The Vine, Leicestershire February 2017

LEICESTERSHIRE

THE VINE LEICESTERSHIRE

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l a v i t s e F y d e Leicester Com B a c k f o r 2 0 17

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BE MY “CO SMI C” VALE NTIN E at the

National Space Centre

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017 | ISSUE 24

SCHOOL’S OUT forActive FEB MAR 2017 www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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THE VINE

FEB MAR

LEICESTERSHIRE

2017

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Funds to help rough sleepers

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Get the most out of Spring

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Love is in the air this February

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Comedy Festival back in Leicester

Welcome to the Februar y/March edition of The Vine Leicestershire, In this edition we sight love and spring just around the corner but also have somewhat of a boon on historical and archaeological items – from the

Leicestershire

Fieldworkers’

(formerly

the

Leicestershire

Museums

Archaeological Fieldwork Group) interesting calendar of events and meetings, to CONKERS Adventure & Discover y Centre’s Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Stone Age Days, there’s also some Indiana Jones style artefacts being recovered at Grace Dieu Manor School before the Mountsorrel Community Team round things off with their Medieval Banquet and Tournament.

With half-term imminent, we’re also pleased to bring you news from North West Leicestershire District Council on their Active Family Week, running from Monday 13th to Friday 17th Februar y – what a great way to bring the family together, over some active, indoors and outdoors fun, from Geocaching to Buggycise, trampolining to football and much more in-between.

We also bring you a cute little mini-feature on Valentine’s Day this edition and with it news on how the National Space Centre will (almost!) take you to the moon and back, a note on “Love Locks” – carved tree trunks for the new age? and gloriously delicious provisions from The Queens Head in Belton and The George Inn, Coleorton.

If laughter, rather than food, is the way to your heart however, why not keep an eye out for “Laughter with LOROS” on Friday 17th Februar y at the LOROS Hospice – in conjunction with the now nationally famous Leicester Comedy Festival, taking part between 8th and 26th Februar y; Jack Campbell headlines.

Seann Walsh, Paul Sinha and The Dumb Canadians along with a host of other local, national and international comedians and comedy acts, feature across the wider 19-day spectacular but book early to avoid disappointment.

So, that’s it from us, please do enjoy the read, and that being done, we’ll see you here again, same time, same place, for the next edition of The Vine Leicestershire.

The Editor and Team To advertise contact the editor for prices, details and deadlines editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk | 07708 915779 | www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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Get Baking & Raise Funds For Our Heroes Help for Heroes (H4H) is once again asking the great British public to dust off their aprons and get baking to raise loads of ‘dough’ for our wounded, injured and sick personnel, veterans and their families.

Every slice sold really does make a difference to help rebuild lives and it is so easy to get involved.

You could hold a tea & cake event at work, school, in your local community centre or simply invite friends around to your home for a slice of cake for a donation and a catch up.

Register and fund raise for the chance to win a Kenwood kMix (kindly donated by Debenhams). A free fundraising pack will be sent to every Bake for Heroes organiser to help make each event a success. The packs include collecting boxes, a sweepstake game, bunting, balloons and pricing stickers.

The winner of our ‘Best Cake Competition’ in 2017, could win a stay in London, together with breakfast and afternoon tea, which has kindly been donated by our lovely friends at the Bloomsbury Hotel in London. You must be over 18 to enter and show that you’ve raised money at your Bake for Heroes event.

The Bake for Heroes campaign starts 15 April and runs to 30 April 2017, however if this isn’t convenient feel free to choose a date that is. To register or for more information visit www.bakeforheroes.org.uk or call 01980 846459.

Lynn organised a bake sale in her local town and said: “Help for Heroes is really close to my heart and I wanted to do something, so I invited my friends and family to my home for tea and cake. It was really easy to organise and a great opportunity to catch up, have some fun and raise some money for a fantastic charity.”

Register Now For Your FREE Fundraising Pack www.helpforheroes.org.uk

1,001 Santa’s smashed the Ashby Santa Run record Ashby de la Zouch found itself awash with Santa’s on Sunday 4th December for the 2016 Ashby Santa Fun Run & Walk. Following on from the success of the first event in 2015 which saw 625 Santa’s enter the 3km Fun Run & Walk, the Ashby Castle Rotary Club organised event smashed through this number, achieving a staggering 1,001 entries... yielding a phenomenal sight throughout Ashby as the Santa’s set off from the Bath Grounds and weaved their way around the town taking in some of its finest sights along the way.

Final accounts are still being completed as sponsorship money continues to roll in. The organising committee are hoping to release a final fundraising figure very soon. Keep your eye on their website for an update www.ashbysantarun.com - and thank you to everyone who took part and donated to the cause.

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Funding to help rough sleepers A £400,000 grant has been secured to offer more help to rough sleepers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Councils and organisations in the area have secured the Government funding which will be used to provide extra bed spaces for rough sleepers and additional outreach services to help people stay off the streets and move into more permanent accommodation. The funding will also increase support to people who are leaving hospital or prison and are likely to end up sleeping rough.

The bid was secured on behalf of the Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership which includes councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, the voluntary sector and other agencies. It was co-ordinated by Charnwood Borough Council and The Bridge (East Midlands) who welcomed the news.

Cllr Paul Mercer, Charnwood’s Deputy Lead Member with responsibility for Strategic and Private Sector Housing, said: “This funding gives a significant boost to the support we can offer rough sleepers.

“Not only does it mean we can offer extra bed spaces at night, but we will also be able help people find more long-term accommodation and put in place any other support they need so they can continue with their lives. No-one should have to sleep rough, but unfortunately it happens and councils, the voluntary sector and colleagues in other agencies are already working incredibly hard to help people get off the streets. This funding will help strengthen that good work.”

Peter Davey, Chief Officer of The Bridge, said: “The Bridge and Charnwood Borough Council have a long standing and unique relationship.

We work hard to address the needs of some of our most vulnerable clients, and rough sleepers are arguably the most socially excluded and vulnerable individuals within our communities.”

The partnership has secured £398,764 from the Department for Communities and Local Government Rough Sleeping Grant Funding which will be spent over two years. The grant will: • provide three bed spaces for rough sleepers as part of the No Second Night Out Leicestershire project run by Action Homeless. Two beds will be in Leicester to serve the city and one for the south of the county and then one at Falcon Support Services in Loughborough • fund a team of five homelessness transition officers who will be based at Leicester City Council and The Bridge. The officers will offer a rapid response service to rough sleepers and help them identify accommodation options and extra support needed for issues including drugs, alcohol, money management, employment, relationships and more • increase support for prisons/hospitals to identify people who may be at risk of rough sleeping. The homelessness transition officers will work to identify these people and put support in place to help them avoid having to sleep rough It was estimated there were 250 individual rough sleepers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland last year. Nationally and locally, the figure has risen in recent years. It is estimated the services may come into contact with 750 people in the next two years.

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St Patrick’s Ceilidh InterCare’s popular annual St Patrick’s Ceilidh with live music from local band ‘Turlough’ will be held at The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR on Friday 10th March 2017. Arrive at 7pm for a 7:30pm start – Late. There will be a light supper and licenced bar provided. The event is generously supported by Soar Valley Lions Club.

Suggested donation is £10 (donation not required to attend event) - £10 could pay to treat 50 children suffering from diarrhoea, a leading cause of death in children in Africa.

About the charity: InterCare sends high quality medical aid to rural health units in sub-Saharan Africa while making use of surplus medicines from pharmaceutical companies and healthcare products donated by GPs. For more information about InterCare or to book your place at the Ceilidh please contact Charlotte on 0116 269 5925 or c.wright@intercare.org.uk.

EXPERIENCE THIS! LOROS has become one of the first Hospices in the country to launch an online raffle giving players the chance to win an experience of a lifetime.

Experience this! gives players the opportunity to win one of three amazing prizes, which includes the chance to see Premier League winners Leicester City Football Club play at home with a hospitality package.

