14,000 Copies Delivered by contract with Royal Mail Every 2 Months (Approx. 7,000 Per Month) to Homes And Businesses In: Sileby, Mountsorrel, Seagrave, Cossington, Walton On The Wolds, Quorn, Barrow Upon Soar, Woodhouse Eaves & Swithland.
Your Independent Community Magazine & Business Directory
ISSUE 8. NOVEMBER/DECEMBERR 2012
PRICELESS
Copy deadline for December issue Monday 19th November
Your FULL COLOUR magazine and business directory… Now with 48 Pages
Barrow and Quorn Edition please see website for full distribution details and media pack – www.soarvalleylife.co.uk
Features inside: Santa Claus Country Walk Cycling Feature Recipes Health & Fitness Fun Pages Puzzles Top Tips & Much More
FAB Fitness get fit for Christmas! Page 47
The Queen Vic’ at Syston great food & fun! Page 23
Small Landscapes & Paving hard landscaping made easy! Pages 36 & 37
To Autumn... Season of Mists and - er, hmm! It’s a pretty safe bet that when John Keats wrote his ode “To Autumn” in September 1819 they’d had a far, far better summer than the one just gone. My outdoor tomatoes have failed miserably this year and my tallest sunflower was a good foot shorter than the ones I’ve grown in previous summers. Keats asks, rhetorically, “Where are the songs of Spring?” and so might we! When Soar Valley Life first bounced upon your doormat eight months ago, back on that April (or May) “morning unaware... while the chaffinch sang on orchard bough...” (Robert Browning) the outlook promised a fair and fine summer. But it seems now to have leap-frogged straight through to mid-Autumn, with only the odd sunny day as a token memory. But, inclement summers aside, your Soar Valley Life grows in leaps and bounds - we’re up to 48 pages this month. Our website is now ‘live’ with our advertisers in a business directory. Go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk and have a look for yourself where you will find links to their own websites if they have one. Until the end of the year this service will be entirely free of charge for current advertisers. We also have a thriving Facebook page which last week overtook our one hundredth ‘liker’. Here we keep our ‘friends’ up to date on a daily basis with what’s happening in our neck of the valley, both business and community wise - anything we’re told about that’s worthy of passing on will be on our page. If you are a member of Facebook please ’like’ us at Soar Valley Life. During the next few weeks we’ll be adding more to the website - our walking features and new community pages, together with our new cycling articles carefully researched first hand by our own home grown feature writer Si Clyst. This is in direct response to the surge of interest that seems to have occurred as a result of Team UK’s success at the Tour de France and the Olympics, especially Sir Bradley Sideburns and Lady Victoria! We’ll be focussing to increase promotion in these areas over the next months, with advertisers who specialise in outdoor pursuits and merchandise. You never know, but you might even see one of us on a bike on a fine day sometime soon. Bigger this month too is our food section, with recipes , restaurants, pubs - and more as we approach the festive season so that we can promote the rich variety of tastes we have here on our doorstep. We love the feedback we get from readers and advertisers as it seems that we are really appreciated, and, as someone once said, an ounce of praise is worth a pound of pay. Finally Mr Keats would seem to be something of a soothsayer; his last line reads, “and gathering swallows twitter in the skies...” We’ll be on Twitter soon too!
Steve & Mary Johns Editors - Soar Valley Life
Autumn leaves in Rydal Mount Garden, Cumbria, October 2009
Contents
Poor Eyesight & Visual Impairment Santa’s Soar Valley Sleigh Route Let it be... A Ride into Leicester by Si Clyst Short Story – What’s in a Name? Poem – Naughty Nightwear Personal Injury Lawyer Myths Handbags and Gladrags Safe and Secure Quiz – Beer and Wine Room with a View Long may she Reign Recipe – Mini Christmas Cakes World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Result Recipe – Bishop’s Cream B.U.S.C.A. Stallholders Walking Close to Prestwold Park Soar Valley Leisure Centre Sudoku Overweight and Unemployable Spot the Difference Brothers in Arms Want to Look Like a Christmas Cracker? Send a Letter from Santa Last Posting Dates for Christmas Quick Crossword A Burst of Sunshine Top Tips Around the Home Answers to Puzzles Business Directory
4 6 8 10 12 14 15 16 19 20 22 23 24 25 25 27 28 30 32 33 35 36 38 40 41 43 44 45 46 46
Copyright © Fantastic State Limited trading as Soar Valley Life. The Publisher reserves and controls all rights to the work presented in this magazine. Any application for any use of any of the work, features, advertisements, quotations, photographs, images or other work within this publication must be made directly to the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Page 2 Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of advertising rates
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Poor Eye Sight and Visual Impairment The majority of people with blurry vision have this easily resolved with the prescribing of appropriate glasses, or sometimes with the help of medicines or surgery. Optometrist Mohammed Bhojani explains more about those people who may have low vision...
The degree of this visual problem varies between individuals and depends on their own particular eye condition. There is now a huge range of low vision aids available, from simple hand magnifiers through to telescopes and the latest electronic devices.
Optometrists can offer free NHS There are individuals that may have eye tests to those people who have been registered as sight impaired. reduced vision on one or both Specialist optometrists can also eyes that cannot be improved offer advice on lighting and with normal glasses and this is commonly described as having low supply appropriate devices as well as organise referral to free vision. rehabilitation services, free home Statistics show there are over 6000 assessments and support, as well as referral to other healthcare people in Leicestershire alone professionals if necessary. that have been registered as sight impaired or partially sighted; but If you feel that you or a family it is estimated that there may be over 3000 more that currently have member would beneďŹ t from an eye exam and appropriate low vision to the extent that they guidance or referral, please struggle to do everyday tasks such as getting about, cooking, crossing contact us on 01509 416800 (Barrow Practice) or 01509 roads safely and reading. 414151 (Quorn Practice) for an appointment or for more These people may benefit from information. support and advice, including the supply of special equipment & Mohammed Bhojani is the principal training to manage their daily optometrist at Visual Answers tasks better, thereby reducing the Opticians based in Quorn and feeling of distress, isolation and Barrow upon Soar. frustration. www.VisualAnswers.co.uk Page 4
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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Santa’s Route Revealed for his Soar Valley Tour… The Rotary Club of the Soar Valley will again be accompanying Santa on his tour of local villages this year from 7th until 23rd December collecting for Rotary Charities. If you’re not home when we call or we don’t get to your road, you can make a donation and meet Santa over the weekend at a local supermarket.
