Rothley Post (123) Mar/Apr 2017

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Delivered to Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston

MAR/APR 2017

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No. 123

Royal visit to heritage centre

PRINCE CHARLES drove a steam train out of Mountsorrel station and met volunteers from the Mountsorrel & Rothley Heritage Centre during a visit to the county in January.

He was greeted by hundreds of local school children from primary schools in Mou ntsorrel, Rothley, Quorn and Swithland.

Prince Charles was given a tour of the Heritage Centre on Swithland Lane, walking along the heritage trail and unveiled a plaque.

Centre Director Steve Cramp said: “My personal highlight of the day was seeing the Prince take control of the regulator and drive the train out of Mountsorrel Station and up to the Heritage Centre. The look on his face said it all, he was clearly enjoying himself!”

He added: “The Prince spent a lot of time meeting and talking to the local school children who were with us to welcome him. He was very impressed

PHOTOS: BARRY PRICE

Continued on page 2

Pic: Prince Charles meets local schoolchildren

Plan for badgers BADGERS ARE continuing to dig up turf at Rothley cemetery.

A spokesperson for Charnwood Borough Council said: “While there is still a problem with badgers foraging for food at the cemetery, it hasn’t got any worse.

“We’re working with the developer and Rothley Parish Council to discuss how to repair existing damage and prevent any further damage from happening.

We’re also looking at the costs involved and discussing how they will be met, but no decision has been made at this stage.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and work with the parish council and other interested parties to make sure the local wildlife and surrounding areas are looked after in the proper way.”

A site meeting attended by representatives from the Parish Council, Charnwood and Natural England resulted in a plan of action which has yet to be agreed. It identifies measures including: • a temporary electric fence at the bottom of the cemetery. It will not harm the badgers, but deter them • an underground barrier that will

protect the cemetery completely, costing around £4500.

The measures needed will have to be agreed with developers William Davis who are building houses on land near to the cemetery. Developers are required to pay for measures that are necessary when development disturbs a badger population.

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with the design of the building itself, which is a great accolade as the Prince is very particular about architecture. He was most impressed though by the hard work of all the volunteers who have spent the past decade restoring the railway and creating the heritage centre site and all it has to offer. He even had time to sample our special Granite’s Afternoon Tea, which Lady Gretton referred to as “epic!”

One of the volunteers the Prince talked to was 12 year old Oliver Nuttall from Mountsorrel, who has been volunteering at the railway for five years with his granddad Ray, planting seeds, laying track and helping build the children’s play area. He said: “I felt honoured to meet Prince Charles and it’s something I will be able to remember and share with people for the rest of my life.

“I have ADHD and volunteering at the railway gives me something to focus on and be proud of having done for the village, and it’s nice to spend time with my granddad as well.”

The volunteer led project has seen a disused section of railway line restored and a heritage centre built over the last 10 years.

Steve Cramp said: “We’ve received over 70,000 visitors in the first 9 months since opening. We were expecting 38,000 in the first year so to have almost doubled that already really is quite special. The Nunckley Trail is hugely popular with visitors, as are the heritage rooms. Once the rest of the site opens before Easter, there will be even more for visitors to see and do.”

The new Mountsorrel Railway Museum, quarry heritage building, a new nature trail, a den building area and a high level viewing area are all planned to be open by this Easter at the Swithland Lane site.

Steve said: “The site will remain free for general visitors. The income needed to operate and maintain the site comes

PHOTO: CLIVE RASIN

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Pics: Prince Charles waves to visitors as he tours the Mountsorrel & Rothley Heritage Centre

solely from our Granite’s Coffee Shop, so we hope that visitors will stop by for something to eat and drink when they visit. We’ve worked very hard to ensure we provide high quality food at very good value prices and many visitors come just for Granite’s itself.”

The next dates for the public to ride a train on the Mountsorrel railway are March 25 and 26.

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Rothley community thanks postmaster OVER 140 people came to a celebration party to say godbye to Rothley’s popular postmaster Gurdip Singh.

Held at Rothley library in January, guests made their appreciation known and passed on their sympathy following the cash machine theft from the post office earlier that week.

Guirdip’s departure as postmaster after seven years was a result of the Post Office’s decision to move the facility into the convenience store on the corner of Woodgate.

He said: “This event today is really wonderful and something that I will remember.

“The community in Rothley have made me feel so welcome. It wasn’t a job to me – I enjoyed it so much I would have done it even if I hadn’t got paid.”

Mrs Vera Kinch was a post office customer who came to the library to say goodbye to Gurdip. She said: “He was marvellous, very helpful and couldn’t do enough for you.”

Gurdip reveived many cards and messages written in a book, some Mexican currency for his imminent holiday and a collection totalling £650.

