Merry Christmas
Highly Commended Best New Magazine 2012/13 Independent Magazine Publishers Awards October 2013
Issue 21 Dec 2013/January 2014
Priceless
Sileby, Mountsorrel, Seagrave, Cossington, Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston Edi on 20,000 Copies delivered by GPS Tracked Distribu on team every two months
This month’s edi on delivered in December by GPS Tracked Distributors to 10,353 addresses in LE12 7: Sileby, Mountsorrel, Seagrave, and LE7 7: Cossington, Rothley, Thurcaston and Cropston plus further copies available in libraries, pubs, surgeries, tourist informa on centres, newsagents, Great Central Railway sta ons and major places of interest. Next month’s edi on delivered in January By GPS Tracked Distributors to 10,067 addresses in LE12 8: Barrow upon Soar, Quorn, Woodhouse Walton on the Wolds, Woodhouse Eaves, Swithland, and LE12 5: Hathern, Su on Bonington, Zouch, Burton on the Wolds, Long Wha on, Hoton, Cotes, Prestwold, Normanton on Soar, Stanford on Soar plus further copies available in libraries, pubs, surgeries, tourist informa on centres, newsagents, Great Central Railway sta ons and major places of interest.
Win a driver experience day on the GCR Win a £35 Voucher Recipe Country Walk Puzzles What’s On Trades & Services
The Mountsorrel Guesthouse appoints new head chef Open to the public from Saturday 7th December See centre pages
Joshua Allen
Copy deadline for January Tuesday 17th December
www.soarvalleylife.co.uk
Wow! What a month…
We started out at the beginning of last year with a view to making a bit of difference in our region by publishing a community magazine. We’d never really done anything like it before but we did feel a part of this area and that there was a need for a be er quality, yet s ll affordable, way to promote life and business to the wider local catchment area than offered by anything else. We learn as we go along, listening to feedback from friends, adver sers, supporters, antagonists, nit pickers and all! In June of this year we were nominated for the Best New Magazine of 2012/13, along with a number of others, to be judged at the forthcoming Independent Magazine Publishers’ Conference to be held in October. We submi ed our story along with our business plan and copies of our magazines to the judging panel. To be honest, we thought that would be that and we were just glad to be nominated - a er all, those nominated for an Oscar crow about it with every new screening don’t they? Then in September we learned we had been shortlisted for an award ‐ along with three other new magazines. We were quite surprised at this news and again would have been very happy to se le for that. At the all day conference held at the Heart of England Conference Centre in Warwickshire on Friday 4th October, along with more than a hundred other magazine owners we learned quite a lot more; mostly that we all seem to have similar problems, ideas, solu ons, trials and tribula ons. We arrived at the awards ceremony that evening feeling a bit like we were a ending the Oscars with everyone an cipa ng the results. Giant images of all shortlisted magazines were projected onto a cinema sized screen and their names were read out; our category was announced about half way through. “...and the winner of the Highly Commended Award as best new magazine is…(opening of envelope)... SOAR VALLEY LIFE!” Blimey! We came second! Oh yes, and December sees another record month! Brilliant... like our award pictured above ‐ an engraved cut glass diamond as big as your hand; and in the same vein as another Oscar winning performer I’ll end this with: “We’re gonna need a bigger team!” See page 17 for our plea for a new team member... and of course we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“All Clear” by Paul Perkins© Runner up in the GCR Photography Compe on. No. 6023 King Edward II at Swithland Sidings during the Winter Gala, January 26th 2013.
Contents The Dangers of Driving in the Dark Compe on – Win a £35 Voucher Self Assessment Deadline Christmas Quiz Local, Experienced and Reliable Quick Crossword Wine Cooler Winner Recipe – Ginger Christmas Puddings Anything Goes The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel Easy Sudoku Art for Art’s Sake? What is Self Healing? Autumn Leaves by Phillip Mark McGough Help to Buy Scheme Walking – Cloud Trail Spot the Difference Winter is the Best! by Rebecca Soanes ‘Right Away!’ Compe on ‐ Win a Driver Experience Day What’s On Answers to Puzzles 4 7 8 11 12 15 19 20 23 24 27 29 31 32 35 36 38 40 42 43 44 45
Steve & Mary Johns
Editors ‐ Soar Valley Life Page 2
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
Soar Valley Life Trades and Services Builders Charnwood Oaks Roofing & Building JB Development 37 28 14 40 39 38 22 19 14 43 18 22 14 19 29 14 30 37 7 28 31 28 5 12 41 33 6 23 18 13 37 21 9 16 7 14 Delta Aerials Doortronic – Remote Controlled Garage Doors Fab Plumbing GPS Plumbing & Hea ng Harrison Landscaping Hollyoak Wooden Floor Restora on KR Electrical Lakes An ques & House Clearance LockXpert Lo Storage Solu ons Mr B Property & Garden Maintenance 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 The Soot Buster Ultraclean Whelband Windows 28 11 17 13 34 17 10 10 19 8 22 12 45 30 17 22 37 27 28 46 ‐ 47 48 16 10 27 7 30 8 19 35 40 39 41 31 15 39 25 34 17 41 10 26
Child Care and Educa on
Kumon Maths and English Tutoring Parkside Nursery School Rothley Park Kindergarten
Clothing and Accessories Baby Gosling Love & Piste Smartly S tch Tailors
A all the Way Discos Great Central Railway
Entertainment
Hair and Beauty
Eden Skincare and Beauty Salon Forever Living Products Hair and Nails at Home Hair Today... Locks Tomorrow Vintage Soul Ta oo Studio
Home Care Services
Icare Community Meals
Health Care
Motoring and Travel Pet Care
Ac vity 4all Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional Leicester Reiki Oooh... My Feet Reed Wellbeing ‐ Complementary Health Vintage Soul Studio Visual Answers Op cians / Optometrists Walk‐in Physio Ltd A 2 Z Cleaning Services Ablu ons Luxury Bathrooms Absolute Window Solu ons Limited Acacia Curtains and Blinds AMW Kitchens Anderson’s Cleaners Bradgate Forestry Firewood Bunny Appliance Warehouse Carpets of Choice Charnwood Tree Services Colourful Blinds DCI Kitchens
Charnwood Airport Taxis Mr P’s Driving School
Feather & Fur Pet Supplies Woodside Animal Centre Crea ve io CP Accountancy Ltd iPaq Repair & Parts Moss Solicitors Rebecca Soanes Photography
Professional Services
Home and Garden
Pubs, Restaurants & Catering
Cromwell Road Coffee House Lee’s Garden ‐ Chinese Takeaway Rock ‘n’ Rolls Catering The Free Trade Inn The Queen Victoria The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel The White Horse Inn Yasmin’s Indian Restaurant The Abbeyfield
Residen al Care Cyclops Cycles
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.
