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Sileby and Mountsorrel Edi on 15,000 magazines delivered by Royal Mail every two months
Issue 17 August/Sept 2013
Priceless
This edi on is delivered by Royal Mail to all 7,700 addresses in LE12 7: Sileby, Mountsorrel, Seagrave &Cossington together with further copies made available in libraries, pubs, hotels, surgeries, tourist informa on centres, newsagents, Great Central Railway sta ons and other major places of interest in Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston
Bridging the Gap on the GCR Country Walk Recipe Puzzles What’s On Trades and Services
Next month’s edi on is delivered by Royal Mail to all addresses in LE12 8: Barrow upon Soar, Quorn, Walton on the Wolds, Woodhouse Eaves, Woodhouse & Swithland together with a further 3,300 copies to addresses in Burton on the Wolds, Stanford on Soar, Hoton, Prestwold, Su on Bonnington. Long Wha on, Normanton on Soar & Hathern and major places of interest in LE12.
www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Copy deadline for September Tuesday 27th August
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Bridges A few Saturdays ago I was enjoying a drink in the local pub with Mary when an older gent I’d never met before told me that he’d been born and bred in Sileby like his father and grandfather before him; he’d le the area some 25 years ago and was here for a family reunion. His family name was Ward and he and his father had built many of the houses in and around the village. I told him we lived almost next door to a bridge which has his father’s name on; it crosses Sileby Brook to give access to the row of houses on Hobbs Wick. It’s likely that the first bridges ever used by human beings were made by nature itself; as simple as a fallen log across a stream or stones in a river. The first manmade bridges would have been logs or planks of wood strapped together with leather and twine. Over me, as human ingenuity developed, bridges became bigger, brought peoples together and aided colonisa on of new lands and territories. As a metaphor it creates a powerful meaning of connec on, bridging the gap between two par es; or as an analogy in a Bridge to the Future (page 20 & 21) connec ng the past via the present to the future when the two halves of the Great Central Railway become one again by replacing the missing bridge over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough. When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s my grandparents had a smallholding adjacent to a spur which joined the Great Central Railway on Gotham Moor. My cousins and I would look down the embankment from the fence bordering the potato field, on to the tank engines pulling trucks full of Gypsum. We’d put halfpenny's on the track which crossed the lane outside grandad’s bungalow and then rush back to find the squashed copper a er the train had passed, and wonder at the power and weight of a machine that could do such a thing. We’d brace ourselves and hang on for dear life on the Fi ysteps Foot Bridge in Western Fields, Ruddington as the London and Sheffield expresses came thundering through. The closure of the railway line in 1969 with the ra onalisa on of Bri sh Railways seemed an inevitability, an undeniable truth that progress is always double edged. Then in the early 70s the Main Line Preserva on Group sprang forth and saved the line from Loughborough to Quorn and subsequently to Rothley and Birstall. Then Bri sh Rail in 1980 drove another nail into the coffin and took down the bridge over the Midland line. But s ll the movement strived and never gave up, even though many of those original enthusiasts are no longer here. And how ironic it is that the double edge of progress turns full circle with the promise from Network (Bri sh) Rail of the funds and influence to put the bridge back, and make a connec on once more between the coun es of No ngham and Leicester. We like to think that Soar Valley Life is a bit like a bridge, connec ng trades and services with people who might not know about them and we now have a new team member making new connec ons for us; we welcome Nicola Davies, who’s helping us out with telemarke ng. From September we’ll be connec ng 20,000 households with the ever growing number of adver sers who appear in here as we begin delivering to addi onal areas. And with more new adver sers this month than ever before comes the news that we might be making the headlines ourselves we’ve been nominated for a na onal award from our peers in the category of Best New Magazine of 2012/13! The winners are to be announced at The Independent Magazine Publishers Conference in October so watch this space!
Steve & Mary Johns
Editors Soar Valley Life Page 2
“Feas ng Companions” © by Rebecca Soanes, 25th July 2013, RSPB, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk. Rebecca says, “The bees and bu erflies were loving it! As well as a Bumble Bee these Scabious were also being enjoyed by a Six Spot Burnet Moth!”
Contents Allergy and your Eyes Easy Sudoku Are you up to date? Quiz – Towns and Villages Trains, Boats and Planes General Knowledge Crossword Curry, Spice and Things with Rice Ten Top Tips about BuytoLet Phobias by Paula Reed A Bridge to the Future Spot the Difference Compe on Winners Recipe –Green’s Rocky Road Think quality, think freshness, think Green’s Photography Tips by Rebecca Soanes She should have gone to Baby Gosling Sileby Vikings Rugby Club Truck Pull Clogs & Cleats Cycle Challenge Looking a er those le behind Walking Chater Valley A conservatory is not just for summer Your Space, your Kitchen, your Budget Snapshots by Phillip Mark McGough What’s On Answers to Puzzles
4 7 8 9 12 15 17 18 19 20 26 26 28 29 30 31 32 32 35 36 39 41 42 46 47
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.
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
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Soar Valley Life Trades and Services Art, Cra s and Gi s
James Dicks – Jewellery Cleaning Helen Joyce – Ar st The Gallery – Su on Bonington
Builders Merchants
John A Stephens Wanlip Sand and Gravel
47 40
Child Care and Educa on
Kumon Maths and English Tutoring Parkside Nursery School
Clothing and Accessories
Baby Gosling Happily Ever A er Brides
16 30 31 23
Entertainment
A all the Way Discos Great Central Railway Beer Fes val
Hair and Beauty
Hair and Nails at Home The Temple Hair Spa
7 24 23 43
Health Care
Ac vity 4all Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional Reed Wellbeing Complementary Health Visual Answers Op cians / Optometrists Walkin Physio Ltd
Home and Garden
28 43 13
A 2 Z Cleaning Services Absolute Window Solu ons Limited Acacia Curtains and Blinds AMW Kitchens Bunny Appliance Warehouse Carpets of Choice Charnwood Tree Services DCI Kitchens Delta Aerials Fab Plumbing GPS Plumbing & Hea ng Harrison Landscaping Instant Cleaning Services KR Electrical Lakes An ques & House Clearance
14 28 37 19 5 15 39 38 39 41 44 6 45 37 14 16 19 34 14 10 14
Informa on is included in our What’s On sec on subject to space being available. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publica on is accurate, Soar Valley Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and neither do we endorse companies or adver sers or their products and services appearing in this magazine.