Five year old Joe Moore, who Gurdip

would treat to a look behind the post office counter, presented him with his own card and a bag of chocolate money.

Percy Hartshorn, Chairman of Rothley Parish Council, and Cllr Steve Mitchell

Pic: Pics: (l-r) Cllr Steve Mitchell, Gurdip & Suhki Singh & Cllr Percy Hartshorn; (left) Gurdip receives a card from Joe Moore (5)

Lottery bid for new centre A NEW Rothley Centre could be built if a bid for lottery money is successful. presented Gurdip with the collection and his wife Suhki with a bunch of flowers.

Percy said: “Gurdip always gave a first class service and he has served the village very well.”

The new £1.2million centre would be built on the play area next to Rothley library on Mountsorrel Lane.

It would have five rooms available for lettings and a 70 space car park.

The Rothley Centre is owned by Charnwood Borough Council and leased to the Rothley Centre Management Trust, a body set up by Rothley Parish Council.

Chairman of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn said: “The village is growing and there are not enough rooms to let at the existing centre.”

If the project secures lottery funding there are concerns about the future of the existing Rothley Centre site - it could be sold by Charnwood for housing and result in the loss of the car park.

Cllr Hartshorn said: “ We would talk to Charnwood about retaining the car park or some of it, if only part of the site is developed. There is also a possibility it could be replaced with a medical facility.”

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Cash machine stolen in post office raid THIEVES DROVE a stolen JCB and smashed the front of Rothley Post office in January, stealing the ATM containing around £30,000 of cash.

Pics: the digger used by the thieves and (left) the aftermath of the raid

The incident happened at 3.42am on Tuesday January 10. The JCB was stolen from a nearby building site and driven into the front of the post office on Woodgate.

Damage to the shop front was so extensive it could

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Heritage festival A HERITAGE Festival in May aims to celebrate the history of Charnwood Forest and the towns and villages that surround it.

A large exhibition will be the centrepiece of the festival – it will showcase some of the research compiled by over 600 volunteers working with Charnwood Roots, a lottery funded project supported by the University of Leicester.

The exhibition will cover the history of Charnwood Forest from medieval times to the present day, presented through a combination of text, images and archaeological and document displays.

Guest speakers will deliver talks, there will be films of the community digs held in Rothley, a children’s area and local history groups will be on hand to chat to visitors.

The festival will be held on Sunday May 21 at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse from 10am -4pm. www.charnwoodroots.org

MAR 2017

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have brought down the first floor flat which was occupied by a female tenant at the time of the raid.

The suspects removed the ATM and placed it on the back of a stolen pick-up truck which was later found burnt out in a field in Belton, Rutland.

The post office was set to close for good four days later, moving to the convenience store on the corner of Woodgate under new management.

Postmaster for the last seven years Gurdip Singh said of the raid: “It was devastating, totally unexpected and a complete shock.”

THE ROTHLEY POST

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Plans postponed for Greengate Lane PLANS TO put traffic lights on the Greengate Lane bridge in Birstall, reducing traffic to single file across it, are set to be postponed by Leicester City Council to 2021.

First announced in 2010, the traffic lights are designed to act as a traffic calming measure to mitigate the impact of the Ashton green development – 2700 new homes planned for Beaumont Leys. They attracted widespread public opposition following a consultation exercise in 2016.

Outline planning permission for Aston Green was granted in 2010 and the trigger point for the ‘priority signalised gateway’ on the railway bridge was set at ‘prior to the occupation of the first dwelling’ – this is expected in July 2017.

Now the City Council want to postpone introducing the Greengate Lane traffic lights. In a document that amends the planning application, the City Council says: “A public consultation exercise in February 2016 demonstrated overwhelming objections and considerable hostility to the proposed scheme from Birstall residents, the Parish Council and County Councillors.

“It is proposed that City and County highway authorities will need to work closely to review the merits of the scheme … the signalised gateway at the Great Central railway bridge crossing

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clearly needs time for further consideration, having regard to the strength of local objections and the time lag since the original conception of the scheme in 2010.”

The City council says they cannot complete this review before the occupation of the first dwelling and are proposing to move the trigger point for implementation to the occupation of the 501st dwelling, expected in 2021.

Chair of Birstall Parish Council, Ann Marshall said: “I am encouraged that the City Council are looking again at these changes to control traffic on Greengate Lane, and I’m hopeful there will be a consultation with residents in due cause.”

Birstall County Councillor Iain Bentley said: “This is good news, I’ve not come across anyone who supports these traffic calming measures.”

• Ashton Green originally had 3000

dwellings planned – this has been reduced to 2728 and the amount of employment land increased.