Mountsorrel: Friday 7th December 6pm ~ 8pm Mountsorrel & Rothley (Kilngarth area): Monday 10th December 6pm ~ 8pm Barrow upon Soar: Tuesday 11th December 6pm ~ 8pm Barrow upon Soar: Wednesday 12th December 6pm ~ 8pm Barrow upon Soar: Thursday 13th December 6pm ~ 8pm Sileby: Friday 14th December 6pm ~ 8pm Sileby Tesco: Saturday 15th December 9am ~ 5pm Birstall Co-op: Sunday 16th December 9am ~ 5pm Sileby: Tuesday 18th December 6pm ~ 8pm Birstall: Wednesday 19th December 6pm ~ 8pm Birstall: Thursday 20th December 6pm ~ 8pm
Rotary Club of the Soar Valley
Rothley: Friday 21st December 6pm ~ 8pm Budgen’s ~ Granite Way: Saturday 22nd December 9am ~ 5pm Budgen’s ~ Granite Way: Sunday 23rd December 9am ~ 5pm Thanks to resident’s generosity, the Rotary Club of the Soar Valley has recently helped: local charities large & small including: LOROS, Rainbows, MacMillan, Prostaid, Age UK, Peter Le Marchant Trust and other local groups; local young people through Wishes 4 Kids, Youth Leadership, Rotary Stars, the Sorrel Café etc, as well as individual grants; our community (e.g. organizing a Stroke Awareness day and a litter clean up with the Sorrel Café); around the world responding to major disasters (Disaster Boxes and cash via Rotary clubs “on the spot”)and Rotary’s campaign to END POLIO NOW.
Page 6 Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of advertising rates
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“Our family has a small portfolio of property which we let out to tenants and over the years we have come to appreciate what good service from an agency really means; or more importantly what it’s like to suffer from bad service,” says Rekha. “When we were looking for a new agent we came across Martin & Co, but they didn’t have an office covering our area, so we thought we’d start one; after all, we should know by now what landlords and tenants need.” Rekha has worked in retail financial services for more than thirty years and sees this change of direction as an exciting challenge. “I’ll be managing the day to day running of the business: dealing with landlords and tenants, finding the right people for the right property and then sorting all the administration stuff out - something I have been doing for other companies for three decades.” Mitul, who continues his own career as a senior branch manager in retail finance, will focus on more strategic matters with the new franchise, making sure all contracts and legal matters are up to scratch. “We know from our own first hand experience how important it is to match the right tenant with the right property, if you get that bit wrong no one wins. Martin & Co are the UK’s number 1 letting agents, and only deal with rented property. There are many estate agents who will handle rented property but most only dabble in it. It really is a specialised business and it’s much better to focus on one aspect or the other. Our biggest advantage is the national matching service we offer through the Martin & Co website - www.martinco.com - at any one time there are 900 properties in the Charnwood area needing tenants and yet there are many more tenants that are looking for a property to rent - it’s ironic isn’t it? Many prospective tenants move in from another part of the country, especially with Loughborough being a university town, so having the resource of a sophisticated website matching service is a big bonus. We will be concentrating on a special student homes service, which will focus on the special needs of this particular market place.
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insurance together with a deposit guarantee for the tenants. One of the biggest advantages both tenants and owners get by dealing with Martin & Co is the speed at which we can complete the process, and yes we do put our money on the line - as we say in our advert - we let it fast or we let it free!” The area covered by Martin & Co, Mountsorrel covers all the postcodes in LE11 and LE12 - that’s more than 52,000 properties of which more than 4,000 make up the private rental market place. According to figures published in the latest Charnwood housing needs survey, more than a third of private tenants move on each year; this indicates there is a clear need for specialists like Martin & Co to provide a very efficient managed service to make sure that a property spends the least amount of time standing empty. So, be you a tenant or a landlord and you want words of wisdom, call the experts...
We offer the very best and most flexible packages for all parties; from a tenant find only service, right up to a fully managed service offering complete peace of mind for the landlord. We also offer landlords a free rent guarantee
Page 8
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk
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Page 9 5
A Ride into Leicester Over recent years I have noticed, from the comfort of my motor car, that the County Council has been spending a lot of money on blue signposts for cyclists, though I’d not thought much more about it... That was until Sir Bradley Wiggins and his sideboards, along with a few folk down at the Velodrome, inspired the nation with heroic deeds receiving shiny gold necklaces for their efforts. I was then taken with the notion that I could do that and set off to the shed to dig out my bicycle - which I had bought a few years ago, thinking it was a good idea. A week later, after fettling tyre pressures and a practice ride round the block, I was ready. But I needed a plan, which came in the form of a Saturday morning eye appointment in Leicester. Now, I am not keen on driving into Leicester at the best of times and with petrol getting close to the same price per gallon as beer, I decided to let loose the cycling beast on an unsuspecting city. But a small sensible part of my brain said, “What about the hills? Especially the one at Birstall- that looks like it could hurt.” And this is where those blue signposts come in. One at the end of Platts Lane in Cossington proclaims Syston to be quite close, so off I set on what was a pleasant Saturday to head for town...
towa The road from Sileby to Cossington is flat and takes but a few minutes. I pass by the Royal Oak - its green door firmly shut - and turn right, down Platts Lane past the Rugby field and reach the end near the nursery. It is now that I can see where the Council have spent more of our money as there is a width restriction barrier in place. This seems particularly unfair on very wide people but my bike and I squeeze through and we are now pedalling down the path by the lakes. The sun is shining, birds are singing and Wanlip doesn’t smell too bad. There’s only the sound of my tyres and the occasional crack of a snail’s shell or the squish of a slug to be heard. Moments later I’m at the canal where I turn left; here the path is unmade but there is evidence of more Council good works as they are grading it and seem to be making a proper path. Also the good thing about canals is you don’t tend to find them on a slope, so the going is easy all the way to the Hope and Anchor. And having negotiated several more of the width barriers I can now get through without stopping the bike. Next I am entering Watermead Park which until now is a place I’ve never really looked into; I know of it but have never been and it is a mini revelation! Lakes with sailors floating around, even a pack of Newfoundland dogs being trained to rescue drowning people. All the way along there are signposts telling me places I can go to; Thurmaston to the left, Leicester straight on, etc. Continuing past various public artworks, such as “Shadows of their Former Selves” and something resembling the hull of an old boat, I leave the park at Birstall and pass through another barrier down by the canal. The White Horse is very close indeed should I decide I need fluid replacement therapy, but I don’t and press on over the bridge towards the “Mammoth”.
