Groby Post Office partners with WH Smith WHSMITH is delighted to announce its recent wholesale partnership with Groby Post Office. Customers are now able to access a selection of WHSmith Stationery products. Owner Ila Mashru said, “I am delighted to have a strong brand above the door and look forward to increasing footfall, while at the same time pr “eserving the local elements of our business. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new to the store.” WHSmith Wholesale is a great opportunity for independent newsagents and Post Offices to grow their business and benefit from the WHSmith brand and supply of goods. Head of WHSmith Wholesale, Kevin Whitehouse, said, “We are delighted to be wholesaling WHSmith Stationery to Groby. “It is a fantastic looking store and we are confident Ila will benefit from new opportunities, while still remaining very much a part of her local community.”
GE employees help to raise £350k in support of Help for Heroes GE EMPLOYEES in Groby have rallied round and played their part in helping to raise £350,000 to provide lifelong support to wounded, injured or sick Service Personnel and Veterans. GE UK has raised the staggering amount over the past two years as part of a company-wide drive that has included charity bike rides, bake offs, “Tough Mudder” challenges, and concerts. The incredible fundraising effort is now directly helping to rebuild lives after funding a GE Wellbeing Suite at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. Physical and psychological wellbeing are equally important in aiding recovery and the new facility offers a range of activities or therapies such as yoga, Pilates, sleep clinics and nutrition workshops, as well as a designated “quiet space” for individual practice and reflection. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
John Noble (H4H beneficiary) with Yoga Instructor Kelly Thistlethwaite
Melody’s haircut raises over £500 for Marcus GROBY GIRL Melody Robson raised the fantastic sum of £586.20 by having her hair cut to raise funds for her friend, Marcus Richmond, who suffers from bone cancer. Melody ended up having 5 x 17 inch plaits cut off which have been sent to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment. It was a very emotional day but Melody loves her new haircut, and would like to say a big ‘Thank you!’ to Ella Ball at the Hair Club for such a fantastic cut. Melody and her mum Vanessa would also like to thank everyone who sent a donation!
Thank you message from Marcus’s mum, Johanna A MASSIVE thank you to both Vanessa and Melody for making this wonderful amount of money. Marcus was diagnosed August 2016 with Osteosarcoma in his right arm with secondary in his lungs. It’s a rare teenage cancer with only 20 cases a year being diagnosed through out the country . Leicester Royal Infirmary have a wonderful Teenage Cancer ward especially designed for children from months to 23years old with wonderful nurses and staff .
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Juniors’ vision for the Klondyke Norman Griffiths attends the first meeting of the Klondyke Steering Group THE FIRST meeting of the Klondyke Steering Group was held in the Parish Council Chamber on Friday 24th July to consider the results of the recent Parish Poll and discuss a follow up strategy. The meeting heard the vision of a representative of Groby Juniors for the use of the site if a compulsory purchase order is completed and funding is available. Although it seems the Borough Council had indicated that officers were waiting for a business case from Groby Juniors the group disagreed with the view that this was a pre-requisite of a Compulsory Purchase Order. A representative of Groby Juniors explained that a business case prepared with the input of Graeme Childers, Health and Recreation Manager at the Borough, would probably be submitted by 31st July. He went on to explain that a development by Groby Juniors at the
Klondyke would be a community resource. He felt that the model for Sport in Desford could be used for Groby and there could be bowls, tennis, and other activities within the site. If anything he thought it probably isn’t big enough for everything they might want to do, but the resource would be used along with other sites. Villages such as Glenfield did it successfully, he added, and there is no reason why Groby couldn’t as well. The meeting was attended by local Councillors, members of the public and representatives of Groby Juniors Football Club, because of their interest in the site if a compulsory purchase order is put in place. Local MP Edward Argar also attended and gave his support. Borough Councillor Martin Cartwright was elected Chair. The group agreed that as a first step there were questions that need to be answered by the Borough Council and a date has been set for a meeting with officers and members at the end of August.
Mark Wilde’s September Watercolour Classes
LOCAL ARTIST Mark Wilde has been running art groups in the area for many years and now has spaces available in beginners and intermediate levels. In the 12 week sessions he will explain and demonstrate the various techniques used in the traditional approach to watercolour painting. Step by step demos and one to one assistance will be features of each course, which is run in a friendly, workshop atmosphere. For more information, please ring Mark on 07757 010982 or email markwilde8@gmail.com.
The following officers and elected members have been asked to attend :
Officers • • • • • •
Chief Executive: Mr. Bill Cullen. Deputy Chief Executive: Mr. Rob Parkinson Head of Planning: Mr. Nic Thomas Strategic Leadership Team: Ms. Gemma Dennis Enforcement Officer: Mr. Craig Alison Solicitor: Mr. Mike Rice
Elected members • • • • •
Conservative Leader: Cllr. Mike Hall Conservative Deputy Leader: Cllr. Kevin Morrell Lib Dem Leader: Cllr. Stuart Bray Lib Dem Deputy Leader: Cllr. David Bill Labour Leader & Scrutiny Commission Chairman: Cllr. Matthew Lay
Wriggly Readers at Groby Library DOES YOUR little one enjoy listening to stories? I don’t know a child who doesn’t! Every other Thursday at 10:30am, for half an hour, we hold a parent led wriggly readers at Groby library. It’s aimed at all preschool aged children, no matter how young they are. We read stories, sing songs and have time for colouring pictures. Children are free to move around and join in with the stories as much as they like. Sessions from mid August through to the end of September will run on 17/08, 31/08, 14/09 and 28/09 and every two weeks thereafter. Why not come along and join us? More volunteers with reading the stories are always welcome too. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Catherine Ward
When a man says he’s fine what he really means is he’s fine.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter
Hedgehogs need your help ... ONE SATURDAY night in July, we were coming home and I saw a hedgehog in my front garden in the bushes snuffling for food. We saw the same hedgehog a few days before that, at our neighbours. Before that I had not seen a hedgehog for five years as they are so unusual.
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We have cut a hole in the fence to allow hedgehogs to get from garden to garden. We also built a hedgehog home for them to hibernate in during the winter. I have read that in the last fifteen years hedgehogs have declined by one third. To help stop them from decreasng further you could build a hedgehog home (it does not need to be fancy). You could also give food and water (no milk or bread), and cut a small hole in your fence to allow them to have access through your garden. Thank you on behalf of the hedgehogs of Groby.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
GE EMPLOYEES RAISE CHARITY CASH GE, in Fir Tree Lane, Groby, played its part by raising £13,000 through a series of fundraising activities, including a family fun run where 300 participants from ages five to 50 competed in a one-mile fun obstacle course race. Two teams of 24 people completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales in 24 hours. The Groby site also had a fun day as part of Heroes Week, with 60 people taking part in two-minute challenges. Nigel Scoggins, Senior Engineer at GE in Groby, said: “After being a member of HM Forces for 13 years and having been on operations around the world, I fully appreciate the sacrifice that anyone who is deployed has to make. “Add to this that these people have faced life-changing situations, survived and now need help to be able to live life again – how can you not support? “Supporting Help 4 Heroes is an honour. It is an amazing charity supporting ex-service people that have had life- changing events – they need and deserve our support.” Special thanks go to Gordon Docherty, Engineering Manager at GE Oil & Gas Groby, who has
been instrumental in organising and encouraging participation in the events. Mark Elborne, President and CEO of GE UK, has commended the sterling efforts of the Groby team and the thousands of GE employees across the country who have rallied together to raise the £350,000. He said: “We are very proud to have partnered with Help for Heroes, GE’s first national fundraising partner, to help provide vital physical and mental wellbeing support for Veterans and service people. “Thousands of GE employees from around the UK, many of whom are Veterans and reservists, have rallied together for GE’s first national fundraising cause. It is thanks to their commitment – from taking part in physical challenges like Tough Mudder to setting up choirs and rock bands to provide musical entertainment – that we have been able to achieve our £350,000 target.” The GE Wellbeing Suite is already making a significant difference to Help for Heroes’ beneficiaries, giving them the opportunity to relax, unwind and take time out from the busy Recovery Centre environment. John Crudgington, Head of
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
HELPING HEROES: (l to r) Julie Barclay, Simon Brown (H4H Ambassador), Nigel Scoggins (Groby) and Jan Sperandeo at GE UK & Ireland Citizenship Awards
Health and Physical Wellbeing at Help for Heroes, said: “Undertaking regular exercise is key to a long and healthy life, and activities such as yoga and relaxation have been shown to improve both physical and psychological wellbeing. “A peaceful and calm environment is a necessity when delivering activities of this nature, and the provision of a dedicated Wellbeing Suite has enabled us to develop our wellbeing offering and support our beneficiaries in achieving improved sleep, improved relaxation and
increased confidence in their own abilities.” Former soldier John Noble, who served for two years in Bosnia, has found taking part in yoga the key to improving his wellbeing. The 52-year-old, from Glasgow, suffers from PTSD after completing three successive tours between 1998 and 2000. His gradual rehabilitation has been boosted by taking part in yoga sessions at the Help for Heroes Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick.
My dog and I both freak out whenever the doorbell rings but we run in opposite directions.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Mark is pedalling to raise pounds MARK EVANS from Groby, Leicester, has joined the Million Mile Bike Ride to raise funds for children’s cancer charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer. The 53-year-old has pledged to cycle 200 miles, but intends to cover many more – supporting the campaign’s aim to ride a collective 1,000,000 miles, and raise £1million during 2017. The money raised from the fundraising initiative will fund specially-adapted trikes, static bikes, exercise equipment and advice for 21 paediatric oncology units across the UK, supporting children living with and beyond cancer. Mark had a serious motorcycle accident in Tennessee USA in 2014, which resulted in emergency surgery in the States to piece back together his shattered leg and knee joint, and threatened to curtail his cycling activities for life.
In February of this year he underwent subtalar joint fusion surgery, as part of his ongoing rehabilitation, and managed to cycle in his cast over Easter. He’s determined to keep cycling and contribute as much as he can to the collective 1,000,000 miles.
Mark says ‘I hope to keep building my fitness up and cover some big miles for this incredibly worthy cause. I’d like to encourage people to dig deep and sponsor me to help out children desperately in need of this equipment.’ People of all ages and cycling abilities are encouraged to take part in the Million Mile Bike Ride – either individually or as a team and create their own personal mileage goal. All that is needed is a bike and a smartphone to track your miles, which can be automatically uploaded from fitness trackers such as Strava and added to the Million Mile Bike Ride totaliser. Every rider taking part in the challenge has a personal Everyday Hero webpage, enabling them to track their rides, share their efforts with friends and family and collect donations for CFC. Riders can also choose a specific region to support, both in terms of money and miles. To sponsor Mark visit https://cfc. everydayhero.com/uk/mark-evans. To find out more or sign up to the challenge visit www.millionmilebike.org.uk Mark Evans of Groby has joined the Million Mile Bike Ride
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Summer Fayre It was another well organised Summer Fayre by the Martinshaw School Assoc. (MSA), to raise funds for the little extras that are not covered by School Funding. Stalls, games, many run and invented by the students, BBQ, entertainment and of course the ubiquitous (the word of the day, had to get it in) wet sponges and pillory. The question of the day, of course, was would Mr Elson meet the challenge and once more offer his face as a target? Then a tracksuit clad Headteacher appeared muttering ‘Once more unto the breach (pillory) dear friends...’. I think it was Mr Elson who said that, or maybe I got it wrong and I suppose it could have been Shakespeare’s Henry V. Anyway, a large enthusiastic queue suddenly appeared, the Head sportingly let the younger children stand at a pointblank distance to throw the sponges. One of the most accurate was Robbie from Year 6. I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that he’s leaving this year? Over £1,500 was raised and I understand that most of it is already earmarked for various projects and schemes.
