Groby Spotlight Mid-September 2023

Spotlight

MID-SEPTEMBER 2023

Do you know of anyone living in Groby who might benefit from financial assistance?

THEN CONSIDER the Thomas Herbert Smith’s Trust Fund.

The Fund provides and supports with the object of improving the conditions of life for inhabitants of Groby. It has interests in social welfare by providing facilities for the aged and poor or those who are sick or in distress.

It also considers applications involving recreation and other leisure-time activities.

So who was Thomas Herbert Smith?

Well, he was a Groby businessman, who died in 1961 after which a charitable trust was set up from his Estate with aims interpreted to assist individuals or groups who are experiencing hardship in one or more of the ways listed above.

So if you know of a Groby resident or group who might benefit from the Trust please let the Clerk to the Trustees, Jim Munton,, know by telephoning 07969 006398 or by e mailing jim.munton@googlemail.com or by post at 52 Westbury Road, Nuneaton. Warks CV10 8HG and he will help with making the application. The Trustees meet in October and March so please don’t delay.

Local Staff Nurse Amy to run the Leicester 10k for charity with her patient Graham

ON 1ST OCTOBER, Groby resident Amy Brown, a staff nurse at LOROS, with the support of her partner Lee will be running the Leicester 10k with her patient Graham.

Graham, of Hinckley, has Motor Neurone Diesease (MND) and is wheelchair bound, but this hasn’t stopped him from wanting to smash the 10k with Amy pushing him around in his wheelchair. Graham has always been a keen runner, completing marathons in the past, and has really been inspired by the recent Rob Burrows and Kevin Sinfield story.

Graham attends LOROS day therapy, and is supported by the MND team at LOROS. He therefore hopes to raise awareness around MND, as well as raising vital finds for LOROS hospice in Leicester who rely heavily on charitable donations. Graham wants to give something back for everything that they do for him.

‘We know times are tough, but if you could spare a small donation for a worthy cause, we’d really appreciate it,’ explained Amy and Graham (and Lee).

The link to Amy’s Just Giving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/amy-brown121 or use the QR Code on the right.

Rose Blayney’s next Help For Heroes Fundraiser is on 30th September

AWARD-WINNING local fundraiser Rose Blayney is holding another of her famous jam and pickle sales to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

The sale takes place on Saturday 30th September, at 30 Lawnwood Road, Groby from 10am to 2pm. As always, a wide variety of jam, marmalade, pickled onions, piccalilli, red cabbage, etc will be available.

Rose is racing towards the £5,000 mark and is hoping to achieve this between now and the end of October. She received an HBBC Making A Difference Award in June 2022 in the Creating a Sense of Community category.

Rose Blayney (left) receiving her ‘Making a Difference’ Award last year from HBBC Mayor Dawn Glenville

Invasion of ... the pigeons

IS IT ME or are we having an invasion of pigeons?

We used to have a couple on our roof but now can count up to more than 20! There also seems to be an increase in white pigeons (not doves). Where are they coming from?

For the first time our small conservatory is getting pigeon droppings on the roof along with more on our garden. They are also capable of nesting under solar panels which is happening at my daughter’s house.

I know they are God’s creatures but they are still dirty and noisy! Sadly, they are prolific breeders too.

Can anything be done to control their numbers?

Mary Bargh, Groby resident

EDITOR’S NOTE: The RSPCA website carries articles regarding the welfare of pigeons.

Visit: https://www.rspca.org. uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/ birds/pigeons/garden

Re: Jilly Mee’s 73-year embroidery project in last month’s Spotlight

I WAS 18 IN 1950 and started A 2-year teacher training course in Leeds housed in one of the nine hostels on site.

There were 30 first year females in my hostel and over the two years a friendship group of 10 evolved, as students met in each other’s rooms to socialize when all outside doors were locked at 10:30 pm on weekdays!

When we left Leeds in 1952 seven of us had college boyfriends, so the girls in the group decided we could all keep in touch by organising a Round Robin letter. Joan in the Northeast wrote the first letter and when Beryl received it in Manchester added hers until Mary in Eastbourne received nine letters, added hers and posted all back to Joan.

Joan would take her old letter out and add a new note. The Round Robin could take from 10 months to two years to fly around but it has kept going for 71 years. Well done to the post office!

There are seven of the original 10 and 2 husbands now all the worse for wear but we have many memories.

Cynthia Onions

(Retired Spotlight Deliverer), Groby

Kirby Muxloe Podiatry 2023 Ltd

l Practice established over 25 years

l Treatments include the use of Local Anaesthetic for ingrowing toenails.

l Diabetic Foot Health Assessment and Advice

2B Main Street, Kirby Muxloe LE9 2AL Tel: 0116 2392024

Email: kirbymuxloepodiatry2023@gmail.com

Major investment in Groby flood alleviation

OVER THE YEARS flooding has been a recurring problem for some homes and businesses in Groby, and affected residents sometimes resorted to building protective walls around air bricks to prevent water penetration.

Foul water discharges from the sewers and surface water flooding are unpleasant and distressing for those properties affected. Climate change is expected to make the situation worse, so Severn Trent’s plans to seek approval for an ambitious flood alleviation project will be welcome news. Needless to say, the ‘no pain, no gain’ principle will be at work, and it will be impossible to avoid months of disruption in the village this winter

There are two sites for the works, on Leicester Road/Dalby Drive, and Ratby Road/Leicester Road. Motorists, already getting used to the temporary traffic lights on Leicester Road, may be faced with at least 5 months of traffic lights and road closures. The Ratby Road work is also likely to impact on the route taken by the Arriva 28 service from Leicester to Coalville via Groby and Ratby.

With such a major project Severn Trent will need a site base, and the contractors plan to be based on the Meadow on Newtown Linford Lane. The company, taking environmental issues seriously, will be ensuring that remedial work will be undertaken when they leave .

With something of this scale good communication will be key and Project Team members attended the August Parish Council meeting and will be arranging to give residents the opportunity to hear about the plans and voice their concerns. And concerns there are sure to be, though the company will do everything it can to minimise inconvenience and disruption.

Large Foul Storage Tanks

The alleviation work on Leicester Road will involve the installation of large foul storage tanks which will take the strain off the existing system during extreme rainfall events. The captured water will then be released back into the network over time. Some trees have been removed to facilitate this work, but Severn Trent is agreeing plans with the County Council for additional tree planting throughout the village which will more than compensate.

Although the duration of the work on Ratby Road is shorter, it is likely to be more disruptive, as separating foul and surface water, and laying a new surface water system, will require some preparatory work on the underground gas pipes. This part of Ratby Road is one of the few areas in the village where on street parking is essential both for residents and local businesses, and Severn Trent will be looking at ways of helping those affected by the road closure. “Hopefully we won’t have to suspend everything all at once, but there’s going to be some kind of restrictions at times,” explained the Project Manager. Businesses impacted by the works will be able to apply for compensation.

Hopefully Directors will approve the scheme expenditure this month and by next Summer the village will have a future-proofed drainage system. It will have been worth the temporary inconvenience to ensure homes and business don’t live with the threat of flooding.

Norman Griffiths

Directed by James Burrows

By James Burrows

LEGENDARY sitcom director James

Burrows has spent five decades making America laugh.

Here readers will find never-revealed stories behind the casting of the dozens of great sitcoms he directed, as well as details as to how these memorable shows were created, how they got on the air, and how the cast and crew continued to develop and grow.

Burrows also examines his own challenges, career victories, and defeats, and provides advice for aspiring directors, writers, and actors. All this from the man who helped launch the careers of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Melissa McCarthy, to name a few.