Sports and Leisure Costco Leicester
Wholesalers
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Page 3
by Mohammed Bhojani
The Dangers of Driving in the Dark
There are many reasons why we take driving our cars for granted in our everyday lives: ge ng to work, dropping the kids at school, going to the shops or just driving for fun. When the evenings are darker your vision is of even greater importance when driving. Many drivers, both young and old, can find the glare of some of the newer headlights nothing short of blinding... However, a recent survey of 1000 drivers found that 26% had not had their eyes examined in the previous 2 years. 3% of them ‐ the equivalent of more than 1 million UK drivers ‐ had NEVER had their eyes tested! Addi onally I in 4 people over the age of 40 drive knowing that their vision is below the driving test standard. Following ‘Cassie’s Law’ police are now carrying out checks and failure can mean a fine and immediate revoca on of your driving licence. 6000 such drivers had their licence revoked last year as it was felt their car was effec vely a ‘weapon of mass destruc on’ due to problems with their eye sight. Over 3000 casual es occurred in the UK last year alone due to drivers having poor eye sight. Road accidents cost the UK over £33 million per year. Page 4
Optometrist Mohammed Bhojani explained: “The change of season brings a change to the level of daylight we experience and as we use different parts of our eyes to see at different light levels, our vision levels can drop significantly in darkness. Your vision is essen al for safe driving, not just for other road users but for the safety of your own family too. Good vision makes accidents avoidable. A 30 minute eye exam will give you peace of mind and our eye test will not just test your vision but it can also find other heath related problems. If there are issues with glare and night driving, the solu on can o en be appropriately prescribed glasses with the correct type of lenses.” Mohammed Bhojani BSc (Hons) MC Optom MBA FRSA is principal optometrist and contact lens specialist at Visual Answers Optometrists 22 High St. Quorn LE12 8DT and 28 High St. Barrow Upon Soar LE12 8PY (Tel: 414151 & 416800) www.VisualAnswers.co.uk
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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to spend at Feather ‘n’ Fur your local specialist in hypoallergenic artificial additive free dog and cat foods at sensible prices. For your chance to win just answer the following question: What is the cost of one 15kg sack of Turkey & Rice hypoallergenic dog food at Feather ‘n’ Fur? Email your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to: editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or post to: Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU The first correct answer out of the hat from all entries received by the closing date of Friday 20th December 2013 will win. Editor’s decision is final. Terms and conditions apply.
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Reduce Stress – bring calm and tranquillity to your busy life. Treat yourself to a Reiki session to promote emotional and physical wellbeing and encourage relaxation. Overcome Fears and Phobias – tap them away! Try EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or ‘tapping’ to rid yourself of those irrational, but real, fears. Enhance your personal development – try NLP . NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is a great tool to help you develop and boost your confidence as well as make you an effective communicator. Leicester Reiki offers all of the above therapies either in your own home (within 25 miles of LE12) or at The Attic, 68 High Street, Barrow on Soar (above Indigo Hair Design), or at Wymeswold Pharmacy. For more info visit my website: www.leicesterreiki.co.uk
tel 01509 881999 mob 07977 837532 email sally@leicesterreiki.co.uk www.facebook.com/LeicesterReiki @LeicesterReiki
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
Page 7
Self Assessment Deadline Where has the year gone? We are now fast approaching the deadline for filing self assessment income tax returns... All tax returns MUST be submi ed to HM Revenue & Customs by 31 January 2013 or a penalty of £100.00 will be charged. This will be payable irrespec ve of whether any income tax is due or not. Please contact your accountant now to ensure your tax return is submi ed prior to the deadline. Now, on a cheerier note, there is a tax exemp on for staff entertaining! Briefly, the relief amounts to £150.00 per head, inclusive of VAT and the “party” must be open to all employees. Other condi ons apply so please speak to your accountant for further informa on. Caroline Parnell www.cpaccountancyltd.co.uk UPVC hinge down loft hatch Two section aluminium loft ladder 100 square feet of loft flooring
CP Accountancy Ltd End of year accounts, Bookkeeping, VAT, PAYE, CIS, and Tax Returns for Sole-traders, Partnerships and small Limited Companies Office 9 Lazarus Court, Woodgate Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NR Tel: 01162 303 973 Mobile: 07749 650129 Email: info@cpaccountancyltd.co.uk
Caroline Parnell is licensed and regulated by the AAT under license number 5865
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Page 8
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Page 10
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Christmas Quiz 1. Who played the tle character in The Runaway Bride, the 2006 Doctor Who Christmas special? 2. Which “Santa” is the capital city of Tenerife? 3. In the song The Twelve Days Of Christmas, what is the first gi men oned that involves humans? 4. In sport, what type of races are started using an electronic device known as a Christmas Tree because of all its coloured lights? 5. In 2004, Jane e Tough was injured in a fall while performing in the pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk. What is her one word catchphrase? 6. According to the lyrics of the song Frosty The Snowman, what part of Frosty’s face was made from a bu on or bu ons? His eyes, his nose or his mouth? 7. Over a number of years, who received a 50 pence piece, a toothpick and a ssue as Christmas presents from Mr and Mrs Dursley? 8. True or False... Tinsel was originally made from shreds of n? 9. Where in London did Elisabeth Beresford take her children for a walk one Boxing Day when one of them pronounced the name of this place wrong, giving her the inspira on for a group of fic onal characters? 10. In the film Gremlins, Randall Peltzer buys a Mogwai as a Christmas present for his son. What three rules is he told to abide by when looking a er it? Answers on page 45
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Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Local, experienced and reliable… Thirty years ago Richard Watson le Southfields College in Leicester a er serving his appren ceship as a painter and decorator. He came to see me at home recently and showed me his file of references for jobs he’d done since he started out on his own in 1997. There were dozens of them, mostly handwri en and all praising his work; there were photos too, of large detached houses, small terraced ones, before and a ers, exteriors and interiors and there were even a couple of photos of a canal boat he’d painted ‐ pictured here. Now, I have had first hand experience of Richard’s skill in applying gloss paint ‐ he painted our front door last year and I defy anyone to find a be er example of a perfect finish. Leicestershire born and bred, he’s a family man with two grown up sons. He’s also a keen vegetable gardener in his spare me when he’s not helping out with local ma ers. He’s a member of the Painters and Decorators Associa on ‐ this means that Richard is bound by a 12 point code of prac ce and a set of exac ng standards. For example: ‘Members of the Associa on shall at all mes so order their conduct as to uphold the integrity of the Associa on, and to carry out work in accordance with good prac ce and recognised standards of the pain ng and decora ng industry and pay par cular regard to the maintenance and observance of this Code.’ The code also states that a member shall quote a fair price, in wri ng, and will honour all quoted commitments. You can’t say fairer than that!