Martinshaw School News From Owen Lawrence
Weather Presenting with Year Four On what proved to be the hottest day of the year so far, year four were excited by the visit of the BBC’s weather presenter, Lucy Martin. She arrived with her colleague, Ray, in a van loaded with all the
paraphernalia required for an outside broadcast weather report, i.e., cameras, recording equipment and even a ‘green screen’. Lucy explained how she started work at 4.00 a.m. and was kept busy throughout the day presenting the weather on both television and various radio stations.The children then took turns to record their own version of the weather, be a director and a link presenter. They were all amazed by Lucy’s ability to ad lib and make the forecast interesting, while Ray entertained the class with his stories and technical know how. Both the visitors said how impressed they were with the children’s ability to both cope under pressure and think on the spot. They also said how much they were looking forward to visiting again in the future.
Annual Musical Soiree on behalf of LOROS
Among the various acts was solo piano and guitar playing, singing and dancing. Child musicians from other schools were invited to showcase their talents. The harp was played beautifully and proved to be particularly mesmerising. The school choir contributed a programme of six songs, the grand finale a rendition of ‘Rocking All Over The World’ to which the audience enthusiastically joined in. The MSA ran a bar and raffle and raised £80 which, along with the entrance fee, went to LOROS, and, to cap it all, everyone had a great night.
Year Four and Moths Year Four, to support their science learning, were converted into mini ‘moth experts’ by the visit of ‘lepidopterist’ Adrian Russell. He talked to the students about the various moth species to be found in this country and explained how some had migrated from as far away as Africa. The children asked him many leading questions and then he helped them to set up a moth trap that he brought with him. The following day they found that lots of amazing moths of different species had visited the school overnight, which Adrian helped to identify to the fascinated pupils.
Sneaky Teaching and Learning in KS1
MARTINSHAW held its annual musical Soiree on behalf of LOROS, organised by Mrs Euden and Mr Kilworth (Music Teacher and long time school supporter).
IMAGINE their surprise when, after the break, pupils from Early Years and Years One and Two ran into their playground to find that charts normally confined to their class rooms, had been transferred, not only onto the tarmac but the surrounding walls.
I like having conversations with kids. Grownups never ask me what my third favorite reptile is.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Phonemes (the smallest unit of sound ie. qu,or,ow, etc.) were there, not only to be read, but to be walked on. Snakes and Ladders along with various other counting games were indelibly imprinted in the playing area and ‘tricky words, such as : could, do, you, etc., adorned all the surrounding walls. A very new, but enjoyable slant on ‘learning while playing’.
Just as an aside, I knew what a phoneme was by asking Mrs Euden and children from early years and then confirming they were right by ‘Googling’ it. Doh ! PS. Good luck to our year 6’s as they take their next step towards adulthood by moving into the ‘big kids’ world of GCSE’s and eventually College.
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I love it when people play music in their cars so loud that I can hate it too
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter
Parish Poll was ‘a missed opportunity’
Allotment Society visits Ryton Organic Gardens
I WOULD like to enquire as to the purpose of the recent Parish Poll. If it was to provide those ten residents of the village who requested it with an outlet for their anger then it might, possibly, be a success, albeit an expensive one. If, on the other hand, it was intended as a serious attempt to stir HBBC into action then it is doomed to failure. For a poll to be meaningful the questions must satisfy two basic criteria, firstly, each question must address a single issue and secondly, the questions must be formed in such a way as to be impartial or nearly so. These are universal rules for all polls and referenda and the questions in this poll failed on both counts. HBBC will almost certainly dismiss the results on this basis. We in the village had the perfect opportunity to make our voices heard but this opportunity has, unfortunately, been thrown away.
Name and address supplied
Why you are less likely to ‘pull a sickie’ PHONING in sick, and then spending the day enjoying yourself is more and more a thing of the past. It seems that more and more people are concerned that social media will catch up with them, and that their boss will find out. In fact, now the balance is shifting the other way. For while less than one in four of us admit to taking a day off when we are not actually ill, 69% of us carry on working even when we ARE ill, and do need time off. The research by insurance firm Aviva also found evidence that reduced job security means more and more workers are concerned about what their boss thinks of them.
GROBY ALLOTMENT Society visited Ryton Organic Gardens on 1st August. At the demonstration gardens, based five miles from Coventry, members and friends were introduced to all aspects of organic growing. They were given a guided tour, saw the Heritage vegetables growing and learnt about organic gardening therapy projects, composting and much more. A delicious lunch prepared with organic produce followed.
Is your smile changing? LOOK at some recent photographs of yourself. Are you grinning like a Cheshire cat, or giving the camera a somewhat moody glare with sucked-in cheeks, such as those given by the fashion designers and their like? Prof Colin Jones, author of The Smile Revolution, argues that selfies are ruining our smiles because we have replaced our natural smiles with ironic ‘trout pouts’ instead. “I think there is something going on contemporaneously that is going to affect how the smile is valued and what it means. A coda on the wonders of narcissism is to look back at how social media changes the way we present,” he said.
Meet Dale Knight
Dale Knight has 24 years’ experience working as a mortgage and protection adviser, covering Groby and surrounding areas. He will be able to discuss and advise your mortgage and protection options in a personal and professional manner to ensure your experience is easy and hassle free. As a mortgage and protection adviser, Dale will be able to provide tailored advice to support you on your property journey, whether you are a first-time buyer, home mover or simply looking to review your current mortgage options. Dale has lived his entire life in Groby and over the years, has helped hundreds of clients to achieve their property dreams. With access to more than 11,000 products from over 90 lenders, he will be able to offer the right package to suit you and your individual circumstances.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. There will be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
My boss says I intimidate the other employees, so I just stared at him until he apologized.
MAB 8240
Contact Dale on: 07508 619279 mortgageadvicebureau.com/groby Dale.knight4@mab.org.uk
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
GROBY VILLAGE SOCIETY Forthcoming Events Thursday August 24 The Life and Travels of Robert Bruce Napoleon Walker Stephen Flinders Thursday September 28 Tricks of Light and Colour Bob Massey Thursday October 26 Leicestershire Ladies David Bell Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. Except for October which will be at Groby Library Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 email: groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome
Things you do on holiday but never at any other time • • • • • •
• • •
• •
•
Get up at 2am to go to an airport. Say “are we nearly there yet?” after a drive of 20 minutes. Climb on a bus without knowing quite where you are going, or where to get off. Wear a swimming costume while shopping. Buy postcards. Lend your key to a neighbour and spend half an hour explaining the knack of locking the front door which entails pulling, turning and pushing at the same time. Worry about your hanging baskets and runner beans. Miss your cat/workmates/a decent cup of tea. Spend an hour looking for window lock keys which you have not seen since last year and why aren’t they in THEIR SPECIAL PLACE? Have a pocketful of foreign coins which you try to spend on your last day. Go to a quarry museum and try to convince yourself it is interesting as you never knew there was so much to know about slate and that it comes in so many colours (grey mainly). Get on another bus and hope it is headed back to your hotel, whose name now escapes you.
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Juggling smartphones and children YOU LOVE your smartphone. Of course you do. But is it harming your relationship with your children? Research has found that children behave worse when parents spend too much time on their smartphones. Children who are trying to interact with their parents, only to be suddenly ‘dropped’ without warning, while the parent engages instead with the smartphone, show their frustration in a variety of unsophisticated ways. They may whine, sulk, have tantrums or show signs of hyperactivity or restlessness. A child behaviour expert at the University of Michigan advises: ‘Setting boundaries can help parents keep smartphones and other mobile technology from interrupting quality time. We know that parents’ responsiveness to their kids changes when they are using mobile technology, and that their device use may be associated with less than ideal interactions with their children.” But she added that it is indeed difficult for parents to cope with both “important and attention-grabbing information” coming in via the devices, and at the same time with social and emotional information coming in from their children – and to process both effectively.
When we have self-driving cars, I’m pretty sure my wife will complain about its driving too.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
National Trust Leicester Association News MOST PEOPLE are aware that the National Trust spends large amounts of money on maintaining and restoring its buildings. However, the Trust also spends large sums on restoring the contents of its houses. Covering the walls in the Great High Chamber at Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield, hang the priceless set of Gideon tapestries. The set of thirteen tapestries were made in Brussels in the mid to late 1500’s. They were purchased second hand by Bess of Hardwick around 1590 from an Elizabethan courtier who had to sell them to pay off his debts. As they were second-hand, Bess personalised the tapestries by covering the original coat of arms with her own and adding “paint” in places to personalise the tapestries as her own. A couple of years later, when Bess began building Hardwick Hall, she obviously had the Great High Chamber specifically designed to display the tapestries as they fit the walls of the room exactly. They have continued to hang in the room for over 400 years. During that time light and dirt from the coal fires has caused gradual deterioration. Therefore in 1998 the National Trust started the mammoth task of cleaning and conserving the tapestries. The conservation of the latest tapestry, the eleventh in the series, was completed in June this year, after two years of painstaking work, and it has now been rehung in is original position. It is planned to complete the final two tapestries over the next five years. As the bright colours of the tapestries have faded over the years the Trust are also displaying the reverse side of a section of another tapestry so that visitors can see the bright colours usually hidden of the reverse side. This gives a real sense of just how colourful and impressive the tapestries would have been. Hardwick Hall is open every week, Wednesday to Sunday,11.00 to 5.00, until 29th October. The Parkland, Garden, Shop and Restaurant are open every day of the year except Christmas Day. The NT Leicester Association commences its winter programme with an evening meeting on Tuesday 12th September at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone, at 7.30pm. Dr John Sutton will present an illustrated talk on The Suffragette Movement. Admission is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For details of the Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.
Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer
Date for your Diary
Comedy and intrigue at Groby Village Hall! GROBY PLAYERS next production will be performed on October 26th/27th/28th 2017, in the Village Hall , Groby at 7.30pm. The evening will consist of 2 plays, the first an ‘environmental comedy’ entitled ‘Building Bridges’ by Colin Calvert, and the second, a sequel to our previous production of the ‘The Book Club of Little Witterington’, called ‘After The Fete’ by Joan Greening. Both plays introduce a cast of larger than life characters, and have both comedy and intrigue in equal quantities! Tickets will be on sale soon, but to reserve any tickets, please tel 01162877373, or tel/text07790861033, or email dottieh743@gmail.com ‘
Supersonic BOOM is back! SOUTH Leicestershire’s largest youth festival returns for 2017. This year’s Supersonic BOOM will take place on Wednesday, 16 August 2017 on Blaby Road Park, South Wigston. Running from 1pm to 5pm Supersonic Boom will showcase local talent and feature various stalls, attractions, challenges and activities. The event marks the end of the school summer holiday and makes for a fantastic day out for young people, children and families alike all whilst raising money for this year’s nominated charity, Newlife - The Charity for Disabled Children. For further information and regular updates please check out Supersonic Boom 2017’s dedicated page.