Speaking about Experience this! project manager John Hurst, said: “Everyone here at LOROS is really excited about us being one of the first ever Hospices in the country to launch a standalone digital raffle, offering the chance to win one of three experiences of a lifetime at the click of a button.

“Plus, it’s so great that local businesses have got behind Experience this! to support us, with Ragdale Hall and Barton-Knott Travel among those who have donated prizes, which ensures we maximise profits for the Hospice.”

For just £1 per chance, players could win match tickets to watch Leicester City Football Club play, while enjoying a two-night stay in Leicester’s Marriott Hotel and driving a BMW four series for the weekend.

They could also choose to win a luxury weekend in one of the UK’s leading spas, Ragdale Hall, being chauffeur driven there and back, with £200 to spend in the spa shop.

Making up the trio of prizes is a weekend in Rome, staying in a four star city hotel, exploring one of Europe’s most sought after destinations, with £1000 included in the package.

“While we’re hoping people from across the region will play Experience this! we’re sure that those countrywide will see the great experiences we’ve built up and will want to have a go too” added John.

“There really is an experience there for everyone to enjoy.”

Profits from Experience this! will go to LOROS Hospice, helping them care for terminally ill people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

To play Experience this! or to find out more visit www.experiencethis.org.uk.

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S R E K R O W D L IE F E IR H S R E T S LEICE Bringing Archaeology to Life ABOUT: Leicestershire Fieldworkers, (formerly Leicestershire Museums Archaeological Fieldwork Group), through its local

Forthcoming Meetings

groups since 1976, has undertaken a programme of archaeological

Thursday 16th March

fieldwork throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The

‘Middle and Late Iron Age Leicestershire’

Group has its own newsletter - The Fieldworker - and provides

Dr Jeremy Taylor, University of Leicester

training courses for members in field-walking techniques. Many groups also carry out small excavations and test pitting in their

Thursday 18th May

local area. The Fieldworkers are affiliated to the Council for British

‘The Viking camp at Torksey’ Lincolnshire

Archaeology, and work closely with the University of Leicester Archaeological Services and the Portable Antiquities Scheme as well as archaeologists from Leicestershire County Council. The Fieldworkers help to set up and support local groups who wish to field-walk or undertake projects to investigate their local area. The impetus comes from local groups and individuals. 2016 is our 40th Anniversary of promoting community archaeology in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire Fieldworkers also supports the work of archaeologists in both the City and County Museums Services, including the events programme at Jewry Wall Museum and Donington le Heath Manor House.

Membership fees are kept low and newsletters are sent out by

Professor Julian D Richards.

From shortly before AD 800 until the Norman Conquest, England was subject to raids from seafaring peoples from Scandinavia - the Vikings. In the winter of AD 872-873 a Viking army made camp at Torksey in Lincolnshire. This is what they found when they excavated the site. Prepare to be amazed!

Thursday 15th June Annual General Meeting Speaker to be arranged with a trip to tie in (possibly on Saturday 17th June to Nottingham Sherwood Forest).

Saturday 16th July to Sunday 31st

email where possible although we recognise that not all members

Festival of Archaeology

have the technology so we do send out a paper newsletter when

Held across the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 31st July

requested for our older members. You do not need to be active

over 70 events will be held across Leicestershire and Rutland

in archaeology to be a member, many members wish to have

celebrating the rich and fascinating archaeological heritage of

news of what is happening but are unable to actively take part.

our two counties. The programme is packed with family friendly

All members are important to us which helps in demonstrating

activities, guided walks, talks, displays and have-a-go events.

the local interest in our county’s archaeology and heritage and to ensure that it is protected.

All meetings are held at the Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester, at

website: www.leicsfieldworkers.co.uk email: info@leicsfieldworkers.co.uk

7.30pm, unless otherwise advised. Coffee and tea is available from 7pm. Admission to meetings and the AGM is free for members, non-members can attend free for their first visit and then decide if they would like to join the Leicestershire Fieldworkers. Please contact us if you would like to attend or just turn up and make yourself known to a member of the committee, occasional attendance without membership is also welcomed. Other meetings for keynote speakers, which are usually held either at County Hall or the University of Leicester, may be charged for to cover the cost of the venue.

The group has a great website where you can find out all sorts of really interesting and up to date information, including where and when to find a Local Fieldwalking Group, upcoming events, meetings and the latest news. You can also use the contact page or email to request any further information or find out how to become a member.

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READERS PHOTOS CARE OF PETER RILEY-JORDAN Some great images taken by amateur enthusiast Peter Riley-Jordan courtesy of an iPhone 6.

Left: Moira Furnace on the banks of the Ashby-dela-Zouch Canal.

Bottom: The first rays of filtered light over lime pits at Calke Abbey (Ticknall, Derby).

WANT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES IN PRINT? Just email your high resolution (jpeg) images over to the editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk stating when and where your pictures were taken and using what camera - we’ll then choose some of the best to share - simple! Supplementary information and/or anecdotes always most welcome.

Thringstone House DID YOU KNOW...there’s loads of events held at Thringstone House Community Centre every month, why not take a look, or even better, get along and see for yourself...

Film Club Last Monday of the month, 7pm for 7.30pm start, licensed bar.

Folk on the Green 2nd Thursday of the month, 8pm till late, licensed bar, free admission.

Plug & Play 4th Friday of the month, 8pm till late, licensed bar, free admission.

Soul Club 2nd Friday of the month, 8pm till late, in the Hall. Tickets £3 in advance or £4 on the door.

Special event coming up 17 March 2017 – A Centre Stage Production at Thringstone House of Tim Kliphuis Trio Goes Grappelli: a classical violinist and his group perform the music of Stephane Grappelli. Tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/thringstone or via the Centre for £9.

Visit www.thringstonecommunitycentre.org.uk for more information.

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Monday 13 - Sunday 18 February

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New Educational Visits for 2017 KS2 school children can learn about Romans, Anglo Saxons and the Stone Age courtesy of a new range of fun and interactive workshops.

New for 2017, CONKERS - the award-winning visitor attraction at the heart of The National Forest - will be working with Yeo Theatre Company to offer educational Roman, Anglo Saxon and Stone Age theme days during February and March 2017.

Roman Days - 28 February, 1 & 2 March • Meet a Centurion - The Britons are revolting and we need soldiers to defeat them. Join the most disciplined army in the ancient world • Life under the Romans - meet a slave and learn about life in a Roman Villa. Also, discover the exotic foods the Romans brought with them • Building a Better Britain - children compare and contrast a number of Roman inventions to do with bathing, road building and central heating and create an aqueduct in competition with each other • Meet Boudicca - children have an audience with Queen Boudicca! She tells the story of her life so far and enlists the children into her army • Roman Mosaics - what villa is complete without mosaics? Learn how to arrange your tesserae, and make beautiful floors, and works of art • Celts & Druids - children meet a British Roman to discover what life was like before the Romans arrived and how it has changed

Anglo Saxon Days - 8, 9, 15 & 16 March • Meet Alfred the Great - an audience with the King! He looks back on his exciting life and regales us with tales of his battles • Saxon Entertainment - what do we do when the work is done for the day? Stories and games! Stories play a special role in life. Children find out how stories are used • Settlers or Invaders - you are travelling, looking for a new, better place to live, you need to decide where to settle down.

The children are asked for their help in determining the right place for a new settlement. Let’s hope the locals are friendly • Live like a Saxon - when you visit a village, there are various characters to meet who all play a different role in village life.

Children explore the various jobs needed in a village economy and discuss the hierarchy among the villagers • Saxon Clothing - when Winter is ‘Looming’, make sure you’ve got the skills to create warm and comfortable clothes • Norman Invasion - learn about the tactics used at the Battle of Hastings, and practice your fighting skills with a Saxon Warrior

Stone Age Days - 22, 23, 29 & 30 March • Meet a Tribe Member - enter this workshop, sit down, be quiet and wait to see what happens • Beliefs & Burials - children discuss the beliefs of Stone and Bronze Age peoples and explore their worshipping practices and rituals • From Hunters to Farmers - children compare and contrast the difference in lifestyle between hunter-gatherers and farmers. What do they hunt and gather? What role does technology play?

