare

Have your business Anything featured of interest Something in theyou’d next interes issue like to–ngsee contact to in share? thesteve@soarvalleylife.co.uk next issue?

Then be a Call feature 01509 writer 813for 125Soar or email Valleyeditor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Life. Email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 37

Dignified

Timothy O’Brien GAvA Avia on Ar st

"The icing on the cake for an avia on ar st is the opportunity to fly as a passenger, gaining inspira on for my art...

Upon leaving school at sixteen I worked with my Dad who took me on as his "appren ce", training me into the family commercial art business, which produced all aspects of illustra on for adver sing and print.

I became freelance a er six years, supplying industry with hand­produced illustra ons for marke ng purposes and also pursuing specialist avia on & military topics. My interest in avia on had grown from my me in the ATC as an air cadet during my teenage years. I regularly take on commissions from the armed services to produce works for display in mess rooms, squadron HQs, briefing rooms or as re rement gi s.

It is through close research, plus experience on the ground, on board and in the air, that I am able to add that li le bit extra, which makes a huge difference to the end result. I hope this shines through when you view the pain ngs and drawings on my website".

Go to: www. mobrienart.co.uk This month’s front cover is from one of Tim’s pain ngs “Twilight of the Gods” See also page 4 ­ “Six Degrees of Separa on”

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New shop opened in Birstall

Gifts for a loved one, or home inspiration. There’s plenty to get excited about this Winter at Filigree Heart.

www.filigreeheart.co.uk 135 Sibson Road, Birstall LE4 4ND 0116 319 6110

Page 38

Like us on Facebook for regular updates, news and views from around the region www.facebook/soarvalleylife.co.uk

Wishful Thinking Now that the Christmas and New Year celebra ons are over it seems that all we are faced with is dark nights and bad weather…

January and February are documented as being the worst two months for illness, depression, stress, lethargy and lack of enthusiasm. This is when our thoughts turn to holidays ­ but holidays can be expensive and money may be ght a er Christmas.

So, what can we do that doesn’t cost a penny yet will provide us with a feel good factor? We can re­create holidays we have had in the past simply by thinking about them and re­living the whole experience in our minds. Try it. For maximum benefit re­create the experience using every one of your senses. Think about what you heard and visualize every detail of what you saw in full colour. Re­create the feeling of peace and calm. Remember what you smelt and what you tasted. By doing this you can fool your body into feeling as good as if you were actually there. This will not only have a posi ve effect on how you feel but also on your overall health.

Paula Reed

Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd Lynne Leeming, MSc RHAD MSHAA

Your local hearing specialist 5 Stadon Road, Anstey Leicester, LE7 7AY Existing hearing aid users welcome Hearing protection for both children and adults Friendly and professional service

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For people who care about their hearing Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm Wed & Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm

Have your business featured in the next issue – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 39

Walking – Foremark Reservoir

This page sponsored by

Walk instruc ons 4 Miles

2 Hours

Use the car park at Foremark Reservoir, off the road between Milton and Ticknall, Derbyshire.

DE65 6EG. Toilets and seasonal refreshments in the car park furthest away from the road; pay and display.

1. Walk away from the car park, along paths and tracks more or less parallel to the entrance driveway, all the way back to the main entrance. Take the wide grass verge to the le , cross this busy road carefully and con nue on the wider right hand side. As this road swings to the right, cross back and walk up to the farm driveway on the le .

2. Take this track le , passing le of the farm and farm buildings all the way up the gentle slope to the wide metal gate close to Fairview Farm.

3. Bear right along the tarmac road and follow it le at the bridleway signpost, past the aerial to the kissing gate on the le . Go through and walk down the right hand field edge with the hedge to the right, through the next kissing gate and down the path between the hedge and the fence. Keep a straight line through the marked gates and s les in the paddocks.

4. Cross the field ahead, which may be under cul va on, downslope on a slight right hand bearing; a track should be well marked within any crop, over the s le and into the trees. Bear le across a footbridge and up a handrailed slope; bear further le past marker posts, down to and across the boardwalk. Con nue over the footbridge to a marker post and turn le , up the steps to the next marker post. Bear right, upslope, through the narrow gate and on to the tarmac road.

5. Turn le and follow this road bearing le to the car park.* Go past the marker post and upslope to the signpost at the fence. Take this stony bridleway to the le , leading back to the main car park and your vehicle. * An op onal trail meanders closer to the reservoir, eventually to the main car park. © Clive Brown All our walks are compiled by Clive Brown You can order any of his walking close to guides from www.walkingcloseto.com See his new book from Bradwell Books Walking for all Ages in Cambridgeshire h p://www.bradwellbooks.com/walksforallagescambridgeshire.html

Soar Valley Walk sponsor this month is

Absolute Care Agency of West Leake see page 36

Thread Veins and Spider Naevi Thread veins and spider naevi are closely related as both are a type of telangiectasia. They are caused by ny dilated blood vessels which are close enough to the surface of the skin to be visible and, although harmless, they can be unsightly...