I learned a lot about myself last week. I hope I never have another week like that!
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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County Councillor’s Report ... from Ozzy O’shea Arriva Bus Service I HAVE BEEN having discussions with Arriva since they stopped the 28 bus service. I had asked Arriva’s area managing director to consider diverting the 26 Bus along Pymm Ley lane from the Leicester Road then to turn right into Glebe Road, then onto Highfield Rd and Oaktree Close back onto Ratby Road. After several months he came back to me saying the times were too tight to make any changes. On the 4th July I attended Arriva’s Head Office in Thurmaston and handed Toby France the commercial development manager a petition signed by over 585 residents asking Arriva to look again at the changes. I stated that these route changes had caused difficulties to many elderly and disabled residents. He agreed to review the route but was not hopeful.
Field Head Weight Limit RESIDENTS have been requesting this weight limit for some time, and as Field Head’s new County Councillor I fully supported this and requested it earlier this year. Highways went out to consultation on the 7.5 Tonne proposed weight limit for Field Head on the 14th July. Objections to the proposals, specifying the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to the LAUREN HASLAM, Director of Law and Governance, Leicestershire County Council by not later than 11th August 2017, quoting reference JM/ HTWMT/3636. Alternatively, objections can be emailed to jane.x.moore@leics.gov.uk or via the online comment form which may be accessed via the link below. If you require alternative formats of
a sports recreational facility for the residents of Groby.
Highway Land off Leicester Road Groby
Ozzy hands over a 585-name petition to Toby France of Arriva, requesting a review of the bus route changes in Groby this Notice, including larger print, braille or fax transmission, please contact Leicestershire County Council on (0116) 305 6752. Documents can also be viewed online at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ tro_consultations
Parking on Ratby Road, Groby I CONTINUE to get complaints regarding the pavement parking on Ratby Road, Groby, outside the row of terraced houses on the right hand side of the road as you approach the centre of the village. I appreciate parking is at a premium, but I would please ask drivers to refrain from parking on the pavement. Parking in the manner is causing difficulty to partly sighted people, mobility scooter riders and mothers with push chairs. The road
is not wide enough to take parking on both sides, and I have asked the police to monitor such obstructions as they are the correct authority to deal with this issue. If residents find the footpath obstructed I have been advised to ask residents to ring 101 and report it.
Klondyke Parish Poll THE KLONDYKE Parish Poll was a resounding success. The people of Groby have spoken, and now demand that the Borough Council take all the necessary action to CPO the site. A Parish Poll Steering Group has been formed. It includes your local MP Ed Argar, myself as your County Councillor, both of your Borough Councillors, several Parish Councillors, two local residents and two members of Groby Juniors Football team. Our aim is to see this land turned into
RESIDENTS will be aware that Outline Planning Permission was granted for up to 30 houses with access for the above land, which I did not support. Estate Agents Carter Jonas are now advertising the land for sale. They have listed the land for sale with a guide price of £900,000 on behalf of Leicestershire County Council. Planning permission will still be required to develop the houses and at that point I intend to ensure conditions are placed on the developer with regards to the drainage. Strict conditions on this application would also help to alleviate the local flooding residents have been suffering from for several years. I am already working with a local resident who is a retired County Council engineer who has a vast experience of the flooding issues in Groby. We are holding a meeting jointly with both the Flood Authority and Severn Trent Water. I would like to thank residents and councillors for your continued support. Should you need my help or advice on any matter or issue, I pride myself on always making myself available to residents and councillors and getting straight back to you. Remember I am only a phone call or email away. Kind Regards
Ozzy O’shea
Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com
I hate that feeling after surgery when you’re not sure if you’re awake or asleep or if you operated on the right patient.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Sings Rules!
THE LATEST and greatest performances from our community choir, Groby Sings, was Groby Sings Rock & Royal and this time we were all served a right royal treat with numbers from The King and I, Queen and Elvis.
We were honoured to have a visit from ‘her Majesty’, complete with crown, and amazingly she managed to morph into Freddie Mercury for the rock numbers from Queen! The choir, as always, had fantastic support from the band which included keyboard, drums, bass guitar and trumpet. Groby Sings seems to improve with each concert and this season was no different. Songs from The King and I sound simple but proved quite tricky to learn and who would have thought that Queen’s extremely difficult Bohemian Rhapsody could sound so magnificent when sung by an amateur choir who rehearse in separate sections and only come together on the day of the first concert? Standing ovations and calls for encores at each performance said it all. Both audiences enjoyed lots of participation including in We Are The Champions and Radio Gaga while those of ‘a certain age’ certainly remembered and enjoyed the gentler I Whistle A Happy Tune and Shall We Dance from The King and I. Elvis fans too must have appreciated the beautiful rendition of The Wonder of You. Audiences seem to be attracted not only from Groby and surrounding villages but from all parts of Leicestershire and, in fact, all over Britain. This time, however, there were visitors from Kentucky, USA and Brisbane, Australia! How the word has spread, maybe a world tour is on the cards? Choir members are already looking forwards to the next challenge when, amazingly, Groby Sings will be celebrating its 10th season. Rehearsals start on Monday 4th September for Groby Sings Hits the Heights which will include songs from The Sound of Music and, in honour of the 10th
anniversary, favourite hits from previous seasons of Groby Sings. Everyone is welcome to our singing sessions at The Groby Club on Leicester Road on Mondays - 1.15-3.00pm or 8.00–9.30pm for the adult choir and 3.40– 4.40pm for the children’s choir (age 7 and above). There are no auditions and no requirement to perform at the concerts, the main aim is to enjoy singing, to meet like-minded people and, of course, to eat cake! Just go along, you will be made very welcome or visit www.grobysings.org if you have any queries or comments. Reminder to current choir members - the post-concert party will be held at The Groby Club on Monday August 14th from 7.30pm. Relive the concerts! See the photos, sing a few of the favourite songs and collect your CDs.
Church notices that didn’t come out quite right… • • •
This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn-sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the church hall on Friday afternoon. The Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. All proceeds will be used to cripple children.
A parent’s job is basically a daily struggle to help a crazy person stay alive.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter from Uncle Eustace
On the joys of exchanging parishes for the summer From: The Rectory, St. John the Faster, Waterhouses-on-Sea My dear Nephew Darren You will see that I write to you this month from the Norfolk coast, where I am spending August, on an annual exchange of parishes with a clerical colleague. You may have had two weeks in July sunning yourself on an exotic beach on a Greek island, but I am content with a bracing east wind, punctuated by heavy showers. Come the happy day when you are an incumbent and have to arrange parish exchanges as a way of getting a holiday, let me give you some advice. First, always exchange with someone who is a worse preacher than you are and whose sermons are at least twice as long; you are then sure to be welcomed back with open arms. Secondly, since it is normally assumed that you will take care of one another’s gardens during the month, make sure that the incumbent you exchange with has an insignificant plot. My colleague should now be largely occupied for most of the month mowing several acres of lawn. The only gardening I intend to do will be in the last week, so I can return with a car full of plums from his trees. An exchange also gives one an opportunity to undertake helpful improvements in another’s home. I have discovered that my colleague’s library is carefully organised with books according to subject and then author. On his return he will find a new system in operation: they will be ordered according to size and colour. The poor man also naively thought I would never discover his stock of claret in the cellars; it will be much depleted on his return – although I shall naturally leave a note thanking him profusely for laying on such a splendid present for my visit. Ministering to someone else’s congregation can create another opportunity. For one month in the year, you are able to say exactly what you want. If a dear lady should be foolish enough to ask you after Mattins what you think of her hat, you can tell her with total honesty, knowing that someone else will have to pour oil the following month. Upsetting organists, choristers, vergers, flower arrangers and anyone else who happens to cross your path can be bracingly therapeutic when you do not have to face the consequences. You may have returned from sunnier climes relaxed and tanned, but I shall arrive at September refreshed from knowing I leave behind a trail of devastation and chaos, which will ensure that my host will also be welcomed back by a relieved congregation. Remember the golden rule of parishioners: every new incumbent is worse than his predecessor. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
My arms fell asleep and I almost beat myself to death trying to turn off the alarm.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
News from Elizabeth Woodville Primary School AS WE come to the end of another successful school year at Elizabeth Woodville, it has been wonderful to look back on what has been a superb year.
Well done to all our Year 6 Leavers This is also the time that we say a heartfelt goodbye to our Year 6 students, we are incredibly proud of them all. Their amazing performance of ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’ delighted audiences and was another highlight in an unforgettable year! Well done Year 6, you have achieved everything possible at Elizabeth Woodville. We know you are all ready to enjoy the challenges and opportunities that await you at high school and in the future. We look forward to continuing to follow your progress, good luck from everyone at school!
Learning about safety at the Warning Zone Year 6 gained a valuable learning experience concerning personal health and safety following a visit to ‘The Warning Zone’ in Leicester. Here they had lots of ‘hands-on’ experience to learn about how to keep safe as they grow up, from fire safety, water safety through to problems with alcohol and safety online. All pupils responded maturely and sensitively to each issue. Their behaviour and attitude was commended by Warning Zone staff!
our celebration. The whole class combined, with the help of Mr Coleman and Mrs Kerr, to cook; Quorn chilli, guacamole, salsa and Chilli-chocolate cake. The food was delicious and the children loved sampling their own creations. Teamwork truly made the dream work when the children paired up to paint their faces in the style of Mexican Sugar skulls.
Gangsta Granny
Road Trip USA
On Thursday 29th June, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils were treated to a spectacular performance of ‘Gangsta Granny’ by David Walliams at De Montfort Hall. We were lucky enough to secure front row seats making us feel right in the heart of the action – in fact the two main characters, Ben’s mum and dad, joined us in our seats for part of the show, much to the delight of the children! We were gripped throughout and there were both tears and laughter – one of Granny’s costume choices was hilarious! The whole theatre gave the actors a standing ovation at the end.
Hola Mexico Year 5 celebrated the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ festival in style. The children decided they wanted to whip up a Mexican feast to devour during
In Year 3 and 4 our theme has been Road Trip USA!. We have been using the iPad to find out about New York and then comparing New York to Leicester . In English, Year 4 planned a road trip across the USA for Flat Stanley and have written a letter home from him. We have also produced a newspaper article about Flat Stanley at the Independence Day parade. We have worked really well planning our letters and articles in pairs. In maths, we have been multiplying and dividing numbers by 10,000 and 1000 and noticing how the digits move. We have been converting measures and solving problems relating to different measures. We thought of some problems with a partner, which had to include 2-steps.
Electricity experts! Year 3 have enjoyed using their scientific knowledge about electricity to complete and test a range of electrical circuits. They also learnt about plugs and how they work!
Brazilian Carnival This half term Year 2 have been learning all about Brazil. At the climax of their music learning, they held a Brazilian Carnival in the school grounds with different rhythms being played simultaneously on a variety of musical instruments. They also learnt how to compose music on the iPads, making high tech sounds in small bands. To continue the theme, the children enjoyed making their amazing, colourful masks in the style of Brazilian carnival masks.