The planning of the construction of homes is: • 2017-2020 : 300 homes • 2020-2030 : 1325 homes (1625 cumulative) • 2030-2036 : 1103 homes (2728 cumulative)

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News from Rothley library

THE LIBRARY started 2017 with many new visitors.

contribute to the library continuing to flourish. New volunteers are always welcome, drop in and talk to one of the team, or email volunteers@rothleycommunitylibrary.co. uk.

Events in March and April Film club. Friday 17 March. Eye in the Sky (2015) starring Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman. Col. Katherine Powell, a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.

A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on January 16, 2017.

Friday 21 April. A Street Cat named Bob (2016). Based on the international best selling book. The true feel good story of how James Bowen, a busker and recovering drug addict, had his life transformed when he met a stray ginger cat.

Over 60s £4.50, others £5. Tickets available at the library, or on the door.

Computer Support Digital Champions: Thursday 2 and 16 March, 10-12, and 6 and 20 April. With Age UK.

Ricci, published by Soundswrite Press.

Maxine is one of the library trustees, and Marilyn is from Narborough. Each collection has at its heart a powerful central sequence – Marilyn’s about how the print and hosiery industries were ingrained into her parents’ lives and Maxine’s about the life and sudden death of her son.

Chess club: Saturday 4 March, 10-1.

Play or learn. Please bring a chess set if you have one.

Book Group: Wednesday 15 March, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor. Wednesday 26 April, The BulletCatcher's Daughter, by Rod Duncan. This meeting will be followed by the writer visiting the library on Tuesday 9 May at 7pm. All meetings are 7.15-8.15pm.

Everyone's welcome, whether you've read Storytime for Under 5s: Tuesday 7 the book or not! and Friday 17 March, Tuesday 6 and Film Talk: all about Sons and Lovers Friday 21 April. 9.30-10.15am.

(1960), Monday 27 March, 7-8.30pm, Library Nights: Mon Apr 3, 2017, in the library. You don’t need to have 7-8pm. Mountsorrel based artist Helen seen the film, come along to find out Rhodes will be sharing her story about more. her life and career as an artist over the Police surgery: Saturday 11 March last 20 years. There will be an opportuniat Rothley Library between 11-12. ty to buy some of her work.

Careers advice still available - conThursday 6 April 7-8pm Poetry tact collection launches: This Dust, by Maxcareers@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk ine Linnell and Night Rider by Marilyn to make an appointment.

Remember the recommended Books on Prescription are available for free loan at the library, covering a number of health issues, including mental health and cancer.

All library events are run by volunteers and everyone is welcome. Most events are pay as you like…

For more information, go to the library, phone us on 0116 2376162, find us on Facebook and Twitter, or visit our website www.rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk

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Sgt Rod Smart reported that the way crime figures are reported has changed.

Members of the public questioned Sgt Smart on delivery vehicles parking on the corner of Woodgate and Mountsorrel Lane.

He said he would speak to local retailers about dangerous and illegal parking.

It was reported that the lease on the Rothley Centre has approximately 10 years left to run. Chairs at the centre were showing signs of wear and a sample of a replacement chair has been ordered.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on February 20.

A member of the public reported that the deep pot hole in the Rothley Centre car park was a safety hazard, and asked why the minutes of the meetings of the Rothley Centre Management Trust were not published online.

It was reported that an area of land near to Rothley school and next to the Rothley after-school club building was a site for antisocial behaviour and littering.

It was reported that a contractor would be cleaning the war memorial this week.

A complaint had been received about bright light from a street lamp affecting the complainant’s home on Cross Green.

It was reported that a site meeting at the cemetery with a representative from Charnwood Borough Council and Natural England has resulted in a plan to address the problem caused by badgers disturbing the cemetery. It will need to be agreed by the affected parties before being implemented.

The council agreed to give permission to Rothley Imps Juniors football club to install a defibrillator on the Fowke Street playing field.

Chairman Percy Hartshorn reported that the lease on the Rothley Centre has 10 years left to run. The building is owned by Charnwood Borough Council and leased to the Rothley Management Trust, a body set up by the Parish Council.

A bid for £500,000 of lottery money has been submitted by the Parish Council for building a new Rothley Centre on the play area next to Rothley library.

Other sources of funding are in place to pay for a £1.2million building.

Cllr Steve Mitchell said any plan for a new building should be put out to public consultation. He said he feared Charnwood might sell the old Rothley Centre for housing and the village would lose its car park.

