What's Around Magazine February 2015

THE GREAT BAKE OFF packington GEORGE MICHAEL TRIBUTE SHOW ibstock INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE palace, ibstock FARMERS MARKET ashby de la zouch

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SEASONAL RECIPES | COMMUNITY EVENTS | REVIEWS | SERVICES | PUZZLES ISSUE 115 - FEBRUARY 2015

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Publisher: What’s Around Ltd. Printed by: Context, Packington Editor: Paul Garrett © Copyright What’s Around Ltd. Advertising: 01530 832015 Email:advert@whatsaround.co.uk Web: www.whatsaround.co.uk Address: Hall Gardens, Ravenstone, Leics. LE67 2HF

A Loving Heart Page 26

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate, neither the publisher, printer nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by the errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior permission of the publisher.

What’s Around Ltd. does not officially endorse any advertising material contained within this publication. Nevertheless, it will from time to time, recommend individual services and or businesses which have either been recommended by readers, contributors or by our own personal experience.

Film Review Page 45

Seasonal Desserts Page 42

Food & Drink 8

Seasonal Recipes

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Stuffed chicken breast wrapped in pancetta

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Hazelnut butter grilled scallops with salad

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Steamed Mussels

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Seasonal Desserts

Monthly Features

Copy deadline for mar 2015 is 17th Feb 2015

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Crossword

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Sudoku

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Book Review Too

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Book Review

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Wordsearch

Contents

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The Palace

General

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Jobs in the Garden

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Ashby Farmer’s Market

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New! Just for Kids (by I4 Design & Print)

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A Loving Heart

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Good New Films and those you may have missed

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Wines: Off the beaten track - Italy

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Your Stars by Dan Worthaus

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Choir Members Wanted!

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What’s On

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Tyresafe and Pot Holes

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Index of Advertisers

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The Great Bake Off

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Small Ads/Classifieds

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seasonal recipes Spaghetti alla carbonara Makes 4 mins Prep 30 time g in k o o C ins m 0 10-3 Ingredients • 400g/14oz dried spaghetti • 175g/6¼oz piece smoked pancetta, rind removed • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped • handful flatleaf parsley leaves,

finely chopped • 3 large freerange eggs, beaten • 50g/1¾oz pecorino sardo maturo (mature Sardinian pecorino), finely grated • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Bring 4.5 litres/8 pints water to the boil in a large saucepan with eight teaspoons salt. Add the spaghetti and cook for nine minutes, or until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, cut the pancetta into lardons (short little strips), about 6mm/1¼in wide.

3. Heat a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat, add the oil and the pancetta and fry until lightly golden.

Add the garlic and parsley and cook for a few seconds, then remove from the heat and set aside.

4. Drain the spaghetti well, tip into the frying pan with the pancetta, garlic and parsley, add the beaten eggs and half the grated pecorino cheese and toss together well.

5. Season to taste with a little salt and black pepper. The heat from the spaghetti will be sufficient to partly cook the egg, but still leave it moist and creamy. Take to the table and serve in warmed pasta bowls, sprinkled with the rest of the cheese.

Courtesy Rick Stein

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Leek risotto with parmesan crisps Serves 2 Prep 30 mins Cooking time 30 mins to 1 hr Ingredients • 2 medium leeks, sliced • thick slice of butter • 3-4 tarragon stalks, leaves only • 2 good spilling handfuls of arborio rice (about 200g/7oz) • 175ml/6fl oz wineglass dry white wine

• 1 litre/1 pint 15fl oz hot homemade chicken stock (the stock can be made from leftover roast chicken) • salt and freshly ground black pepper • 2 heaped tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese

1. Scatter the chopped leeks into a large shallow pan, add the butter and some tarragon leaves and cook over a gentle heat, stirring from time to time, until the leeks soften and become translucent but not coloured, about 12-15 minutes.

2. Stir in the rice to coat in the butter, then add the wine and let it bubble until the liquid has pretty much disappeared. Little by little add the hot stock, a couple of ladlefuls at a time at the most. When the rice absorbs the liquid and starts to diminish in the pan, you can add another ladle or so, stirring the rice often. Continue cooking until the rice has become plump and creamy but still has a little bite left in it, about 20 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

3. The parmesan crisps can be made about ten minutes before the serving the risotto. Place each spoonful of finely grated parmesan into a non-stick pan over a low heat and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon so it looks like a biscuit. Leave it to cook gently, so that the parmesan melts and forms a little crust. Once it is crisp on the bottom, very carefully flip it over using a palette knife.

Cook for a minute or two on the other side and then remove from the pan. Serve the risotto in two bowls, both topped with a parmesan crisp.

Courtesy Nigel Slater

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Book Review Too!

by Buck Verm

Trust me Once

By Jan Coffey Trust Me Once by Jan Coffey marks the contemporary romance debut of the writing team of Jim and Nikoo McGoldrick, who also write award-winning historical romances as May McGoldrick. Life is full of surprises, but some lives are definitely more full than others.

