Billesdon & District Parish News & Views November 2022

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Billesdon & District Parish News & Views

November 2022
Published and distributed since 1989 by St John the Baptist Church, Billesdon

BILLESDON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

1st Sunday All Age worship. 2nd & 4th Sunday: Holy Communion 3rd Sunday: Songs of Praise. If there is a 5th Sunday: a service will take place at different churches within the Deanery. There is an additional ZOOM service at 11am each Sunday.

Churchwardens: Mr K Evans, 6 High Acres (0116) 259 6438 Mrs A Grindley, 3 Forge Court (0116) 259 6741

Secretary: Treasurer: Mr J Williamson Mr (0116) 259 6448

Organist & Director of Music Dr Simon Ainge 07971 833110 (0116) 259 6246

GOADBY ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Sunday Services: S eboard

Churchwardens: K

Hon Secretary & Churchwarden: Charles Stewart, Hillcroft, Goadby (0116) 259 8310

Hon Treasurer: Hugh Stevenson, The Dower House, Goadby (0116) 259 8294

SKEFFINGTON ST. THOMAS BECKET

Sunday Services: see church porch and printed notice.

Churchwardens: Mrs B Preston (0116) 259 9147 Mr W G Ginns, White Lodge (0116) 259 6301

Secretary: Mr D Holland (0116) 259 6550 Treasurer: Mrs Valerie Chouler (0116) 259 9477 Organ: Mr D Holland & Mr M Griffiths (0116) 259 9254

ROLLESTON

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

HUNGARTON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Sunday services: 1st Sunday

Churchwardens: Cynthia Mclaughlan (0116) 259 5680

KEYHAM ALL SAINTS Sunday Services: 2nd Sunday

CHAPEL

NOSELEY ST. MARY

This page is kindly sponsored by:

E C GILBERT Ltd Great Glen

Churchwardens: Richard Windle (0116) 259 5281 Hugh Henderson (0116) 259 5214 Tel: 011 259 2267

Welcome

Welcome to November, the month when autumn is in full gallop and we are looking for ways to stay warm and dry so we can comfortably enjoy the beauty of the season. And, of course, welcome to the November issue of the Billesdon & District Parish News & Views.

Last month I was delighted to receive emails and phone calls from a few readers asking if the magazine could include items of interest to them that used to be included, such as births, deaths and marriages, and notices about planning permissions in the area.

The previous month, I was contacted by Rachel Kind, who used to provide cartoons for the publication. She offered her talent to us again, and that is certainly appreciated (and enjoyed).

I have also been approached by potential contributors sharing their ideas for relevant, interesting articles, some of which have already been submitted and included.

This involvement is what makes the Billesdon & District Parish News & Views relevant to us all, and it was along these lines that Iwas thinking

Editor: Lynn Milburn, 259 6707

email: lynnm19230@gmail.com

Advertising: Charles Stewart, 259 8318 email: charles@familystewart.org.uk

about the monthly cover. The September issue featured the original cover, while October’s cover paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. This month, the cover intends to reflect the season and the area, so it is a close-up picture of St John the Baptist Church with a coldbluesky inthe background.

But what about next month? And the months after that? Why not appeal to our readers many of whom are creative photographers/artists with a keen eye tosend in their ideas forour covers?

If you have a photograph (or other medium) that you think conveys the area in the month of December, why not send it to me by 10 November? It might just be next month’s cover! If you could include a brief statement as to where it is and what it depicts, that would be most helpful.

I look forward to seeing potential December covers, and hopefully this will become a regularevent!

Thank you all for your participation.

Lynn Milburn

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed by contributors to the Billesdon & District Parish News & Views are not necessarily those of the editor nor the Billesdon cum Goadby PCC.

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Volume 34, Issue 11
November 2022

Church News

It hardly seems possible that it is very nearly 12 months since the Revd Alison left us to further her ministry. However, we move on to keep our church life vibrant in our lovely village.

Novemberisanimportant month inthe church’s year. In addition to our usual 11.00am services each Sunday, on November 6th there will be an

at Christmas. On this occasion, the service will be at 11.00am and will be a sung Communion celebration led by the Revd Canon Jeff Hopewell, with the lighting of the first candle of the church’s advent ring.

Please remember that our lovely old village church is open daily from 10.00am until around 5.00pm each day. Should anyone wish to have a period of peace and quiet for private prayer, do avail yourself of this facility.