I was so anti-social today, i didn’t even talk to myself.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
from Andrew Pridmore, Headteacher
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Letter
No time off for carers is unacceptable! MILLIONS of people across the UK are unpaid carers, 6.8 million in fact. When Carers UK’s recent State of Caring report highlighted the plight of unpaid carers, the findings, although astonishing, painted a sadly familiar picture.
Dear Dinosaur In English, Year 1 have been creating some dinosaurific master pieces using the book Dear Dinosaur by Chae Strathie. We began the unit by using our imaginative language to describe dinosaurs in our table groups and then wrote out own. We then moved onto writing a letter to our favourite dinosaurs before creating our own dinosaur to write a non-chronological report.
Are We There Yet? Foundation had a fantastic time carrying out their own transport survey. As the children walked around Groby they recorded the type of transport and how many of each vehicle we saw on a tally chart. When we arrived back at school we discussed our findings and tracked the route we had travelled on Google maps. Everyone then had a go at drawing their own maps including the different types of transport that they had seen! Throughout this topic, we have explored a variety of stories based on transport and holiday destinations. The children designed their own holiday postcards, putting their phonic knowledge into good use by producing some amazing story recounts that included adjectives and conjunctions.
In agreement with Carers UK, our own research found that many carers maintain their role for long periods of time with little or no time off. A third of carers said they had not had any significant time off since they started caring, with 90% not able to access proper holidays away from caring. With such little access to time away it’s unsurprising that many carers begin to feel the pressure. In a separate study, 60% of carers we asked admitted that they felt unable to ‘switch off ’ from their caring role, with over 6 out of 10 saying that they felt mentally exhausted and over half saying they didn’t know how they would be able to cope if things continued the way they were. I work for Revitalise – an incredible national charity that provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers. We see everyday how vitally important respite is in enabling carers to continue coping and caring for their loved ones. That’s why, we’re showing our support for unpaid carers all across the UK, calling for immediate action and greater statutory support for social care services, particularly respite. If your readers would like more information about Revitalise, our breaks, or would like to support our vital work, please visit www.revitalise.org.uk or call us on 0303 303 0145.
Stephanie Stone, Revitalise www.revitalise.org.uk
Anything is a boomerang if you throw it straight up.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
Telephone
01530-244069 Email us at: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.
Groby Gardening Society News Our Visit To Ridgewold Farm OUR EVENING visit this year was to Ridgewold Farm in Wymeswold. This garden has been created from a rather ordinary field some years ago. It is run by Robert and Ann Waterfall, although Robert admits that the gardener is Ann and he, a farmer, does the heavy lifting. All our members seemed to be very impressed with what they have managed to achieve. Robert conducted an informal tour of the garden and working farm. We started at a sweeping drive of specimen trees. Beech, laurel and saxon hedges divide different areas. Lawns, a rill water feature, a summer house, many shrubs, a rose fence, a clematis arch, wisteria, an ivy tunnel, a rose garden, herbaceous borders, an orchard, a vegetable patch and a new pickery were all extensively visited. Also, there was a birch avenue with village views, a woodland walk and a large wildlife pond. At one point Robert took us to a field where a large herd of young calves could be seen in the distance. Upon a whistle from Robert, these animals charged, en masse, across the field to either greet us, or to receive some expected nutritional reward! The day of our visit was inclement to say the least. A very heavy shower preceded our journey, but quite amazingly we had a most pleasant summery evening whilst there. The rain of previous days had extracted a toll on some flowers, but the whole experience was quite wonderful. The evening was rounded off by refreshments in either a barn or a specially erected tent.
The Village Show: August 19th @ The Village Hall Entry of exhibits Friday 18th August - 7 pm-9 pm and Saturday 19th August - 8.15 am – 10.20 am. Show opens to public at 2.30 pm on Saturday 19th. In addition to the usual cups and plates, there is a special prize this year to commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of the Leicester and Leicestershire Judges’ Guild. This takes the form of a class comprising of a specimen pot plant, a specimen flower and a specimen vegetable. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will have accompanying certificates. Once again, for the continuation of this community event, we rely upon lots of people willing to take the trouble to put entries into the show. If in doubt, get a schedule from the Spotlight website, the village library or a committee member.
Trips during 2017 The signing board for the trip to the Cotswold Nursery & Pershore College will be available at the August meeting.
Future Meetings • • • •
August 10th - “Bats”- Janet & Derek W. August 19th - The Village Show at the Village Hall September 13th - Pershore day trip September 14th - “Orchids in your home” by Keith Bates If you like the sound of what we get up to, why not come along to a meeting and try us out. You will be most welcome. Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Eric Atherton. (Tel. No. 01162876637) or E mail e.atherton637@btinternet.com
Alvar Johnson
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 16th September 2017 DEADLINE: 2nd September No one has more to say than the woman that says she doesn’t want to talk about it.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk TWO SINGLE mothers are on the path back to work thanks to the GREAT Project – an innovative programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund. Both mothers, Jo, 29, and Jade, 30 who are also sisters, have been unemployed for 7 years before being referred to the project, citing a lack of confidence as one of the most difficult challenges they faced in returning to work. “I love being a Mum,” said Jade, “But it can be so easy to get locked in a routine. From to school to home and back again. Cooking, feeding, cleaning. You start to think you can’t do anything else.” “I also wasn’t very confident. I didn’t really have a wide circle of friends and I wouldn’t have known where to start looking for work. I felt like I didn’t have anything I could offer,” added Jo. The GREAT Project work with people furthest from the labour market to identify their individual challenges and build a support plan that specifically addresses those challenges. Working with their Employment Navigator, Jo and Jade first took part in Total Commitment Training offered by one of the project’s partners, Personal Development
Single mothers say the GREAT Project has “changed their lives” Point (PDP). This programme is designed to build confidence and team skills, and allow participants to put into practice, abilities they may not have known they possessed. “We were very nervous at first. We didn’t think it was going to be very good. But it was incredible. We came out of our shells, we made new friends and we felt like we were part of a team, that we could do something,” said Jo. With the support of Business in the Community, they were able to take part in a twoweek work placement with Marks and Spencer plc, where they gained further confidence and skills in a work environment. “It was amazing being back at work. I just felt like I was somebody again. Not just somebody’s Mum,” said Jade. “It’s so important to me to set a good example for my kids, to show them that you work for your money. That nothing should just be handed to you,” explained Jo. They will be continuing their
progress by engaging with Leicestershire County Council Work Clubs develop interview techniques and CV writing skills and make the move towards permanent employment. “The GREAT Project has made a 100 percent difference. I don’t know where we’d be without it. It’s changed our lives.” “The GREAT Project has been nothing but great. We haven’t had that kind of help from anywhere else.” Krishna Patel, the Navigator who worked with the two women, comments: “It has been amazing to see the progress they have both made. They are more confident and able to take on tasks that they would previously have found daunting. We tailor every support package to the needs of the participant. Which makes all the difference.” For more information, or to request a referral, please contact the GREAT Project via http://www.
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greatproject.org.uk/contact/. The GREAT Project is a programme designed to help individuals within families in Leicester and Leicestershire, who are not currently in employment or training, move toward work. ‘GREAT’ stands for ‘Getting Ready for Employment and Training’. The service is run by a range of statutory, not-for-profit and private companies, a partnership approach that allows the project to tailor support to each family’s unique needs. The GREAT Project is funded by The Big Lottery and European Social Fund. The service is delivered by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL).
When boredom strikes IF YOU are a parent, you know this by now. You can only keep your children entertained until 1.30pm on any typical day during the summer. After that, boredom sets in… If you are a parent, you will also have suggested 13 different things that your child could be doing in any one week during the summer break. Despite this, boredom still sets in… Parents do try their best – spending an average of £251 to keep their children occupied over the holidays. In fact, they rein in their spending in the spring so as to have the money to spend on their children during the summer. But still boredom…. ! The survey was carried out by the deal website Groupon.
You look like the kind of person who asks questions when a speaker asks if anyone has a question.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
A Visitor Calls…. and inspires a poetry anthology A NEW illustrated anthology of poetry by amateur writers from Leicestershire, supported by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) has been launched at Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre. “A Visitor Calls” is the culmination of a year’s work by members of the Glenfield Hospital-based Bradgate Writers group and Artscafe, which are both supported by LPT’s arts in health programme. They were partnered by WORD! voluntary group and spoken word night and Brightsparks arts in mental health voluntary organisation. The anthology was unveiled with an ensemble reading from it by the authors, directed by acclaimed writer, director and performer Nick Field. Funded through an Arts Council England grant and facilitated by Peter Buckley and LPT arts in health co-ordinator Lydia Towsey, the project was supported by volunteers and a host of visiting writers and performers including Nasser Hussain, John Gallas, Francesca Beard, Will Horspool, Mark Pajak, Maria Taylor and Malika Booker. Lydia Towsey explained: “The anthology was illustrated with the help of another visitor, artist/ facilitator, Jo Sheppard, delivering sessions at our afternoon ‘Artscafe’ project, supported by volunteer artist facilitator, Sue Jordan. “ A Visitor Calls nods to the attendance of our many visiting
artists, writers and facilitators – and reflects on such themes as travel, love, memory, the environment, health, home and of course, visitations “The book itself is packed with fantastic material and everyone involved is extremely proud of it.” John Gallas was impressed with the quality of the work produced. He said: “This group surprised and delighted with poems of quality and adventurous type, done with a kind of open willingness and invention that seems to be inexhaustible.” The title of the anthology was inspired by a visit by Helen Thompson, director of adult mental health, learning disability and families, children’s and young people’s services at LPT who joined the authors and a capacity audience for the launch. She said: “During my first visit to the Bradgate Writers group in
January this year I was impressed with the ideas and energy of the writers and artists. I was delighted to subsequently asked to be part of launching their beautiful and inspiring creation into the world. It was great fun spending a bit more time with these artists who, in addition to their fabulous book, have established a very strong and supportive network and sense of community.’ New members are always welcomed by Brightsparks and Artscafe. Lydia Towsey said: “We are very much looking for and keen to involve new people with both Bradgate Writers and Artscafe. Anyone experiencing or with experience of mental issues
can self-refer, or be referred by a worker. Contact Lydia Towsey via lydia. towsey@leicspart.nhs.uk or 07766205689 for more information. A Visitor Calls is available, priced at £5 or what you afford, from the Involvement Centre at the Bradgate Unit on the Glenfield Hospital site or from Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester.
When I was a kid I thought 40 was really really old and now I’ve discovered I was right.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Cat news from Lindy
JUST AFTER I had written my cat report for the June Spotlight, my daughter Jenny and granddaughters Holly and Lucy came to see us, or more accurately to see our kitten Peter.
FOUND: Sunglasses at Parish Poll
One of the voters at the Parish Poll left behind a pair of ladies’ sunglasses. If that person is you, and you’d like to be reunited with your shades, contact Ted Hollick on 0116 287 5955 or 07962 373983.