• Weapons - from picking up a rock, to shooting a missile. Learn how our ancestors developed the tools to hunt and survive in a dangerous world • Trading in Stone Age - a History Explorer takes the children on a journey, following Stone Age peoples on their travels. Where did they go to trade, how did they get there and what were they hoping to trade?

• Grinding Grain - children grind some grain using both a saddle quern and a rotary quern and compare the two. They take their flour back to class CONKERS is located in 120 acres of mature woodland with ponds and lakes, on-site classroom facilities and educational interactive exhibits, making it an excellent environment for children to learn.

To book contact the Education Team at education@visitconkers.com or visit www.visitconkers.com.

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The Great Central Railway February will bring plenty of fun for the children during the half term break with PAW Patrol.

Trains will be running every weekend, with a limited selection on the Dining Trains.

PAW PATROL – HALF TERM ENTERTAINMENT Returning for another visit during the half term school holiday

MAIN EVENTS IN 2017 FROM APRIL THROUGH TO SEPTEMBER

provides a chance to meet Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol

Easter mid week trains will run on April 11th-13th and 18th-20th,

at Loughborough Central so don’t forget your camera. There is

in between is Easter Vintage Festival 14th-17th, Peppa Pig May

also entertainment at all the other stations along the line including

Bank Holiday April 29th-May 1st, Railways at Work May 6th-7th,

a Hide and Find picture hunt with a prize at Quorn, a Funfair at

Real Ale Train May 13th, Classic and Vintage Vehicle Festival May

Rothley, and Colouring in Corner at Leicester North. You can join

13th-14th, Bank Holiday Trains May 29th, Wartime Weekend June

at any station; runabout tickets allow all day travel at a reasonable

2nd-4th, Model Event June 16th-18th, Swap Meet June 25th. Villains

price for a family of five; the main car park is at Quorn and

and Superheroes Tuesday-Thursday July 25th-July 27th, August

Woodhouse. Refreshments are also available at all the stations.

1st-3rd and August 8th-10th. Summer Vehicle Festival August 5th-

DINING TRAINS Lunch Dining Trains run every weekend throughout the month with two Charnwood Forester Saturday evening trains on the 4th and 25th.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN MARCH

6th, Bank Holiday Fun Saturday-Monday August 26th-28th, Diesel Gala September 9th-10th, Swap Meet September 10th, Beer Festival Thursday-Sunday September 14th-17th, Pistons and Pump Festival 16th-17th.

NEW: MUSEUM AT LEICESTER NORTH HEAD CURATOR APPOINTED With the winning design now selected for the museum at Leicester

The first Swap Meet of the year is at Quorn on the 12th, and a

North, the Head Curator Mr Roger Shelley has now been appointed

Diesel Gala on the 18th and 19th March. Dining Trains run every

to oversee the in-depth planning and set up of the museum (which

weekend at lunchtime except on the 26th, when a Mothering

will represent the history of railways in the Leicestershire area since

Sunday Luncheon will replace the normal service, and every

they arrived many yeas ago). The estimated cost of £18 million

Saturday evening The Charnwood Forester, with the first two

is supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund and the museum is

Murder Mystery Evenings of the year, are on the 10th and 31st.

expected to open in 2020/21.

For all the latest information visit www.gcrailway.co.uk or phone Loughborough on 01509 632323 Dave Allen, Duty Station Master, Rothley Photo: GWR Small Prairie 2-6-2T No 4566, visiting from the Severn Valley Railway, arrives at Rothley during the Autumn Gala last year.

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Newtown Linford Gardening Club It is amazing to think that we are now starting our fifteenth year. It certainly seems like no time at all since a group of enthusiasts formed the club back in 2002 with a membership of around 30. Some of those founder members are still with us and we are sure they will be delighted that the club has flourished so well. Our membership is now over 100 and so the range of events we are able to offer has increased substantially. We have an exciting and varied programme planned for the year with prestigious speakers, an interesting visit and our traditional social events all scheduled. We are looking forward to what we hope will be another successful year.

Jan 24th

National Trust Gardens - Alan Tyler

Feb 28th

Dahlias - Arthur Parkinson

Mar 28th

Plants for Shade - Andrew Mikolajski

Apr 25th

Wildgoose Nursery - Viola Specialists - Jack Willgoss (Chelsea Gold Medallists)

May 23rd

Echinopsis Hybrids - Brian Fearn

Jun 27th

An Evening of Gardening - Ady Damon (Local Radio Gardener)

Jul 25th

Summer Garden Party

Aug 22nd Visit to Easton Walled Gardens near Grantham Sep 26th

Bulbs throughout the Year - Richard Woods (from Lilies and Chillies)

Oct 24th

An Open Evening with Helen Yemm (Gardening Columnist, Daily Telegraph)

Dec 5th

Christmas Party

We welcomed a large number of new members in 2016 and will be pleased if others would like to join us this year. If you are interested in our activities just contact the Secretary (on 01530 242452 or email 01530242452@talktalk.net). Alternatively, come along to one of our meetings to see how you like it before making a commitment (£2 for visitors).

Anne and David Couling

What’s On At Stoneywell Swallows and Amazons - Saturday 11th - Sunday 26th February, 10am - 3pm

Meet the Swallows and Amazons in a range of themed events over half term, including a brand new trail inspired by the first book in the series, and crafts in the stables. Fun for all the family! Assistance Dogs only are welcome. Booking Essential. Admission applies (see below) plus an additional £2 is charged for the trail.

Spring into Action - Saturday 18th February, 10am - 3pm Try your hand at a spot of conservation and find out how the National Trust cares for its houses and collections. The cottage will be open to explore at your leisure. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Admissions - Adult: £8.60 (with gift aid, to assist with the running of the property, £9.50), Child: £4.25 (£4.75), Family: £21.80 (£24).

Stoneywell, Whitcrofts Lane, Ulverscroft, LE67 9QE | 01530 248048 | stoneywell@nationaltrust.org.uk | www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell

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Image © National Trust - Andrew Butler

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

IN THE GARDEN WITH

Joanne Kennedy Spring is once again nearly with us. The thought of this cheers us all up.

One of the memorable sights in a garden in Spring is the blossom on the trees. Its nature’s confetti as it flutters down to carpet the ground in a sea of white or pink petals.

Cherry trees are famous for their blossom and are probably the most common tree we associate with blossom. For small gardens try Prunus Accolade with delicate pale pink flowers growing to between 3-8m in height; Prunus Kanzan or Prunus Pink Perfection – both grow to about the same height as Accolade but have a wider canopy or try Prunus Pandora with the palest pink flowers. Even the smallest garden could accommodate Prunus Amanogawa with its upright, columnar shape or try a ballerina apple tree. On the other hand if you have enough space for a larger tree Prunus Padus, the Bird Cherry, with its large bunches of white flowers in May or Prunus Tai haku, the Great White Cherry make wonderful specimens. These both grow to between 7m and 12m in height with a rounded shape. If you like purple leaved varieties look for Prunus cerasifera pissardii which has pale pink flowers followed by small, deep burgundy leaves. The added bonus with some of the cherry trees is that they also produce spectacular autumn leaf colour.

Another group of trees to reward you with beautiful blossom in Spring are crab apple trees.

They also give you the added bonus of crab apples and autumn leaf colour. Malus Evereste’s blossom starts a dark pink and ends up white. It is a rounded tree around 5-7m in height.

Malus Golden Hornet produces white blossom and yellow fruits. Malus John Downie makes a splendid tree for gardens with limited space. There are also a couple of other trees that are worth a mention – Amalanchier lamarckii with its starry white blossom; Pyrus calleryana chanticleer with its white flowers in Spring and fiery autumn leaves.