Keith Evans, Churchwarden Disabled Access to the Church

additional service at 4.00pm to mark and honour All Souls by remembering the lives of those who have died in faith. The following week we shall be holding our annual Remembrance Sunday gathering on the village green at 10.45 on Sunday, 13 November, with the laying of wreaths at the war memorial. The whole village is very welcome to join us. Another very significant date in the church’s calendar, whichthis yearfalls on Sunday 27 November, is Advent Sunday. The true meaning of ‘advent’ is ‘coming’, and this refers to the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ

You will have seen some construction work around the Old School in Church Street. After several years of planning delayed by the pandemic, work has started to enable access to be gained over the grass verge and onwards to join the existing path to the church porch. We have provided funds to complete the work, which sadly has been delayed by bureaucracy. Each stage of the work has to be officially inspected and, despite a sizeable fee having been paid to the County Council Highways Department many weeks ago, we still await their further inspection to confirm that the hardcore base is fit to receive the final tarmac top surface to the path.

We will continue to press the authorities to ensure the work is completed at theearliest possible time.

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The Anthony Cade Trust

Financial support for the community of Billesdon

Friends of Billesdon Church Music

The Anthony Cade Trust was set up in 1638 with the purchase of land just outside the village, with the income from the land to be distributed for the benefit of the people ofBillesdon.

Individuals of any age living in the Parish of Billesdon can apply for financial support. Examples include:

• Children with unexpected expenses (school trips, Duke of Edinburgh Award, guiding/scouting costs, etc.)

• Students requiring books/learning resources

• Individuals starting a new job/trade requiring equipment

• Older people wanting to pursue further study or hobbies

• Any other type of assistance

The help is there, waiting for the good of our community!

To apply, or if you have suggestions about ways of using the funds and/or possible recipients, please email anthonycadebillesdontrust@gmail.com or write to:

The Anthony Cade Billesdon Trust 8 High Acres, Billesdon, LE7 9FB

All applications will be treated in confidence. We look forward to hearing from you.

Supported by the Billesdon Community Post Office

Following the success of our October concert featuring Michael Lessiter (recently retired from the Royal Opera House, among many other things), I thought it would be great to start a mailing list for future events.

We’ll call ourselves ‘Friends of Billesdon Church Music’, and if you would like to be on our list to receive details of upcoming events and occasional reminders, email me at drswainge@gmail.com, and I’ll add your name to the ‘Friends of Billesdon Church Music’ mailing list. Our musicians love performing, and I know how much we all value live music. Rest assured your details will not be shared with anyone.

If you don’t have email, details will be in the church porch for your perusal. I look forward to hearing from you.

Simon Ainge, Organist and Director of Music

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Projectors and Screens in both Lounge and Main Hall

Leicester Road Apple Trees

Following the removal of the apple trees on Leicester Road, there have been many remarks and questions on social media. Why?

As you would havenoticed, there were a couple that were very deformed and damaged. As these trees are part ofthe community orchard and the responsibility of the Parish Council, we sought advice from Grafters & Growers, a Harborough based specialist apple group. They surveyed the trees and found they were badly diseased with canker and had other problems. The two deformed trees were beyond help with damaged roots and would not havesurvived evenwith staking as many suggested. Their roots were also badly damaged, mainly due to their position and disease.

Over the last few years we have lost quite a few trees through disease, and the remainder had the same problems. Therefore, the only option was to remove them. They think the tree on the corner of Coplow Lane can be saved with spraying, which they will carry out at the appropriate time. We were hoping to replace them immediately but were advised not to plant apple trees where there have previously been trees with disease, as the ground needs to be decontaminated.So that’s adecision in abeyance for future consideration.

However, there are many problems, and we need the correct trees for their

difficult position. For example, three trees will need to grow in a very shady position, and this needs consideration and careful selection. The thought is to replace themwith heritage-basedapple trees withlocalconnectionsifpossible.

Alternatively, we could plant a different type of tree that takes less maintenance. This may need to be seriously considered, as we don’t have volunteers to help with pruning and other maintenace, which was thankfully carried out by two senior members of our community should they have had an accident, it could havebeen devastating for them and their families.

I thank you for your interest and concerns, and I trust this meets with your approval. Meanwhile, should you wish to takepart in thefuture decisions or help with advice, you need to raise your points before a decision is reached. You can find further information on the Council website.

