The Vine, Leicestershire December 2015

THE VINE, LEICESTERSHIRE

VINE The

Leicestershire

December 2015 / January 2016

YOUR FREE BIMONTHLY LOCAL MAGAZINE

FESTIVE CHARITY EVENTS, PANTOMIMES & THE NATIVITY WWW.THEVINELEICESTERSHIRE.CO.UK

LOCAL, WALKS, TALKS, TRIPS, DANCES, SHOPPING & CAROLS SEASON’S GREETINGS!

DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016 | ISSUE 17

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk WHAT’S ON | CHARITY NEWS | CLUBS | PUZZLES | CHRISTMAS1

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Welcome... ...to The Vine!

Dec ‘15 / Jan ‘16 edition

Sing For Your Heart..........12

Young Local Poets............26

Welcome everyone to the December/January issue of The Vine. As usual we have lots of super articles of local interest for you, so why not put the kettle on, make yourself a drink and enjoy the read, here are a few highlights for your delectation.

Ever heard of the power of music? Well Castle Rock High School has, courtesy of it’s Music Maestros Programme. The Coalville school believes that by learning a musical instrument all areas of a student’s curriculum can be positively impacted. They’ve been running their programme successfully for over a year now, read more about it on page 33.

Talking of success, one of our advertisers Keller Construction has recently won an award for their Appleby Magna development of 8 individual homes.

The award celebrates the best the house building industry has to offer so may we offer our congratulations to Keller and for further information please turn to page 26.

Staying on the construction front, or should we say, ‘deconstruction front’, and following on from a previous archaeological dig in Anstey, a second community dig has taken place in Whitwick where hundreds of artefacts have been recovered and are being identified and analysed as we speak.

The exciting results should be available soon but for more details in the interim turn to page 16.

Still need to buy Christmas presents? Last minute shopping maybe your style? If so how about jumping to page 12 and heading along to the Canine Partners Christmas Evening at their Centre in Osgathorpe on Friday 18th December. There will be lots of arts and crafts stalls on show, a chance to meet Santa and also live music from The Three Wrens. What’s not to love? In addition, we have several pages of Christmas ‘Compliments of the Season’ adverts - local businesses wishing you well for the Festive Season light-hearted and fun, take a peak across pages 36-39. ...and last but by no means least, may all of the team at The Vine, wish you the very best of Christmases and the happiest of New Years.

Here’s to a joyous time for all.

Warmest regards,

The Editor and Team CONTACT US:

editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk | 01530 249048 www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

What’s On................33 + 34

To submit editorial please email: editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk ADVERTISING: For anyone wishing to advertise in The Vine, Leicestershire please contact the editor for pricing, deadlines and offers!

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Our Disclaimer: Reasonable care is taken to ensure that The Vine, Leicestershire and website are as accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no liability can be taken by The Vine, Leicestershire for any errors, opinions or omissions contained herein.9

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Sing For Your Heart Heart Research UK are calling for choirs, schools, bands, singers and pubs up and down the country to support their Sing For Your Heart campaign this winter.

Research has shown that singing is good for the heart and this is why Heart Research UK have chosen this as a fun idea for people to take on during the festive period and to raise money for the great work that they do.

So far this year, they have gained support from an array of celebrities such as Lorraine Kelly, Brian McFadden and X Factor finalists Chloe Jasmine and Stevie Ritchie who’ll all be raising money from their own singing events in December.

If you’re a choir, you could book a venue or sing in your local supermarket and donate a percentage of the tickets sales or pass around a collection bucket to raise money to Heart Research UK. If you’re a school you could turn your annual nativity play into a Sing for your Heart event and ask parents to make a donation or sell tickets.

If you’re an individual who loves singing or in a band, why not put on a gig and donate a percentage of the proceeds.

Or if you work at a pub or you’re their local punter, why not advertise to host a sing-a-long and get everyone in your local area together during Christmas week to sing festive songs and pass round a collection bucket. You could host it in the pub, in the car park all wrapped up or on the village green.

They don’t mind how you organise it or how you raise the money – the choice is yours. They just want everyone singing for their hearts this Christmas and raising money to help find a cure for heart disease.

It’s so easy to get involved, all you need to do is contact Heart Research UK for your FREE Sing For Your Heart kit, set a date and venue to host your Sing, advertise for an audience with posters in the pack, nominate someone to go round with a collection bucket at the event and then send in the money to them.

You can sign up online at www.heartresearch.org.uk/sfyh or call 0113 234 7474 or email community@heartresearch.org.uk And don’t forget – all money raised locally is spent locally on helping hearts near you.

Get into the festive spirit with Canine Partners Christmas Evening Tuck into mince pies and sip mulled wine while browsing numerous craft stalls at Canine Partners Christmas Evening on Friday 18th December between 5pm until 10pm.

Canine Partners, a charity which trains assistance dogs to help people with disabilities, will turn its Midlands Centre in Osgathorpe into a winter wonderland complete with a Santa’s grotto, festive food, Christmas gifts and live music from The Three Wrens.

Helen Watkinson, Midlands Regional Fundraiser at the Charity, said: “Gather your friends, family and colleagues and head to our Christmas Evening to purchase your last minute stocking fillers, there really is something for everyone.

“There will be the opportunity to browse numerous arts and craft stalls, enjoy some food and drink – and you can even meet Santa and his canine helpers in his Grotto! The Three Wrens will also provide live festive tunes for you all to enjoy.

“Our canine partners and puppies in training will be in attendance, tails wagging ready to say hello!

“By attending you will be supporting the work of Canine Partners and helping to transform the lives of people with physical disabilities.”

Canine Partners will also be selling their new range of Christmas jumpers, wrapping paper, cards and gifts on the day.

To purchase and pre-book a time slot for our Santa’s Grotto contact Helen on 01530 225939 or email helenw@ caninepartners.org.uk.

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Local Charity Vista Open Shop In Loughborough Local sight loss charity Vista has unveiled its first Leicestershire charity shop, located in Loughborough town centre.

The doors opened to the public in September after a ribbon cutting by Sue Disley, Chair of Vista Trustees.

She was joined by Vista Ambassador Brian Negus, who has just been announced as this year’s winner of the Skills TalkTalk Digital Heroes Award.

This is the second charity shop overall for Vista, with its first one opening in Oakham over summer. The shops sell high quality donated goods including clothing, books and bric-a-brac, and also stock a selection of assistive technology for people with sight loss, such as large button telephones and talking clocks.

Penny Bailey, Loughborough Shop Manager, said: “This is a really exciting venture for Vista and I’m pleased to be a part of it. The shop is in a great location, on the Cattle Market next to the cinema.

“We are on the lookout for enthusiastic and committed volunteers to join our team, whether it’s sorting out donated stock, serving the customers, helping with window and shop displays, or adding value to items by upcycling.

“If you have an interest in shop work, a passion for fashion, love music, bric-a-brac or books, are into up-cycling, or want to work in retail, we would love to hear from you.”

The shop is located at 8 Cattle Market, Loughborough, for more information about volunteering or donating items to the charity please pop in and speak to Penny or call 01509 210 869.

Fundraising Irish Ceilidh Friday 5th February 2016, 7:30 -10pm Irish Ceilidh with live music from local band ‘Turlough’. Tickets £10 - Includes a light supper – Licensed Bar. For tickets please contact: 0116 2695925 / k.bragg@intercare.org.uk At Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR. All proceeds to local charity Inter Care - Medical Aid for Africa.

25th Birthday Celebration for WENLO Riding For The Disabled The exclusive Donington Hall, set in glorious English Countryside and owned by Stuart Garner of Norton Motorcycles, welcomed over 100 guests to celebrate 25 years of Wenlo Riding for the Disabled Group, a local charity based in Woodhouse Eaves.

Guests were welcomed with a ‘bubbly’ reception followed by a delicious three course meal beautifully presented by Finesse Hospitality.

The evening was beautifully brought together by compere David Monkhouse, with an exciting live auction and raffle which was drawn by Stuart Garner before live band, The Roosters took to the stage & filled the dance floor.

Thank you to all of our guests, sponsors and supporters in making the evening a spectacular success raising an amazing amount of money for Wenlo RDA Group, which provide life-changing experiences for adults and children of all ages with physical and learning disabilities.

About WENLO RDA...

Wenlo RDA Group offers adults and children of all ages with physical and/or learning disabilities an opportunity to ride and look after horses to help their health, confidence and self-esteem. They aim to teach new skills and promote independence by encouraging riders to take charge of their horse in a safe and secure environment.

The group is wholly dependent on their team of volunteers who are all of different ages and have a range of experience in a wealth of fields. If you are at least 12 years old and would like to find our more about volunteering visit their website: www.wenlorda.org or call 01509 891690.

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WHITWICK’S BIG DIG REPORT Archaeology intern, Eric Tourigny, reports on our second community dig.

We received a tremendous response from interested volunteers, many of which offered their back gardens, for our second community dig – this time at Whitwick.