When Sarah Rand returns home from vacation, she’s surprised to discover she’s a dead woman. Somehow, while she was abroad, her best friend was murdered, and the body was mistakenly identified as hers. Only the killer knows that Sarah is still alive and, if he has anything to say about it, she won’t remain so for very much longer. To make matters worse, Sarah’s mentor, a local judge, has been charged with her murder, the cops are not to be trusted, and some of the most powerful people in Newport are involved in the cover up. The only person she can turn to is Owen Dean -- a man whose only qualifications as hero come from his role on a hit TV cop show. It isn’t easy for Sarah to trust a virtual stranger, even one who offers help when she so desperately needs it -- especially when she learns the man has secrets of his own. Jan Coffey’s debut features tight plotting, hot action, and enough twists to keep Sarah and Owen running...right into each other’s arms.

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recipe Stuffed chicken breast wrapped in pancetta Serves 4 Preparation time less than 30 mins Cooking time 10 to 30 mins Ingredients 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless 4 tbsp cranberry sauce 300g/10½oz gorgonzola cheese 24 slices of pancetta Italian olive oil salt freshly ground black pepper For the green bean salad 4 handfuls green beans ½ lemon, juice only 3-4 tbsp olive oil 1.

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.

2.

Place each chicken breast between two pieces of cling film and, using a meat mallet, bash out the pieces until about 0.5cm/0.25in thick. Remove the cling film.

3.

Spread one tablespoon of cranberry sauce over each chicken breast. Place a piece of gorgonzola in the middle of each chicken breast, season and roll up the chicken to enclose the cheese.

4.

Place six slices of pancetta, side by side, on a chopping board. Place one chicken breast on the pancetta slices and tightly wrap pancetta around the chicken.

Repeat with the remaining chicken and pancetta slices.

5.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and cook in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted.

6.

Meanwhile, blanch the green beans for a few minutes in boiling water and then refresh in iced water.

7.

Toss the beans with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper.

8.

Divide the bean salad between four plates.

9.

Top with the cooked chicken and serve at once.

Courtesy Gino D’Acampo

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recipe Hazelnut butter grilled scallops with salad Serves 2 Prep Time less than 30 mins Cooking Time 10 to 30 mins Ingredients For the scallops 1 tsp olive oil 1 shallot, peeled, finely sliced 75g/2½oz butter, softened ½ lemon, zest only 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chervil 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives 45g/1½oz hazelnuts, finely chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 scallops, cleaned For the salad ½ tbsp wholegrain mustard ½ tbsp good quality white wine vinegar 1½ tbsp good quality rapeseed oil 1 Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated 1 punnet pea shoots

NOTE COOK’S delicately p callo s, These s ith fresh herbs, , dw flavoure nd rich hazelnuts a t to s e s z te minu lemon than ten take less cook.

Method 1.

For the scallops, heat a frying pan until warm, add the olive oil and shallot and fry gently until softened but not coloured.

2.

Place the butter into a bowl and add the cooked shallot, along with all the remaining scallop ingredients, except the scallops. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well.

3.

Preheat the grill to high.

4.

Place the scallops onto a grill tray and top each scallop with a spoonful of the hazelnut butter. Place under the grill for 3-4 minutes, or until just cooked through.

Remove from the grill and set aside to rest for one minute.

5.

For the salad, whisk the mustard, vinegar and oil together in a bowl. Place the lettuce leaves and pea shoots into a bowl, drizzle over the dressing and stir to coat.

6.

To serve, place three scallops onto each of 2 serving plates and serve with a pile of salad.

Courtesy James Martin

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healthy living A Loving Heart Love is in the air: It’s February and that means it’s time for all you lovers to celebrate your affections to that special person in your life. Some people take their loved one to a fancy restaurant for a romantic meal and shower them with gifts of flowers, champagne and chocolates.

It is a day all about proclaiming your love and showing that special one that you love them with all your heart.

Your heart is one thing that you may forget about when you are organising your affections. Protecting and loving your heart should be foremost in your mind. We all know how important it is to look after our hearts but do you know how to do it?

Don’t wait until you have to change your lifestyle due to a heart attack.

Prevention is better than cure and there are many ways to reduce your chances of having problems with your heart. First of all, stop smoking. You may have heard this many times before but it really is a factor of increasing heart disease. There are thousands of chemicals within the tobacco that you inhale. Just 5 cigarettes a day can double your chances of having a heart attack (heart research. org.uk) Smoking can increase your blood pressure and at the same time it can reduce the amount of oxygen within your lungs.

There is nothing wrong in allowing yourself to have the odd bar of chocolate or a slice of cake, but you should attempt to eat a well-balanced diet the rest of

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the time. This includes fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean meats, fish and chicken and reducing the amount of salt that you eat. To cut back on your salt intake, you should avoid cooking with salt and prevent adding it to your plate. Many foods that are tinned or ready prepared such as pizzas and ready meals contain huge quantities of salt.