Lo Storage Solu ons Mr B Property & Garden Maintenance Neil Philips Interiors Richard Watson Painter and Decorator Sam Woodward Pain ng & Decora ng SJS Professional Carpet Cleaner Soar Valley Aerials The Chimney Doc The Oven Cleaning Company Whelband Windows
8 7 34 15 33 11 10 11 37 25
Pet Care
Woodside Animal Centre
Professional Services
AST Le ngs Ltd Baker & Co. Accountants ComputerAngel CP Accountancy Ltd iPaq Repair & Parts Moss Solicitors Rebecca Soanes Photography SGA Architects & Structural Engineers
Pubs, Restaurants & Catering Green’s Loughborough Ltd Loulou’s Pancakes Rock ‘n’ Rolls Catering The Free Trade Inn The Queen Victoria The White Horse Inn Yasmin’s Indian Restaurant
Residen al Care
The Abbeyfield
Sports and Leisure
Cyclops Cycles Physfit Gyms Pillings Lock Marina Ltd Pure Movement Yoga Yoga Classes
Timber Merchants George Walker Ltd
Motoring and Travel
Charnwood Airport Taxis Deborah Grew Travel Consultants MVC Mobile Car Vale ng
Wholesalers
Costco Leicester
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
7 18 22 23 8 23 35 30 16 29 11 7 33 39 9 17 14 10 10 and 32 48 43 16 40 45 16 21 27
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Allergy and Your Eyes by Mohammed Bhojani
Seasonal Allergy is a common condi on affec ng 1 in 4 people in the popula on of Europe; it is a growing problem with itchiness, redness and tearing of the eye, o en combined with a runny nose and can be especially problema c for the 4 million plus contact lens wearers in the UK... Those with a history of eye allergies have a higher level of contact lensrelated irrita on, causing many to use eye drops more o en, use their contacts less frequently, or switch back to glasses. But by the use of the right type of contact lens, together with the correct medica on, many allergy sufferers should be able to successfully wear contact lenses, even through the worst allergy season. Advice and ps on how to increase the likelihood of successfully wearing your contact lenses even if you suffer from allergies: • Daily disposable contact lenses are ideal for some people with eye allergy. Apart from convenience, they minimise the likelihood of any irritants binding to the lens or the need to use contact lens solu ons that may contain preserva ves. • If solu ons are used your optometrist can advise you on using a cleaning system that is preserva ve free. • Never sleep in your contact lenses as the build up of irritants is most likely to occur at this me especially with extended wear contact lens wearers.
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• At peak mes of the allergy season consider wearing your lenses ‘part me’ and make sure you have a back up pair of glasses. • Do not rub or scratch your eyes as this can make things worse. Using preserva vefree ar ficial tears or an allergy drops as advised by your optometrist will help. • Check pollen levels every day in summer and try to determine the type of pollen that causes you a problem. • Try taking oral an histamines available from a pharmacy but discuss this with your pharmacist or GP as some can have side effects including drowsiness. • If your eyes do become red, remove your contact lenses and seek professional advice from your optometrist or GP. O en a cold compress over the eyes can give immediate comfort and relief. Mohammed Bhojani BSc (Hons) MC Optom is the principal optometrist at Visual Answers Op cians based in Quorn 01509 414151 and Barrow upon Soar 01509 416800 near Loughborough. VisualAnswers.co.uk
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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Good choice of rugs always available in store
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MR B PROPERTTY MA P AINTENAN A CE A D GARDEN SERVICES AN
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Easy Sudoku
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For how to play go to h p://www.sudoku.name/rules/en Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
Page 7
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Are you up to date? HM Revenue & Customs are running a campaign
CP Accountancy Ltd
un l 15 October 2013 called “My Tax Return Catch Up” to encourage tax payers to submit any outstanding self assessment income tax returns for any year up to 2011/12... If you wish to join the campaign you can do so by
End of year accounts, Bookkeeping, VAT, PAYE, CIS, and Tax Returns for Sole-traders, Partnerships and small Limited Companies
no fying HM Revenue & Customs: either complete the no fica on form on their website and submit
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Lazarus Court, Woodgate Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NR
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Tel: 01162 303 973 Mobile: 07749 650129 Email: info@cpaccountancyltd.co.uk
By joining the campaign it is believed that it will increase your chances of saving a higher penalty being imposed upon you based on behaviour and also avoid an es mate being issued to you in respect of tax you may owe.
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Quiz – Towns and Villages 1. Born in 1945, which American singer found fame a er he changed his surname to that of a town in the north of England? 2. The Village Green Preserva on Society was used as the theme song for which TV sitcom? 3. In which English county would you find the town of Melton Mowbray? 4. In which fic onal Yorkshire village might you come across Police Constable Arthur Selby? 5. Which coastal town in East Sussex shares it’s name with Hercule Poirot’s assistant? 6. The TV show Noel’s House Party was set in which fic onal village? 7. Which town in Surrey is home to Ali G? 8. Replaced by youth custody centres in 1982, what was the name given to prisons for young offenders that was named a er the village in Kent where the first of these ins tu ons was established? 9. In which TV show did Number Two preside over “the Village”? 10. In which country of the UK would you find a village with a name that means “Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of Tysilio with a red cave”? Answers on page 47
The White Horse Inn, 6 Church Street, Seagrave, Leicestershire, LE12 7LT
01509 814715
Opening times: Tuesday 6pm – 11pm Wednesday – Saturday 12pm – 2pm & 6pm – 11pm Sunday 12pm – 5pm Home cooked food served: Tuesday 6pm – 8.45pm Wednesday – Saturday 12pm – 1.45pm & 6pm – 8.45pm Sunday 12pm – 2.15pm
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. Whenever you come to visit, you will always find friendly staff, excellent food and drink and a great atmosphere. ■ £5 Tuesday Evening Specials ■ £5 Lunch Specials, Weds-Sat ■ Tapas Night every Wednesday ■ Steak Night every Thursday ■ Chef-cooked Sunday Lunch ■ Outside Bar & Catering Available Booking always advisable to avoid disappointment
The Stables Shop and Function Room at The White Horse are now open! Visit www.whitehorseseagrave.co.uk for more details.
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
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Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 11
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Trains and Boats and Planes And automobiles, arts, cra s, agriculture and six million trees though not all of the trees are in Su on Bonington of course... Per capita, this village has a more varied history than anywhere else I know. A thousand years ago it was two villages which had grown out of two farms: South Farm (Su on) and Buna’s Farm (Bonington). Each had their own church, St Anne’s in south and St Michael’s in the north, both of which s ll stand and are in use today. Most of the buildings on Main Street have a preserva on order on them, therefore restric ng new build and of course preserving the look and feel of this quintessen al English linear village. In the 18th and 19th centuries a lot of the land around was owned by the Parkyn family who built the beau ful, red brick, Queen Anne period, Su on Bonington Hall in the mid 1700s. In 1820 William Paget, a wealthy merchant hosier and banker who resided at Southfields in Loughborough, purchased the hall and by the end of the 19th century he owned much of the land in the parish. The railway arrived in 1840 and George Ernest Paget, William’s grandson, became Chairman of the Midland Railway company. Un l his re rement trains were stopped for his convenience just a short distance from the house. He was made a Baronet in 1897 by Queen Victoria for his services to and development of the railway industry. The hall is s ll owned by a descendant of the Paget family although over the last few years it has been leased out to a hotel company catering for exclusive weddings and special events. Bri sh agriculture in the 1890s was in a deep depression, suffering from a deluge of cheap overseas imported produce (when will we ever learn?) and the councils of the three coun es of the East Midlands got together to create a small school of agriculture. The school grew into
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Banner on a field gate on Pasture Lane, Su on Bonington from the Woodland Trust and in the background just a few of the six million trees planted to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
a college which moved into purposebuilt premises on the grounds of what had once been Lodge Farm a er the farm was sold in 1911. It opened as The Midland Agricultural and Dairy College a couple of years later. During the First World War the college became a prisoner of war camp. A strange irony when you think that the prisoners forced to work on the land were maybe helping repair a li le of the damage caused by cheap imports from their own countries years before. These days, in term me, there are more students at the college than there are residents in the village. It was with help from students and staff that the trees above were planted to commemorate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Since the opening of East Midlands Airport in 1965, commercial aircra have flown low over the village, the flight path being directly overhead just northwest of St Michael’s church; but nowadays, with advancements in noise reduc on, you hardly no ce them. A thousand years ago river boats would have connected this fer le farmland with the outside world via the Soar and the Trent a few miles north. Spend a sunny hour relaxing in the garden of the O er pub just over the river and you’ll see this ancient mode of travel is s ll as popular as ever. From 1982 specialist motor cars
have been manufactured in the parish at Hathernware Industrial Estate, up on the Rempstone Road; un l 2004 GTM cars and since then Talon cars. And the latest transport ini a ve in the Parish of Su on Bonington comes from local pewter jewellery ar st and gallery owner Mar n Palin! In the small garden of Su on Bonington Gallery on Main Street, not a hundred yards from the entrance to the hall, a new railway is being built. Live steam engines will run in the not too distant future, albeit much smaller than the ones which halted here at the request of Sir George Paget a century ago. One of the first to run will be Thomas the Tank engine. There’s a good deal of work yet to be done, but most of the track bed is in place together with some of the track. In the gallery itself you’ll find a treasure trove of contemporary art and pewter jewellery made on the premises by Mar n, together with pain ngs by local and na onal ar sts, prints and cards. I was fascinated to find beau ful glass artefacts and jewellery recycled from old glassware and bo les you could have a keepsake made out of the champagne or wine bo le from your wedding or special occasion. Perhaps Mar n will have something made from the champagne bo le he’ll surely be emptying at the opening of his new railway!