In advance of the dig, the team visited various back gardens to ensure modern landscaping activities did not obliterate any potential archaeology. We also planned meeting spaces, prepared dig instructions and equipment, and organized test pit teams. Each test pit location was marked out for the dig on Saturday, July 25.

Working alongside archaeologists from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services we met with over 150 volunteers who helped over the weekend. These included members of the Scouts and the Young Archaeologists Club (each of which dug two test pits), members of the Whitwick Historical Society, Archaeology post-graduate students from the University of Leicester, returning volunteers from last year’s Big Dig in Anstey and many new volunteers from Whitwick, the surrounding area and beyond!

Over the years, a variety of artefacts have been recovered from the fields and eroding banks of Whitwick but few archaeological investigations were ever held. These artefacts represent nearly every historical period in Britain and include the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Post-Medieval periods.

However, most finds originated from disturbed contexts. The aim of the dig was to gain a better sense of how the village was occupied in the past and if archaeology survives in parts of the village that were previously unknown.

Three to six volunteers were assigned to each test pit and responsible for removing the turf, mattocking, shovelling and trowelling the earth and screening the soil for artefacts. Excavations were done in 10cm depth intervals with test pits ranging from 30 to 90 centimetres in depth. Other volunteers were based at the Hermitage Leisure Centre (HLC) where finds were brought throughout the day to be washed, sorted and processed.

Most of each test pit was excavated on Saturday leaving only a few more centimetres to dig on the following day while a couple of test pits were completed by the end of the first day. On Sunday morning, people arrived to overcast skies and attempted to excavate as much as they could before the heavens opened, and open they did!

Our amazing volunteers braved some significant rainfall and managed to complete and properly backfill all test pits before the end of the day. Some of the lucky ones were comfortably working under the protection of gazebos while others fully embraced the elements.

In all 25 test pits were excavated, hundreds of artefacts were recovered and 20 tons of soil displaced.

We’re working on completing the identification and analysis of all of the recovered artefacts and producing the final report for the Big Dig. We plan on presenting our results to the community later in the autumn. Keep an eye out for an upcoming news detailing some of our best finds and early results.

We would like to thank all of the volunteers for their time, effort and generosity. The success of the Dig would not have been possible without all of your help!

Bleach Yard Link Loughborough Charity Whist Drives A new pedestrian link to drive footfall through one of Loughborough’s best independent retail areas opened to the public on Saturday 21st November.

The Bleach Yard link will give those arriving at Granby Street car park a direct link to the great selection of independent businesses in Wards End, Bedford Square and Devonshire Square.

People can discover and explore a wonderful range of gift shops, food suppliers, clothes retailers, pubs, restaurants and cafes as well as health and beauty outlets and professional services.

The project has been delivered by Love Loughborough with funding support from Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council.

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Thursday 3rd December 2015, 7:30pm The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised

by Derek Farr will be the Xmas Whist Drive.

It will be held at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. Admission £2.00.

All players welcome

Carols by Candlelight Friday 4th December, 7pm at Staunton Harold Church.

Carols, readings and seasonal refreshments Parking in the Lion Court car park, courtesy of Mr and Mrs J. Blunt.

In aid of Ashby Macmillan Cancer Support Group Enquiries: 01530 560130.

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Santa Fun Run & Walk to Debut in Ashby-de-la-Zouch A brand new charity event is set to fill the streets of Ashby with hundreds of Santa’s as the Rotary Club of Ashby Castle host a brand new family friendly Christmas event for 2015.

The Ashby Santa Fun Run & Walk will be held on Sunday 29th November and is being run in conjunction with Ashby Town Council. This event will complete a great weekend of entertainment in Ashby with the Christmas Fair taking place in the Town the day before. The emphasis of the Fun Run and Walk is on providing a fun Christmas fundraising event suitable for families, friends and groups looking to get in to the Christmas spirit whilst raising funds for some fantastic local causes.

The event takes participants on a 3km route of Ashby taking in some of the town’s picturesque sights, starting and finishing on the Bath Grounds. As part of the entry fee, all participants will be provided with a Santa suit, hat and beard to run or walk in leading to the amazing spectacle of several hundred Santa’s setting off from the Bath Grounds! The fun starts at 10:45 with a fun warm up to get everybody in the spirit before the fun run and walk starts at 11:00.

To add to the fun, Ashby Hastings Cricket Club will be providing refreshments on the Bath Grounds, there will be musical entertainment and the ‘real’ Rotary Santa and sleigh will also be on hand to talk to young and old alike and give out some of those lovely chocolates.

The main beneficiary of this years event will be Hospice Hope, the North West Leicestershire charity providing support to patients with a life limiting illness and who have an ultimate aim of providing a Day Care Centre for local patients to support them and their carers.

Monies will also be distributed to other charities supported by Rotary.

Dale Warren from the Rotary Club of Ashby Castle said “We’re really excited about this new event and how the community has reacted to it. We have already received a number of entries and the support that we’ve got from local shops and businesses in providing sponsorship has been phenomenal. We’re hoping the entries will continue to flow in so that we can not only raise a large sum for charity but also to provide a great community day as the sight of several hundred Santa’s setting off from the Bath Grounds will be truly amazing for all involved”.

Entry costs just £10 for adults (16 and over) and £5 for under 16’s with all profits from the event benefitting the charities mentioned. Full details of the event including online entry are available at www.ashbysantarun.com or search Ashby Santa Run on Facebook and Twitter.

Interested in finding out more about Rotary? If you would like to come along to the Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle please contact our secretary Chris Knight at cjcjknight@supanet.com or visit www.ribi.org.

‘Wear a Funky Scarf Day’ for Charity Charity Link, which supports people in poverty, hardship or crisis throughout Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, is encouraging local individuals, schools, businesses and clubs to register for its free fundraising pack ahead of ‘Wear a Funky Scarf Day’ on Friday 29th January 2016.

Launched in January 2015, ‘Wear a Funky Scarf Day’ encourages people to show their support for local individuals and families in desperate need by donning their favourite or most funky scarf and donating an amount of their choice for the pleasure.

Susan McEniff, Director of Charity Link, says: “It is a reality that many of the people that we help cannot afford to keep warm over winter or have to choose between eating and heating. By joining in Wear a Funky Scarf Day people will really be making a difference to other local people, as well as having lots of fun we hope! Companies and schools can also choose to run extra activities, such as raffles or scarf tug of war competitions to raise additional funds.”

To register for a free fundraising pack, which includes stickers for those joining in on the day, email rachel.markham@ charity-link.org or call 0116 222 2218.

For further details on Wear a Funky Scarf Day, which is part of Charity Link’s activities for Poverty Action Week (25th – 31st January 2016), visit www.charitylink.org/poverty-action-week Last year Charity Link supported over 8,000 individuals and families in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The charity helps by providing essential items to those in need, such as beds for children sleeping on the floor and cookers for elderly people who have not eaten a hot meal in weeks. It supports people of all ages and backgrounds, including people with chronic health conditions, disabled people and the victims of domestic violence.

www.charity-link.org/poverty-action-week www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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Quorn Juniors Football Club Achieves FA Charter Standard Award Quorn Juniors Football Club has recently received the Football Association’s Charter standard award for the current season. Sponsored by McDonalds, this accolade recognises high quality, well run and sustainable football clubs, where putting fun and safety is at the heart of what they do. In short, it acknowledges excellence in junior football in the community.

In addition to the award and as part of the McDonalds programme to support grassroots football, the club also received a complimentary team kit and match ball.

A brilliant example of football in the community, Quorn Juniors F.C. has over 300 players. These are represented in over 22 teams and include boys and girls of all age ranges and abilities. The club is supported by countless volunteers that range from parents who help to set up pitches on a match day, to the coaches and Club Committee.

Club chairman, Scott Parker said “It is a fantastic honour to once again receive this award. It is a reflection of the endeavours and energy of all who help to run the club.

I’d also like to say a particular thank you to Stuart Broughton and Brian Lowe who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve this status”.

Photo: Quorn Junior’s Under 9’s Hounds Team wearing the ‘McDonalds’ kit, prior to their match versus Melton Foxes Cubs Under 9’s.

Look Out for Santa with the Wreake Valley Rotary Wreake Valley Rotary Club’s Santa Sleigh will be visiting your area before Christmas. Santa collects for a range of local charities. Please come out and say hello to him.

Santa’s routes will appear on the club website, www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk, in early December. Your support is much appreciated.

CHARNWOOD MUSIC FOR ALL ORGAN AND KEYBOARD CONCERTS October’s visiting organist was Liz Harrison, who farms at Chipping, in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. Liz’s visits to The Charnwood Arms at Bardon are always eagerly awaited. Alongside some excellent music, she always has lots of entertaining stories to tell about her life as a coach/heavy vehicle driver, farmer and keyboard entertainer. Her life seems to be full of interesting episodes!

Over a period of two hours, Liz enthralled her audience with gentle, romantic waltzes, magical mambas, sizzling sambas and very quick quick-steps. In her gold-glitter jacket, and with a broad smile, she made her Roland Atelier organ produce so many different sounds; percussion and trumpet sounds in ‘Swinging Safari’; gentle orchestral sounds in ‘Young at Heart’; pan-pipes and violins in ‘If I loved you’; brass band sounds in well-known marches, and honky-tonk piano music as well.