Burrows talks fondly about the inspiration he found during his childhood and young adult years, including his father, legendary playwright and Broadway director Abe Burrows. From there he goes on to explain his rigorous work ethic, forged in his early years in theater, where he did everything from stage managing to building sets to, finally, directing.

Transitioning to television, Burrows locked into a coveted job with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where he first observed and then started to apply his craft. Directing most of the episodes of Taxi came next, where he worked closely with writers/producers Glen and Les Charles. The three formed a remarkable creative partnership that helped Burrows achieve his much sought-after goal of ownership and agency over a project, which came with the creating and directing of the seminal and beloved hit Cheers. Burrows has directed more than seventy-five pilots that have gone to series and over a thousand episodes, more than any other director in history

Directed by James Burrows is a heart-and-soul master class in sitcom, revealing what it truly takes to get a laugh.

Last weekend to visit the Beacon Hill Sculpture Trail

THIS WEEKEND, September 16 and 17, is your last opportunity to visit the free temporary Sculpture Trail at the Beacon Hill Country Park.

The Trail has been there since 19th June but, though it was publicised by the Leicester Mercury, many people seem unaware of it. It’s described as a brief timeline for life on earth, very fitting for such an historic setting. The timeline featured in the trail begins 560 million years ago, earlier than the date of the important Charnia fossil found in Charnwood 1957.

Many of the exhibits are made from natural materials such as willow, beech, wool and fabrics, supplemented by steel, recycled materials, plastic, and ceramics, in order to carry messages about the environment and sustainability.

The 24 exhibits on the trail are in the West Beacon Plantation, accessed from the top car park on Beacon Road at the Copt Oak and Bradgate end of Beacon Hill. Normal parking charges apply and contactless payments are accepted.

The entrance to the trail, not immediately obvious as you enter the car park is on the left hand side. A free map, complete with descriptions of the exhibits, is available at the entrance.

The trail is on a well maintained track. It was previously displayed at the Outwoods, 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborough and one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood.

Norman Griffiths

Where? St Peter’s Church Centre, LE3 8DP with parking!

When? Each Friday morning 9am-11am

For more details contact: glenfieldmarket@gmail.com

BROOKVALE BLINDS W OODEN ROMAN PLEATED

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Email: gkent54@btinternet.com

National Trust Leicester Association

THE DAHLIA is a plant that flowers prolifically from late summer until the first frosts and with their myriad of colours they are a highlight in the garden.

You may well have some in your garden. The dahlia originates from Central America, there are thousands of varieties and it is the national flower of Mexico.

In 1786 a Spanish expedition was sent to Mexico by the King to research the regions natural history and dahlias were among the plant material sent back to Madrid’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Seeds and tubers from these dahlias were widely dispersed to botanists and plant enthusiasts across Europe by the early 1800’s.

In the UK the Royal Horticultural Society started regular flower shows in 1831 and its September show was dedicated to dahlias. Today almost 50,000 varieties of dahlia are listed by the Society and there are 14 classification groups. Most gardeners in the UK today will have dahlias in their garden.

The novelist Agatha Christie loved dahlias and from the 1950’s onwards she had an entire border dedicated to growing them at Greenway, her holiday home in Devon which is now a National Trust property. Almost all National Trust gardens include dahlias in their planting. As it happens, Stoneywell, our local NT property with a wonderful 4 acre garden does not have any dahlias.

• THE NATIONAL TRUST LEICESTER ASSOCIATION has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 27th September at 2.30pm at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester, LE2 3LF, when Mark Temple will present an illustrated talk entitled “The Y Station at Beaumanor and Garats Hay”.

For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 2229133 or visit our web site, at www.leicesternt.com New members are always welcome.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association

David DUNN 07786 037156

mmwwright916@gmail.com daviddunn5555@hotmail.com

Land Registry backlog makes the national press

SIX MONTHS AGO the Spotlight reported on a local couple frustrated by the time it was taking the Land Registry to deal with the registration and transfer of land.

In August 2022 they submitted their application and paid the appropriate fee, but more than six months later their application hadn’t reached the top of the backlog heap. They are still waiting.

The delays, which have also affected Groby Parish Council’s transfer of land to the Groby Meadow Community Interest Company, have now made the national press. The Guardian recently reported that it is taking almost two years for some applications to make changes to the register to be completed.

Whilst for some the delays are just an inconvenience, for others they are costly. A mortgage planning consultant said one of his clients had discovered their purchase of a Help to Buy property had not been registered when they tried to move from a mortgage with a sub-prime lender to Natwest to get a better rate in August last year. “It took months to sort out, so they ended up going on a standard variable rate, which was ridiculously high,” He said the client was unable to get the better mortgage offer for a further 10 months because of the delay.

“We recognise that some of our processing times are not what we want them to be and improving the speed of our services is our top priority,” said the Land Registry. “Legal ownership rights are secured from the moment the application is received, not at point at which it is processed and completed.”

They ask applicants to be patient if there is no urgency. A spokesperson told the newspaper that they had recruited more than 1,500 caseworkers since 2020 and had created specialist teams that were targeting the oldest cases.

The Land Registry says the 98% of requests are dealt with quickly Anyone planning to move home locally will hopefully find that their property transfer is treated as a priority and will be processed promptly.

Norman Griffiths

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Coming Up At GROBY CLUB

PIE COMEDY NIGHT

THE BEST OF BRITISH COMEDY

Friday 22nd September

WE HAVE A grand title for Groby Sings’ new season which features songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and various other numbers that we know will appeal to singers of all ages, and we’re encouraging anyone and everyone who likes to sing (even if you think you can’t!) to come and join us.

There may be some small challenges as we learn new songs but Groby Sings has always been up for a challenge and produces amazing concerts at the end of each season.

As always, we’ll have chance to socialise and chat about the choice of songs at rehearsals when we break for tea, coffee (or something stronger from the bar!) and, of course, cake.

The venue is THE GROBY CLUB, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ, which has ramps and disabled facilities

Rehearsals take place on WEDNESDAYS, term time only. Adult singers: 1.30-3.00pm or 7.30-9.00pm, Youth & Children’s Choir (7 years and over): 3.40-4.40pm.

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

Friday 27th October

Rod Stewart Tribute Night with Support from Kellie

Saturday 23rd September

Scott Dee

Saturday 30th September

Corey Lewis

Saturday 7th October

XL Covers Band

Saturday 14th October

Tony Gold

1st Half Tribute to Tom Jones /Second Half Motown and Soul FREE ENTRY

Saturday Night Bingo and Entertainment

With a £1,000 FLYER (if called in so many numbers)

Sunday Lunchtime Bingo

From 1pm PLUS Money Raffle.

With a £1,000 FLYER (if called in so many numbers) PLUS SNOOKER & POOL and LIVE TELEVISED SPORT

Groby COMMUNITY Library

All the latest news from ... Groby Scouts FUNDAY

THE LIBRARY’S had an exciting summer, with more children taking part in our Summer Reading Challenge than last year, all part of our return to normality following Covid Lockdowns.

We’ve also had events for the kids, like the Brilliant Bugs morning in August, led by Mel, and our grand Annual Cake and Book Sale, which attracted a good number of hungry readers!

The locally baked cakes made everyone’s mouths water, including a few dogs and a pigeon (its beak watered?) - Mars bar brownies, anyone?there are always cakes available in the library cafe.

All our sales help the library to keep going financially, so thanks for your support, everyone! And of course the children’s library frequently looked as if it had been attacked by book-reading locusts over the summer holidays! Life goes on, with more events in the offing. Two more Smartsy Glass

Fusion Days have been set up, with two sessions on September 30th in the afternoon, and two more just before Christmas, date to be confirmed. Tickets for September are already going fast, so book now in the library!