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
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The
Gallery
Sutton Bonington
Arts & Crafts Gallery - Gift Shop Ceramics, Jewellery, Paintings & Prints. Fresh ground coffee, hot tea, cold drinks and cakes served in our garden or the gallery. 119, Main Street, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5PE Thursday - Friday: 2pm-6:30pm Sat, Sun & Mon: 11am-6:30pm 01509 678867
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Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 15
General Knowledge Crossword
Across 1 Integers (6)
7
Member of an ancient Jewish sect around the me of Christ (8)
8
Hawaiian garland of flowers (3)
9
Fluid in the mouth (6)
10 Shared online journal (4)
11 Song used to praise the Deity (5)
13 Dog of mixed breed (7)
15 Dogma sm (7)
17 Yellow fossil resin (5)
21 Organs of locomo on and balance in fishes (4)
22 Dark brownishred colour (6) ©puzzlepress.co.uk
23 Sweet potato (3) 24 Ribbonlike intes nal parasite (8)
Down 1 Small measure (usually of food such as custard) (6) 2 Japanese woman trained to entertain men (6) 3 Country, capital Madrid (5) 4 Principal bullfighter (7) 5 Military knapsack (6) 6 Oil used as fuel in lamps (8) 12 Curved oriental sword (8) 14 Deep red (7) 16 Pearlproducing shellfish (6) 18 Mythical monster said to live in watery places like swamps (6) 19 Drill used to shape or enlarge holes (6) 20 Formal school or college balls held at the end of a year (5)
25 Sharpshooter (6)
Answers on page 47
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Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 17
Curry, Spice and things with Rice Not to men on eight varie es of Nan, papadums, pakora, chutney, chapa and more... Today it is es mated that there are more than 8,000 Indian restaurants in the UK which together employ more than 70,000 people and generate in excess of £2 billion per annum. In recent years Bangladeshi/Bri sh recipes like Chicken Tikka Masala have become ever more popular. Sta s cs show that almost one in seven of us choose a kka masala dish as our first choice in restaurants, although there’s no real standard recipe and it can vary from hot to creamy and red to green. But, did you know that the recipe was most likely to have been invented here? Top food writer Charles Campion refers to Chicken Tikka Masala as a dish invented in London in the seven es so that the ignorant could have gravy with their chicken kka! Several different chefs have laid a claim to the inven on but none with any evidence to support it, so the
lamb korma. Yasmin’s owner, Abdul, asked that if we could wait a li le while his chef would cook it specially for us. All this for only £8.95! I defy any one to find be er value anywhere. And their takeaway customers also praise them:
Chicken Tikka Masala served with Nan by Yasmins of Sileby
mystery will have to remain. But there’s no mystery at Yasmins Bangladeshi Tandoori and Bal Restaurant, in Sileby. Every Monday evening you can sample any number of dishes, buffet style, together with starters, sundries and rice. It’s the best way I know to discover what you like and when you find it you can go back for more! The first Monday Mary and I ate there, chicken kka masala held pride of place with lots more dishes to choose from but not Mary’s favourite
Keith from No ngham says, “Yasmins never fails to provide a great service. The food is fabulous and the service is fantas c. I use this restaurant a lot as it is hard to find a curry that I like and these guys never disappoint.” Mark in Leicester says, ”Brilliant food and fast delivery. Well worth the money!” And from Robert & Tina of Leicester, “Great service with a welcoming smile. All staff including the delivery driver were dressed in smart suits. Great tas ng food worth every penny!” With a 5 star hygiene ra ng too what more could you want? Drink? Oh, yes you’re welcome to take your own alcohol as well.
Contemporary Tandoori & Balti Restaurant Authentic Bangladeshi Cuisine Natural Ingredients • Cooked Fresh to Order
Take Away - Free Delivery
On all orders over £10.00 • 3 mile radius
10% Discount on all orders over £10.00 collected Credit Cards Welcome
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*Buffet night every Monday (including bank holidays)* Wednesday special 4 course set menu for £9.90* *Bring your own alcohol
37 High Street Sileby LE12 7RX
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Tel 01509 815050 www.yasmins-tandoori.co.uk Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
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10 Top Tips about BuytoLet 1. Research the market If you are new to buytolet, what do you know about it? Do you know the risks, as well as the benefits? If you know someone who already has a buy tolet property ask them about their experiences. 2. Choose an up and coming area Up and coming does not mean the cheapest. Up and coming means a place where people would like to live and this can be for a variety of reasons. 3. Do the figures Before you start to look at proper es sit down with a pen and paper and write down the cost of houses you are looking at and the rent you are likely to get. 4. Seek out the best mortgage Seek advice from a specialist buytolet mortgage broker as there are o en mortgage deals which are only available through brokers.
5. What type of tenant are you looking for? Forget about whether you would like to live in the property yourself and put yourself in the shoes of your target tenant. Are you looking for students, young professionals or a family? Each type of tenant has their own unique requirements. 6. Go for rental yield Yield is the annual rent received as a percentage of the purchase price. For example, a property producing £5,000 rent that costs £100,000 to buy has a 5% gross yield. Don't forget tax, maintenance costs and other landlord expenses will eat into that return. 7. Property renova on It is also worth looking at proper es that need improvement as a way of boos ng the value of your investment.
8. Haggle over price As a buytolet investor, especially if you are a cash buyer, you have a dis nct advantage when it comes to nego a ng a discount as you can proceed quickly. 9. The downsides Before you make any investment you should always inves gate the nega ve aspects as well as the posi ve. Are house prices falling, or is there a surplus of rental proper es in the area in which you are looking to buy? 10. Consider how handson you want to be Will you rent it out yourself or get an agent to do so? Agents charge you a management fee, but will deal with any problems with the property. Independent agents such as AST Le ngs Ltd generally offer an excellent and personal service.