Between tunes, Liz described setting fire to a special tea-towel on her new hob, tiling her bathroom and kitchen (she is a trained tiler), and her recent exploits on a farmers’ dating site, where she made contact with someone because she ‘liked the look of his tractor’! With regard to the latter, she asked the audience’s advice on what she should cook for the impending date-night. All this between bursts of ‘Blaze Away’, ‘Dr Zhivago’s Theme’, ‘Nights of Gladness’, ‘Sailing By’, ‘Answer Me’’, and ‘Hello Dolly’.

After the interval, we were treated to a 1960s session with such gems as ‘Three Steps to Heaven’, ‘I only want to be With You ‘, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ and many others. This was followed by extracts from ‘The Desert Song’, and some lovely bango, cymbal, accordion and trumpet music.

If you love music of all kinds, played by some of the UK’s top key-board players and organists, then come along to the Charnwood Arms at Bardon on Wednesday 16th December. The concert starts at 7.30pm, the cost is £6.50 (pay on the door), there is a bar and tea and coffee available and a raffle. There is lots of parking and you will be made most welcome.

Next year’s programme will be available shortly. For further details ring Chris Powell on 01530 274270.

Sylvia Cole www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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NATIONAL TRUST LEICESTER ASSOCIATION In recent years many Christmas traditions have developed at most local National Trust properties. However an early Christmas tradition at the Longshaw estate (left) in the Peak District evolved by chance.

Following the Great Storm of 1968 most of the Oak and other large trees on the estate were blown down. The NT ranger therefore had to plant lots of new saplings and these were protected by planting Scots pines around them. After a few years visitors began asking if they could buy the “Christmas Trees” and a tree-growing enterprise began which has continued ever since.

Over the winter period the Longshaw estate, including the tea-room and shop, is open every day from 10.30am to 4.00pm and there are wonderful walks on the moors.

At other properties there will be a sixteenth century Christmas at Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield. The Hall, park and tea-room are open 28th November to 20th December from Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm.

There will be a yeoman farmers Restoration Christmas at Woolsthorpe Manor (right) every Friday to Monday from 4th to 21st December.

There will also be Christmas events at The Workhouse in Southwell, at Kedleston Hall near Derby and at Calke Abbey where there will be a Christmas Craft Show on the first two weekends in December, 11.00am to 6.00pm. The Parkland, Restaurant and Shop are also open every day at Calke Abbey.

The NT Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 8th December when David Bell will present an illustrated talk entitled Down the Garden Path – Leicestershire Privies. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm.

There will also be evening and afternoon meetings in January. Admission to all meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments.

For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.

AlanTyler, Publicity Officer

A Little Help To Stay Warm This Winter!

If you’re facing the winter wondering how you’ll manage to keep your home warm and pay your energy bills read on....

The Home Heat Helpline advises people worried about paying their energy bills and keeping warm during the winter.

It also gives advice to low-income households in urgent need of heating help and advice. It is free to call and is open 9am-5pm Monday to Fridays. You can also contact the Home Heat helpline online via webchat.

Calls to the helpline are answered by a friendly expert advisor at their call centre. They can give you quick, clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes that you may be entitled to as well as basic steps that you can take to save money on heating bills by making your home more energy efficient.

Call: 0800 33 66 99 | www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

BIRSTALL FLOWER CLUB

We are sorry to hear that after many years, Bradgate Flower Club is closing, and I am sure that it will be sorely missed.

However, Birstall Flower Club would like you to know that our Club is not far away. Following our AGM in January, we have a full diary of demonstrations and outings arranged.

We meet on the 4th Wednesday of every month (except July and December), 7.15pm start in Birstall Village Hall. There is ample parking in the car park behind the hall (entrance is on School Lane, into the park). Membership is £30 for a full year (including our “Open Evening”) or £5 as a visitor.

If you would like to continue with a NAFAS flower club, visit or join our club, please do not hesitate to turn up in February to see Joanne Poulter and the title of her demonstration is “Picture This” or for more information phone Sylvia on 0116 2674206 or visit our Facebook page. We look forward to welcoming you.

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The Great Central Railway DECEMBER 2015 The main event this month is the Santa Steam Trains and a selection of Christmas themed Dining Trains.

SANTA STEAM TRAINS The Santa Trains take over every weekend and some midweek dates until Christmas Eve, then on Boxing Day normal Christmas Holiday services resume until January 3rd then normal services resume on 9th.

DINING TRAINS There is a varied selection of dining trains at weekends up to the 19th and 20th, Christmas Day Feast on Christmas Day and Boxing Day Luncheon, and to round off the year the New Year’s Eve Celebration.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN JANUARY The big event of the month is the three day Winter Gala at the end of the month. There will be a limited selection of Dining Trains.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN 2016

QUORN AND WOODHOUSE STATION WINS AWARD Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October The improvements around the station which included renovation to the Tin Shed and construction of the goods platform which also includes a cattle dock, and near by a coal staithes, were short listed for an award from Biffa Award, who also provided much of the funding for the work to be carried out. The good news is they won at a ceremony in Coventry taking first place in the ‘Cultural Facilities’ class against stiff competition, Brian Screaton and Tom Chaplin the railway’s Project Managers were there to receive a trophy, certificate and a cheque for £1,500 for the David Clarke Railway Trust. The Tin Shed was used by Ellis the coal merchant, while the goods platform is not historically accurate in its position in the yard, they show how this sort of facility existed in rural stations for transferring goods between road and rail.

All the regular and popular events will be returning next year starting with Villains and Superheroes at half term, the first Swap Meet in March, a Diesel Gala towards the end of the month, four day Easter Vintage Festival, Peppa Pig will be with us during the May Day Bank Holiday, the first weekend in June the popular three day 1940s War Weekend, with the three day Model Event in the middle of the month.

For all the latest information visit the website at: www.gcrailway.co.uk or phone Loughborough on 01509 632323.

Dave Allen, Duty Station Master, Rothley.

Top photo: The renovated Tin Shed, which is very useful and used at special events.

Bottom left photo: The restored goods platform at Quorn and Woodhouse which was used during Railways at Work weekend in April.

Bottom right photo: The coal staithes near the goods platform. www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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Local Company Wins At The Bricks!

LABC Warranty LABC Warranty works in partnership with Local Authority Building Control (LABC) to provide a comprehensive range of structural warranties.

Working closely with developers and builders of all sizes and experience, LABC Warranty’s unique partnership with LABC provides a streamlined service with information shared between organisations, improving the on-site experience for customers and ensuring the highest quality of build.

The Bricks Awards Celebrating the best the house building industry has to offer, The Bricks is an award celebration like no other. Recognising and rewarding the exceptional work of registered developers and contractors who go the extra mile, regardless of size, to deliver quality in construction and design.

The Bricks event took place at One Embankment in Central London on Thursday 15th October, hosted by TV star Alexander Armstrong. As these awards have developed, LABC Warranty has seen build standards improve, and are delighted with the quality of contenders nominated in 2015. With over 3000 eligible sites, it is a great achievement to have been shortlisted to one of the 30 finalists who attended the exclusive award ceremony in London.

Mike Swatton, LABC Warranty Business Development Director and Head Judge commented, “The standard of the nominees across the board has been unprecedented, once again raising the bar for next year.”

Andrew Keller, owner said: ‘Winning this award is a very proud achievement for myself and everyone involved with Keller Construction. It proves that having a great work force and high quality sub-contractors is key to achieving and creating developments such as Appleby Fields. With the market resurgence in progress and top architectural designs available I’m hoping this will be the first of many awards in the future.

Photo: Owners Andrew & Mark Keller

Young Poets Have Their Work Published Two young writers from Grace Dieu Manor School greatly impressed the judges with their literary skills. Georgina Hessey and James Tallett, both Year 7 pupils, have just discovered that their poetry is to be published in Out of This World - East Midlands Voices. Their poems were entered into The Young Writers’ National Writing Competition, an initiative set up to raise awareness of creative writing and promote the enjoyment of reading and writing.

Judges recognised that James’ poem, ‘Spaceships’ and Georgina’s poem , ‘Rocket Launch’ were extra special, showing excellent use of language and poetic technique.

Mr Fisher, Headmaster at Grace Dieu commented; “It is quite some achievement that James and Georgina had their poems stand out and so impress the Judges, given the number of entries. And to be published at such a young age! I am, naturally, very proud of them both and I anticipate that this marks only the beginning of future literary success.”

Spaceships by James Tallett

Rocket Launch by Georgina Hessey

Roar of the engines Oh my, what a speed!

Coming through – watch out!

Key to happiness is Exploring time and space Travelling in your rocket ship

Ready for lift-off?

Operation ‘Out of This World’ is a go.

‘Calling astronaut, Do you hear me astronaut?’

Kidnapping moon’s rock for science is ready.