We have a visit from a local author, Jojo Stewart, on November 4th at 10.30 and 11.30, and she’ll be bringing her friend, a crab named Tigby, and reading her book, before leading some activities. It will be a good time for pre-school children, and I believe that Tigby has promised not to nip any toes!

As well as financial support we’re very grateful to the people who volunteered their time to work in the cafe and library. Thanks to our students from Groby college, Abbie, Mia and Zoe, who have helped staff the library in the holiday (and beyond) before knuckling down in the new term.

And of course don’t forget our regular offerings; Cuppa and Company for anyone who would like a free hot drink and a chat to their neighbours, on the second and fourth Fridays of each month;

Wriggly Readers for wriggly pre-school children and their wriggly carers on alternate Thursdays, September 14th and 28th and October 12th and 26th, at 10.30; Knit and Stitch on alternate Fridays, Construction Club on alternate Wednesdays and The Baby Group on Wednesday mornings. We’d love to see you.

Oh, and did I mention that we lend books?

Top Ten: books from The Sunday Times Bestsellers in stock at Groby Community Library

1. Danielle Steele Happiness

2. Colleen Hoover It Ends With Us

3. Bonnie Garmus Lessons in Chemistry

4. Elly Griffiths The Last Remains

5. Richard Osman The Bullet That Missed

6. Ann Patchett Tom Lake

7. James Patterson and Adam Hamdy Private Beijing

8. Cara Hunter Murder in the Family

9. David Baldacci Long Shadows

10. Maggie O’Farrell The Marriage Portrait

These and other new releases can be reserved online or in person at the library.

Dave Robinson

ON SATURDAY 17th June the 73rd Groby Scout Group celebrated their 73rd anniversary with a Funday!

The event was held at the Scout HQ next to quarry park. The event had taken many months of planning and preparation and despite the early morning rain that threatened to put a damper on things, it turned out to be a fantastic day with lots of sunshine and a visitor count exceeding 550 people!

We had Bouncy Castles, Barbecue, Bar, Raffle, Tombola, and a Tuckshop. Lots of traders within the main building selling items including Books, Jewellery, Healthcare Products, Candles, and much more. The games area offered laser clay target shooting, many traditional games including hook-aduck, ping pong balls in a jar, and a tin can shy. There was also opportunity to have a go at making your own s’mores over a campfire, have a go at firelighting with flint and steel, and a traditional scout camp display to see. We had many amazing supporters for the event that donated prizes for the raffle and the tombola – huge thank you to everyone who supported us, and well done to all those that won prizes!

The group would also like to thank all of the volunteers and the leaders who gave up their time to help plan and run the event – without these people it would simply not be possible to make the event happen!

Next Year’s Event

NEXT YEAR the group plan to continue holding an event for the community – it will be rebranded as the “Groby Scout Gala” and is planned to take place on Saturday 16th June 2024 – Save the Date! – more information to follow nearer the time. If you would like to be a part of next year’s event, either as a volunteer, trader, or in any other capacity, then please email andy.stone@grobyscouts.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you all again next year at what promises to be an even bigger and more exciting event!

Jojo Stewart

Parish Council asks parents not to use the cemetery car park as a pick up point

BACK IN 2019 the Spotlight reported on motorists parking without consent at the village cemetery, with parents using it as a pick up point for students at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus.

Groby Parish Council is once again assessing the best way of controlling parking at the cemetery. The car park is provided by the Parish Council for the use of visitors to the cemetery only, and at the time a number of options for discouraging unauthorised parking were considered, including wheel-clamping.

Just before the summer school holidays staff based at the cemetery reported that the problem was recurring, and the Parish Council decided to wait and see what happened when the students returned. Recently staff reported that at one point there were 20 vehicles picking up passengers, and it may be that parents of those in their first year at the campus may be unaware that it is not a public car park.

The problem can be particularly difficult if a burial coincides with the end of the school day, and consideration is having to be given to manning and closing the gates, and restricting access to bona fide cemetery visitors. This adds costs to the operation, and detracts from the calm and reflective atmosphere which the Council wants to provide both for mourners attending a funeral in addition to those making graveside visits.

The message from the Council is clear – only drive into the car park if you are visiting the cemetery.

Norman Griffiths

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea

Email: ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Tel 0116 239 4336 Mobile 07808 585825

Groby Flood Alleviation Project

CADENT STARTED works as planned on Monday 7th August 2023 for the Phase 1: Leicester Road diversion works and are due to end of the 4th September. I am pleased to say these works will be completed within that timeframe.

Cadent have provisionally planned the Phase 2: Ratby Road diversion works for Saturday 14th October –Sunday 22nd October 2023. These dates are pending approval at the moment and have been booked with Leicestershire Highways. Severn Trent are awaiting feedback from Arriva on an alternative bus rout

Desford Lane, Road

Closure Ratby

I HAVE RECEIVED an update on the following road closure which I appreciate residents will not be happy with. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) has been made to extend the current road closure on Desford Lane to the 22nd September 2023 the closure is at: Desford Lane / Station Road / Main Street, Ratby. The purpose of the TTRO is to allow Key Construction and their contractors to undertake the installation of a new drainage system and to complete required S278 development works relating to a new medical centre. The construction team has come across uncharted utilities including a live gas main. These unexpected discoveries have unfortunately, put the drainage works to the New Medical Centre back for 3 or 4 weeks. I fully appreciate resident’s frustrations at the diversions but our hands are tied. The Diversion will be via Station Road, Ratby Lane, and Desford Lane and vice versa.

Hospital Discharge Grant To Support Unpaid Carers

UNPAID CARERS can qualify for a grant if they are supporting someone in Leicestershire who has recently been discharged from hospital.

Carers often incur unexpected additional costs so they can now apply for a Leicestershire County Council funded grant which is available until 31 March next year.

To qualify for the grant, carers will need to show that the cared-for person:

• Lives in Leicestershire

• Has been discharged from hospital during the past four weeks (at the time of applying)

• Needs the carer for help and support to keep them safe

• Needs a level of support that has seen additional costs for the carer since the hospital discharge. This includes a loss of income due to taking time off work

The council coordinated initiative will once again be administered by Voluntary South Action Leicestershire (VASL) on behalf of the county council.

The first round of the grant scheme was a success, so it’s great to be able to offer another opportunity for carers to access this support.

People do a wonderful job looking after their loved ones, but perhaps don’t see themselves as carers or may not be in touch with the Support for Carers’ service. These are the people we are reaching out to so they have an opportunity to receive both practical and emotional support during such a stressful time.

Linda is a carer who has already benefitted from the scheme. She said: “It was brilliant to get help with the additional costs and loss of income after I moved up from London to look after my parents.

“The people at VASL were amazingly helpful in assisting me to apply for the grant. The process was very easy and the payment came through quickly”

Carers must apply within four weeks of the person they care for being discharged from hospital by completing the online application form on the Support for Carers website https://www. supportforcarers.org/hospitaldischarge-grant

Alternatively, carers can call VASL on 01858 468543 or email maureen@supportforcarers.org and the team will complete the application form on their behalf. Carers who received a grant from the previous round of funding can apply again to the 2023/24 grant fund if they meet the eligibility criteria – only one grant can be awarded to each carer.

Community Orchard Scheme

COMMUNITY GROUPS, parish councils and schools are being invited to apply for free packs of fruit trees and use them to plant new orchards.