Think about the amount of saturated fats you are consuming too. The ‘bad’ fats clog up the arteries which can lead to heart disease. By cutting the fat off your meat and grilling instead of frying you can reduce the amount of saturated fats you eat.

Alcohol in moderation can actually be beneficial to the body. However, the amount and type of alcohol you drink is the key. It contain a great deal of calories which can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure, which in turn is putting more pressure on your heart.

Move your body! You do not have to pay for a yearly subscription to the gym to exercise. There are numerous dance and aerobic classes available if you don’t want to go to the gym. If money is tight, slip your trainers or walking boots on and walk. Try to increase your heart rate by climbing hills and getting slightly out of breath.

Your heart is special and you need to protect it as much as you can. So when you are buying those heart shaped cushions and toys, have a thought for your own heart and show it as much love as you can.

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recipe Steamed Mussels Serves 2 Prep Time Less than 30 mins Cooking Time Less than 20 mins

Ingredients 500g/1 lb 2oz fresh mussels 2 tsp garlic, finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh root ginger, finely chopped 1 tsp chilli bean sauce 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 1 tbsp light soy sauce 2 tsp dark soy sauce 2 fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped 3 tbsp spring onions, finely shredded 3 tbsp groundnut or peanut oil fresh coriander sprigs, to garnish Method

NOTE COOK’S agrant Hom’s fr Try Ken ussels for an m steamed d quick supper an l a ic m econo

1.

Scrub the mussels clean. Discard any mussels that don’t close when tapped gently.

2.

Set up a steamer or put a rack into a wok or deep pan and fill it with 5cm/2in of water. Bring the water to the boil over a high heat.

3.

Place the mussels on a plate, then place the plate into the steamer or onto the rack.

4.

Turn the heat to low so the water is barely simmering and cover the wok or pan tightly.

5.

Steam gently for five minutes or until the mussels begin to open.

6.

Meanwhile, combine all the sauce ingredients, except the oil, in a heatproof bowl.

7.

Heat a wok or large frying-pan over high heat. When hot, add the oil. Heat the oil until it’s very hot and slightly smoking, then pour the hot oil over the sauce ingredients.

8.

Remove the mussels from the steamer. Discard any mussels that haven’t opened.

9.

Stir the sauce then pour over the mussels.

10. Garnish with fresh coriander sprigs and serve at once.

Courtesy Ken Hom

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WINES : OFF THE BEATEN TRACK – ITALY The award-winning Albea Winery was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Later, a first floor was created, to meet newer and more modern production requirements. The winemakers producing these wines are very experienced and their knowledge, plus expertise, is second to none. Cantina Albea is very much respected and appreciated, greatly. Several grape varietals are grown, including Verdeca, Bianco D’Alessano, Minutolo, Negroamaro and Primitivo.

These vines produce splendid fruits, to eventually achieve the end products—Wines with great character and expression.

Il Selva Locorotondo Bianco I found to be most pleasant. Verdeca, Bianco D’Alessano and Minutolo are the grape varieties utilised for this production. A very popular wine, which is excellent with seafood, fish and white meats. Trullo Bianco Puglia Bianco is produced using Verdeca, quite a rare white grape variety, from southern Italy. This wine is fresh, with very fruity sensations displayed on the mouthfeel and is excellent to accompany fish dishes.

Nobile Latino Puglia Rosso and Petranera Puglia Rosso are both made with 100% Primitivo grapes. A deep red colour greets the eye, for both productions, with very good bouquets of ripe fruits. A wonderful full-on mouthfeel continues to the splendid, extended palate. Perfect pairings with many dishes, including red meats. Petrarosa Puglia Rosato also

utilises Primitivo grapes and I found this to be another, extremely pleasant wine, with good flavours. I located Raro Salento Rosso, also. This wine is made using Negroamaro and Primitivo grape varieties.

A deep ruby-red colour very much pleases on the visual, with an appealing bouquet, enticing to the full mouthfeel and palate sensation, which is long and impressive.

This is a further popular wine, from this producer and accompanies grilled meats, perfectly.

These are my selections, from a winemaker with a range of wines that has something for all tastes and palates.

Wines, very worthwhile locating, from an award-winning producer. www.albeavini.com www.demijohn.co.uk

As always, Enjoy!

Trevor Langley

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The Ysabel Kid by JT Edson

His father was Sam Ysabel, a wild Irish Kentuckian who’d come to Texas in the early days and rode as scout to Jim Bowie. His mother was the daughter of Chief Longwalker and his French Creole squaw. That dangerous mixture of bloods produced a son who inherited the sighting eye of an eagle from the sureshooting, rifle-toting Kentuckian stock. From the French Creole side he got a love of cold steel and the inborn knack of handling a knife.

And from his Comanche grandfather he got his horse savvy and ability to read sign where a buck Apache might falter.

His full name was Loncey Dalton Ysabel. Most men knew him as … the Ysabel Kid. ~~~~~~~ John Thomas Edson was born at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on February 17 1928, the son of a miner who was killed in an accident when John was nine. He left Shirebrook Selective Central School at 14 to work in a stone quarry and joined the Army four years later.