Lastly Magnolia trees are worthy of a mention. From the small Magnolia stellata with its multitude of white flowers to the larger Magnolia souleangea with its abundance of pink and white tulip shaped blossom. A magnolia should be in every garden but they are susceptible to late frosts.

Whatever sized garden you have make room for a spring flowering tree as they will make you feel like winter is far behind you and summer is nearly with us.

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH • Clean greenhouses, sheds & tools • Prepare vegetable beds and cover with cloches • Buy potatoes and leave them to chit in a cool dry place • Prune winter flowering shrubs if they have finished flowering – see websites such as Crocus and The RHS website. The RHS Pruning and Training manual by Christopher Brickell and David Joyce is a good reference book • Cut back any ornamental grasses before new growth appears • Prune evergreen hedges • Divide snowdrop clumps if finished flowering • Move established deciduous shrubs - but not if the ground is waterlogged as the roots will rot

If you would like any assistance with any aspect of your garden contact me on 01530 832670 / 07739 153516 or email info@gardenblueprints.net. Alternatively please visit www.gardenblueprints.net for inspiration and ideas.

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LEICESTER ASSOCIATION The oldest National Trust property in the East Midlands is Duffield Castle, in the middle of the village of Duffield, just north of Derby. The site overlooks a crossing place on the river Derwent. The claim to be the oldest is true in two ways. The castle was built in the 1180’s and was also the first property in the East Midlands to be owned by the Trust.

An original motte and bailey fortress of timber construction was built on the site in 1138 by Robert de Ferrers whose father, Henry, had come to England with William the Conqueror.

However, this fortress was destroyed in 1173 by Henry II after William de Ferrers, Henry’s son, had joined the king’s sons in a rebellion against their father, and lost.

William’s son, another William, eventually built a massive stone keep on the site in the 1180’s.

It was 98 feet x 95 feet and the third largest castle in the land after Dover and the Tower of London. Following another rebellion, Henry III destroyed the castle in 1269 and Edward I completely cleared the site to ground level in 1272/3.

The site became overgrown and for 600 years laid undisturbed. It was rediscovered in 1885 and early archaeological excavations uncovered the original foundations which confirmed the size of the stone keep. The grounds were then preserved with the foundations marked out and the site was donated to the National Trust in 1899, one of its earliest archaeological monuments.

Further investigations were carried out in the 1930’s and in 1957 and the few items unearthed confirmed that the site had been occupied since Romano-British times. A geophysical survey in 2001 revealed traces of other structures on the site. The Trust is currently considering a further archaeological investigation. The site is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year.

The NT Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 14th February when Marion Wallwork will present an illustrated talk on The Coastline and the National Trust. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm.

There will also be an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 22nd February at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm when Rev Paul Sinclair will present an illustrated talk entitled ‘Would You Be Seen Dead in a Sidecar.’

Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, to include refreshments.

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

AlanTyler, Publicity Officer

Bargains galore as Car Boots Sales come to Loughborough Market Place A series of car boot sales will be held in Loughborough Market Place from January 29. The car boot sales are being organised by Charnwood Borough Council’s markets and fairs team, and will run until March.

The car boot sales will be held on the following dates: Sunday, January 29 – 10am-2pm | Sunday, February 12 – 10am-2pm | Sunday, February 26 – 10am-2pm | Sunday, March 12 – 10am-2pm If people want to sell items at the car boot, the cost to rent a pitch is £10 for cars and £15 for vans. No booking is required and traders can arrive at the market place from 7am. Last entry is 9am.

For more information visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/markets or call 01509 634624. Like the Loughborough Markets Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest events.

26

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

Historical Artefacts Discovered at Grace Dieu

Members of the Loughborough Coin and Search Society conducted a search within the grounds of Grace Dieu Manor School led by Grace Dieu parent, Mr Stephen Taylor and Researcher John Maloney. The School is situated in a rich historical landscape on the edge of Charnwood Forest and North West Leicestershire. The group used traditional traverse and stint field walking and metal detectors to scour the land.

Their search brought up numerous artefacts, old and new, including various coins, pottery from the 18th and 19th century, clay pipes, buttons, badges and military relics such as musket /pistol balls from pre 1910 guns.

The highlight of all the finds was a silver coin of William III dating to 1700 which was probably a sixpence. This particular coin had been made into a ‘Love Token’. There was a custom where a young man would give a smoothed bent coin, which had the Monarch’s head obliterated and then bent twice to a potential sweetheart. If his sweetheart accepted the advances the young lady would keep the token - if not she disposed of the coin... The tradition is reflected in the old rhyme “There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, he found a crooked sixpence on a crooked style”.

The artefacts will be on display at the School for the children to see in the new year and, although they are of no great worth, they all have a story behind them and bring a little bit of our local history alive.

A Brief History Of Music Friday 3rd February, 7.30pm A Brief History of Music is a hugely

This Centre Stage show is in Humphrey

is excellent and there is a fully stocked bar.

entertaining show which races through

Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road,

a wide selection of music from 600 years

What more could you ask for?!

Barrow LE12 8JU on Friday February 3rd

using an array of 30 instruments. Chris and

starting at 7.30. Tickets can be bought from

Sophie are highly experienced and skilful

the Paper Shop in Barrow or by Paypal from

entertainers and will give you an evening

www.busca.org.uk or from the box office

that is fun, funny and even informative.

on 07718 153 117 or judithrodgers155@

You’ll find yourself joining in with long

gmail.com. Bought in advance of the show

forgotten old favourites, hear the raucous

they cost £10, £9 (concessions) and £5

side by side with the courtly, the witty

(children under 16).

beside the flowery, the ancient against the modern. Not to mention seeing and hearing the virginal, the rauschpfeife and the vihuela , to name only three rarely seen musical instruments.

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

Centre Stage is a scheme that is well worth supporting. You get first rate professional entertainment in a village venue for a very reasonable price with easy parking and a warm and friendly welcome. Disabled access

27

An unforgettable night of ROMANCE awaits under the stars Looking for an affordable and unique experience this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than the National Space Centre who can not only guarantee a night under the stars free of clouds and rain, but also award-nominated, locally sourced cuisine and a unique experience you and your partner will never forget.

Cosmic Valentine 11th February. Package price: £85 per couple and includes space cocktail on arrival, served on a bed of dry ice, a four course meal, including a sharing dessert, tour of the night sky within our 360° planetarium and exclusive access to the National Space Centre exhibition. Arrival from 19:00.

Cosmic Valentine - VIP Upgrade 11th February. Why not upgrade your experience to our VIP package. This includes an exclusive table, located deep in our galleries, offering total privacy and a chilled bottle of Prosecco per couple to enjoy during your meal. Package price: £125 per couple.

Cosmic Valentine Film club - Stardust 14th February. In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. Based on Neil Gaiman’s fantasy graphic novel. Doors open 18.30.

Screening begins 19.30.

Prices start from £10 per couple for two seats in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium; Film Star Package, Romantic Package & Romantic Star Package upgrades available.

National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS. T - 0116 261 0261

LOVE

W - spacecentre.co.uk

E - info@spacecentre.co.uk

IS IN THE AIR

What better way for a couple to express their love for each other than to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is all about love,

Cupid’s bow and arrow to offer

and so is your wedding. So why

some light hearted entertainment

not play matchmaker and pair the

for your guests...either way it’s all

two events together to create one

about celebrating love, and there

very special day?

are lots of ways to create the

From romantic pinks to passionate

wedding of your dreams.

reds, February 14th is the perfect

For more tips and ideas on how

opportunity for your theme to

to plan the perfect Valentine’s day

show just how much you mean to

wedding, check out my blog at

one another. You can add small

www.katesmithweddings.com

and delicate Valentine touches by

get in touch to discuss your ideas

using red, blush and pink flowers

in further detail.

in your bouquet (all some of the prettiest wedding colours), sprinkle heart accents on your tables, go all out with a red velvet cake, heart-shaped décor, and a real life

28

or

Image courtesy of, and with gratitude to, Matt Brown Photography. katesmithweddings.com | 07969 849 007

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

29

Love is. . a padlock on a Bridge?