Page 10 Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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I am not entirely sure of it’s relevance but people seem to be enjoying it. Passing under a large road I recognise it as the flyover at the end of Birstall and feel quite smug as this is so easy. In no time at all I am into the back streets of Leicester, crossing Loughborough Road up towards the Talbot pub and Belgrave Hall museum. No time to stop though as I have an appointment, so I follow the cycle route by the side of the canal past the back end of Abbey Pumping Station and the inflatable Space Centre and on towards Abbey Park. One road to cross and I am passing Cardinal Wolsey standing in a flower bed on my way through the park to end up on St Margaret’s Way still on the cycle path. From here the centre of town is only a couple of minutes and I have achieved my goal. I’ve saved petrol, avoided renting a car park and rekindled the joy of cycling from my youth. Only now it’s an awful lot safer as I’ve had so little interaction with traffic it is silly. All I have to do now is hang around outside the optician’s and try to stop sweating. (I didn’t consider this before I set off but he was nice about it.)
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The return ride home was equally pleasant and according to my phone I’d travelled 18.9 miles at an average speed of 11.3 mph and burnt 767kCal (don’t ask me) of energy. The whole trip took one hour and forty minutes. I don’t think ‘Sir Brad’ will be quaking in his cycling shoes any time soon. Si Klyst
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email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert Page 11
5
Short Story - What’s In A Name? Wally put his tools away in the van and then went back into the house to collect the bag of off-cuts and rubbish. Some carpet fitters would have left it for the householder to deal with, but that was not his way. The lady paid him by cheque for the work, saying how pleased she was with the fine job he had done. As he climbed back into his van, it once again crossed his mind that tomorrow was his 65th birthday and the day on which he would be retiring. Thank goodness he had organised a pension all those years ago. He and Mary would be reasonably well provided for and should never be broke. All the way home, a journey of just under half an hour, thoughts of his long and active working life filled his mind. He remembered that he had first watched a carpet being fitted when he was only ten years old and had marvelled at what he saw. He was totally enthralled and decided there and then to take up that profession when he left school. Having achieved only average grades at school, he was extremely pleased to secure a job with a carpet company at the age of 16 in a local firm. Starting as a general assistant, within a few years Wally had graduated to being a fully-fledged fitter. He had stayed with that outfit for just four more years before starting his own one man company. He had always thoroughly enjoyed the job; the process of first cutting and fixing the edging strips, fitting the underlay and finally putting down the carpet itself, stretching and trimming it to be a perfect fit. The sense of achievement when he stood back and eyed up a finished job had never left him. Astounding! Arriving home, he completely unloaded the van, all his tools and everything to do with the carpet business, and put them away in the garden shed.
The empty van reversed into the garage and the offcuts he’d collected earlier were put to one side to taken to the dump in due course. “Don’t suppose I’ll ever need you again, old dear. Wonder if I can sell you and make a few quid”, Wally said aloud as he patted the bonnet of his old red Ford Transit. He went indoors, exchanged greetings and had a cuddle with his wife Mary, who put the kettle on to make a cup of tea. While she was doing that, he changed out of his work clothes for what he sincerely hoped was the very last time. OK, it was not unlikely that he might do some fitting for friends now and again, but not for a living. When the tea was made he sat down in the kitchen to drink it. He patted Mary’s hand and asked, “are we all packed then, sweetheart?” She, with a mouthful of tea and biscuits, merely nodded and smiled. They would be taking a long flight to South Africa in a couple of days to visit their son and his family. It would be their first flight anywhere and they were both a bit apprehensive. He breathed out, sat back, relaxed and, as he did so, reflected for the umpteenth time that his parents may well have been under some psychic influence when he was born. Perhaps they’d predicted what he would do with his life when, at the age of eight months, they had had him christened in the local church and thus he had become, would you believe, Walter Wall! by Eric Godley
Page 12 Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers
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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
Truth take majo
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Personal Injury Lawyer Myths Let’s take a look at some of the common myths we hear about personal injury lawyers, followed by the reality of how they actually work... Myth: Claiming makes you part of a ‘Compensation Culture’ Truth: Despite the cries of some tabloid newspapers stating that the UK is following the USA into becoming a country that claims for absolutely everything and anything, there is actually no evidence to support this. The vast majority of people who make accident or injury claims do so because their lives have genuinely been affected.
Myth: Your employer will sack you for making a claim against them Truth: Although it couldn’t be guaranteed that your employer wouldn’t sack you, if they did so they would be liable for unfair dismissal. If you have an accident and are injured on your employer’s premises then they may be liable to pay compensation. Myth: It’s better just to get money direct from the insurance company
Myth: It will take years to get your compensation
Truth: Insurance companies will try and deal with you directly as they know that it will save them money in the long-run. Although this can be a quicker option, you are likely to lose out financially.
Truth: Although some more complex claims can take slightly longer to reach a conclusion, the majority are settled within the space of 12 months.
If you have been injured in an accident seek advice from a Solicitor. Ring Stephen Nottridge at Moss Solicitors LLP on 01509 635440
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
Page 15
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I bet lots of us are wasting wardrobe space by harbouring clothes we never wear anymore. In my case I’ve things I can’t wear unless I lose a fair bit off my waistline. And although there’s no shortage of charity bags offering to relieve us of our former favourites, some of what we have seems much too good to give away for nothing, doesn’t it? Well, now there’s an answer. New 2 You Clothes Agency, on Sibson Road in Birstall, will sell your pre-loved quality clothes and accessories and give you 40% of the sale price back. How’s that for recycling par-excellence? Since opening in April this year, owner Helen Meek has been amazed at how busy her shop has been. “From day one we’ve had a steady flow of quality clothes and accessories coming in and going out. We accept new and nearly new clothes, including men’s designer wear such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, True Religion, All Saints etc. and ladies designer and top end high street clothes, shoes and handbags such as Karen Millen, LK Bennett, Betty Barclay, Hobbs, Paddy Campbell, Next and River Island. We also stock a fabulous range of quality children’s wear all at fantastic prices. All items must be seasonal, cleaned/ironed and in excellent condition. If something hasn’t sold within six weeks we contact you to collect the items. When the items are sold you receive 40% back of the sale price.” So, don’t throw them all away, the handbags and the gladrags that you had to work to buy...