2d Moscow Lane, Shepshed, Leicestershire LE12 9EX Tel: 07885 218068 or 07896 817966 info@astlettings.com www.astlettings.com
Landlords, we have been so successful in finding tenants we have let nearly all of our properties
We now urgently require new properties for waiting tenants EPC's arranged Specialist Letting Agency No Let No Fee Free Professional advice Rent paid direct to your bank Free advertising No VAT is payable on our fees
Reduced Let Only fee for new instructions in July and August 2013 Please ring Stephen on 07885 218068 to book a rental valuation NOW Page 18
Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 19
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Complementary Health Practitioner REFLEXOLOGY Relieving stress using gentle pressure strategically applied to your hands and feet, helping to alleviate symptoms and improve overall health - especially where conventional medicine has failed. REIKI Holistic healing helping to integrate your body’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual components by balancing your energy centres, stimulating natural immunity and promoting relaxation. HOPI EAR CANDLING Reduces congestion in the ear and sinus area inducing a feeling of general tranquillity, composure and comfort. EFT ‘Acupuncture without needles’ creating balance within your body’s energy system, particularly successful with addictions, weight, pain, anger management, severe trauma, stress and phobias. Paula Reed is a member of the NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners All treatments delivered in my professionally appointed clinic in Barrow-upon-Soar
Telephone: 01509 415125 Email: info@reedwellbeing.co.uk Website: www.reedwellbeing.co.uk
Simple phobias are fear of specific objects or situa ons such as spiders, den sts, flying, enclosed spaces, heights, water or darkness. Complex phobias are more disabling and are o en associated with a deeprooted fear of a par cular circumstance i.e. agoraphobia and social phobias like public speaking. Phobias are o en brought on by a past experience so trauma c that the body tries to ensure such situa ons are avoided. Phobias can also be learned from your parents when you are very young. A pounding heart, palpita ons, bu erflies or discomfort in the stomach, trembling, hot and cold sweats, dizziness, choking, shortness of breath, nausea, numbness and ngling are all symptoms that may be experienced depending on the severity of the phobia. Almost all phobias can be successfully treated and cured although complex phobias o en take longer than simple ones. A variety of talking therapies are currently used i.e. counselling, CBT (Cogni ve Behavioural Therapy) and NLP (Neuro Linguis c Programming). In addi on there is a rela vely new therapy emerging: EFT (Emo onal Freedom Technique). The way EFT works is a bit like ‘acupuncture without needles’ it u lises gentle tapping of the fingers on the Meridian Energy Points balancing both mind and body by freeing up any blockages in the body’s energy system. EFT is a simple technique which is easy to learn and it o en works when conven onal therapies fail. It is quicker, the results are long term and there are no side effects. EFT is just one of the therapies offered by Reed Wellbeing. Paula Reed: www.reedwellbeing.co.uk
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Page 19
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A Bridge to the Future
The Great Central Railway’s long held ambi on to reunite two sec ons of the line is taking a drama c leap forward. The GCR is entering a partnership with Network Rail to build a bridge over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough. Design work is underway and the new structure is expected to be in place by mid 2015. One of the most an cipated projects on any UK heritage railway, the reunifica on scheme will see a 500 metre, long demolished link between the Great Central Railway PLC (which operates trains between Loughborough and Leicester) and the GCR No ngham Ltd, (which runs between Loughborough and South No ngham) rebuilt. This will create an 18 mile railway linking communi es and a rac ons with a ‘heritage rail highway’. The ini al phase will see the most high profile element of the project built; a new rail bridge to carry Great Central Railway trains over the four tracks of the Midland Main Line which handles high speed passenger services to London. The case for rebuilding the whole link and recrea ng the 18 mile rail corridor was examined in a feasibility study carried out by Atkins in 2009. It was found to be technically achievable and capable of delivering a wide range of economic benefits to Charnwood and the East Midlands. “We are delighted to announce this incredible step forward,” said Bill Ford, Managing Director of the Great Central Railway PLC. “Building this bridge unlocks the rest of the reunifica on project which will create an a rac on with truly interna onal appeal. We couldn’t have be er partners than Network Rail to deliver this element of the project. The completed railway will bring benefits to the local service sector and create new opportuni es in rail tes ng, training and appren ceships. "The breakthrough comes a er many years of pa ent work by Great Central Railway Development, a company specially formed to push the reunifica on forward. Led by respected rail industry
Page 20
BR Standard 5 no 73010 crosses the original Great Central bridge across the Midland Line in Summer 1963 (c) T G HEPBURN Rail Archive journalist Nigel Harris, GCRD was instrumental in recovering two redundant rail bridges, previously used by Network Rail at Reading. The bridges were moved to Loughborough in 2011. In their new life, they’ll be placed ‘end to end’ to create a new single track line above the Midland Main Line. The other elements of the overall project include repairing an exis ng canal bridge, building a new bridge over Railway Terrace Road in Loughborough and replacing a missing embankment. The es mated cost for the complete scheme is £8m. However it’s an cipated the installa on of the rail bridge will accelerate progress towards the ‘golden spike’ moment when the two sec ons of the GCR are reunited. Trains could be running over the full 18 mile railway within five years. The GCR has launched an immediate appeal, called “Bridge to the Future” with the aim of raising the one million pounds required to pay for the work. While Network Rail are partners who will design and manage the construc on, they won’t be inves ng public money. “There is huge interest and excitement amongst both railway enthusiasts and the general public in seeing this project succeed,” said Mark Fowler of Great Central Railway No ngham Ltd. “It is vitally important to us that the local
communi es join us in this vision. It will drive economic benefit during construc on and in the longer term too. So we look forward to support for the appeal locally, to make that posi ve difference a reality in our part of the East Midlands”. Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, added “Our electrifica on teams are already making significant changes to the infrastructure in this area
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 21
A Bridge to the Future so it’s the ideal opportunity to get the bridge in place, with minimal disrup on and cost. Once the full scheme is complete it will bring significant economic benefits to the region as well as reinsta ng a piece of our railway heritage.” Reunifica on has made significant progress in recent years with the support of many local stakeholders, not least Loughborough’s Member of Parliament, Nicky Morgan. "This is an incredibly exci ng project for Loughborough, Leicestershire and beyond and I am delighted to give it my wholehearted support. We have all seen the bridges lying next to the GCR sta on in
Loughborough. To realise that, with the support of Network Rail and other key par es, their reuse to bring together the two parts of the Great Central Railway is now within sight, is a thrilling prospect. I am convinced that reunifica on will bring big benefits to our local economy and I do hope everyone locally will support this important first step." Nigel Harris, Chairman of Great Central Railway Development concluded: "This agreement is the start of the Great Central’s most exci ng adventure yet; the delivery of a vision of an intercity heritage railway. It's been a very long haul to get to this point, especially over
the last 20 years, but what has unlocked the problem has been Network Rail's willingness to work in partnership with GCR, Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan and other stakeholders. The whole community is invited to par cipate. If you’ve ever wanted to see this happen, now is the me to act!” To support the appeal, or for more informa on about building the bridge and the rest of the reunifica on project head to the GCR website (www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify) and click on the “Bridge to the Future” link. Dona ons can be made securely using a credit or debit card.