Alternatively, should you wish to volunteer and help, please contact any member of the Council. The whole community would appreciate it.

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Billesdon Church of England Primary School Autumn Term, September to October 2022

It was a lovely start to the new academic year with an even greater We have

and had decorated wooden spoon scarecrows for thechurch. Peace Class had written their own Harvest prayers, while Hope Class presented on the food miles it takes to produce food (in particular, pizzas!). Faith Class performed a poem using the letters of Harvest to emphasise the importance of this Festival.

grown insizefrom 85at thestart oflast year to welcome 94 children all of whom have settled in well as the work commences for this year.

We were able to celebrate Harvest Festival in church with a huge attendance from our parents it was wonderful to see a packed church and

We continue to enrich the education of our children in many ways and have had specialist sports providers in to promote Healthy Living to Peace Class, whole class Brass tuition for

watch the children take up bags of offerings forthe traditional donation of food. Our youngest children in Joy Class sang Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Hope Class andthe Bikeability team in to promote safe practice when riding a bicycle on the road for Year 6 in Faith Class it has been a busy half term so far!

We are also proud to announce that the school hassuccessfully gainedaSports Games Silver Award in recognition of the increased level of sport the school is involved in our Sports Coach,MrIgor,andthestaff

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have been instrumental in the higher level of participation in events in and out of school excellent work!

Our wonderful Parents and Friends Association (PAFA) have already begun work to support the school this year by running a Back to School Disco, which proved highly popular,

and creating a beautiful display of work.

We look forward to a happy half term for all our families and the second half of the Autumn Term to come.

and have a 100 Club and monthly cake raffle running to keep fundraising going for the benefit of the children. Finally, the whole school have had the opportunity to reflect and remember the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II by learning key facts about her reign, contributing to a Book of Condolence

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On the morning of Sunday 13th November, we will be gathering together around the war memorial to remember and give thanks for all who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It is a gathering that will be repeated throughout the UK and the world, and the focal point for many will be on the Cenotaph in London. Cenotaph means 'empty tomb' and is dedicated to 'The Glorious Dead'. There are no names inscribed on the Cenotaph, which allows individuals to assign their own meaning to the memorial.

The Cenotaph also reminds me of another empty tomb, where the resurrection of Jesus took place. When talking about his resurrection Jesus said this mind boggling statement: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.’

November Chapel Dates

Sunday Gatherings All welcome, young persons’ group Wowzers held during the morning. First Sunday of the month ‘Prayer and Praise’ service including the Lord’s Supper. Refreshments served afterwards. Please note no service at The Chapel Centre on 13 November. As a fellowship we will join with the Parish Church to observe Remembrance Sunday.

Life and Soul Tuesday mornings The Chapel Centre will be open from 9am 12pm as a space to work, meet, rest, chat, relax, pray or just for a change of scenery. The kettle will always be on.

Cuppa and Chat Thursday 10 November, 10am-12pm All welcome to meet and chat over a cuppa and a selection ofhomemade cakes lemon, coffee, chocolate, strawberry and fresh cream sponge, Millionaire Shortbread to name but a few we have enjoyed recently!

Sunny Days Fridays 4, 11, 18 and 25 November 10am 11.15am. A friendly group for parents and carers of young children (0-5 years). Children can play, adults chat and refreshments provided with snacksforthe youngerones. For more information and updates, see billesdonsunnydays@gmail.com

For information on any of these activities please contact Brian Boley on 07968 346127 or 0116 2599325 or email pastor@thechapelcentre.org.uk

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Clubs, Institutes, Societies & Schemes

Billesdon WI

At present we are busy sorting out skittles teams to play in our countywide Round Robin Skittles Competition.

During November we have three matches against otherlocal WIs. There seem tobefewerpubs aboutthese days with skittle alleys, and this is causing some problems. But we will enjoy the games, and it’s all good exercise!

We had a talk on Coco Chanel in October, and this month will be our AGM and a show and tell.

cieties & Schemes e ties & Schemes

At the end of the month, we will be visiting Loddington WI for a Murder MysteryeveningasourGroupAutumn Social.