High Gloss Finish: an example of Richard’s work
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Richard Watson Professional Painter and Decorator Quality service with a professional finish • Free Estimates For a full personal service call Sileby Based
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For appointments call or text: Physiotherapy & Acupuncture
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www.walk-inphysio.co.uk • info@walk-inphysio.co.uk Page 12 email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Cleaning and Ironing Daily, Weekly & Occasional A high standard, affordable, home cleaning service individually tailored to suit your own requirements
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Mobile Mobile 07866 07866 452155 452155
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver�sing rates
Page 13
Hair@Home by Kelly Specialising in all aspects of Hairdressing and CND Shellac Nails Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic 26 High Street, Barrow Upon Soar Over 13 years’ experience in Adult and Children’s NHS, Private Practice, Post Operative Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Management.
Why not have your Hair and them ave H at Nails done at the do both ne e tim e m same time sa e th – At Home!
Joint Pain and Stiffness Back and Neck Pain Repetitive Strain Injury Please call Kelly 07855 962 811
Muscle Spasm Sporting Niggles Bad Posture
Claire Lidstone Chartered Physiotherapist Health Professions Council Registered
Relax and Enjoy having your hair and nails done in the comfort of your own home
There is no need to be in pain. Call: 01509 414 581 for advice or an appointment. www.Activity4all.co.uk email: physio@Activity4all.co.uk
homehair@me.com Senior Executive Hairstylist and CND Shellac Nail Technician
DCI Kitchens Ltd specialises in making high quality fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and studies to suit all tastes and budgets priding itself on understanding your needs. any aspect of the existing design huge range of sliding doors available in many different materials and designs experience
Call Bryan Bowler 01509 415627 / 07802193928 Or visit www.dcikitchens.co.uk
Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to unlock your child’s potential, building their conďŹ dence and independent study skills. Take advantage of our Free Assessment and see how Kumon can beneďŹ t your child. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a Free Assessment:
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Page 14
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Quick Crossword 1 2 8 9 10 3 4 5 6 7
Across 1 Employed (4) 3 Loyal (8) 9 Whirlwind (7) 10 Big (5) 11 Ceremonial leader (5)
Down 1 Utmost (8) 2 Not late (5) 4 On a ship (6) 5 Relates (5) 6 List of ingredients (7) 7 Vegetable (4) 8 Round container (6) 13 Communica ons (8) 15 Zero (7) 17 Wealthier (6) 18 On land (6) 20 Dis nguished (5) 22 Alliance (5) Answers on page 45
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12 13
12 Save (6) 14 Twist together (6) 16 Thick oil (6) 19 Steps (6) 21 Friends (5) 24 Not dead (5) 25 Beginning (7) 26 In company (8)
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15 18 19 20
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22
23 24 25
26
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27 Small insect (4)
Graham & Lisa extend a warm welcome to all
Three course Christmas Lunches £14.95pp available every day from 26th Nov to 20th Dec except Mondays Christmas Party Buffet available lunchtimes and evenings to suit all needs. Light bites, daily specials board, main meals, starters and desserts every lunchtime
1, 2 & 3 course traditional Sunday Lunch using local seasonal vegetables and all the trimmings. Dog friendly
Six ales on handpull + 1 Cider
Saturday 14th December – Band Night with Laura Hollick 9pm
New Year’s Eve 8pm – 1am Movie Themed Fancy Dress Night Prizes for best lady and best gent Limited tickets available – first drink & snacks included
27 Cossington Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. LE12 7RW Excellent selection of good value fine wines. Find us on Facebook – thefreetradeinn.sileby Follow us on twitter @The_FreeTrade
01509 814494
THE FREE TRADE INN
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Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
Page 15
01509 414 169
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One price day or night! (£15 from Loughborough)
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Regular journeys undertaken, long or short.
Page 16
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
HOLLYOAK WOODEN FLOORING RESTORATION SPECIALIST
Plumbing or Heating Problem? 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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37 High Street, Sileby LE12 7RX Tel 01509 815050 www.yasmins-tandoori.co.uk
Contemporary Tandoori & Balti Restaurant On all orders over £10.00 • 3 mile radius
Take Away - Free Delivery Credit Cards Welcome
10% Discount on all orders over £10.00 collected
Bookings still being taken for Christmas & New Year parties *Buffet night every Monday (including bank holidays)* Wednesday special 4 course set menu for £9.90* *Bring your own alcohol
Open every day over the festive season except Christmas Day Book now on 01509 815 050
Is it you we’re looking for? Are you the person we need? By the spring of 2014, due to the ever increasing success of our award winning magazine we’ll need a very capable person to help us run Soar Valley Life. We’re looking for a mature, self assured individual with excellent communication skills (writing, person to person and telephone) with a view to helping us manage our advertising sales and marketing. Initially this will be a part time self employed position, maybe 3 days a week to begin with, and will be home based. If this is of interest please email us in the first instance with your address and contact details and we’ll send you an information pack: steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk No phone calls in the first instance
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Special Offer for December – South Seas or Fake Bake spray tan
Special gift packs for Christmas
only £20 normally £30.00
Eden
Skincare & Beauty Salon
Introducing our newest team member: Roxy – Nail technician with 15 years experience Eden Skincare & Beauty Salon offers an extensive range of advanced skincare and body essential beauty treatments. Owner and highly qualified Beauty Consultant, Holly Smart and her unique team of therapists offer 20 years of experience, bringing their clients only the very best in the beauty industry. Open Mondays during December
Decleor • Crystal Clear • Fake Bake • Eyelash Extensions • Gel and Orly Manicures •Collagen Clinic Tuesday 9.00am - 5.30pm Wednesday 9.00am - 3.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 7.00pm Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday 9.00am - 3.00pm
Free Parking • Monthly Offers • Gift Vouchers Available 36 King Street, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7NA • 01509 812999
Kitchens Fitted • Kitchens and worktops supplied at trade prices • Having invested in your dream kitchen ensure that it is fitted to an exacting standard • Worktop replacements, pelmet/cornice only through to full kitchen fits • Granite supplied and fitted • Gas Safe plumber Please call Andy Webb on
Have your kitchen how you want it at a budget you can afford
www.amw-kitchens.co.uk Where bespoke really means..