Excitement rising, Three, two, one…

Shooting through dimensions Hurtling to unmarked territory Indigo, violet, all the colours of the rainbow Ploughing through stardust Such an amazing adventure.

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Lift off, All systems go, Up, up and away.

Next stop Moon’s surface.

‘Commander, we have our victory, Home awaits.’

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Loughborough Naturalists Club

Loughborough RSPB Local Group TALK: Friday 11th December 2015 Loughborough RSPB Local Group present a talk on the A Birders Florida by Paul Hobson. A welcome return by Paul.

He was a lecturer in Environmental Sciences for over 20 years until becoming a (superb) wildlife photographer. He also works for a number of wildlife conservation bodies.

He normally specialises in UK subjects but this talk is a little different, and hopefully will also give us a taste of some winter sunshine! The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the Brockington Building Loughborough University at 7.45pm. Price: £3 Group Members, £3.50 Non members, LU Students with SU card gratis.

WALK: Monday 14th December 2015 Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk at Thornton Reservoir at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the reservoir car park – SK471075, nearest post code LE67 1AR.

TALK: Friday 8th January 2016 Loughborough RSPB Local Group present a talk entitled Birds without Borders by Peter Holden. The talk is about migration - including some of the strategies of birds, animals and insects, helping to give a more complete overview of this fascinating subject. This is our 3rd lecture from Peter, who worked for the RSPB for over 40 years and has written many books - he was awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to Nature Conservation.

The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the Brockington Building Loughborough University at 7.45pm.

Price: £3 Group Members, £3.50 Non members, LU Students with SU card gratis.

WALK: Monday 11th January 2016 Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk Groby Pool at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the car park SK524079, nearest postcode LE6 0FR.

COACH TRIP: Sunday 7th February 2016 Loughborough RSPB Local Group invite you to join them on a coach trip to Blacktoft Sands RSPB Reserve in East Riding of Yorkshire. Depart from Loughborough University at 9.00 am, fare £20 plus admission to the reserves. Booking is essential for this trip.

Full details of all of the events including finding the venue, booking the trips etc can be found on the group’s website:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough/ 28

The Nats indoor programme is well under way and are inviting you to join them at one of their indoor meetings.

We are always pleased to share the evening with anyone who may be interested. As you are aware we meet on the second Saturday of the month at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Church Room, Church Lane, Quorn, LE12 8DP at 7.30pm.

The upcoming meetings are as follows: December 12th – Fish of Britain – Jack Perks January 9th – Fear No Weevil: Beetles and Beetling in VC55 – Graham Finch February 13th – Life Around the Seashore – David Goldsmith March 12th – Extinctions, Reintroductions and Aliens – Nigel Slater April 9th – Annual General Meeting followed by Members’ Short Talks and Exhibits Do feel free to join us. We won’t charge you and you will meet a lot of people who are interested in the natural world.

Contact Doreen on 07713 409743 for further information.

Swannington Regular Events: Tuesday Afternoons & Evenings - Art Classes, Village Hall Wednesday Mornings - Heritage Trust Land Management Working Party Thursday Afternoons & Evenings - Art Classes, Village Hall Friday Mornings - Heritage Trust Mill Maintenance Working Party Sunday Mornings - Service, St. Georges’ Church.

1st Swannington Guides & Brownies Contact: Patricia Hibbert Tel: 01530 835441 See the website for further details and more events:

www.swannington-heritage.co.uk or email: chairman@swannington-heritage.co.uk

Ashby Concert Band Concert Saturday 19th December, 4:30pm To round the year out we will once again be performing our annual, and very popular, Christmas Concert. In order to try to make it easier for families with young children to attend the concert we have moved the start time forward to 4.30pm. We are also hoping that by starting earlier we might avoid audience members coming out in the cold night-time winter weather, and be at home to watch a well known and very popular dance programme on the TV! Holy Trinity Church, by de la Zouch.

Keep an eye on our Events Listing or visit our Facebook page for updates on forthcoming concerts.

www.ashbyconcertband.com December 2015 / January 2016 - Issue 17

Local Clubs Ashby Bridge Club Ashby Bridge Club is an EBU-affiliated club. We welcome players of all standards and run four sessions a week. New members will be made very welcome. Non-members may play up to three times before joining the club.

PLAYING TIME Monday: 6:45pm to10:15 pm - duplicate bridge, host available Wednesday: 12.45pm to 4.00pm - duplicate bridge, partner required Thursday: 6:45pm to 10:15pm - duplicate bridge, partner required.

Fridays: 9.30am to 12.30 pm - informal bridge, no partner required.

For full details of where to play, whom to contact and our find-a-partner systems please see our information page on our website: www.bridgewebs.com/ashby

Griffydam Community There’s lots going on at the Chapel in the Valley. Join them every Wednesday at 3pm for the wonderful Chat Cafe. Come along for tea and cake and make new friends.

Have a look at the website for more information: www. chapelinthevalley.com Book Club? We think we have enough interest to start a group now which is fantastic with the first meeting looking likely in the early Autumn - once the holidays are over.

Anyone interested please drop the organiser an email: katy@katydraper.co.uk If you’re interested in learning a new skill or improving an existing one please email: contact@griffydamvillage. co.uk and if we have enough interest in certain areas we’ll look at setting up a class or group. More art classes will be set up in the future for everyone who would like a go!

We’d like to invite you to the Christmas Dance! Grab your partners and head on down on 12th December! See details on page 40.

You can find out about events taking place on the Facebook page: ‘Griffydam’

Coalville Car Club

The club meets every Wednesday at The New Inn, Peggs Green from 9.00pm. New members and visitors welcome.

For more details contact Chris Faulkner email: chris.faulkner@falconserve.co.uk tel: 0116 277 0563 or go to their Facebook page ‘Coalville Car Club’.

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

Whitwick & District U3A Whitwick and District U3A will hold its Christmas General Meeting on Friday 18th December. This promises to be a light-hearted gathering with seasonal refreshments and an entertainer. Roxanne Dinsdale, a professional belly-dancer, will present “The Myths of Belly Dance”.

Complete with demonstrations, Roxanne will inform and amuse with tales from this art form.

There will also be opportunities to discover more about the U3A and what it has to offer to those no longer in full time employment. As usual, there will be plenty of members on hand to answer questions and pass on information.

To enjoy Roxanne’s presentation, relax in a friendly atmosphere and discover more about Whitwick and District U3A, come along on 18th December to St David’s Church Hall, Broomleys, Coalville LE67 4RL at 1.45 for a 2.00pm start.

Alternatively, visit our website where there are full details about Whitwick and District U3A:

www.whitwicku3a.org.uk

Shepshed ALLeY Group The Shepshed ALLeY Group is designed for young people aged 12 - 18 with physical, mild learning or social interaction difficulties; e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia, Dystonia, Spinal Injury, injury as a result of an accident, Aspergers Syndrome and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

The Group was set up to benefit those young people who struggle with conventional youth groups or don’t really fit in with, or want to fit in with, other groups and clubs.

The ALLeY Group involves members in a wide variety of sporting and social activities in an environment which encourages their independence; provides opportunities for challenge, achievement and enjoyment; and is supportive – taking into account the individual needs which they may have.

They meet most Friday nights, unless a trip is planned for a Saturday, from 7.15pm until 9.15pm at the Hind Leys Youth Centre in Shepshed. It costs £2 a week, paid on the night when you turn up.

The Leader and a Deputy Leader run the group from week to week, as well as a great group of volunteers.

To join the group a parent or legal guardian needs to contact Ian Prince – Shepshed ALLeY Group Administrator.

Email: admin@alleygroup.org.uk | Tel: 01509 880375 More details can be found on the website including what the group gets up to and a really useful FAQ page.

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What’s On...

The Bradgate Flower Club’s Final Meeting Wednesday 2nd December 2015, 7:30pm Bradgate Flower Club welcomes Lorena Dyer from Coventry. She will follow a seasonal theme, ‘It’s Christmas - let’s Sparkle’. Regrettably, this is the last ever meeting of the Club. We invite former members, friends and visitors to join us for this, our final demonstration. Newtown Linford Village Hall. Visitors are welcome. A charge of £5 is made. Details from Lillian Coleman on 0116 2363191.

Quorn Grange Hotel Music Night Friday 29th January 2016, 7:30pm

Thringstone Pantomime & Drama Society Present...

Little Red Riding Hood Friday 15th to Saturday 23rd January 2016 Traditional comedy pantomime for all the family. Come and support your local community theatre.

Ticket line 01530 834575, email: tickets@tpads.org.uk Tickets: Adults £8, children £7. OAPs £7 (Monday only).

Block booking discount available.

Nightly at 7:30pm (excluding Saturday 16th evening, Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th).

Matinees Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th & Saturday 23rd at 2:15pm.

Friday night is music night!! A spectacular night of live songs from the shows.

A welcome drink, fish based menu, choose from 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 different desserts. £35.00 per person. If you join us for our special night we are offering a room only rate of £22.50 a head. Book now to avoid disappointment.