When we went into the garden our resident robins were chittering fiercely, presumably to frighten Peter away but effectively advertising the presence of their nest. I showed the girls where I thought the nest must be, deep in an impenetrable mass of lilac and holly. Then Peter strolled past us and climbed up effortlessly into the jungle, quickly disappearing from sight. I stopped worrying about the baby robins and started to worry about how on earth I was going to get Peter down. I envisaged going in with a ladder and a saw but he reappeared ten minutes later, fortunately without any fledglings. Perhaps he considered them unworthy of his hunting skills as a few days later we found a dead magpie in the living room. They say one magpie is unlucky. This one certainly was. How do they get them through the catflap? We’ve had pigeons in the past. Complete mystery. Holly and Lucy always bring a couple of hundred soft toys with them and the girls didn’t take kindly to Peter trying to disembowel them –(the toys not the girls)- front paws round their necks, back paws peddling furiously. We took the toys up to the safely of the girls’ bedrooms and I brought down Max for Peter to marmalise. Max was Jenny’s pet gorilla. He has attitude. After a fiercely contested day, we parked Max on the sofa for the night and in the morning we found Peter snuggled up to him. They have formed a touchingly strong bond since. I am taking a series of photos. I expect eventually to be able to post one of Peter with an avuncular arm round Max. In the past few weeks when we have been knee-deep in strawberries Peter has been following up his breakfast chicken with home-made strawberry yoghurt. He’s as big as Olaf now. A couple of weeks later I went up to Skipton to look after the girls while Jenny and Matt had a weekend away to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. This was my first chance to visit little Ava. Regular readers may remember that Ava had to be evacuated to Skipton when her brother Olaf drove her out of the house. New readers need to know that Ava is a cat. She is blissfully happy and somewhat portly as they feed her tuna on demand and Holly carries her everywhere. Holly has bunk beds in her room. She sleeps on the top, Ava has the bottom bunk. Olaf and Peter live in a state of armed neutrality. There is enough chicken for both of them. It will be interesting to watch the power struggle develop as Peter grows into his massive paws.
Lindy Hardcastle, Groby
No man has ever won a game of ‘notice anything different about me?’
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Do you wish someone would do something about speeding in Groby? Norman Griffiths explains that there is something you can do yourself MANY RESIDENTS are concerned about the safety of roads around Groby following accidents on the A50, Sacheverell Way and more recently Ratby Road. Speed may or may not have been a factor but there is a widely held view that some motorists regularly drive too fast on Sacheverell Way. New speed limits are now in force on the A50 and hopefully this, together with plans for average speed cameras, will have an impact. There appears to be little chance of any further speed reduction measures elsewhere and this leaves some residents frustrated that we have to Speeding is a great concern on Sacheverell Way but probably played no part in the live with the situation. accident which caused this chaos on Ratby Road recently. Other communities have faced the same dilemma and have a year and have the satisfaction penalty tickets but is designed to decided to take matters into their So how can you help? of knowing that you have done increase awareness of the dangers own hands, working together It won’t happen unless volunteers all you can to try and reduce of speeding for drivers and other with the police and the highways come forward to form a team. If the problem locally. There are road users. The volunteers will see authority. The do-it-yourself you are interested in the idea of no costs as equipment, signage the positive effect they have for answer is Community Speedwatch, taking positive action which is and training is all provided free. themselves, but it is not a long term a partnership between within the law, and may make a An attempt some years ago to solution in itself. It is not designed Leicestershire County Council and difference, email your name and get a scheme running wasn’t to be a one off visit and will be the Leicester, Leicestershire and contact details to parishclerk@ successful, but this wasn’t because offered back to the Community Rutland Road Safety Partnership. It groby.com. If you don’t have of a shortage of volunteers. The on a regular basis. If the speeding is fully supported by Leicestershire internet access register with the shortcomings of the last attempt problem is a serious one then Constabulary and Groby Parish Parish Clerk at the Village Hall or won’t recur so initially all that is other Highways Departments may Council. ring 0116 287 6985. needed is between six and sixteen become involved. It’s not unlike the You Tube video Kevin Clinton, head of road volunteers, including two who The results obtained by the that has gone around the world of safety at the Royal Society for the are willing to act as co-ordinator volunteers are fed back to the the grandmother pointing her hair Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), and deputy. Their main role is to group/Parish by the County dryer at passing cars and watching said in a Daily Telegraph article in keep the records that will go to Council Coordinator and the 2014 : “Community Speed Watch them slow down. The difference the police and produce a rota for volunteers will have access to schemes can be a useful way of is that Speedwatch volunteers the volunteers so that they know them. Volunteers do not go out monitoring speeds and encouraging have real radar speed devices and where they are to set up and when. on their own to conduct checks drivers to stay within limits. About take the registration details of cars A selection of templates will be and must always go out in pairs or 400 people a year are killed in exceeding the speed limit. The offered to help with this. threes. It is unusual to have any crashes in which someone exceeds details are passed on to the police Training takes the form of a two major problems with the drivers the speed limit or drives too fast for who check the details and then hour training session, usually held passing through the checks and the conditions. send the vehicle owner a letter in the evening to allow as many the volunteers do not request the explaining both the safety risks and “Driving at higher speeds also volunteers as possible to attend. drivers to pull over. The scheme legal consequences of speeding. If means that drivers have less Part is theory and part is hands on can only be run in 20mph, 30mph their details come up again further time to identify and react to practical work with the speeding and 40mph limits and doesn’t action may be taken. what is happening around them, device. The Hand Held Radar is normally run in the shorter winter prolonging the time it takes for the So here’s the opportunity to easy to use, in very simple terms it days. Nevertheless there is no vehicle to stop, and raising the risk get involved in a new Groby is a point and click device. guarantee that the volunteers of a crash occurring.” Speedwatch team once or twice Speedwatch doesn’t impose won’t get wet!
Being an adult means I’m in charge of my own bedtime, and I’ve realized I’m not equipped to handle that responsibility.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Leicester author releases debut crime thriller – set in Leicester Jason Instrell’s “Mist: The Path of a Killer” is the first book in a gripping new crime series following John Miste, a Leicestershire detective inspector who becomes a police officer after the mysterious disappearance of his brother. Mist explores the case of a prolific killer, the Wolf, who is on the loose. John’s team are trying to catch the Wolf, but will they run out of time? “Mist” author, Jason Instrell lives in Leicester and uses his knowledge of the area to create a strong local setting for the novel. Jason is the commercial director of Fuzion Solutions Ltd which is based in Leicester, and he is thrilled to share his debut novel.
Letter
37% of electorate voted to leave European Union WHILE AGREEING with Mr West (Letter in the June issue)that the EU is a far from perfect organisation I personally regret the decision to leave although I accept the result of the referendum. Mr West expresses a view on a number of points I would not agree with but I will restrict myself to correct the specific assertion that the majority of British people voted to leave the EU. The British people comprises every British person and not just those entitled to vote. There about 60 million such people. In the referendum the vote in favour of leaving was a little more than 15 million and the reality is that about 26% of the British people voted to leave. If we consider only the electorate, there was a 72% turnout of whom about 52% voted to leave, which means about 37% of the whole electorate voted to leave. It is true, however, that the majority of the electorate who voted did vote to leave and this is the result by which we must abide, although I note the size of the majority, like that for the decision to join, was small. (Despite the closeness of the original parliamentary vote to join, the 1975 referendum on membership was very clearly in favour of continued membership.) Setting the referendum aside for a moment, I wonder how many other organisations would allow such significant changes in their governance to be driven through by 37% of their memberships. But such is our democracy.
Paul Cox
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Love Singing? WE MAY not be little angels… but we love singing, if you do too come and join us. Our conductor may not be Gareth Malone… but we all enjoy singing a mixed repertoire from the shows to ABBA and the Beatles, choral music and folk songs. We are the Glenfield Ladies Co-operative Choir. No auditions, you just need to love singing. So chase away the Autumn and Winter blues and come and join us at our Open Evening. Venue and Time: Methodist Church, Station Road, Glenfield (near the Co-Op store), 7:15 pm on Monday 11th September 2017. Contact: Carol on 07813 449873
The wonder of Walnuts A handful of walnuts may help reduce your feelings of hunger. Walnuts are unique among nuts in that they are mainly comprised of polyunsaturated fats, which help decrease ghrelin, a hormone that increases hunger. They also seem to increase peptide YY (PYY), a hormone that increases fullness or satiety. As appetite hormones play an important part in regulating how much you eat, this could be good news. Whatever the science, a recent study published in the journal Nutrition suggests that walnuts “may favourably change appetite hormones so that we can feel fuller for longer.”
Anyone for ... Badminton? A FRIENDLY local Badminton Club requires players at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, Ratby Road, Groby. We meet on Wednesday evenings between 8pm and 10pm. Interested? Then tel: 0116 267 5800.
It takes me about 18 hours to fully wake up. And then it’s time for bed again.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Library News
Skip of Gold Lands At Groby Community Library’s Door
WE WERE absolutely amazed and over the moon to have won the Mick George Skip of Gold competition for £1000.
We were among thirty well deserving finalists through to the voting stage, and thanks to everyone who voted for us we won. There was less than a few percent between the top three, so every vote really did count. We are very grateful and the money will be invested into upgrading our toilet facilities as part of our coffee shop installation. But we haven’t stopped there! We are very pleased to announce that Groby Community Library has been nominated for a Community Award and been approved by OneFamily to go through to the voting stage in the £5000 Community Group funding category. OneFamily is a financial mutual formed in April 2015 through the merger of Family Investments and Engage Mutual. They love to see communities flourish which is why they support fantastic projects that unite people from all walks of life. Winning this award will allow us to progress our plans in promoting digital literacy and internet access for all ages in our community. We will be able to invest in new IT equipment such as laptops and tablets so we can introduce adult learning workshops, children’s homework and coding clubs and classes which will help the older generations.
Public voting opened at midday on Wednesday 9th August, and is open until midday 6th September. Projects with the highest number of votes within each category will be awarded the funding. Winners will be announced on Wed 20th September. To vote you need to be over the age of 18, based in the UK and will need to register at One Family and login. To do this please visit our Groby Community Library Award Nomination project page at http://foundation. onefamily.com Vote for our Groby Community Library project Once registered and logged in, click the blue ‘vote’ on our project page. The vote count will increase and the button will change colour - this means your vote was successful and has gone through. On behalf of Groby Community Library, thank you very much for your continued support.
TEN OF THE BEST New Books At Groby Community Library Some new bestsellers recently added to our stock:
• • • • • • • • •
The Whistler by John Grisham My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella Betrayal by Martina Cole No Man’s Land by David Baldacci Rather be the Devil by Ian Rankin Hidden Killers by Linda La Plante Home by Harlan Coben When the Music’s Over by Peter Robinson The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley • The House of New Beginnings by Lucy Diamond Books can be reserved for a small fee.
Other Library news • Reading Challenge Don’t forget this summer’s reading challenge is running until the 2nd September for all children ages 3-12 years, so there is still time to come and join the Animal Agents at Groby Library this summer.
• Jigsaw Loans For Rainy Days! This year’s summer has seen mixed weather. Jigsaws are great for the rainy days and you can loan a jigsaw from our Jigsaw lending library, £1 each for a 3 week period.
• Coffee Shop Delayed We have had an additional hiccup with our plans to get the coffee shop up and running for September. We have had to seek full planning permission from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council due to the part change of use for the library building. The original plans we had drawn up were not to the standard required by the council so have had to have them redrawn by an architect. The design hasn’t changed, the images just needed to be clearer, but in means that we are about 9 weeks behind where we wanted to be. We will have more news in September’s issue.