07904 987234 / 01509 414484 Your kitchen made to your order!
Page 18
Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of adver sing rates
Hair Today... Locks Tomorrow
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Call 0116 286 6447 FOR AN INSTANT QUOTE Unit 33, King Street Buildings, George Street Entrance Enderby, Leicester LE19 4NT
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Rapid call out for lock opening & lock replacements Locks serviced and repaired Moving home package Master keyed systems Keys cut on site Upvc door & window specialists Window and garage door locks supplied & fitted Work & materials, insurance & local authority approved
Wine Cooler Winner Congratula ons to Anna Casswell of Rothley whose entry in our compe on to win a wine cooler from Bunny Appliance Warehouse was judged to be the most apt and original. Anna wrote, ‘I go to Bunny for my kitchen appliances because... with all appliances in one place, I’m sure to find one to suit my taste.’ Page 19
OFFICE: MOB:
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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
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
Recipe Bunny Appliance Warehouse This month’s recipe sponsored by
Ginger Christmas Puddings These fruity mini puds flavoured with stem ginger are much lighter than a tradi onal rich Christmas pudding and don’t need to be made weeks in advance. 1
Makes 6 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes
Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5. Bu er six small pudding basins (each about 200ml capacity) and line the bases with circles of baking parchment. Place the bu er, flour, baking powder, sugar, spices and eggs in a large mixing bowl and beat together with an electric mixer for 1‐2 minutes un l pale and creamy. Fold in the dried mixed fruit and two‐thirds of the cherries and stem ginger. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared pudding basins then cover each basin with a circle of greased and pleated baking parchment and secure with string. Cover each basin with pleated foil. Stand the basins in a roas ng n and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basins. Bake for 45‐50 minutes, or un l risen, firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into a pudding comes out clean. Leave the puddings to stand for 10 minutes then turn out onto serving plates. Mix the remaining cherries and ginger with the stem ginger syrup and spoon over the puddings. Serve with cream or brandy bu er. For a boozy flavour, gently heat the stem ginger syrup with 1‐2 tbsp of rum or brandy then pour over the hot puds just before serving.
2
3
Ingredients: • 175g bu er, so ened, plus extra for greasing • 175g self‐raising flour • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 175g light muscovado sugar • 1 tsp each ground mixed spice and ground ginger • 3 large eggs • 100g dried mixed fruit • 50g glace cherries, chopped • 50g stem ginger, finely chopped • 4 tbsp stem ginger syrup • So ly whipped cream or brandy bu er, to serve
4
5
Tip
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Anything Goes As in the old Cole Porter tle song from the Broadway musical, the world of interior design could be described like this when you look at the choice available from Acacia Curtains and Blinds... I recently met Judy Andrews and her sister Caroline Thompson at their showroom in Shepshed’s old Market Place. “Interior design is now a lot less conserva ve,” explained Judy. “Customers are far be er informed and have much more choice. Take our advice and don’t be afraid to go big and bold! On the other hand, with the popularity of period dramas such as Downton Abbey, our Country House collec ons displaying tradi onal classical elegance are s ll much sought a er.” Judy showed me a dozen or so fabrics in various pastels and creams with rose faded blooms in pinks and reds. “These give a warm and cosy feel yet allow you to mix and match with bolder shades for cushions, coverings and throws. Bold stripes can also feature to add that instant ‘wow’ factor to an otherwise tomorrow...” Caroline showed me a number of open fabric ‘books’ displaying various shades of orange, some plain, some with stripes and others with flowers and leaves. Maybe it’s not quite like the words of the song ‐ ‘good's bad today, and black's white today’ ‐ but there’s certainly much more choice. Overwhelming? No, I wouldn’t say so, not with experts like Judy and Caroline to guide us through the maze...
ordinary room.” I’d o en wondered how fashion begins ‐ who dictates what pa erns and colours we’ll all be buying next year? Caroline answered this one for me, “Each year there’s a range of colours decided upon by independent design schools in New York, Paris, Milan, and of course London. Fabric makers use this expert research and then design pa erns, colour schemes and textures around it ‐ this year all shades of orange are ‘in’ ‐ I’m taking these to a client
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Page 23
The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel Set in its own grounds at the Quorn end of Mountsorrel you’ll ďŹ nd space to enjoy an evening meal, cooked by a competent and experienced chef, serving tradi onal cuisine in comfortable, well appointed surroundings... This ďŹ ne old Victorian building was originally built as the vicarage for the Reverend Thomas Drake, his wife and their A warm welcome on a winter evening  The dining room at The Mountsorrel three children in 1863. in 1997 from the daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Price. The A er Reverend Drake died in 1887 the house became a Prices had ďŹ rst converted the nursing home, ini ally into a nursing home, providing care and comfort for new mums restaurant and then into a guest house. And this December and mums to be. This was in a long ago era. A Canadian sees another milestone at The Mountsorrel. New head chef guest staying at The Mountsorrel recently was in England Joshua Allen opens the Restaurant at The Mountsorrel to tracing his family history and he surprised the present nonâ€?residents for the ďŹ rst me. He brings his talent and owners, Mike and Hilary, when he informed them that he skills honed as trainee chef, commis chef and 2nd chef at had been born at the house in the 1930s. Mike and Hilary renowned local eateries such as The Manor House at took over The Mountsorrel Hotel –as it was known then – Quorn, The Gelsmoor Inn at Griy Dam and The GriďŹƒns Head at Papplewick in No nghamshire. His mouth watering aâ€?laâ€?carte menu provides for all tastes â€? from home made pie of the day, minted lamb shank and pan fried sea bass to the more con nental avours of spicy Mediterranean vegetable pasta and pesto crusted salmon. “Our aim in this joint venture with Josh,’ says Mike, ‘is to provide a real restaurant experience in this lovely old building with ďŹ ne tradi onally cooked food using local produce and seasonal ingredients.â€?