Leicestershire County Council

has launched the new community orchards programme as part of its annual free tree scheme. Under the new initiative, groups are being encouraged to apply for the free orchard packs, which contain 10 apple and pear trees, stakes and other equipment needed to establish the orchard. The trees can be used to create a new orchard for the local community or to help restore and boost an existing orchard. The trees must be planted on sites which are open to the public, groups must have permission from the landowner to plant the trees, and all groups applying to the scheme need to commit to maintaining and nurturing the orchard in the long term. Orchards and trees play a vital role in enriching our ecosystem and improving biodiversity. The new orchards scheme gives community groups the opportunity to make a real difference to our environment and play their part in making Leicestershire a cleaner and greener place to live and work. The creation of a number of new orchards throughout the county gives us a unique opportunity to create green spaces that not only provide fresh and healthy produce but also serve as havens for wildlife and a boost to our goal of helping to plant 700,000 trees in Leicestershire.

Groups who would like to apply for one of the tree packs should email the council’s Forestry team on forestry@leics.gov.uk

The packs will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and will be available for collection during National Tree Week in November.

EE Email Scam - be aware THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:

YOU’VE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF £27.16

Hi, We have noticed that your EE account is currently overdue as of Wed, August 30, 2023 with an outstanding amount of £27.16.

Since your bill remains unpaid, please be aware that we will soon proceed with disconnecting your device. Termination charges of approximately £24.62 will become applicable.

If you haven’t made your payment yet, please follow the steps below:

Go to My EE Account and update your payment card details.

Learn about the payment support we can offer to help you get back on track via My EE Account.

Thanks, The EE Team

The legal bit

Please don’t reply to this email as we won’t see it.

You can read our privacy policy and terms and conditions online. Calls to 0330 123 1105 are free from BT and EE landline and mobile numbers. They’re charged at your operator’s standard rate from any other numbers.

© EE Limited 2023. We’re registered in England at 1 Braham Street, London, United Kingdom, E1 8EE (company number 02382161).

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents.

Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea

Always Working for you Locally. Cllr Ozzy O’shea

Tel 0116 239 4336

Mobile 07808 585825 Email Ozzy.O’shea@leics.gov.uk

Update on the Memorial Rose Garden on Stamford Park

WORK ON THE Memorial Rose Garden on Stamford Park has been taking place over the past few months and is now nearing completion.

The Garden has been designed to be a place where you can plant a rose and place an inscribed plaque in memory of a loved one. Floribunda Roses are in the process of being selected with colours and varieties which are fitting for a Memorial Garden.

We need your help in naming the Memorial Rose Garden. We would like the name to be something historic or an important name which relates to Groby. Suggestions to date are 1) Ferrers Memorial Garden 2) Bradgate View Memorial Garden 3) Dowry Memorial Garden 4) Heritage Memorial Garden or 5) Greys Memorial Garden

We would welcome more suggestions, and these can be sent to parishclerk@groby.com. The closing date is 27th September 2023. The Memorial Rose Garden is on track for opening in November 2023 and an official opening is being planned. We hope to publish the date for the opening in the next edition of the Spotlight.

Hard floor cleaning

Photograph taken by Lucy Simpson-Brooks and used with permission.

A Stand In The Park

A STAND IN THE PARK unites people in parks all over the world every Sunday morning, 10-11am local time. We Stand in the Park to celebrate freedom, diversity and fairness for all.

Brady Gunn started A Stand in the Park in Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia. Brady made a Stand, alone at first, for his personal truth. In Brady’s early Facebook videos, he talked about making a Stand for freedom, for our elderly, our children, our jobs and small businesses… Against lockdowns, harmful new laws, the ‘pandemic’ and the people behind ‘The Great Reset’.

“I’m drawing a line in the sand and showing my face for what I believe is right. I’m Standing with the intention to show enough is enough. ” – Brady Gunn, Founder

Brady invited others to join him and Stand in THEIR personal truth. It took almost three months, but eventually they came, and now people are Standing in parks all across Australia.

At the beginning of 2021, he reconnected with his UKbased friend FiFi Rose, and she was profoundly inspired by the message. FiFi worked tirelessly to spread the Stands to every corner of the British Isles. Since then, the concept has well and truly caught fire, and there are now nearly 600 parks participating every Sunday morning across Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Malta, Germany, France, and the USA.

It’s so simple!

Wear yellow in unity.

10-11am every Sunday worldwide.

It is a Stand, not a protest.

We Stand for personal truth and freedom. Rain, hail, cyclone, Christmas day… we Stand! Visit https://www.astandinthepark.org/east-midlands/to find your nearest Stand in the Park.

Run

Community

How the Ratby housing plan would have affected Groby

BOROUGH COUNCIL members have gone against the advice of planning officers, and have refused an outline planning application for a development of 225 houses in Ratby. The new homes would have been on part of a greenfield site on Desford Lane, between the sports ground and the Stonecraft Paving site.

The application was widely opposed and 81 objections were received from the occupiers of 62 neighbouring properties. In addition to Ratby Parish Council others to object included Kirby Muxloe Parish Council and Blaby District Council. Although separated from Groby by the M1, this development would have had an adverse impact on the village, with increased traffic on Sacheverell Way. But worse would have been the impact on homes in the Martinshaw Lane and Forest Rise area, as Ratby Primary School would have been unable to accommodate the additional pupils resulting from the new family homes on Desford Lane. Peak hour traffic would have increased as more parents brought their children to school by car. Although separated from Groby by the M1, this development would have had an adverse impact on the village, with increased traffic on Sacheverell Way. But worse would have been the impact on homes in the Martinshaw Lane and Forest Rise area, as Ratby Primary School cannot be extended. Some or all of the additional pupils resulting from the new homes on Desford Lane would have needed to enrol at Martinshaw School in Groby. This would have meant an increase in peak hour traffic as more parents brought their children to school by car.

Couldn’t a minibus be provided?

The site is probably marginal in terms of assistance with transport to school, as children under 8 years of age are considered able to walk 2 miles to school, and this increases to 3 miles for the over eights. The County Council should take into account factors such as types of road (including speed and volume of traffic), street lighting, whether or not it’s practical for a child to be accompanied by an adult, and the child’s age. Parents could walk young children to school and home, but Google estimates the walking time as 40 minutes each way.

Even though the volume of additional traffic may not be thought by some to be significant, for residents on the school route from Ratby the Borough Council decision to turn down the application is good news. But it may go to appeal, and no doubt there are other developers hoping to build family homes in Ratby.

Developers wanting permission to build may be expected to make a contribution towards the financial impact on local infrastructure. This may include health facilities, libraries or open spaces, for example. The amount, and the recipients of the money, will vary from site to site, and in this case a very large sum would have been payable.

Around half of this would have funded additional educational spending including :

• an extra 19 Early Years’ places needed if the houses were to be built,(£351,000)

• secondary education (£815 ,000)

• special educational needs and disabilities (£127,000)

No contribution was required for Ratby Primary School, which cannot be extended due to constraints on the size of the school site, with the result that some children would have needed to travel to Martinshaw School.

TREMENDOUS!

Norman Griffiths

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Applications open for next year’s school places

PARENTS AND CARERS with children due to start primary or secondary school for the first time in Leicestershire next year (autumn 2024) can apply for their places now.

Applications for children moving from primary to secondary need to be made by October 31, while first time primary applications need to be in by January 15.

Applications for 2024/25 can be made at www.leics.gov.uk/ admissions where there is also information about county schools and hints and tips on applying.

Last year nearly 99% of Leicestershire’s children – a record number - secured a place at a preferred primary choice and around 97.5% at a preferred secondary.