The sentimentalists amongst us may think that flowers, chocolates, dinner at a nice restaurant or those of us saying “I do” on

the 14th February is what a real romantic gesture looks like - and whilst it might be for many of us - there are millions that demonstrate their love with a padlock coupled to a wrought iron bridge!

The phenomena, which has seen many of the world’s most iconic bridges covered in literally hundreds of tons of padlocks, sees locks of all varieties inked with declarations of “Me + You” or etched initials with dates and words to personalise. These are affixed and locked and keys tossed away to symbolise a couple’s unbreakable love.

Love Locks have enjoyed a renaissance of late, in part thanks to Italian author Federico Moccia, who featured the idea in his 2006 cult novel, Ho Voglia Di Te / I Want You – the gesture was wildly adopted by his fans, who then passed the idea on to tourists and from there the rest of the globe it seems. With regards to a wider history the concept is thought to date back over 100yrs to a Serbian schoolteacher left heartbroken by her army officer beau but it is in today’s modern era that the locks enjoy their strongest showing.

So much so that some local authorities have very much come to see the masses of metal as something of a nightmare, spoiling aesthetics, damaging historic structures and causing potential accidents - 1 million padlocks and a 45 ton extra load can do that, just take a look at Paris’ Pont des Arts bridge, across the River Seine, as a particularly fine example of Love Lock hysteria gone wrong and whilst Severn Trent, the owner of Wilford Suspension Bridge in Nottinghamshire, is taking a more measured approach - it will “leave them as long as they don’t cause problems” - not everyone agrees with love over logic.

Love Locks, the modern equivalent of initials being carved in to a tree? Perhaps so but they remain divisive as landmarks across the world are either bejewelled or bedevilled depending on your point of view. We’ll settle for the candlelit dinner personally, but each to their own.

30

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

BIG Weekend of COMEDY makes a welcome 2017 return Love Loughborough and Charnwood Borough Council are co-sponsoring the BIG Weekend, a special weekend of comedy taking place in Loughborough for the second year, as part of Leicester Comedy Festival (which runs from 8th - 26th Feburary) with over 800 events taking place across the region).

Leicester Comedy Festival is the UK’s longest running comedy festival and attracts huge amounts of national media coverage, as well as audiences who visit the County over the 19 days. Loughborough is now firmly positioned as being a key location as part of the overall programme and benefits from publicity to the festival audience.

The full festival brochure is available by visiting www.comedy-festival.co.uk The BIG Weekend takes place from 9th – 13th February and performers include TV stars Seann Walsh (pictured) and Paul Sinha, plus there’s some special events including the return of Hotel D’Comedie and shows at venues including The Kelso, Holywell Guesthouse and The Needle & Pin. Information can be found at www.comedy-festival.co.uk/bigweekend.

• HOTEL D’COMEDIE: LOUGHBOROUGH – 9th and 10th February - Holywell Guest House • JUST THE TONIC’S THURSDAY NIGHT COMEDY – 9th February - Loughborough Town Hall • CHRIS BETTS: SOCIAL ANIMAL – 9th February - The Needle & Pin • SEANN WALSH: ONE FOR THE ROAD – 10th February - Loughborough Town Hall • PETER’S SECRET SHOW – 10th February - Peter Pizzeria • PAUL SINHA: POSTCARDS FROM THE Z LIST – 11th February - LU Arts • THE DUMB CANADIANS – 13th February - The Kelso Festival founder and Director, Geoff Rowe, said “We are delighted to be returning to Loughborough following the success of last year’s BIG Weekend. The weekend gives local people the chance to sample events and shows, getting a taste of the overall festival programme. As we continue to develop the programme across Leicestershire we are confident audiences and local businesses will see the benefit of having a nationally recognised cultural event on their doorstep.”

Lez Cope-Newman, Love Loughborough BID Chair, said: “As the new Chair of Love Loughborough I am pleased we are sponsoring this great event, it shines a good light on our town. I’m also pleased to be hosting Hotel D’Comedie once again at Holywell House and there are some other great shows lined up across the town centre.”

Robbie Kerr, Venue Manager at Loughborough Town Hall said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the

Big

Weekend

Loughborough

Town

back

to

Hall

for

2017, building on the successful 2016 run, in partnership with the Leicester Comedy Festival and Loughborough BID. It is very exciting to be bringing nationally acclaimed comedians to Loughborough and we look forward to welcoming audiences for what promises to be a vibrant start to February.”

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

31

CROSSWORD

NO. 22

ACROSS 1. A club for the motorist (6) 4. A survey has nothing on a Greek god (6) 8. Crackpot, going back, is getting capital in Africa (5) 9. Rearranges holiday locations (7) 10. Wandered off, wasting rest day (7) 11. Regions taking off on a cause (5) 12. Those who seek rare chess moves? (9) 17. Eye make-up from a ship? (5) 19. Spanish princess in Spain - fantastic! (7) 21. Sure to have new crate at home (7) 22. Providing some collateral afterwards (5) 23. Fish have them and musicians play them (6) 24. Don’t go out with marine (6)

DOWN 1. Dislike of French examination (6) 2. Takes no notice of new regions (7) 3. It’s awfully easy to hold a pole. Try! (5) 5. Father’s wise, in a way (7)

15. Bend, we hear, to find spots (6)

6. Great Elgar composition (5)

16. Sponsor two little boys (6)

7. Haunt wicked bosses? (6)

18. Strange man or woman (5)

9. Introduce change - money off! (9)

20. It’s not true about fleas (5)

Sudoku For You

32

or Sudoku for us to print in The Vine then please email

13. Extent of land, or a cage re- entered? (7) 14. A star turn in a star turn (7)

If you would like to submit a crossword

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

it to: editor@ thevineleicestershire.co.uk

December’s Crossword Solution

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

GEORGE LINE WINS F3 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Local hero wins top club single seater racing championship in amazing style George Line pulled off an amazing victory at Snetterton to clinch the F3 Cup Championship by a single point in the final race of the season.

The weekend saw very changeable conditions for the final three races of the 17 race long season. George, the Langford Line Motorsport driver had to score 24 points to overhaul the season long championship leader, Shane Kelly and claim the championship crown.

George out performed Kelly in qualifying on Saturday morning, to start in 4th position for race one. Four laps into the race and the rain started to fall.

These conditions handed the advantage to George who started moving up the field from 4th up to 2nd and quickly closing down the race leader and team mate Paul Dagg. To the Irishman’s relief and George’s frustration, the race was cut short.

The Clerk of the Course deeming the conditions too dangerous to race on dry tyres.

This result gave George 9 points more than Shane Kelly.

Race 2 saw George on the podium again and another 8 points where pulled back from Kelly’s championship lead.

It all went down to the final race of the season, with George needing 7 points more than Kelly to claim the Driver’s Championship. After an aggressive first lap George came out in 4th. Lap 6 and the battle for 2nd was heating up as Dagg tried to overtake 2nd place runner James Hefferan both running wide at Agostini and giving George the opportunity to slip through into second.

George now promoted to 2nd and Shane Kelly running in 6th, this gave George the championship, but the race was far from over. On lap 10 Dagg made a desperate move for 2nd after being frustrated by George’s defending. He locked up the front wheels on entry into the hairpin and made contact with George on the exit who determinedly held his position.

Unfortunately this contact gave Dagg a puncture and severely damaged George’s front wing, slowing him appreciably through the high speed corners After a very nervous final 3 laps he managed to limp home with only a tenth of a second separating him from the chasing pack which included Kelly in 5th place, 7 points behind George After all the action, drama and pressure it was confirmed that George Line was the 2016 British F3 Cup Champion by one point, in only his first year of competing in single seaters. A perfect end to the season for the family run Langford Line Motorsport Driver.