The Council agreed to adopt an area of land on the frontage of the Avalon development on Loughborough Road from developer Charles Church. The Continued on page 7

MAR 2017

There are twelve new bird feeders in Rothley after the craft session on 21st January. On Harry Potter night an impressive collection of around fifty characters thronged the library with costumes, quizzes and games. And on 18th February there was another Big Book Sale, with the added delight of cream teas by Cuppas. £212 was made in all from the sale. Thanks to everyone who helped and supported all these events, they all

Parish Council notes

THE ROTHLEY POST

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Continued from page 6

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developer will give the Parish Council £129,000 to offset the cost of maintaining the land.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on November 17.

The Council has been notified of BT’s intention to remove two public phone boxes in the parish. It was agreed to accept the removal of the phone box on Leicester Road, Thurcaston and to look into adopting the phone box on Station Road, Cropston.

The Council has received requests for grants from the Gardening Club and the Thurcaston and Cropston Good Neighbour scheme. It was agreed to defer a decision until more information was obtained.

A full meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on January 19 (there was no meeting in December).

It was reported that the vehicle activated speed sign (VAS) on Leicester road entering Thurcaston village from Leicester had recorded 84,000 cars to date, with 92% over the speed limit of 30mph. three vehicles had speeds over 70mph, one of which was during school hours. The average speed recorded was 35-40mph.

A member of the public reported he and other residents have approached the County Council about setting up a community speedwatch in the parish.

It was agreed to award a grant of £275 to the Gardening Club and £360 to the Thurcaston & Cropston Good Neighbours scheme.

It was agreed to open a further section at the cemetery, the area to the right at the rear of the existing burial ground, currently the wildflower meadow.

The Council agreed a precept of £34,825 for 2017/18, an icrease of 1.5%.

Stonemason completes sculpture A YORKSHIRE stonemason has built a stone sculpture at the entrance to a new housing development in Rothley.

Designed and built by Harrogatebased stonemason Johnny Clasper, the sculpture sits on the bank at the entrance to Heathe Meadow, the William Davis development of 250 homes off Mountsorrel Lane.

Measuring 10m in length by 1.8m in height, the sculpture took Johnny six weeks to create and used over 15 tonnes of materials.

“I spent time driving around the local area to get an idea of the stone styles but it seemed that decorative brickwork was more prevalent” explains Johnny.

“Using this idea as the basis for my design, I created a drawing for a sculpture that would deliberately stick out as a feature for the development. The finished sculpture uses a combination of sandstone from Barnard Castle, Durham, house bricks and locally sourced pink granite and it’s all traditionally built with cement and mortar.”

Having spent ten years as a bricklayer,

Free Gladstone lecture

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAR 2017

A FREE lecture on William Gladstone MP, the former prime minister, will be given in Rothley Parish church on Saturday March 25 at 10.30am.

Rothley’s Rev Robert Gladstone, who is descended from William Gladstone’s brother, will give the lecture.

Rob has researched the family stories, which range from cattle rustling on the Wild Scottish Border country to tenure of the highest office in the land in Downing Street. He will trace the roots of W E Gladstone’s family and Christian faith and how they came to expression in his leadership of the nation during his four premierships. Rob said: “This talk will take us back to a time when politicians were unashamed to ‘do God’, the time during which the most recent significant reordering of Rothley Church took place in 1877”.

The illustrated lecture is the third in the series of annual Lady Day Lectures and admission is free.

Johnny left the trade to pursue his passion for stonemasonry and set up his business in 2001. Today, his work encompasses a mix of private and public pieces including at Great Yorkshire Showground and Sutton Bank National Park Centre. The sculpture at Heathe Meadow marks his first ever public artwork for a house builder.

He said: “This has been a great

project to work on; technically challenging at times, especially the twisted pillar arch at the end, but I’m really pleased with the end result. My aim was that it’s distinctive but also part of the natural environment. I hope all the new home owners at Heathe Meadow can enjoy it for many years to come.”

Pic: Stonemason, Johnny Clasper with his sculpture at Heathe Meadow, Rothley.

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Coffee Shop Rothley Methodist, Howe Lane Every Tuesday morning, 1011.30am Come rain or shine Now open : Book exchange Everyone welcome Tea, coffee, biscuits, toasted tea cake Proceeds for the Methodist Church

Windsurfing & Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Charnwood Walking for Health Group Mountsorrel Twice monthly walks at 10.30am on the1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month At Sorrel Youth Café on the Green Walks are around 2-3miles long All welcome - free Contact 01509 634673 Mountsorrel Methodist Church Centre presents the following two Sunday Night @ Eight

Organ Recitals • Sunday March 19 at 8pm by Simon Headley, Leicester Cathedral • Sunday April 9 at 8pm by Organ Students of Roxy Summerfield Admission is free Donations for Church Development Fund Buffet from 7.30pm

beginners, intermediate and experienced are all welcome at King Lears Lake, North Gate, Watermead Park, Wanlip, LE7 1PD off the A46 just north of Leicester.