Hints and tips:

• Select three schools, including one in your catchment area

• Choosing just one school will not increase your child’s chances of securing a place there. If you’re not offered a place at your chosen school, and don’t have other preferences on your list, you could be offered a school some distance away

• Make sure you’re happy with your order of preference

• If you’re applying for an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) and you think your child might attend a specialist school, it is still important to fill out an application for a mainstream school place. This will ensure they will have a school place in the autumn

People: David Lambert (1933 – 2023)

The letter from Keir Starmer that came just in time

MANY PEOPLE who make an outstanding contribution to, for example, Politics, the Government, the Arts or Industry, get offered an Honour in public recognition, and the late David Lambert was no exception.

He declined the offer : a private man, his reward was the work that he did and he said he just didn’t want the fuss. Shortly before he passed away this year, aged 89, something happened which probably meant just as much to him. A letter arrived from Sir Keir Starmer.

David’s name is probably not known to most Groby people, so why is the leader of the Labour Party writing to someone in the Tory heartland of the Charnwood constituency? To answer that question we have to look back at his life. Our lives are seldom highways with no junctions, as the years pass we have to pause and make decisions about what comes next, which way to go. And this was David’s experience, too.

THE EARLY YEARS

His early years were spent at home with his parents and younger sister, and he worked in various agricultural jobs, cementing his love of animals at an early age particularly horses. This experience stayed with him and he said his lifetime ambition was to own a small holding, a little piece of land he could call his own. But his future lay elsewhere.

In the early 1950’s he was called up for national service and his years in the RAF brought him to Desford for a time. In 1953 he married Beryl, and they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary last year.

In 1954 with his national service coming to an end, he was offered the chance to remain in the RAF and move to Canada to complete navigator training, but decided against the Canada option. David’s future still lay elsewhere.

It’s only with hindsight that we can see that joining the massive Kayser Bondor factory in Baldock was the decision that changed his life. His career in the hosiery industry began and this was where his future lay.

A NEW CAREER

Kaysor Bondor was a growing company in an era when staff were looked after by the most benevolent

manufacturing companies. The Baldock factory had an open air swimming pool, tennis courts and gardens, a ballroom with many sports clubs and social activities. There was generous help to those who worked for the company and its associates in times of need, including coal or financial help for those suffering from long term illness, and widows with young children who were struggling to make ends meet. Staff morale was described as excellent and long service was rewarded. In return the staff had to participate in the piece work system, working hard to meet output targets and the company’s “perfect or not quite perfect” standards. Someone such as David, working on quality control, would be well aware of the pressures on the women on the machines.

But over the coming decades the storm clouds of globalisation for the textile, knitwear and footwear industries were appearing on the horizon. Much of production capacity and jobs shifted to the developing world, and as production moved overseas there were widespread job losses.

It was in this environment that David became a union shop steward, becoming a full time union official in 1964 with the Leicester based National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers (NUHKW). By 1975 he had risen to become General Secretary and then President in 1982, the year in which he was interviewed by ITV news about the decline in their membership caused by redundancies.

When the union merged with the National Union of Knitwear Footwear and Apparel Trades he became President of the merged group, and in the following year President of the International Textile Garment and Leatherworkers Federation.

During the same period he served as a General Council Member on the Trades Unions Congress, and his reputation continued to grow. He was always a confident and accomplished presenter, having a joke for every occasion. To get his message across he tried to find something that would spark a connection, to make people smile, and understand each other.

“In his Union work this was especially important: at a time when conflict was at an all-time high, Dad listened instead of shouting, and he got people talking,” his son Peter explained. “He always

made you feel that he “got” you and found some common ground even if you didn’t have much in common. He’d usually be making a point - mischievously, warmly, but when you got to the end of one of his great stories, there would be a reason for it all. Someone standing up for themselves, an underdog getting a victory.”

NOT JUST TRADE UNIONS

It was these qualities, combined with his integrity and insight that made him a ‘must have’ member of so many organisations, including :

• the Employment Appeal Tribunal

• Board of Management Member, Ruskin College Oxford

• Member of Court, University of Leicester.

• the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)

• Member of Regional and National Liaison Committee HM Reserve Forces

• Voluntary assistance and supervision - Workers Education Projects Africa and Asia

• Welbeck Defence 6th Form College– Governor.

David loved horses and back in the early 1960’s enjoyed training his greyhounds, Prince, Badger, and Fly. He was very good at it, with a potential switch to full time

horse race training on the cards at one point. With a wife, and in due course three children, came family life and his children have many anecdotes to retell. These memories are like heirlooms that we take out of the cabinet on special occasions, to be polished and then put back safely to be retold again.

THE LETTER

And out of the home it wasn’t all about the Big Stage, as David continued to support the Labour Party as Groby and Ratby Branch Treasurer until shortly before his death. It was this part of his work that Sir Keir Starmer wrote to thank him for.

“Dad lived an amazing, long and happy life,” said his son. “And he was really pleased, and proud, to get a personal letter thanking him for his years of dedication to the party’s cause, from Keir Starmer –the 12th Labour Party leader since Dad first joined up, back in the days of Clement Attlee.”

In this age of the personality there are many other people like David Lambert who work hard for the public good, but wish to retain the privacy of a normal family life. Behind that closed front door we will often find remarkable people.

Norman Griffiths

Groby’s

Living Without Abuse Charity THE COMPASS PROJECT

ECONOMIC ABUSE rarely takes place on its own. Abusers often use economic abuse alongside forms of domestic abuse, such as physical abuse and psychological abuse.

Women who access

specialist Violence

Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services, such as refuges or domestic abuse advocates, report experiencing high levels of economic abuse.

“I had not consciously realised that economic abuse was taking place… I was so focused on trying to protect myself from physical harm and keep my family safe that I only became aware of the economic abuse and the extent of it once I had left.”

Victim-survivor

No single organisation or agency has a full picture of the abuse a victimsurvivor has experienced. The scale and impact of economic abuse means that agencies across many sectors need to take steps to address it. This goes far beyond statutory agencies and charities, and includes financial services, money and debt advice services and the family court system.

The Compass project is a partnership between Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), Living Without Abuse (Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland), RISE (Brighton and Hove) and Money Advice Plus.

It explores how best practices in coordinated community responses to economic abuse can increase economic safety for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.

The Compass project aims to foster greater coordination between different organisations and agencies to work effectively together to:

• keep survivors safe

• hold abusers accountable

• rebuild economic stability after abuse.

SEA is leading the 18-month pilot project, funded by Smallwood Trust. We are working with partners in the women’s sector in two localities: Living Without Abuse in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and RISE in Brighton and Hove. Through this pilot we will gain local insight into the need and response to economic abuse. We will build a model of economic advocacy to support victim-survivors, which can be replicated in other areas.

We are working to identify funders to enable us to continue this vital work longer term.

To find out more about the Compass project please contact the Project Coordinator: info@survivingeconomicabuse.org

Groby Street Light Trial

SOME further clarity around the Groby street light trial following Cllr O’Shea’s article.

As you can see below it was back in very early March that this request was made by me.

On the 3rd March 2023 Hinckley & Bosworth Police Inspector Steve Palmer wrote to me following the successful Rural Conference where the street lightning trial was requested.

“Good morning Martin,

Thank you for the kind words, support and inviting me to the event, it’s clear we are all pulling in the same direction to do all we can to make our communities a better place to live and work, as you know I do both so am definitely invested in what we are doing!

I think the way forward for the desire to have an officer at PC meetings may be to stress that we will support each of the rural parish committee meetings that you run and ensure that we give a higher level of response i.e. me, my deputy or Sgt Paterson, I am happy to do that in my own time so it doesn’t cost operational policing in the way you clearly explain.