As a sergeant in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Edson served in Kenya during the Emergency, on one occasion killing five Mau Mau on patrol. He started writing in Hong Kong, and when he won a large cash prize in a tombola he invested in a typewriter.

On coming out of the Army after 12 years with a wife and children to support, Edson learned his craft while running a fish-and-chip shop and working on the production line at a local pet food factory.

His efforts paid off when Trail Boss (1961) won second prize in a competition with a promise of publication and an outright payment of £50.

The publishers offered £25 more for each subsequent book, and with the addition of earnings from serial-writing for the comic Victor, Edson was able to settle down to professional authorship. When the comic’s owners decided that nobody read cowboy stories any more, he was forced to get a job as a postman (the job had the by-product of enabling him to lose six stone in weight from his original 18).

Edson’s prospects improved when Corgi Books took over his publisher, encouraged him to produce seven books a year and promised him royalties for the first time. In 1974 he made his first visit to the United States, to which he was to return regularly in search of reference books. He declared that he had no desire to live in the Wild West, adding: “I’ve never even been on a horse. I’ve seen those things, and they look highly dangerous at both ends and bloody uncomfortable in the middle. My only contact was to shoot them for dog meat.”

His heroes were often based on his favourite film stars, so that Dusty Fog resembled Audie Murphy, and the Ysabel Kid was an amalgam of Elvis Presley in Flaming Star and Jack Buetel in The Outlaw.

Before becoming a recluse in his last years, JT’s favourite boast was that Melton Mowbray was famous for three things: “The pie, Stilton cheese and myself but not necessarily in that order.”

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the palace

February’s forthcoming events at the Palace are as follows: Saturday, 14th February – The Palace Valentine’s Social Dance. A very popular evening of Ballroom, Latin, and Sequence Doors & bar open at 7.30 pm. Dancing from 8.00 pm ‘till 11.00 pm. Tickets: £5.00.

Sunday, 15th February - Palace Indoor Car boot Sale from 9.00am – midday. Pick up a bargain! Admission 20p. For More details or to book a stall call Gary on Tel 01530 262400.

Friday, 20th February – A very special Palace vintage Film Night – ‘Hobson’s Choice’. A comedy drama set in Salford, Manchester. This original silent version was made on 1920 and was considered a lost British classic until it was rediscovered 4 years ago. This special showing of this silent vintage gem will have live musical accompaniment by Cyrus Gabrysh, one of the resident pianists at the BFI on the South Bank. There will be a silent short film before the main feature. Doors/ bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets: £5.00/£4.00. Advance tickets: from The Palace Tel: 01530 262400 or Halls Electrical Tel: 01530 260460. Tickets can be purchased ‘on the door’ (subject to availability) Please check with ticket outlets to avoid disappointment.

Friday, 27th February – Palace Line Dance - with Honky Tonk Cliff. A great social night out with no partner required! Dancing from 7.45pm. Doors & bar open at 7.00pm. Tickets: In advance £4.50 from The Palace Tel: 01530 262400 or Halls Electrical Tel: 01530 260460 or £5.50 on the door.

Regular bookings: Monday Mosaic Disability Services - 9.30am - 3.30pm.

(0116) 2318720 0r (07912) 480961.

Contact Amanda Tebbutt on

Zumba Fitness – 6.30pm – 7.30pm. Ditch the workout – join the party! Contact Laura on (07702) 345586.

Fitness Pilates class – 7.45pm – 8.45pm. Contact Michelle Scott-Worthington on (07887) 678367.

Tuesday Bubbles Playgroup – 10.30am – 12 Noon. Contact Rachel Seabrook on (01530) 452144.

Circuit Training – 6.45pm – 7.45pm. Contact Curtis Smith on (07870) 498110 or (01455) 291656.

Tai Chi – 8pm – 9pm. Contact Doug Gerrard on (07969) 480684.

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Wednesday 60+ Fitness Pilates – 9.30am – 10.30am. Contact Michelle Scott-Worthington on (07887) 678367.

Thursday ‘Healthy Hearts’ Low Impact Physical Training – 9.30am – 10.20am - improve co-ordination, circulation, strength and endurance. Suitable for GP referral participants. Contact Michelle Scott-Worthington on (07887) 678367.

Active Steps Workout – posture, balance and fitness class – 11am – 12 noon.

Contact Michelle Scott-Worthington on (07887) 678367.

Outlook Group (a social group for senior citizens) - 1.30pm – 3pm.

Elaine Hodgetts on (01530) 262400.

Contact

Bingo – Doors open 7.30pm. Eyes down at 8pm. Licensed bar & refreshments.

Everyone welcome.

Friday Tai Chi – 10am – 11am. Contact Michael Cashmore on (07714) 215216.