See George Line (No 10) on YouTube F3 Cup Snetterton 2016 for all the action.

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

33

34

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

Medieval Banquet & Tournament In honour of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, and to mark the 800th anniversary of the Siege of Mountsorrel Castle a Medieval Banquet will be held in the shadow of the Castle Mount on Saturday 8th April 2017 (19.30 - 23.30), where the Concert Hall, at the Working Men’s Club (WMC), will be transformed into the great baronial hall for a “totally inaccurate historical evening!”

ARRIVAL: Your entrance to the banquet will be via the castle courtyard and across the drawbridge into the Great Hall where you will be greeted with the symbolic offering of water and salt (just sip, take a pinch and smile), pause for photo opportunities and get locked in the Stocks. Try the Blacksmith’s Anvil or see how you suit a helmet and sword, before taking your place at your house’s table.

TABLES: Each ‘house’ will be a long table of 6, 8 or 12 persons. Tables will have medieval hand painted coverings, dressed with candles, tankards and bowls all traditionally decorated with ivy, pine cones and fruit. Group bookings will have their own crest design painted on a banner which hangs over their table. Individuals, couples and smaller groups will be formed into houses of ‘Tournament Alliance’.

TOURNAMENT GAMES: You will elect various members of your house to accept the Tournament challenges. Gold coins will be bestowed

by Lord Marshall for success in the challenges as well as Chivalry, Costume and Boisterous Cheering of your challenger. The house accruing the greatest hoard of gold shall be awarded the freedom of Mountsorrel...valid until midnight only!

BANQUET: Included in your ticket price is a delicious 4-course meal comprising of spiced vegetable soup, roast chicken with “dragons breath potatoes”, pears poached in red wine, alongside the all-important tea, coffee and gingerbread conclusion. The Great Hall has it’s own private bar but still at WMC prices!

HOSTS: The event will be compared by Sire John and his Jester, all overseen by Sir William Marshall, who will be seated at the Top Table.

COSTUMES (mandatory): You don’t have to be historically accurate – but you do have to take part; think along the lines of Lord of the Rings, Fanasty or Game of Thrones and you won’t go far wrong.

TICKETS: Each ticket has a ‘torn parchment’ edge and carries a wax seal - they will make excellent gifts - and are available on a ‘first comefirst served’ basis. Early booking is very much recommended! Tickets are priced at £22.50 each (no concessions). Tickets may be ‘reserved’ with a £10 per head (non-refundable) deposit. The balance must be paid by 28th February 2017. Tickets will be dispatched once full payment has been received. The ticket price includes the full evening’s entertainment as well as the aforementioned 4-course menu.

Visit www.mountsorrel-community-team.co.uk/medieval-banquet for more information.

Leicester Road Mountsorrel Loughborough

Archery Ale-horn drinking Coin basket Sword fight Space-hopper Joust www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

35

WHAT’S ON...

The Gramophones: Wanderlust

Fordante from Puccini to the Movies Saturday 11th February, 7:30pm (doors 7pm) Fordante is the critically acclaimed Light Classical Ensemble directed by Award Winning film, TV and classical composer Phil Mountford. The five piece Fordante perform some of the most beautiful light classics plus music from the movies alongside their own enchanting original music.

Experience sweeping Celtic melodies, mysterious Venetian harmonies and evocative Argentinian rhythms fused with the sound of spectacular film music.

Ideal for music lovers who enjoy lighter, accessible, easier listening classical music.

In 2012, three girls armed with a dictaphone and a pair of wellies travelled from Land’s End to John O’Groats with only one pound

“Spectacular” “Best concert I have ever seen”

per mile for travel and the challenge of using as many forms of

“Like Andre Rieu with a smaller orchestra” “Mesmerising”

transport as they possibly could.

During their journey, they gave people postcards and asked them

Quorn Village Hall, Tickets £10 from Terry Stirling on 01509 414287 or terrystirling@ntlworld.com.

to write to them about an important journey from their own lives.

Later when they toured the show “End to End” they did the same again and were inundated with postcards from people who had really connected with their journey.

The group travelled to the middle of nowhere aboard mobile libraries, in static libraries and residential homes collecting more incredible stories from incredible people to create “Wanderlust”.

“Wanderlust” captures the magic of unexpected connections made when travelling, and how journeys big or small are what help us to connect to the world around us.

“This show will bring a smile to your lips, a tear to your eye and leave you pondering what life stories you may have to tell” (Arts Beat).

The Gramophones return to Belton Village Hall to perform.

“Wanderlust” on Sunday 5th March, doors open at 6.45pm.

For tickets please telephone 01530 222897.

Shepshed Lunch Club

Belton Village Hall, School Lane, Belton, Leicestershire, LE12 9TU.

Tuesdays (starting 24th January)

Tickets: Standard £9, Concessions £8, on the door £10.

Christchurch Methodist Church, Shepshed - 9:30am - 3pm.

There will be activities, companionship and food.

Personal payments: £20 per session including lunch.

CLC welcome at framework rate.

Interested? Contact Tracy Ball at John Storer House, 01509 631782.

VOLUNTEERS ALSO WANTED for this group and for the Rothley and Anstey group - please do get in touch if you are interested in helping out.

36

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

Loughborough RSPB Local Group

Friday 10th February 2017 Loughborough RSPB Local Group present a talk entitled Birding in Morocco by Neil Glenn. Neil has a life long passion for birds - he is now a tour leader with Avian Adventures and has an intimate knowledge of birds in Morocco. 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.

N OR TH W E S T G RO UP 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 £3pp.

Tuesday 14th February 2017 Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk at Barrow

To find out more about our group please ring David Maltby on

River & Woodland at 10am until 12 noon. From Loughborough

01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410.

on A6 take first exit towards Barrow. After roundabout turn left at Flesh Hovel Lane and continue to Pillings Lock car park 0.4miles

Our work parties are on Fridays, from September to April, at a

down lane. SK565174. Nearest post code LE12 8FE.

variety of local reserves. Details from David Maltby.

Friday 10th March 2017

Friday 17th February The new Bardon quarry. Phil Jackson Bio

Loughborough RSPB Local Group present a talk on THE BIRD FAIR - Its impact on global conservation by Tim Appleton. Tim has been involved in the Bird Fair since co-founding and organising the first

Diversity Advisor, Aggregate Industries, describes the development of the new quarry and outlines how the ecological mitigation measures will be put in place.

event in 1989. His presentation will give an overview of its trials

Friday 31st March Twycross Zoo and Conservation. The talk will

and tribulations - but mainly its fantastic success over 27 years,

be presented by a member of the Education staff who will describe

raising millions of pounds for global conservation with the charity

the history of the zoo, its current activities and future conservation

Birdlife International. The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre

programme.

at the Brockington Building Loughborough University at 7.45pm.

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

Whitwick & District U3A

Sunday 12th March 2017 Loughborough RSPB Local Group invite you to join them on a coach trip to Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve in Lincolnshire.

Depart from Loughborough University at 8.00am, fare £20 plus admission to the reserves. Booking is essential for this trip.

The next monthly General Meeting of Whitwick and District U3A will be on Friday 17th February. This will be another opportunity to discover what the U3A has to offer to people who are retired or approaching retirement. Our members are involved in a wide

Wednesday 15th March 2017

range of Interest Groups based on self-help principles, with

Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk at Bradgate

something to attract most tastes. At the General Meeting, Group

Park & Swithland Wood at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at Bradgate Park, Hallgates Car Park, Cropston. SK541113

LE7 7HQ. Parking

fee required.

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

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

Leaders and others will be on hand to answer questions and pass on information about our U3A. We are delighted to announce that the guest speaker will be Professor Martin Barstow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Leicester University. His talk is entitled: “What has Space done for us?”