Thread veins are common around the nose or on the cheeks and chin. Spider naevi ­ so called because the veins radiate from a central point like a spider’s web ­ are o en found on the cheeks. They are also common on the legs, although these tend to be larger and deeper and may not be treatable using advanced electrolysis.

Thread veins on the face

Both blemishes, when occurring on the face, can normally be very successfully treated and appearance can be greatly improved as a result.

Pennie Blatchford

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Skin tags, blood spots, warts, seborrhoeic keratosis, age spots, thread veins, spider naevi, milia, and other benign skin defects and blemishes can be removed using advanced electrolysis.

This is an inexpensive, quick and safe procedure. Free initial consultation by fully qualified, insured and licenced practitioner.

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Seborrhoeic Keratosis before and after treatment

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Have your business Anything featured of interest in the next you’d issue like–to contact see in the steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

© SVL

Page 41

Brace! Brace!

A drawing by Tim O’Brien of a Vulcan Bomber like the one Bob McLuckie used to fly

In 1967, a young flight lieutenant of the Dam Busters 617 Squadron, who was a Vulcan bomber pilot at the me and a member of the RAF’s glider display team, crashed his glider into a field in Northamptonshire...

Trapped in the wreckage he was losing a lot of blood as two farm workers from a nearby field rushed to help. The pilot, Bob McLuckie, was s ll conscious and knew what needed to be done. He asked the two men to apply tourniquets made out of pieces torn from his shirt. Within a few minutes a policeman arrived who had seen the crash and telephoned for the emergency services to be mustered, giving a precise loca on. An ambulance arrived within half an hour and these quick responses undoubtedly saved Bob’s life.

Five days later, Bob awoke from an induced coma in Northampton General Hospital. His consultant, with not much hope that his legs could be saved, assured him that everything possible would be done and that prosthe c limb technology was, “Coming on in leaps and bounds these days!”

Bob, not keen on hearing this, asked for a second opinion to be carried out at an RAF facility. He guessed that the RAF would and could do a lot more to save his legs than an overstretched and underfunded NHS facility. He was transferred to RAF Ely, near Cambridge where he spent the next 360 days undergoing 14 opera ons. His knees were replaced with steel implants and his ankle bones were fused; he ended up able to walk, but with legs three inches shorter than they were before.

A heart­warming aside to this part of his story is that one of the specialist nurses who cared for him during his stay at Ely, really did care for him very well, and she eventually became his wife.

Bob resumed his flying career, no longer in jets but as a flying instructor; apparently his legs would be vulnerable should he ever have to eject from a combat aircra to land by parachute.

As a younger man, he was able to adapt and live a full and ac ve life, even though he had to learn to walk with altered limbs. Over the years he got used to wearing his shoes out quickly as a result of walking differently. Normally, as we walk naturally, our feet sort of roll us forwards, heel first and toes last. Our ankles provide the movement up and down and side to side.

But Bob’s ankles couldn’t do that because his centre of gravity was to the outside of his foot, causing undue wear on the side of his shoes.

Page 42

But let Bob tell the rest of the story: “My shoes never lasted more than about 6 months and I always had to buy expensive, well fi ng ones ­ ordinary ones were too uncomfortable and didn’t even last that long. In later years I was experiencing more discomfort in walking and no ced that I was having to over compensate for the lack of flexibility in my lower legs. I was star ng to stoop as I walked.

Then, about a year ago, I saw an advert and an ar cle in your magazine, Soar Valley Life, for HS Foot Care Services about new techniques and assessments being available. So I called Alan Postlethwaite and booked myself in. Alan was very candid, admi ng that he’d not dealt with anything of the order of my condi on before, and asked that I consult with a chiropractor first so that my hips could be be er aligned. A couple of weeks later, a er seeing Will Gilder, Alan’s recommended chiropractor, we were ready to begin. I must say, I found the whole mul ­disciplinary procedure very professional and efficient, and I was filled with the utmost confidence in the process.

Alan began the manufacture of my individual ortho c insoles a er an hour or so of walking tests and measuring. (Ortho c, meaning brace or support, Ed.) An hour later they were ready! Alan put them in my shoes and put the shoes on my feet and I couldn’t believe how instantly comfortable they were.

When I returned a month later for a check up, Alan asked me to walk across his treatment room without my shoes on. He proclaimed that I was walking almost normally, heel and toe, and that my centre of gravity was no longer on the outside of my feet as I walked.

The insoles had actually corrected my walking impairment!”

You can see Alan Postlethwaite’s HS Foot Care Services on the facing page. Bob is now re red and living in Sileby. Isn’t it great when you hear stories with a happy ending?

Like us on Facebook for regular updates, news and views from around the region www.facebook/soarvalleylife.co.uk

Foot & heel pain?

Gait & musculoskeletal analysis Advice on treatment & exercise Also providing general foot-care Corns, callus, in-growing nails, nail surgery Saturday appointments available

Plantar Fasciitis?