The dining room was laid out for thirty covers when I visited and I must say there was plenty of space between tables, not like many places these days where it feels as if you’re sharing your meal with strangers! The classically decorated lounge with its well stocked bar has big, comfy, leather sofas where you can chill out before or a er your meal with a pint of beer, a cool lager or a glass of ďŹ ne wine. The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel will open at 5pm on Saturday 7th December and therea er Tuesdays to Saturdays every week from 5pm in the evening. Booking is advisable â€? this place is going to be the place to eat! You can preview the menu on their website at www.mountsorrel-guesthouse.co.uk You’ll ďŹ nd The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel at the Quorn end of Loughborough Road just before its junc on with Granite Way. If you’re coming from the A6 go past Budgens, turn le at the island and it’s a hundred yards on the right.
New head chef Joshua Allen
Page 24
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Page 28
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Art for Art’s Sake? This was a rallying cry coined in the early 20th century and was a call for art’s freedom from the demands that it should possess meaning and purpose. In his book ‘The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies’ published in 1890, progressive modernist painter James Abbo McNeill Whistler proposed that, ‘Art should be independent of all claptrap – it should stand alone.’ Would this hold true for the increasing number of folk nowadays adorning themselves with ta oos? I wonder… Flicking through the numerous drawings available at Vintage Soul Ta oo studio in Syston, I considered the well worn phrase beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some were clearly very personal, declaring love and remembrance of a loved one ‐ for mum, dad, grandad, fallen heroes and lost lovers; and then some that really did ques on the boundaries between art and individual or poli cal statement ‐ for me at least. As pure art, the designs were very good indeed, like engravings containing precise details or pain ng by numbers for those with an extremely steady hand and very fine brushes. Most of the drawings were penned by Darren Burton, owner of Vintage Soul. Darren told me, “As a child as soon as I could hold a pencil I loved to draw and I never stopped. I remember my Dad having to redecorate my bedroom walls more than a couple of mes a er I had run out of space! In my teenage years I would buy ta oo magazines and dream about becoming a ta oo ar st. Unfortunately I listened to everyone else’s advice and got a ‘proper job’ as a plumber. Over the years I would spend all my spare me drawing ta oo designs for my friends and the desire never le me. It wasn’t un l I met Lynz, who is now my wife, that I started ta ooing. That was more than 6 years ago and we’ve just gone from strength to strength.” So I wonder... what’s the reason for the massive upsurge in interest in ta oos? Is it that some of the most popular people in today’s society are pushing the boundaries and breaking the old taboos? The Beckhams, Robbie Williams, all manner of the great and good in sport and modern culture are displaying ta oos and these are the ones who forge fashion. So many people, especially young folk finding their way into independent life, want their art for their own sake. Well, “Good on ya!” That’s what I say!
Darren Burton’s original line drawing that forms part of the Vintage Soul logo
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What is Self Healing? For physical and emotional wellbeing
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
Self healing is anything you do to help you achieve harmony and balance, whether it is on a physical, mental, emo onal or spiritual level... Most of us already do some self healing ac vi es such as take a holiday, soak in the bath, play sport, go for a walk, do crosswords, etc. However, with increasing daily stresses of life leaving us li le me or energy, is it any wonder that we become ill? Then we have to slow down, maybe visit the doctor and take medica on and/or me off work. O en that’s when we take stock and decide we’re going to change our lifestyle, improve our diet or do more exercise; and for a while we do, but usually we slip back into old habits. So, why not try complementary therapy as a way of taking care of yourself? Just one hour a month can make you feel so good and have a very posi ve effect on your health. The treatments are enjoyable, stress‐relieving and work on all levels not just the physical. If you haven’t yet tried it, now is the perfect me ‐ why not ask for a gi voucher for yourself for Christmas or treat someone you love? Paula Reed: www.reedwellbeing.co.uk
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Page 31
Autumn Leaves hedgehogs decided the mess would be as good a place as any other to sleep through the worst of what is to come. Shrews, on the other hand, remain ac ve far deeper into the winter ‐ I read somewhere they can actually shrink their internal organs to deal with the cold ‐ although even they are on the lookout for somewhere compact and bijou at this me of year. I speak with some authority: The same day I was clearing the garden, and when I reached down to pick up the blue t box which had been blown off a tree by the wind and fallen behind the fence, a whole family of shrews erupted from the inside. Night me as I finish, the wind s ll blowing, but moonlight se ling on the garden like snow. A threefold screech reminds me that the nights hereabouts are policed by a tawny owl, which seems to exult especially under the full moon, interrupted as it is tonight by clouds. It is raining, half‐ heartedly. The leaves which cover the lawn are wet and silver in this light, as if the wind has done its job too well and not a few of the stars themselves have been shaken to earth. Raindrops hang like li le glow worms from branches and blades, and the rain against the window is suddenly not annoying or glum, but a sort of unlading; I like to imagine that the Autumn wind and the Autumn rain are telling me of the year that has gone, of all that is being cast off, and of all that will return. Outside, the air is thick and sweet as mead. It is the trees and the leaves we can smell above all on these cold, damp, spore‐laden nights. Long may it remain so. As Colin Tudge advised, “Before you even draw breath, plant trees.”