New members always welcome. Billesdon Drama Society

Billesdon Drama Society is a small local theatre group that’s been running since 1934. We put on two performances a year at The Coplow Centre, and anyone who has seen one of our productions will know that we pride ourselves on the quality of our performances. There is a lot of drive and enthusiasm within the society and a real love ofputting on shows but, we are not getting any younger! We admit that this is one of our greatest challenges at the moment.So, Billesdon Drama NEEDS YOU! Are you interested in getting involved, on

or off the stage? We need youngercast members but, ifyoudon’t wanttotread the boards, we also need help behind the scenes. If you are a potential older cast memberwhowould like totry out, please don't let this appeal put you off. Please contact me, Fiona Youngwood, on 07748992159 or Jane Kirwan on 07743847181 if you would like to become involved or need any more information.

You may also like to visit our website at http://www.billesdondrama.co.uk/.

Billesdon Good Neighbour Scheme

The BGNS is a group of local volunteers who provide short term help that complements help already available in the village which is not provided by statutory services. Ifyou would like assistance(subject to volunteer availability) or would like to become aGood Neighbour,please ring 0754 862 1777

BGNS also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/71 4565933149749.

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What’s On

Make room for what’s happening in the area in Novemberand beyond!

The Billesdon Calendar is now in stock at theBillesdonCommunity Post Office, with all profits going to the Air Ambulance.

Global Leadership Summit (GLS)

Whether you are a CEO, lecturer, pastor, teacher, nurse, student, artist, parent, doctor, volunteer, or just finding your place, you have influence and your leadership matters.

The Chapel Centre, Billesdon invites you to join us as we host the GLS, the largest annual participation leadership event in the world, on Tuesday 1st November. Hear from inspirational speakers, network with others, share insights and experiences and be challenged and grow in confidence in whatever role you have in your team, business or community.

For further details and booking, see www.globalleadership.ukorcontact us at info@thechapelcentre.org.uk.

BGNS AGM

The Billesdon Good Neighbour Scheme Annual General Meeting will be held in The Coplow Centre Lounge on Tuesday 15thNovember,beginning at 5.15pm. This meeting is open to everyone (volunteers, service users and those interested in knowing more about the scheme or simply wishing to support those involved in it), so please join us if you can.

Sitting Pretty

On November24, 25and 26, Billesdon Drama Society presents Sitting Pretty, written by Amy Rosenthal. This bittersweet and warm comedy centres around two unmarried sisters and the doting Max. Nina is dynamic and successful and Nancy unconfident and recently made redundant. The drama

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begins when Nancy is urged to find a hobby and stumbles unwittingly into a job as a life drawing model for eccentric drawing students and their philandering teacher.Initially horrified to discover that life models pose naked, Nancy is unexpectedly liberated by the experience. Though

she keeps this activity a secret, her newfound confidence unsettles Nina. The sisters move toward an inevitable confrontation as Nina faces her unhappy past and Nancy glimpses a possible future. Tickets available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/billesd on drama society.

And in December…

Billesdon Community Post Office

From 1 20 December the Post Office will be open on weekday lunchtimes and Wednesday afternoons to help out with the Christmas rush:

Monday 9.00am-4.30pm Thursday 9.00am-4.30pm Tuesday 9.00am-4.30pm Friday 9.00am-4.30pm Wednesday 9.00am 4.30pm Saturday 9.00am 12.30pm

Last posting days for Christmas delivery are 2nd Class: Monday 19th December; 1st Class: Wednesday 21st December

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Billesdon Community Postal Service

The village post office is an important resource for people living in and around Billesdon. The dedication of our post mistress Joan Partridge and her support team ensures that parcels get dispatched, bills get paid and birthdays are celebrated with a cheerful card. During Covid-19, the post officehasendeavouredto keepthe business going as near normal as possible, and we thank everyone for theirpatienceandresilience duringthis very difficult time.

The official name of the post office, 'Billesdon Community Postal Service’ (BCPS), reflects that it is a community asset run toserve the localcommunity, and allprofits aresavedforarainy day, reinvested or distributed back to the community though grant payments.

Since 2011, the BCPS has had the pleasure of supporting approximately 40 community-enhancing projects with funds totally over £44,000. Projects include the outside court renovation at The Coplow Centre, repairofthe church clock, provision of equipment for juniors at Billesdon Cricket Club and provision of defibrillators. This Christmas the BCPS will also donate all profits from the Billesdon 2023 Calendar sales to the Air Ambulance Service, so please do pick up a copy or two.

Organisations and groups in the local area are encouraged to apply for funding to support initiatives, both big and small, that will benefit the wider community. It’s easy to apply for funds. Pick up an application form

from the post office or email BillesdonPostOffice@gmail.com.