Professor Barstow is eminently qualified to speak to us about the economic and social benefits of space. One of his current roles is Director of the Leicester Institute of Space and Earth Observation. He witnessed Tim Peake being launched into space.

His presentation should be fascinating.

To listen to Professor Barstow and discover more about our thriving and friendly U3A, come along to St. David’s Church Hall, Broom Leys, Coalville LE67 4RL at 1.45 for a 2.00pm start. Everyone is welcome: the U3A is a non-political and non-religious organisation.

Alternatively, visit our website www.whitwicku3a.org.uk where there are full details about Whitwick and District U3A.

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

37

LOCAL EVENTS Wednesday 01 February Ashby Travel Club Talk In the Pithiviers Room at Ivanhoe College North Street Ashby de la Zouch, 7.30pm (prompt) start, all welcome. No joining fee, £1.50 for each evening attended, the talk is illustrated with slides. This months talk is “Local History...The Bath Grounds” and the speaker is Ken Hillier. For more information contact Mrs Julie Nelson 01530 588197 or email juliesportsfan@

Every Wednesday

Sweet Harmony Ladies Choir Meets at 7.00pm in Swannington Village Hall on Wednesdays. New members always welcome.

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

Every Thursday Coalville Male Voice Choir Coalville Male Voice Choir are 28 strong, very friendly and meet every Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at the Hall Lane Methodist Church, Hall Lane, Whitwick. New Members are very welcome.

For

further

details

please

contact Paul Bellamy on 01455 291086 or 07702 895803 | www.coalvillemvc.co.uk.

Monthly - Second Thursday Folk on the Green

Saturday 21 January Saturday 11 February Ashby Bath Grounds Exhibition

yahoo.co.uk.

Wednesday 01 February CLASS: Line Dancing New beginners class starting at 7-8pm

A free exhibition about the construction

and an Improvers class at 8-9pm. It’s

of the new footpath and heritage trail

good fun, gentle exercise, improves

on the Bath Grounds, Ashby and a host

your memory and it makes you feel

of community heritage activities that

great! £4 per session. For further details

have taken place in 2016 - “Have a Go”

please telephone Ann on 07914 358050.

archaeology; community mosaics; walks

Thringstone House Community Centre,

and talks; children’s education boxes; a

The Green, Thringstone, LE67 8NR.

new film and ballad and a revised book on the Ivanhoe Baths and Spa. Ashby-dela-Zouch Library, North Street, Ashby-dela-Zouch, LE65 1HU. Free entry.

Thursday 02 February Funhouse Comedy Club Fun House Comedy Club at Ashby Lyric

Saturday 28 January Saturday 04 February Pantomime: Peter Pan

Rooms, Lower Church Street, Ashby,

The Palace Players present a traditional

food available 7.30pm to 8pm. More

LE65 1AB. 01530 415039. Doors open 7.30pm, shows start at 8.15pm. All shows £10 advance (unless stated otherwise),

and firm family favourite pantomime

information

‘Folk On The Green’ will be meeting every

showing of PETER PAN. Join Wendy,

funhousecomedy.co.uk or contact 0115

2nd Thursday of the month in the licensed

John, Michael and Nana as they fly away

9525050.

bar lounge from 8pm until late!

to encounter The Lost Boys, Tinkerbell, a

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

certain dastardly crocodile, Captain Hook

For more information call 01530 222337,

and his crew, mermaids and of course,

email thringstonehouse@btconnect.com

the boy who simply refused to grow up,

or visit www.thringstonecommunitycentre.

Peter Pan himself! Showing from Saturday

Dementia Friends Information Session

org.uk. Thringstone House, The Green,

28th January and Wednesday 1st February

St Mary’s are hosting a ‘Dementia Friends

Thringstone, LE67 8NR.

until Saturday, 4th February. All evening

Information Session’ on 8th February 7.30 -

performances will start at 7.30pm and

8.30pm at Viscount Beaumont School Hall.

Every Wednesday Go Ukulele Crazy

there will be two Saturday matinee

The speaker is Kathy Gill who is a volunteer

performances, starting at 2.30pm. Ticket

for Dementia Friends, a social action

prices: £7.50 for Adults and £5.00 for

movement led by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Open to all ages and no experience

Children and are available from The Palace

The aim is to gain a better understanding

necessary. You don’t even need a ukulele!

Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock,

of dementia and the small things we can

Costs £5/session. 9:30am. Ashby Library,

Leicestershire, LE67 6LG. For further

do to make a difference to those living

North Street, Ashby, LE65 1HU. Tel: 0116

information please call 01530 262400 or

with this disability. If anyone would like to

305 5917. Email: ashbydelazouchlibrary@

email us at enquiries@thepalaceibstock.

attend, they would be most welcome. Tea

leics.gov.uk.

co.uk

and coffee will be served from 7.15pm.

38

on

the

website

www.

Wednesday 08 February

February / March 2017 - Issue 24

LOCAL EVENTS Sunday 12 & Sunday 26 February Indoor Car Boot Sale 9.00am ‘til mid-day. For more details or to book a stall call Kirk on 07901 380412 or 07506 255522 or message via Facebook page: ibstockcarboot. The Palace Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LE67 6LG. Email: enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk or call 01530 262400.

Sunday 12 & Sunday 26 February Palace Bingo A great social night out! Doors open at 7.30pm. Eyes Down at 8.00pm. The Palace Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LE67 6LG. Email: enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk or call 01530 262400.

Thursday 16 - Saturday 26 February “A Sting in the Tale”

Saturday 18 February Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy

Saturday 25 February Giocoso String Quartet

It’s been half a century since Stan Laurel

Giocoso String Quartet playing Haydn’s

and Oliver Hardy died but there is good

op 77 no. 2 and Debussy’s Quartet in

reason why they are still the best-loved

G minor Op 16. Musicians are Anthony

comedy duo of all time. They were the

Calverley cello, Pam Hiscox viola, Louise

pioneers of modern comedy and their

Carter and David Hiscox violins. 7:30pm.

movies have delighted generation after

Tickets £10 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/

generation for almost 100 years. “Hats

thringstone or from the centre direct on

Off to Laurel & Hardy” is a brand new

01530 222337 (9am-12noon Monday-

play about their lives, their steady rise

Friday). Thringstone House Community

to international stardom, the decline of

Centre, The Green, Thringstone, LE67 8NR.

their movie careers and their phoenixlike revival on the stages of Europe.

Century Theatre, Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3LN. Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 on the door (subject to availability). To book call 01530 278444.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Wednesday 22 February Ashby Travel Club Talk In the Pithiviers Room at Ivanhoe College North Street, Ashby de la Zouch for a 7.30pm start (prompt), all welcome.

No joining fee, £1.50 for each evening attended, the talk is illustrated with slides.

A Sting in The Tale, by Brian Clemens and

This months talk is “St. Beas to Robin

Dennis Spooner, is “a glorious spoof, a

Hoods Bay” and the speaker is Brian

send up of almost every mystery thriller

Clark. For more information contact Mrs

written for the stage with some wickedly

Julie Nelson on 01530 588197 or email

witty lines.” Tickets £8 Wednesday and

juliesportsfan@yahoo.co.uk.

Thursday nights and £9 Friday and Saturday nights available from Ashby Tourist Information Centre, 01530 411767.

Venture Theatre, North Street, Ashby, LE65 1HU.

Friday 17 February FILM: Bridget Jones’s Baby Breaking up with Mark Darcy leaves Bridget Jones over 40 and single again.

Feeling that she has everything under control, Jones decides to focus on her career. Suddenly, her love life comes back from the dead when she meets a dashing American named Jack. Things couldn’t be better, until Bridget discovers that she is pregnant... but who’s the father?

The Palace Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock, LE67 6LG. 01530 262400 or email: enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk.

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

Saturday 25 February The Thing That Came From Over There!