Childrens Dance Classes - Beginners Ballet 4.00-4.45pm; Beginners Tap 4.455.30pm; Musical Theatre 5.30-6.15pm Contact Miss Jessica of Rochelle School Of Dance (established over 60 years in the area) (01455) 636514, (07949) 121442 or office@rochelle-dance.com Saturday Community Morning at the Palace – 10am to 12 noon. Every Saturday (except the 1st Saturday each month) the Palace plays host to groups, organisations and associations from the village, including the Ibstock Historical Society. So if you would like to learn more about what is happening in your community, come along to the Palace. Also a variety of market stalls selling locally produced goods, including delicious home made cakes, plus produce from Ibstock’s very own Dairy, including milk, butter, yoghurt and cream. Light refreshments available.

Sunday Gatling Gun Productions – local film group - 2.00-4.00pm. Every two weeks. If you are interested in being involved in the film making business, ring Ian Hodges on 07964 976099 for further details.

The Palace Community Centre is available to hire for regular events and commercial hire, as well as private parties and celebrations.

The Palace has a fully licensed bar, kitchen facilities, large free car park opposite venue, good disability access and facilities, full PA and lighting system, large screen and wi-fi, making it an ideal venue for numerous types of events.

SEE OUR WEBSITE www.thepalaceibstock.co.uk FOR MORE DETAILS

The Palace Community Centre Ltd., High Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LE67 6LH. Tel (01530) 262400. e-mail: enquiries@thepalaceibstock.co.uk

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seasonal desserts Lemon and mascarpone tart Serve Prep s 8 30 min s Rea 30 min dy in s to 1 hr

Ingredients • 1 x 25cm/10in sweet shortcrust pastry tart shell, baked blind (you can use readymade pastry) For the filling • 300g/10½oz mascarpone • 300g/10½oz caster sugar • 6 lemons, juice and zest • 6 free-range eggs,

plus 6 free-range egg yolks For the raspberry champagne sauce • 175g/6oz caster sugar • 150ml/5½fl oz champagne • 200g/7oz fresh raspberries To serve • icing sugar • raspberries • whipped cream

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. Beat the mascarpone, caster sugar, lemon juice and zest together in a bowl until very smooth.

3. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks until well combined.

4. Pour the mixture into the tart shell and bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until set. Remove the tart from the oven and set aside to cool, then leave to chill in the fridge.

5. For the sauce, bring the sugar and champagne to the boil in a saucepan, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add the raspberries and set aside to cool completely.

6. Blend the sauce in a blender until smooth, then pass through a sieve.

7. To serve, cut a slice of the tart, sprinkle over some icing sugar and caramelise with a cook’s blowtorch (optional).

8. Place the slice onto a serving plate and drizzle over a little sauce. Top with the raspberries and whipped cream.

Courtesy Simon Rimmer

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Macaroons 12 Makes ur ho 1 p e r P in Ready ins m 0 3 10 to Ingredients

• 125g/4½oz icing sugar • 125g/4½oz ground almonds • 90g/3½oz freerange egg whites • 2 tbsp water • 110g/4oz caster

sugar • food colouring (optional) • desiccated coconut, for sprinkling (optional) • 150ml/5fl oz double or whipped cream, whipped

1. Preheat the oven to 170/C/325F/Gas 3 and line a large baking tray with baking paper.

2. Put the icing sugar, ground almonds and 40g/1½oz egg whites together in a large bowl and mix to a paste.

3. Put the water and caster sugar in a small pan and heat gently to melt the sugar, then turn up the heat and boil until the mixture starts to go syrupy and thickens - I don’t use a thermometer but if you prefer to use one, it should read 115C/239F at this stage.

4. Whisk the remaining 50g/2oz egg whites in a small bowl until medium-stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl, then pour in the sugar syrup, whisking until the mixture becomes stiff and shiny. For coloured macaroons, add a few drops of food colouring. Tip this meringue mixture into the almond paste mixture and stir gently until the becomes stiff and shiny again.

5. Spoon into the piping bag. Pipe a little mixture under each corner of the baking paper to stop it sliding around. With the bag held vertically, pipe 4cm/1½in flat circles onto the lined tray, about 2cm/¾in apart, twisting the bag after each one. The mixture should be quite loose to give a smooth finish. The piping will leave a small ‘tip’ on each circle so, when they’re all piped, give the tray 2–3 slams on a flat surface to flatten them.

At this stage, sprinkle with desiccated coconut if you want.

6. Leave to stand for 30 minutes to form a skin then bake in the oven for 12–15 minutes with the door slightly ajar until firm. Remove from the oven, lift the paper off the baking tray and leave the macaroons to cool on the paper.

7. When cool, sandwich the macaroons together with whipped cream. They can be kept for a couple of days, if they hang around that long!

Courtesy Lorraine Pascale

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This Months Jobs in the Garden Spending a cold or wet February in the garden may not seem like the most thrilling idea.

February is the last time to prepare your garden before all the lush green grows back. To help get your garden ready for the year try these garden tips.

Remove leaves from plant beds and containers. If you don’t they can start to rot and may cause disease. If you have a compost heap you can add what you collect.

Perennial plants, the ones that tend to die back over winter unlike evergreens, (which, not surprisingly, stay green all year) may leave branches and seed heads behind.