I’d love to continue this conversation but I wasn’t listening.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Groby weight loss expert gets Gold Award at national ceremony
A weight-loss expert from Groby has struck gold for the exceptional work she does in helping more than 200 people in the area to lose weight every week. Hazel Hickson, who runs the Groby Slimming World groups every week, was presented with a prestigious Gold Award at the slimming organisation’s annual national awards ceremony in Birmingham on June 24th because of her exceptional success in supporting slimmers to reach their dream weight. In June, Hazel became one of Slimming World’s high-flying Gold Consultants for the first time. The accolade is awarded in recognition of achieving the highest levels of support for slimmers, with Hazel giving expert advice to help the people of Groby reach their weight-loss goals week after week.
Hazel was one of a high-flying group of just 49 of the organisations 4,500 Slimming World Consultants to receive a prestigious Gold Award this year, making Groby home to some of the most exceptional support in the UK. Hazel says: “I’m delighted to have received this Gold Award . I truly love my job and I feel so passionate about helping people to change their lives by losing weight. Seeing them achieve their dreams is so rewarding and being given this recognition really is the icing on the cake. “I’ve worked really hard to make sure that members who join my group get the highest level of service and the weight-loss success they deserve. It’s great to be able to tell people in Groby that they have one of the best Slimming World groups in the UK and Ireland on their doorstep.
AWARD WINNER: Hazel pictured with founder of Slimming World, Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA)
“It’s not just a triumph for me but also for the 200 members in the Groby group. They’re the ones who make it the success it is, with their fabulous energy, the warm welcome they give to new members and the wonderful compassionate support they show to each other every week. That’s as well as their impressive weight losses while following Slimming World’s hunger-busting Food Optimising eating plan and getting more active, of course. They’ve lost an amazing 340 stones this year, and each week as members lose weight I see them growing in confidence. I see them changing their health, becoming more active, trying out new foods and recipes, and finding the courage to take on challenges that they’ve always dreamed of. Members who arrive at group with their self-esteem at rock bottom start to hold their heads high and stand tall as they lose weight successfully and share their experiences and success with the rest of the group. It was an honour to collect this award on stage in Birmingham – I just wish I could have taken all of my members with me!” Kirsty Brown says: “When I
first joined the Groby group as a member I was nervous and worried but I needn’t have been. I’ve lost 8 Stone 10lb since January 2016 and reached my Target 2 months ago... and that’s all thanks to the support of Hazel and the rest of the group. Every week we share ideas, recipes, advice for overcoming challenges and best of all our achievements. After every session I leave committed, focused and ready for the week ahead. It’s great too being able to share my success with others who might be struggling and to hear how they’ve got on when they come back the next week.” Like all Slimming World Consultants, Hazel lost weight at a group herself and so knows just how valuable group support can be. Consultants receive indepth training from the Slimming World Academy to help give their members the support they need to make long-term changes to their eating and activity habits. To join the Groby groups, which are held every Thursday] at 9.30am at Groby Community Centre and 5.15pm and 7pm at Brookvale High School in the Dining Room, either pop along or give Hazel a call on 07817 303018.
FACT BOX: Groby Slimming World groups No. of members in groups 220 No. of stones lost from January to June 340 Stone Percentage of overweight/obese people in the local area 24%
My parents always told me I could be whatever I wanted as long as it only took tenacity and not cash.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
GROBY WI had a great day out in Rutland and we began with time spent in Oakham. Most of us found our way to Oakham Castle which has greatly improved since the last time I went. It is tiny for a castle but a very pretty one. For those who haven’t visited, around the walls in the Great Hall, there are over 230 Horseshoes which have been given by Peers of the Realm such as Royalty, Dukes, Earls, etc. It is a place which is recognised as one of the best examples of domestic Norman architecture in England. What is now called Oakham Castle was originally the Great Hall of a much larger fortified manor house. The Castle is the longest-running seat of justice in England; the first record of an Assize is in 1229 and a Crown Court is held in the castle every two years. The early 19th-century courtroom remains in the Great Hall. The last visit of note was by the Duchess of Cornwall in 2014. The more ‘disreputable’ of we ladies finished up in the dock, Pat being the presiding Judge. Back to the coach and onto Wing where the ladies of Wing WI gave us a great lunch. Later we had a walk up to Wing Maze, which is now rather a sad sight, very overgrown, apparently the Council are reluctant to cut it, (cutbacks I suppose!!). The day ended with a boat trip on Rutland Water. When we boarded it was quite warm but on the return journey, those on the upper deck came down, frozen, it can only happen in England. According to the ladies, the day had been a great success.
Denman College My friend won our bursary to attend Denman College which she kindly shared with me. Denman is the WI’s wonderful college in Oxfordshire, an old country house with beautiful grounds where all the year round there are literally courses for everyone. We decided to go on the Arts and Crafts Gardens and Houses course. In Denman every room is sponsored by a County, we stayed in the Somerset room. Lovely paintings, bed coverings and books all made or relating to Somerset. After a lovely breakfast our group went to Hidcote Manor and spent the morning going around the garden which was at its best, then after lunch onto Snowshill, a most unusual house. Charles Wade bought the house for his growing collection of curious and wonderful objects. He filled it so well he finished up living in a small Priest’s House very modestly. Back at Denman, we ventured into the Pearl class where a very lively and knowledgeable lady explained
Groby WI NEWS
all about pearls. During this time her class continued to make their various pieces of pearl jewellery. I had no idea there are so many types of pearls which are mostly collected from China and Japan. I thought I knew how the pearl was formed, I was so wrong. A parasite or grain of sand finds itself into the oyster, unable to escape. The oyster to protect itself secretes a substance called nager and continues to deposit layer on layer, it takes a few years to become totally encased and become a pearl (this is a simple explanation). These pearls are natural ones, cultured ones are farmed. Should a rare colour i.e. black be found and are large they are worth more than diamonds. So people are basically wearing encased parasites. The next morning we were able to visit other groups and had a lovely time singing with the beginner ukulele players songs such as Cockles and Mussels, How Much is that Doggie in the Window, a great laugh and very enjoyable.
Champagne etc plus a special raffle with great prizes, a really enjoyable night especially watching so many talented youngsters.
Hinckley Theatre
As you can see, June and July has been quite busy. June is our birthday month so our meeting consisted of, wait for it, Bucks Fizz and cake. Our speaker let us down at the last minute so a couple of quizzes were quickly arranged. Actually, the evening was a great success, plenty of laughs, of course.
One evening we went to Hinckley Theatre. It was their 40th anniversary and their Gala Night. The Theatre’s under 21s gave a most fantastic production of Les Miserables. On entering we were given a special programme and after the performance there was
Kilworth House There have been two visits to Kilworth House, ‘Kiss Me Kate’ being the first. The afternoon’s weather was just perfect especially for the picnickers in the Park. I thought it was one of their best productions but then again it is one of my favourites. The other one was an evening event, ‘Beyond the Barricade’ where again they picnicked just managing to finish the meal before the rain came. You can always count on Kilworth to hold wonderful shows.
The Curve The third theatre visit was to The Curve to see ‘Miss Saigon’ which everyone thought was another great show, we are a very cultured WI !
June Meeting
A couple of tables did brilliantly, we didn’t do too badly coming somewhere in the middle.
Glenfield Tunnel It was a very different trip on one Saturday morning, I was surprised at how many wanted to go. Who would have thought a walk down part of the Glenfield Tunnel would be so attractive. It really was interesting, especially to those (some gentlemen included) who said they had played or visited in their childhood. We were told to wear something warm, have walking shoes and take torches. Our visit down the Leicester & Swannington railway tunnel didn’t actually go far into the tunnel itself but enough for us to learn more about the history of it. When it was built in 1832 it was the longest railway tunnel in the world. The reason for it was because it couldn’t compete with their Notts. and Derbyshire rival who had access to canal navigation transporting their coal to Leicester and beyond. John Ellis approached George Stephenson to see if he thought it possible to have a railway linking the Leicestershire mines, the rest, as they say, is history. We learned loads of interesting facts. One is that some ventilation shafts are still on public display and others are to be found in private gardens such as Tredington Road and Holmwood Court Glenfield. The other fact I think worth a mention, is that the first train whistle was on this line. Apparently a chappie with a horse and cart was crossing it when the train came along and smashed the cart to smithereens. I don’t know what happened to the chap and horse but the result of this incident resulted in train whistles being mandatory.
July Meeting We all really enjoyed our July meeting. Three ladies and one man entertained us with “Trial by Jury”. There was a Judge, a defending solicitor and a prosecuting one plus a Clerk of the Court. We split into groups (juries) and listened to a number of true actual cases and were then asked to decide the verdict. Great deliberation was given by all, some serious and some, of course, comical. Each Jury was asked to give their verdicts, the Judge then gave out the actual findings of the case. Sorry to say our group came bottom, what’s new. Our next meeting is on the Thursday 17th August when a great favourite of ours, Julie Ede, will give a talk on Edith Piaf. Julie has been a few times before and is a great speaker on famous people, she is well worth listening to. So if you are interested come along to the Village Hall at 7.30p.m., you will be made very welcome.
Margaret I get most of my daily exercise from shrugging.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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A Point to Ponder
Does Groby need a Community Liaison Forum? Norman Griffiths reports on Brian Rigby’s community objectives BRIAN RIGBY, Chair of the Parish Council, is not giving up on his campaign to motivate voluntary groups in Groby to plan and work together. He feels they currently work independently. It could, he says, “turn the village into a community.” He was disappointed that at a meeting for representatives of groups to get together in July, only Groby Allotment Society attended along with two other parish councillors and the clerk. He acknowledged that it’s the holiday season but thought that the meeting could have been rescheduled if apologies for absence had been sent, indicating that attendance would be limited. Brian believes that there is insufficient contact between the many groups in the village “doing great things” delivering a range of services and activities and he feels a greater sense of community and connection might result from more interaction. He uses the analogy of a wheel, with the organisations as the spokes all linking in to a central hub such as a Community Liaison Forum that brings them together. The message he wants to get out is that if you want the village to be great you have got to get involved, and one way is to join the Parish Council.
Planning is underway for another Teddy Bears Picnic to coincide with the official opening of the new adventure play equipment and the unveiling of the Fields in Trust plaque. This will probably be in September if the installation goes to plan and will be a rerun of the 2016 event with bouncy castles, food and drink. It is hoped this will be an opportunity for local groups to literally bring and set out their stall and reach out to each other and the wider community. There will be another opportunity for organisations to participate at the Rotary Christmas Fair at the Village Hall and the meeting discussed the possibility of another event such as some form of Parish Council Open Day. Many residents are unaware of what the Parish Council does and doesn’t do, so it would be a chance to explain, answer questions and listen to the community. The suggested relaunch of a Community Calendar would also help increase awareness and avoid clashes of events. Individual groups in the village often have difficulty in recruiting enough volunteers, but when there is a community event they are often enjoyed by large numbers. Crowds enjoyed the annual Street Fairs but at the end of the day they disappeared, leaving just a handful to clear up and get the road reopened. As landlord, Brian has first hand knowledge of the popularity
Every Saturday morning 10.00am—12.30pm
CATCH meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer 9.30-11.30am every Friday at Groby URC Chapel Hill Fair Cuppa for FairTrade refreshments in fairly traded mugs. Every Thursday 10.3012am at the Village Hall
of the Stamford Arms firework display, but says the pub gets little feedback from residents or thanks for it. Despite this he remains committed, and thinks that with the right stimulus attitudes can be changed. “I won’t give up,” he said, confirming that he has every intention of persevering with this campaign.