Regarding the street lighting trial that you requested, in the report I have sent to LCC I provided the below locations for them to consider, I’m not sure how locally they can control the lighting:

I have asked LCC and our Road Safety Unit who have good links with highways who look after lighting to report back to me, so I will keep you in the loop.”.

Meadow Way was the proposed and supported road, amongst

Borough Council News From Councillor

others that were not.

This was the onset of the street lighting trial in response to the increase of burglaries in Groby.

Bio Diesel

WE HAVE all heard the governments’ aspirations to reduce carbon emissions and climate impact from fossil fuels. Strong words and aspirations require strong actions.

Bio diesel despite being a recycled product is treated the same as normal diesel under the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979, and are liable to the same excise duty rates as Diesel, a fossil fuel. So the question remains why a product that is is recycled from waste product, better for the environment, helps towards carbon reduction and the climate impact being taxed at the same rate as Diesel, a fossil fuel.

The UK should mirror Sweden’s approach to this in order to switch from fossil fuels to bio fuels to help meet its net-zero carbon targets by 2050.

The Swedes passed legislation in 2017, making bio fuels tax exempt, which led to a 124% increase in Hydro treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Why are we not using every method available to us in order to improve the environment right now?

Martin Cartwright

You do not need a digital footprint in order to require the use of a password. How good or safe are yours?

worse a password that is used for most if not all of their accounts by far the very worse outcome, scenario

Even biometrics, which is the most secure form of identification, facial recognition first and foremost followed by fingerprint recognition also require a password to be set up in the first instance.

I have enclosed the table below , if you say look at using 8 numbers only using an average computer today it would be able to number crunch each combination available instantly, the same applies if you added lowercase letters only when you add low er and uppercase plus symbols as well you increase that time to 39 minutes

When you sign up for a new account that requires a password often these days you will be presented with a random “STRONG PASSWORD” option that is a combination of upper and lowercase characters as well as special characters. Whilst the offered password might look daunting and far too hard to remember, they are very secure because of the use of characters and the randomness of it but this often leads to people choosing to “SET MY OWN” option instead and then using a less secure password. Or even worse, a password that is used for most if not all of their accounts.

By comparison if you chose 12 characters with a combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols the same computer today would take 3000 years to number crunch all possible combinations, so you can see why now the best password option other than biometrics is around 18 characters with a combination of upper and lowercase letters as well as symbols it would take 438 trillion years to number crunch every possible combination . Now you can see the relevance of the strong password option. Makes you think doesn’t it! How secure is your passwords

I have enclosed a table below, if you say look at using 8 numbers only using an average computer today it would be able to number crunch each combination available instantly, the same applies if you added lowercase letters only when you add lower and uppercase plus symbols as well you increase that time to 39 minutes.

Kind regards Cllr

Actions deliver benefit, words are meaningless unless acted upon. The price uplift in Bio diesel costs against Diesel would be much less if the tax on a recycled product was removed,

Passwords – How strong are yours?

IRRESPECTIVE of if you use a computer or not passwords are required for almost everything these days including telephone banking as an example.

By comparison if you chose 12 characters with a combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols the same computer today would take 3,000 years to number crunch all possible combinations.

M artin Cartwrigh t

So you can see why now the best password option other than biometrics is around 18 characters, as with a combination of upper and lowercase letters as well as symbols, it would take 438 trillion years to number crunch every possible combination.

Now you can see the relevance of the strong password option. Makes you think doesn’t it! How secure are your passwords?

Kind regards

Cllr Martin Cartwright

Get your copy of the Bradgate Park Calendar 2024 - available now!

THE BRADGATE Park Calendar 2024, a captivating celebration of the picturesque Bradgate Park, is now officially on sale.

Purchasing the calendar is simple. Copies are available online at Bradgate Park’s website www.bradgatepark.org, offering a convenient way to support the park and its valuable initiatives. Additionally, visitors to Bradgate Park can purchase the calendar on-site at any of the charming tea rooms and gift shops, adding a touch of timeless beauty to their lives. The Bradgate Rotary Club is also actively participating in the calendar’s distribution, making it easily accessible to the local community. Look out for their presence at various local events, including the Groby Scarecrow Festival on September 16th and 17th, plus copies will also be available to purchase at local venues like Groby Post Office and Ratby Library.

GHOST WRITER

Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER at Thornton Community Centre. Doors open at 7.00 p.m. Curtain up at 7.30p.m.

AS WE NEAR the end of our rehearsal schedule, we anticipate with pleasure bringing this David Tristram play to our audiences.

The plot of the play, with its echoes of “Hamlet”, concerns Edward, an aspiring writer who is trying, and failing, to recover from the death of his wife, Ruby. But can we ever shake off the Past? Was Ruby’s death all it seemed - or is there cause to revenge “a foul and most unnatural murder”?

The play is a six-hander, and is challenging for those in the cast-not least in learning all the lines! Each of the disparate characters is challenging to portraybut that’s what it’s all about. It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride along the way with change of director and unforeseen last minute change of cast - but the MTTG team always pulls together. All the effort is worthwhile if our audiences come to support us and enjoy the play.

PLEASE COME ALONG TO SEE THE PLAY - YOU WILL BE MOST WELCOME.

If you are a newcomer to the area , then do come and see what we can offer, We are an award-winning Drama Group with many successful productions to our credit – but none of that matters unless we attract audiences Of course, if you’re one of our valued regular patrons we hope to see you with us – and please do spread the word!

The play is not suitable for children.

ALL TICKETS ARE £6 AND CAN BE OBTAINED ON 07438 508166 or MTTG.THEATRE@GMAIL.COM

Muriel Walker for MTTG

Last chance to ride the 26 Coalville bus – but only online!

SOME READERS may not like the Arriva 26 being renumbered 28, as it reminds them that the service that used to serve homes on Glebe Road and beyond was withdrawn some years ago.

However, there is still the opportunity to ride the 26 on a You Tube video online. The contributor, with the nickname YourLocalBusNerd filmed the journey from St Margarets bus station to the Glenfield Hospital roundabout, taking 10 minutes to get as far as the Fiveways roadworks.

The video was recorded from the rear of the fairly full bus, so if you recognise the back of your head you may spot yourself. To find the video just Google A50 RUSH HOUR + INSANE KICKDOWN.

The change of number to 28 seems to have been made quietly and led to some confusion. “I missed my bus,” explained one passenger waiting at the bus stop. “I was looking out for the 26, so I didn’t flag down the 28.”

It seems that the reason for the change is the avoidance of confusion with another service 26, but this appears to leave from another bus station and takes a route nowhere near Groby.

So do not board a First 26 from the Haymarket bus station unless you want to get to Beaumont Leys, Mowmacre Hill or Belgrave. The good news is that in the unlikely event that you do board it by mistake, the First 26 is a circular route, and in less than an hour you’ll be back where you started at the Haymarket Bus station, and can take the short walk to St Margarets to catch the Groby bus.

Norman Griffiths

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight

SOME SINK, SOME SWIM The tale of Leicester’s companies

There are no certainties in the world of retailing, with even the biggest companies sometimes failing to weather hard times.

Who would have forecast the demise of stores like Woolworths, Debenhams, Mothercare, Maplin, Toys ‘R’ Us, BHS, Comet, Focus DIY, or MFI? They were some of the 40 big names that got into trouble between 2008 and 2019. And that was before the woes of the pandemic.

PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Telephone 01530-244069

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3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.