You need to provide the following information:

1.Name of your organisation, group or society

2.Lead applicant and postal address for correspondence (include an email address if you like)

3. A brief description of the activities of your organisation, group or society

4.Is your organisation, group or society run on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis?

5. The purpose of your funding request

6.How much funding is being requested from BCPS in total?

7. A detailed breakdown of your funding request

8.Are funds being sought from other sources for all or part ofthe total cost of your project? (If so, give details of the other funding sources and amounts requested.)

9. Details ofany funding your organisation, group orsociety has previously received from the BCPO.

10. Details of how your project/event would benefit the community in Billesdon.

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The management of the post office is supported by a committee of trustees who meet regularly throughout the year. The current trustees are all local residents: David Mills (Finance Officer), Julie Steele (Secretary), Peter Duffin, William Pain, Louise Horne and Lucy McCarthy (Chair). All trustees are volunteersand are not paid for the work they do to support the business.

We are always open to suggestions on how we can improve our services; let us know if you have any ideas by popping into thepostoffice,chatting to one of us or dropping us a line at BillesdonPostOffice@gmail.com.

Finally, thank you for supporting your community post office we couldn’t do this without YOU!

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Garden The Spa

Body Massage

Zen Zone Relaxing Full Body 55min £55 soothing, calming & tranquil.

Trigger Point Deep Tissue 55min £65

The Garden Spa is a private retreat in the heart of Houghton on the Hill, offering indulgent treatment experiences in a clean, hygienic & tranquil environment using products that are natural, effective and of high quality with a sustainable approach. With over 13 years’ experience, be assured that I will provide a professional & friendly service. Not sure what treatment would suit you? Give me a call I am happy to chat. I look forward to welcoming you to The Garden Spa,

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Natural nail manicure with gel £30 + free removal on re-book Natural nail manicure no gel £20

Gel Soak-off Removal £10

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Goadby Gleanings

The death of HM Queen Elizabeth II occurred after many submissions for the last issue of the Billesdon & District Parish News & Views had been completed. Goadby village responded with a team of volunteers ringing the church bell forone houron the day following the death of Her Majesty and for a similar duration in the hour before the State Funeral. It was only appropriate that our small community joined in with the nation in showing our respect. A ‘Book of Condolence’ was made available; the completed pages are now stored along with that from Billesdon Church.

Harvest Festival was celebrated with the first service in Goadby Church sinceChristmas2021.The effect ofthe lockdown banning regular church services has had a severe influence on all communities. Support for services has slackened and individuals have changed their lifestyle such that a church service once each month becomes less relevant. Added to this is the loss of a parish vicar. Our church wardens, lay readers and retired vicars do a magnificent job of providing for the community but this does not replace the presence of an incumbent. Despite this the Harvest Festival did take place and we are grateful to Keith Evans and Nicola and Graham Lightburn for bringing the church to life. Produce, donated for the festival, has been given to the Market Harborough Food bank.

Congratulations to Leicestershire County Council Highways! A sign in the village was reported to them as it had slipped and our intrepid village team was unable to fix it. One message to Highways and the job was done!

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Woodland Pool

A sunny morning saw me heading for the pool in keen anticipation of autumnal colours and fungi. The clear blue sky was emphasising the golden tops onsome ofthe Ash treesand Field

latter so named as it can be used to sharpen blades. One more possible species had previously caught my eye, an almost flat blue/green patch adhering to a dead log in a similarway to moss and lichen, but despite posting to two Facebook groups, I have yet to identify it - indeed it may not even be a fungus.

I noted a number of flies sunning themselves on a variety of foliage but was pleased to see a lone hoverfly as well as a male Common Darter dragonfly, the latter settling on a dead leaf at my feet as I walked the path around the pool.

Maple had turned from green to gold, as had Hawthorn and Oak. The cuttings that had been left to drop any plant seeds, after mowing a week or two ago, were now raked back to the edges of both meadows, reminding me it was time to scatter my previously gathered Yellow Rattle seed. Yellow Rattle is parasitic by nature and works by reducing the vigour of grasses, thus allowing other species of wildflowers to flourish.