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Charity Bridge Drive organised by Loughborough Lions Club will be held at the Rothley Centre Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley on Wednesday 5 April 2017 at

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Birstall Birdwatching Club “Wildlife In The Home”

By Nigel Slater Tuesday 14th March 2017 at 7.30pm Every house in the world attracts wildlife either for taking shelter, looking for food or attracted to heat and light. Tonight, we will look at birds, mammals and even what the cat brings in! Of course, there are creepy crawlies, but they have interesting lives. This evening, wildlife comes to your doorstep with Nigel’s usual enthusiasm and his love of all things in nature.

“Living Wild In South America”Part 2

by Mike and Paula Webster Tuesday 11th April 2017 at 7.30pm Mike and Paula now spend most of their year in South America as part of a project to study wildlife in the Andes. This evening, they will update us on what more they have been doing in this exciting part of the world The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Members free. Visitors £2 Children free. Free on-site parking and easy access.

Further information Marion Vincent 0116 2375156

Rothley WEA Summer Courses: Practical Art with Anna Michalska-Tomajer.

Starting Monday 24th April 1.003.00 ‘Exploring iconic packaging and the way that artists have been involved in these’ 7 Meetings £53.90 Or Free.

Course Reference C2337487 Venue: The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Creative Writing with Maxine Linnell. Starting Wednesday 10th May 9.45-11.45 7 meetings £53.90 or free. For new and more seasoned writers.

Course reference C2337518 Venue: The Rothley Community Library, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Information contact: Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 or vincent.mbe82@yahoo.co.uk or send your enrolments to Jill Williams WEA Treasurer, 14 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7PR. Please make cheques payable to WEA Rothley Branch. Enrol on line for all courses if space available at www.enrolonline.wea.org.uk using references above

Charnwood Orchestra

Concert All Saints Parish Church, Steeple Row, Loughborough, LE11 1PL Saturday 18th March, 7.30pm.

There will be an interval bar.

The works consist of Beatrice and Benedict overture by Berlioz, Hungarian Dances nos.17-21 by Brahms, Concerto for Clarinet and Viola by Max Bruch, Symphony no.1 ‘Spring‘ by Schumann.

Tickets cost £12, £10 (concessions) and £3 for accompanied children under 16. They can be bought via Paypal from www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk ; from the Box Office (07718 153117); or judithrodgers155@gmail.com or on the door.

The Eye Exhibition Project 2017 presents 'Urban/Rural' themed

Art Exhibition

Thursday 23 March - Wednesday 19 April 2017 The Old Library Galleries: Basement Gallery 54 Belvoir St, Leicester, LE1 6QL Free Admission Launch Thursday 23 March 5.30pm – 7.30pm Drinks and nibbles, All welcome The Eye Exhibition Project is delighted to present 'Urban/Rural', the third in the series of art exhibitions where groups of 12 artists each explore a particular theme.

'Urban/Rural' features emerging and established artists, showing paintings, original prints, textiles, digital collage, and more.

Gallery opening – term time Mondays -Thursdays: 9am - 8pm Fridays and Saturdays: 9am - 4pm Easter variations to opening times 8 – 19 April CLOSED: Saturday 8 April and Easter Weekend Friday 14 April – Monday 17April Mondays – Thursdays: 9am – 5pm Fridays: – 9am - 4pm website: theeyeleicester.wordpress.com/ev ents

Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" (Mar 10, 101 mins) This comedy drama, the most successful film ever produced in New Zealand, with director Taika Waititi, is based on Barry Crump's

MAR 2017

Noticeboard all details printed free

THE ROTHLEY POST

8

beautiful novel, "Wild Pork and Watercress". Rebellious foster teenager, Ricky, is dumped at a remote shack with the loving Bella and husband Hector. Tragedy suddenly appears so Ricky and Hector, with their dogs, have to disappear into the bush, ahead of a man-hunt. This is a warm-hearted, yet consistently clever film.

ginning to end, packed with Little Mix's greatest hits.

Suitable for all ages!

Doors open at 7:30pm.

Tickets £10.

Contact Victoria Vernon Tel: 0116 2121273 In aid of Teddies for Loving Care The St James' Community Gospel Choir

Concert Friday 17th March in St James' Church Birstall at 7pm.

There will be a selection of songs old and new, and perhaps even an opportunity to sing along!!

Children from Riverside Community Primary School in Birstall will also be taking part.

Entrance is free; there will be a bucket collection and a donation will be made to RAINBOWS, a local charity.