88 Wood Lane, Quorn, Leics LE12 8DB. Tel: 01509 412167.

Saturday 19th December & Saturday 16th January 2016 Ashby Farmers Market is held at Manor House School, South Street, Ashby LE65 1BR from 9am - 2pm on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Over 25 Producers bringing the finest foods from across the region. For further information about the Farmers Market telephone 01530 261660.

Griffydam Christmas Ceilidh!

Intellectual Talk Series

Saturday 12th December, 7pm - 11pm Grab your partners for a Ho Ho Down in Ole Griffydam!

Barndance.invites.png Join us for a fantastic night of Ceilidh music and dancing at the Beaumont Centre, Peggs Green on 12th December from 19.30 to 23.00.

We’ll dance the night away to Julie and her great band and have a lovely social evening with our village.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children with a family of four ticket costing £25. All proceeds go to the Griffydam Community Fund.

For ticket enquires please contact Katy on 07941 465 799 or email contact@griffydamvillage.co.uk Beaumont Centre, 79 Elder Lane, Peggs Green, Leics.

Over 50s Tea Party Tuesday 1st December 2015, 2:30 - 4:30pm Residents of Coleorton Parish over 50 are invited to a Christmas Tea Party by The Beaumont Trust at The Lyric Rooms, South Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Tickets £3 each available from Coleorton Post Office or call Erica on 01530 813394, Liz on 01530 560638 or Georgina on 01530 222954.

Free Transport available from New Inn 1.45pm, Post Office 1.50pm, The Angel Inn 1.55pm, Kings Arms 2.00pm and Moorlands 2.05 pm. The Beaumont Trust was established many years ago to support people in Coleorton.

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Ashby Farmers Market

Continuing Great Success of the Rothley Intellectual Talk Series Once again an audience of 41 people gathered at the Rothley Centre to hear Dr Michael Lynch, retired Modern History Lecturer of Leicester University, give an in depth analysis of yet another highly topical and relevant subject.

Following past talks on such intriguing subjects as “The British Empire”, “The History of Governance of the UK”, “The Quoran”, and “Human Rights”, his latest in depth evaluation of “Putin’s Russia” was revealing, as he attempted to evaluate the Russian dilemma from both the Western and Russian perspectives. He explained that Russia, as a nation, have been trying to establish themselves, both nationally and internationally with varying degrees of success, over the past 100 years. Dr Lynch is much travelled and his evaluation, often from on-the-spot experience, was most interesting.

The current talk series still has two subjects to run :On Tuesday,December 1st, 2015, he will give a talk on – “The Democratic Voting System” This will be a nonpolitical talk and devoted to assessing the validity and shortcomings of the current system.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, the subject will be “The Magna Carta”. The basis of British “Human rights” and most important to us as a nation.

Each will be held at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, with a ticket price of £5 (Pay at the door). 7 for a 7.30 pm start. Finish 9.30pm. approx. Tea/Coffee served in the interval.

December 2015 / January 2016 - Issue 17

North West Group of the Leicestershire and Rutland WildlifeTrust We are a friendly local group which meets monthly for talks, visits, conservation work and social events.

All talks are in the church hall of Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Road, Ashby and begin at 7:30pm, entry is £2 each To find out more about our group please ring David Maltby on 01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410.

Our work parties are on Fridays from September to April at a variety of local reserves. Please ring David Maltby for details.

Our upcoming meetings are as follows:

Dec 18th AGM and “Walking with Wombats ” Anne and Andrew Heaton tell us of their recent adventures with Australian wildlife.

January 1st - New Year’s Day walk at Bradgate Park Enjoy the delights of an historic setting, unique mammals and a wide range of flora. Meet at 1-00p.m. in main car park.

N.B. Parking charge payable, car sharing suggested.

Jan 22nd Michael Jeeves LRWT looks at the future for wildlife in Leicestershire He will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the Living Landscape Projects, HS2 and increasing pressure from development.

Friends of the Charnwood Forest

Ashby de la Zouch Civic Society

Monday 18th January 2016 at 7.30 pm

Tuesday 8th December - 6.45pm Magical Christmas Social - The most popular event

“Charnwood Forest: a Living Landscape”

Talk by Michael Jeeves Michael Jeeves has been Head of Conservation, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust for the last 25 years.

The Charnwood Forest Living Landscape project aims to conserve and enhance the unique wildlife, geology and character of Charnwood Forest. The project is led by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and is supported

by Aggregate Industries.

The Trust offers free wildlife surveys to landowners, has a small grant scheme to help with management work and collaborates with others who are concerned with the conservation of this special area.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall. Members are free. Guests are welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments included.

Further information: Peter Bertram 01162 100 572 or

www.focf.org.uk

of the year..... Our usual good food and company and entertainment this year in the Century Cinema, Snibston.

Book now!

Tuesday 12th January 2016 - 8pm Ashby Canal Update - What’s happening at Ashby canal? Project officer Geoffrey Pursglove will give full illustrated details on the latest extension to the canal and it’s history.

Come to our Monthly Meetings. Visitors always welcome.

Fascinating Speakers, News on local planning. 2nd Tuesday each month. 27a Legion House, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1BQ. Refreshments available. Lift and disabled toilet. Free parking at Legion House or public car park opposite.

Visitors welcome £2. Annual Subscription £10 / £12.

Contact Susanne 01530 415 654.

The Counterfeit Sixties - Christmas Show Wednesday 16th December 2015, 7:45pm Take a large helping of the best pop music ever recorded. Toss in four musicians playing 100% live. Add a light show and sound system that Pink Floyd would envy.

Stir in a generous amount of video and stills of the stars from a bygone era. Sprinkle with anecdotes & reminiscences. Mix in a large dollop of Geordie humour and a little sauce. Cook for 2 hours. Result: The Counterfeit Sixties Show!

Join us for The Counterfeit Sixties first Christmas show! Following on from the success of their last sell-out visit to the Century Theatre, they are bringing their Christmas show – a fantastic mix of fantastic sixties music and classic Christmas songs from the seventies. It’ll be a great night, guaranteed to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Tickets: £17, Advanced: £15. Tickets are available online or from the Box Office Tel: 01530 278444 | Century Theatre, Snibston, Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3LN | www.centurytheatre.co.uk www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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u o r o b h g u o L In s a tm is r A Cracker Of A Ch

Festive fun is heading to Loughborough

On Sunday 29th November, Loughborough’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm following a day of fun.

Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor John Capleton, will get proceedings underway at 12pm, with GEM 106 hosting the event between 3pm and 5pm. The team from GEM 106 will be joined by characters from the magical pantomime Aladdin as well as local entertainment including Loughborough Students’ Union Sing, Rawlins Academy, Loughborough Endowed Schools’ BIG Band, St Botolph’s School Choir and up and coming pop-rock artist James Plimmer.

During the day there will also be a charity market, face-painting, fairground rides and a Santa’s grotto in Carillon Court.

Over 1,000 Santas will take over the town on Sunday, December 6 as the annual 5km Santa Fun Run and Walk takes place. You can register for the event at www.santa-fun-run.co.uk On Sunday, December 13, Carols around the Christmas Tree starts at 11am and runs until 4pm, with carols by Loughborough’s Male Voice Choir, New Springs and Pace Churches, Bishop Beveridge Singers, Whatton Whallers and Loughborough Amateur Operatic Society.

There will be Songs from the Shows in Loughborough from 11am on Sunday, December 20. This will include performances of well-known show songs from Ilea Cavner, Brightlights Theatre School, Loughborough Amateur Operatic Society, Act One and Alyshia Dhakk run until 4pm.

In the run-up to Christmas there will be free Sunday parking at all council car parks in Loughborough (except Brown’s Lane), courtesy of Charnwood Borough Council and Love Loughborough. This will only be on the following dates: November 29, December 6, 13, and 20.

Councillor Stephen Hampson, Charnwood Borough Council’s lead member for Town Centres said: “There’s a packed programme of events and we are really looking forward to the lights being switched as it is always a hit with families.

“Loughborough is also a great shopping destination, and we’re pleased that there will be free parking in Council car parks on four days in December.”

The fabulous pantomime Aladdin will also be on at Loughborough Town Hall between November 28th and January 10th please visit www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk for further details and to buy tickets.

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SEASON’S GREETINGS...

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...FROM US TO YOU!

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SEASON’S GREETINGS...

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...FROM US TO YOU!

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CASTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL’S MUSIC MAESTRO PROJECT In September 2014 Castle Rock High School launched their exciting Music Maestros programme and has seen the progress of their students continue to develop. Castle Rock High School set up this project, believing that learning a musical instrument can impact all areas of the curriculum; and also because they feel that learning to play an instrument should not only be for privileged young people. Learning to play an instrument can support to develop perceptual language and literacy skills, intellectual development, general attainment in creativity, and personal, social and physical development; it also enhances wellbeing. Consequently, Castle Rock High School was very excited to launch their new project!

