Soar Valley Life Issue 3 June 2012

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 3. JUNE/JULY 2012

PRICELESS

Copy Deadline for July Issue Friday 29th June

Sileby and Mountsorrel Edition

Your FULL COLOUR magazine and business directory…

Getting bigger EVERY ISSUE

please email for full distribution details

Features inside: Country walk Recipes Reader’s letter Health Fun pages Competitions Puzzles FEATURE ARTICLES and much more BUDGENS

re-opens in Mountsorrel NEW BUTCHERY BAKERY & CAFÉ now in store.

Voucher and recipe inside

Pages 14 & 15

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE family day out at THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

Back Page

RAGDALE HALL Spa day for two FREE COMPETITION & reader offer Page 20 & 21

Welcome Letter What a lot has been happening since the launch in April; we’ve had a lot of help though.

We decided that we would deliver the magazine ourselves for the first two months; we wanted to see and experience just what the area we have chosen, the area we live in, is really like. And, what an amazingly diverse place our bit of the Soar Valley is!

I’ll give credit right now exactly where it’s due - so thank you to the following brilliant people for making sure that a copy of Soar Valley Life was delivered to every door ...thank you to Jane, Adam, Ben and Sam Jarman for your valiant work in Sileby on our first day ...thank you Emily and Sam Johns for tramping the streets of Seagrave, Sileby & Mountsorrel... thank you to Dave Handley also for Mountsorrel and an extra special thanks to Cliff White and Sue Stirk for Quorn, Woodhouse, Sileby and again Mountsorrel. Mary & I did the rest. Between us all we delivered to 13, 721 addresses , the remaining 250 or so went to shops, pubs, libraries etc. Cliff and Sue, who are keen walkers and possess a handheld GPS, measured the distance walked when they delivered about half of issue 2 (Quorn Barrow etc). Cliff himself delivered 1,718 copies and walked 48.94 miles over 6 days. Therefore the average distance between each single magazine delivery works out at just a few inches over 50 yards. So, to cut a very long walk short, the total mileage walked to deliver your Soar Valley Life to all of you works out at a staggering 389 miles! Walk from our house in Sileby in a south westerly direction for 389 miles and you would have walked on water for 60 miles past Lands End in Cornwall!

On our travels we encountered many postmen and ladies, hundreds of dogs, cats, squirrels, a pheasant or two, chickens, horses, happy smiling children, grumpy old men, car washing dads, chattering mums with their buggybound kids, gates ajar, gates locked, courtesy paths for posties, hedge-barred paths, signs that say “No hawkers, no door -to-door salesmen, no free newspapers, no junk mail, no charity bags” and more than a few that say “Welcome to our home!”

For issue three and onwards we have contracted the Royal Mail to deliver your magazine. I for one will never again moan about the price of a first class stamp!

Steve & Mary Johns Editors - Soar Valley Life

Front cover photograph Spring Rose in Westfield House Garden – see also page 28

Contents

Long Close Garden Adaptive Lenses Quiz – Magazines & Newspapers Poem – A Cautionary Tale A Resounding Success You’ll be Bowled Over Short Story – Bernard’s Unlikely Catch Spot the Difference Phoenix Rising Recipe – Gammon Steaks with Farmer Fear’s Cider La Follette - Au Revoir, Pet They Said it Couldn’t be Done Recipe – Paella Marinera Ragdale Hall Reader Offer Competition - Win a Spa Day for Two Competition - Meat Voucher Result Remembering Cy Hubble Walking Rushey Fields Cryptic Crossword Abbeyfield - Person Centred Care Strawberry - One in Thousands Home – Space; the Final Frontier A Local Family Business Advertisers Directory, Crossword, Quiz & Spot the Difference Answers Typoglycemia

3 4 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 14 17 18 20 20 21 22 22 24 27 28 29 31 32 34 34

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 Soar Valley Life is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Fantastic State Ltd who operate from 1 Burton Road, Sileby Leicestershire LE12 7RU.

The National Garden Scheme In 1927 the National Gardens Scheme was founded with the aim of raising money for the nurses of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

The idea was to ask individuals to open up quality private gardens for ‘a shilling a head’. At that time garden visiting was already a well-established pastime, but only for a privileged few. However in the first year of the NGS over £8,000 was raised from visitors to 609 gardens. A network of volunteer County Organisers was set up and by 1931 over 1,000 private gardens were open. Country Life magazine produced a handbook, known as “The Yellow Book” because of its bright cover.

After the Second World War, the National Health Service took on the District Nursing Service, but money was still needed to care for retired nurses and invest in training so the NGS continued as before. Then in 1948 the NGS offered to join forces with the National Trust to restore and preserve important gardens and, in return, the National Trust opened many of its most prestigious gardens. Despite massive inflation in the post-war years, the entrance fee was held at one shilling. More realistic entrance fees were introduced in the 1970s and the gardens began to raise significant donations.

In 1980 The National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust was established as an independent charity, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as Patron and Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester as President. In 1984 Macmillan Cancer Relief joined the list of beneficiary charities. In the years that followed other charities joined including Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Caring for Carers.

Of the original gardens that were opened, 120 are accessible for the 85th anniversary in 2012. In addition around 3700 more gardens will be open raising around £2.6 million.

Originally the gardens were predominantly the large grounds of stately homes with teams of gardeners maintaining them. But now many more small gardens open, from cottages to terraced houses and in a community effort many neighbouring and nearby properties open their gates on the same day to enable visitors to delight in a range of styles and plants within a few hours.

As much part of a day out to see the gardens is the opportunity to buy plants and to enjoy tea and cakes.

Around 80% of the funds raised by both entry to the gardens and from the sale of plants and refreshments goes

back to the NGS and in turn to their nominated charities.

If you are a regular visitor then the NGS still produces its Yellow Book which is a directory of gardens open throughout the UK (available from the website or from bookshops), and county booklets which are available from libraries or can be downloaded from the website.

In addition both regular and occasional visitors can benefit from using the excellent NGS website (www.ngs.org.uk) where you can search within a region and even narrow the results down to a specific day.

Inspiration for your garden, raising money for charity and cake – it doesn’t get much better than that!

To feature your business here email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Page 3

5

Transitions Adaptive Lenses, for comfort, convenience and protection This issue Optometrist Mohammed Bhojani explains why adaptive lenses are recommended for optimum eye health...

With summer almost here, the latest version of Transitions adaptive lenses is a great option for a growing number of spectacle wearers, both adults and children. Adaptive lens technology enables a spectacle lens to change tint colour according to the presence of ultra violet light.

What they do: The latest adaptive lenses are now as clear as an ordinary spectacle lens indoors and at night but change colour extremely quickly to provide convenient protection from glare and harmful UV rays. The speed of change can be made even faster by applying a reflection-free coating to the lens, which also makes it ideal for driving at night.

Furthermore these hi-tech lenses add additional comfort because as they darken, they reduce glare and so help combat eye fatigue whilst giving continual 100% protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well as from blue light which has also been found to have harmful effects on the eye.

The protection of the lens is also present when the lenses are clear. Most wearers report that the colour adjustment happens so smoothly that they are unaware of it!