Many people leave them without trimming them back to help wildlife find protection from the elements in the winter . The seeds can also be a source of food.

If you have left them, now is the time to cut them back as this will help improve their appearance and flowering. Cut down any remaining growth on perennials as close to the base as possible. If you grow any Fuchsias, such as ShadowDancers, wait until the very end of February, then trim them down and place in a sheltered spot. This will encourage new growth.

Keep an eye out for weeds and deal with them as soon as possible.

Leaving weeds, even in colder months, means they can spread their seeds.

If the weather is mild you may see weeds like nettles coming through. It’s a good idea to remove them whilst they are still small.

If you have any cleaning up left to do such as tidying and cleaning greenhouses and sheds, make sure you do this before things start to grow.

Having a deep clean can help prevent pests and diseases spreading into the new gardening season.

If we get a warm February, you could need to mow the lawn already. Just make sure it’s dry when you do. Try not to cut it back too short just yet by using the highest setting on your lawnmower.

Mulching involves covering your soil in some sort of organic material such as bark chippings and compost. It can help give your plants more nutrients, hold in moisture, insulate and protect against weeds. Normally mulching is left until slightly later in the spring but you may need to work in a bit of mulch around plants that are already starting to come through the top of the soil. Composted leaves from the autumn are good for this. Try not to do this on wet days or when the ground is frozen.

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just for kids

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the day of the 2014 National Football League (NFL) Draft, where college players are selected to join a team.

American Sniper (2014) Chris Kyle was nothing more than a Texan man who wanted to become a cowboy, but in his thirties he found out that maybe his life needed something d i f f e r e n t , something where he could express his real talent, something that could help America in its fight against terrorism. So he joined the SEALs in order to become a sniper.

After marrying, Kyle and the other members of the team are called for their first tour of Iraq. Kyle’s struggle isn’t with his missions, but about his relationship with the reality of the war and, once returned at home, how he manages to handle it with his urban life, his wife and kids.

Draft Day (DVD & Blu-ray) Ivan Reitman directs this sports drama starring Kevin Costner as the manager of an American football team.

Under pressure from the team’s owner Anthony Molina (Frank Langella), Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr (Costner) accepts a deal to make a trade with Seattle Seahawks manager Tom Michaels (Patrick St. Esprit) for the number one pick Bo Callahan (Josh Pence) prior to Draft Day. However, this causes anger with the fans and within the NFL, and defensive player Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman), who is keen to join the Browns, attempts to prove to Sonny why he should pick him instead of Callahan.

Meanwhile, in his personal life, Sonny is in a secret relationship with his team’s lawyer Ali Parker (Jennifer Garner), who is pregnant with his child.

Despite the challenges he faces, will Sonny be able to please everyone with the decisions he makes on Draft Day? The cast also features current and former football players such as Terry Crews, Deion Sanders, Alex Mack and Ray Lewis.

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your stars Your Stars for the Month 2015 by Dan Worthaus Aries - March 20th - April 20th February 2015 may not be an easy month for you, Aries. There seems to be some family problems on the horizon. Aries loves his or her family but sometimes Aries can be a bit to head strong, and act more like a bull in a china shop if there is a problem. There are always problems in families, and it is better if they can be resolved amicably. You really need to try to control your temper during February, Aries. I know it is not always easy. If you are a working Aries you may find someone is trying to test your patience at work as well. There are lots of internal politics going on in your work place at the moment. It would be best if you could try to stay at of them as, they will only test your patience and you have many other things you need to focus on this month as well.

Taurus - April 21st - May 21st Don’t be surprised if February brings you a fair share of health problems. You may feel tired, but will not be in a state of mind to rest. It is nothing to worry about but don’t be surprised if you pick up a long lasting cold or virus. Instead of turning to the drug store you check out some alternative remedies. Maybe even visit a homeopath to see what advice they can help you with. Be a little bit careful at work. Lots of people are going to want to pick your brains, and take advantage of your skills. If you don’t mind, that is great but never let yourself be taken advantage of. Make sure your colleagues at work are not using you to further their own career. If you are a married Taurus, or in a long term relationship, you might have to deal with some tension.Your partner will seem anxious, and you need to take some time out to deal with what is bothering him or her.

Gemini - May 22nd - June 21st You are in for a lot of pleasant surprises and opportunities during February 2015. You should try to make the most of them, and capitalize on them for the future. Be prepared to work a bit harder to achieve some of the opportunities presented to you. There is really no pressure on you to achieve anything in particular, this is just something which you feel you need to do. If you are interested in making plans for the future, now is a good time to do so. Make sure the plans you start to make during this month are concrete plans. They don’t need to be set in stone, and should be somewhat flexible, but they should not be whimsical. But then again you are not in a whimsical mood this month.

Cancer - June 22nd - July 23rd Expect work to dominate your life this month. This applies to all people born under this sign. Even if you are not in employment, there will be numerous tasks for you to complete. There is a strong focus on home, so it could mean that you have home repairs piling up and other matters associated to the home which you need to deal with. If you are working, or have your own business, you need to be prepared to spend many hours at work. Especially if you are a person in charge you can expect to be really busy. A lot of the tasks will involve problem solving and also helping others.