It could be helped by corrective orthoses!

Foot Care Services Custom insoles designed to equalise the pressure and provide the right kind of support for your normal activity. Created, while you wait, in the surgery using a world class SIDAS system.

Modern surgery: easy access & parking

Tel: 0116 210 6413 Mobile: 0797 660 8913 Alan Postlethwaite Bsc(Hons) Podiatry, DipBMec, FSPract.

Maxime Postlethwaite BSc (Hons) Podiatry 34A Halstead Rd., Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7HF 29 Halstead Rd., Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7HF

Website: www.hsfcs.co.uk email: alanp@hsfcs.co.uk © SVL

The White Horse Inn, 6 Church Street, Seagrave, Leicestershire, LE12 7LT

01509 814715

£5.95 lunches!

What’s On At The White Horse?

Weds – Sat 12pm to 1.45pm

The White Horse is a great pub to visit all year round, whether you choose to enjoy the delightful views in our garden in the summer or relax by the fire with a newspaper during the winter.

Tuesdays, 6pm-8.45pm – £5.95 Menu

Choose from a range of fantastic £5.95 specials!

NEW: Wednesdays, 6pm – 8.45pm - Tapas Night Enjoy a range of authentic Spanish ‘little dishes’!

Thursdays, 6pm-8.45pm – Steak Night

Whenever you come to visit, you will always find friendly staff, excellent food and drink and a great atmosphere.

Two rump steaks or specials with a bottle of house wine for just £27.50! Individual deal for just £14!

The Stables Function Room

Choose from a wide range of delicious home-cooked meals and daily specials.

Available to hire for parties of up to 60 people (standing) or 30 (seated).

Catering and bar also available.

Ideal for parties, meetings, etc.

Fridays, 6pm-8.45pm – Normal Menu Saturdays, 6pm-8.45pm – Specials Night

Buy any two specials and a bottle of house wine for just £27.50!

Sundays, 12pm-2.15pm – Sunday Lunch

Enjoy a free bottle of house wine with your Sunday lunch for any table of 4 or more! (Must include at least 2 adults.)

Visit www.whitehorseseagrave.co.uk for more details.

AnythingAdver of interest sing prices you’d like canto besee found in the on next pageissue?

2 Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

© SVL

Page 43

Frenzy Youth Theatre is dedicated to young people and theatre We aim to provide a fun and friendly environment for our members to learn acting, theatre skills and techniques, social skills and confidence.

Ages 6-10 every Wednesday 4-6pm at Shelthorpe Children’s Centre Ages 11-14 every Tuesday 5-7pm at Charnwood College £7.00 per two hour session

Contact 07471 205541

email:frenzyyouththeatre@outlook.com www.frenzyyouththeatre.co.uk

© SVL

ancient M

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&

DE

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Furniture Restoration and Bespoke Cabinet Making

www.amfurniturerestoration.co.uk Restoration and renovation of antique furniture Bespoke cabinet making & furniture reproduction Re-lacquering of modern furniture (i.e. Ercol, G-Plan, Old Charm etc) & French Polishing General repairs Est. 1995 © SVL If you would like to enquire further please contact David Nash on 07976 571 679 or 01530 587 537

Page 44

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

New Year Resolu ons If you haven't yet made a will, making one could perhaps be one of your New Year resolu ons? And, while you’re about it, you could also resolve to find out how a Las ng Power of A orney can protect your assets for when your family needs them most...

A Las ng Power of A orney is a way of giving people you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf at some me in the future.

There are two kinds of LPA: Property and financial affairs: buying and selling property, running bank accounts, dealing with bills, paying the mortgage and inves ng money Personal welfare: for decisions about medical care, living arrangements and social ac vi es For more ways to protect yourself and those you love, both now and in the future, give me a call on 07928 676 675 or email Helen.gadsby@inspirefinancialsolu onsltd.co.uk

BIG PRODUCTIONS COMING SOON BOX OFFICE 0116 255 1302

For 50P Discount Quote: Code

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The Little Theatre, Dover Street Leicester, LE1 6PW www.thelittletheatre.net

TIME AND THE CONWAYS

ROPE

By Patrick Hamilton

By Richard Greenberg

By J.B.Priestley

By Alan Ayckbourn

Psychological Thriller

Drama

Family Drama

Farcical Comedy

18 - 23 JANUARY 2016

1-6 FEBRUARY 2016

22 - 27 FEBRUARY 2016

14 - 19 MARCH 2016

Directed by Nick Palmer Assistant Director Ed Spence

Directed by Pip Nixon

Directed by Marion Morley

Directed by David Kimmins

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Page 45

And Another Thing... by Tom Hughes Tom and the boas ul brother in law My Dearly Beloved’s glance at the clock did not bode well.

“Tom, isn’t it me you were in bed?”

“Can I finish my hot chocolate first please, Mother?”

“Well Tom, it’s nearly ten. You have to be at the airport at five.”

“Yes I know and then we’ve got to endure a whole week of it.”

“A whole week of what?”

“I see you’ve upgraded your kitchen, Sis.”

“Your Kevin’s boas ng.”

In 1991, Sarah’s spo y brother emigrated to Canada, where he grew up, married and made his fortune. Standing bleary­eyed in the airport mul ­storey, I’d only just heaved Kevin’s matching luggage into the boot when it started. “Hey Tommy, are you s ll driving this old heap? I change my auto every two years, on the advice of my tax planner.”

“Really Kevin? How fascina ng!”

The drive home (apart from some quite severe boas ng about his trip to Dubai) was fairly uneven ul. Sarah greeted her brother warmly and once safely ensconced in the kitchen he finally ­ to everyone’s relief ­ stopped boas ng about Dubai but started boas ng about his house.

Page 46

“Yes, we changed it last year, didn’t we Tom?” I opened my trap to have a mini boast all of my own, but was too slow out of the boas ng blocks.

“It’s a pity this place isn’t big enough for an island. You see back home I have this huge island.”

“I bet it’s not as big as Richard Branson’s.”

“What’s that Tommy?”

A kick to the shin from Sarah was my first warning of the day. Then it was me for lunch. Back in the Mondeo we headed into town as Kevin thankfully le his island paradise behind and moved neatly onto his next subject ­ Kevin Junior”

“Now that my boy is at Yale doing law, we have so many adjustments to make.

OK $40,000 a year isn’t cheap, but when you have a gi ed child, what can you do? How’s your Evan doing, Tommy?”

This was my cue for some desperate parental Top Trumping.

“Well funnily enough, he’s just taken his bar exams.”

Another kick from Sarah.

“Well what do you know? Maybe one day they’ll lock horns in front of a judge?”

“You never know Kevin, they just might.”

Then Kevin spo ed a generic tax­ dodging coffee emporium.

“Hey, let’s jump in here and grab a skinny la e. A taste from home!”

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

We had only just taken our seats when we were greeted by Evan, wearing a company polo shirt and a wide smile. “Hi Uncle Kev! We’ve all missed you! Hi Dad, I forgot to men on ­ I moved branches last week!”

Evan disappeared then returned with our order as I waited for the inquisi on.

“Tom, I thought you said…”

“What? Oh Evan? Yeah. He’s qualified now. He’s a Barista.”

“A barrister?”

“Yeah, like I say, he’s taken his bar exam and now he’s a Barista.”

“A…barrister?”

“Yeah, I just told you (now mumbling into my creamy hot chocolate) a…brrstrr.”

caught his eye and blow me if the old chap wasn’t blubbering! “Kev, are you ok?”

We sipped in silence. I waited for a kick from Sarah. But none came.

The week slipped by un l it was me to say goodbye to Kevin.

Back in the airport car park I heaved his matching luggage out of the boot. Through the grey drizzle we both looked out across at the retail park in the distance.

“You see, in Canada, we have none of this constant awful weather ­ the summers are hot and the winters are snowy and cold, they’re perfect, I…” His voice trailed off.

Wondering what was the ma er, I

“I miss England Tommy, and I miss my boy. You know something Tom, you’re a lucky guy.”

Driving back through the roadworks and the pouring rain I pulled onto the drive to see Sarah arguing with the man from the water board who was about to start digging up the pavement.

Well, I thought to myself, Kevin could keep his island and his money; a er all, there’s no place like home…

Follow Tom on Twi er @groomsdaybook

WOODBURNER

WORKSHOP

supply and fit the wonderful DRU range of gas fires Finely crafted stone fireplaces by J. Rotherham

Main dealers for Clearview Stoves, MORSO, Jotul, Aarrow and many more 31 Market St, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4EJ Large car park to the rear of our showroom

Tel: 01455 552552 email: info@woodburnerworkshop.co.uk

www.woodburnerworkshop.co.uk

Happy New Year to customers old and new See page 7 for our distribu on map

Page 47

Pets Page Thinking of buying a hamster?

Which type should you choose?

As one of the most popular small pets in the UK, hamsters take pride of place in many homes.

They can make a great first pet for children, although they do not tolerate rough handling, so you need to make sure that younger ones treat them gently.

Dwarf vs golden hamsters Not many people know that you can buy dwarf hamsters as an alterna ve to the more commonly known Syrian, or golden hamster.

Syrian hamsters live for 2­3 years on average, and are very solitary in nature. They should be kept on their

What are the Signs of Dental Problems in Your Rabbit?

own in a cage, as they display a strong tendency to fight with other hamsters.

Dwarf hamsters grow to approximately 8cm in length.

They look extremely cute, but beware if they escape their cage – they can be very difficult to catch!

This type of hamster is not as solitary as its golden counterpart, but even so it is advisable to check with the breeder or pet shop whether two or more hamsters would mix.

Caring for your hamster Hamsters are usually bought between the ages of four and eight

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/ pets/advice/small­animal­care­ advice/hamstercare­advice/caring­ for­your­hamster www.petsathome.com/shop/en/ pets/advice/small­animal­care­ advice/hamstercare­advice/are­ hamsters­the­rightanimal­for­you

trouble, and deal effec vely with your rabbit’s dental health, here are some of the signs to look out for.

Lack of grooming Rabbits naturally groom themselves, and if yours has stopped grooming it can lead to a range of other problems including fly strike, a poten ally fatal disease.

It’s not necessarily tooth decay that causes dental problems in a rabbit. Teeth that grow at a rate of 2mm per week, combined with the wrong type of diet, are more likely to be at fault. Rabbits’ teeth should be ground down by their food, and if this doesn’t happen they can develop overgrown molars or spurs of enamel that cut into the so ssue in their mouth.

Loss of weight

Foods rich in fibre that also wear down the teeth, such as hay and dark green leafy vegetables, will stop incisors becoming too long. To help you spot the telltale signs of

It may be painful for them to eat, resul ng in a rapid loss of weight.

The abrasive nature of hay in par cular could be causing them pain.

Page 48

weeks. Care will involve cleaning their cage, providing the correct type of food, as well as making sure they are entertained when you are asleep.

Hamsters love to climb and run around, and these ac vi es are essen al for their health.

They’ll need a large cage with a wheel and other toys such as cardboard tubes. Wooden toys are also good for keeping their teeth short.

Rabbits use their teeth during the grooming process, so lack of cleanliness on their part could mean that their teeth are sore.

Drooling If your rabbit has started to drool, it might be due to dental problems.

Also look out for wetness on their front paws.

Your vet should be able to smooth any enamel spurs, and keeping an eye on your rabbit’s general behaviour can also help to pinpoint problems. www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/ health/dental/

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

The Mountsorrel Groom R m

01509 768831

All aspects of dog grooming undertaken with Hydro-Bath & all the latest equipment.

Warm, friendly & safe environment

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38 Rothley Road, Mountsorrel, LE12 7JU

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© SVL

In business since 1983 5 year warranty We’ll beat any like for like quote High Quality Digital TV, DAB & FM Aerials • LCD/Plasma Wall Mounts • OAP Discounts • Tune-in & System set ups 133 Highgate Road, Sileby LE12 7PW www.deltaaerials.co.uk

10% OFF your first visit if you mention this advert

Canine Grooming and Spa • Safe, clean and friendly environment • Hydro bathing • Teacup to large breeds catered for • City and Guilds Certificate Qualified Mon - Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm • Sat 9.30am to 5.00pm

Lion Learners offer fun and educational animal handling experiences for schools, care homes, parties, events and anywhere else you can think of!

Please call Kristan on

07873 796379

41 Swan Street, Sileby LE12 7NN

Call 01509 767420 / 07592 594000

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www.lionlearners.co.uk

© SVL

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www.poshdogsgrooming.com

Specialist Language Teaching French • Spanish • Italian Teaching Primary level

Improve confidence & boost grades in GCSE or AS/A2 exams Bespoke tuition for individuals & companies

Please contact Amanda on 01664 434 148 or 07917 452 334 © SVL

or visit the website www.bonjourmesamis.co.uk

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

English as a Foreign Language also available

Page 49

Spot Ten Differences

Answers on page 61

Open: Open: 8am 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Rothely Park Rothley Park Kindergarten is a well established private day care nursery Kindergarten is a very well established celebrating 13 years of success.

Ourprivate bright, spacious, air-conditioned day care nursery celebrating 10 years of classrooms are designed and equipped to provide quality childcare in a success and continuing to deliver an stimulatingenvironment and enjoyable environment.

We offer 113 childcare places enhancing to alllearning the children and for children thequality ages of 6 weeks standards to 5 years.of such high calibre within the their parents.between We provide maintained provision.

Nursery manager Narinder Kaur and her team of professional nursery

Our bright spacious and air conditioned classrooms designed and to equipped to practitioners deliver a second-to-none childcare are service tailored your child’s provide a quality child care provision, delivering a stimulating and enjoyable learning individual requirements. environment. We offer 113 childcare places between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years.

Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full

From the beginning Narinder Kaur, the nursery manager togetherfor with or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, allher children professional nursery practitioners continue to deliver a quality childcare service, under the age of 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays. tailoring to your child’s individual requirements.

A warmGovernment welcome awaits you no appointments necessary as all new Limited Funding is–available for 3 and 4are Year olds. We also offer fulland and prospective parents are invited to visit us at their own part time sessions as required depending on availability forconvenience. all children under the age

www.rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk | tel: 0116 230 3888 info@rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk | mob: 07813 021410 Rothley Park Kindergarten, Loughborough Road, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NL © SVL

Page 50

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

Answers on page 61

Go Everywhere under the Sun with Kia Tim Peake is the first Briton to join the Interna onal Space Sta on Friends and family congratulate the new arrival as the six crew members of Expedi on 46 gather for a video call in the Zvezda service module. From the le are Flight Engineers Tim Kopra, Sergey Volkov, Yuri Malenchenko, Mikhail Kornienko and Tim Peake with Commander Sco Kelly. Picture credit: NASA TV. The crew will install equipment and conduct experiments to help NASA journey to Mars while making discoveries that can benefit all of mankind.

The Naked Eye Planets February: Jupiter lords it over the evening skies, rising at about 7.30 at magnitude ­ 2.3. On Feb 24th you’ll see Jupiter just above the moon in the western sky at 6 a.m. Mercury reaches its greatest angular distance from the Sun as seen from earth on February 7th and is very close to Venus. Although at a magnitude of ­ 0.1 it is too low to be seen before sunrise. You’ll catch brilliant Venus at the beginning of the month at Mag ­ 3.9 but it will slip into dawn’s light by the end of February. Mars moves eastwards in the constella on of Libra, rising about half past one in the morning ini ally, and earlier as the month progresses. Saturn follows the red planet, rising in the same part of the south eastern horizon at about 3 a.m. and each of them shining at almost the same brightness at mag + 0.6.

March: Jupiter con nues to reign supreme at mag ­ 2.3 in Leo and on 8th March this, our largest planet, is at opposi on ­ meaning our Earth sits exactly between it and our Sun. Mars doubles in brightness during March from mag + 0.3 to mag ­ 0.5 (A rise of 1 in magnitude terms equates to a doubling of the body’s apparent brightness.) Saturn shines steadily at mag + 0.5 rising at 1.30 am in the first few days of March when you will see the ringed planet just below the last quarter moon. If the sky is clear on the South

Eastern horizon at the start of the month you might catch a glimpse of Venus, just before sunrise, but then she’s lost in daylight as is Mercury all month long.

Sunrise & Sunset Times Date

Sun Rise

Sun Set

Hours of Daylight

25­Jan­16

07:58

16:36

08h 38 m 13s

01­Feb­16

07:48

16:49

09h 01m 31s

08­Feb­16

07:36

17:02

09h 26m 51s

15­Feb­16

07:22

17:16

09h 53m 36s

22­Feb­16

07:08

17:29

10h 21m 19

29­Feb­16

06:53

17:42

10h 49m 39s

7­Mar­16

06:37

17:55

11h 18m 22s

14­Mar­16

06:20

18:08

11h 47m 17s

Last Quarter

Full Moon

First Quarter

New Moon

1st February

22nd February

15th February

8th February

1st March

23rd March

15th March

9th March

Sponsored by Loughborough Kia See back cover and page 14

Traditional Bar Snacks now available

New Guest Real Ales every week

Own made Pickled Eggs & Onions Speciality ‘Scotch Eggs’ Fresh cobs daily with home cooked ham and cheeses

Quiz nights first Tuesday of each month with roll-over cash prize and beer vouchers for the winners

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Leicestershire Northants & Rutland pub of the year 2014

Live Bands – 13th February Kingbird and 12th March Boys of ’61 Dog friendly

New wine list

ing Now show d Premier an s Championball league footions and 6 Nat om Rugby fr y ar 6th Febru

6 Real Ales, Real Ciders and Real Perry always available Traditional pub games: Darts, Cribbage, Dominoes REGULAR PUB QUIZ NIGHTS

© SVL

16TH CENTURY thatched roof village pub

27 Cossington Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. LE12 7RW

01509 814494 www.thefreetradeinn.co.uk

WORLD CRAFT BEERS Sponsored by

THE FREE TRADE INN

Graham Proud recommends...

Flying Dog Pale Ale from The Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland USA ABV ­ 5.5% HOPS ­ Northern brewer, Cascade, Simcoe, Citra YEAST ­ American Ale Flying Dog Pale Ale complements a wide range of foods. Flavour notes: Grassy, citrus, with slight perfume hop aromas and sweet malt body. Pairs with Cheddar cheese, burgers, barbeque, Thai, Mexican. In 1990, George Stranahan, a Phd astrophysicist, founded the Flying Dog Brewpub in Aspen, Colorado. From that brewpub (micro­pub) to a full­fledged Denver brewery, co­founded by George and his long me friend and partner, Richard McIntyre, in 1994 and then to their current state­of­the­art brewing facility in Frederick, Maryland, Flying Dog con nues to prosper. The New York Times ranked Flying Dog the number 1 American Pale Ale in the USA It was also awarded European Beer Gold Star, English­Style Pale Ale in 2010

Flensburger Pilsener from Flensburger Brauerei, Schleswig­Hols en Germany ABV ­ 4.8% PILESNER LAGER BEER HOPS/TASTE ­ light herbal, lemongrass, caramel As is the case with all German beers, they take their name from the town where they are brewed. It is one of the last country­wide opera ng breweries not being part of a larger brewery group.

The company was founded on September 6th, 1888 by five ci zens of Flensburg. Today it is s ll mainly held by the founder families Petersen and Dethleffsen.

All Flensburger products are glass bo led using the flip­ top bo le cap. Called Flens by locals ordering it in its na ve homeland, the plop sound it makes when a bo le is opened has become part of Flensburg’s iden ty.

In the days before modern refrigera on, to keep the beer cool, brewery staff would chop lumps of ice in winter from the frozen lakes that surround the town.

World Cra Beers sponsored by

THE FREE TRADE INN Regional Pub of the Year 2014

Your leaflet delivered with Soar Valley Life

Your award winning

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The “not so small” print: We’ll help you with the design* and wording so that you get the most impact from your message.

You can choose which area where you’d like your leaflet delivered from just

500 30,000

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Like us on Facebook for regular updates, news and views from around the region www.facebook/soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 55

The White Swan Swan Street Sileby LE12 7NW 01509 814832

Now newly refurbished and remodelled, The White Swan offers a warm welcome with an extensive menu of home-cooked food using locally sourced produce.

Dining is available throughout the pub and all tables are bookable. Great value Sunday roasts.

For menus visit our website: www.whiteswansileby.co.uk Opening hours: Tues - Thurs: 6 to 10 • Fri: 12 to 2 - 6 to 11 Sat: 6 to 11 • Sun: 12 to 3 Last food orders • Lunch: 1.30 - Eve 8.30 Outside Catering for any occasion

© SVL

Call Theresa on 01509 814832 or 07900 621904

Page 56

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from only £31 plus VAT per month – see inside front page for details

ies rs r t en ade n tio y re i t pe cop m Co hard nly o m fro .

Sponsor a compe

on for free? Call Mary on 01509 813125

Page 57

Baker & Co Accountants & Bookkeepers 6 Brookbridge Court Syston Leicestershire LE7 2JT

Telephone

0116 2640889 (also fax) 0116 2695236 Email bakerandcoaccountants@btconnect.com Free initial consultation, and Home/workplace visits if desired Over 65 year experience within the practice Established in Syston for over 27 years

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Hard Sudoku

Answers on page 61

Each row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once.

This can be done by applying logic – you don’t have to guess!

Page 58

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

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DIGITAL.R.US Ltd The company with the smart technology covered • • • • • •

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35-37 High Street, Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicestershire LE12 8PY See page 7 for our distribu on map

Page 59

C o u uld have W o y t a h W t a on!

Look With more than 50 winners since Soar Valley Life started 45 months ago, the value of the prizes we have given away is in excess of £3,000.

Here are some of our lucky winners and the prizes they have won...

Lucky winner, Arthur Smith of Mountsorrel, receives his prize from Ar st Paul Atchinson. On the right is the heritage transport print Arthur chose from Paul’s collec on.

Cur s Eaton of Loughborough, centre, receives his hamper of cra ale and Pipers crisps from Graham Proud and Lisa James of The Free Trade Inn.

We’ve had 6 lucky winners in 3 compe ons to win a full day spa at Ragdale Hall including lunch.

Mr. D. Su on of Hathern and Roy Hilton of Wymeswold were two lucky Soar Valley Life readers who each won a drive a steam loco experience ­ our most valuable prizes to date.

Melissa

Mrs A.E. Williams of Barrow upon Soar and Diana Longwith of Mountsorrel both won a picnic bench from George Walker Timber Merchants of Syston.

12 Lucky readers have won a delicious meal for two at one of our featured Soar Valley pubs and restaurants.

Anna Casswell of Rothley won a wine cooler from Bunny Appliance Warehouse in our Christmas 2013 compe on.

by Jonathan Taylor We’ve had 12 cash prize winners on our monthly Facebook compe ons.

Winners Congratula ons to Ian Lewis of Thurmaston, Linda Porter of Sileby and Natalie We ler of Kegworth whose entries in our Melissa Compe on were the first to be drawn out of the hat a er the closing date.

Ian, Linda and Natalie each win a signed copy of Jonathan’s new novel Melissa.

ALL OUR COMPETITIONS ARE FREE TO ENTER

Solu ons to Puzzles Gold and Silver Quiz Answers 1. King Midas 2. The Lone Ranger 3. Ghana 4. 30 5. El Dorado 6. Rolls­Royce 7. 75% (24 carat gold is pure gold) 8. Argen na (from "argentum") 9. Rumpels ltskin 10. Copper Sudoku Solu ons Easy

Spot the Difference Answers 1. Eyes 2. Hair 3. Horn 4. Bird

Henry Hedgehog Solu ons 1. St Michael's Mount 2. Tower of London 3. Edinburgh Castle 4. Dover Castle 5. Windsor Castle Coat of Arms B & F are the same.

Rivets Shirt Tie String Patch Teeth Bo om of staff Thumb

Pictogram Solu ons 1. Barking Up The Wrong Tree 2. Singing In The Rain 3. A Sorry Sight Quick Crossword Solu on 1

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The Li le Theatre Tickets Winner

Congratula ons to Mrs J Proudman of Rothley whose entry in our Shakespeare Wordsearch was the first correct answer to be drawn out of the hat a er the closing date. The phrase, a ributed to Shakespeare himself, was: “Be er a wi y fool than a foolish wit.”

Mrs Proudman can choose two ckets to any produc on at The Li le Theatre up to June 30th 2016.

See page 57 for another compe on!

Sponsor this page? Call Steve on 01509 813125

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Soar Valley Life Local Business Directory Ground Services Landscapes .............................. 11

Arts and Cra s Frenzy Youth Theatre.......................................... 44 Loughborough University Arts............................ 44 The Li le Theatre ­ Leicester .............................. 45

Building and Roofing Charnwood Oaks Roofing & Building.................. 24 Hassall & Son Ltd ................................................ 15 RSJ Roofing ......................................................... 10

Courier Services MyParcelShop.Com ............................................ 25

Harrison Landscaping ........................................... 9 JSB Tree Surgery ................................................. 28 Outdoor Solu ons .............................................. 17 Pres ge Drives & Roofing ................................... 26

Hair and Beauty Dignified Hair Design .......................................... 38

Health Care Ac vity 4all ......................................................... 39 Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre.......................... 39 Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional ........ 35 H S Foot Care Services ........................................ 43

Educa on

Inter Eyecare Op cians Ltd................................. 37

Bonjour Mes Amis ­ Specialist Language Teaching ........................... 49 Go Learn! Adult Learning ............................ 55 / 56 Lion Learners Educa onal Experiences .............. 49 Rothley Park Kindergarten.................................. 50

Food, Drink and Venues Kinds of Queniborough Food Service ................. 41 The Free Trade Inn.............................................. 53

Mind Body Movement ....................................... 25 Pennie Blatchford ­ Advanced Electrolysis ......... 41 Reed Wellbeing ­ Complementary Health ......... 39

Holidays Hoteles ­ Global Hotel Bookings......................... 32 La Folle e ­ Holiday Villa .................................... 25

Home

The Waterside Inn .............................................. 16

Absolute Window Solu ons Ltd ......................... 30

The White Horse Inn ...........................................43

Ancient & Modern Furniture Restora on .......... 44

The White Swan ................................................. 56

Appliance City ­ Appliance Exper se .................. 21 Aquafit Bathrooms ............................................... 5

Garden

Aquapro Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning ............. 24

Canopy Tree Services............................................ 8

Carpets of Choice ............................................... 34

Charnwood Tree Services ................................... 10

Charnwood Garage Doors .................................. 15

Claire Jones Gardens ............................................ 9

Custom Conservatories & Windows................... 14

Derry's Nurseries ................................................ 12

DCI Kitchens ....................................................... 28

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Go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for business directory download

Dave Mi on Electrical Ltd. ................................. 28 Delta Aerials ....................................................... 49

Motoring and Vehicle Hire

Digital.R.Us Ltd ................................................... 59

Just Kia Car Hire.................................................. 14

Ecoclean Dry Carpet Cleaning ............................ 19

Loughborough Kia .............................................. 64

Ecoclean Stone Floor Cleaning ........................... 27

Twiggers Motorcycles Ltd ................................... 14

Fab Plumbing...................................................... 14 Hassall Aerials..................................................... 24 Hollydan Plumbing & Hea ng ............................ 25 Inter i­care Gas & Electrical Services .................. 35 JS Plastering........................................................ 18 Keith Urry & Son ­ High Class Decorators ........... 24 Leicester Window Supplies Ltd........................... 16 LockXpert & Security Solu ons .......................... 11 M J Flint & Son Painters and Decorators ............ 18 Mercer Property Services ..................................... 8 Midland Bi­Folds................................................. 55 Ocean Designs Conservatory Furniture.............. 31

Pet Care Posh Dogs Canine Grooming .............................. 49 The Mountsorrel Groom Room .......................... 49

Prin ng Services Soar Valley Life ­ Print & Distribu on ................. 54

Professional Services Baker & Co Accountants ..................................... 58 Crea ve io ­ Video & Photography ..................... 38 CP Accountancy Ltd ............................................ 35

P. R. Property Maintenance ................................ 19

Garre ­Long Solicitors........................................ 59

Peak Fi ng Services ........................................... 18

Helen Gadsby ­ Financial Advisor ....................... 45

Richard Watson Painter and Decorator .............. 17

iTech Repair Ltd .................................................. 25

SJS The Professional Carpet Cleaner .................. 59

John German Estate Agents ............................... 23

SJS Leather Cleaning and Restora on ................ 44

Moss Solicitors ................................................... 29

Smashgard Window Films .................................. 26 Soar Valley Aerials .............................................. 44 Whelband Windows ............................................. 3 Woodburner Workshop...................................... 47

Home Care Services Absolute Care Agency......................................... 36

Merchants

Residen al Care The Abbeyfield ................................................... 36

Shopping & Retail Filigree Heart Limited ......................................... 38

Sports and Leisure Cyclops Cycles..................................................... 15

NS Plumbing & Hea ng Supplies Ltd .................... 5

Great Central Railway ........................................... 4

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