How they work: The lenses contain a special light sensitive dye (grey or brown) that causes the lens

Page 4

to activate when exposed to UV rays from sunlight, thereby offering the right tint at the right time.

Transitions Lenses and children: Kids are excellent candidates for adaptive lenses.

Research shows that 80% of the total lifetime exposure to UV occurs before the age of 18 as children spend so much more time outdoors whilst their eyes continue to develop into the teen years.

(Schools often recommend caps and skin creams to protect the skin from UV and sunlight but our eyes – one of the most precious and sensitive organs are often forgotten about).

Transitions Lenses and special needs: Some people develop a heightened sensitivity to light that can occur in conditions such as diabetes or after eye surgery. This condition can also occur with certain prescription medication, whilst others can develop types of migraine due to photosensitivity too.

Transitions Lenses and eye health: Research has also found that by blocking UVA, UVB and Blue Light, Transitions lenses can offer some protection against conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration too.

Transitions are compatible with all leading frames styles and are now also available in all lens styles including single vision, bifocal, progressive, shatter proof, scratch resistant, reflection free and in thin and light materials too. For more information about Transitions adaptive lenses ask your optometrist or eye care professional.

Mohammed Bhojani BSc (Hons) MCOptom FRSA is the Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist at Visual Answers Opticians Quorn T: (01509) 414151 and Barrow Upon Soar T: (01509) 416800. He is also a member of the British Contact Lens Association. www.VisualAnswers.co.uk

Adult castles, Themed castles, Slides, Bounce & slides, Sumo suits & Ball pools

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MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS QUIZ Magazines and Newspapers 1. First published in 1953 and still running today, which magazine was originally intended to be called Stag Party?

2. Appearing regularly in The Sun, by what name is Margaret Anne Lake better known?

3. What is the main subject of the monthly magazine Empire?

4. Which fictional newspaper employed Spiderman’s alter-ego Peter Parker as a photographer?

5. Founded in 1922, which general interest magazine uses the winged horse Pegasus as it’s logo?

6. From August 3rd 2007, the Daily Express dedicated at least part of its next 100 front pages to which story?

7. Which of the Tweenies has the same name as a women’s weekly magazine?

8. In March 1986, which now-defunct newspaper became the first British daily newspaper to feature colour photographs?

9. Which Sunday newspaper publishes a “Rich List” each year, featuring a list of the 1,000 wealthiest people in the UK? 10. Which magazine was originally intended to have a name with two more letters that it has in its current name, the reason for the change being that people might have incorrectly thought it was a magazine about snooker?

WE ALSO SUPPLY AND FIT NEW GARAGE DOORS Please call Steve or Mary on 01509 813125 to advertise in the next issue of Soar Valley Life.

Page 7

5

I knew a nice removal guy; a sound, hard working man, He shifted lots of furniture and drove a massive van, Fussy and particular; he never broke a thing, He loved to deal in rare antiques and specialised in Ming, He’d pack everything in newspaper, his face in sunny smiles, Once his van was loaded, he’d jump in, and drive for miles, He’d sometimes stop, for egg and chips, as many drivers do, He’d read his daily paper, have a cup of tea or two, He was always very busy, whether country, whether town, He cherished those antiques, and he would never turn work down, But that really wasn’t wise at all; one day he had a glitch, He dozed off at the wheel and his van fell into a ditch.

That very nice removal man paid dear for his mistake, He now has a little market stall - he’s selling Ming Mosaic... ©Jan Jack 2012, Commission a bespoke verse at www.perfectverse.co.uk

Wasp Nest Removal Vermin, Rodents,Flies, Bed Bugs, Fleas, Bird Proofing, Netting & Spiking, Mole Specialists

Page 8

Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers

Hearing Awareness Week…

A resounding success

You never know who wears a hearing aid these days…

Tony Ally - European Gold Medallist and 3 times Olympic diving finalist - a hearing aid wearer since he was in his teens - enjoys a toast at the opening of Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre’s celebration of National Hearing Awareness week.

On his right is Charnwood Mayor, Cllr. Bernard Burr.

Left to right: Toni Ally (Tony’s wife) The Lady Mayor Mrs Rose Burr, Cllr Bernard Burr, Tony Ally and Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre’s Lynne Leeming

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

07904 987234 / 01509 414484 www.amw-kitchens.co.uk

Gareth Hudson MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Health Professional Visiting Practice For all your foot care needs in the comfort of your own home: + Nails + Corns + Calluses + Ingrown toenails + Fungal infections + Diabetic foot care Registered Member Of The British Association Of Foot Health Professionals

01509 844461 Tel: Mobile: 07896 945156 Email: garethhudson82@live.co.uk

Anything of interest you’d like to see featured in the next issue please email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 9 5

You’ll be bowled over.

Don’t you just love it when you get something really clean? I remember when I was a lad, and, like most lads, rode my bike in all weathers and on all terrains – the muddier the better! I hated cleaning my bike afterwards, but I loved getting on it when it sparkled. I’m the same with my car now - love it when it’s just been cleaned and don’t you think they run better just afterwards?

But, when it comes to ovens, perhaps because it’s got a door and you can shut the grime away, it’s one job that gets left too long. And, getting it really clean is very hard work – there’s always awkward bits that just won’t come clean. What joy then to find someone who’ll do it all professionally, using the right equipment, with a smile, at a very competitive price? The Oven Cleaning Company of Birstall has all the know-how and the kit in their specially equipped van to do a far better job than you could ever do yourself.

“An average single oven takes about two and a half hours to complete,” says Asim Khan, proprietor. “Our trained technician will carefully take out all the removable parts and place them in our van-mounted hot tank to soak in the 100% biodegradable non-caustic cleaning solution. The rest of the oven, through a combination of elbow grease and modern safe biodegradables, will be brought to a nearly-new showroom condition. The cost for a single oven is £35.00. We can also quote for cooker hoods, hobs, multi ovens, microwaves, extractor fans and garden barbecues.

The result is always the same – total customer satisfaction! That’s what gives me the most satisfaction, seeing the joy on the housewife’s face. It is often remarked that it’s so clean they don’t want to get it dirty again. We normally book a week in advance.”

Asim is a family man with two toddlers under five who keep him and his wife busy; but he does get to play cricket most weekends in the summer months and has played for Sileby for the last 3 seasons.

I remember that I didn’t like getting my bike mucked up again too soon after I had cleaned it – same now with the car... I suppose we could have take-aways for a couple of weeks...

Food tastes better from a clean oven!

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01509 816465 07753 612340 Page 10

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More affordable than you think!

Short Story - Bernard’s Unlikely Catch Bernard has been fishing on the canal bank since before breakfast. The grey cloud and drizzle have slowly burnt off, and the sun is now peeping shyly from behind fluffy clouds.

Early on, the occasional dog walker strolled past and nodded to him. But if anyone lingered too long, or looked as though they wanted to chat, he would pull his cap down and hunch over his fishing pole. Bernard prefers the peace and quiet. He casts another handful of wriggling maggots into the dull water, but the perch aren’t nibbling today and his keep-net has been empty all morning.

In the distance he hears the rattle of a bicycle. He glances along the towpath and sees a young woman peddling towards him. She’s riding an old fashioned butcher’s bike with a basket on the front.