This unique project runs every Monday evening after school and offers all of their year 8 students the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with free professional tuition, provided by the Leicestershire Music Service, as well as some private peripatetic staff. Castle Rock High School provides each child with their own instrument, which they take home and own for the course of the project. There is a vast range of instruments available to learn on: trumpet, cornet, euphonium, trombone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, violin, viola, cello or percussion. The school also invite Parents and even Grandparents to come and join the students in learning their instrument and are delighted that several have taken up this offer, and play alongside the students in all public performances.

Castle Rock’s Music Maestros were invited to perform at De Montfort Hall (above) as part of the summer concert series in 2015; an amazing experience that will stay in the memories of all involved for many years to come. In addition to this, Castle Rock were invited to be part of ‘Inspire Music’, which is a national initiative that helps to improve musical learning opportunities for children and young people.

Castle Rock High School embrased seeing their new year 8 students take up the challenge this academic year; with almost all of its 200 Year 8 students enrolling on the project and attending the first evening which was on Monday 14th September. Their fantastic year 9 Music Maestros group continues, and they are also being offered the opportunity to work with professional conductor, Richard Laing as they develop their skills for a second year as an orchestra, seeing them progress even further!

Further details of the project can be seen on the school’s website www.castlerock.leics.sch.uk

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Gardening In The Vine...

As thoughts turn to Christmas you may wonder why I’m chatting to you about your garden.

This, however, is the best time to plan for next year.

It’s one of the best times to look at trees. From November until March trees can be bought bare-rooted - meaning they are not in pots. They are cheaper, weigh less and have larger roots. Suppliers will order them for you or I can source and plant them for you.

Look for trees that give you blossom in spring and autumn colour, fruit or berries. Crab Apples give you spring blossom and autumn colour/fruit.

Four excellent varieties are Malus John Downie, Malus Evereste, Malus Rudolph and Malus Sargentii.

Cherry tree blossom is a familiar spring sight. Prunus Amanogawa will fit into tight corners.

Rowans provide coloured berries in autumn. Sorbus Aucuparia has bright red berries from August onwards. Sorbus Huphenensis has beautiful pink/white berries. Sorbus Vilmorinii and Sorbus Cashmiriana both have white berries.

Things to be getting on with in the garden...

Whilst the task of “putting the garden to bed” will have been done, there are still things that can be done: • Bag fallen leaves. Spike the bags and store for 12 months and you’ll have a good supply of leaf mulch for next year.

Spread it over your borders to replace nutrients. It works and it’s free! Clearing fallen leaves also lessens disease.

• Prune deciduous shrubs, fruit trees and bushes – but not if it is frosty. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website has more information, but you can call me for advice.

• Clear out/disinfect your greenhouse.

• Fill your tubs and baskets with winter-flowering Pansies, Bellis Daises and Primulas. Add evergreen shrubs such as Skimmia or Euonymous for leaf colour, or Dogwood for stem colour.

• Plant fruit trees.

So, take a much-needed break from the Christmas rush and think about what joy your garden could bring you next summer.

For advice feel free to contact me on 07739 153516 or 01530 832670, or through my website (www.gardenblueprints.net).

Joanne Kennedy set up Garden Blueprints in 2006 and since then she has helped hundreds of clients with their design and planting requirements.

Photos: Left - Malus John Downie, Middle - Sorbus Cashmiriana berries, Right - Prunus Amanogawa tree

The Monday Club - Cropston, Thurcaston, Anstey & Rothley Last month’s speaker Mr. Roy Wood was welcomed by a very enthusiastic audience including several visitors. The intriguing title of the “Secrets of the Rich” caught considerable attention.

Roy’s professional experience covered 35 years in the wealth management sector, having worked for such industry heavyweights as Barclays and for the past ten years with St. James’s Place Wealth Management of which he is now the Senior Partner. He specialises in providing solutions in the areas of Retirement planning, Estate and Inheritance Tax planning and Investment planning. The company was founded in 1991 by Mike Wilson CBE, Sir Mark Weinberg and Lord Rothschild.

His talk centred on various aspects of the above finance, all of which were aimed to make his current audience think about their financial circumstances in regard to making the most of their savings through Bonds to enhance their investment value and also, protection of the accrued wealth earned through home ownership and Bank Accounts.

Roy explained his advice in a simple and pleasing manner and endeavoured to answer the multitude of questions posed, leaving a certain amount of reassurance and determination to take action to improve the individual’s circumstances in the future. He stressed the point of making a new Will, Securing Joint Bank Accounts and joint Home ownership.

This was the last Meeting for this year, as next month we shall look forward to our Annual Christmas Lunch at the Birstall Golf Club, who have successfully cared for our needs over the past 11 years, together with pleasant seasonal choral entertainment.

The Monday Club will be back in January 2016 with another year of friendship and excellent speakers, not to mention a Coach Trip in May and a Strawberry Cream Tea in July. In the meantime we wish everyone in our Villages, the Blessings of Christmas, Good Health and Happiness.

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No: 16

Crossword ACROSS 1. Prank (5) 4. Small community (7) 8. Everlasting (7) 9. Accolade (5) 10. Wear away (5) 12. Voter (7) 13. Alter or regulate (6) 14. Refuge (6) 17. Repossess (7) 19. Travel lodge (5) 21. Mound of stones used as a marker (5) 22. Sincere (7) 24. Latticework (7) 25. Herd or flock of animals (5)

DOWN 1. Subject (5) 2. Frozen water (3) 3. Dog houses (7) 4. Smooth fabric (6) 5. Letting contract (5) 6. Flat (9) 7. Senior (7)

11. Target (9) 13. Fruit (7) 15. Stuck (7) 16. Hot fragments from a fire (6) 18. Declare invalid (5) 20. Supple (5) 23. Self (3)

Notes

If you would like to submit a crossword or Sudoku for us to print in The Vine then please do email it to: editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk or send it via snail mail to: PO Box 10199, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 9EW

Look out for the crossword solution in the February / March 2016 issue!

Crossword No: 15 Solution

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Sudoku For You!

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LOCAL BIRDWATCHING CLUB Tuesday 8th December 2015 - OVER TO YOU!

by our members

Our popular Christmas evening with short contributions on all subjects from wildlife to places of interest at home or abroad. Please let Ken know if you would like to entertain us for 10 minutes with photos or just conversation. In between there will be our ‘pot luck’ refreshments for the festive season. All liquid and solid offerings joyously accepted and consumed, so many thanks.

NEW YEARS DAY WALK AND LUNCH On Friday 1st January 2016 we will enjoy our annual informal lunch at The Royal Oak in Cossington at 12.30pm. We will meet at 10.00am for a walk in the area of Cossington Meadows to start a bird list for the New Year. For those who want a bit of armchair birding, you can start your list from the comfort of your home and bring it to the lunch as this enlarges the area watched (and you cannot get coffee and biscuits on the banks of the canal!) Menu attached at £13.99 per head. Spouses and friends welcome.

Bookings and payment at the October/November meetings or direct to Andy Gerard, 5 Fisher Close, Cossington, Leicester LE7 4US. Tel: 01509 813003.

Tuesday 12th January 2016 - MOROCCO

by NEIL GLEN

Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, a rugged mountainous interior and a rich culture and all combined with great birdwatching in this easily accessible country. Neil will take us to a warm climate, just what we need at this time of the year.

Saturday 23rd January 2016 - MORNING WALK - ABBEY PARK, LEICESTER Our birding within the city takes us again to Abbey Park which proved to be an excellent area for birds in the winter.

Meeting at 10.00 am at the main gates on Abbey Park Road.

The Birstall Birdwatching Club was formed in 1978 with 12 members paying an annual fee of £1. Now meeting in Rothley after losing our Birstall venue our aim is to encourage people of all ages to enjoy wildlife but our main focus is birds. We have illustrated talks in the winter and outdoor visits in the summer. Membership is only £8 for the year and this gives free admission to all meetings. Visitors £2 per meeting with children free.

The Birstall Birdwatching Club now meets at the Rothley Centre on the second Tuesday of the month from October to April and new members are very welcome.

Our indoor meetings start at 7.30pm and end around 9pm with a speaker talking on birds near and far and one a general natural history evening. Further details from Marion Vincent 0116 2375156.

Friends of Charnwood Forest On 19th October Dave Taylor gave a talk entitled “The Greys and the Hastings - Families at War”. He discussed the contribution these two Leicestershire families - the Greys of Groby based in Bradgate Park, and the Hastings with castles at Kirby Muxloe and Ashby de la Zouche - had made to the Wars of the Roses and the Civil War, and the intrigues of Tudor times. Here is his presentation.

Throughout much of history the rivalry between the Grey and Hastings families has been a feature of the history of the East Midlands. Dave traced this through the coming to prominence of both families towards the end of the late Middle Ages through Tudor Times, the English Civil War, the Restoration and beyond. He started with the link with the Ferrers family which brought the Greys to prominence and the relationship between the ill fated Lord Hastings and King Richard lll, and went on to chart the wavering fortunes of the two families, from the prominence of the Hastings ‘puritan’ Earl of Huntingdon under Elizabeth l, through the resurgence of Grey fortunes under James l and the taking of opposite sides during the Civil War, to the later fading into relative obscurity of both families.