Phillip Mark McGough Autumn. As I write towards evening and in mid-October the winds have arrived- the equinoc al gales as those expert in such ma ers call them- and are busy turning the trees outside my study window into a ba ery of sound. All night the wind has been rushing and sighing through them. It is a kind of gossip. It is through the medium of the trees, I suppose, that we first understand the wind, experience it, make sense of it, above all, hear it. Of course, to make this noise in the first instance the trees must have leavesthe same leaves which the wind will liberate, shaking the branches and sending them down to the earth from which the trees grow, to begin again the process of mulch and rebirth. The wind does its job of renewal very well. One might almost imagine it was designed for this purpose. There are starlings in the sky too, right now, as I look‐ though at first they could be leaves too, blown this way and that; or a cloud of black snuff or powder shaken from a chimney brush. They circle, then fall on a tree, then rise, and fall again. This is a rare sight these days. When I remember birds from my childhood, I invariably think of these three things first: starlings, house sparrows, and song thrushes. All three are now in massive decline. Not so chaffinches, which I saw in large and noisy numbers in a a stubble field near the Misk Hills, north of Hucknall, maybe two weeks ago now. I have never seen so many in one place together; any more than I have seen house mar ns so late in the season as this year. Two or three of them, obviously reluctant to return to Africa, perhaps for personal reasons for all we know, were s ll chirping and clicking around the old repair dock at Beeston Marina as recently as the third week of October. Somewhere in The Natural History of Selborne, Gilbert White says something similar about swallows occasionally being seen in his neck of the woods in November: He opined that a few of them hibernated rather than migrated, perhaps waking up now and again “to come forth and collect a li le food” before going back to sleep. It’s nonsense, of course‐ but a very pleasant nonsense. The pre‐winter digging and clearing of the garden, however, is not nonsense, but hard work. We set fire to a heap of hedge trimmings and general garden rubbish one chilly night early in the month, when the weather first started to turn, and we did so quickly, within a few hours of piling it up, before any
Page 32
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It’s not big... (but it is clever!) * It’s a designer bathroom - and it’s in a space less than 6 feet square. It’s easy to use, it’s easy on the eye, it’s easy to clean and it’s easy on the pocket! It’s another award winning idea from Ablutions.
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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.
Christmas Menu 2 courses £15.95 3 courses £19.95 Available from 19th November to 24th December Function Room available to hire for Christmas events! Contact us for more details. 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.
Page 34
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Help To Buy Scheme Are you wishing to purchase a property but worried about having sufficient funds for a deposit? Whether purchasing for the first or one hundredth me, help is at hand. Help to Buy may sound familiar. The government scheme was first implemented at the start of April of this year as Phase One. The scheme which was available only to first me buyers and newly built property aimed to encourage house building. The government were, and s ll are, offering 20% equity loan for buyers offering a 5% deposit if you meet the above criteria. Phase Two of the scheme was brought forward to 10th October 2013. This phase of the scheme was aimed at lenders to make mortgage products available from now. Therefore you do not need to be a first me buyer to apply for the Help to Buy scheme. Borrowers can put down a smaller deposit of just 5% of the property price. The Lenders offer the remaining 95%. Phase Two works by lenders paying a fee to the government when they sign up to the scheme. This provides a seven year taxpayer guarantee which can be called in if the borrower defaults. The guarantee covers 15% of the loan value. What you, as the borrower, need to know. Not all Lenders are signed up to the scheme. On applica on for Help to Buy a new affordability check must be passed before the Lender can offer the remaining 95% of the loan. The scheme is available for proper es sold for up to £600,000 in the UK. The whole of the scheme is due to last at least 3 years. The Help to Buy Mortgages already on the market are rela vely compe ve compared with the prices outside of Help to Buy, when looking at poten al borrowers with 5% deposit. If you are able to produce a deposit higher than 5% it may not be of benefit as the majority of lenders provide compe ve interest rates for higher deposits. Some of the Lenders that have already joined are RBS and Lloyds Banking Group. Other lenders (Virgin Money and Aldermore) have announced they will be joining the scheme in January 2014. Barclays, Santander and Na onwide are s ll deciding. Some safeguards have been put in place by the government to prevent a boom in the housing market and rules have been set in place for Lenders who have applied for the Help to Buy Scheme. There are no interest‐only or offset mortgages allowed on the scheme. Help to Buy cannot be used for purchasing second homes or for buy‐to‐let. This scheme is purely to provide support for striving homeowners. If you are interested in using this new scheme or would like further informa on regarding the sale, purchase or transfer of your property please contact our Conveyancing Department: Rachel Skinner: r.skinner@moss-solicitors.co.uk Hayley Tennant: h.tennant@moss-solicitors.co.uk Telephone: 01509 217770
MOSS SOLICITORS LLP Twice Awarded Leicestershire Law Society County Law Firm of the Year
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Walking - Cloud Trail Walk instruc ons 4 1/2 Miles Use the car park next to the church at the top of the hill at Breedon on the Hill, south west of Castle Donington. No facili es. The church can be seen from some distance away, access is off the minor road west of the hill between Breedon and Wilson. 1 Take the narrow road right, passing le of the churchyard, through the gate and the church car park to the yellow top marker post. Go past the barrier and down the path between hedges to a crossroads of paths and turn le . Join the road le /straight on to the T‐junc on. Turn right and immediate le into Worthington Lane, up to the signpost. 2 Turn le to the yellow top post and take the path le of the gate, carry on with the trees to the right, to the road and turn le to the marker post at the corner. 3 Cross the footbridge and the field ahead in the arrowed direc on, passing le of the telegraph pole; the field may be under cul va on but a path should be well marked within any crop. 4 Go through the metal gate at the hedge, down to the Cloud Trail. Turn le along the hard surface, con nue under the bridges at Tonge and two bridges further on at Wilson. 5 Turn sharp le up the ramp signposted to Wilson village and the farm track at the top; turn right, tothe road. Take the road le and follow it right. 6 As the road swings le keep straight on for a third of a mile to the signpost on the le . 7 Turn le and keep direc on across the golf course, con nue slight right and up the narrow path between trees. Go through the kissing gate and over the narrow tarmac road. 8 Turn right, parallel to the road. Bear le upslope with the railings to the le and join the road straight on to the parking area and your vehicle. © 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
2 Hours
Page 36
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please ask about our part exchange & service centre Page 38 Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk
Christmas Fayre Extensive main pub refurbishment now complete – 6 hand pulled Real Ales, Good choice of value wines, lagers, soft drinks, snacks, and bar meals.
Three Course Christmas dinner Adults £13.95 Children £6.95
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch every Wednesday £6.50 throughout December
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch every Wednesday throughout December - £6.50
3rd to 23rd December
Carvery Tuesday to Sunday Lunch times
76 High Street, Syston LE7 1GQ 0116 260 5750 www.everards.co.uk
Entertainment every December Saturday from 9.30pm
Mountsorrel LE12 7EY
Enjoy a break at your friendly ‘local’ serving delicious coffee made from Lavazza coffee beans. ers We wish all our custom as and a very Happy Christm a Happy New Year
OPEN Tuesday to Saturday 9 – 4 Serving Breakfasts until 12 also a delicious range of Panini, Jacket Potatoes, choice of Salads, Soup, Hot & Cold Cobs and Baguettes. © SVL
Open: 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Mon - Fri 51 Weeks
Celebrating Celebrating 10 10Years Years of of Success! Success!