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

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Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/ or advertisements submitted for publication.

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None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

In 1935 Frank Jessop transformed his chemist shop into a photography shop, and under the leadership of Jessop’s son, Alan, it quickly grew into a cut-price retailer of photographic equipment. By the 1970s, it had outgrown its premises and moved to a new site on Hinckley Road in Leicester, which was named as the largest photography store in the world by Guinness World Records. The firm had ceased being a familyrun business in 1996 after Alan Jessop retired and was sold in a management buyout. Within ten years the company began to struggle to compete when other high street and internet competitors entered the market. Now most people have a camera in their pocket or handbag.

Sunday that Wilko was a convenience store where you went to buy bits and pieces for your house for a low price. “They paid consultants who helped them bring about a new format for stores, but they were less aggressive on pricing and their approach on the shop floor,” adding that they lost “their successful model of low price, low cost.”

Some companies sink, but others swim, and despite turbulent times for Leicester’s traditional manufacturing industries and long established retailers, there have been new companies that have gone from strength to strength. It may seem as though the days when a business like Marks and Spencer could go from a market stall to one of the country’s best known stores may be over, but Dunelm, born on Leicester market, proves otherwise.

profits.

The 1930’s also saw the birth of Wilkinsons Cash Stores in Leicester’s Charnwood Street. By 2022 a profit of £16 million(2016) had been turned into a loss of £32 million. Most shoppers will be familiar with the Wilko brand, and some will have bought their decorating materials there since they first launched their own brand paints in 1973. The company grew from a few shops in the 1930’s to around 400 across the country.

Thousands of employees now face an uncertain future as the administrators struggle to find new owners for all or part of the company. No doubt the reasons for the failure will be debated, with the rise of competitors such as B&M Stores and Home Bargains playing a part. Gordon Brown, Wilko’s managing director from 1992 to 2007 told The Mail on

Bill Adderley and Jeany Adderley founded Dunelm in 1979. They traded in home textiles on Leicester market and five years later opened the first store in Churchgate, Leicester, eventually growing to 177 stores by 2023 and employing almost as many as Wilko. Dunelm opened a new head office and warehouse in Syston in 1999, and two years later acquired Bellbird producing custom-made curtains, blinds, and accessories, with the facility being known as Dunelm’s Manufacturing Centre. By 2022 the company had gone from a market stall to a giant with an annual profit of £171 million.

No doubt Mark Smithson will be hoping for just as much success, and judging by his achievements so far this might not be a wild dream. He founded Marks Electrical in Leicester in 1987 reselling used products in a rented premises. Readers might remember the King Richards Road store. By 2000 he had bought a further 4 stores, launched a website in 2003, and moved to a 200,000 sq ft warehouse and showroom opposite the Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre a few years ago.

The last annual turnover published was over £97 million, with £5.16 million profit after tax. This may seem like small beer when compared to the turnover of Curry’s and AO, but both those companies last reported losses, not

Over the last three years Marks Electrical’s share of the online major domestic appliances market has more than doubled to 4.7%, so there’s plenty of scope for expansion. Unlike many competitors the company has no satellite warehouses. “We cover 99 per cent of England – we go to where the people are and that’s one of the secrets of the business,” said Mark. “We can run all of that out of Leicester, and that’s another major benefit because we can have just one big warehouse in the middle of England and get to the vast majority of the population.”

Wilkinsons and Jessops built their success on their family roots, and these are evident at Dunelm and Marks Electrical as well.

“I love doing this. It’s fantastic. My sons work in it now as well – Jack is 29 and Oliver is 25 – so it’s got a real family feel to it. It’s great, and it just makes you work even harder in all honesty” said Mark. “They love doing what they’re doing at the moment, but whether they actually want to take over and run it is another thing. But I’ve got no plans to go anywhere.”

Shoppers have been hit by the cost of living hike and most have less to spend in real terms. This makes them more careful over what they spend and where they spend it. It isn’t all about price – they want both fair prices and good service. Wherever they shop let’s hope the future continues to be bright for all new Leicester companies tasting success and the local jobs they create.

Norman Griffiths

Expired: Covid the untold story

by Dr Clare E H Craig

HAVE YOU

EVER felt the covid story did not entirely add up? Expired contains multiple eye-opening revelations about covid with compelling evidence that provides a coherent, sober and clear explanation that better fits the data we have so far.

Meticulous research by pathologist Dr Clare Craig sheds light on the largely overlooked evidence of airborne virus transmission, examining twelve related beliefs on spread, lockdowns, asymptomatic infections, and masks. In addition, Expired champions the importance of Western ethical principles, damaged by pandemic actions and calls for their restoration.

The covid debate has proved incredibly polarising. One side believed every intervention was saving lives, while the other emphasised the harms caused. Biased modelling based on a worst case scenario led to fearful assumptions presented as fact. By dint of sheer repetition these ‘facts’ became unquestionable. Those scientists who dared to question were proclaimed dangerous. Welcome to Cloud-Covid-Land.

Let’s bring back nuance. It’s time to return to reality.

News from Groby WI

OUR SPEAKERS this month were Bob and Del Neal. Many years ago Bob inherited his grandparent’s house and shop and it was to be the start of him collecting ‘Bits and Bobs’, hence the name of their talk.

Bob found a ledger with a list of expenditure: 2 gallons of Shellmex was 2s 6d, those were the days! He has continued to collect eclectic items from many different sources and currently has 25 boxes, each containing 20 items. We sat four or five to a table and rather than an actual talk 20 items were passed round and we had to guess what the items were used for - not easy! Del enlightened us as to the use of the items and I think 14 out of 20 was the highest score, my team got 9 which we felt was a great achievement! There are four pictures above, see if you can guess what the item is for (answers at the end of the report). It was both a fascinating and fun evening and a glimpse into past times.

Although Denman College has now been sold, £25,000 has been released from the trust for online courses for WI members. I was lucky enough to win a bursary to do watercolour classes over three days at Denman with other likeminded WI members. It was an amazing experience in a beautiful location.

As with other groups, the Village Hall Committee have asked that we are careful when using the Hall as energy prices have tripled and they are keen not to have to increase the rent.

• The next meeting is on 21st September at 7.30 pm and the speakers are Peter and Iris Sayer. The subject is After Eight Quartet which sounds interesting!

New members are always welcome.

Ruth Rolinson

ANSWERS: Picture number 10 is a glove darner. Picture number 6 is a frill iron which would be heated from the fire and then used to iron frills on dresses and bonnets etc. Picture number 18 was to clip to a belt or sash and the clips held the skirts of ladies’ dresses up so that they didn’t trail in the mud. Picture number 4 is a pill maker.

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• LADIES MOTORCYCLE

JACKETS, size 16-18. Various makes e.g. Heineken, Gericke and Crane. All with inner jackets. Mainly black with coloured piping/panels. Some not used. Prices: £20-£40

• Also, a pair of RAVANA OVERNIGHT BAGS. Black. Outside pocket. Price: £40.

Tel: 07982 753457 (Groby)

• Candy under-counter FREEZER - as new, 7 months old and only used for 3 months. Offers invited.

• 2.5 cubic ft automotive AIR COMPRESSOR - 240 volt complete with accessories, including spray guns, airlines etc. All unused. Offers invited.

Tel: 07938 951437 or 01530 242221 (Markfield)

• JIGSAWS for sale - approx. 40 (500 piece & 1000 piece). All complete, various prices.

Tel 07891 17994 (Groby)

• SINGER OVERLOCK

SEWING MACHINE S14-78Still in box, never used. Includes 4 overlocking cotton reels. Price: £25.