So what do you think? DO YOU AGREE with Brian’s sentiments that the village would be a better place if organisations didn’t work in isolation, and had a forum for talking to one other, sharing ideas and getting involved jointly in community events? Or do you have a different view or a suggestion on how his objectives could be achieved? You may believe that the remit of the Parish Council should be limited to providing services and doesn’t extend to trying to foster a better sense of community. Or alternatively you may feel he has ‘hit the nail on the head’, or even that his proposals don’t go far enough. You may think that Parish Council admin staff already have enough to do. Or that if Groby can afford to have Christmas lights, bedding planters and hanging baskets it can also afford to employ someone temporarily part time to act as a Community Liaison Coordinator to contact and work with all the disparate groups to get a
Community Liaison Forum up and running. Is the solution to promote the groups in some way at places - and events - where there is already a lot of foot traffic, such as in the Stamford, Groby Club, Co-Ops, Community College, Library, Schools, Village Hall and the Community Centre? Maybe a professionally-produced information board, with all of the groups details, could be displayed at these venues. Online www.groby.org.uk has a huge amount of information about groups and activities locally, but many residents are unaware of the existence of local websites and social media now has a dominant role. So a dedicated Facebook page might be one answer. An alternative, which proved popular in Markfield, was a pocket-sized Village Information Booklet, financed by advertising, which was delivered to every home in the village. All of the village groups and church services were invited to supply their details and their activities were promoted to the local residents at no cost to them. Whatever your views the Spotlight would like to hear from you, as once there is discussion the ideas follow. You might have a point of view or you might want to get involved. Your name and contact details will not appear in the Spotlight.
Weekly events for children and young people
for 6’s to 14’s on Mon evenings, at 6.00pm or 7.45pm; for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm; for 15-18’s on Fri at 7.30pm. We meet at the United Reformed Church All of these activities, along with our work in schools, are provided by the two churches in Groby under the group name EXTEND.
For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.grobychurch.org.uk United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Children and Families Worker
Phil Holmes (Church Secretary) 225 3335 1733 John Fryer 07540 957926
You’re officially an adult when you become more than half of all the things you made fun of in your youth.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Borough Councillors’ Monthly Report Groby Parish Poll Results Question 1: Do you agree that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council should now, without further delay, take immediate steps to pursue the Compulsory Purchase of the entire KLONDYKE site voted for by councillors and clear the land to allow it to be transformed into a positive benefit for the Parish of Groby, such as a badly needed sports ground and community facility for local youngsters ? Yes: 1524 • No: 20 Question 2: Do you agree that the complete lack of effective action by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to remove this shameful blot on the local landscape, despite a District Judge in 2007 ordering part of the site to be cleared and re-instated and a unanimous vote by borough councillors in 2013 for a Compulsory Purchase of the whole KLONDYKE site, is completely unacceptable ? Yes: 1487 • No: 22 Question 3: Do you agree that Groby has been very badly let down by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council allowing the existence of this completely unauthorised and unregulated “settlement” known as the KLONDYKE, not only to exist but to thrive in Groby’s Green Wedge for more than 12 years ? Yes: 1495 • No: 15 Question 4: Do you agree that failures in due diligence by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council being entirely responsible for allowing the existence of this blot on the local landscape, that securing the initial cost of clearing the KLONDYKE site should be the responsibility of the Borough Council ? Yes: 1484 • No: 23 Three interesting facts can be extrapolated from witnessing the count: Fact one: 99.7% of the 1556 people that voted, voted yes to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council taking out a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on the Klondyke site and turning it into a community facility like a sports ground for Groby Juniors for example Fact Two: 26.2% of the electorate turned out to place a vote in the Klondyke Parish Poll. Fact Three: Of the 1556 people who voted only ten people placed a no vote to all four questions whilst 1466 placed a yes vote to all four questions. In terms of percentages Question 1: 99.67% Voted Yes Question 2: 95.54% Voted Yes Question 3: 96.04% Voted Yes Question 4: 94.08% Voted Yes A clear pattern then...
Thank you to everyone who voted, despite the queues.
Klondyke Steering group THE PARISH Poll was only ever going to be the next step in the way forward for the issues surrounding the Klondyke Site, confident that the results obtained would deliver an overwhelming signal to those organisations tasked to look after the interests of Groby residents with this issue. As you can witness from the above despite voter tiredness, restricted voting hours, no postal voting or proxy voters Groby’s residents still delivered a very clear message as to what they expect to be delivered. On Friday 21st July a meeting was held in the Groby Parish Council Chamber following on from the Parish Poll for interested parties to form a steering group to progress a satisfactory outcome for the future of the Klondyke site For clarity those in attendance at the above meeting and represented by the steering group are as follows: • Member of Parliament MP: Mr. Edward Argar • Leicestershire County Council Cllr. Ozzy O’Shea • Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Cllr. Martin Cartwright Cllr. Ted Hollick • Groby Parish Council Chairman: Cllr. Brian Rigby Cllr. Peter Batty Cllr. Pete Smith Groby Parish Council Clerk and Steering group Secretary, Mrs. Alixe Taylor • Groby Juniors Football Club Chairman Mr. John Caswell Secretary Mr. Lee Watts • Groby Community Representation Mr. George West Mr. Steve Brown Norman Griffiths - independent contributor to the Spotlight Magazine As you can see the steering group is made up of the many and varied bodies that have an interest in this issue without any one organisation being in a position of control or having a domineering presence. The first item of business on the agenda attended by all the above was that of election of Chairman. I (Cllr. Cartwright), was nominated and seconded with a majority vote for me to take on that role, duly
Martin Cartwright Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 078 50 70 70 50 E-mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write: Maverick House, 10 Pine Tree Avenue Groby, LE6 0EQ accepted. Having taken the Chair a brief history of the site was presented, discussions took place around the Parish Poll and its conclusions with the agreement being that many and varied questions needed to be addressed to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council as a result. It was therefore resolved that I write to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council notifying them of the Klondyke steering groups existence, its member’s and to invite specific officers and elected members to a meeting to be held at Groby Parish Council on Thursday 31st August 2017 starting at 3pm. Whilst the above meeting will not be open to the public I will report back in the next edition of the Spotlight the outcome of it.
Leicester Road Former Highway Land for Sale Carter Jonas has listed for sale the former highway land behind the homes on Leicester Road for sale with a guide price of £900,000.00. This is on behalf of Leicestershire County Council. • Site area approximately 1.02 hectares (2.52) acres • Resolution to grant planning outline planning permission for up to 30 homes Whilst the access has been agreed any homes would still have to secure planning permission in the normal process. All the details can be viewed online at: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/ commercial-property-for-sale/ property-49418163.html Cllr. Cartwright comments: “I have always formed the view that this site’s “abnormal” costs and construction challenges that it presents that any self respecting developer would not touch it with a bargepole for building houses. “However there are many small
Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@tesco.net Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY house builders that do not have the experiences of the major developers that could conclude that this is worth a punt! “It is also interesting that it is being advertised when all of the major builders will have long since been aware of the opportunity to purchase it! “Serious questions need to be asked regarding the 1 in 1000 year flood risk which as local residents affected by this will find a joke. “Please do not be surprised if you see people in suits looking over this land as it is advertised with no fencing and open access for viewing.” The timetable for the sale is as follows: Informal bids are to be submitted by 12 noon Tuesday 29 August 2017. A copy of the bidding documents is included within the information pack. All bids to be submitted to Leicestershire County Council in an envelope provided by them. • Informal tender: 29 August 2017 • Interviews: 4 September 2017 • Instruct solicitors: 11 September 2017 • Meeting with solicitors and principles: 25 September 2017 • Exchange contracts: 9 October 2017 • Completion 6 November 2017
Stationary Cars Acid Attacks THERE have been reports of acid attacks in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and Luton. People are going up to cars at traffic lights and knocking on the window and for some reason throwing acid on their face. So please do not open the window, no matter how helpless the person looks. Please tell every one, friends and
If my mum had her own music genre it would be heavy meddle.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
from Martin & Ted family who you know, it may save a life. A sickening crime that has life long effects on those people targeted, always put your safety first.
Borough Council Website named in UK top 10% The Borough Council’s website is in the top ten percent council websites in the country according to the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM), the independent organisation responsible for vetting UK council websites. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s website – www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk - is one of 36 out of the 416 council websites in the UK and one of just two council websites in the East Midlands to be awarded the top four star rating in SOCITM’s Better Connected audit for 2016-2017. Every year SOCITM carries out an independent audit of all UK council websites, focusing on the quality of the online experience tested using a standard desktop computer and a mobile device. Star ranking is awarded to each site based on how well the website works from mobiles, the quality of search and
navigation and how accessible the site is to people with disabilities. The audit also checks how quick and easy it is to complete four frequently used tasks which this year included applying for a temporary event notice and applying for building control. Each year the assessment gets more difficult as councils are expected to keep up-to-date with technical advancements. It is the fourth time in five years that the Borough Council’s website has been awarded four stars. The council’s website has become an increasingly popular way for residents to access services and information in recent years. The number of residents using the site increased by 82% between 2014 and 2016, with 672,765 visits in 2016. On 9 June alone, the General Election results were viewed 3,508 times.
We Are Here To Help You Should you have any comments or problems you would like us to mention in our articles please get in touch. Kind regards
Martin Cartwright & Ted Hollick
Helpful signs • • • • • •
Sign on a door: Push. If that doesn’t work. Pull. If that doesn’t work, we’re closed. In front of a church: Don’t give up. Moses was once a basket case. In the grounds of a private school: No trespassing without permission. On a plumber’s van: We repair what your husband fixed. Outside a photographer’s studio: Out to lunch: if not back by five, out for dinner also. Notice in health food shop window: Closed due to illness.
I finally got eight hours sleep. Took me four days but whatever.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Live & Local
What’s On at Local Pubs & Clubs Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 Saturday 12th August: - Vegas Duo Top Of The Range Duo Friday 18th August: - Ann Marie Powerful Female Vocalist Saturday 19th August: - Steve Sinatra A Night Of Swing And Mixtures Friday 25th August: - Charlie Frost Young Male Vocalist
Last Friday Of Each Month - Andy’s Quiz Night. Every Saturday Bingo In Lounge With Free Supper For All Players From 8 pm. Every Sunday Dancing To Organist From 8 pm. £2-00 Entry On Door With Raffle/Eight Houses Bingo(Optional) Charity dance on Fridays: September 22nd. November 24th. Also includes a raffle and a short bingo session
Saturday 2nd September: - TBC
Saturday social dance: August 19th September 16th October 21st Start at 8 pm. Admission will be £2. As with the charity dance, there will also be a raffle and a short bingo session.
Friday 8th September: - Kelly Louise Outstanding Male Vocalist
All Enquiries To 01530 230205. Also Room Hire Available For Any Occasion.
Saturday 26th August: - Beyond X Local Favourite Duo Friday 1st September: - Just Ben Excellent Out Going Male Vocalist
Saturday 9th September: - UB40 Tribute By UB42 & Amanda Jayne Tickets Are Members £5.00 & NonMembers £7.00 - PLEASE SEE BAR STAFF TO GET YOUR TICKETS! ON SALE NOW! Friday 15th September: - Emily Abbiss: - Great Female Vocalist
The Club Bagworth, Station Road, Bagworth LE67 1BZ 01530 230205. Every Monday From 8 pm, Dominoes With Supper £1 -50. Every Tuesday From 8 pm Target Shooting With Rifle And Pellets Plus Tuition If Required£2-00. Wednesday Afternoon From 2-4 pm Tea Dance £1-00 With Tea/Biscuits. Wednesday Evenings: Bingo From 8 pm. With Members Jackpot Also Raffle. Thursdays Line Dancing With Jeff From 8 pm
The Club Thornton, Main Street, Thornton LE67 1AH 01530 230251 Sky & BT Sports. Free concert room hire. New Garden. Bingo on Tuesdays
Lady Jane Grey School News
Owen Beange raises £450 for charity LADY JANE Grey Primary School has been supporting one of it’s Year 6 pupils, Owen Beange in raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Owen and his friends have been selling Purple ribbons in school and at the local Co-op. Other events have taken place during the year in particular, our celebration of Father’s Day, when children and their father’s, grandfather’s or uncle’s came all had a Fish & Chip lunch together. During this event a 50/50 raffle was held and £45 was available to win. Mr Imir’s ticket was drawn and he kindly donated all of the Ace charity fundraiser Owen Beange money to the Pancreatic Cancer Trust. Owen has worked tirelessly for this cause and has raised an outstanding £450.00 throughout the year. Well done Owen and thank you to everyone who supported this cause.
Fri 1st Sept: Travelling Riverside Blues Band - awaiting confirmation on other artists Sat 2nd Sept: Shed - Dirty Water band - Faz - Punk & Disorderly Sun 3rd Sept: Jess - The Boodons - The Dung Beatles The Austrian Stones - Mike & Roy Fri 15th Sept: The Phantoms charity evening for the friends of St Peters Church, Thornton Sun 24th Sept: Bar Boot Sale please tel The Club for details Fri 29th Sept: Jane’s McMillan coffee morning Sat 30th Sept: The Levi - new band for The Thornton
Raffle winner Mr Imir, who kindly donated his winnings to the charity
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I like a woman that makes me feel alive, but also lets me know that it might not be for long.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Local organisations help turn £50 into thousands for this year’s LOROS Accumulator Challenge
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS from across the city and county have helped raise more than £20,000 for LOROS by taking part in this year’s Accumulator Challenge. Each of the 21 teams were given three months to see how far they could grow £50, in as many fun and innovative but legal, ways as possible. It was announced at the LOROS Accumulator Challenge 2017 Awards Evening recently that the groups had collectively helped raise a grand total of £23, 536 for the Hospice. Magdalena Korytkowska, Partnership Development Lead at LOROS said: “We are delighted to announce that 21 teams have successfully completed this year’s challenge raising in excess of £23,000 between them. “Our groups came up with some great ideas to make the most profit from the £50 stake, with their activities ranging from tool sales, themed breakfasts and ‘eat-a-thons’, to creating a musical medley for sharing with global colleagues.” Patient Janet Cave, who attended the Drop-in Sessions at LOROS, revealed the grand total during the awards ceremony, which was held at the Kind Richard III Visitor’s Centre. Three Awards were presented during the evening and the winners were selected by three independent judges, LOROS Day Therapy patient, Shirley Fagernes, LOROS Day Therapy Manager, Janet Manuel and LOROS Fundraising Volunteer Teresa Walton. ‘The Most Innovative Idea’ was awarded to Coventry Building Society, in Leicester, for organising a number of fun events for their customers, including their ‘toilet roll tombola’. British Gas, National Distribution Centre, won the award for ‘The Most Engaging Challenge’, with their team, which was made up of just four people, managing to organise a grand total 22 separate fundraising events during the three months. The British Gas group also won the award for ‘The Most Money Raised’, after turning their £50 into a huge £5,138.08. Other teams that took part included, Cadent - Data Assurance, GI Solutions, Highcross Leicester, three branches of Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, MJ’S Events, six teams from PepsiCo, Ramada Encore, Red Rock Partnership, Regent College, Scouts Group 33rd /65th Leicester, Team Charlie and Tokio Marine HCC.
Being a stay at home mum is a hard job but at least my boss naps twice a day.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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HUMAN BONES Wordsearch
2017-8-6
Word Search
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IF YOU can find the names of 12 HUMAN BONES in this issue’s Wordsearch puzzle, you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plusSolutions A Bottle of Wine at The FieldHead Hotel. forHouse Districts Free
C H M S A L L E T A P W W H T F R
F F X A U O H T I B I A B H J B K
M E X U N R I Y L K U W C V J Y X
W A M T A D E F O S W M Q X O A G
U E U U M P I M G O C E Z R N A U
V G C E R D C B U L T B A L Q Z Z
C L A V I C L E L H T D U Y B Y P
L D G W P P A M V E I C Z R L C X
R E U I M L H E C U C F D R H K W
To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - theResources names of 12 bones found What We Offer Who We Are Teachers Parents in the human body.These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: SKELETON, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 2nd September 2017. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the K Z A X S D W O prize. Good luck!
Z L Q U N Q T S O G I O L V M V
J I P N P K A J Y R B G K Q O X
O A G R T K T Y F T U H I R D S
C F T E I S A Y S V L Y C D U M
X H K T R K R O E G A G K C U E
F G G S G H S Y E T Y A X L O P
R I A T R T A L O V Q N X M R R
Y Y S Z B E L U V Y C X F X X R
Here are the 12 human bones you have to find:
CLAVICLE • FEMUR • FIBULA • HUMERUS MANDIBLE • METATARSAL • PATELLA • RADIUS SCAPULA • STERNUM • TIBIA • ULNA Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................
Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The first correct entry drawn out was from: Miss CHLOE CARTER of Lena Drive, Groby. Congratulations! Enjoy your meal!
LFE Film Evenings CLAVICLE
Our new season starts on Thursday 7 September, when the FEMUR film being shown will be “LION”. FIBULA
HUMERUS This is the true story of how, in 1986, Saroo, an illiterate, impoverished MANDIBLEin rural central India, got separated from his brother at a five-year-old railway station in Burhanpur, and accidentally ended up alone on a train METATARSAL that took him almost a thousand miles to Kolkata (Calcutta). Unable to PATELLA speak Bengali, and unaware of the name of his home town, he had no way RADIUS toSCAPULA return. He lived as a street urchin and survived on his wits and scraps ofSTERNUM food. Later he was taken in by an orphanage, eventually adopted by an Australian TIBIA couple, who took him to start a new life in Tasmania. AULNA quarter-century later came the implausible twist. Saroo – by now a robust, happy, windsurfing, fully fledged Aussie – used Google Earth, a handful of visual memories and immense dedication to identify his home town: Khandwa, in central India. In February 2012 he travelled there to find his biological mother, Fatima. Created by Puzzlemaker Starring: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara Venue: the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, LFE. Cost: £5. On arrival complimentary hot drink and biscuits are provided. You also get a free raffle ticket for a double ticket prize to be used for a future showing. Doors open at 7.00pm. The film show starts at 7.30pm. Run time is 2 hours.
at DiscoveryEducation.com
Still love my music http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp The hills may not be alive with the sound of music, but the homes of empty nesters are.
It seems that parents whose children have finally left home are turning back to the music they once enjoyed when they were young. These so-called empty nesters now account for a fifth of market on physical music sales. As a spokesman from the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) explains: “This demographic has the time and the money to rediscover and reconnect with music. They can indulge their passion and reacquaint themselves with the music they used to love.”
I called the Gambling Help Line but they wouldn’t give me any money.
S
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Spotlight Small Ads • Free - BELFAST SINK. Tel: 0116 232 1960 • Full set of ‘Ping’ GOLF CLUBS • Large ‘Ping’ BAG • ‘Ben Sayer’ CARRYING BAG • Electric ‘Powerkarry’ TROLLEY, plus BATTERY & CHARGER Excellent condition. Price: £470 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 242798 • Pop up GAZEBO, 3m x 3m, green, waterproof, with 4 sides, new, still in box. Price: £150 • Adult MOUNTAIN BIKE - 18 gears, brand new. Price: £150 • WINDBREAK - 4 feet high by 15 feet long. Used once. Price: £15 • Two large SUITCASES, Tripp, as new. Price: £30 each o.n.o. • Large hard shell CASE, Revaluation, plus one small HAND LUGGAGE CASE, Price: £30 o.n.o. • ‘Flymo’ LAWN MOWER - good condition. Price: £15. • ‘Dimplex’ WALLHEATER - 20” high by 30” long. Good condition. Price: £25. Tel: 01530 245323. • SAMSUNG 40” FLAT SCREEN TV, used but in very good condition with stand and wall mounting brackets and remote. Can be seen working. Price: £100.00 • VENTURA DOUBLE SIZE ANYWHERE BED with blow up mattress and fold up base, portable (on wheels) 146cm x 198cm x 61cm (H) complete with electric pump. Price: £40.00 • BLACK GARDEN MEMBRANE 1.5m x approx 50m. Price: £20.00 • COOKWORK MICROWAVE OVEN 800w 20lt capacity 440mm x 330mm x 258mm, Silver, Good working order. Price: £10.00 • LADIES “DUNE” HANDBAG Brown
with short strap and gold coloured trimmings only used twice complete with dustbag. Price: £20.00 • MANUAL 14” TILE CUTTER Price: £7.50 • SKY HD BOX in good condition with remote control. Price: £20.00. • JONES CONSORT DELUXE TABLE TOP SEWING MACHINE with carrying case Pre 1970’s Complete with booklet and accessories, possible collectors item. Price: £10.00. Tel:: 07516044569 • Three wheel collapsible WALKING AID with bag. Good condition. Price:£20 • Wood table (30” square) and two chairs. Excellent condition.Reason for sale: house clearance.Price: £35. Tel: 07547 901657 • Bosch PSB 1000 RPE HAMMER DRILL. As new condition. Price: £50.00. Tel: 01530 244626 (Markfield). • Wooden GARDEN TABLE, 44” x 44”, eight-sided, preserved in Sadolin durable wood stain, with rubber studs on table legs. Price: £40.00. • Also two CHAIRS with arms. Price: £10-15. All in excellent condition. Tel: 01530 587950 (Markfield). IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please.
Our postal address is Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight. co.uk. Please put ‘Small Ads’ in the subject line, and include your postal address (not for publication).
Wash and blow dry? IF YOU see your neighbour using his hairdryer to blow-dry his car this summer, do not conclude that he is even odder than you thought he was. Blowdrying your car is actually a very good idea. So says Auto Express, in its recent top tips for car care. It seems that hairdryers are excellent for blowing water droplets out of door handles and lights. The ten-step guide also advises that natural chamois is better than cloths (which can scratch), that washing-up liquid can strip the protective coat on bodywork, and that fierce sunshine renders some specialist cleaning products less productive.
I’m not saying your perfume is too strong. I’m just saying the canary was alive before you got here.
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