Rothely Kindergarten is a well RothleyPark Park Kindergarten isvery a well established private day care nursery established day care nursery celebratingprivate 10 years of success. Our bright, spacious, air-conditioned celebrating 10 years of success and classrooms are designed and equipped to provide quality childcare in a continuing to deliver an enhancing stimulating and enjoyable learning environment. We offer 113 childcare places environment to all the children and their for children between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years. parents. We provide quality maintained standards of such high calibre within the provision. 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. From the beginning Narinder Kaur, the nursery manager togetherfor with her or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, all children professional nursery practitioners continue to deliver a quality childcare service, under the 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays. tailoring to age yourof child’s individual requirements.
Nursery manager Narinder Kaur and her team of professional nursery
Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full
A warm welcome awaits you no appointments necessary as all new and Limited Government Funding is– available for 3 and 4are Year olds. We also offer full and prospective parents are invited to visit us at their own convenience. part time sessions as required depending on availability for 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 email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert Page 39
Photography Tips by Rebecca Soanes Winter is the Best! At the me of wri ng the weather forecast is predic ng snow and as a photographer I feel excited by all the new photographic opportuni es this will bring my way... I love all the seasons but there are lots of reasons why I say winter is the best. First there is the quality of the light, due to the angle of the sun and the horizon being smaller in winter. As a result the sun lights up our subject in a much more pleasing way and the shadows will be long and deep. Another reason is the extension of the ‘golden’ hours in winter. The first and last hour of the day as the sun rises and sets, each become more like a magical
hour and a half; extra me to capture the light which is so er and warmer in colour. Then there is the beauty of snow ‐ I’ve always loved the way winter puts a pure white blanket over a landscape, changing it drama cally, and who doesn’t like to be the first to walk upon it? Frost can be just as beau ful, see the way it gives defini on and shape to a subject as nothing else can do ‐ pictured here are the rings of a tree stump defined by frost and hoar frost on hedges and trees. A few ps for winter:1. Camera ba eries lose their charge quicker in the cold, so always carry a spare and keep
it in your pocket rather than a bag. 2. I invariably find I stay outside longer than I intended to, so I always allow for this by wearing many layers as well as a hat and gloves. 3. Look out for ways that frost has added defini on to what’s around you, not forge ng to look at the frozen floor under your feet. The eye drawing paths men oned in previous edi ons will o en look more defined by frost and snow too. I’ll cover this in more detail in a future ar cle; it just seemed a shame not to men on first the wonderful opportuni es winter can bring...
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Page 40
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The Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3QL 01509 266605 www.abbeyfieldloughborough.co.uk
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Page 41
“Right Away!” the business of the day and of course the typically English damp winter weather. But as a lover of steam on rails, I have found that the weather has li le effect on the level of enjoyment. In sunshine the engines gleam, in snow the steam billows high. Wet wheels slipping on greasy rails add excitement to the soundtrack and bid the driver to take be er care, while mist mul plies the steam adding a sense of mystery which allows you to imagine you could be anywhere. In the league table of pas mes nothing engages all the senses so completely: the smell and taste of smoke and steam, the sights of the countryside and shining steel rails stretching out before you, the feel of metal both hot and cold the blinding heat and light from the firebox furnace, the taste of tea from an enamel mug, the ra le and rumble on the footplate, shovel scraping coal, the speed and the clicketyclack of giant wheels on metal rails. The guard’s whistle and the engine’s shrill reply announce our departure, and off we go again, the clank of the signal closing the way behind us as the sta on dwindles and disappears. And so the day unfolded, adding to this unquenchable love of steam I’ve had since I was a boy. And as one thing leads to another, a couple of years ago I signed on as a volunteer and I’m to begin training as a fireman in the new year who knows where that will take me...
...shouts Mick Pickering, fireman for the 1.15 to Leicester North on Saturday 14th January 2006, giving me, Steve Johns, driver of the Steam Locomo ve Class 04 Number 63601, the cue to ease off the vacuum brake and open the steam regulator one nudge at a me. The hundred plus ton engine slowly pulls away from number one pla orm at Loughborough's Great Central Sta on and white smoke and steam swirl all around as we rumble beneath the Great Central Road bridge. Bystanders wave farewell as we disappear southwards, gathering speed now as I open up the regulator under the expert guidance of Fred Franklin, one of the heritage railways most senior drivers. For as long as I can remember I’d harboured this dream which had now come true by way of the most wonderful Christmas present a Driver Experience Day on the Great Central Railway.
In my youth I had travelled the length and breadth of England, seeking out as many railway engines as possible, underlining their numbers in my Ian Allan combined volume as soon as I spo ed one not seen before. In the 1960s, sta ons always had a following of young train spo ers and many a Saturday I’d count myself among their number. Grantham, Newark and Doncaster were favourites, with the Gresley Pacifics o en steaming through at over ninety miles per hour. So it is not beyond the realms of possibility that 63601 and I could have had a brief encounter back then, that grand old engine having spent some of its life on part of the LNER and having a home at Doncaster Locomo ve Shed for a year or two. As we coast into Quorn & Woodhouse sta on, with its island pla orm layout, it is busy with passengers and sightseers. The sta on master greets us with a cheery smile, passing a comment to Fred about
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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
Compe
on - Win a Driver Experience Day A Driver Experience Day on the GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
WIN Here’s what you get:
Worth £340
Just answer the following three ques ons: 1. What class of engine did Steve drive? 2. What is the preferred two word terminology that railwaymen use to indicate that an engine may proceed? 3. What type of pla orm layout is found at Quorn & Woodhouse sta on? Email your answers, together with your name, address and telephone number to: editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or post to: Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU The first all correct answer out of the hat from all entries received by the closing date of Friday 31st January 2014 will win. Editor’s decision is final. Terms and condi ons apply.