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Page 16 Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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Page 18 Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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Safe and secure... the power behind every home Nowadays it’s hard to imagine living without electricity and the convenience and comfort it provides. All day and every day our lives are governed by its power; delivered by overhead pylon wires from the national grid to sub stations and then on through underground armoured cables to the fuse boxes in our houses. Steve Fowler, founder of Fowler Electrical and Alarms Limited, corrects me here and informs me that they are now called consumer units. “If your home is more than twenty years old and you’ve never had a re- wire you probably don’t have one of these. Most likely you’ll have one of the old fuse boxes with individual plug-in fuses and a different rated fuse wire in each one.” I tell him I can remember the days of stumbling about in the dark to find a torch, fumbling around to locate the fuse wire and then standing precariously on a wobbly chair trying to guess which fuse had gone. And how it’s so much easier now if there’s an overload - all you have to do to restore power is to flick a switch back on. “Much safer,” agrees Steve, “yet many homeowners put off having a re-wire because of the perceived upheaval and mess. However, they don’t need to worry any more, we can be in and out in a week. We always re-plaster and use a professional cleaning contractor to ensure the property is left pristine. We also offer safe and secure storage for household items if the homeowner chooses to have the work done whilst they’re away - at no extra charge. A complete re-wire costs from £2,000 and is fully warranted and certified against defect by NAPIT , the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers.” I asked Steve about the meaning of PAT testing and he explained, “It’s a requirement that all businesses which employ five or more people, or are open to the public, have every portable appliance tested once per year. This ensures that items are safe for use and protects the owner from any legal consequences which could stem from faulty equipment causing injury. Non-compliance with PAT standards can lead to severe
punishments for corporations and landlords, ranging from fines to imprisonment.” Fowler Electrical can tackle any size of job - from the biggest, like the wiring circuits they installed in the new multi-million pound NHS Treatment Centre at Nottingham’s QMC hospital, down to the smallest and are pleased to help with something as simple as just a single new TV socket for which they charge only fifty pounds. Call Steve Fowler on 01509 816 465 or email him at info@fowler-electrical.co.uk and be sure you’re safe and secure!
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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Answers on page 46
1. Which brand of beer is also the name of a river that runs through Amsterdam? 2. Which American state produces around 90% of all of America’s wine? 3. According to a TV advertising campaign, which beer “refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach”? 4. Who was the Roman God of Wine? 5. Which popular lager has a two word name, the first of which means “star” in Latin, and the second of which was the surname of a brewery owner? 6. The five basic steps in wine tasting are sometimes known as the five “S” steps, where the fourth and fifth steps are “sip” and “savour”. What are the first three steps? 7. From which country does the beer Hoegaarden originate? 8. Well known for producing wine, in which country would you find the Barossa Valley? 9. Which German city hosts the beer festival Oktoberfest? 10. Which two number one singles of the 1980s had the word “Wine” in the title?
Page 20 Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125
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email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert Page 21
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Room with a view. A mile or so down the Melton Road out of Burton on the Wolds lies Horse Leys Farm. Some years ago the front of the farm was developed into a restaurant. This has now become one of the premier Indian restaurants in our area. Mary and I enjoyed an excellent meal there last bank Holiday Monday. The Indian Cottage first opened its doors on the 22nd June this year following extensive refurbishment after the building had stood empty for a time. We were shown to our seat by the window which looked out over the open fields towards Wymeswold. Once seated, Sumon, our waiter, asked if we’d like a drink as he gave us the menus; I had a cold beer and Mary chose a glass of Pinot Grigiot. Although it was early in the evening, there were already three other parties dining. In many independent restaurants these days there’s not a lot of room, but here, probably because it’s
out of town, there’s ample space for a hundred or more. An Indian meal can never begin without Poppidoms (or are they Papadoms, pappidums or peppidams?) and chutney. We had three chutneys, Mango, onion and a lime pickle to die for, if you like your limes really hot that is! Mary loved the Mango and I loved the lime. For our main course Mary had a Lamb Korma and Pilau Rice. She said that it was the best she’d ever had; the lamb was perfectly braised and the sauce had just the right blend of sweet coconut with subtle spices. My Chicken Tikka Biriani was excellent, much better because the chicken had been cooked first before being added to the other ingredients . We had a Plain Naan and Vegetable Pakhura to accompany our meal. Mr Choudhury, Indian Cottage’s head chef should get a Michelin star for his Naans. Perfected over the forty years of experience he brings to our table, I guess. Excellent service too, efficient, attentive, but not fussy or patronising and extremely good value - we had a complete restaurant experience including drinks and complimentary Baileys for a few pence over thirty pounds. Would we recommend it? Well, we are going again for our wedding anniversary next Monday...
Page 22 Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of advertising rates
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Long may she reign... Approach Syston from the north, turning left at the traffic lights by Walkers wood yard just before the railway, and the first pub you come to on the High Street is The Queen Victoria. A large banner next to the familiar green and gold Everards sign declares, “UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT - Zoe and team offer you a warm welcome”. Since Mary and I moved to Sileby in 2005 we’ve enjoyed some delicious carvery lunches at the ‘Queen Vic’ on quite a few occasions with family and friends. So, as I was passing the other day, I stopped and called in to see what might have changed.
to both the pub and restaurant, food is served seven days a week and real ale - including regular guest ales - is always on tap. There’s plenty of entertainment including quiz nights, pool games and darts; a covered garden patio for the smokers and a garden room for the kids.
Zoe Stoneley stood behind the heated servery, carving knife at the ready and the mouth-watering smell from the roast meats, Yorkshire puddings, gravy, horseradish sauce, roast potatoes and half a dozen varieties of vegetables, together with Zoe’s welcoming smile certainly lived up to the declaration on the banner. It was a Thursday, which meant I could have had two carvery lunches for a tenner; if I’d had no work to do I would have succumbed - mind you, I don’t think even I could have managed two!
From Monday December 3rd they’ll be serving a Christmas menu as well as the usual variety of favourites with entertainment right up to midnight on party nights which are every Friday and Saturday through December.
I was pleased to see that all the changes made over the last year were very much for the better. It really is a pub for all seasons and tastes these days. With wheel chair access
In short, I’m very glad I called in and you will be too. Mmm... I think we’ll be having the Soar Valley Life Christmas ‘do’ at The Queen Vic’ this year!
The restaurant can serve up to 80 people but Zoe says it’s best to book in advance, especially coming up to Christmas and always on a Sunday as that’s the most popular day.
The Queen Victoria Syston
76 High Street, Syston LE7 1GQ 0116 260 5750 www.everards.co.uk
Great Value Deals Lunchtime Carvery
Tuesday to Saturday 12noon - 2.00pm 2 for £10
Steak Night
Monday 6pm 8.30pm and Saturday 6pm - 9pm 2 steaks & bottle of wine £17.95*
Pie Night
Tuesdays 6pm 8.30pm 2 for £13
Sizzler Night
Wednesdays 6pm 8.30pm 2 sizzlers & bottle of wine £20.00*
Evening Carvery Special
Thursdays 6pm 8.30pm Full Carvery 2 for £15
Fish & Chip Night
Christmas Festive Fayre Come and enjoy one of our four festive fayre menus! 2 course lunchtime carvery menu £10.95 per head
Available Monday to Saturday 12noon - 3pm
3 course evening carvery menu £15.95 per head
Fridays 6pm - 8.30pm 2 for £13
Available Monday to Thursday 6pm - 9pm
Sunday Carvery
Party Night Menu £19.95 per head
Available 12noon 3pm Adults £8.25 Children’s £4.99 includes free ice cream. * specific wines see full menu for choice
Available Friday and Saturday 6pm - 9pm
includes entertainment until midnight.
Christmas Day Menu served 12.30pm £59.95 adults £29.95 children Menus available at the bar
Bookings now being taken!
email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
Page 23
Seasonal Recipe
R
These delightful mini fruit and nut topped cakes are perfect for giving as a festive foodie present. Simply wrap in clear cellophane and tie with gold ribbon or place in small gift boxes.
(
S
S
1
1
1. Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/gas 2. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm square cake tin with a double thickness of greased, greaseproof paper. 2. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs. Sift together the flour and spices then fold into the creamed mixture. Fold in the lemon zest, dried fruit, glace cherries and nuts and mix thoroughly. 3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface. Use the back of a metal spoon to make a slight dip in the centre (this will help to give an even rise). Bake in the preheated oven for 31⁄4 - 3 1⁄2 hours or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin. 4. When the cake is completely cold, use a sharp knife to cut it into 9 smaller square cakes. Brush the sides of each cake with a little apricot jam. Divide the marzipan into 9 pieces. Dust a surface lightly with icing sugar and roll each piece out to a strip long enough to go around each cake. Wrap the strips around the cakes pinching the ends together to seal. Top each cake with a selection of cherries, nuts and apricots. Tie a ribbon around each cake if liked.
E a
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Mini Christmas Cakes For The Cake • 250g butter, softened • 250g dark muscovado sugar • 4 medium eggs, beaten • 350g plain flour • 2 tsp ground mixed spice • 1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1⁄2 tsp ground cloves • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • 800g mixed dried fruit • 100g glace cherries, rinsed, dried and chopped • 100g chopped mixed nuts For the Decoration • 750g marzipan • icing sugar, for dusting • 4 tbsp apricot jam, warmed and sieved • Mixed coloured glace cherries, walnut halves, Brazil nuts and chopped dried apricots
A t
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Makes 9 Ready in 4 hours (plus cooling)
Page 24 Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers
W
es
d
Reader’s Recipe
Bishop’s Cream (If you like Bailey’s you’ll love this!) Small tin of condensed milk
1 mug of hot (not boiling) water
Small tin of evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon coffee powder (or granules)
1 teaspoon gelatine
1 to 1.5 mugs of whiskey
Empty both milks into a large jug and whisk in the vanilla essence. Add gelatine to the mug of hot water; when dissolved add the coffee and stir. Add this mixture to the milks in the jug and whisk. Add the whiskey to the jug, whisk again and bottle.
Leave in the fridge overnight. Be sure not to add too much gelatine or it won’t pour out of the bottles! Other alternatives: instead of whiskey and coffee you could use cocoa and brandy or banana cordial and rum. Submitted by Pat Bishop of Sileby
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Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125 Page 25 5
NO GM Products In Animal Feeds
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Supplying only the very best quality local meats to residents and the catering trade throughout the Soar Valley
Order now for Christmas – also own made pork pies, sausage meat, festive stuffings, ham, dry cured bacon and gammon joints and Long Clawson Stilton Cheese.
1 Ratcliffe Road, Sileby Leicestershire LE12 7PU
01509 812246
See our web page on www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for ideas, cooking times, new cuts of Beef/Pork/Lamb as well as specialist cooked meats too. Catering packs a speciality…
Oven ready Turkeys, Cockerels, Geese Ducks & Game also locally sourced Beef, Lamb & Pork
Recipes from around the world... a touch of Spain every Saturday on Loughborough Market
Page 26 Call Steve or Mary on 01509 813 125 to advertise in the next issue
d
ain
You’ll find some great ideas for Christmas with something for everyone -
so come along and have some fun! Dried Flower Arrangements, Gemstone Jewellery and Cards by Sheila Holland Scented Paper Hearts, Trinket Boxes, Vintage and Shabby Chic Gifts by Emma Toon Silver Jewellery, Bags, Fabric Boxes and Cross-Stitch Kits by Denise Roberts Sock Monsters and Handmade Toys by Susan James Face Painting, Glitter Tattoos and Hair Braiding by Donna Penny
Mugs, Cushions, Scarves, Purses, Money Boxes and Paper Weights by Petrina Campbell Organic Handmade Soaps and Skincare; Stained Glassware by Paul and Caroline Chilley Handmade Bird Boxes, Bird Stands and Hedgehog Boxes by A. Matts Wooden Toys, Wooden Gifts and Handmade Quilts by Jo Roworth Retro Signs, Wooden Signs and Fun Signs by Les Kirk
Jewellery by Lindsay Fung Bags, Purses, Bracelets and Pencil Cases all made from zips by Jean Taylor Embroidery T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies by Clare Hughes Quality Costume Jewellery and Accessories by Samantha Houghton Salt Dough Models by Helen Mason Paper Veneering by Jo Dunn Cupcakes by Anita
Treasure Trails Mysteries by Treasure Trails Screen Print Baby Clothes and Animals by Zara Pickett Children’s Jewellery by Helen Hayes Beaded Gifts, Gift Boxes, Key Rings and Christmas Decorations by Juliet Stetner Usborne Books by Liz Canton Woodturned Items and Woodcraft by Geoff Potter Bags, Tags and Boxes by Wendy Parkin Spanish Food and Kitchenware by Paul Dodd
(At the time of going to press these were the stalls to be displayed)
Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue? Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk.
Page 27
Walking Close to Prestwold Park 6 Miles 3 Hours Find a parking space near Cotes, there may be space on the cul-de-sac Back Lane off the B676 or the wide verges of Cotes Road towards Barrow (opposite). No facilities. 1. Start from the junction of Cotes Road and the B676; walk along the wide grass verge of Cotes Road towards Barrow, over the bridge to the bridleway signpost on the left. Turn left along the field edge with the stream and the hedge to the left, up to the farm road. 2. Turn right and fork right along the track passing left of Burton Bandalls Farm, past the yellow top marker post; follow the farm road with the trees to the left, bearing right between trees. Bear left past a marker post, close to the cottages and continue left on the narrower track, joining the wider stony track ahead. Go through the car park and up the field edge with the trees to the right to the marker post at the boundary. 3. Turn right, up the slight slope with the hedge still right; in the corner turn left and follow the field edge to the road. Turn right, up the wide grass verge to the top of the rise and turn left along the track up the right hand field edge all the way to the road. 4. Take the road left into Burton on the Wolds, at the roundabout go straight on up Seymour Road. Follow the road left and keep direction past the signpost as the houses end, along the field edge to the far right corner.
5. Carry on through the trees, bearing right at the fork and go through the gate; continue with the stream to the right, bearing left with the path for a third of a mile to the yellow top post. 6. Cross the bridge and go up the path with the stream now left, to the stile; step over and turn sharp right with the fence to the right to the gate at the far right, close to Prestwold Hall. 7. Turn left through the gate and take the path right, left of the church. Keep direction past the marker posts, over the tarmac driveway and continue through trees bearing left, to the road. 8. Turn left and immediate right, through the wide gap ahead. Take the field edge left into the corner and turn right, upslope to the marker post at the far corner of Big Ling Spinney. Turn left along the farm road and bear slight right to the marker post in the corner. 9. Turn right, along the field edge with the trees to the right, up to the hedge gap, go through and keep the original direction with the trees now left. Keep ahead, passing right of Mere Hill Spinney, bearing left down the slight slope to the far left corner. 10. Turn left through the wide gap and walk down the field edge with the hedge to the right, at the road turn right along the field edge parallel to the road and continue between the hedge and the fence to the road. Turn left back to the junction and the starting point. Š Clive Brown
Page 28 Advertise in Soar Valley Life from ÂŁ21 per month plus VAT
PLEA
Take some
Close anima Do no dama gates leads conta good drink avera and s any si under - The has h clarity To ha of thi of any these check overg usefu Our w copyr com w can e at wa touch
Mountsorrel LE12 7EY
Open from Tuesday to Friday 9 til 5 and Saturday 9 til 4
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Take care of the countryside. Your leisure is someone’s livelihood
t cal artis Art by Lo es iv g o h w s roceed 10% of p OS to LOR
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Close gates - Start no fires -Keep away from livestock and animals Do not stray from marked paths - Take litter home - Do not damage walls, hedgerows or fences Cross only at stiles or gates - Protect plants, trees and wildlife - Keep dogs on leads - Respect crops, machinery and rural property - Do not contaminate water - Although not essential we recommend good walking boots - During hot weather take something to drink on the way - All walks can easily be negoti- ated by an averagely fit person - The routes have been recently walked and surveyed, changes can however occur, please follow any signed diversions - Some paths cross fields which are under cultivation - All distances and times are approximate - The maps give an accurate portrayal of the area, but scale has however been sacrificed in some cases for the sake of clarity and to fit restrictions of page size - Walking Close To have taken every care in the research and production of this guide but cannot be held responsible for the safety of anyone using them - During very wet weather, parts of these walks may become impassable through flooding, check before starting out. - Stiles and rights of way can get overgrown during the summer - folding secateurs are a useful addition to a walker’s rucksack. Our walks our compiled by Clive Brown who holds the copyright to them. Clive’s website is www.walkingcloseto. com where you can order any of his 74 walking guides. You can email him directly with any comments you may have at walkingclose@yahoo.co.uk, or, of course you can get in touch with us here: editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk.
aaaaaaemeryjohnson
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Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of advertising rates
Page 29
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Soar Valley Leisure Centre showcases first phase of £350,000 makeover Local leisure centre raises the bar for council fitness facilities Soar Valley Leisure Centre will be unveiling the first stage of an extensive site renovation from the beginning of November, as it opens its doors to a brand new exercise studio and health suite, and a fully refurbished reception and pool viewing area. Refurbishment work began at the centre, which is managed on behalf of Charnwood Borough Council by sport and leisure management charity Fusion Lifestyle, in August.
Fusion Lifestyle CEO, Pete Kay said of the opening: “We’re really excited to reveal the results of the first stage of redevelopment work at Soar Valley leisure centre to the public and hope they agree what a great transformation it has been so far.
The work is due for completion later this year, but the initial improvements will give residents and customers an indication of what the upgraded facilities will offer. “Because Fusion Lifestyle is a registered charity, all of the renovations at the centre The new health suite is sure to be a have been funded by our customers, so by particularly welcome addition to the leisure signing up as a member you will also be centre, featuring a sauna, steam room, helping to invest in future improvements.” plunge shower and heated relaxation seating, creating the perfect place to relax. Soar Valley leisure centre is run by A new class timetable Fusion Lifestyle, will also be introduced, in partnership alongside extra with the Council, capacity spin classes. and aims to The second phase of provide sport and the redevelopment leisure facilities will see the dry for all members of changing areas and the community at main gym benefiting accessible prices. from a refit, both of which are due to Memberships for the Leisure Centre are on reopen mid November. sale now, with great offers available including two weeks free and no joining fee for a Other facilities at Soar Valley Leisure Centre limited period. include a 25m swimming pool, outdoor floodlit Astroturf pitch, children’s crèche and For more information on membership, a sports hall hosting badminton, netball and opening times and facilities visit basketball sessions. www.charnwoodleisure.com
Page 30 email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to book your advert
t
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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY LOUG HBOROUGH
Trains run every weekend 24th November to 24th December
Weekdays - Wed 12th, Wed 19th, Fri 21st, Mon 24th December
Santa visits every child on board Festive refreshments with our compliments
e y
Toys from Santa
”
Have your photo taken with Santa
“Christmas is a magical time at Great Central Railway” Prices start from £10 ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL To reserve your seat pick up a leaflet, use our online booking system www.gcrailway.co.uk or call 01509 632323
on ding
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Answers on page 46
For how to play go to http://www.sudoku.name/rules/en
Debb for Lo and w solely
Design
manufacture and
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Page 32 Call Steve or Mary on 01509 813 125 to advertise in the next issue
An Ca
Over-Weight and Unemployable? Unemployment in the UK today is a concern; surveys conducted by Personnel Today and the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust, reveal that an astounding 93% of HR recruiters say they would rather give a job to someone slim than a fat candidate - even if they had exactly the same experience and qualifications… There is currently no discrimination law in place to stop this from happening. With obesity affecting 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men and 65% of the adult population being classified as overweight or obese, millions of ordinary workers could at any time find themselves unemployed and unemployable. Fattism is affecting a growing number of people and effectively preventing their climb up the corporate ladder. Obesity can also lead to a number of conditions such as depression, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney failure or osteoarthritis – all of which can affect your employment prospects, as you take more time off sick. Debbie Ford, LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor for Loughborough, says, “Obesity is a growing problem and whilst judgments about employment should be solely based on an individual’s ability to do the job,
unfortunately this is not always the case and as a result many obese people feel victimised and bullied in the workplace.”
Before
LighterLife’s highly effective programmes combine an easyto-use eating plan with weekly, single-sex, group meetings to help you explore some of the reasons you put on weight – because there’s usually a bit more to it than simply ‘eating too much’. Understanding why you overeat and learning new ways to think and behave will lead you to live lighter in the future.
Four and a half stones lighter
Twice a week Debbie holds a free, no obligation, initial consultation, where you can find out more about how the programmes work. These are held on Wednesdays at either 3.30pm or 7.15pm. If you would like to begin your own amazing weight-loss and weight-management journey call 01509 234433 or email Debbie.ford@lighterlifecounsellor.com or visit www.lighterlife.com/debbieford
e
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Get ready to feel great and look fantastic! LighterLife gives you everything you need to change the way you look and feel this summer. You’ll receive regular support from your LighterLife group and weight management counsellor. Combined with nutritious soups, shakes and bars, we’ll help you lose weight and keep it off. For a FREE Initial Consultation, call:
Debbie Ford, Loughborough
01509 234433
lighterlife.com/debbieford Manda Mootien LighterLife client
ting. ie coun No calor
Free Init ial Consult ations every W ednesday . Groups re-open ing weekly
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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
. ssle
lighten up with
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Page 34 Advertise in Soar Valley Life from £21 per month plus VAT
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Spot Ten Differences Answers on Page 46 Visit www.soarvalleylife.co.uk for details of advertising rates
Page 35
Brothers in Arms
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In the mid 1980s, when this Dire Straits album became the first CD to sell more than a million copies, brothers Barry & Jeff Randall were probably helping their dad out at weekends with his landscaping business. After leaving school they worked full time in the family business until seven years ago when they started out on their own as ‘Small Landscapes’ specialising in low maintenance garden design... I asked Barry the reason for the name: “We wanted to be recognisable for what we do best and we wanted it to be easy for new customers to identify with us. Most of our work involves helping homeowners make the most of the small to medium garden spaces which modern houses are provided with these days, so they can enjoy all the space they have available with the least amount of fuss. Having said that, we often do larger jobs, such as the one for Leicester City Council at Woodgate Adventure Playground near Frog Island and in the housing development at Tilton on the Hill.” On their office wall at Meltongate House in Syston there are a dozen or so CAD drawings of recent projects. These give precise measurements and show different colours for different materials with itemised quantities and an outline of the work that needs doing plus equipment required. Barry explained, “When we receive an enquiry we’ll visit the client at a convenient time for a consultation and usually this takes an hour or two. We’ll discuss ideas initially, then take some measurements and make lots of notes. Before we leave we’ll give a ball-park figure so that everyone involved knows roughly what the cost will be. We follow up with an accurate quotation within a day or two and contact the client a few days after that. When the work is confirmed we send in a two man team - a leader and a labourer - and Jeff or myself will liaise with the client and our team in person throughout the project , making absolutely sure that the work is quality controlled and carried out to the highest standards. Upon completion a satisfaction questionnaire is filled in with the client and only after that do we submit our invoice.” What if something isn’t quite right some time later on? “Everyone who works for us undergoes the Construction Skills Certification Scheme as well as the Construction Plant Competence Scheme. These schemes acknowledge that they have been apprenticed and trained to the high standard required in the construction industry. This, together with the experience Jeff and I bring to each project, ensures that everything possible is done to create customer satisfaction, and it is this that allows us to say in our advertising, ‘If you don’t love our work, it’s free!’ At the end of each project we provide a written guarantee tailored for that specific job and this simply says that we will put right any snags within seven days of being informed.”
Are there any particular trends these days in gardens and landscaping? “Most working couples seem to want to reduce their lawn and border size, likely because they live busy lives. But they also want to create hard standing, for barbecues and eating in the garden, to enjoy the outdoors on a fine summer evening. (Not a lot of that this year though! Ed.) Also when you’ve got kids it’s good for them to have somewhere safe to play that isn’t muddy!” How have you coped during the recession? “I’m tempted to say ‘What recession?’ but that’s a bit flippant isn’t it? We have been busy throughout our time in business, and that’s demonstrated by this office we’ve just moved into. We’d become too busy to run the business from our homes and it was a bit unfair on our families, so we took the leap and here we are. But we have done some community projects for free when we’ve been a bit quieter; like the playground improvement we did for Syston Pre-School playgroup and the raised bed vegetable patches for the allotment society.” Do you think that ‘Small Landscaping’ can stay small? “I don’t think we want to become a huge company - we love what we do and really believe in our work and the jobs we’ve created; it’s extremely satisfying employing new young people who might otherwise be in the dole queue. But then again, it would be great, say in ten years time, if we had our own garden landscape nursery - we might be operating all over the Midlands!” Although they may not aspire to landscape mist covered mountains and are content to transform our lowland valley gardens, Barry and Jeff Randall, having grown up together as brothers and now working together as colleagues and mates, can certainly bring order to the wildest gardens of destruction...
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So - You Want to Look Like a Christmas Cracker this Festive Season? Well, here at Eden Skincare and Beauty Salon, making you look beautiful is what we do best! Top Tip One: The weather’s turning cold outside so come and have a relaxing Decleor facial to protect and nourish your skin from those elements. Decleor house a wonderful range of oils and masks to give the skin a real boost – something it cries out for at this time of year. New “Radiance range now in stock”. Top Tip Two: Tan fading? Fake Bake Spray Tanning is the answer to banish those postholiday blues. Don’t have a white Christmas, come and get Fake Baked at Eden. Choose from a light natural tan, a darker deeper tan for those party nights out or the new 60 minute Fake Bake tan – a tan you can wash off after one hour – amazing! These fabulous tans are available for only £20 throughout November and December.
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Top Beauty tips compiled by Holly Smart, owner of Eden Skincare & Beauty Salon, 36 King Street, Sileby, Leicestershire. LE12 7NA 01509 812999
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r d e n a t e L t e S from Santa WIN
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Sports Massage therapy & taping techniques
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Sports massage therapy repairs, restores and revives damaged muscles and tissue, increasing blood flow to affected areas, breaking down adhesions (knotted muscles) and speeds recovery from injury and overstretching.
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Pre activity sports massage therapy from RECRO ensures your muscles will be at their peak for the start of your game.
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Trained to VTCT level 3 and working with Niké Sports Academy at Loughborough University and Official Sileby Vikings Rugby club Sports Massage Therapist
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Athletic & Kinesiology taping – see pics “Many kinds of sports injuries can benefit from the application of tape or bandage by offering protection and support exactly where it’s needed. This is achieved by your therapist understanding the nature of your injury, its location and how best to augment the surrounding soft tissue, muscles and ligaments. Benefits include: • • • •
Protection from further injury Limiting unwanted movement Beneficial compression to areas of swelling Affording confidence during functional activity • Aiding lymphatic drainage •
0ne to one treatment room available at Fosse Fitness, Syston, RECRO, Sileby, home visits and treatments for sports clubs – pre and post match sessions by arrangement.
Steve Hillyer - 07860 608550 Email: recro@btinternet.com
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A Burst of Sunshine at Sileby Day Nursery Sileby Day Nursery is doing its very best to hold on to that glowing summer feeling by getting the pre-school children to paint their own versions of the well known and much loved ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent Van Gogh...
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‘Art activities also help children’s social and emotional development,’ said Tracey, ‘Children learn about themselves and others through art activities. It really helps them build self-esteem. It’s an opportunity for children to make a personal statement about their uniqueness through art whilst allowing them to express happiness, joy, and pride.’
Nursery Manager Tracey Brown explained the importance of ‘art’ for young children, ‘It is a co-operative learning experience that we take very seriously here in the nursery. It provides pleasure, challenge and a sense of mastery. We are looking to expand our artistic resources over the coming months and already have a music teacher who comes in and takes group singing classes, which the children love and respond to very positively.’
The children were introduced to Van Gogh’s paintings by looking at them and talking about how they made them feel. They then used him as their inspiration to release their own creativity. They started by painting their own portraits, using mirrors and descriptive language before turning their skills to painting sunflowers. They used their hands to paint and create the effect. As you can imagine they had a lot of fun!
The nursery boasts a mural painted by pupils from Rawlins Community College that the children helped to plan and design based on a fantasia theme which they all discussed together.
The outcome was exquisite and the paintings will hopefully be displayed amongst the community to distract everyone who sees them from these cooler Autumnal days!
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t 01509 414417 m 07707 583044 Charnwood Maintenance Services The Ark Centre, Meadow Lane Industrial Estate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1JP
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Top Tips around the Home & Garden
by Dave Walters of Charnwood Maintenance Services As winter approaches there are a number of things I would advise you to do in order to minimise any problems with your property during this seasonal change in weather… OUTDOORS Roofing: Look from the outside to see if any tiles have cracked or slipped; these will need replacing by a professional roofer. Guttering: Check for damage and clear away any leaves; these can lead to blocked drains. For safety reasons, a professional should do this. Garden: Ensure fencing is in good repair. Remember to disconnect garden hoses from outside taps to prevent freezing. Although grass appears to have stopped growing, roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter, so now is the best time to fertilize your lawn; first give it a thorough raking to remove any moss etc. and a good spiking to help drainage. Prune trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Don’t forget to bring indoors any plant pots that are not frost resistant. INDOORS Plumbing: Turn the heating on, even if you don’t need it yet check it’s functioning correctly; it may have been months since it was last used. Check radiators don’t need bleeding. Before cold weather hits, protect pipes in unheated areas by adding insulation – don’t forget pipes and water tanks in the loft.
Safety: Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries and test to ensure they’re working. Winter sees an increase in home fires and detectors may just save your life. Home security: Check locks on all doors and windows. Ensure outside lights are in good working order. If you don’t have them already, invest in some timers so as the nights get darker your lights will come on automatically. This creates a welcoming sight for you on your return home and a deterrent for any potential burglar. Decorating: Paint interior rooms while it’s still warm enough to leave windows open for ventilation; the same applies for shampooing carpets. Store leftover paint in your garage to prevent it from freezing during the winter. Money saving: When you dig out your Christmas decorations from the loft, take some time to make a visual inspection of your attic. First, check the roof and gable vents to make sure they are clear. Check for wasp nests and other signs of pests; during the winter months wasps are dormant and their nests are easier to remove. Look at the insulation on your attic floor, it should be uniformly thick and distributed evenly with no gaps. The vapour barrier side should be facing downward — toward the living space you are trying to keep warm. Also, the insulation should be dry. One of the most important cost-saving actions you can take this winter is to purchase a programmable thermostat; if you already have one, double-check the settings. Program it to be at different temperatures when you’re at home or away or asleep.
Want your business featured in Soar Valley Life? Call Steve on 01509 813 125 Page 45
Business Directory
Beauty Eden Skincare & Beauty Salon 16, 38 Builders and Builders Merchants BLM Property Maintenance & Repairs 34 John A Stephens – Builders Merchants 37 Child Care Parkside Nursery School 39 Sileby Day Nursery 3 Food Campesinas 26 Cromwell Road Coffee House 29 Glenn Lewin Butchers 26 The Indian Cottage 22 The Queen Victoria 23 Health and Fitness Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre 32 FAB Fitness Ltd 47 Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional 39 Hear4u 43 HS Footcare Services 9 LighterLife 33 Recro Sports Massage Therapist 42 Visual Answers Opticians / Optometrists 5 Home and Garden AMW Kitchens 20 Bradgate Forestry 21 Carpets of Choice 13 Charnwood Driveway Cleaning 20 Charnwood Maintenance Services 45 Charnwood Tree Services 35 Dave Keen Professional Decorator 20 DCI Kitchens 9 Delta Aerials 41 Doortronic – Remote Controlled Garage Doors 9 Fowler Electrical & Alarms 19 Kneller & Kneller Electricians 34 KR Electrical 17 McKay Fencing & Landscaping 21 MJ Joinery 39 Molly Maid Domestic Cleaning 18 Neil Philips Interiors 32 RJB Plumbing 34 R Mills Electrical Services 41 Richard Watson Decorator 9 SJS Professional Carpet Cleaner 39 Small Landscapes & Paving 37 Soar Valley Aerials 16 The Chimney Doc 21 The Oven Cleaning Company 18 Whelband Windows 7 Shopping B.U.S.C.A. 27 New 2 You Clothes Agency 16 Sports and Leisure Cyclops Cycles 11 Great Central Railway 31 JKM Swim School 18 Physfit Gyms 16 Recro Sports Massage Therapist 42 Residential Care The Abbeyfield 17 Professional Services Creativio Video Production 17 Emery Johnson Solicitors 29 iPac Repair & Parts - iPhones, games consoles 17 Martin & Co 48 Moss Solicitors 15 Strawberry Lettings & Sales 14
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Beer & Wine Quiz Answers 1. Amstel 2. California 3. Heineken 4. Bacchus 5. Stella Artois 6. See, swirl and sniff 7. Belgium 8. Australia 9. Munich 10. Red Red Wine by UB40 Mistletoe And Wine by Cliff Richard
Spot the Difference Answers 1. Moon Changed 2. Neck Bolt Missing 3. Horns added 4. Cufflinks missing 5. Jumper Colour 6. Eyebrows 7. Ear Changed 8. Tooth missing 9. Belt added 10. Necklace Changed
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