Everyone very much enjoyed the evening.

The November meeting was the Annual Dinner at The Grey Lady in Newtown Linford. There is no meeting in December.

Our next meeting is on Monday 18th January 2016 “Charnwood Forest: A Living Landscape”.

Talk by Michael Jeeves, Head of Conservation,Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

7.30pm Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall.

Members are welcome to bring guests to Talks: there will be a charge of £3, payable on the door, for non-members. www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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Woodside Animal Centre opens its latest charity store in Coalville Woodside Animal Centre’s ambassador Barrie Stephen officially opened their new charity shop in Coalville’s town centre during October.

Building on the popularity of the charity’s three existing shops across Leicestershire, the aim of the new store is not only to provide a quality shopping experience and raise vital funds to support the animal centre’s rehabilitation programmes but to also act as a community office for the charity where people can find out more information about the work Woodside do and how to get involved.

The animal re-homing centre, which is also the Leicestershire branch of the RSPCA, invited shoppers to take part in a raffle and other fun activities at the store opening, and provided them with food and drink.

The opening is just one of a series of events marking the animal centres 40th anniversary (at its current location on Scudamore Road). Barrie Stephen was joined at the official opening by Charity and Commercial Manager Gary Wheway and the new store’s Manager, Chrissie Noble.

Gary said: “We are all very excited. It is the first time we have had a presence in this area, and having a shop here will help raise money for the thousands of sick and mistreated animals that come into our centre every year. In the first few hours of opening we have already had lots of customers popping in to have a look around.”

Available in store is a wide selection of clothes including men’s, women’s, and children’s.

There is also an array of entertainment media on offer such as CDs, DVDs, books, vinyl records.

WOODSIDE Unlike Woodside’s other shops Coalville will also sell electricals and small furnishings. Store ANIMAL opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday.

CENTRE Woodside Animal Centre relies entirely on public donations, fundraising events and money generated from its charity shops to provide care for thousands of sick and neglected animals every year.

Celebrations to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary are helping to raise the profile of its work and attract funds which are vital as the number of dogs, cats and small animals coming into the centre is increasing year on year. In August, the charity raised more than £7,000 for animals in need with Pet Fest, its biggest ever gala day, at the animal rehoming centre in Scudamore Road, Leicester.

Photo: Chrissie Noble with Barrie Stephen opening the new shop.

Chris Beardshaw Comes To Newtown Linford The latest celebrity evening at Newtown Linford Gardening Club saw TV gardener Chris Beardshaw delight a full hall of 150 people as he told us all about his gold medal garden at Chelsea two years ago. This garden spotlighted the charity which supports sufferers of arthritis and was designed to show the different sensations which arthritis sufferers experience and the plants which can be used to relieve the pain and discomfort of arthritis.

The garden became a personal project because Chris has suffered from arthritis since childhood. It was designed to have three sections; one showing the despair of severe suffering; one to show the hope of having relief and a third to show the joy of feeling free from pain. He chose some trees which were gnarled and twisted for his first section and bright cheerful ones for the final area.

The centrepiece of his seated area in a spectacular glass shelter was a frankincense bush which we know as a gift from the Magi to the baby Jesus as it is a cure for pain and suffering. We learnt that there are quite a lot of plants which herbalists can use to relieve suffering and that different people can get relief by omitting certain foods from their diet.

As he was speaking to a hall full of gardeners he concentrated some of his time on explaining which plants he had chosen for the three areas and showed us how these plants can be enhanced by the way they are combined in a bed. Because most of these plants were ones readily available in local garden centres this was especially useful to his audience.

He finally told us that our gardens should reflect our own personal feelings and that the word ‘garden’ comes from the word for paradise. We should, therefore, look at our own gardens and ask ourselves whether it was the place where we would like to spend our time in eternity. If the answer is ‘yes’ then our gardens are right for us, but a ‘no’ response should lead to us altering the offending area and planting something which we would like.

We had a wonderful evening listening to a very gifted speaker and a highly knowledgeable gardener, who sent us away feeling royally entertained and inspired to approach our gardens with a fresh eye and renewed enthusiasm. www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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EVENTS DIARY “He Wore a Red Hat” - Centre Stage

It’s FREE to add your community event to our events diary email: editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk. Please send details in by 8th January 2016 for the February / March issue.

Christmas at The Mill

Saturday 05 December, 2015

Sunday 06 December 2015, 2pm

A festive-themed noir comedy from regional favourites New Perspectives, full of twists, turns and surprises. You’ll never look at Santa in quite the same way...

The village has formed a group of amateur detectives to help solve local crimes. But when part-time unpublished poet Joshua Rogan’s applications are repeatedly turned down, he decides to take sleuthing into his own hands.

Join Joshua for a spot of sleuthing as he attempts to restore faith in the festive season. And maybe share a few poems. And possibly fall in love...

At The Palace Ibstock, High St, Ibstock, Leicestershire LE67 6LH Box Office: 01530 267303 | enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk

Meet Santa, stalls, games, craft activities, refreshments including cakes and mulled wine and lots more!

It really helps with our planning if you can let us know you are coming to events. Book your slot with Santa now.

You can email chairman@swannington-heritage.co.uk Details of events can be found on www.swannington-heritage. co.uk or look up ‘Hough Mill’ on Facebook and Twitter.

Hough Mill is off St. Georges Hill, Swannington, LE67 8QW.

Carols by Candlelight Friday 04 December at 7pm Carols, readings and seasonal refreshments at Staunton Harold Church.

Parking in the Lion Court car park, courtesy of Mr and Mrs J. Blunt. In aid of Ashby Macmillan Cancer Support Group.

Enquiries: 01530 560130

Christmas Fair | Bradgate Park Saturday 05 December 2015, 10am - 3:30pm Local Produce, Arts & Crafts, Gifts, Demonstrations, Morris Dancers and Santa’s Woodland Glade Grotto.

Enjoy some festive fare at the Deer Barn Tea Room, The Conservatory Tea Room & Country Park Shop and The Visitor Centre will be open.

Please note that there is a car parking charge (Pay & Display).

Please contact the Estate Office for further details - Tel: 0116 234 1850 | www.bradgatepark.org | Facebook: Bradgate Park Trust

Every Wednesday | Sweet Harmony Ladies Choir Meets at 7.00 pm in St John’s Church, Coleorton on Wednesdays. New members are always welcome.

For further details, please contact Cynthia Moseley, on 01530-834539

Thursday 03, Sunday 20 & 23 December | Fun House Comedy Club Fun House Comedy Club at Ashby Lyric Rooms, Lower Church Street, Ashby. LE65 1AB, Tel 01530 415039. Doors open 7.30pm Starts 8.15pm Tickets: 3rd - £10 advance, 20th & 23rd - £12 advance, food available 7.30pm to 8pm. www.funhousecomedy.co.uk

Thursday 03 December | Charity Whist Drive The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr will be our Xmas Whist Drive and will be held at 7.30pm.

Admission £2.00. All players welcome. Large free car park. The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

Wednesday 02 - Saturday 05 December | “The Flint Street Nativity” Coalville Adult School Drama Group are producing an hilariously funny Xmas nativity play featuring adults playing the parts of 8 year old children. The ensuing mayhem will have you laughing all night & beyond! A Tim Firth comedy.

For tickets contact Ashby Tourist Information Centre 01530 411767 or 01530 838999 | £8 & £6 concessions | Old School House Theatre Bridge Road Coalville

Thursday 03 - Sunday 06 December | Pantomime - ‘Sleeping Beauty’ The Panto Company’s 2015 pantomime production of Sleeping Beauty is filled with lively characters, up to date chart songs and slapstick humour, with something to please everyone, romance and of course – a daring adventure. Join Giggles the Jester and his friends for this magical tale suitable for all the family! Century Theatre, Coalville.

Tickets: £8.50 Standard, £7.50 Groups of 10+/LCC Staff, Schools £6.50 (Please call the Box Office on 01530 278444)

Saturday 05 December | Santa’s Grotto - Ashby de la Zouch Come visit Father Christmas in his winter wonderland for FREE! ClubsComplete would like to invite you to join us for mulled wine and mince pie at our free festive event where you can meet Santa, Elsa and Anna, and all to raise funds for Rainbows.

11am—2pm. ClubsComplete 86 Leicester Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 1TQ | Free Santa’s Grotto (pre-booking required) | To book visit our website www.clubscomplete.co.uk your place.

Sunday 06 December | Loughborough Santa Fun Run 2015 Run, Walk or Stroll... Join over 1000 Santa’s on this 5kn fun event, starting in the town centre to Epinal Way and back for a Market Place finish. There will be live music, panto characters, Best Dressed Christmas Dog competition and a free Santa Suit and medal for each entrant. Raise some money for your chosen charity and sign up online now! www.santa-fun-run.co.uk | Adults £13.00, Under 16’s £6.50

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EVENTS DIARY Sunday 06 December | Christmas at The Mill Swannington Herritage Trust invite you to Christmas at The Mill. Santa, games, craft stalls, refreshments, raffle, explore the Mill and more. For more info and to book a “Meet Santa” slot please email: events@swannington-heritage.co.uk or ring 01530 838331.