The Thing That Came From Over There! by the Gonzo Moose Theatre Co. This critically acclaimed comedy-theatre trio delivers a crazy, enormously inventive and devilishly funny 1950’s horror movie spoof. As Scott and Amundsen begin their 1912 race to the South Pole, the hapless explorer

Captain

Reginald

Cranston

investigates a crashed meteor, unaware of the ancient evil that awaits him. A night of shocks, blood-curdling terror, hilariously gruesome deaths and glorious,

It’s FREE to add your community events to these pages, just email us at:

unadulterated, spine tingling silliness.

editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk.

Century Theatre, Ashby Road, Coalville,

Please submit details by 6th March 2017 for the April / May issue.

LE67 3LN. 01530 278444. 7:30pm.

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WALK THIS WAY

To A Healthier New Year A new walking group in Shepshed is giving people the opportunity to get fit in the new year.

The group will meet weekly starting on Monday, January 23 at 10.30am at Hall Croft, near Shepshed Library.

It is free to take part and people of all abilities are welcome to join us for an hour of walking.

The walks are supported by Charnwood Borough Council, in partnership with the Charnwood Walking for Health scheme and Fusion Lifestyle.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, said “It’s fantastic that we have more walking groups being formed around the borough.

“I’d encourage anyone who is interested in getting active in the new year to find a walking group near them as it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy, while enjoying the outdoors.”

The group is being led by volunteers from the Forest House Surgery Patient’s Participation Group in Shepshed.

The launch of the group follows the success of walking groups around the borough, including Barrow upon Soar and Mountsorrel.

For more information about walks in your area visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/walkingforhealth or contact the Sport and Active Recreation Team at Charnwood Borough Council on 01509 632535 or at active.together@charnwood.gov.uk.

FILM SHOW

Woodhouse Village Our February film is Sully: Miracle on the Hudson. The untold story behind the miracle on the Hudson starring Tom Hanks and directed by Clint Eastwood.

It will be shown on Wednesday 22nd February at 7:30pm in Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall.

Tickets are available on the door or in advance from the adjacent newsagent and they cost £4, including light refreshments.

Running time: 1 hour 36 min. Rating: PG. All very welcome.

The New Lount Bowls Club New Lount Bowls Club is situated in North West Leicestershire, in the beautiful local countryside. It is a very successful club at county and local levels and host County matches as well as County competitions. The club also prides itself on having one of the best greens in Leicestershire.

For more details please visit the website www.bowlsclub.org/club/6547.

New Lount Bowls Club, Gelsmoor Road, Coleorton, Leicestershire, LE67 8JF.

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February / March 2017 - Issue 24

Lleicester

Railway Society The Leicester Railway Society has been continuously active since 1939 and holds a full programme of events throughout the year.

SHEPSHED ARMY CADETS

The next few meetings are as follows:

The cadets meet every Wednesday at Shepshed High School,

14th February 2017 THIS IS AN AFTERNOON MEETING 2.00pm until 4.30/5.00pm.

“The Railways of Northamptonshire - Part 2 “Nibbling at the Edges“ featuring Syston to Peterborough, Peterborough to Northampton and Northampton to Banbury - by Robin Cullop/Brian Sullivan.

Forest Street, Shepshed, LE12 9DA from 19:00 - 21:00.

For further information visit: www.armycadets.com.

Gardening Club

LEICESTER RAILWAY SOCIETY - how we have performed

Belton

during 2016? Please attend and have your say for your

The gardening club is back with some fascinating monthly talks.

future of our society.

The next couple of meetings are:

7th March 2017 THIS IS AN AFTERNOON MEETING

Tuesday 21st February

21st February 2017 Annual General Meeting of the

2.00pm until 4.30pm/5.00pm.

Mr Robert Elson, Geologist; ‘Does the answer lie in the soil?’

All Change at St Pancras. The early days of steam until the change over to diesels plus the current view - by John Downing.

21st March 2017 “Welsh Highland Heritage Railway Miscellany” Programme: history of original WHR, the preservation era and WHHR today including rolling stock/Building the extension. Second half will focus on civil engineering, volunteers and projects. Then a short section on galas - by Nick Pell.

Afternoon meetings will commence promptly at 2.00pm.

Evening meetings will commence promptly at 7.30pm at Cricketers, Grace Road, Leicester, LE2 8AD. Admission charge: Members free, Visitors: £3.

Tuesday 21st March Sally Smith, Ryton Gardens; ‘Organic Gardening, Myths and Mysteries explained.’

Meetings are held at Belton Village Hall, School Lane, Belton, LE12 9TU at 7.30pm. Members free. Visitors £3 and very welcome.

Why not join the Leicester Railway Society? Yearly Subscription is only £18!

Further information is available from Michael Chapman (Secretary) on 0116 2603336 or Brian Holland (Programme Organiser) on0116 236 8328.

www.leicesterrailwaysociety.com

Coleorton W.I. Founded in 1965, Coleorton WI is part of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI).

We have a membership of around 50 and meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at Beaumont Social Centre, Nottingham Road, Peggs Green, LE67 8JG. Each meeting consists of relevant WI business, followed by a speaker or a demonstration which are listed on the website. Groups of members provide refreshments and most months we have a sales table. Visits are arranged to places of interest and exhibitions.

Coleorton WI welcomes visitors and new members.

Wednesday 1 February - Janice Quinn presents “Bear with me”. www.coleortonwi.weebly.com | coleortonwi@gmail.com

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

41

THE VINE DIRECTORY

CHILDCARE & EDUCATION

HEALTH continued

HOME continued

Grace Dieu Manor School.......................... 20

Denture Convenience..................................43

Oakham Rugs.................................................. 8

Our Lady’s Convent School....................... 20

Woodhouse Eaves Chiropody.................. 55

RJ Rowley.......................................................... 8

FLORISTS

HOME

Holywell Petals............................................... 29

FOOD, DRINK & VENUES

Absolute Window Solutions........................ 2 Ancient & Modern.........................................14 Broughtons....................................................... 3

A Holmes Butchers......................................... 4

Carpet Cuts.....................................................44

The George, Coleorton................................ 30

Central Construction...................................... 6

The Queen’s Head........................................ 29

Charnwood Oaks........................................... .6

Smithards Bakery...........................................14

Coalville Decorators Centre......................... 6

GARDEN

Coalville Furniture Superstore..................... 3

Delegate Services..........................................14 Garden Blueprints..........................................14 LB Grounds Maintenance............................. 2 LB Landscaping.............................................34 Outdoor Solutions.........................................14

HAIR & BEAUTY Mobile Hair dressing by Zoe.....................43

HEALTH

CV Lane............................................................. 4 Daniel Chapman - Decorator.....................14 DeVol........................................................10 + 11 DP Furnishings................................................14 The Flooring & Bed Company....................18 Graham Botterill - Soft Furnishings...........14 Hammonds......................................................17 Holme Tree Kitchens...................................... 8 Just Frames.....................................................43 The Light House...............................................7

Charnwood Hearing Centre......................34

Lockdales - Valuation Days..........................7

Charnwood Physiotherapy........................43

Martin Allen Flooring..................................... 4

RSJ Roofing....................................................... 5 Swift Solid Fuels.............................................34 Woodcock Farm Shop..................................18

LEISURE Millington Travel....................................................3

MOTORS Cropston Garage...........................................14

PETS Anstey Cattery...............................................43 Glebe Von Wood..........................................43 MM Leggett Veterinary Care....................43 The Retreat Boarding Kennels...................43

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Five Rivers - Fostering................................. 20 Henstocks Accountants................................18 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors......................7 Prusinski Solicitors.......................................... 5 Roy Green - Sales & Lettings...................... 4

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: 07708 915 779 or email: editor@thevineleicestershire.co.uk Alternatively you can visit the website to find out more: www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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February / March 2017 - Issue 24

www.thevineleicestershire.co.uk

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February / March 2017 - Issue 24