"The Girl on the Train" (Apr 7, 112 mins) Starring Emily Blunt and Justin Theroux, this thriller has twists that will have us hanging on the edge of our seats. Having lost her job, Rachel still travels daily by train from which she watches familiar people. Some characters have dark ulterior motives and Rachel becomes involved in the disappearance of her neighbour Megan. Will there be a satisfying final reckoning?

"A Street Cat named Bob" will be shown on May 12 Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost £5 which will include refreshments and a lucky prize draw during the interval. Advanced tickets may be purchased via the parish office –0116 236 7626 or at the door.

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAR 2017

The Little Mix Experience

Friday 24th March 2017 Birstall Social Club, Wanlip Lane , Birstall One of the UK's leading tribute group s providing an evening which promises breathtaking dance moves and some of the finest vocals in the UK. It's a high energy show from be-

The Friends of Charnwood Forest English and Welsh Wine: the local connection Talk by Liz Robson of Kingfisher’s Pool Vineyard, Rothley & Annual General Meeting Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Monday March 20 at 7.30 p.m.

We have been pleased to invite Liz Robson, who will explain how she first became interested in viniculture.

Having taken over a 5 acre property in Rothley, she planted the first 6 rows of vines in 2008. More vines were planted and Liz joined the Mercian Vineyard association.

She also became editor of “ The Grapevine”.

Until then the cultivation of vines and the production of home-made wine had been a mere hobby. After winning several trophies for her wine, Liz took retirement to concentrate on Rothley Wines Ltd. 2016 was the first year of commercial production of red, white and sparkling wines.

At this meeting members and visitors will be able to taste a selection of the excellent sparkling wine and their best-selling white wine, King Richard.

Non-members are welcome; £5 at the door.

The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Further information Peter Bertram 01162 100 572

Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday, 14th March, at 7.00 p.m.

A special ‘appraisal’ evening! You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch renowned professional artist Tim Fisher appraising the works of our

Open garden weekend THURCASTON AND Cropston Open Garden weekend takes place this year on June 24/25 and new garden owners are needed.

A spokesman said: “We are inviting gardeners to join up for this year’s weekend.

Last year we raised £2050.45 for LOROS and the local Good Neighbour Scheme.

“This year we are again raising money for local charities. We will be raising money for the Air Ambulance and for the new Good Neighbour Scheme within our villages.

“Perhaps you have opened your garden every year so far, maybe you have once or twice, or maybe you are plucking up the courage to do so for the first time. Come and be part of this popular annual event for local residents of our

members in various media from Watercolour, Acrylics and Oils, as well as ‘Mixed Media’. This is a perfect opportunity for visitors to come along and see the work of our members and to find out more about our Society. We are all amateurs, painting purely for pleasure. Newcomers and visitors will be most welcome to come and see if you will be inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby. Refreshments available at the interval, when you will have the opportunity to chat with members and Committee.

Tuesday, 11th April, at 7.00 p.m.

You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy to watch a watercolour demonstration by well-known professional artist Vivienne Cawson entitled “Spring Flowers”. Demonstration to end at 9pm Members £1; Guests £3.

Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Come along and see if you will be inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby.

Newcomers and visitors are most welcome. Refreshments available at the interval. Demonstration ends at 9.00 p.m. Members £1; Guests £3. Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

villages and those visitors from further afield.

“We welcome gardens of all shapes and sizes, big or small, simple or elaborate, immaculate or with a more ‘natural’ look, and even those that are ‘works in progress’. People who have opened their gardens in previous years have very positive things to say about the experience, which is why they come back year after year.

Gardens in both villages are open on two afternoons, but if you can only manage one afternoon, then that’s fine.”

If you would like to open your garden for this year’s event or would like more information contact Linda 0116 236 3872, email Linda@tcog.org.uk or look at the website www.tcog.org.uk where there is a FAQ section.

Pic: Visitors to one of the gardens opened for the 2016 Open Garden weekend

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Our Viking history Tennis club holds open day

FEBRUARY’S MEETING of the Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society heard Peter Liddle (former County Archaeologist) talk about The Vikings - in and around Leicestershire.

Pic: the Thurcaston Hoard

an Kimberley, this is now on display in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

The East Midlands formed part of the Danelaw, as place names with the ending ‘by’ show. Many are nearby such as Frisby, Brooksby and Rearsby. Leicester was one of the “Five Boroughs” of the Danelaw together with Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln and Stamford (the main towns of Danish Mercia). Danish rule of the Five Boroughs was lost following the English reconquests under Aethelflaed (King Alfred’s daughter) during 916 and 917. The area was then ruled

by Earls of Mercia, until it was briefly reoccupied by the Danes in 941, but it was soon recovered by King Edmund in 942.