Tel: 07738814289 (Groby)

• REVITIVE leg circulation booster - little used. Any offers considered.

Tel: 01530 242025 (Markfield)

• Fridgemaster REFRIGERATOR - white, in excellent condition. Price: £25 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 242054 (Markfield)

SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum EIGHT items please. No business ads. Our postal address is: Spotlight

Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight. co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to let people know where you are).

Little by little does very nicely

WE’VE ALL HEARD the hype about the need to do 10,000 steps a day, to stay fit. But recent studies have found that even just walking 4,500 steps a day can bring you significant health benefits. It seems that, compared to adults who take less than 2,000 steps a day, people who take 4,500 steps a day are 77 per cent less likely to have a cardiovascular problem in the following three years. And it also seems that, no matter what you are currently walking, even just adding 500 steps a day to your distance can bring you significant health benefits.

“We were surprised to find that every additional quarter of a mile, or 500 steps, of walking had such a strong benefit to heart health,” says Dr Erin Dooley, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

“While we do not want to diminish the importance of higher intensity physical activity, encouraging small increases in the number of daily steps also has significant cardiovascular benefits. Other recent research suggests that walking between 6,000 and 8,000 steps a day is helpful for chronic heart problems and cancer.

Church Bulletin notes that didn’t quite work as intended

• The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

• Ladies, don’t forget the jumble sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.

• Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.

• Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Good Quality Collectables Wanted

If you have any of the following types of items, I’d be interested in buying them:

Ÿ Coins - Presentation Sets & Old British Coins

Ÿ Toy Car s (Matchbox, Corgi, Dink y, etc.)

Ÿ Dolls & Teddy Bear s

Ÿ Vinta ge Toys: Hor nby, Aeroplanes, Corgi, Etc.

Ÿ Jigsaws (Must be complete) Call

Please Note: Items MUST be in good condition.

Simon Moore’s next charity walk

46 miles along the Llangollen Canal

THIS YEAR we have finally decided on walking the LLangollen Canal. This 74km or 46 miles in old money waterway begins at Thurleston Junction on the Shropshire Union canal taking in 21 locks and finishes in Llangollen after the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is the tallest waterway in the British Isles.

We start our walk from Nantwich, Cheshire early Saturday morning on Saturday 23 September and walk to Whitchurch for an overnight stay and then continue on Sunday to Chirk. - our final day will see us arrive in Llangollen at lunchtime on Monday 24 September.

We need to travel light, equipped with clothing for sunshine and rain!, so have started to list all the essentials and dug out the most comfortable walking boots we can find!

All my fund raising events have always received wonderful support from family, friends, the generous people of Groby and Royal Mail and I would like to express my sincere thanks for your fantastic support. I’m hoping this year can be just as successful as the charity ADAPT (All Dependant and Pre Term Babies) which I raise money for each year is very close to our hearts.

If you would like to sponsor me then please catch me on my post round in Groby or pop into Groby Post Office. For more information to donate or to fund raise on behalf of Adapt call Sue Williams, Trustee, on 01455 459523/07739 504783 or visit www.prembabies.co.uk

Have you ever thought about playing bridge?

Have you ever played bridge before and want to start again?

Mentally stimulating

Come along to lessons at County Bridge Club.

Lessons start October 2023 (free ‘try it’ session available) 3 levels of lessons available (beginners, improvers and intermediates)

Website: www.bridgewebs.com/cbc t

Email: CBCLeicester@gmail.com

Phone: 07769 804276

County Bridge Club, St. Oswald Road, Leicester. LE3 6RJ

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

Worst thing about being called Spartacus is that someone else always seems to get my taxi.

If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. It’s good to share!

Local postman Simon Moore - in training

Jigsaw puzzles come in many shapes and sizes – and they can provoke a wide range of emotions, from frustration to euphoria, depending on how easy or hard it is to find pieces that fit together. They are great at helping us unwind, relax, and take on a challenge. Here we look at five ways they can boost your health.

1. Decrease stress levels and improve your mood

According to scientifi c research, the brain goes into a near-dreamlike state when assembling a puzzle. Exercising both sides of the brain simultaneously also allows the brain to move from a Beta state (the wakeful mind) to an Alpha state, the same mental state as dreaming. The Alpha state is where we tap into our subconscious mind. Jigsaw puzzles naturally induce this state of creative, focused meditation, where connections can be made on deeper levels.

2. Cognitive benefits

Jigsaw puzzles can aid the development of children’s minds, from spatial and organisational skills to patience and self-control. They can also be excellent for children and adults in improving and maintaining fine motor skills and concentration.

3. Improve working memory

Boosting your working memory helps with dayto-day tasks remembering where you left your glasses or keys or even where you parked your car in the car park.

When sorting through the jigsaw puzzle pieces looking for a specific shape or colour, these details are retained in your working memory and help to reinforce the connections between the brain cells. This, in turn, can make your thought processing faster.

Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me

by Bernie Taupin

THIS IS THE memoir music fans have been waiting for.

4. Reduce screen time

Jigsaw puzzling is immersive. It’s easy for several hours to pass before you realise you haven’t checked your phone or looked at the TV.

5. Connect with others

Our well-being is based on both our health and our social connections. Host a puzzle night, start a puzzle tournament or just start a puzzle anywhere in the home others can access. Family members will stop to connect a few pieces when they have a moment to spare.

Jigsaw trivia

• Jigsaws were first known as dissected maps. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 1900s that ‘jigsaw puzzle’ was first officially used.

• Jigsaws enjoyed a particular resurgence in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Instagram filters and wellbeing advertising have also provided a boost for jigsaws, with them being dubbed ‘self-care objects’.

• The first jigsaw was invented in 1767 by John Spilsbury, a London engraver and map maker. Spilsbury attached a map of the world to a piece of wood and then cut out each country using a hand-held fretsaw. Teachers used Spilsbury’s dissected map to teach geography.

Groby’s new departure lounge

TRAVELLERS embarking to Groby, Ratby or beyond from the Millenium Green/Overdale Avenue area have been enjoying the benefit of recycled seating in the bus shelter. Although this upgraded departure lounge has no food or drink outlets, the seating may have proved helpful in the recent heat.

If permission wasn’t sought from the County Council, and the seats are still there after you read this, it is possible that anyone using the seating will not be covered by the Council’s insurance if there is an accident. Use is probably at the user’s risk.

Half of one of the greatest creative partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-centuryand-counting creative relationship has been chronicled in biopics (like 2019’s Rocketman) and even John’s own autobiography, Me. But Taupin, a famously private person, has kept his own account of their adventures close to his chest, until now.

Written with honesty and candour, Scatterhot allows the reader to witness events unfolding from Taupin’s singular perspective, sometimes front and center, sometimes from the edge, yet always described vibrantly, with an infectious energy that only a vivid songwriter’s prose could offer. From his childhood in the East Midlands of England whose imagination was sparked and forever informed by the distinctly American mythopoetics of country music and cowboys, to the glittering, star-studded fishbowl of ‘70s and ‘80s Beverly Hills, Scattershot is simultaneously a Tom Jones-like picaresque journey across a landscape of unforgettable characters, as well as a striking, first-hand account of a creative era like no other and one man’s experience at the core of it.

Noise

Nevertheless, when I finished my shopping and saw a cartless woman, I offered it up, explaining, “It makes an awful complaining noise, but it works.”

“That’s okay,” she said cheerfully, taking it. “I have a husband at home like that.”

Archaeologists can always tell if their finds come from before the Iron Age as they are still wrinkled.

THE WHEEL of my grocery cart was making a horrible scraping sound as I rolled it through the supermarket.