• Welcome Briefing & free tea/coffee for you & up to 6 guests • Introductory DVD • Route observa on trip • Shared drive of a steam loco • Lunch for the Driver – guests can buy a meal on the train • Guided tour of Loco works • Visit to signal box • Free train cket for 1 guest • Presenta on Cer ficate • 12 months free membership of Friends of the Great Central Mainline • Free “Through the Window” guide
Drive a Locomo ve Experience on the Great Central Railway With Christmas just around the corner that perennial problem of what to buy for the person who has everything is solved. A Drive a Locomo ve Experience can be bought now to give on Christmas Day and the experience arranged at a date to suit your convenience. We have a range of steam and diesel packages. A Bronze Steam Experience starts at an affordable £340 for the chance to drive a giant of the iron road. For further informa on or to book your experience call the Booking Office on 01509 632 323 or go to www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-services/drive-a-loco/
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
Page 43
What’s On in and around The Soar Valley: Compiled by Claire Stevens – Soar Valley Life events and news reporter
The Green Place Sileby Christmas Lights Night Join in the Christmas season by toasting crumpets and marshmallows over an open fire and enjoying a glass of mulled wine. There will also be a grotto in the yurt tent and much more to enjoy while the Sileby village Christmas lights are switched on from 4.00pm – 7.00pm. Dates: Friday 6th December 2013 The Green Place, 6 Cossington Road, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7RS Contact Telephone: 01509 815181 Victorian Christmas Event at Stonehurst Farm This year’s Victorian Christmas Weekend will be held on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2013. Father Christmas will be there, as well as craft stalls, a brass band and sleigh and lots of Christmas spirit and cheer. Open 9.30am – 5.00pm daily. Dates: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December Stonehurst Family Farm and Museum, Bond Lane, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7AA Contact Telephone: 01509 413216 Website: www.stonehurstfarm.co.uk Email: oink@stonehurstfarm.co.uk Stoneygate Christmas Market A chance to buy some great gifts and stocking fillers, but the market makes an ideal day out for the family, with a range of food, drink and crafts stalls as well as mulled wine and festive choirs and bands. Free event, open from 11.00am – 4.00pm. Dates: Sunday 8th December 2012 Stoneygate shops, Allandale Road & Francis Street, Leicester, LE2 2DA Contact Telephone: 07780 705226 A Traditional Christmas Enjoy some traditional Christmas entertainment, such as Victorian dancers and the old‐fashioned Magic Lantern Show. There will be seasonal children’s craft activities while you can enjoy mulled winter punch and festive treats. Free event open from 2.00pm – 6.00pm. Please note that the lantern show takes place on the first floor but no lift is available.
Dates: Saturday 14th December 2013 Belgrave Hall and Gardens, Church Road, Belgrave, Leicester, LE4 5PE Contact Telephone: 0116 2666590 Mediaeval Christmas at the Guildhall Meet Old Father Time and learn about how you would celebrate a Christmas in Mediaeval times, all set up in the unique surroundings of the Guildhall. Throughout the day there will be crafts and trails, mince pies and hot drinks available. Activities are £2.50, open from 11.00am – 3.00pm. Dates: Sunday 22nd December 2013 The Guildhall, Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ Contact Telephone: 0116 2532569 Christmas Eve Market The market will offer an exciting range of food; including cheeses, meats, vegetables, fruits, confectionary and take‐ away meals cooked on the spot. The Christmas craft market will have a wide range of stallholders selling items such as seasonal decorations, greetings cards, glassware, pottery, jewellery, Christmas trees, wreaths and much more. Open 8.00am – 6.30pm. Dates: Tuesday 24th December 2013 Loughborough Market Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3EA Contact Telephone: 01509 634624 New Year’s Eve Charity Dance Celebrate the New Year with the Rhythm Revellers playing hits from the decades. Tickets only, tickets are £20 each and are limited. Doors open at 8pm, adults only. Bring your own food, drink and glasses to Quorn Village Hall. For tickets contact Joan on 07784793201 or Anna on 07740947759. Dates: Tuesday 31st December 2013 Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8BB Jack and the Beanstalk at Loughborough Town Hall Enjoy pantomime at Loughborough Town Hall, with stunning sets, fabulous costumes and giant sized jokes as the famous story of Jack and the Beanstalk takes to the stage. Prices vary, please check the website for details.
Market Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3EB Saturday 30th November 2013 to Sunday 5th January 2014 Book online at: www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk Telephone box office: 01509 231 914 Aladdin at De Montfort Hall The De Montfort Hall pantomime is back this Christmas after a 20 year gap! The panto will star Leicester's favourite Martin Ballard as one of the Chinese policemen, Hardeep Singh Kohli as the Genie of the Lamp and TV soap star Tameka Empson as the Empress of China. Tickets cost £18. Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU Dates: Saturday 14th December 2013 to Sunday 5th January 2014 Telephone box office: 0116 233 3111 Book online at: www.demontforthall.co.uk Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival Preview Show at De Montfort Hall This year will be celebrating the show’s 21st birthday. The preview show has been a sell‐out for the past ten years and gives a taste of what’s to come when the main festival arrives in Leicester from the 7th – 23rd February 2014. Tickets £25, Concessions £22, open at 7.30pm. Dates: Friday 10th January 2014 De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU Contact Telephone: 0116 233 3111 Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk Beer and Birds at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre This one hour Falconry experience will be limited and includes a bottle of Bosworth Beer to take home. Available as a gift voucher with plenty of bird handling and you are welcome to come and take photos too. £15 including beer, booking essential. Dates: Sunday 19th January and Sunday 26th January 2014 Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, Ambion Lane, Sutton Cheney, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, CV13 0AD Contact Telephone: 01455 293341 Website: www.bosworthbattlefield.com
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Solu ons Christmas Quiz Answers Catherine Tate Santa Cruz Eight maids‐a‐milking Drag races Fandabidozi ‐ she performs as Wee Jimmy Krankie 6. His nose ‐ "with a corncob pipe and a bu on nose and two eyes made out of coal" 7. Harry Po er 8. False ‐ it was originally made of silver 9. Wimbledon Common ‐ the mispronuncia on gave her the inspira on for The Wombles 10. Don't expose it to bright light, don't get it wet, don't feed it a er midnight Spot Ten Differences 1. 2. 3. The star on the Christmas tree Antler missing Cabinet drawer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Clouds on book cover Tie colour Rug pa ern changes Glasses Chair leg disappears Red bauble Arm missing Quick Crossword Across: 1 Used, 3 Faithful, 9 Tornado, 10 Large, 11 Mayor, 12 Rescue, 14 Tangle, 16 Grease, 19 Stages, 21 Chums, 24 Alive, 25 Opening, 26 Together, 27 Ants. Down: 1 Ul mate, 2 Early, 4 Aboard, 5 Tells, 6 Formula, 7 Leek, 8 Barrel, 13 Messages, 15 Nothing, 17 Richer, 18 Ashore, 20 Great, 22 Union, 23 Da .
Sudoku Solu on
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