The lack of documentary evidence means that archaeological finds play an important part in increasing knowledge of the past. Fieldwalking is one way where archaeologists and volunteers collect and record items brought to the surface of fields by ploughing. Peter Liddle told us that a fieldwalking exercise (organized by Charnwood Roots) had recently been conducted in the parish of Thurcaston and the finds they collected are being examined now.

The next meeting is in the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston, on Tuesday 21st March, at 7.30. Anne Horton will talk about Otto Murray Dixon, a nature artist from Swithland. Visitors are welcome. There is no meeting in April. For more details visit www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk

Pic: Cast members Laura Simms, Jane Morris, Andrew Ramsey, Christopher Deavin, Hilary Sanders Gillian Bexon & Roger Bannister

Death in Memorial hall THE LATIMER Players are having fun in rehearsal for their forthcoming production ‘Secondary Cause of Death’.

Colonel Craddock, the owner of a counIt is the sequel to the comedy thriller try house hotel. This is just the begin‘Murdered to Death, written by Peter Gordon. The action takes place in 1939, ning of our story – Who is the strange Polish count? Is Henrietta really an army as the “storm clouds are gathering over captain? And where does the flamboyant Europe”. thespian Cardew Longfellow fit into the We meet the inept, aptly named Inspector Pratt, who delivers grim news to picture? When Cynthia Maple, sister of

Group or private tennis lessons are available from head coach Tim Stanton throughout the year.

A club spokesman said: “Absolute beginner? No problem. Tim offers a range of coaching sessions for all abilities. He even runs an ‘express ten-

nis’ 6-week course, designed for beginners to learn all the basics in a fun, sociable way.”

For those who wish to play competitive tennis, the club offers the most extensive opportunities in Leicestershire.

With regular Sunday club tournaments running from Spring-Autumn, floodlit tennis league throughout winter and a winter singles league, in addition to seven men’s, five ladies’ and four mixed team summer league entries and winter inter-club leagues there are ample opportunities for you to get involved.

The club is hosting their annual open day on March 18.

“With free coaching taster sessions running all afternoon, a bouncy castle, BBQ amateur sleuth Joan Maple, arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, it is not long before Inspector Pratt’s visit turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher than ever!

The production takes place in the Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston April 27, 28 & 29. Tickets cost £7 each and are available from Christine Deavin. Tel: 0116 2376855 Email:christinedeavin@btin ternet.com from the Latimer Players

& refreshments, open courts to play on, and half price adult membership on the day for new members – just £75 for the year, what reason is there not to check it out?” said a club spokesman.

The open day will run from 12-2pm.

For more information on the club and their open day, go to their website: www.rothleytennis.info, email them on enquiries@rothleytennis.info, or search Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club on Facebook and send them a message.

MAR 2017

Peter started by setting the scene in Britain before the arrival of the Vikings, when England, as we know it now, was divided into Anglo Saxon Kingdoms.

Leicestershire was part of Mercia, and other kingdoms included Wessex, East Anglia and Northumbria. At that time Leicester was one of the important cities of the Mercian kingdom. Unfortunately very little documentation from the period remains as it all disappeared with the Vikings.

The first notable Viking raid was on Lindisfarne in Northumbria in 793 AD where the great Abbey was destroyed, the monks killed and its treasures looted and taken back to the Vikings’ homelands. For the next 60-70 years they made frequent coastal raids taking back treasure, goods and people - either as hostages or slaves. In 865 AD the “great army” landed, this time not just to raid and loot, but to conquer the Anglo Saxon kingdoms. In the next ten years the whole structure of Mercia changed as the Viking army rampaged through the country, taking lands and pillaging the countryside.

Although there is no written documentation of the Vikings takeover of Mercia, artefacts are sometimes found which give an idea of their life. We know that they played board games such as Nine Mens Morris and Hnefatafl as playing pieces have been found. Metal detectorists have been instrumental in adding to the knowledge of the times by discovering items such as broaches, horse fittings and coins. One such, the Thurcaston Hoard, is a total of 12 Viking, Saxon and Arabic coins found in the parish by Bri-

ROTHLEY IVANHOE Tennis Club is your local friendly tennis club, offering competitive and social tennis opportunities all year round, and has an open day in March.

THE ROTHLEY POST

10

Local driver is F3 champion RACING DRIVER George Line from Thurcaston collected his British Formula 3 champion’s trophy at a gala evening at Brands Hatch.

Club’s new captains

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAR 2017

ROTHLEY PARK Golf Club has announced its new captains for the 2017 golfing season.

The Men’s Captain is Jon Feeley who is originally from Yorkshire, but has lived in Rothley since 2000 and has been involved in waste and contract management for the last thirty years.