Leo - July 24th - August 23rd When it comes to work there could be a good chance of promotion for you, or some kind of recognition for you. Don’t let it go to your head, you like to be the leader but sometimes it is better to lead from the side lines until a really good opportunity arises. Love will be a very important factor in your life during February. You may even meet someone really special which you would like to spend some time with. It is nice to find someone special but Leos do have a tendency to overwhelm their love interests.

You need to be careful that you don’t do that. Watch your finances. You may have a cash bonus on the horizon but that does not mean you should rush out to spend it all.

Virgo - August 23rd - September 22nd You will more than likely find that February will be one of the busiest months during 2015, and you may even feel like your feet don’t touch the ground. As a matter of fact, you really do need to be on your toes during 2015. There will be a lot of career opportunities for you, and you may even find that you will start climbing up the career once again after a bit of a quiet time. Good for you, but you need to be prepared to work hard to achieve want you want.If you are a business owner work will be flowing in during this month. Take advantage of all the new contacts you will make during this month as they can help to support your business in the future.

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Libra - September 23rd - October 23rd During February you can expect to be in great demand at work, and you may find everybody would like your help. That is absolutely fine, but make sure you get something out of it as well. At the end of the day you would like acknowledgement for your achievements. Compensation can come to you in monetary terms, or in the way of a promotion with a better salary packaged attached. At home you will feel like redecorating. Whilst cash is not abundant during this month, your creative side will come to the forefront and you will come up with some unique solutions. Your friends will become impressed by your ideas, and many of them will expect you to help. Only do this if you want to and have the time, you cannot be everything to everybody.

Scorpio - October 24th - November 22nd Once again Scorpio you are preoccupied with work. This has been going on for a long time, many years actually, and you don’t seem to be able to get you out of yourself this life style. The only problem is that your home life may suffer from your work rate, and you really do need to stop neglecting your family. Try to have some time off from work, and spend time with your family.You do need to watch your health as well. It would be a good idea to keep an eye on your diet, but more importantly you need to watch your urinary health. Keep an eye out for urinary tract infections, and bladder infections. If you are a male Scorpio, it might be a good idea to get a PSA check as well.

Sagittarius - November 23rd - December 21st You often expect people to do as you tell them, or expect them but this needs to change during February. For once, you need to listen and adjust not only to people but to your surroundings as well. You are not always aware what is going on in your surroundings, but now might be a good idea to change your attitude and become more aware. February is also a good time to make plans for the future. You will notice there are a lot of things going in your local neighborhood which can positively affect your future if you let them. You need to keep an eye on for new property projects near-by, and consider how they can influence the value of your property in years to come. Do you need to make some home improvements to keep your property uptdate?

Capricorn - December 22nd - January 20th You may feel a bit stressed, and perhaps even anxious during February. Things at work seem to be getting on your nerves, and you are bringing your problems home with you. This is not a good thing, and you need to be aware. The best way forward will be to speak up for yourself, and tell people how you feel about things. If you are a married Capricorn, your family will need some attention as well. Don’t just expect them to drift along, take them out and do something fun. Your diet is not especially good, and there needs to be some drastic changes. If you don’t start taking a look at your diet, you can expect to have some major health problems in the near future.

Aquarius - January 21st - February 19th For some reason you will start of this month feeling a bit lonely. Whilst you are not really on your own, you will crave extra attention and companionship. At the same time you will also have some feeling on insecurity. There is only one way to deal with this: take a good look at yourself and find out what is going. You may be surprised at the answer you come up with. Perhaps the limelight is already strongly focused on you, and you need to perhaps spend more time thinking about others.

Also watch your language during February. There could be some problems with how you approach others at work or in your business, and you really need to be aware of this. You can’t have it all your own way, and it is better to learn how to work with others.

Pisces - February 20th - March 20th You do have a tendency to want to help and look after others. This is not a bad thing but sometimes you overdo it. During February someone close to you will be experiencing some health problems, and whilst you want to help, you need to make sure you look after your own health as well. You often forget to look after your own health, and if you don’t pay attention to your own health, you cannot help others. It might be a good idea to lay down some own personal guidelines, and learn when enough is enough.

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what’s on Friday 6th February 2015 What We Did On Our Holiday (12A). A dysfunctional family travel to the Scottish Highlands for a 75th birthday party.

Bittersweet comedy starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly. At Century Theatre at Snibston starting at 7.30. Admission £3.50 pay on the door. For more details call 01530 278444.

Saturday 14th February 2015 A Folk Night with “The Travelling People” - Packington Friends of Ashby Museum presents: A Folk Night with “The Travelling People” at Packington Memorial Hall 7.30pm start. Ticketss £10 each includes a Ploughman’s Supper. Licensed Bar. Tickets available from Ashby Museum (no tickets on the night). For further information telephone 01530 560090.