An ar st’s impression of how the new bridge that will cross the Midland Mainline will look when it is in place.
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Baker & Co Accountants & Bookkeepers 6 Brookbridge Court Syston Leicestershire LE7 2JT Telephone
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PĂŠtanque Tournament and Barbeque 27 July 2013 On behalf of the HOPE Against Cancer Clogs and Cleats Cycle Challenge (see page 32) we would like to thank everyone who came to the pĂŠtanque tournament on Saturday at the Free Trade Inn. With your help, the help of friends and many of the businesses of Sileby we raised ÂŁ1,001! Thank you once again, we HOPE you all enjoyed yourselves. Nick and Jayne Ferns www.hfcr.org
Call 0116 286 6447 FOR AN INSTANT QUOTE
Unit 33, King Street Buildings, George Street Entrance Enderby, Leicester LE19 4NT
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Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 26
Spot Ten Differences Answers on page 47
Compe Congratula ons to
Diana Longwith of Mountsorrel who wins the picnic bench from George Walker of Syston.
Diana’s entry of £120 was the first correct answer out of the hat to the ques on, ‘What is the price of this rectangular picnic bench, including VAT, available from George Walker Limited of Syston?’
Page 26
on Winners Congratula ons to
James Walker of Quorn
whose answer, ‘In a Jug’ was the first correct entry out of the hat to the following ques on: “How do they serve a side order of chips at The Free Trade Inn?” In a jug, a mug or a pint beer mug were all judged to be acceptable answers and were included in the draw. James wins a three course Sunday lunch for two at The Free Trade Inn, Sileby.
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 27
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Costco Leicester Westmoreland Ave, Thurmaston Leicester Leicestershire LE4 8PH T: 0116 269 0730 E: marketing123@costco.co.uk Central Membership: 01923 830 477 www.costco.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 28
Green’s Rocky Road Recipe One of Green's best sellers is our homemade Rocky Road; why not follow our delicious recipe – it’s sure to be eaten as fast as it flies from our shelves! 200gm dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids works best) 2 – 3 tbsp golden syrup 135gm bu er or margarine 100gm mini marshmallows (or chopped regular ones) 200gm diges ve biscuits Crush the biscuits using a freezer bag and a rolling pin un l they are in small bite sized pieces. In a large saucepan melt the bu er, chocolate and golden syrup over a gentle heat s rring constantly un l no lumps of chocolate are visible and then remove from the heat.
Op onal ingredients: Raisins, dried cranberries or any dried fruit Nuts, cereals or anything else you think would be tasty!
James Dicks
Professional Jewellery Cleaning and Polishing Retired Lecturer in Jewellery from Burleigh College Loughborough • in your own home • for HALF PRICE • Normally £10 per item for limited time only £5.00 per item, minimum 10 items. Additional items only £5.00 per item on same visit
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38 Francis Drive Loughborough LE11 5FD E: jamesdicksc3@gmail.com
Add the biscuits, marshmallows and any addi onal ingredients to the chocolate mixture and s r un l everything is completely covered. Tip the mixture into a lined baking tray and spread out into the corners. Cool in the fridge for around 2 hours. Eat and enjoy!
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
Telephone: 0116 236 6633 Email: charnwoodhearing@btconnect.com www.charnwoodhearing.co.uk
For people who care about their hearing Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm Wed & Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:00 Page 29
Think quality, think freshness, think Green’s Established in early 2012 Green's is a family run business offering handmade takeaway sandwiches and corporate and event catering… Having run a successful business for the previous 20 years the Green family were already well known and commended within the Loughborough area. Finding themselves with a space within their establishment which a previous business owner had vacated, Danielle Finch decided that here was a ready made opportunity that with the right a tude and commitment the family could make into a success and Green's now welcomes around 500 customers though the door each week. Business owner Danielle says, “All food and ingredients are locally sourced to support other small businesses. Our aim is to offer excep onal ‘homemade food’ at a good price with a personal service second to none; every customer is just as important as
the next without them we would not exist and I think it’s this winning combina on that has made our Loughboroughbased shop the success it is today.” Green’s is Loughborough’s finest sandwich shop and Leicestershire’s first choice for cold buffet op ons. With their welcoming staff and inven ve menu they have built a credible reputa on within a short period of me. They are the caterer of choice for Charnwood Borough Council.
Daily takeaway food op ons include filled sandwiches, wraps, panini, jacket potatoes and salad boxes. In addi on to their homemade buffet op ons they offer a variety of cupcakes the perfect accompaniment to complete an event. They will create bespoke menus and themed events, a end to hiring of staff and special dietary requirements with all buffet services delivered to your venue with their compliments. If you would like a taste of both the service and excellence in food that Green's offer don’t hesitate to give them a call...
Sandwich Shop & Outside Caterers Green’s Loughborough Limited offer bespoke catering for weddings, corporate buffets, celebration catering and special events. •• We believe that working together with our clients with a no obligation meeting ensures that every detail of your special day is covered. •• We provide complimentary tasting of our menus and all food is freshly prepared and homemade at our Loughborough premises. •• We also pride ourselves in using produce from local suppliers where possible.
Private & Corporate Events, Weddings, Funerals & Anniversaries Business Lunches & Public Special Events, Bespoke Food Hampers Think quality, think freshness, think Green’s 9A Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1RW Tel: 01509 210200 Fax: 01509 210201 Email: greensloughborough@hotmail.co.uk
www.greens.uk.com Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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Photography Tips by Rebecca Soanes There can be a lot to think about when trying to capture a good photograph and if we feel there’s too much we’re some mes put off trying... This month’s p is about foreground interest and is one I use whenever possible as it makes a lot of difference to a shot yet requires very li le thought and effort. A defini on of foreground interest would be: an element of the scene near the camera that leads the eye into the scene and gives it a feeling of depth. This can be anything ranging from a
The first image is what you might be drawn to capture to start with a tranquil scene with some nice light and reflec ons on the water with some colourful boats.
shell on the beach, plants in a hedgerow, an open gate or a child walking along the start of a path. Here are two images with and without foreground interest to illustrate my point... As men oned before giving a li le thought to what you could include in
It’s a lovely scene but with the addi on of foreground interest using the seaweed and the rowing boat with it’s oars ed by the je y, it gives you the feeling that you are already in the scene and all you need to do now is un e the boat, jump in and row away!
the foreground of your shot adds a depth to the scene. By stepping backwards, bending down to adjust the level you take it at or l ng the camera to include something in the foreground of the shot can make all the difference and takes just a few moments more to set up!
Parkside Nursery School 25 Charnwood Road, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2BN
Telephone 01509 213329
email parkside.school@googelmail.com Long Established Qualified Staff Fantastic garden area Small and homely Competitive prices Term-time options available
Page 30
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 31
She should have gone to Baby Gosling! According to the London Evening Standard back in April 2011, pregnant Victoria Beckham cried when she couldn’t find her dream baby buggy...