After taking a variety of photographs both for myself and for the Facebook page, I then turned my attention to fungi, but wasdisappointedto discover only three species:a bracket fungi with pores rather than gills (photo), some Jelly Ear, wrinkled and ear like, and Birch Polypore or Razorstrop, the

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Village People #149

David Mitchell

There’s a retired solicitor recently arrived amongst us who lives in a lovely modern house and who admits to being inhiseighth decade(aren’t we all??). Got the picture? Well, probably not. David doesn’t quite match the stereotypical picture you may be drawing of him. For a start, our chat was followed by him nipping off for a game ofsquashat theLeicesterSquash Club where he’s been a stalwart member for 60 years.

You may remember bookstalls at train stations and airports being bedecked by the Bluffer’s Guide series, appealingly small booklets providing accurate but somewhat tongue in cheek information about a wide range of topics. David was responsible for those on the subjects of law and divorce. Reading them rings true with their author, with their amusing hints of irreverence and self-deprecation. But on a more serious note, he has demonstrated an even broader skill with words in his new book, the semi autobiographical Tea, Love and War. David’s father and uncle were called up during wartime and both killed in action before David ever knew them. Detective work by a child secretly fathered by the uncle in Assamin India produced an unexpected cousin, hence the title ofthe book. Wellworth a read, and available in the Billesdon library!

David has had a lifetime in the legal profession, with forty years in civil

litigation. During that time he was appointed as a deputy district judge, handling a range of domestic and divorce cases. He became a committed advocate of mediation as way of resolving disputes. He retired 12 years ago. David’s sporting life included early appearances for Stoneygate Rugby Club, and he still plays tennis and golf regularly. David and his former magistrate wife Liz moved to Billesdon a year ago from Great Glen. Why Billesdon? Partly because they already knew ‘about 40’ people here. It’s clearly a hotbed of legal and sporting Leicester!

I asked David for a closing anecdote and he gave me one about his judicial wig falling off in his first appearance as a very minor ‘bottom of the judicial food chain’ judge. He wanted me to say that he is both puzzled and humbled by his inclusion in this magazine above much more worthy candidates. Buttheyall say that these are the people I look for!

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Billesdon Cricket Club

The 2022 cricket season finished on a good note for Billesdon 1st and 2nd XI’s, with both teams winning their final two games of the season. This ensured both teams finished mid table in their respective divisions of the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League.

Billesdon 1st XI’s opening batsmen Tim Harrison and Ben Miles made a cautious start in the home fixture against Earl Shilton with the visitors bowling accurately. This approach paid off though with Jim Nourish (29), Tom Miles (47), Chris Elliott (51) and Josh Hallam (29 not out) batting superbly in thelatterpart oftheinnings to help Billesdon set a total of 223-5 from 40 overs. In reply the visitors were in a strong position, but Chris Elliott took the vital wicket of the Earl Shilton captain, who had scored a very good half century, and after that the rest of the batting collapsed as Billesdon recorded an important win by a 64 run margin.

The following week was the last game oftheseasonandagainBillesdon made a slow start at Kirby Muxloe. With the score 64 5 the outlook was not good for Billesdon. However, Chris Elliott was the man to rescue the situation with a superb innings of 112 not out. This proved to be the match winning innings, with Chris and batting partner James Hunt (17 not out) hitting nearly a hundred runs in the last four overs of the innings. Billesdon’s score of 238-7 from 45 overs was a fantastic

turnaround compared to the start ofthe innings.

Kirby Muxloe batted well, but tight bowling in the middle of the innings from Luke Mitchell (1 36) and James Hunt (2 36) helped Billesdon restrict the home side to 220 9 and, in doing so, end the season on a winning note.

Billesdon 2nd XI’s penultimate game of the season was a close affair at Bitteswell. Billesdon batted first and were restricted to just 143 all out in 40 overs. However, inspired bowling from Rich George (4-22) and James Stiff (3-40) gave Billesdon the initiative who went on to bowl the home side out for 132 and with it a great 11-run win.

Cosby were the visitors to Coplow Lane forBillesdon2ndXI’s final game of the season, and it turned into a high scoring contest. Youngster Siddartha Das scored 60, but captain Sam Wigginton was the star of the show hitting 124 not out to help Billesdon score 255 6 in 40 overs. Cosby also batted positively, but their innings closed on 209 6 to give Billesdon a win by 46 runs.

Overall this was a good season for Billesdon Cricket Club at both senior and junior levels and gives optimism for further success in 2023.

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Paul Miles 07749 422547 billesdoncc@gmail.com

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