Saturday 14th February 2015 Retro Gaming Weekend Snibston - Coalville Sat 14 February to Sun 15 February, 2015. Hosted by The Retro Computer Museum this event offers a fantastic hands-on opportunity to discover and play on computers and consoles from the last 35 years including Acorn, Sony, Amstrad, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sinclair, Dragon, Apple and a few surprises. There will also be a Virtuality Machines from the 90’s. Saturday and Sunday 10.30am - 4:30pm. Tickets: Adult single day ticket £10.50 in advance (£12 on the door).Adult two day ticket £15.50 in advance (£17 on the door).Child single day ticket £6.50 in advance (£8 on the door). Child two day ticket £9.50 in advance (£11 on the door). All ticket prices include admission to the museum. These can be purchased from www. retrocomputermuseum.co.uk, www.snibston.com or by calling

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01530 278444.

Sunday 15th February 2015 Tom Mcconville and the Transpennine Sessions Centre Stage presents Tom Mcconville and The Transpennine Sessions.

Tom McConville & The Transpennine Sessions In Concert. This high energy show includes songs, tunes and some amazing clog step dancing with material ranging from dustbowl ballads to bluegrass, old time and fast moving Celtic music brought to you by four highly accomplished performers. With the Pennines as the hub the show musically links Scotland and the Borders in the north, Ireland to Appalachia out west, then back over the moors as far east as South Shields! The show is a roller coaster of musical delights and of course great singing all presented with Tom s inimitable sense of humour and style.

Thringstone House Community Centre First Floor Hall. 8.00pm to 10.30pm. Admission Adults £9, Child £7. Call 01530 222337 for more details.

Friday 27th February 2015 Mr Turner (12A) Drector Mike Leigh’s latest film, starring Timothy Spall as the great British painter JMW Turner. At Century Theatre at Snibston starting at 7.30. Admission £3.50 pay on the door. For more details call 01530 278444.

Saturday 28th February 2015 An Evening With Henry Vlll ‘Performance historian’ John White portrays our most colourful monarch in the later years of his life, with Q and A session afterwards. At Century Theatre at Snibston starting at 7.30. Admission £7 advance, £9 on the door. For more details call 01530 278444.

Saturday 7th March 2015 Counterfeit Sixties Show. Re-live

the sounds of the swinging sixties, as Britain’s No. 1 tribute show brings alive the magic of the sixties, with their tribute to over twenty five bands of that era. The show encompasses everything from that period, from the clothes that were worn, to flashbacks from television history, including: TV programmes, adverts and even clips from the original bands.The Counterfeit Sixties presents a showcase of the great bands of this unforgettable time. The fantastic music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and The Monkees - to name but a few - all recreated in this stunning show. The band members have performed their unique tribute shows all over the UK and abroad, and have a wide range of experience in that field. The members of the band have individually worked with notable sixties artists such as The Searchers, The Ivy League, The Fortunes, The Tremeloes and many more. Join us for a night of sixties nostalgia! At Century Theatre at Snibston starting at 7.30 till 10.00pm. Admission £14 advance, £16 on the door. For more details call 01530 278444 or visit the website www. counterfeit60s.com.

Saturday 21st March2015 Country Meets Folk Dragonhead - Cajun and Folk.Brian Langtry & Graham - Songs of Johnny Cash and more Award winning comp re - Dave Fry Songs and giggles.

At Thringstone House Community Centre. 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

Admission £7.50 - concessions £7.00. For more details call 01530 222337.

It’s free to have your event details published in the What’s On section.

Either email us with your details to info@ whatsaround.co.uk or fill out our on-line event form at www.whatsaround.co.uk.

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index I n d ex o f Ad ver tise rs

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Ashby Cottage Hospital is in the news at present - unfortunately for the wrong reasons.

During March and April Ashby Museum will put on a display highlighting the hospital’s history, highlighting its importance for over 100 years to the local area.

Documents and artefacts relating to its story will be exhibited in the Loudoun Gallery. Do come along and have a look.

The last two months have seen Museum staff concentrating on sorting out sections of the archives - cleaning and cataloguing those which have waited for too long to be added to our growing database.

Two helpers are upgrading the Staunton Harold records, so lovingly collected by the late Mrs. Dorothy Watson, while the documents we have on Netherseal have now been properly archived.

The huge Community Archive is steadily being put on to the computer database and yet more of our photographs are being scanned and uploaded onto our website.

Unfortunately, one or two of our long-standing custodians have had to call it a day and we are actively looking for people willing to give up a couple of hours a fortnight to man the front of house.

We do not want to have to close on certain days, as we pride ourselves on being open the whole year round throughout each working week. Do get in touch if you think you can help.

Friends of Ashby Museum The Friends of Ashby Museum are holding a Folk Entertainment at Packington Memorial Hall on Saturday 14th February at 7.30. Music by the well known group, The Travelling People. Light supper included. Licensed bar available. Tickets £10 from the museum.

All proceeds go to support the work of the museum. Tickets are limited and are selling well, so don’t miss out!

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