Upon discovering that she was having a girl and a er doing loads of research, Mrs Beckham had set her heart on the grape coloured £1,100 iCandy baby buggy pictured here and excitedly set about choosing accessories. When she found later that it was unavailable in any shops ICandy Apple
worldwide or online she became ‘inconsolable’. She trawled the internet for days on end, went undercover in a big hat and sunglasses roo ng through top department stores in Los Angeles and even went on eBay trying to find her dream buggy. “I’m not sure if we had it in stock at the me but we have now!” said Richard Gosling of Baby Gosling. Richard and his wife Helen have stores in both Syston and Melton Mowbray and he took me through the range of baby equipment on display in their Syston shop. There are more than thirty different buggies from a dozen manufacturers, ranging from the iCandy at over £1,000 to simple pushchairs from £19.99. There are carry cots, car seats, stairgates, Moses baskets, nursery sets, blankets, and for me the most amazing technological development a Mamaroo baby rocker which bounces and sways along with soothing sounds of a car ride, The five sound & mo on op ons on the Mamaroo baby rocker
From this...to this in 5 seconds! The Yoyo baby buggy from Babyzen
an ocean wave, the gentle breeze of a tree swing and more. Since my two kids found their feet twenty something years ago I haven’t no ced or given much thought as to how much technology and design has been applied to this most essen al range of products. “But," I tell Richard, “I have no ced the advantage of having kids when I’ve been in an airport and parents with children are allowed to board first!” “Just look at this, then!” And in about five seconds Richard showed me how easy it was to transform a very sturdy buggy into a neat square package smaller and lighter than a on board flight case. Makes me think… “Parents today, they don’t know they’re born!”
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Page 31
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Fitness Classes now in Sileby
TRAINING WITH AN EDGE
WHAT HIT CLASSES CAN DO FOR YOU INCREASE YOUR FITNESS AND STRENGTH PUSH ON YOUR ENDURANCE HELP DIET AND NUTRITION RAISE METABOLISM CIRCUIT TRAINING BURN MORE FAT
BOOKING NOW AT HIT (High Intensity Training) Now booking at Physfit Sileby
Physfit Gyms 7 - 11 Brook Street Sileby LE12 7RF Tel: 0773 338 5187 E: physfitgyms@hotmail.com
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Sileby Vikings Rugby Club Pull 8.5 ton truck 11 miles through the Soar Valley for the 7th successive year! “Starting out on Saturday 31st August 2013 at midday in Loughborough entering Ward’s End turning right onto Granby Street/Frederick Street and right onto Ashby Road onto the A6 by the Northern end of the Market Place. The Truck then travels along the old A6 to Quorn, and Mountsorrel arriving for a Pit stop at Rothley Green about 3 to 3.30pm having called at all watering holes on route! The final leg takes them onto Cossington via the Red Lion crossroads, under the A6 stopping off at The Royal Oak and finally arriving at The Free Trade Inn, Sileby about 5.30”
If you want to make a donation find the truck on the day and “chuck us yer money” or if you can’t make it you can send your cheque to Soar Valley Life made out to Hope Against Cancer and we’ll pass it on for you. Martin Johnson signs up for Hope Against Cancer’s Clogs & Cleats Cycle Challenge to Amsterdam
7th – 11th September 2013 raising vital funds for local cancer charity, Hope Against Cancer in their 10th Anniversary Year.
He will be joined by former team mate Derek Jelley and fifty fellow cyclists aged between 21yrs and 68yrs on the gruelling five day cycle challenge. Leaving Leicester City Centre on Saturday, 7th September, the route will take in Cambridge, Amsterdam and Rotterdam finishing with a 110 mile leg from Hull to Leicester. Their aim is to raise £75,000 for cancer research in Leicester’s Hospitals or Universities. If you would like to make a donation or take part please visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClogsandCleats. To find out more about Hope Against Cancer, please visit their website: www.hfcr.org or telephone the Hope offices 0116 2700101
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 33
Graham & Lisa extend a warm welcome to all
Five ales on handpull + 1 Cider 1, 2 & 3 course traditional Sunday Lunch using local seasonal vegetables and all the trimmings. Dog friendly
Regular Live Music nights Quiz Night every other Tuesday Aug 31st: Charity Truck Pull with Live Music – OCD Sept 14-16th: Beer Festival Weekend at The Free Trade Inn
Light bites, daily specials board, main meals, starters and desserts every lunchtime
27 Cossington Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. LE12 7RW
01509 814494
Excellent selection of good value fine wines.
THE FREE TRADE INN
Find us on Facebook – thefreetradeinn.sileby Follow us on twitter @The_FreeTrade
www.thefreetradeinn.co.uk
Sam specialises in hand painted interiors using a range of wall coverings and finishes to suit every style and budget. Sam’s contracts over the last couple of years have been in the extensive renovation and refurbishment of some very exclusive properties in the Cotswolds, and he now wants to bring his experience closer to home in Charnwood and the surrounding area.
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Design
manufacture and
installation
of kitchens, bedrooms & fitted furniture
For free quotations call
01509 816391 07875 64 0074 Unit 2a Manor Drive, Sileby, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 7RZ neilphilipsinteriors@btconnect.com www.neilphilipsinteriors.co.uk
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Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 35
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
MOSS SOLICITORS LLP Twice awarded winner of Leicestershire Law Society’s County Law Firm of the Year 80-81 Woodgate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2XE
01509 217770 and Unit 11a Whitwick Business Centre, Stenson Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 4JP
01530 815747
www.moss-solicitors.co.uk Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
Page 35
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Walking – Chater Valley Walk instruc ons 5 Miles
2 1/2 Hours
This walk is a li le further away than usual, but it really is worth the effort. A group of us took advantage of a trip organised by Graham from the Free Trade Inn to the Rutland Beer fes val, on July 20th. We travelled in an old Leicester City Transport double decker bus through this lovely part of Rutland. The landscape is stunning... Find a parking space in BeltoninRutland; no toilets. Pub the ‘Sun Inn’. 1 Start from the junc on of Chapel Street and Loddington Lane; take the narrow road away from the corner, right of the old chapel. As the road becomes a track, bearing le , turn right, through the narrow gate. 2 Walk up the wide grass track between hedges, bear le with the track, past a marker post and keep ahead across the field which may be under cul va on although a track should be visible within any crop. Bear right to the crossroads signpost and go through the gate. 3 Keep straight on along the more substan al track downslope; the track swings right, over the River Chater and le back upslope to the next crossroads signpost on the le . 4 Turn right and walk between the tall hedge and the fence, through the gap and up the wide track between hedges. Con nue through the dip in the trees and bear right between hedges again to the crossroads of tracks. Keep direc on up the more substan al track between hedges, passing le of the house. 5 Follow the road right, for a mile to the signpost and turn le for 110yds to the signpost at the wide metal gate. 6 Take the track right and keep direc on for a mile to the star ng point at the junc on in Belton. © Clive Brown all our walks are compiled by Clive Brown who holds the copyright. You can order any of his 74 walking guides at: www.walkingcloseto.com. Or email Clive directly at walkingcloseto@yahoo.co.uk
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email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 37
Gareth Ga a Hudson MCFHP MAFHP
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Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 38
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A conservatory is not just for summer...