“I am extremely fortunate and proud to be the 2017 Men’s Captain of Rothley Park Golf Club and I’m looking forward to an exciting year of golf” says Jon. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members for the support they gave me last year when I was Vice Captain. My chosen charity for the year is Rainbows, simply because they give so much support to families at their times of need.”

The new Ladies Captain is Pippa Arkle. She joined the golf club as a fourteen-year-old junior member in 1995.

She is the director of Groby based Cathy Stephens Jewellery.

“Having thoroughly enjoyed my year as Vice Captain I am now looking forward to knuckling down to the Lady Captain's role and getting some good results under our belts with our great Rothley Park ladies teams” says Pippa .

“I know I am going to really enjoy my year. Rothley Park has a very large ladies section with over 100 playing lady members. My chosen charity is Eyes for East Africa, an amazing charity where every penny raised goes directly to people who need it. The charity has no admin costs or salaries and is completely on a volunteer basis. For just £60 we can give someone back their sight.

Three of our club members are involved with the charity.”

The 2017 Senior Men’s Captain is Jim Needham. He retired in 2009 and decided to take up golf. Having considered all the courses in the area he decided on Rothley Park as he says it ticked all his boxes!

“I’ve not been disappointed” says Jim, “the senior men’s section is an extremely welcoming group who enjoy competitive golf and are very supportive to new members. My role as Senior Men’s Captain for 2017 is to continue the great tradition of providing a programme of competitive matches, organising regular

roll ups and competitions, as well as organising the senior men’s away day and weekend. Being Senior Men’s Captain will allow me the opportunity to repay to the club for the tremendous amount of enjoyment and fun I have had since joining the club”.

Juniors’ Captain is 18-year-old Henry Green who plays off an impressive 5 handicap. He has just finished an apprenticeship year with the golf club and has to date passed all his exams and assignments. He will continue to work with Danny Spillane in the club’s professional shop. Henry says he’s really looking forward to leading the junior team in their home and away matches. Rothley Park has a thriving junior section encouraged and coached by Club Professional Katie Tebbet.

After its success last year, Rothley Park Golf Club is continuing to offer Academy places to beginners at a special price of just £195 for a course of group or individual coaching packages from April to September. You don’t have to be a club member or even have clubs to take advantage of this offer. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Academy or club membership in general can speak to Katie Tebbet at the club on 0116 230 2809 or by viewing www.rothleypark.co.uk Pic: Rothley Park 2017 Captains – Henry Green, Jon Feeley and Pippa Arkle

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George (pictured right) won the title by a single point in the last race of the season, his first in Formula 3.

George’s achievement also contributed to his team’s success as CF Racing picked up the Team Championship award.

Line will be defending his title in 2017, with the coveted number one on his Formula 3 car and an upgraded engine to put him on equal terms with the front runners of 2016, all of whom he beat with his old national spec engine.

The 2017 season starts at his home circuit, Donington Park on April 22 & 23.

11

12

Local policing ISSUES REGARDING local policing and the release of information about crime in the village were discussed at a meeting in January.

Now the Borough Council is urging and Cropston for all their hard work in other parishes to follow its lead. producing a well-thought out plan.”

The parish council, supported by Mark Charles, Chairman of Thurcasother members of the community, put ton and Cropston Parish Council, said: together the plan which was supported “We’d like to thank the borough council at a referendum in November and apfor this recognition and again, we’d like proved by Charnwood Borough Council to thank everyone who has supported in December. the plan’s creation over the past couple To recognise the community’s work, a of years. certificate was presented to the parish “We would recommend other parishes council at a borough council meeting on and communities create their own neighMonday, January 23. bourhood plans and have a greater say Cllr Eric Vardy, Lead Member for in what developments take place.”

Planning and Regeneration, said: “I Neighbourhood plans give communiwould strongly urge residents to considties direct power to develop a shared er creating neighbourhood plans to help vision for their neighbourhood and shape the area they live in. shape the development and growth of “New development is inevitable and their local area. as the planning authority we want to give They are able to choose where they residents as much as a say in the procwant new homes, shops and offices to ess as possible. Neighbourhood plans be built, have their say on what those really do give communities a greater new buildings should look like and what input into how developments take place infrastructure should be provided. and become part of the planning procFor more information on creating ess. neighbourhood plans, please visit “I’d like to congratulate Thurcaston www.charnwood.gov.uk/planningpolicy or contact the borough council on 01509 634762.

The Thurcaston and Cropston Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed on the ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC council website. & INDUSTRIAL WORK

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Pic: The Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr David Gaskell handing over a framed certificate to representatives from Thurcaston and Cropston to mark the creation of the borough’s first Neighbourhood Plan. Pictured with the Mayor, from left, are Mark Charles, