Glenfield Gazette August 2023

MONTHLY

Don’t miss the Picnic In The Park!

ON SUNDAY 20th August 2023 bring your picnic along to Ellis Park and enjoy music from Ratby Band from 3pm.

A number of stalls will be open from 2pm and any enquiries from non-profit organisations, based in Glenfield, are welcome. Please get in touch with the Parish Council Offices. Glenfield Parish Council, Park House, Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8DL

Telephone: 0116 231 2498 • Email: admin@ glenfield-pc.gov.uk • Twitter: @GlenfieldPC

& ENTERTAINMENT FOR GLENFIELD

GLENFIELD’S NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

THE INSPECTOR has now approved our plan subject to some alterations but without the need for a public hearing.

She has discounted the objections to it and agreed with us that we have done all that is necessary and that we need not act on possible housing demands which we fear may be in the next Blaby Local Plan. We prepared our plan based on the requirement today not what Blaby hope to agree in the future. That is a plan long overdue which is not expected for at least another year and we are not in the business of considering maybes.

Most of the alterations she requires are in the wording, making things more clear to people with no knowledge of some of the terms we referred to and these we accept and will have altered

The big disappointment is that she would not support us designating that part of the golf course within Glenfield as a special ‘green space’. We knew that such a designation was aimed at smaller plots but felt it was worth a try.

She thought it was adequately protected as green wedge, which it is at the moment but we know that as and when a local plan for the district is agreed the plan was to remove that protection. We must therefore object to that plan when the matter comes up and we may have to prepare an update to our neighbourhood plan but at least we should have something on the table shortly.

It still looks likely that Blaby will have to build houses to cover the shortfall to target in the City and they may come back at us for the 300 plus they were talking about previously in which case we may be faced with deciding which is the least bad site for them.

Personally, my big fear is that without a local plan for the district, all developers could get a green light on appeal. That would mean as many as a thousand new homes in the village with another thousand just over the border. When you consider that Glenfield, as it is, has under five thousand houses you can imagine what pressure facilities would come under.

Once Blaby have made the amendments to our Neighbourhood Plan which the inspector required, Blaby have to hold a referendum to get it adopted.

Cllr Roy Denney

Blaby is fourth best place to live in the country, say residents

BLABY DISTRICT has been declared the fourth best place to live in the UK – by our own residents!

The Office for National Statistics released data on how people rate where they live in terms of personal wellbeing with the results recently being discussed in Parliament.

People were asked to rate (out of 10) anxiety levels, happiness, life satisfaction and the feeling that the things you are doing in life are worthwhile.

Blaby District residents responded with an average of 2.9 for anxiety, 8 for happiness, 8.1 for life satisfaction and 8.3 for a feeling that things done are worthwhile.

This meant our District was not only the top place to live in Leicestershire but fourth overall for the whole of the country. Go Blaby!

Hop! free bus service reaches

1,000 passenger trips a day

A FREE bus service in Leicester city centre is proving to be a hit with an average of 1,000 passenger journeys per day

made on the route.

The Hop! Bus service was launched in April 2023 as part of the city’s Greenlines electric bus programme, providing a free to use shuttle service to key locations around the city centre including Highcross, Leicester Market, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Jubilee Square and Leicester Station.

It is estimated that by September – five months since its launch – 100,000 passenger journeys will have been made on the route.

But it is not just commuters using the Hop! free electric bus.

In June, members of the real ale organisation Camra used the service for its “Hoppy Afternoon” pub crawl, with the route forming a convenient circuit of some of the city’s real ale pubs.

Three zero-emission green Hop! buses – each of which features a distinctive frog “ribbit” effect bell – seat 21 passengers and operate every 10 minutes on an anticlockwise loop, with 12 stops along the route.

Running from 8am-6pm from Monday to Saturday, the new buses are fitted with electronic information displays, next stop announcements, WiFi and USB charging at each seat, with each of the stops offering real-time information displays and text-tospeech facilities.

The city council launched the free service on an 18-month trial basis as one of its Leicester Buses Partnership commitments. The Leicester Buses Partnership was

launched in April 2022 to bring together all the local bus operators and Leicester City Council, to work jointly on addressing both the city’s transport needs and its environmental responsibilities. Three fully-accessible zeroemission electric midi buses, costing around £1million, have been purchased for the Hop! scheme, thanks to a successful bid for funding from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund.

The Hop! buses are the latest addition to Leicester’s growing fleet of clean, green electric buses and are part of the city council’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency, with the city’s whole bus network due to be fully electric or zero-emission by 2030. Centrebus operate the service, with the city council funding the scheme and its promotion with a budget of around £325,000. More information is available at www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/hop

Glenfield WI Meeting on Wednesday 12th July

SADLY, the speaker we had booked for this meeting cancelled for personal reasons, but we hope to re-invite her next year.

It was decided that we would use this unexpectedly free afternoon to update members on some business issues that had previously only been discussed within the Committee. A very useful question and answer session followed and then we all enjoyed a welcome cup of tea.

During our social time, members were able to indicate their interest in a variety of suggested future outings and pre-loved books and puzzles were, as usual, on sale.

FUTURE MEETINGS

THIS WAS our last meeting at Park House, as from August we will be returning to St Peter’s Church Hall.

Future meetings will be held there at 2pm on the second Wednesday of each month.

When we meet on Wednesday 9th August, our speaker will be Richard Warren who will talk to us about Leicester’s First Suburb.

Do come and join us! Visitors can be assured of a very warm welcome and an enjoyable afternoon.

Entertain football-mad kids during the holidays

WITHTHE WOMEN’S World Cup underway and children feeling inspired to lace up their football boots during the summer holidays, household and garden retailer wilko is selling a pop-up football net to keep them active and entertained.

Put your football skills to the test with the HOMCOM 2-in-1 Pop Up Football Net. Designed for kids and teenagers, it’s the ideal piece of training equipment for budding strikers and sports enthusiasts alike. Equipped with a 2-in-1 design – one side with different target areas to practice accurate shooting and the other a regular net – this pop-up goal will guarantee hours of fun. It’s suitable for both outdoor and indoor play, so the rainy weather doesn’t have to postpone your shooting practice.

It’s made with fibreglass poles and reinforced with an Oxford fabric and net, providing a durable and sturdy goal for even the most powerful of shots. For only £21, it’s also easy to assemble, with a half-moon pop-up design for quick, hassle-free set-up.

• Multifunctional goal to practice target shooting

• Pop-up design for easy assembly

• Ideal size for children and teenagers

They had to evacuate a local festival when a band did a cover of Boogie Wonderland. It set off the Earth, Wind & Fire alarm.

comfort zone: noun; a situation where one feels safe or at ease: the trip is an attempt to take the students out of their comfort zone; a settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results: if you stay within your comfort zone you will never improve

T’S YOUR safe place, right? It’s routine, no stress, challenges or pressures. However, step outside your comfort zone and the benefits could be bountiful.

IIt’s your safe place, right? It’s routine, no stress, challenges or pressures. However, step outside your comfort zone and the benefi ts could be bountiful.

Comfort zones are so-called for a reason. They’re comfortable places to be, a psychological state in which a person feels safe, secure and at ease. It can refer to a physical or emotional space, as well as a routine or set of behaviours an individual is familiar with, and they feel confident in their abilities to handle them.

Comfort zones are so-called for a reason. They’re comfortable places to be, a psychological state in which a person feels safe, secure and at ease. It can refer to a physical or emotional space, as well as a routine or set of behaviours an individual is familiar with, and they feel confident in their abilities to handle them.

For example, a person’s comfort zone might be their home, workplace or social circle. It could also be a particular way of approaching tasks or challenges, such as always doing things in a certain order or avoiding situations that make them uncomfortable.

For example, a person’s comfort zone might be their home, workplace or social circle. It could also be a particular way of approaching tasks or challenges, such as always doing things in a certain order or avoiding situations that make them uncomfortable.

Not knowing what’s going to happen next is generally stressful. Uncertainty signals that you’re unsure of your surroundings, your skills or both. However, research by America’s Yale University has shown uncertainty also signals the brain to kick-start learning. So, while new situations might be uncomfortable, they’re also essential if you want to make the most of your brain. It’s a fact that growth and progress often come from taking risks and embracing new experiences –stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to some of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life.

Not knowing what’s going to happen next is generally stressful. Uncertainty signals that you’re unsure of your surroundings, your skills or both. However, research by America’s Yale University has shown uncertainty also signals the brain to kick-start learning. So, while new situations might be uncomfortable, they’re also essential if you want to make the most of your brain.

It’s a fact that growth and progress often come from taking risks and embracing new experiences – stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to some of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life.

LEARNING CURVE

Ways to inject some variety, uncertainty and newness into your daily life to help you step out of the comfort zone could include:

LEARNING CURVE

Ways to inject some variety, uncertainty and newness into your daily life to help you step out of the comfort zone could include:

Do daily things differently. In everyday life, there are plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. Turn off your smartphone or television while having dinner, take a different route to work, or just slow down and take in the

surroundings on a walk. These little changes break you out of old, comfortable routines. Get creative. Creativity – anything from writing a poem to building a business – usually involves an element of risk. Creative endeavours are about stepping into the unknown, and are a great way to train yourself to have a growth mindset.

• Do daily things differently. In everyday life, there are plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. Turn off your smartphone or television while having dinner, take a different route to work, or just slow down and take in the surroundings on a walk. These little changes break you out of old, comfortable routines.

• Get creative. Creativity – anything from writing a poem to building a business – usually involves an element of risk. Creative endeavours are about stepping into the unknown, and are a great way to train yourself to have a growth mindset.

Introduce yourself to someone new. Meeting new people can often open our eyes to new perspectives and help us to gain new knowledge and ideas. Often, what holds us back from getting to know new people is fear of judgement – but remember, we usually judge ourselves far more than anyone else will be judging us. Start a new project. It might fail but you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

• Introduce yourself to someone new. Meeting new people can often open our eyes to new perspectives and help us to gain new knowledge and ideas. Often, what holds us back from getting to know new people is fear of judgement – but remember, we usually judge ourselves far more than anyone else will be judging us.

BOOK You May LIKE A Game of Lies

By Clare Mackintosh

• Start a new project. It might fail but you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

• Talk to people you disagree with. It’s both an empathy and a learning booster.

Talk to people you disagree with. It’s both an empathy and a learning booster. Spice up your shopping. If you usually stick to the same supermarket or shopping list every week, then why not spice things up by adding a couple of items to your basket that you’d never usually think to try? Your meals and snacks can instantly become much more exciting when you start exploring different tastes and trying new recipes.

• Spice up your shopping. If you usually stick to the same supermarket or shopping list every week, then why not spice things up by adding a couple of items to your basket that you’d never usually think to try? Your meals and snacks can instantly become much more exciting when you start exploring different tastes and trying new recipes.

As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so rest assured it’s totally fine to take small, methodical steps, moving on to larger, bolder ones. Leaving behind the comfort zone doesn’t mean recklessly throwing caution to the wind. Every step forward is progress.

As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so rest assured it’s totally fine to take small, methodical steps, moving on to larger, bolder ones. Leaving behind the comfort zone doesn’t mean recklessly throwing caution to the wind. Every step forward is progress.

THEY SAY the camera never lies.

But on this show, you can’t trust anything you see.

Spot the difference!

Spot the difference!

Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they’ve signed up for.

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won’t just be eliminated - they’ll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they’d ever imagined, and they’re trapped.

The disappearance of a contestant wasn’t supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she’s watched on screen, and find out who these people really are - knowing she can’t trust any of them.

And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.

I saw a sign on shop door that said ‘Guide Dogs Welcome’. I walked in and was greeted by a Labrador who thanked me for shopping and took my coat.

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

Albert Einstein

Classic FM is upgrading to DAB+ across the UK from January 2024

FROM JANUARY 2024, Classic FM will be upgrading from DAB to DAB+ across the UK.

DAB+ provides superior sound quality, giving the best possible experience for those listening on DAB. This change will only affect those with a DAB radio that does not have DAB+, which is a small minority of legacy DAB radio devices. What is DAB+ and how is it different to DAB?

PO

The Glenfield Gazette is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 5,000 homes and businesses in Glenfield.

Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries.

Printed by Norwood Press in Ellistown.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Glenfield Gazette Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. The Glenfield Gazette 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.

The Glenfield Gazette reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/ or advertisements submitted for publication.

All contents © The Glenfield Gazette. None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from The Glenfield Gazette.

DAB+ uses the same transmitters and broadcast technology as DAB – it simply converts sound to digital in a different way.

In order to receive DAB+ stations, your radio must be DAB+ enabled. Some older DAB digital radios will only receive DAB stations, but the majority of newer devices can receive DAB+ stations as well as DAB. There are lots of DAB/ DAB+ radios available which will give you access to DAB and DAB+ stations, including from most leading manufacturers.

What do I do if I listen to Classic FM on DAB?

ANYONE listening on DAB radio will need to make sure it’s DAB+ ready before the end of the year.

If you are buying a new digital radio, look for the Digital Radio Tick Mark (see below). This means the radio is DAB+ enabled and will receive the available DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations.

If the product does not have the Tick Mark, read the product description carefully and check that it specifies DAB+.

If your DAB radio is not DAB+ ready, you can recycle your old device. Find your nearest donation or recycling point here. What if I listen to Classic FM via FM, TV, Global Player or smart speaker?

Those who listen via FM, TV, Global Player, or smart speaker do not need to do anything. Your listening experience will stay the same.

Are you looking to invest in a new DAB+ radio?

IF YOU’RE thinking of replacing your old DAB radio with a new DAB+ version, Allan at Keith Smith (Anstey) Ltd can recommend the Roberts Play10 DAB/DAB+ FM Radio priced at £44.99.

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• Palliative Care

• Companionship

• High Dependency Care, two carers attending

• Respite Cover

• Medication Assistance

• Shopping Service

• Laundry Service

• Transportation Service

• Food Preparation & Serving

All our staff are fully checked, inducted, trained and certified in accordance with skills of care.

“The portable DAB/DAB+/FM Play 10 is the perfect size for your home or on the go. The simple compact design features a backlit starburst display to search and scroll channels with ease.”

National award for our wildlife verges project

AN AMBITIOUS plan that has transformed more than 70 grass verges around Leicestershire into mini-wildlife havens has won a national award from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative is run by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with NatureSpot. Around 60 parish councils have now signed up to the scheme, which involves volunteers giving up their time to restore and enhance the verges through more sensitive management, including the sowing of native wildflower seeds, natural regeneration and learning about the local wildlife within these important habitats.

Encouraging wildlife

The aim of the ambitious project is to improve biodiversity and encourage wildlife through grassland habitat regeneration, with verges being allowed to flourish between April and September, as wildflowers and grasses reach maturity and provide local species with food and habitat.

Parish councils and community groups are given the opportunity to take over the management of roadside verges in their local area and work to help protect, enhance and retain their value for local wildlife.

The success of the scheme in boosting wildlife habitats and encouraging pollinators including bees, butterflies and moths, has now been recognised by Defra, which has named Leicestershire’s Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative as one of 26 national Bees’ Needs Champions Award winners, in the Community Champions category.

How you can join the scheme

The scheme started in 2020, with just 11 verges, but has now grown to cover 71 verges across 60 parishes. It gives communities the chance to reduce the drastic loss of wildflower meadows, which have reduced by 97 per cent since the 1930s.

Expressions of interest for the 2023 scheme are now open until September this year. Parish councils and community groups interested in joining the scheme can contact the council’s environment team at environmentteam@leics.gov.uk

Glenfield Ladies Co-operative Choir in fine song at St Anne’s

Is the switching off of street lights helping thieves?

WE HAVE had a lot of car and van break-ins on our road recently and with the street lights going out at midnight I think this may be helping thieves.

We live on Fairefield Crescent in Glenfield and two of our vehicles have been broken into in a matter of a few weeks. Our neighbours are also experiencing similar problems. Can anything been done about this?

Lisa, Glenfield

WHEN THE concert photos arrived in my inbox recently, I suddenly realised how much practice and effort had brought the Glenfield Ladies Co-operative Choir’s Summer Concert to life on the Saturday evening in June. By the time St Anne’s church doors opened, the choir had each dedicated over 40 hours of rehearsal time starting in early January.

Laura chose the original theme of a ‘wildlife odyssey’ featuring monkeys, lions, cats and birds, even the humble spider made an appearance. A Music Director’s choice is rarely without controversy and it’s best not to mention the lullaby about horses which was rejected as being “just weird”. Ironically, St Anne is the patron saint of Equestrians.

The jazz classic Misty gave us diction difficulties too with “On. My. Own.” which despite hours of drilling still came out as “onmyyown” until last week. The first half included Disney classics from The Children’s Choir performing Everybody Wants to be a Cat from The Aristocats, followed by the choir singing Circle of Life from The Lion King and a medley from The Jungle Book with added special effects.

On possibly the hottest day of the year, we were super-grateful to the St Anne’s volunteers who baked 16 cakes and served gallons of juice and squash giving everyone a wonderful spread during the intermission. Some needed a reviving cuppa before starting the second half with Close to You by Burt Bacharach, sung as a tribute to the writer. He passed away earlier this year, as did Christine McVie the composer of Songbird which also featured in our concert.

Nerves were running high for the Rogers & Hammerstein finale but I hope it didn’t show on the night. Their musical partnership took us on a journey from the Austrian hills, across the sweeping plains of Oklahoma, then dipping us into the South Pacific before dancing in the royal court of Siam. The piece finished with the emotional, You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel, still better known today as a football anthem. From the very first note to the very last flourish, we had been accompanied by Mary Starie on the piano who has now made it into Glenfield folklore as a legend of the keyboard.

I have lots of wonderful memories to put in the scrapbook but the one that captured all our hearts is of the knitted Owl and The Pussy-Cat which became our mascot for one night only. Thank you again to all who came to Glenfield’s mini festival of music. You helped us raise over £1,000 to split between the GLCC and St Anne’s and from everyone in the choir, I’d like to say in the style of Rogers & Hammerstein “Thank you, Glenfield. O.K.!”

The choir will now be taking a break over the summer and returning in September to practice for our Christmas Concert. On 11th September there will be an Open Evening so any ladies who feel like coming along to sing will be very welcome to join us at 7.15pm in Glenfield Methodist Church.

Glenfield Ladies Co-operative Choir

Spotted a chap playing tennis in a hat the other day. Think it was Roger Fedora.

It’s a decision that many of us hope we never have to make, but which many of us have had to –choosing the right care for a loved one when they are no longer able to remain in their own home.

When the time comes, it is vital you take time to consider all the options available and weigh up what’s best for your loved one and for you as a family when choosing the right type of care home. It’s important to assess your relative’s needs to make sure you only look at places that will suit them. Once you’ve narrowed down a shortlist, go back to visit as many times as you need to and ask all the questions that you have. After all, this is your loved one’s home from home, and you need to know they will be happy, safe and well cared for.

Making the right choice

There are several types of residential and nursing care available, so do your homework and take your time before choosing.

Care home is an umbrella term that covers the numerous types of accommodation with different levels of care.

Care homes must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is responsible for their inspection and registration.

Residential care

People living in residential care do not have serious health problems that require onsite nursing support. They are able to look after their own needs but many occasionally require assistance, while having peace of mind that care and support is on hand.

Residential and dementia care

On offer at this type of home is care for those who are physically able but are living with some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. Care is provided in an environment specifically designed to meet the needs of dementia suffers, with adaptations such as specially designed signage to aid orientation.

BOOK You May LIKE

None of This is True

By Lisa Jewell

Nursing homes are so-called because they provide nursing care. A home that is not registered to provide nursing care will not provide medical care beyond helping residents take any medication that they have been prescribed.

Nursing homes have a higher number of fully qualified and specially trained nursing staff. Added to this, there will be specialised nursing equipment, such as fully adapted bedrooms and bathrooms, adjustable beds, hoists and ramps.

Nursing homes with dementia care

Nursing staff will have specialist dementia training and the care offered is at a much higher level, for elderly people who require more physical support and who are also living with some form of dementia.

According to a recent national survey by One Poll, the vast majority of older people in the UK – 97% – say they would prefer to stay in their own homes. Thankfully, there are a number of agencies that can provide everything from helping with small chores to live in companion and driver. Here’s an at-a-glance guide:

• Live-in companion

• Drop-in daily help

• Driver

• Housekeeper/cook

• Gardener

• Live-out companion

• Meal deliveries

• Live-in care

• Respite care

• Overnight care

CELEBRATING her 45th birthday at her local pub, podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair.

Josie is also celebrating her 45th.

A few days later, they bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie says she thinks she would be an interesting subject for Alix’s podcast. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Alix agrees to a trial interview and indeed, Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated. Aix finds her unsettling but can’t quite resist the temptation to keep digging.

Slowly Alix starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it Josie has cajoled her way into Alix’s life - and into her home.

Soon Alix begins to wonder who is Josie Fair really? And what has she done?

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”

John

Wayne

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” Reba McEntire

My friend told me he’s fed up with me talking like a newsreader. More on that story later.

5 Steyning Crescent, Glenfield Leicester LE3 8PL 0116 287 3226

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Smartphones and laptops can and do stop working, get tripped over and smashed, or, worse still, get stolen. Here’s how to safely store your shots.

Copy them to the cloud

The cloud is a fancy way of saying ‘other people’s computers’, e.g. Apple, Google or Microsoft. These services can copy your photos automatically from your phone or computer so they’re always up to date. There is a limit on free space however and whilst the costs aren’t massive you will have to pay for extra space.

Build yourself a backup

Alternatively use an external storage device.

A fast SSD (solid state drive) is easy to connect and use to backup not just your photos but your other important fi les too. Our recommendation? Do both! If you have a copy on an external SSD and another in the cloud, you’re prepared for anything.

Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB

Samsung drives are little more expensive than some rivals, but they are very reliable. They’re perfectly portable, superspeedy and ultra-reliable.

£76, Amazon

General Knowledge

Planning Apps

Two storey side and single storey rear extensions - at 5 Clovelly Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8AD

Erection of one dwelling with associated landscaping, parking and fencing - at 126 Dominion Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8JA

Erection of a single storey rear extension, two storey side extension with balcony to rear, and alterations to roof to provide a gable to the rear - at 15 Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8HE

Single storey side, two and a half storey rear, side and front extension and raising of ridge of height to accommodate loft rooms - at 192 Station Road, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8GT

Two and first floor extension - at 14 Gardeners Close, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8HY

Across

1. Nymph who fell in love with Narcissus and faded away, leaving just her voice (4)

3. Written account of ownership or obligation (8)

9. Burnt sugar used to colour and flavour food (7)

10. Laundering appliance that removes moisture (5)

11. Edible product of the Passiflora plant (7,5)

13. External forms (6)

15. Word uttered by Archimedes (6)

17. Writer of verse officially appointed to the royal household (4,8)

Single and two storey extensions and raising the height of the roof to create a new first floor - 8 Gallimore Close, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8HA

USB C card reader

Fantastic for copying photos from your camera’s memory cards to your computer.

It’s the Swiss Army knife of camera connectors.

£5.43, Amazon

20. Mark used to indicate the word above it should be repeated (5)

21. Persistently or morbidly thoughtful (7)

22. Government department responsible for economic strategy (8)

23. Head honcho (4) Down

1. Tendency to seek distraction or relief from reality (8)

2. Fast-running, long-eared mammals (5)

4. Two-dimensional figure (6)

5. Movement of water below the surface flowing in a different direction from that above it (12)

6. Large imposing building (7)

Hard disks are slower than SSDs, but they’re often a lot cheaper too. This is a really good and affordable option for backing up photos from your computer.

£48, Amazon

7. Weedy annual grass used for forage (4)

8. Able to use both hands equally well (12)

12. Without foundation in reason or fact (8)

14. Original disciple (7)

16. Covered picnic basket (6)

18. Mexican comrade (5)

19. Entrance passage into a mine (4)

The £1 price point is back as Poundland slashes prices on best-sellers

AS REPORTED IN RETAIL GAZETTE by Georgia Wright, Poundland has reduced prices on its biggest-selling products, many back to a £1 price point across all its 800-plus UK stores.

The move, dubbed ‘Operation Sell for Less’ will hit its 800-plus UK stores this morning as the discount retailer passes on the benefit of easing inflation and lower costs to customers.

According to the business shoppers will see big selling lines come down in price, with many items now at over a third less than RRPs.

Examples of items falling from £1.25 to £1.00 include Dettol surface wipes, , Harpic cleaning gels, Johnsons cotton buds, Nivea shower creams and Lynx deodorant. Some products will be “reduced even more aggressively”, including six-pack Seabrooks, Cheetos and Smiths crisps which will come down from £1.50 to £1.00 and one litre bottles of Coca-Cola will be reduced from £1.65 to £1.00.

Last month the business accelerated its grocery rollout to include chilled, frozen, fresh fruit and veg as well as beers, wines and spirits to more stores.

The move further strengthens the Poundland’s range revolution that’s taken place over the last three years, as it looks to offer customers an alternative to supermarkets.

It is also continuing to revamp stores so they can accommodate wider ranges as Poundland offers more of the items customers buy week-in, week-out.

Poundland director Tim Bettley said: “We know that discounters like us passing on cost savings quickly, can help lower prices right across the market and drive inflation down faster. We’re committed to that mission of delivering amazing value – and we know how much that matters to our customers.”

I launched my own clothing line this week. I knew I shouldn’t have set up the rocket near the washing.

Seagate Portable Drive 1TB

Beikell Dual Connector

Would you like to become a Bridge player?

GLENFIELD BRIDGE CLUB

is celebrating its Ruby anniversary this year.

We play duplicate bridge every Wednesday evening in the Memorial Hall, Stamford Street, Glenfield.

Most weeks have a happy mix of regular club players, students and beginners.

Pairs are always welcome and we will try to find a partner for individuals wishing to give it a try. Please contact the club if you would like to find out more with a view to becoming a bridge player.

Our website can be found at www.bridgewebs.com/glenfield.

Peter Tyers, Secretary Email: peter@tyers.com

Local optical team get very muddy

YOU WOULD THINK that optical professionals are the last group of people wanting to get mud in their eyes but at the end of June, Amy Coleburne and Mark Nevey of Leicestershire based opticians, Edmonds & Slatter set themselves the challenge of completing the notoriously muddy Wolf Run.

They were part of a 45-person team assembled by the aptly named spectacle frame company Wolf Eyewear.

The Wolf Run itself is a 10k challenge featuring a series of obstacles, including mud runs, lake swims, and muddy slides. The team of optical industry colleagues were also helping to raise money for three charities:

Vision Care for Homeless People, The Brain Tumour Charity, and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Mark, Dispensing Optician and Glenfield practice manager, referenced the high mud content of the race commenting “Although the team completed the Wolf Run all in one shade of brown, that is a far cry from the appeal of Wolf Eyewear frames in our practices.”

He continued “Wolf frames are synonymous with creatively matched vibrant colours and our patients love them!”

Amy and Mark had taken part in other events including marathons and a Spartan Race between them, but this was their first Wolf Run. Both successfully completed the challenge without injury or loss of footwear in the

“mudsucker”.

The Wolf Eyewear team to date has raised over £3600 for their

the Wolf Eyewear collection, please visit Edmonds &

Glenfield Country Market

Craft Fair

Saturday 21st October 2023

10am – 4pm

Groby Village Hall LE6 0DQ

Free entry

Refreshments served all day

Stalls include

Home-made baking and preserves, plants and local produce, hand-made crafts, jewellery, cards gifts

And a large range of items from other local crafters

I was in the kitchen and knocked over all the mince, rice and spices. It was chilli con carnage.

chosen charities. If you would like to view any of the colourful frames in

Slatter Opticians at Blaby, Glenfield, Lutterworth, Kibworth or Rothley.

St Peter’s Church News

IT’S AN ASHES summer, and as usual controversy has erupted between the two sides.

In a sense it’s irrelevant what the particular cause was – over the years we’ve had punch-ups in nightclubs, run-outs by substitute fielders, unsavoury on-field comments about mental health. This time it was a rather sharp stumping (one of the many ways of getting a batter out) which has offended one side’s supporters while being seen as no big deal by the other.

As you may have picked up over the years, I am a big cricket fan – I’d argue that on my father’s side cricket was as much the family religion as Methodism was. Even if you’re not a fan, some of the disputes and controversies which surround cricket, and particularly the way they’re conducted, throw into relief some of the ways in which we as a society are shaping ourselves.

A cricket match is necessarily a polarised situation – there are two teams, competing directly with each other, only one of which can win (though of course until Bazball came along, a draw was always an option too). This now seems to be increasingly true of all situations –the other big story of the week has been about the now-named BBC newsreader who has been accused of exploitative behaviour and here too battle-lines have been drawn up between those who defend him – ‘it’s not criminal, therefore none of our business’ – and those who believe consequences – presumably firing – should follow.

I am not alone in wondering if the same behaviour had revealed of a government minister by a left-leaning newspaper whether the same people would have taken the opposite opinion. That too is a feature of the polarisation of society – there are always only two sides to every situation and they are competing for victory. We can argue about the causes – did the way the Brexit debate was conducted lead to this? Is it driven by social media? – but the outcome deeply impoverishes us as a culture. Even within the Church, we seem to have forgotten the wise, if deeply difficult, words of Jesus: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you… Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6)

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I was playing Bonopoly earlier. It’s like Monopoly but where the streets have no name.

Richard Trethewey Rector of St Peter’s, Glenfield and All Saints, Newtown Linford. Tel: 0116 287 1604

GLENFIELD PARISH NEWS

AUGUST 2023

A word from Glenfield Parish Council’s Chair of CouncilCllr Nick Chapman

I WAS HONOURED to be invited to attend a presentation evening on Monday 3rd July 2023 at the ATC Headquarters in Glenfield where I presented The Glenfield Parish Council Community Cup and The Blaby District Council Silver Jubilee Trophy to two worthy cadets from the 2070 (Glenfield) Squadron, Air Training Corps. It was a very well attended event and I wish congratulations to all the cadets.

I ALSO WANT to advise that we currently still have three vacancies for Parish Councillors. If you would like to get more involved in the work of the Parish Council then please contact us on 0116 231 2498 to find out more. As a Parish Councillor you will help represent the views of local residents and make decisions about the running of current and future services for the village. Applications forms are available to download at www.glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Grounds staff Blog

ON FRIDAY 7th July 2023, a fire was intentionally set to shrubbery and a tree at the side of Glenfield Primary School and the Council Office on Stamford Street, resulting in severe damage and loss of the tree.

Fortunately, someone promptly alerted the Fire Brigade who swiftly dispatched firefighters to the scene. The fire was successfully extinguished thanks to their intervention. Currently, we possess CCTV footage of the incident and will be handing it to the police to view and investigate further.

The dangers of climbing on the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) fencing at Ellis Park!

RECENTLY, we have noticed an increase in children climbing on the MUGA fence.

The Glenfield Community Food Hub

THANK YOU for all your donations to the hub, and a special thanks goes to the lady and her daughter who donated a slow cooker, and in addition, from the proceeds of selling her sofa, extra food provisions to the food hub.

The Hub operates every other Saturday (next one is Sat 12th August 2023) from the green cabin located near Morrisons at the Annexe. Any resident of Glenfield (you will need to show proof of address in Glenfield ie Council tax bill) who requires additional food supplies can pop down and be served with a maximum of 20 items from the store.

This behaviour is extremely dangerous and puts them at risk of accidents and injuries. The fence is not designed to support the weight of individuals climbing on it, and doing so could lead to the fence becoming damaged or weakened.

To further address this issue we have installed additional signage around the area, clearly highlighting the potential risks and consequences of this behaviour. We have also spoken to the local school directly, explaining to them why it is important that children do not climb the fencing.

We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing this message with your children. It is crucial that they understand the importance of using the MUGA safely and responsibly.

Meetings of the Parish Council are open to the press and public and all meetings are publicised on the Parish Council’s notice boards and web site (www.glenfield-pc.gov.uk). There is an opportunity for members of the public to raise any comments or queries that they have with the Parish Council. It is helpful if you contact us prior to attending the meeting so that the Council is better informed and able to help you.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Cherry Trees

WE HAVE successfully planted our 7 beautiful Japanese flowering cherry trees in Ellis Park and cannot wait for them to bloom and add a vibrant touch to our surroundings.

Heavy duty mesh guards have been placed around them to provide extra support and protection from vandalism as well as some of the CCTV cameras have been strategically moved to provide better coverage of the trees until they become more established.

Report EVERY Crime

PLEASE CAN residents ensure that any issues they observe, including suspicious behaviour and vandalism, are reported in the first instance to the Police, rather than posting this on social media.

We have recently seen social media posts regarding motorbike riders casing the Glenfield area in the early hours, trying both house and car doors, which is something the Police need to be made aware of.

Help protect our community - all crimes and anti-social behaviour have a negative effect and reporting them can help get the problem addressed. The Police can be contacted by calling 101 or online www.leics.police.uk/reportcrime.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment you can use the minicom/textphone number 18001 101

It’s no laughing matter

OUR GROUNDS STAFF have reported an increase in the number of larger gas canisters being found in the Parish. Laughing gas - in canisters - is one of the most widely used recreational drugs and rising in popularity. The small silver canisters, also known as “nos” or “nitrous oxide”, are being swapped for supersize versions, around 80 times bigger.

We really wanted to highlight our concerns about this to all Parents and Guardians, as taking too much can cause unconsciousness and suffocation and sadly people may die, as a result.

How to Contact Your Local Councillors

SHOULD YOU have an issue to raise or a question about something going on in your community that you would like answers to, please don’t hesitate to contact the Parish Office (admin@ glenfield-pc.gov.uk or enquiries@glenfieldpc.gov.uk) or one of your local Councillors for help, support and advice.

ELLIS Ward

Cllr. DAVID ALLEN – cllr.d.allen@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. NICK CHAPMAN (Chairman) -cllr.n.chapman@glenfield-pc. gov.uk

Cllr. ATUL JOBANPUTRA – cllr.a.jobanputra@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. LEE STEPHENS (Vice Chairman) – cllr.l.stephens@glenfieldpc.gov.uk

Cllr. IAIN SMITH – cllr.i.smith@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

FAIRESTONE Ward

Cllr. LEE BRECKON – cllr.l.breckon@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. NICK COX – cllr.n.cox@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. DOREEN DENNEY – cllr.d.denney@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. ROY DENNEY – cllr.r.denney@glenfield-pc.gov.uk (Tree Warden)

Cllr. OLIVER HALL – cllr.o.hall@glenfield-pc.gov.uk (Tree Warden)

Cllr. GRAEME HUSS – cllr.g.huss@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. PANNA MORJARIA – cllr.p.morjaria@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Cllr. RICHARD WYATT – cllr.r.wyatt@glenfield-pc.gov.uk

Your DISTRICT and COUNTY Councillors

Cllr NICK CHAPMAN (District Councillor Glenfield Ellis Ward) 07710 174005 or cllr.nick.chapman@blaby.gov.uk

Cllr HELEN GAMBARDELLA (District Councillor Glenfield Ellis Ward 07492970251 cllr.helen.gambardella@blaby.gov.uk

Cllr LEE BRECKON (District Councillor Glenfield Faire Ward) cllr. lee.breckon@blaby.gov.uk

Cllr ROY DENNEY (District Councillor Glenfield Faire Ward) 0116 233 8604 cllr.roy.denney@blaby.gov.uk

Cllr NICK CHAPMAN (County Councillor) – 07710 174005 or nick.chapman@leics.gov.uk

Cllr LEE BRECKON (County Councillor) – lee.breckon@leics.gov.uk

Healthcare ...

No change to free prescription age rules

NHS PRESCRIPTION

CHARGES were introduced

71 years ago. They were abolished in 1962 but budgetary pressures led to their reintroduction 3 years later, though with exemptions for some patients.

There are variations in different parts of the United Kingdom. Nearly 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge, with the remainder generating income of around £600 million in 2022.

In England the age at which people receive free prescriptions is not linked to the state pension age, and they benefit from the age of 60. The gap is set to widen as legislation is in place to increase to the pension age to 67 then 68 in future years.

As the default retirement age has been abolished the Government thought that some people older than 60 who continue to work may be better placed to meet the cost of their prescriptions.

In order to consider the pros and cons of any change to the entitlement age, a consultation was undertaken to seek views on the options to end the age 60 rule and align the prescription charge exemption upper age to the state pension age. The majority of the 117,000 responses received were opposed to a rise in the upper age exemption, and after consideration the Government has decided that the prescription charge upper age exemption will remain at 60. The Government also confirmed that people under 16, or aged 17 and 18 but in full time education, will also continue to be exempt.

Community Pharmacy England, the representative body for community pharmacy owners in England, supports the removal of all NHS prescription charges. They argue that the charge places community pharmacy teams in an impossible position of policing a Government tax that many people cannot afford, whilst the money doesn’t benefit the pharmacies who collect it.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to keep NHS prescriptions free for all people aged 60 and over in England,” said Chief Executive Janet Morrison. “Having to pay for prescriptions often affects the most vulnerable people in our communities. The sad truth is that many people – whatever their age – are left having to make unbearable decisions about which medicines they can afford to pay for. Prescriptions are free of charge in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so why not in England also?”

The British Medical Association also believes prescriptions should be free for all patients in England as they already are in the rest of the UK. “Prescription charges defeat the fundamental principle of healthcare under the NHS, namely that care is free at the point of delivery,” the BMA said in its response. “Abolishing prescription charges altogether is the fairest and the simplest option to protect the health and wellbeing of older people in England.”

Patients urged to consider using the NHS app

BOTH GROBY AND GLENFIELD surgeries no longer accept prescription requests over the phone, so many patients now use online services to access the NHS.

They find the facility to request repeat prescriptions from home on their computer or tablet a real time saver.

Some may use their mobile phone to access the links from the surgery website either at home or when they are out and about, but to do this they must ensure they remember their User ID and Password.

The NHS app has been specifically designed for those who want to access their details easily from their mobile phone or a tablet, and both surgeries are encouraging patients to consider using the app. It can be used to

• View and cancel GP appointments.

• Order your medications.

• Choose/change your nominated pharmacy.

• View aspects of your records as agreed with your GP

You can also

• Check your symptoms (111 online).

• Register as an organ donor.

• Find out how the NHS uses your data.

You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App,

but even before proving who you are, you can use the NHS App to search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments and find local NHS services.

The app is available from Google Play and the App store, depending on your device, and includes the potential to set up facial recognition or fingerprint analysis instead of passwords. When deciding whether to take advantage of new facilities it’s always better to know upfront what is needed when setting up apps. There are videos and plenty of supporting information online to help patients understand the process.

Tne NHS app is proving a vital tool in encouraging the use of online sevices. Released in 2018, a study of app users found that nearly two thirds of people who registered for the App had never previously registered for an online service which connected to their GP practice. Users rated ordering repeat prescriptions as the most useful service on the app, followed by viewing their medical record. In the follow-up survey, 87% of users said they found ordering a repeat prescription easy and convenient.

Norman Griffiths

Made a small gesture of appreciation towards my oven the other day. It was a micro wave.

Glenfield Country Market is attracting lots of new customers!

THE WEEKLY Glenfield Country Market continues with our producers cooking, crafting, growing and displaying their wares at this popular market each Friday in St Peter’s Church Centre, Glenfield (LE3 8DP) from 9am-11am.

We are having a couple of weeks break to refresh ourselves and this will be for both Fridays 18th and 25th August. We will however be represented at THE PUMPING STATION EVENT on Sunday 20th August and, after reopening our regular market on Friday 1st September, we will also be at the ANSTEY GALA on Saturday 9th September. Phew! It’s proving to be a busy summer! And then, in order to broaden our audience and also help to showcase our talents and the talents of other local crafters, we are having another CRAFT FAIR in Groby Village Hall on Saturday 18th October. Get the dates in your diary!

It is lovely to see our regular customers and our stream of new customers too. We continue to offer good value for money across the crafts, bakes and preserves and plants stalls. All of the items for sale are made/grown by our producers, adhering to detailed and appropriate guidelines to ensure safety and good quality goods.

Come along this summer and we are happy to welcome children with their well-behaved parents and grandparents, to join us! Our friendly, informal and free event offers refreshments as well as the wide range of handcrafted goods to buy. You will be spoiled for choice!

We take card payments to make your shopping experience even better! So come early to see the full range of products and to bag the best bargains! Follow us on Facebook The Glenfield Country Market which is shared with The Glenfield Page too!

Thank you.

Ruth Lane

Secretary for Glenfield Country Market

Dogs in a French town will have their DNA tested to crack down on POO PROBLEM

BÉZIERS is planning a genetic register for dogs that would help track down owners who leave their poo behind.

Similar schemes have been trialled in the Spanish city of Valencia, Tel Aviv in Israel and some parts of London.

Owners who leave dog poo in the street could soon be tracked down using a DNA database. The scheme is being trialled in the southern French town of Béziers.

It would require dog owners to have their pets genetically tested to allow authorities to link them to any excrement left on the street.

Local mayor Robert Ménard told France Bleu radio that people in the town were fed up with residents and visitors leaving dog faeces on the pavement. He said that Béziers is planning to trial the scheme for two years.

How would the DNA testing scheme work?

Owners would be required to carry a ‘genetic passport’ for their dog under the planned scheme. This would mean taking their pet to the vet or having a free saliva sample taken by the town’s veterinary specialists which would be tested and a document issued.

Dog excrement found on the streets would be collected and tested then sent to the police. They would match the DNA to national pet registers, locate the owner and charge them up to €122 for cleaning up the streets.

Owners found not to be picking up their dog’s poo could be fined up to €122. People who are stopped walking their dog in specific areas without a passport would also be fined €38.

Ménard told the French radio station that the city’s cleaning service picks up more than 1,000 pieces of dog faeces every month.

SHOULD

BE INTRODUCED

For more details contact: glenfieldmarket@gmail.com

Mentally

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THIS

IN GLENFIELD? Tell us what you think. Email info@glenfieldgazette. com if you’d like to share your views.

Have you seen the brilliant ‘La Compil des Bleues’ ad?

AN ADVERT showcasing the skills of the French women’s football team has exploded on social media because of its excellent visual trickery.

It is being described as ‘the cleverest football advert ever made’. The advert was made for Orange, a sponsor of the French Football Federation since 2018, by Publicis-owned French media agency Marcel. It shows French male football stars Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud making dazzling plays for the national team — except it’s all an illusion.

Tree Surgeon

Tree Surgeon

Tree Surgeon

Just like the rest of your property have you considered your trees may need some maintenance from time to time. Are your trees maybe too tall ? blocking light, unsafe or untidy?

Tree Surgeon

Just like the rest of your property have you considered your trees may need some maintenance from time to time. Are your trees maybe too tall ? blocking light, unsafe or untidy?

Just like the rest of your property have you considered your trees may need some maintenance from time to time.

Do your hedges or shrubs need trimming or removing

Just like the rest of your property have you considered your trees may need some maintenance from time to time. Are your trees maybe too tall ? blocking light, unsafe or untidy?

Do your hedges or shrubs need trimming or removing

Are your trees maybe too tall ? blocking light, unsafe or untidy?

Do you need to remove that stubborn stump

Do you need to remove that stubborn stump

Do your hedges or shrubs need trimming or removing

Do your hedges or shrubs need trimming or removing

Do you need to remove that stubborn stump

Do you need to remove that stubborn stump

With 30 years of experience working with trees in your area, I would be pleased to offer you free advise and a free quotation. call me now on

With 30 years of experience working with trees in your area, I would be pleased to offer you free advise and a free quotation. call me now on

Halfway into the ad - broadcast by telecoms giant Orange - the clip shows that the highlights were actually images of the men superimposed on players from the French women’s side.

The nearly two-minute video, produced by the ad agency Marcel, has generated 100 million views on social media platforms.

With 30 years of experience working with trees in your area, I would be pleased to offer you free advise and a free quotation. call

The creation of the advert took approximately 4-5 months and there were a total of 22 people in production.

WANT TO WATCH IT? Here is the YouTube link: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=QVNZRHIZVL8

With 30 years of experience working with trees in your area, I would be pleased to offer you free advise and a free quotation.

I also sell high quality

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Blaby District Council News Council disappointed further strikes planned

BLABY DISTRICT Council is disappointed the GMB trade union is continuing with industrial action over a local pay claim which the authority cannot legally negotiate.

The Council has been informed that around 40 GMB members, responsible for waste collections and district cleansing, will be going on strike continuously from 1am on 1 August 2023 to 11.30pm on 18 August 2023.

The Council notes the union’s decision and remains committed to working closely with them to resolve the ongoing dispute.

However, the Council must make it clear that while national negotiations are continuing for a pay rise, it cannot enter into local negotiations.

At a national level an offer of £1,925 is on the table. The GMB is involved in this national negotiating process which is used by Blaby District Council as it provides better results for employees.

Despite the ongoing nature of the national negotiations the GMB are seeking a local uplift of 15% - which would equate to around an extra £4,000 for each employee.

Any uplift on GMB members pay would have to be reflected across all members of staff leading to a huge and unaffordable pay rise bill for the Council.

Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “I do not understand why the GMB have announced such draconian action. And I feel sorry for our residents who are feeling the brunt of this strike with disruption to their bin collection services which will get worse.

“We are doing our utmost to ensure the smooth operation of services and will continue to do so in the light of this announcement. We will make plans to minimise disruption for residents, however, clearly, given the scope of this announcement more disruption must be expected.

“What disappoints me most is the fact the GMB do not seem to be listening to us when we say we cannot negotiate at a local level and, even

if we could, a pay rise of the magnitude they are asking for would simply not be affordable. We would have to uplift the pay of every single member of staff by around £4,000. Where would that money come from?

“The Council has compared the salaries of employees performing the same roles in other local authorities. It has determined that Blaby District Council offers competitive pay for HGV drivers, open space and district cleansing roles, with salaries higher than those offered by many other authorities. Additionally, the pay scale for loaders at Blaby District Council falls within the mid-range when compared to other authorities.

“We provide support to both our employees and residents in managing the cost of living, and we offer guidance on accessing assistance with finances and food supplies. It’s important to say that we have not singled out any employees or advised our staff to rely on foodbanks.

“I would urge the GMB officials to see sense, recognise what we are saying and call off this action which will only impact our residents further.”

The Council appreciates the patience and understanding of residents during this challenging period.

While industrial action continues people are encouraged to visit the Council’s website at Blaby District Council and follow our social media channels for the latest updates.

Additionally, residents can choose to receive email updates by signing up at E-newsletter sign up

Birthdays

1. Who famously sang Happy Birthday Mr. President at a birthday celebration of US President John F. Kennedy held in May 1962?

2. Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard on his birthday. What age did he turn on this birthday?

3. In the UK, the King’s Birthday Parade is more commonly known as what?

4. In 2022, Rishi Sunak received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan Police after attending a gathering during lockdown for whose birthday?

5. Is the first note sung in the traditional song Happy Birthday To You higher or lower in pitch than the last note sung in the song?

6. In Monopoly, if you get a Community Chest card saying it is your birthday, how much money do you collect from each player?

7. Who ran for US President in 2020, running for a political party called the “Birthday Party”, and saying “when we win, it’s everybody’s birthday”?

8. Who stuck his tongue out for a famous photo taken in 1951 on his 72nd birthday, refusing to smile as he had been smiling for photographers all day?

9. At the beginning of The Lord Of The Rings, who is celebrating his “eleventyfirst” birthday?

10. Which Beatles’ song, which was one of the first songs written by Paul McCartney, was particularly relevant to him on his birthday in 2006, with his grandchildren recording their own version of the song for this date?

Groby Sings!

AT THE END of June, it was Oscars all round for Groby Sings At The Movies. It was so good to be back at our ‘home’ in Groby College and to finally have space for all three choirs to come together after several weeks of rehearsing separately at The Groby Club. It was no mean feat for Musical Director, Simon Lubkowski, who was experiencing his first major Groby Sings concert weekend, to have only one rehearsal in which to blend over 100 voices so that they produced a quality performance in every song.

After the concerts, Simon commented to the choir, ‘Well done for learning your songs so well…… (and)….. showing the enjoyment of singing together in this wonderful group – the youth choir were amazing and I found myself quite emotional at the quality of both their singing and the potential they have for the future.’

Groby Sings has always played a part in boosting the confidence of our young singers as has been shown by past youth choir members who have gone on to take part in school concerts, the Leics Sing Show Choir, which has performed at the De Montfort Hall and the NEC, and the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, amongst other events. One young Groby Singer also appeared in a West End stage production. So many amazing opportunities in which Groby Sings has helped and encouraged our young people.

At the post-concert Celebration Evening, there was a final singing of songs from Groby Sings At The Movies, helped along by drinks and, of course, cake! BBC Radio Leicester visited to record interviews and take photographs to publicise our being finalists in the Community Group category for BBC Radio Leicester’s Make A Difference Awards 2023. We will find out if we have won at the awards ceremony on Sunday 3rd September so watch this space. As a community choir we have always appreciated the support of our community in all its forms. There are, of course, all the friends and relatives who make up the enthusiastic audiences at our concerts but we are also grateful to the local businesses who sponsor our songs and help with publicity, local magazines and church newsletters which carry our Groby Sings news and reviews, the choir members who often travel several miles to sing with us and last, but by no means least, we owe a huge thank you to The Groby Club who have supported us from the

start by generously providing us with a rehearsal space every week. As a charity, this is worth so much to Groby Sings as there is not an alternative, comparable and affordable space in the area so without it we probably wouldn’t exist.

Our next venture sounds quite ambitious – Groby Sings At The Opera. Some of the links might be a bit tenuous but, as always, all the songs will be enjoyable to sing. We already know that there will be something from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables but we have to wait until the start of next season to find out if we have to brush up on our Italian or German for a real operatic aria or two! We know we’ll have plenty of laughter whatever we sing.

DIARY DATE: Singing resumes on WEDNESDAY, 6TH SEPTEMBER at THE GROBY CLUB, come and join us!

Singing sessions are Wednesdays, term time only, at The Groby Club, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ, which has ramps and disabled facilities.

ADULT SINGERS: 1.30-3.00pm or 7.30-9.00pm, YOUTH & CHILDREN’S CHOIR (7 years and over): 3.404.40pm.

All sessions include a refreshment break. Pre-school children are welcome in the afternoon in the care of their adult with a crèche area available.

A warm welcome also to singers experiencing dementia or memory problems together with their friends and carers.

Enquiries via our website www. grobysings.org

Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490

Chance to ‘make real difference’ to young people’s lives

Playing football in the park, going bowling or visiting the cinema are just some of the activities in which independent visitors are involved.

The county council is encouraging more people to volunteer and make a big difference to a child in care’s life by spending time with them outside their foster or residential home.

Information on becoming an independent visitor was available as part of a fostering and volunteering pop-up information event at Oadby Library last week, with virtual events being held every three weeks.

Leicestershire resident, Greg Walker, volunteered as an independent visitor after his wife saw an advert in a fostering magazine.

He said: “I missed being an active dad with my own children having grown up and left home. I particularly missed all the busy weekends and activities, such as visiting water parks, theme parks, and cinema visits.

“As an Independent visitor, it’s great to bring pleasure and enjoyment to another young person. I’m more active now, losing a little weight in the process and being able to claim costs back in line with the scheme.”

To find out more contact the Fostering Recruitment team on 0116 305 0505 or visit the webpage at www.leicestershire.gov. uk/news/call-to-spare-time-to-support-children-in-care.

AN APPEAL has been made for people to spare a few hours a month to take part in fun activities with Leicestershire children in care

I got a new pair of spider silk trousers. They look great, but the flies keep getting stuck.

BOOK You May LIKE

The Imperfection of Us

By Nick Alexander

‘What if I am meant to be with one person for life?’ I asked.

Mum paused thoughtfully before she replied. ‘Then maybe, Dawn, Billy’s not the one. Maybe you need to find yourself someone boring. Not boring… but someone a bit more normal perhaps?’

I was dressed in purple Doc Martens boots, olive-green leggings and a tartan skirt – an outfit I’d chosen so it would appear to have been carelessly thrown together.

Billy had on a shiny green US Air Force jumpsuit. He told me it was what he wore every day and grinned broadly as if that was something to be proud of. I fell for him there and then.

He was unlike anyone I’d ever met, and that made him kind of hard to resist. Where my friends were all trying to follow the latest trends, Billy just seemed to invent his own. He had star-quality even then. You could tell he’d be something special one day.

Perhaps it was just luck that I met Billy that night, though it always felt more important than that – like he was the one person on the planet I needed to find.

But then suddenly Billy was gone and into the vacuum stepped Rob. Reliable, dependable Rob. He told me that he loved me – said he was one of the ‘good ones’.

And maybe Mum was right. Maybe I did need someone a bit boring.

Now the years have gone by and here we are, Rob and I, eating pizza and watching Gogglebox. We both laugh at some joke on the telly and when I glance over I get a warm sort of feeling that seems to say, ‘This is all right, isn’t it?’

Is that love? Even now, I’m not sure. But if it isn’t, it’s still pretty nice.

My thoughts drift to seventeenyear-old me kissing Billy in his bedroom, a Patti Smith song playing in the background. And I try to remember what we had back then, because it definitely wasn’t ‘nice’. Sexy, exciting… all-consuming, perhaps.

What if I could have that again?

An emotional, thought-provoking, and refreshingly honest exploration of relationships, The Imperfection of Us will have you turning pages blurred by tears of sadness and laughter, desperate to find out what the future holds for feisty Dawn and sweet, reliable Rob.

Oh, and Billy, of course. Let’s not forget Billy. Because Dawn certainly never has.

Fosse Park partners with Age UK

LOCAL CHARITY Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has been selected as Fosse Park’s Charity of the Year for 2023/2024. The partnership will see the two organisations working together on a number of fundraising events with the aim to raise over £10,000 throughout the partnership.

These vital funds will aid Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland in provide invaluable support that will reduce loneliness and isolation in local older people. In addition, the collaboration will raise awareness about the help and support that the charity already provides to thousands of local people through a variety of services including, befriending, benefits information and advice, carers support, dementia support to home warmth information and advice, digital support and much more. Throughout the year, Fosse Park will be hosting fundraising events and activities as well as highlighting the information, advice and support services available from Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland.

Animal-inspired styles rarely go out of fashion. So, if you’re hunting for some bargains in the endof-summer sales, now’s your chance to grab a new outfit that your future self will thank you for…

Scamp & Dude Electric Blue Leopard Shirred Midi Dress, £110, www.scampanddude.com

New Look Animal Print TieWaist Midi Shirt Dress, £33.99, www.newlook.com

Matalan Et Vous Animal Print Midi Dress, £25, www.matalan.co.uk

V by Very Curve Animal Print Sleeveless Midi Dress, £38, www.very.co.uk

Scamp & Dude Khaki Leopard Maxi Dress, £99, www.scampanddude.com

Shoe Zone Women’s Leopard Print Canvas Shoes, £7.99, www.shoezone.com

From leopard to zebra, there are few designs more versatile and timeless than animal print

Monsoon Printed Scarf, price TBC, www.monsoon.co.uk

Oliver Bonas Animal Mark-Making Print Twill Utility Jumpsuit, £89.50, www.oliverbonas.co.uk

Dancing Leopard Dove Leopard Print Shirt Dress, £62, www.dancingleopard.co.uk

Monsoon Embroidered Maxi Dress, price TBC, www.monsoon.co.uk

News from the Glenfield Gardeners’ Association

It’s time for the Annual Show!

Centre. It is a celebration of Glenfield residents of our craft, baking and art skills. It is open to gardening group and I would encourage anyone who baking or crafts, then please do come along to usual classes for most types of vegetables and also some new ones. Category 39 is for A arrangement to include one vegetable. And if

break from our monthly meetings as we prepare for The Annual Glenfield Gardeners’ Association Show.

afternoon as well as musical entertainment and a found at Park House and in the library and also via fancy entering some of our baking, growing or You do not need an entry form; just bring your from 7pm until 9pm on Friday 18 th August or members will be around to assist.

It takes place this year on Saturday 19th August at St Peter’s Church Centre. It is a celebration of Glenfield residents gardening successes as well as an exhibition of our craft, baking and art skills. It is open to everyone not just members of our gardening group and I would encourage anyone who enjoys gardening or has a particular love of baking or crafts, then please do come along to enter one of our classes.

There are the usual classes for most types of vegetables and flowers, ones for the flower arrangers but also some new ones.

www.facebook.com/ggaglenfield/ or ring us on

Category 39 is for A Carnivorous Plant. Category 59 is for a flower arrangement to include one vegetable. And if you enjoy baking then perhaps make a ‘Lemon Victoria Sponge’ or ‘cheese scones’. A good choice of baking class this year is No. 75 ‘My Best Bake’ which can be absolutely anything so dig out your family recipe and bake us your favourite cake. The poetry title is ‘On the Field’ and for Photography, ‘Birds, Butterflies or bees’ or ‘Night lights’.

There will be tea and cakes served on the afternoon as well as musical entertainment and a plant sale. The show schedules are to be found at Park House and in the library and also via a link on The Glenfield Gazette website. If you fancy entering some of our baking, growing or making classes, then please do pick one up. You do not need an entry form; just bring your items along on the day to enter.

Setting up is from 7pm until 9pm on Friday 18th August or 8.30-10.30am on the Saturday morning. GGA members will be around to assist. Check out our facebook page for more details. www.facebook. com/ggaglenfield/ or ring us on 07791488784/2313732

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Wonderful Charnwood Forest

By Roy Denney

I AM WORKING on an update of a map first published in 1904 primarily on the Charnwood Forest Area. This covers Bradgate, Beacon etc and the new guide should be published shortly with some help from the Lottery.

I am including tea rooms and permissive paths none of which are on O.S. maps and we are not showing a lot of items they include on their maps which are not relevant to walkers. Ther aim is to produce a much clearer map. Working on it though, Glenfield is shown even though outside the regional park and readers might be interested to see the changes. Almost 120 years on and it barely shows any resemblance. Glenfield Frith Parish was merged with Glenfield to form the present parish officially called Glenfields.

AS THIS WAS and is to be a walkers’ guide the old version is a bit confusing by modern standards as the footpaths are the red routes. The only roads are the dark brown ones. The only road from Glenfield to Leicester was what is now the A50. There was a path to the A50 from the eastern end of what was a very small Glenfield which still remains from Loxley Road past the old tunnel entrance; makes brief appearances at the end of Sports Road, Underwood Court and eventually Somerset Drive and across the old golf course.

The Balk was a path and drovers’ trail that went to Leicester via Baulk Fields and Glenfield Frith. New Parks were parks, Kirby Frith was where the golf course is now and just south of that was Leicester Airport. All that’s left of Glenfield Frith Park is the lake, now hidden between houses. Older readers may remember the Airman’s Rest pub by where the airport was.

The Charnwood Regional Park is internationally renowned for its geology and fossils and has changed its name to a Geopark with ambitions of being accepted as a UNESCO Global Geopark which should avoid it being spoiled by inappropriate development.

Nearly 600 million years ago it was in the seas of the southern hemisphere, and it is home to some of the oldest animal fossils ever described. The landscape is defined by craggy hills, wooded valleys, heathlands, grasslands and tumbling streams. Reservoirs make up the picture.

These ancient rocks contain a number of fossils now known to be some of the first animals that ever evolved on the planet. First discovered in the 1950’s, the fossils fundamentally changed our understanding of evolution, having been found in rocks that were previously thought to be too old to contain fossils. It was these finds that enthused a local lad, David Attenborough and the rest is history of a different sort. In recent years, scientists have continued to make further discoveries, including the fossilised remains of the oldest known animal predator. They have named it for him as Auroralumina attenboroughii, Most of those living nearby do not understand what is on their doorstep. Sir David has said, to paraphrase him, nobody will protect what they don’t understand and they won’t understand what they have never really seen.

I had a friend who lived within five miles of Bradgate all his life but had never been there, but I have been to the other side of the world and mentioned where I live and been asked is that near Bradgate. Whatever your interests don’t forget what the opportunities are on your doorstep. Cannot get to the

Andes? There are alpacas at Beacon Hill; Admire Stonehenge and the Pyramids?

Older constructions by man have been evidenced here. Recent archaeological investigations at Bradgate Park have identified evidence of probably the oldest domestic structure in the UK, dating back to Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers 15,000 years ago.

Charnwood’s very geology has led to its ecology and value to nature and if even that is not your thing and you will excuse the pun, it is all set in tablets of stone. For those with imagination and with

artistic leanings rather than prehistorical ones go and find the spot where you can see the Old Man of Beacon Hill.

Charnwood Forest is a truly wonderful place.

Your home is likely your biggest asset, especially once you’ve paid off any mortgage. Equity release products are a way to unlock the cash tied up in your home while still living in it. Most equity release programs fall into two categories.

LIFETIME MORTGAGE

The first is a lifetime mortgage where you borrow money and then it’s repaid from the sale of your house when you die or move into residential care. The most common model for lifetime mortgages is that you borrow a fixed sum and don’t make any repayments while you are still in your home. However, the amount you owe will increase through compound interest, meaning a bigger increase every year. The interest rates will usually be fixed but will be notably higher than ordinary mortgage rates when you take the deal. In theory, if you live long enough the amount you owe could mean the lender takes all the money when your house is eventually sold. Fortunately, many providers offer a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee that means you will never owe more than the value of your home when it’s sold. One variant is called drawdown. Rather than borrow a fixed amount, you take money as and when you choose. The interest only starts racking up when you take money, so this can cut costs.

HOME REVERSION

The second form of equity release, home reversion, means selling a portion of ownership in your house. The provider then becomes a coowner and takes a guaranteed share of the money when your house is sold. These deals aren’t usually on favourable terms.

For example, Which magazine cites a lender paying just 20 percent of the home’s value in return for a 70 percent ownership share.

TERMS

With both forms of equity release, you must normally be at least 55. The terms you get may vary with your age. For example, home reversion providers may require a smaller share of ownership if you’re older, simply because they’ll likely get their money back quicker. Some lenders even offer better terms if you are in illhealth for logical, if grim, reasons.

CONSEQUENCES

Using equity release could affect your eligibility for benefits and local authority care home places. The provider could restrict your choices if you want to move to a different house. And with either lifetime mortgages or home reversion, you may not be able to borrow against your property later on.

ADVICE

If you are considering equity release, you should take independent advice before speaking to providers. Look for advisors with specialist qualifications such as the ER or CeRER certificates. Make sure to find out how they are paid and whether they can offer advice about the entire market or only specific providers and products. If and when you start talking to providers, look for membership of the Equity Release Council, which has a set of minimum standards for providers and required features for products.

Friendly Badminton Club Requires Players At Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, Ratby Road, Groby. Wednesdays 7pm-9pm Tel: 0116 267 5800

Local man found guilty of racial offences

A GLENFIELD MAN has been found guilty and sentenced for the offences below:

• Racially / religiously aggravated intentional harassment / alarm / distress - words / writing

• Use threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress

The man committed these crimes against a Sikh family in Glenfield. With the work of the Leicestershire Police and the Sikh Community a charge was made possible and a successful prosecution was achieved at Loughborough Magistrates Court in July 2023.

The man has been provided a Community Order for 12 months, 120 hours of unpaid work, a restraining order and was ordered to pay the Crown Prosecution costs.

WACKY WAREHOUSE LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE UNIFORM DONATION SCHEME

Wacky Warehouse, the UK’s leading soft play, party venue and activity centre has announced the launch of its new nationwide school uniform donation scheme.

Parents and guardians are invited to visit their local Wacky Warehouse throughout the six week summer holidays to donate any unused or old school uniform ahead of the new school year.

The charitable initiative follows new research from Wacky Warehouse revealing four in ten parents (40%) will struggle to pay for their child’s school uniform this year due to the cost of living crisis, with 65% noting school uniform as the most costly element of sending the kids back to school.

In order to afford school uniform, the research reveals the key areas parents are having to cut back on; meals out (30%), family activities (29%) and holidays (23%).

Items including blazers, shirts, trousers, skirts, and lots more, will be collected through the scheme and donated to local partner charities nominated by each site.

To donate, simply take your pre-loved school uniform to your nearest Wacky Warehouse across 69 sites and drop it in the designated donation station between 17th July – 3rd September.

The data further revealed over three quarters of UK parents

(76%) regularly buy their child oversized uniform for them to grow into, while 74% wish there was a cheaper way for them to get hold of it and almost half (46%) are willing to purchase second-hand uniform to cut costs.

As part of the initiative, Wacky Warehouse has partnered with respected family psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos to help parents and children with the back to school season.

Dr Linda said: “School uniform is an important part of the back to school season and can help children feel comfortable, at ease and like they truly ‘belong’ in their new surroundings. However, now more than ever, families are facing soaring costs, making it extremely challenging to afford.

“It’s important to remember that it is completely normal to experience feelings of stress and anxiety at this time of year, whether it be due to financial worries, or anxieties about starting a new school. However, it is possible to overcome these concerns by tackling whatever issues are in front of you head-on.

“Adopting a solution-focused approach by planning ahead as much as possible and exploring cost-cutting measures is a great way to take control of the situation. Connecting with your local community and any schemes or initiatives available can also help to ease any concerns and open the conversation with likeminded people who may also be feeling the same way.

“That’s why uniform donation

Grants of up to £5,000 available to Leicestershire businesses

THE SIR THOMAS WHITE

Loan Charity pledges to support businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through £50,000 delivered in grants in 2023

Having provided interest-free loans to help support aspiring and existing business owners within Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity [STWLC] is now welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 from businesses within the county.

To be eligible for the business grant, available up to £5,000, applicants much be over 18 and under 45 years of age, a resident in Leicestershire or Rutland and operating their business from within this area, having done so

for at least one year already. Full eligibility criteria can be found on STWLC’s website: www.stwcharity. co.uk/business-grants

Following a pilot programme in 2021, a successful grant scheme took place in 2022 in which £50,850 was delivered to businesses from various parts of Leicestershire, including a musician, café, gardener, beauty industry, artist and digital marketer.

Based at Friar’s Mill in the heart of Leicester city centre, STWLC provides unique interest-free loans to the value of £20,000 to new and existing businesses in Leicestershire and Rutland to aid start-up or development.

With no interest to pay on loans over a nine-year period and a three-year break before repayments commence, STWLC’s support has helped a number of

well-known businesses within the county, including Barrie Stephen Hair whose owner, Barrie Stephen, is a patron of the charity.

Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.

Anybody interested in applying for a business grant of up to £5,000 from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity can do so by visiting www. stwcharity.co.uk/business-grants, where you can also find further information on the scheme.

The application deadline is 9am on 31 August 2023. Applications will be reviewed by the grant committee, with final decisions taken on grant awards during the week commencing 21 September 2023.

Visit: www.stwcharity.co.uk

schemes, like the one being organised by Wacky Warehouse, are such a welcome and timely initiative for those struggling to afford the expensive back to school season. I’d encourage everyone who is able to, to donate to their local site and give what they can.”

Lorraine Collier, Head of Marketing at Wacky Warehouse, added:

“At Wacky Warehouse, we pride ourselves in being a central part of the local community, and we know how costly the back to school season can be for so many –especially in the current economic climate.

“That’s why we’ve launched our school uniform donation scheme to help families with the annual expenditure this year. To donate, simply head to your local Wacky Warehouse and drop your unused or pre-loved uniforms at the designation donation stations and we’ll take care of the rest!.”

For more about the Wacky Warehouse school uniform donation scheme and to view participating sites, visit: https://www. greeneking.co.uk/pubs-restaurantshotels/wacky-warehouse/uniform

The

Association

Peter’s Church Hall, Glenfield

Come and have a look at a display of fruit, vegetables, flowers, wine, bakery and much more.

Refreshments, plant stall & raffle.

Doors Open 2:15pm

PresentaCon of Trophies 3:45pm

Adults 50p entry

Accompanied Children Free

Contact

Alison on 0770 9205863 for info The Glenfield Gardeners’ Association Annual Show on Saturday 19th August at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Glenfield Open to all. Come and have a look at a display of fruit, vegetables, flowers, wine, bakery and much more. Refreshments, plant stall & raffle. Doors Open 2:15pm PresentaCon of Trophies 3:45pm Adults 50p entry Accompanied Children Free Interested in entering? Pick up a schedule from Glenfield Library, Park House, or download a copy from hGp://www.glenfieldgazeGe.com/annual-show.html Contact Alison on 0770 9205863 for info Volunteer with us By volunteering for a few hours a week, you could help change someone’s life forever. We will train, mentor and support you all the way. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things Chris O’Donovan Photography/Samaritans Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Ttisiv ,ylppa dna erom tuo dnif o s gro.snatirama /vreetnulo C lla 00055 072 611 Eliam l moc.tcennoctb@snatiramasretsecie V tisi 1 eunevA dleifmlE a , Lretsecie L BR1 snatirama,retsecieLerihsretsecieLdnadnaltuRaderetsiger.ytirahcS • Coins

Good Quality Collectables Wanted bles

you have any of the following types of items, I’d be interested in buying them: Coins - Presentation Sets & Old British Coins oy Car s (Matchbox, Corgi, Dink y, etc.)

Dolls & Teddy Bear s inta ge Toys: Hor nby, Aeroplanes, Corgi, Etc. Jigsaws (Must be complete)

MISTER WESTON was the Station Master at a medium sized station on the line from London to Cornwall.

Mister Weston had a problem with being at least one member of staff short for the coming holiday season. A problem he was pondering when there was a knock on his door. Coming through the door was a middle aged man smartly dressed, if his clothes did seem a bit dated “It is like this,” started the man. “I worked for quite a few years on the railway on the platform at a station near Penzance until they closed it and made me redundant. I still have all my qualifications from before so it would be no problem to me to work on the platform here.”

“Actually I do have a vacancy for a porter and if you do have something to show me that backs up your story I shall be only too pleased to take you on.”

The next day a very smartly dressed Bill Grainger entered. He was wearing his old railway uniform. It was the Wednesday evening of the second week when something happened that made the Station Manager doubt his own sanity!

A freight train had passed through the station. After passing through the station there was a slight upward gradient. On tackling the gradient the freight train driver had caused the train to slip badly which caused the train to split in two. The rear wagons started slowly to roll back towards the station. Normally the Guard would wind the brake on and stop the rear part of the train going too far or too fast. Unfortunately the Guard was knocked over and was laying unconscious on the floor, so the wagons were slowly rolling back towards the station.

On the other side of the station the gradient fell away even more, so if the wagons could not be stopped their speed would increase with the added danger that either there would be a derailment of the wagons or worse they would run into a train coming towards them - which would certainly be a passenger service.

As the wagons ran back through the station their speed had only reached just twenty miles an hour. Bill Grainger was out on the platform and saw the wagons rolling back through the station. Not knowing that the Guard was still on the brake van but unconscious Bill jumped onto the running board of the brake van as it passed him. The speed of the runaway was starting to pick up as the gradient increased. Bill managed to climb into the main area of the brake van. Bill was trying to stop the wagons.

Slowly the wagons stated to slow and came to a stand. Bill knelt down to see how the Guard was. He was

THE STATION MASTER’S STORY

A Ghost Story by Ted Cook

ALL THE ANSWERS

Quiz Answers

1. Marilyn Monroe

2. 11

3. Trooping The Colour

4. Boris Johnson’s

5. Lower

6. £10

7. Kanye West

8. Albert Einstein

9. Bilbo Baggins

10. When I’m Sixty-Four (it was Paul McCartney’s 64th birthday)

Spot The Difference

1. Teacher blouse different colour

2. Girl pigtail missing

3. Pencil pot missing

relieved to discover that the Guard was breathing and starting to come round.

After some minutes, Mister Weston the Station Master arrived, got out of the car and climbed through the fence alongside the road, making his way towards the Brake van.

As he climbed up onto the brake van the Guard was just getting to his feet.

“I am sorry, I don’t remember a thing after being knocked over and you climbing on board. So who was it you say that stopped the wagons?” the Guard asked.

“It was my man from the station. I have no idea where he is now”

With that the SM set off for his car to get him back to the station and the Guard took his detonators and flags to start protecting his runaway wagons.

Mister Weston arrived back at the station to find there was still no sign of Bill Grainger but the Signalman was relieved to hear the wagons had been stopped and told the SM that there was an engine waiting at the signal box further back down the line to push the runaway wagons into

the siding at the station.

Mister Weston had to write out various reports for the Railway.

He was to have the shock of his life when talking to his opposite number further down the line. He reported that it could not be the same Bill Grainger that worked with him until a year ago as his Bill Grainger was never made redundant but was killed trying to stop a runaway train that was eventually stopped after it was diverted into a siding. It was then smashed to pieces by the impact with the buffer stops, killing the Guard and the Porter. Mister Weston described the man he knew as Bill Grainger.

A photo was sent to Mister Weston and as he opened the envelope he sat amazed as the photo of the same Bill Grainger that he had employed stared back at him! How this man could have been the same man as the one who had died a year before, no one could explain! Neither has anyone ever found out what happened to the man that saved the runaway train and the Guard!

It all remains another Railway Mystery!

Donate your old stamps to Kidney Care UK

THE ROYAL MAIL has been introducing new stamps with barcodes which means that as of 31 July, regular stamps that do not have a barcode will no longer be valid.

These can be swapped via the Royal Mail Stamp Swap Out scheme but I wanted to let your readers know that they can also donate them to charity to help raise money for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD); a disease that affects 10% of the population, meaning that as many as 105,349 people are affected in Leicestershire alone.

Every year we receive thousands of stamps, generating around £2,500 to support people with kidney disease when they need it most. If your readers would like to help, all they need to do is to pop their used or unused non-barcoded stamps in an envelope and send them to: Kidney Care UK - Stamps and coins appeal 2023, 3 The Windmills, St Mary’s Close, Alton, GU34 1EF.

Laura Toop, Community Fundraising Manager

4. Picture on display board missing

5. Teacher mouth different

6. Teacher glasses missing

7. Books on table facing opposite way

8. Boy hair different colour

9. Clock on wall missing

10. Dinosaur in book facing opposite way

Crossword Solution

Across: 1 Echo, 3 Document, 9 Caramel, 10 Drier, 11 Passion fruit, 13 Shapes, 15 Eureka, 17 Poet Laureate, 20 Ditto, 21 Pensive, 22 Treasury, 23 Boss. Down: 1 Escapism, 2 Hares, 4 Oblong, 5 Undercurrent, 6 Edifice, 7 Tare, 8 Ambidextrous, 12 Baseless, 14 Apostle, 16 Hamper, 18 Amigo, 19 Adit.

Pictogram Solution

1. Dirt Cheap

2. Bottomless Brunch

3. Long in the Tooth

Sell Your Unwanted Items in the Gazette

SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. This is a free service for private individuals, not businesses. Maximum 8 items please. Post to: Gazette Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@glenfieldgazette.com

PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to let buyers know where you are).

I had a goat’s cheese pizza the other day. He wasn’t happy.

Local Author’s Debut Novel

Vanishing Point

By Colin Saxo of Glenfield

LIVING the only life she knows, bound to the routine of a tightly regimented domestic existence, with decisions made for her and few distractions outside her family, the doubt in this being the only way to live begins to grow.

An opportunity presents, but the reality would be that she would vanish from her old life. The risks could be huge, the challenges unimaginable, the rewards unlimited.

Has she reached her vanishing point?

If you enjoy reading Glenfield Gazette, please pass it onto a friend or relative. Thanks! It’s good to share.

WORDSEARCH FAMILY MEALS

This is your Word Sear

IF YOU can find the UK’S 20 FAVOURITE FAMILY MEALS in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Stamford Arms in Groby.

Beansontoast

Cheesetoastie

Fishandchips

Jacketpotato

Omelette

Fish ngers

Lasagne

Pastaandsauces

Pizza Roastbeef

All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the 20 most popular family meals in the UK. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your marked entry forms to: WHAT’S FOR DINNER? Glenfield Gazette, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST 2023. Please remember to fill in your name and address. (Some people don’t!)

Scrambledegg

The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the voucher for a Meal for Two and a Bottle of House Wine at The Stamford Arms, Groby. Good luck!

ShepherdsPie

Stirfry

Here are the 20 favourite meals you have to find:

Find the word in the puzzle.

Words can go in any direction.

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE • PIZZA • ROAST CHICKEN • FISH FINGERS FISH AND CHIPS • SUNDAY ROAST • PASTA AND SAUCES JACKET POTATO • BEANS ON TOAST • SCRAMBLED EGG • CHEESE TOASTIE

LASAGNE • PASTA BAKE • SHEPHERD’S PIE • MEATBALLS • COTTAGE PIE

HOMEMADE CURRY • OMELETTE • ROAST BEEF • STIR FRY

20 of 20 words placed.

Name: ..............................................................................................................

Words can share letters as they cross over each other

Address: .............................................................................................................

.............................................................................Postcode: .............................

LAST MONTH’S WINNER WAS Gill Linnett of Winterfield Close, Glenfield. Congratulations! Your prize voucher will be sent to you soon!

SundayRoast Copyright

MILLINGTON

PRESENT OUR YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES: YOUR HOTEL:

FRIDAY 1ST - MONDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2023

Return Executive Coach

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Pre-dinner drinks receptions

A full entertainment programme inc

9 STAR ACTS

Half price drinks on Saturday (7-11pm)

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