More of us are adding a conservatory as a clever way of crea ng more living space. But with so many windows you can feel exposed and it can seem daun ng to know where to begin to choose the right type of blind to reduce the suns glare and add protec on for your furniture, while s ll giving you that wow factor... Before making a decision here are a few things to consider: What the room is being used for? Think about using a darker colour and/or a more opaque fabric to reduce glare in a TV room, lounge or home office. Go for one blind per glass panel if possible as smaller blinds are easier to operate; they may cost more ini ally but will last longer and be more reliable. Pleated roof blinds with a high performing reflec ve coa ng will give more protec on to your furniture and be an investment in the longer term. It's less cri cal to have reflec ve coated fabrics on the side windows, but pleated blinds are s ll a great choice as they fold away neatly. For a sleek and contemporary look opt for a pleated or Vene an blind in a Perfect Fit frame. This system requires no drilling or screws and gives enhanced privacy as the blinds ‘hug’ the window and cover any light gaps. Conservatory blinds, roof blinds and Perfect Fit blinds are available in many colours and fabrics from Acacia Curtains and Blinds. Contact Judy Andrews Tel – 01509 650832 M – 07881 681556
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Newly Refurbished Beer Garden 76 High Street, Syston LE7 1GQ
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For up to date events guide and all menus and deals go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk and click on the Queen Victoria picture on our home page
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Page 39
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Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 41
Your Space, your Kitchen, your Budget Bespoke means you get what you want at a price you can afford with AMW Kitchens... Andy Webb of AMW kitchens took me to see his latest project, installed in a week from start to finish, at the home of Mr and Mrs Birch of Barrow upon Soar. Andy said, “A lot of people come to me a er they’ve been elsewhere with a plan in their hand. O en they’re resigned to compromising on quality to get a cheaper price, or to just ge ng part of what they really wanted in the first place because of the shape of the available space. They’ve been told, ‘You can’t put that there because of the pipes, there’s a socket in the way, there’s not enough space or the boiler’s in the wrong place.’ I say why not? With Mr and Mrs Birch’s kitchen we made a unit to encase the boiler so that it’s easily accessible for servicing; we made maximum use of the space in the far corner by crea ng a narrow sliding drawer to store upright baking trays
and roas ng ns right next to the built in oven with a smaller cupboard next to the integrated freezer drawers under the worktop. This one was a bit of a challenge because they’d had an old pantry removed which le an awkward space, and they didn’t want cupboards anywhere above the work tops. So we made floor to ceiling store cupboards tucked out of the way and a breakfast bar in the rest of the space where the old pantry had been.” Mrs Birch told me, “Andy was recommended to us by the builder we chose to rebuild this part of the house which included taking out the old pantry, pu ng in new windows and moving the door and the old u lity room. Andy was involved at the planning stage and helped us source everything including the fridge which fits in two sliding drawers; he purpose built the units behind the breakfast bar and the store cupboards. We wanted to create a simple kitchen with no clu er at the same me as making the most of
the space we had available. Our builder had created more light with the extra windows and we didn’t want that effect spoiled by having units above the worktops. Andy really has provided us with a unique kitchen exactly as we had planned and he liaised with us every step of the way. Even the worktops are extra deep to accommodate the boiler and drawer fridge. Compared to what we had before, this has added thousands to the value of our house, much more than the cost of the work.” Andy works with his customers to create the kitchen they want; he sources the best products and the best prices and employs only gas safe plumbers and qualified electricians. He charges only for the me taken to install and adds nothing onto the cost of the units and appliances. There are many tes monials and recommenda ons on his website and looking at the quality of his work and listening to Mrs Birch I am sure he has many sa sfied customers, with many more to come...
Kitchens Fitted • Kitchens and worktops supplied at trade prices
Have your kitchen how you want it at a budget you can afford
• Having invested in your dream kitchen ensure that it is fitted to an exacting standard Andy Webb of AMW Kitchens
• Worktop replacements, pelmet/cornice only through to full kitchen fits • Granite supplied and fitted • Gas Safe plumber Please call Andy Webb on
07904 987234 / 01509 414484
www.amw-kitchens.co.uk Where bespoke really means..
Your kitchen made to your order!
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Snapshots
Phillip Mark McGough It’s the holiday season and I will say from the outset that I’ll be staying in Britain. Norfolk is mooted, something to do with boats although I’m notoriously unseaworthy and nearly drowned in my next door neighbour’s ornamental pond a few years ago while retrieving a football. Note to self: pack water wings in addi on to socks and sandals somebody has to rock the Englishman abroad look, even if he stays at home, and it may as well be me... Tourism like football, cricket, and the ba ered Mars Bar is something else Britain gave to the world, a legacy of the Industrial Revolu on and the growth of the leisured classes in the late 18th Century. As Britain’s pretensions to global hegemony expanded, so, paradoxically, we began to explore and take pleasure in our own shores, and the seaside holiday was born. It emerged of course as an extension of the much older tradi on of the spa, o en promoted by enterprising medical men and building on popular seabathing tradi ons shared with much of coastal Catholic Europe, which saw the sea as having peculiarly rejuvena ng powers at the me of the August spring des. Patronage from royalty (say, at Brighton) led to the rapid development of the
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seaside resort as the epitome of pleasure and frivolity. The roman c reimagining of the seaside conspired to make the shoreline an a rac ve object of ar s c contempla on and composi on, with its own vocabulary of stereotyped wonder. To put all of the above another way, I miss our family holidays in Blackpool. From, roughly, 1974 to 1982, we’d go to Blackpool every year me, mum, dad, my brother, my grandparents and the occasional aunt or cousin. The other day my mum and I were looking through a box of photographs labeled for the sake of clarity “Blackpool.” It was the first me I’d seen these old Polaroids in years. I was born in 1974 but in many of them up to the late 70s I’m s ll part of the black andwhite world. Everyone is there, like the cast in a play you vaguely remember ac ng in, but which is now comprehensible only from the vantage point of a spectator. Mum and dad, happy, proud, part of a team, a messy divorce s ll a decade or more in the future; my older brother, sipping his first pint of bi er and pretending to enjoy it; Aunty Hilda, looking good for a woman who even then had already lost two husbands and ninetenths of her sanity. The pictures I find most incongruous are those showing my grandad playing football with me on the beach or carrying me high on his shoulders, though my last coherent memories of him are as an old and sick man dying slowly and expensively of various untreatable disorders in hospital. Here he is strong and very much in charge his rolledup shirtsleeves rhyming with his rolled up trousers. These were the days remember, when men wore es, even at the beach. Especially at the beach. Then there are the people I don’t know at all except from photographs: my gran holding my
hand as we walk to the sea, an unexpectedly tall and elegant lady who I simply cannot remember in real life. This is the power of photographs and the power of holiday photographs in par cular: they are evidenceinchief that we forget. It’s something to do with the nature of the photograph itself, I suppose, as a living document; there will hardly be the same poignancy, I dare say, when my own children look at me on their smartphones or tablet or Google Glass or augmented reality interface or whatever they’re using fi y years hence. Back in those days of course, those days of the photograph, the only virtual entertainment I can remember is the car radio and an indispensable thing it was. How else would we have made it from the Midlands to Blackpool just by talking to each other? There are, indeed, a few photos of us inside the car, en route; what amazes me is not that we managed to fit so many people into my grandad’s old Triumph 2500, but that we all endured the journey at least once a year without killing each other. Yet how naïve we all look; how confident and op mis c in our limitless futures. These were the days before Mrs Thatcher, before the Internet, before hashtags, before most people I hear on the car radio today were even born. Then there’s me, of course: the li le boy making sandcastles and collec ng seashells who is now approaching forty and has children of his own. He was so blonde and curly. Now he’s bald and careworn. We are frozen in me, like figures on a Greek vase, telling a story. Not necessarily a true story, more like a myth, a private mythology inspiring thoughts of laughter and sadness, tragedy and comedy, as only photographs can… Phillip Mark McGough
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 43
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Why buyy from us? • Established family business
Our showroom display features a large selection of both built-in and freestanding appliances, including ovens, hobs, dishwashers, fridge freezers and laundry products. And if that’s not enough, why not come in and see our wine room for an excellent selection of wine coolers which are powered up, full of wine and ready for a demonstration!