In it, a flowery shopping bag bounces up and down, as she awkwardly veers along the bumpy path.

“Yes it’s a lovely bike, Marjorie, reconditioned,” she declares loudly. Bernard frowns. There appears to be no sign of Marjorie. He then notices the sunlight glinting off a silver object in her ear.

“Daft thing’s talking on the phone and not looking where she’s going,” Bernard thinks.

Just as she’s about to pass him, a mallard takes flight, quacking in a flurry of alarm. It skims the top of her head and disappears over the hedgerow. The woman cries out and swerves, the front wheel of her bike leaving the narrow path with a jolt and veering towards the canal.

With complaining brakes she comes to an abrupt stop.

Bernard thinks she’s had a lucky escape, but then in dreadful slow motion, the woman and her bike begin to topple sideways. She puts her foot down to stop herself but beneath it is only water. As she falls the woman lets out a long squeal, then both woman and bike slap straight into the canal.

Bernard wipes the drops of cold water from his face and stares dumbstruck at the water. A couple of bubbles break the surface and then the woman bursts up, gasping and flapping her arms about wildly.

Bernard carefully moves it out of her reach, as after all these things cost money. Then, feeling more charitable he rises to his feet, and reaches out, offering her his hand.

Unsteadily she slips on the slimy canal bottom, flails, then manages to take the outstretched hand. Bernard drags her and the heavy bike out, both scummy with mud and bedraggled in duck weed.

The woman sits down squelching on the grass next to Bernard, then spits in a most unladylike fashion into the water.

“Well, that was a surprise.” She gasps. She begins to wring the water out of her hair, then freezes as though stung.

“My mobile!”

She drags her sodden bag out of the bicycle basket, water pouring from it like a sieve. Bernard doesn’t fancy the mobile’s chances, but says nothing. She opens the bag, thrusts her hand inside and then without warning she screams and throws the bag into the air. Bernard is bewildered. He stares at the woman as she points at the bag, opening and closing her mouth. Gingerly, he picks the bag up and looks inside. There, thrashing and twisting, is a beautiful perch. “Well, that’s one way to catch ‘em.” He chuckles.

by Jackie Brewster

“You can stand up,” Bernard says gruffly. “It’s not deep.”

She struggles to her feet, apparently unhurt, but with grimy rivers flowing down her hair and face. She tries to steady herself and makes a grab for the fishing pole.

Page 12

Please email us for Media Pack and Rate Card

Spot the Difference – Find 10 differences – answers on page 34

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Telephone 01509 413934 / 07977 422718 Email Jonny@mckayfencing.co.uk

Please email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to advertise in the next issue Page 13

5

Phoenix Rising Ancient legend tells of this heron-like bird, with striking red, green and gold plumage, rising from its own ashes much stronger and more beautiful than before.

Comparing this mythology with the re-opening of Budgens store on Granite Way in Mountsorrel maybe overstating things, but stay with me... Towards the end of February this year, an overnight electrical fault caused a fire in one of their display freezers forcing the closure of the store.

The resulting smoke damage meant that all the stock, much of the internal retail infrastructure, fittings and equipment, had to be destroyed.

It could have been a disaster for the business. But the Fear farming family of Sutton Bonington, who own and operate the local Budgens franchise, had sufficient resources, faith in their staff and vision for the business, to reinvest the amount needed, not only to re-open the store but to improve, and even transform the store to become the foremost independent supermarket in our region. “All our staff have been retained and paid throughout the closure,” says Vanessa Gregory, Community Relationships Coordinator for Budgens, Mountsorrel. “We’ve been extremely busy; the first month was spent clearing up, drawing plans and setting on contractors. We’ve put floor to ceiling windows on the car park side which gives the store a much more open feel; we now have our own butchery where we cut and serve to order local fresh meat, much of it from Andrew Fear’s family farm. The new in-store bakery will sell our own daily baked fresh bread, cakes, baguettes and rolls and the new café will serve great bean-to-cup coffee, tea, hot meals, snacks, cakes and sandwiches. Our flexible door to door bus service will be back in operation; we pick up customers, bring them to the store and take them home again afterwards. You can even telephone your shopping order through to us and we’ll deliver it - if you can’t manage to get to the store.

The Texaco petrol station will re-open in June and will offer 24 hour, 7 day-a-week opening with very competitive prices.”

Editors comment... Is it just me, or is real change happening in this world around us? We’ve got the big boys in the supermarket world competing for space, product and every last penny of our money, taking over every highway, byway and internet avenue. At Budgens I see the very best of local produce from a true local independent enterprise. They offer all the advantages and large scale buying efficiencies that twenty-first century retail practices and technology can offer, but with the service and ethos of how things used to be. Here is a complete supply chain from sowing, growing, rearing, producing and then selling to the consumer. Competing with and often beating the big boys in every way - from price to value to quality to service. It’s the best of all worlds. And all this didn’t happen by chance; it was forged from a long, strong family

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heritage. 132 years ago, in 1880, Metford Fear, Andrew’s great Grandad, sold the first commercial batch of Fear Family Cider to a public house in Weston Super Mare.

Today, cider made to the same old recipe is available at Budgens Mountsorrel and still made by the Fear family, but now in Sutton Bonington, in our own Soar Valley.

Phoenix rising? Maybe, you judge for yourself – Oh, and do try the recipe we’ve found, using Farmer Fear’s cider – the sauce is absolutely delicious!

Gammon Steaks with Farmer Fear’s Cider Serves 4 55 minutes (plus soaking) Perfect served with new season local potatoes, small bushy top carrots and extra fine green beans Ingredients 4 Gammon Steaks 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard 2 Heaped teaspoons Brown Sugar 300ml (10fl.oz.) Farmer Fear’s Cider 1 Teaspoon Cornflour 2 Tablespoons Double Cream Salt and pepper Instructions 1. Soak the gammon steaks in cold water for 1 hour.

2. Remove the steaks from the water and pat them dry with kitchen paper.

3. Place the mustard and sugar in a small bowl and add enough cider to make a thin paste. Spread the paste over the gammon steaks and leave to marinate for 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven 200C, 400F, Gas Mark 6.

5. Place the marinated steaks in a casserole dish and pour over the remaining cider. Bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes.

6. When the gammon steaks are cooked, strain off the liquid into a small saucepan; cover the steaks with foil and return to the oven to keep warm.

7. Dissolve the cornflour in 2 tablespoons of water and add to the liquid in the pan. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

8. Stir in the cream, season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pour the sauce over the gammon steaks and serve immediately.

Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers

NOW OPEN YOUR NEW, IMPROVED...

With a

NEW BUTCHERY offering locally reared beef, pork, lamb and poultry

PREPARED IN STORE And our

NEW BAKERY

offering freshly baked bread also, come & join us in our comfortable

NEW CAFÉ

where you can enjoy a new range of quality, freshly prepared baguettes, sandwiches, cakes & pastries.

Opening Hours of the NEW Cafe are: Mon - Sat - 7.30am - 5.30pm Sun - 10.00am - 3.00pm Farmer Fear’s Budgens Mountsorrel | Granite Way, Mountsorrel | Tel: 01509 416694 Store Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 9pm | Sat: 8am - 9pm | Sun: 10am - 4pm

FREE CUP OF

TEA OR COFFEE when you visit our Brand New Cafe.

No other purchase necessary.

One voucher per person.

Valid until July 31st 2012 at Farmer Fearʼs Budgens, Mountsorrel ONLY.

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Page 16

Advertise in Soar Valley Life from £21.00 plus VAT per month.

La ‘Follette’, Rue de Calvaire, Beuzeville, Normandy Peaceful, detached 5 bedroomed house, sleeps 9, with parking for 3 cars.

1 week and 2 week lets now available Set in its own acre at the heart of rural Normandy – Camembert & Calvados country – La Follette offers the opportunity for a holiday experience you’ll never forget.

Take your family and enjoy the Real France in your own way.

On the outskirts of the small market town of Beuzeville – population 3,600 - in the Haute-Normandie region of Northern France.

Secluded yet only a short walk to shops, restaurants and cafés On the same line of latitude as Jersey and Guernsey enjoying average temperatures 5 degrees above the UK with a lot less rain fall. Close by: Normandy Beaches, American Cemetery, Bayeaux Tapestry, Honfleur, umpteen golf courses, horse riding, windsurfing, land yachting, sailing, canoeing, fishing.

Only half an hour from Le Havre port.

Only two hours from Paris and Euro Disney.

Refurbished by Soar Valley Tradesmen to a very high standard.

Dishwasher, washing machine, fully fitted kitchen, new central heating, outside Bar-be-cue, 20 sq mtr. Conservatory, bunk beds for the kids, flat screen TV and Blu-ray DVD.

Contact: Mr Tony Scottorn Tel 01509 267657 or 07879 655764 email: melanie.davie@btconnect.com

Au Revoir Pet Do you remember that brilliant TV series in the 80s, Auf Weidersein Pet? A gang of seven English builders took off to Germany to get away from the No-Work / No-Pay austerity of pit and factory closures throughout working class Britain.

Well, a little over twenty years ago a gang of seven Soar Valley working men went to a little market town in Northern France to renovate a property. Tony Scottorn (French car specialist - Charnwood Car Company) had recently acquired La Follette and he chose quality local craftsmen who he knew would do an excellent job. They had seven days from start to finish and they stayed B & B in a Chambre D’hôte close by in Beuzeville, which was a little more up market than the P.O.W. huts that Oz, Nev, Dennis, Barry & crew had to contend with.

Tony had planned for them all to work for six days and have the seventh day for themselves – the best laid plans, and all that! “It was hard graft, I can tell you!” says Mark Whelband of Whelband Windows. “My brother Paul and I were the carpenters, and we had Chris Dalby as

our plumber, Bill Able was the bricklayer, Carl Richardson was the plasterer and Brian Brandon did a lot of all sorts especially translation and sourcing materials; we took most of what we thought we’d need with us, but there was a lot of stuff we had to buy when we got there. It was a bit like Auf Weidersein Pet – except I think we grafted a bit harder! It was a memorable week though, and we’ve been good friends ever since.”

So, for the Soar Valley Gang maybe it wasn’t quite like Joe Fagin said in the theme song ‘That’s Livin’ Alright’: That’s Livin’ Alright “Workin’ in the sun, Drinkin’ schnapps, havin’ fun We just play the game, Then it’s Auf Weidersein” But the work they did then and the new conservatory Whelband Windows installed in 2003 does allow the words of the other Joe Fagin song from the series to ring true for those of us lucky enough to enjoy a week or two at La Follette: Breakin’ Away, “Played all my cards Now there’s nothin’ to lose.

Don’t want tomorrow To be like today That’s why I’m breakin’ away We’re takin’ it easy... . ..Goin’ to find a better way” But I bet this line is true for the Soar Valley Gang: “Might as well have a laugh on the way!”

Please call Steve or Mary on 01509 813125 to advertise in the next issue of Soar Valley Life.

Page 17

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“Our goal is to delight existing clients and prospective customers”

Mark Whelband Whelband Windows Ltd was established in 1991 and operate from a 4000sq ft manufacturing unit, where potential customers can visit to see fabrication in process, and clarify any queries they may have.

The company employs only experienced fitters. The factory foreman with over 21 years experience of fabrication and fitting is also available to discuss any technical problems.

All work carries a 10 year insurance backed guarantee

As Whelband Windows is a small family business, you can be assured of a personal and professional service.

This will guide you from the intial stages to completion. We achieve this with the least amount of disruption allowing you many years of enjoyment of your purchase.

They said it couldn’t be done

It’s likely that behind many a success story lies this well worn phrase. Is it the challenge of the impossible that fires the imagination and lights the way to finding what’s possible? Or is it that successful people just don’t like to be beaten?

This was the challenge that was set for Mark Whelband when he was asked to provide a solution for Churchgate Mews in Loughborough’s now highly prized, award winning development and conservation area. “Listed buildings are always a challenge; there are so many rules and regulations to adhere to, many of them that don’t seem to make sense. But you have to do it the way they want it, otherwise it will never get done,” says Mark Whelband. “Everything we did had to conform precisely and blend in with the area. Together with providing the very latest technology in windows we had to consider insulation, safety, access, building regulations, local and county council guidelines, and national heritage rules. But we succeeded, and won a very prestigious award for it as well!”

Whelband Windows was started in 1991 by brothers Mark and Paul. “We were well known in the area as very good carpenters and joiners and had worked for a lot of people in the trade as well as for businesses and homeowners. We thought that it would be best if we used our own name as the title for the company rather than make something up that didn’t really mean anything. We’re very proud of our name and the quality of work we do. Our first workshop was on Sparrow Hill, but we soon outgrew that and had to rent some additional space close by.

We had helped Tony Scottorn renovate his new place in France and he had some workshops to rent adjacent to his garages on Duke Street. Pretty soon though we outgrew them as well. So we acquired our present 4,000 square foot factory, which was a massive leap at the time, but it has helped us to become the premier window manufacturer and supplier in the region. More than 50% of our business comes from referrals made by our customers, the other from being fairly selective as to where we advertise. Because we are a true family business and don’t

So give us a call on

All windows and doors “A” rated as standard

01509 211990 or email us

whelband@btconnect.com Fax: 01509 267806

Unit 6, Festival Drive, Loughborough, LE11 5XJ

employ salesmen everyone we meet in every home we visit is shown the same courtesy and respect as if they were part of our family and we were in our own home.

“We design, manufacture, supply and install a whole range of UPVC products from windows and doors to conservatories, porches, fascias and soffits.

Everything we do is to Certass standards.”

In simple terms, this means that Certass financially and technically assesses its members to ensure they meet current UK building regulations. Once an installation is complete, Certass notifies the local authority and the Building Regulation Compliance Certificate is issued to the homeowner. This is the buyer’s guarantee of the work being carried out to the highest standards.

I wonder how many times over the years Mark and his team have succeeded in finding solutions to problems that at first seemed impossible? I wonder how many Whelband windows and doors open and close every day? Clearly most of those are in and around our local area of Charnwood, and Leicestershire. But, if you look at the article on page 17 you’ll see that their windows, doors and conservatories have travelled far and wide. On the day that I met Mark, as I walked into his office, he was just booking his flight to Holland, to measure up for a contract in Eindhoven.

Yet another one that can be done!

Recipes from around the world: ..a touch of Spain every Saturday on Loughborough Market

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley half teaspoon pimenton dulce 125 ml (4fl oz) white wine

Paella originated inland from the city of Valencia in the rice-growing area of the Ebro River. There are hundreds of variations of this dish which can include chicken, rabbit, snails or just vegetables. Try cooking a whole variety until you get the best combination for you.

Heat the wine and chopped whole onion in a saucepan over a high heat. Add the mussels, cover and gently shake the pan for 5-8 mins. Remove from the heat and discard any closed mussels. Drain, reserving the liquid. Heat the oil in a paella pan (30-34 cm) or large frying pan, add the extra ½ onion, garlic and red pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomato, chorizo and pimenton.

Stir in the reserved liquid then add the rice and stir. Add the Paellero * (use ¼ teaspoon saffron threads if not available) into the hot stock and then add to rice mixture. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes without stirring. Put the peas, prawns, squid and fish pieces in the rice, stirring after 5-10 minutes. Add the mussels with 5 minutes left. If the rice is not cooked add a little extra stock or water and cook for a few more minutes.

Leave to rest for 5 minutes covered with foil and strips of Piquillo on top. Add parsley and serve.

Paella Marinera

Ingredients – Those in Red available from Campasinas 12 black mussels 90g (3oz) chorizo, thinly sliced 1 red onion chopped 220g(8oz) paella rice 125ml(4fl oz) olive oil 1 Paellero mix sachet* 4 garlic cloves, crushed 500ml (17fl oz) chicken stock, heated ½ red onion very finely chopped 85g(3oz) fresh or frozen peas 1 red pepper finely chopped 12 raw or cooked king prawns 1 ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped 2 squid tubes cut into rings 2-3 piquillo peppers cut into strips 115g(40z) skinless firm white fish in pieces

Refresh & Revive Day

Always Ragdale's popular day - ideal for those who want to try some of everything on offer!

on Loughborough Market every Saturday supplying an ever increasing range of Spanish food, terracotta and paella pans.

Gift sets and sourcing service also available. Paul Dodd Campesinas 01509 768341 www.campesinas.co.uk

£92.50* normally £123

Saving oveursr £on3ly 0 *Tues, Wed & Th

Includes: •

A Refresh and Revive Face and Back Therapy (50 minutes) OR a Soothing Back Massage and Ragdale Introductory Facial (both 25 minutes)

•

Three course healthy buffet lunch

•

Full use of all facilities including exercise/relaxation/water classes, gym, Thermal Spa featuring candle pool, indoor/ourdoor waterfall pool and a series of heat and water experiences 8.30 - 9.00am arrival and 6.00pm departure

•

Call 01664 433000 quoting Soar Valley Life to get this 25% discounted offer. Valid until end of September 2012.

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa Ragdale Village, Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3PB Tel: 01664 433000 www.ragdalehall.co.uk

Page 20

To feature your business here email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Win a Ragdale Experience Day for two people at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa (worth £164)

(voted by Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2012 - Listed in Top 25 Relaxation/Spa Hotels in UK. Mumsnet Best Spa in the UK 2012 - Great for a girls day out. The Spa Traveller Readers’ Awards 2011 - Best UK Spa. Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards 2011 - Favourite UK Spa. Zest’s Best Spa 2011 - Best for Great Value. Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards 2011 - Runner Up Favourite UK Spa Retreat. Good Spa Guide - Five Bubbles. Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers’ Awards 2011 Runner Up Favourite UK Spa)

You and a friend could spend a relaxing day (valid Mon-Fri) at Ragdale Hall on a Ragdale Experience Day to include: • Light lunch in the Verandah Bar. • Use of all of Ragdale's facilities including the multi-million pound Thermal Spa featuring candle pool, indoor/outdoor waterfall pool and a series of heat and water experiences.

• Two further pools, including whirlpool bath and cascade.

• Gym exercise classes and outdoor facilities.

NB 10.30am arrival - 6.30pm departure

To win a Spa day for two at Ragdale Hall complete the following sentence in an apt and original way : ‘I like Soar Valley Life because ...................................(15 words max.)

Send your entry on plain paper, together with your name, address and telephone number to The Editor at Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby. Leicestershire LE12 7RU or by email to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Only one entry per person. The most apt and original entry will win and the judges’ decision is final. Closing date July 27th 2012. No purchase necessary.

The winner will be announced in the August and September issues of Soar Valley Life.

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa Ragdale Village, Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3PB Tel: 01664 434831 www.ragdalehall.co.uk

NO GM Products In Animal Feeds

★★ ★★ HACCP ★ 5 Star Rated

★ ★★ ★ ★

Premises

Supplying only the very best quality local meats to residents and the catering trade throughout the Soar Valley

All prepared on our own premises Pork Pies • Ham • Bacon Steak Pies • Faggots Corned Beef • Roast Beef Roast Turkey • Roast Pork Tongue Many different varieties of Meatballs • Sausages Burgers Gluten Free produce also available

All our fresh meats are sourced from local farm assured farms within 10 miles Beef is hung for 28 days to obtain its finest eating quality 1 Ratcliffe Road, Sileby Leicestershire LE12 7PU

Traceable from farm to plate

01509 812246

Committed to customer satisfaction

£25.00 Meat Voucher Still up for Grabs!

The best selling product, judged by number of sales, at Glenn Lewin’s Butcher’s was his delicious ham! Most entrants thought it was sausages or minced beef and because no-one guessed correctly it has been decided to carry on the competition to win a £25 meat voucher with a further question. ‘How many sales of ham were made at Glenn Lewin’s Butcher’s during May 2012?’ Send or take your answer, including your contact details, to Glenn’s shop or by email to steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk Nearest correct answer will win. Closing date 27th July 2012. In the event of a tie, winners will be asked to participate in a tie-breaker.

And remembering Cy Hubble... ... a letter from a reader

‘Whilst visiting a friend over Easter in Seagrave, I picked up the Soar Valley Life. Imagine my surprise when I came across a photo of Glenn Lewin’s Butcher’s shop as it was when it used to be Cy Hubble’s Fish & Chip shop. You see, my father, Cyril James Fox of Sileby born 31st May 1908, worked for Mrs Hubble from the age of twelve or thirteen. He would get up at five in the morning to meet the train at Sileby station with a trolley and take the fresh fish to Mrs Hubble. He would then have to peel the potatoes ready for them to be chipped.

Mrs Hubble would often comment, “Cyril! Stop taking too much peel off! I’ll have no ‘taters left!” Mrs Hubble thought the world of my dad and would always say that if she had a boy then she would call him Cyril. Is this where the name Cy

Page 22

Hubble came from I wonder? Unfortunately, Mrs Hubble was short tongued and could not pronounce her ‘S’s or her ‘C’s, so my dad was known as ‘Tyril’ not Cyril. This however did not prevent her from naming her first son Cyril known as “ar Tyril”.

Thank you for producing such a fantastic book.

I can’t wait to see the next publication’.

(Marion Gibson, Hathern)

Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers

B L M

BLM Property Maintenance & Repairs Tel: 0116 2350696 Mob: 07590 459937 Email: blm.maintenance@yahoo.co.uk

Re-pointing of Roof Ridges

• • • • •

3/4 bed semi house from £60 Mid terraced house from £55 3/4 bed detached house from £85 Semi bungalow from £60 Detached bungalow from £60

UPVC Cleaned

Have Your Gutters, Fascias & Soffits Cleaned and We‛ll Clean Your Window & Door Frames

COMPLETELY FREE!

• Roof Repairs • Chimney Stacks re-pointed from £70 • Re-pointing • Brickwork • Groundworks • Plastering / Rendering • Renewal of tiled / slated roofs • All Other Property Maintenance Work Undertaken • Quotations Upon Request

NO PAYMENT UNTIL COMPLETION OF JOB Free Survey & Quote Slippery Slabs? Sad Patio, Paving or Path?

Mossy Tarmac? Dirty Drive?

WE CLEAN THEM ALL!

House & Garden Clearance

Rubbish Removals

Small Furniture Removals welcomes contact from landlords, letting agencies, shops, offices and factories and general public.

Contact Jim on 07788 112699

07790 942888 • 01509 828405 paul@driveway-clean.co.uk

“Courtesywith efficiency”

Specialists in Family Law

solicitors

Simple, straightforward advice when you need it most

• Divorce & Separation • Co-habitation Agreements • Pre-Nuptial Agreements • Same Sex Partnerships Fixed Fees available for most matters

0116 255 48 55

• Adoption • Children Issues • Qualified Mediator • Qualified Collaborative Lawyer

3 & 5 Welford Road, Leicester LE2 7AD www www.emeryjohnson.com

Anything of interest you’d like to see featured in the next issue please email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

aaaaaaemeryjohnson

Page 23

Walking Rushey Fields 5 1/2 Miles 2 1/2 Hours Park in the South Swithland Wood car park, Roecliffe Road, north east of Hallgates. Honesty box, no facilities.

1 Go back to the footpath signpost at the entrance and turn left down the wide stony track, through trees at the edge of the wood.

Bear left, back upslope and keep direction on this track, through a clearing to a fork close to the far edge of the wood.

Bear right to a stile and step over, keep ahead along this narrow path to Main Street.

2 Turn right for 150yds to the stile at the footpath signpost on the left. Cross and take the path uphill through the kissing gate, up the field edge with the hedge to the right. Go through the kissing gate at the top and carry on with the hedge still right; cross the stile/footbridge in the dip and bear right, across the midway fence to the stile at the far right of this next field. Take the tarmac farm road to the left, to the signpost on the right.

3 Turn right across this grass field to the trees and hedge in the dip, turn right across the stile and through the kissing gate at the concrete farm road. Continue with the trees still left, over the next road and the stiles in the next boundary to the signpost in the corner.

Page 24

4 Turn right, along the field edge with the hedge still right, through the first gate and the second gate at the yellow top marker post. Bear left, on the track in the grass, left of the tree to the foot of the railway embankment.

5 Turn right up to the kissing gate right of the railway bridge. Take this wide hardcore road to the right for 90yds to the signpost on the left and descend to the marker post. Take the path along the field edge, with the dyke to the right, through the kissing gate at the end.

Keep on the path right and left; as the trees end turn right through the hedge gap over the wide sleeper bridge.

6 Carry on with the trees still right, into the corner and follow the field edge left, upslope with a hedge now right, through the boundary to the far right corner. Go through the narrow gate and turn right up the narrow path with the metal Armco barrier to the right. Take the field edge left, to the road in Swithland village.

7 Turn left along the roadside path, past the ‘Griffin Arms’ to the signpost on the right as the road swings left.

Turn right, with the wall then hedge to the right, up to the yellow top post, keep ahead then bear left through the right hand gate.

8 Continue right ahead, between fields all the way to the road, (Leicester Lane). Cross this surprisingly busy road and turn right for 30yds and take the driveway left, between the gateposts. Keep direction along the narrower path right of the house and the stony track into Swithland Wood, up to the central junction. Turn left and retrace steps back to the car park and your starting point.

Advertise in Soar Valley Life from £21.00 plus VAT per month.

PLEASE

Take care of the countryside Your leisure is someone’s livelihood 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 negotiated 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.

Foot & heel pain?

Plantar Fasciitis?

It could be helped by corrective orthoses!

Foot Care Services

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

Gait & musculoskeletal analysis; Advice on treatment & exercise

Modern surgery: easy access & parking

: 0116 210 6413 Mobile : 0797 660 8913

Alan Postlethwaite DipCFHP,DipBMec,MSPract(FHP) 34A Halstead Rd., Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7HF

Website : www.hsfcs.co.uk eMail: alanp@hsfcs.co.uk

Our walks are compiled by Clive Brown who holds the copyright to them and all the material supplied with them.

Clive Brown has walked more than 5000 miles of paths and bridleways in the last 10 years, in all sorts of weather conditions from driving snow to blazing sunshine and biting wind. The surfaces of rights of way have varied from tarmac to deep furrows in muddy ploughed fields, through pristine new wooden gates and over old broken stiles chewed by horses.

Clive enjoyed walking expeditions at weekends and on holiday but this changed after he was made redundant in 1999 at the age of 52. He spent a year fruitlessly chasing job after job, only to find that employers were looking for someone younger.

During the second half of 2000 he walked and researched the first three books in the ‘Walking Close to’ series; these were ready to go on sale in the Spring of 2001. Unfortunately the Foot and Mouth crisis intervened and the general public were banned from setting foot in the countryside so the publication was postponed until August. The books were an immediate success and the series was expanded in Spring 2002. New titles have been released regularly ever since. ‘Walking Close to the Soar near Leicester’ first appeared in 2004. There are now 74 titles in the series, five new books having been published this Spring. They are available in tourist information centres, good bookshops, Country Parks, visitor centres and local shops. Total sales of the series are now over 72000 copies.

Plastering & Home Improvement Specialist

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

Email: drtomlinson@talktalk.net

David Tomlinson

• Kitchen & Bathroom Installation • Decking • Patios • Guttering & Drainpipes • Joinery • Fencing • Fence Treatment • Coving • Painting & Decorating • Laminate Flooring • Tiling • Plastering • Loft Insulation & Boarding

01509 814615 07980 668358

183 Seagrave Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7NH

Please email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to advertise in the next issue Page 25 5

Jessica’s

Holistic Massage Therapist

Treatments available • Holistic Body Massage • Thai Hand and Foot Massage • Indian Head Massage • Hopi Ear Candle Treatment

Barrowcliffe Construction 4 Barrowcliffe Close, Barrow Upon Soar, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8JY

Tel/Fax 01509 412689 barrowcliffeconstruction@hotmail.co.uk Gareth Williamson 07985 275233

Treatment room in Barrow Member of The Beauty Guild

Gift packages available. Book now on 07547 172001 Email: jessicasholistics@hotmail.co.uk

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

Dave Keen

Professional Decorator

For all your Painting & Decorating Needs including Property Repairs • Tiling

No J o T b Largoo e Sma or ll

For a Quality Job with NO VAT TO PAY call

01509 812698 • 07710 409911 davekeen50@talktalk.net

Over 30 years experience

Quorn

Plan Services

Building plans drawn and submitted for Local Authority Planning and Building Regulations Approvals

Domestic and Commercial alterations and new builds Northage Close, Quorn

Tel 01509 413332 Mobile 07989 488615 info@quornplanservices.co.uk

www.quornplanservices.co.uk Page 26

Please email us for Media Pack and Rate Card

Cryptic Crossword 1

2

3

4

9

5

6

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8

18

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Across 1 Marian became a pilot (6) 4 Crazy reel a tot put up with (8) 9 Force out from so deep (6) 10 Maintain in a perverse sort of way (8) 12 Name in a church, perhaps (8) 13 Racing round feeling concern (6) 15 Sheep by Richard’s first jug (4) 16 Clio can become terse (7) 20 Gardens pose these risks (7) 21 Succeed with nothing; a sot! (4) 25 Odd talk about two rings to view (4,2) 26 Point before mountain, most acute (8) 28 Sortie to find a slow creature (8) 29 Girl circling a hot desert (6) 30 Clothes made from straw, see (8) 31 Revel about a show (6)

10 11

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16 17 20

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Down 1 Cited dad and became hooked (8) 2 Newsman made an error, pet (8) 3 Evaluate the donkey on three points (6) 5 Awful type in no great hurry (4) 6 Cast cite changes on cloud nine (8) 7 Adult fellow bust, so scared (6) 8 Combine after a point and come out (6) 11 Grandee ordered to unbalance (7)

©puzzlepress.co.uk

27

14 Margin divided by a tenant (7) 17 Poem concerning a slacker (8) 18 Student I scold, then release (8) 19 Strange ballot of a game (8) 22 Palest sort of dishes (6) 23 Twisted source for a path (6) 24 Tranquillise, teased somehow (6) 27 ‘Star’ translated: a leading man (4)

Answers on page 34

Quorn Driving

Set yourself free.......

Kevin Reed Qualified Driving Instructor

07725 359590 / 01509 415144 kevinreed@quorndriving.co.uk www.quorndriving.co.uk

Please call Steve or Mary on 01509 813125 to advertise in the next issue of Soar Valley Life.

Page 27 5

Person Centred Care There’s a sign on the door as you enter Abbeyfield care home Westfield House on Westfield Drive in Loughborough “Being busy and occupied is fundamental to feeling life is worth living” This is true at any age, but probably more so when we get older.

• Independent care home and sheltered accommodation on separate sites • Not for Profit Charity run by board of local trustees • Person Centred care • Assisted independent care • Dementia registered • Daily and weekly activities and trips www.abbeyfieldloughborough.co.uk

01509 266605 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, LE11 3QL

Page 28

Julie King, General Manager said “One of our residents is over a hundred and she makes cards, trinket boxes and peg dolls.

Our oldest resident is 105 Picture above taken on 23rd May in Westfield this year and she takes House Garden – our front cover photo this month! things a little easier.

We don’t run a strict regime ; everything is very flexible, meals are generally free flowing and everything is geared to fit around the resident, all person centred. We arrange lots of activities and we find that music themed activities are very well received - last night we had an a cappella group and the residents loved it. Birthdays are made special and we encourage families to come along and have a party.

We have days out such as the river trip with the Peter le Marchant boat, the day out at Ulverscroft Manor and some of the residents have arranged their own day out to Lichfield Arboretum. For every new resident, with the help of their family and friends, we fill in a personal life history booklet and this helps us provide more fully for their needs We’re always looking for volunteers. We have a very good arrangement with the University, and have lots of young people helping out with reading, gardening, crafts and Garden Party days. We are planning to extend the facilities we offer.” Which brings us to another vital volunteering activity - that of fundraising - any offers?

Please mention Soar Valley Life when contacting advertisers

One in Thousands...

Strawberry reach the final three in Leicestershire Business of the Year awards.

There are well over two thousand VAT registered businesses in Leicestershire and three times that trading in the area whose turnover is below the £73,000 a year threshold to register.

Every year for the last 19 years Leicestershire has held its own business of the year awards. Past winners include household names like East Midlands Airport, Astra Zeneca, Next PLC and Caterpillar UK. To reach the final 100 a business has to meet very stringent criteria and be judged by a panel of business and community gurus from commerce, academia, and local government together with experts from the banking and professional sectors. Nicola Hickinbotham and her team at Strawberry who operate from their offices on Barrow Upon Soar High Street, qualified in November to go through to the final stages in the New Business category. After this there were three more tough stages to go through which involved presentations, visits to their premises and interviews with staff

together with a thorough assessment of the business.

Nicola said, “To get to the final three in our first year of entry to the competition was a fantastic achievement.

Since 2007, when we started, Strawberry has gone from strength to strength with every year and we now have more than two hundred properties for sale or to let on our books and we aim to be THE property company of choice in Charnwood.”

So, I suppose you could say that Strawberry are not just one in thousands, they are the Cream of the Crop!

Anything of interest you’d like to see featured in the next issue please email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 29

5

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

Allure Beauty

• Re-wires • Fuse Board Upgrades • Extra Sockets & Lighting • New Builds & Extensions • Inspection & Testing • Garden & Security Lighting • Electric Showers • Burglar Alarms

www.amanda-bridalbeauty.com

Mobile Beautician

please look on my website Nails and extensions – waxing – Bridal and special occasion make up specialist

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

For a FREE quote: M: 07970 893250 T: 0116 2303166 Saxon Drive, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7SR www.krelectrical.com Info@krelectrical.com

C4

Property & Garden Services

Page 30

Amanda Cadwallader

07967 642057 ajc_beauty@yahoo.co.uk

For all your EMERGENCY & PLANNED garden and property repair/maintenance • General House Repairs & Maintenance • Painting & Decorating (Internal & External) • Garden & Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping/Garden Design • Patio’s, Paths, Fences, Gates, Sheds, Ponds & Decking • Guttering, Fascia’s & Drain Pipes Cleaned or Replaced • Kitchens & Bathrooms & Plumbing Repaired or Installed • Pressure Washing of Paths, Patio’s, Drives & Walls • Loft Boarding & Insulation • Domestic House Cleaning & Window Cleaning

Professional Quality & Cost Effective Service Guaranteed Helpful & Friendly Advice Given

No job too small & distance no object Contact: Cliff White

07716 344465 Based in Sileby

Advertise in Soar Valley Life from £21.00 plus VAT per month.

Design

manufacture and

installation

of kitchens, bedrooms & fitted furniture

For free quotations call

01509 816391 07875 64 0074 Unit 2a Manor Drive, Sileby, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 7RZ

A Real Family affair

Space; the final frontier.

Not now it isn’t for Neil Philips Interiors, whose family business has recently moved to Unit 2A Manor Drive Industrial Estate in Sileby. They have 2,500 square feet of space. “We needed this space to be able to take in any size contract big or small and to have room for growth,” says Philip Stevens, proprietor of Neil Philips Interiors.

The business gets its name from Philip Stevens and his son, Neil. Linda, Phil’s wife, runs the office part time and their daughter helps out in the evenings and at weekends with accounts, administration, and typing out quotes. “We have invested in the factory and the machines so that we can offer a complete design, manufacture and fitting service,” says Linda.

“Being a family business with all of us getting involved means we don’t have the overheads of the bigger firms. Yet we can offer a true bespoke complete service for any customer – from the biggest kitchen to the smallest cupboard, giving the best value.”

Phil and Neil are City & Guilds accredited carpenters and joiners; Phil’s spent his career to date working

with wood and over the years has been a workshop manager, drawing office supervisor and project manager.

“We’ll make full use of the space we have now as we grow; ultimately we’ll put a mezzanine floor over the workshop so that we can have a showroom” Linda added. So, if you want to make the best of your kitchen or bedroom space- call Philip’s family business -Neil Philips Interiors - and make the best of your final frontier.

Please email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk to advertise in the next issue Page 31 5

Local Family Business – Bringing Old Fashioned Values Back to Birstall & The Soar Valley

After 35 years in the trade, in February 2010 Tim Elson and family, decided to open CARPETS OF CHOICE LTD, at 133 Sibson Road, Birstall Tim states “We want to give all our customers new and old a friendly, personal service, giving them time to decide and browse through the vast range of flooring on offer”.

So come and take a look and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Samples can be taken home and we also offer a Shop At Home service. We provide a FREE measuring and quotation service and as we do not use sub contract fitters, you can be sure of a professional job from start to finish. We will also move furniture and uplift and dispose of your old flooring.

Page 32

Styles and colours to suit you •Wool twists •Saxonys •Berbers •Wiltons Not just carpets... being an independent retailer, we provide a wide range of carpet, vinyl and laminate flooring, also see our range of luxury vinyl tile from Polyflor, which are very popular, all at competitive prices.

Our opening hours are from Monday to Saturday 9am till 5pm, with ample parking directly outside.

Carpets of Choice from people who have the time to take care.

You can find us either at 133 Sibson Road, Birstall, just off the A6 (near Tesco express) or our web site www.carpetsofchoice.co.uk.

To feature your business here email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Carpets of Choice ltd If you’re thinking about flooring....

C

C

FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING REQUIREMENTS

A family run independent flooring retailer with over 30 years experience offering a wide range of carpets and hard flooring from main manufacturers at affordable prices, including polyflor luxury vinyl tiling and a large selection of laminate flooring

We supply & fit all the latest styles to give your home the look you are after ....

Our aim is to offer a personal, friendly service with quality and care. As we only use our own fully experienced fitters we can move furniture and uplift your old flooring if required so you can be assured of a professional service from start to finish

Visit our showroom for a FREE quotation

133 Sibson Road Birstall LE4 4ND Tel 01162672853 www. carpetsofchoice.co.uk

carpetsofchoice@hotmail.com

Business Directory Beauty Allure Beauty – Mobile Beautician 30 Jessica’s Holistic Therapy 26 Builders and Builders Merchants Barrowcliffe Construction 26 BLM Property Maintenance & Repairs 23 John A Stephens – Builders Merchants 35 Food Budgens Supermarket 15 Campesinas 20 Glenn Lewin Butchers 22 Health Care Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre 9 Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional 9 HS Footcare Services 25 Therapy Services Hypnotherapy & Counselling 30 Visual Answers Opticians / Optometrists 5 Home and Garden Ablutions Luxury Bathrooms 6 AMW Kitchens 9 C4 Property & Garden Maintenance 30 Carpets of Choice 33 Charnwood Driveway Cleaning 23 Charnwood Tree Services 16 Dave Keen Professional Decorator 26 David Tomlinson Plastering & Home Improvements 25 Doortronic – Remote Controlled Garage Doors 7 Fowler Electrical and Alarms 10 KR Electrical 30 Marpave Paving 28 McKay Fencing & Landscaping 13 Molly Maid Domestic Cleaning 11 Neil Philips Interiors 31 Pest-Away Total Care Solutions 8 Richard Watson Decorator 16 Rubbish Removal 23 SJS Professional Carpet Cleaner 26 Soar Valley Aerials 26 The Oven Cleaning Company 10 Welband Windows 19 Leisure Great Central Railway 36 ‘La Follette’ – Self Catering in France 17 Ragdale Hall Health Hydro 21 Sileby Castle Hire 7 Residential Care The Abbeyfield 28 Professional Services Computer Advice 16 Creativio Video Production 10 Emery Johnson Solicitors 23 iPac Repair – iPhone/Games/Console 27 Quorn Driving - Driving School 27 Quorn Plan Services - Architectural Services 26 Strawberry Lettings & Sales 29

Cryptic Crossword Answers

Magazine Quiz Spot the Answers Difference 1. Playboy Answers 2. Mystic Meg

3. Films 4.The Daily Bugle 5. Readers Digest 6. The disappearance of Madeleine McCann 7. Bella 8. Today 9. The Sunday Times 10. Q (originally intended to be Cue)

Bar in mower handle added Bird on Mower Neighbour’s shirt colour changed Sun gone Mouth Changed Arm hair gone Mower wheel added Shadow gone Flower disappeared Tree added in background

Apologies We most humbly apologise if we make a typographical error (or two) that we fail to pick up before your Soar Valley Life goes to print. In each magazine there are more than 10,000 words to check; the following piece may explain part of our dilemma:

Typoglycemia Don’t dismiss this because it looks weird. Believe it or not you can read it...

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mind Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia Amzanig huh? Yaeh and yuo awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt. :)

Facebook thought of the month: “Every great oak tree was once a nut that stood its ground”

BUILDERS MERCHANTS

CASTLE MEADOW ROAD • NOTTINGHAM NG2 1AG

Tel: (0115) 941 2861 Fax: (0115) 948 3362 Email: enquiries@johnastephens.co.uk

New Depot

NOW OPEN on Radcliffe Road – Trent Bridge, Nottingham NG2 5FX

0115 981 4313

As one of the largest and best stocked builders' merchants in the East Midlands, John A. Stephens has built its success on continually developing the range of services and products it has to offer, with the priority to provide an efficient service to all customers.

Whether private individuals looking for DIY materials or contractors loading up vehicles with building materials, our yard and counter staff are here to provide the products and materials that you need, giving help and advice drawn from many years experience in the building trade.

Our telephone sales staff constantly man the 'phones to take your order or help with any enquiries you may have. Order by phone on 0115 9412861, by fax on 0115 9483362 or by e-mail through enquiries@johnastephens.co.uk With our fleet of over 30 purpose built vehicles, same day availability is often given for our large range of stock items.

For the very best in

Quality Garden Landscape Products Nottingham’s Leading Heavyside Builders Merchant For Supplies of:

■ Hard Landscaping Materials ■ Bricks ■ Blocks ■ Aggregates ■ Cement ■ Plaster ■ Plaster Board ■ Drainage ■ Roofing ■ Timber ■ Insulation

• Marshalls • Stonemarket

Garden Paving, Walling & Block Paving

www.johnastephens.co.uk