2pm - 4pm. Hough Mill, off St. Georges Hill, Swannington.

Sunday 06 December | Lights of Love Service - Staunton Harold Once again at Christmas, Hospice Hope invite you to join us in remembering loved ones and friends at this special time of year. A light on our Christmas tree can be sponsored in their name.

If you would like to take part in this service please ring 07935 800 658 or email info@hospicehope.org.uk . We will send you a leaflet which includes a tag for you to dedicate to someone special, which you will be invited to hang on the tree during the service We look forward to welcoming you on the 6th December. 4pm | The Ferrers Centre, Staunton Harold, Leicestershire.

Wednesday 09 December - Sunday 10 January 2016 | Roald Dahl’s The Witches This Christmas, Roald Dahl’s scariest book is brought to life in a tremendously terrifying treat for the whole family. The Witches contains stupendously scary bits and is recommended for children aged 7+ and their brave grown-ups.

Curve, Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB | 0116 242 3595 | Tickets: £16 - £12 (Plus a transaction fee of £3 for all card payments)

Friday 11 December | Carols Round The Tree - Thringstone Meeting at St Andrew’s Church, Thringstone at 6.30pm, join the parade to Thringstone House Community Centre for 7pm and Carols outside round the Christmas Tree. There will be a collection for Christian Aid. Afterwards, we will be entertained by a Ukulele band, the bar will be open, and there will be hot as well as cold drinks on offer. This event is provided by Friends of Thringstone, St Andrew’s Church and Thringstone House Community Centre.

Friday 11 & Saturday 12 December | The Palace Christmas Festival Visit Santa in his enchanted ‘fairytale’ castle. Free admission to Indoor Christmas Market, Festive stalls, lots of gift ideas, Children’s Entertainment....and lots more. Lots of festive fun for all ages.

Friday 4pm - 8.30pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm | The Palace Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire LE67 6LH | Tel: 01530 262400 | Email: enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December | Donington Christmas Fayre Donington Park will be transformed into the ultimate festive venue when it hosts a unique indoor Christmas fayre. This is the ideal opportunity to get special Christmas gifts, soak up the atmosphere and count down the days until the big day! FREE entry for everyone! The fayre includes: Arts and crafts stalls, Food and drink, Live music, A themed ice rink, Funfair area, Santa’s Grotto, Hang a ribbon on the tree for Charity. There will be a small parking charges which will be raising money for the children’s charity - £5 per car. This event will be supporting When you Wish Upon a Star!

Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP | 01332 810048

Sunday 13 December | Cattows Christmas Pudding Family Fun Run & Walk - Heather A safe, family friendly , fun Christmas event with the intention of raising money for Whizz-Kidz. So, what is a Christmas Pudding Fun Run/walk/stroll? Designed to be as family friendly as possible taking in the sights of real growing Christmas tree’s, the stone circle and the wind turbine at Cattow’s Farm. Sound like fun? Why not grab your workmates/friends/families/dog and come and join us for this years event. The route is flat and family friendly so is suitable for pushchairs & buggies however there are some bumpy bits! 100% of the £5 entry fee is donated to Whizz-Kidz,and all entrants get a Christmas Pudding, certificate & goody bag. With the added incentive of potentially winning a Cattow’s Farm Christmas Hamper for the best fancy dress on the day!!

There will only be 25 places available on the day so please register & pay prior to the event. For further information and to enter please email yatesashby@yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday 19 December | Ashby de la Zouch Farmers Market Ashby Farmers Market at Manor House School, South Street, Ashby LE65 1BR. 9am - 2pm on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

For further information on the Farmers Market telephone 01530 261660.

Monday 21 - Thursday 24 December | Christmas Children’s Create & Craft - Ravenstone This week is filled with crafts and things to make and take, from making personalised baubles to mini gifts and sweet treats, we have it covered in this exciting Winter Wonderland.

At Ravenstone Pavillion | Price Per Day for children: aged 5-14 years is £13 9am—3.30pm. 3-4 year olds £6.50 9am-12.30pm) To book/enquire visit our website: www.clubscomplete.co.uk | 01530 412750 / 07989 219905 | admin@clubscomplete.co.uk

Thursday 31 December | New Years Eve Party At Conkers Bring in 2016 in fantastic style with our annual New Years eve Family party. Don’t be stuck for babysitters, bring the kids with you!

Get a free glass of festive punch on arrival and all you can eat from the gala buffet for the adults and children’s buffet filled with all the favourites that kids love. You can dance the night away with our resident DJ. Free glass of bubbly at midnight as we all count down the New Year together.

Start time 7.30pm - late finish | Book online or call 01283 216633 | Adults - £35.00 (£32.50 Member)Child - £17.00 (£15.00 Member) | www.visitconkers.com www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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THE VINE DIRECTORY

CHILDREN & EDUCATION Grace Dieu Manor School................. 50 Reusable Nappies............................. 52

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Caroline James.............................. 57 Cathy Stephens Jewellery.............. 25 MB Sign Design.............................. 50 Ramblers Clothing............................ 3

FLORISTS & GIFTS Flint Gifts............................................ 31 Holywell Petals............................... 59 Shellbrook Toys.............................. 30

FOOD, DRINK & VENUES A Holmes Butchers......................... 30 Bombay Indian Restaurant............. 24 Chapter One Cafe.......................... 42 Cooks Farm Shop.......................... 47 Dolcino...........................................50 The Flying Horse............................ 53 The George Inn.............................. 42 Mac & White................................... 50 The Manor House........................... 43 Mios Restaurant............................. 40 Quorn Grange Hotel......................... 8 Smithards Bakery........................... 59 Sugar & Ice..................................... 34 Vintage Afternoon Tea Parties........ 59 Wheatsheaf Inn.............................. 34 Woodcock Farm Shop...................... 4

GARDEN Garden Blueprints.......................... 14 Harrison Landscaping.................... 15 H20 Design....................................... 6 L B Grounds Maintenance.............. 56 LB Landscaping.............................. 20 Outdoor Solutions........................... 14 Sevenoaks Garden Centre............. 30 Total Tree Services......................... 53

HAIR & BEAUTY Beautique....................................... 30 Elan Hair......................................... 35 Hair By Josephine.......................... 59 The Mill Salon................................. 59

HEALTH Bosworth Homecare....................... 30 Charnwood Hearing Centre............ 48 Charnwood Physiotherapy............. 48 Coalville Mobility Centre................. 24 Denture Convenience..................... 30 Halls Optometrists.......................... 40 Helping Hands................................ 18 Hypnotherapy................................. 48 Physique Fitness Gym................... 18

HOME Absolute Window Solutions.............. 2 Ancient & Modern........................... 14 Ashby Decorators Centre............... 41 Broughtons....................................... 8 Byrites Electricals........................... 14 Carpet Cuts.................................... 60 Charnwood Oaks............................... .46 Coalville Decorators Centre........... 20 Coalville Furniture Superstore........ 46 Coalville Kitchens............................. 5 CV Lane......................................... 46 Daniel Chapman............................. 14 DeVol...................................... 10 + 11 DG Plumbing.................................. 48 DP Furnishings............................... 14 The Flooring & Bed Company........ 18 G&D Property Services.................... 6 Glenfield Electrical.......................... 14 Glenwood Interiors......................... 27 Graham Botterill - Soft Furnishings... 14 Holme Tree Kitchens...................... 15 Just Frames.................................... 30

HOME continued...

Keller Construction......................... 27 Kingswood Kitchens....................... 21 The Light House............................... 6 Logburners Ltd................................. 3 Martin Allen Flooring....................... 21 MDW Fireplaces............................... 7 MGAS............................................... 7 Oakham Rugs.................................. 3 Planit Interiors.................................. 7 Quality Flooring.............................. 14 RJ Rowley...................................... 21 RSJ Roofing..................................... 5 Swift Solid Fuels............................. 20 UK Gas Services.............................. 8

LEISURE Bentley’s Fireworks........................... 56 Bradgate Park Christmas Fair........... 27 George Tuition................................... 59 Just Bikes........................................... 40 Occasions Cafe.............................. 35

MOTORS & TRAVEL Cropston Garage............................ 48 Premier Airport Taxis...................... 42

PETS Anstey Cattery................................ 59 Havers Raw Dog Food................... 59 The Veterinary Surgery.................. 59

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Dodds Solicitors LLP........................ 5 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors........ 53 Mander Cruickshank...................... 24 Prusinski Solicitors......................... 52 Roy Green - Sales & Lettings......... 46 SB Planning.................................... 42 Timms Solicitors............................. 34

Please remember to tell our advertisers that you saw them in The Vine magazine If you would like to submit editorial or advertise in The Vine, Leicestershire then please telephone: 01530 249048 or email: editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk December 2015 / January 2016 - Issue 17 58 Alternatively you can visit the website to find out more: www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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