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Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 45
01509 414 169
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What’s On in and around The Soar Valley: Compiled by Claire Stevens – Soar Valley Life events and news reporter
Recruitment Fair – Hospitality & Catering Vacancies Great Central Railway They have vacancies within their ontrain catering department, Butler Henderson cafe, at Quorn and the new Platform Cafe at Leicester North (Birstall). This is due to the expansion of their on train catering services and the increasing popularity of their tea rooms. There are various rates of pay on offer dependant on the role and the individual’s experience. Wednesday 28th August 2013 Loughborough Central Station 10 4 Squadron Air Training Corps ATC (Air Cadets) If you are aged between 13 and 17 and are looking for something new then you could become an Air Cadet. As an Air Cadet you can become involved with activities such as flying, gliding, adventure training, visits to RAF Stations, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and lots more. For additional information visit 2502sqnatc.com Hamilton Community College, Keyham Lane, Leicester LE5 1RT Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.00pm to 9.30pm Contact: 0116 241 6550 (Squadron Nights Only) 07949190597 (Squadron Nights Only) Email: contact@2502sqnatc.com Great Central Railway Beer Festival Real beer, real steam, over 50 real ales and ciders. Live music Friday Night and Saturday & Sunday. Food available and open from midday on each day. Loughborough Central Station, LE11 1RW 20th, 21st & 22nd September 01509 632323 www.gcrailway.co.uk Violetta Handmade Craft & Craft Supplies Show Over 30 stalls with supplies and unique hand crafted creations, ideal for early Christmas gift ideas as this will be the last event held at this venue before Christmas. Free admission with refreshments served all day John Godber Centre, Ogle Street, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, NG15 7FQ Sunday 22nd September 2013 12.30pm to 6.30pm Contact: 0797022988 Hinckley Classic Motorshow This is the third Hinckley Classic Motor show and is expected to be an even bigger success than last year. Join over 300 Classic Vehicle enthusiasts from all over the Midlands at Hinckley Town Centre as they showcase their beautiful and carefully restored vehicles. Last year featured cars, lorries, bikes, scooters, a working steam engine, a doubledecker bus and a 1916 tractor. Shops, restaurants and cafés provide a warm welcome for everyone. Free to both entrants and spectators. Market Place and Regent Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 1DD Sunday 22nd September 2013 Open from 10.00am Visit: www.hinckleybid.co.uk Sculpture in the Garden 2013 Go along to the 12th annual sculpture showcase, with works from 20 established artists including David Worthington, Marigold Hodgkinson and William Pye. Free admissions University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Glebe Road, Leicester, LE2 2LD Monday to Sunday, 10.00am to 4.00pm, ends October 27th
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Wistow Maze Winner of Leicestershire’s ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ Follow the fun quiz trail through eight acres of living maize crop to find clues hidden along three miles of paths. For 2013 the maze has a historical theme and will be in the shape of a boar (King Richard III’s emblem), with the quiz trail highlighting famous kings and queens over the centuries. Also take part in the ‘Activity Fun yard’ which is packed with mini mazes and games including hoopla, bean bag throwing and a football shooting game. Opposite to the maze is the Wistow Rural Centre with a café, garden centre, art gallery, farm shop, model village with trains and many more shops, also with free parking. Situated 5 miles from Leicester and Market Harborough, signed from the A6 at Kibworth & Great Glen, and the A5199 at Kilby. Open Daily from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 1st September, then weekends only until Sunday 22nd September 2013 10.00am to 6.00pm Adult: £5.95 Children: £4.95 Family (2 adults and 2 children): £19.95 Contact: 07884403889 Ballroom Boogie (Over 50s) Ballroom Boogie for people aged 50 and over. Hinckley Baptist Church, Baptist Walk, Hinckley, LE10 1PR Tuesdays from 2.00pm to 2.45pm, from July 23rd to October 29th 2013 Contact: 01455 890026 www.hinckleybaptist.com Scarecrows Abound Railway Day Travel along the railway to see how many scarecrows you can spot, follow the autumn trail around the museum and enjoy tea and cake in the onsite café. Free parking and picnic facilities. Abbey Pumping Station, Corporation Road, Leicester, LE4 5PX Saturday 5th October 2013 11.00am to 4.30pm Contact: 0116 299 5111 Ghosts and Ghouls Take a visit to the haunted hall, dating back 600 years, in your spookiest outfit and meet the witches of the Guildhall. Join in the Halloween fun with scary quizzes, crafts and face painting. £2.50 for activities The Guildhall, Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ Thursday 24th October 11.00am to 3.30pm Contact: 0116 253 2569 Fun and Games through the Ages Enjoy playtime for all ages with music, dancing, hunting, birds, morris men and loads more at this Friends of Jewry Wall Museum event. Free admission and activities (with a small charge for bird handling) Light refreshments are also available. Jewry Wall Museum, 156160 St. Nicholas Circle, Leicester, LE1 4LB Sunday 13th October 2013 11.30am to 3.30pm Contact: 0116 225 4971 www.kinderfalconry.co.uk
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
Soar Valley Aug/Sept 2013_Layout 1 31/07/2013 11:01 Page 47
Solu ons Towns and Villages Quiz Answers 1.
Michael Bolton his birth name was Michael Bolo n 2. Jam And Jerusalem 3. Leicestershire 4. Greendale in the Postman Pat cartoons 5. Has ngs 6. Crinkley Bo om 7. Staines 8. Borstals named a er the village of Borstal 9. The Prisoner 10. Walesthe village is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrn drobwllllantysiliogogogoch Spot Ten Differences 1. Number of fish 2. Octopus mouth 3. Plant leaf
4. Bubbles 5. Shorts colour 6. Stones 7. Eyes 8. Tank Strap 9. Shark Gills 10. Finger missing Sudoku Solu on
General Knowledge Crossword Across: 1 Digits, 7 Pharisee, 8 Lei, 9 Saliva, 10 Blog, 11 Psalm, 13 Mongrel, 15 Bigotry, 17 Amber, 21 Fins, 22 Maroon, 23 Yam, 24 Tapeworm, 25 Sniper. Down: 1 Dollop, 2 Geisha, 3 Spain, 4 Matador, 5 Kitbag, 6 Kerosene, 12 Scimitar, 14 Crimson, 16 Oyster, 18 Bunyip, 19 Reamer, 20 Proms.
BUILDERS MERCHANTS
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email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
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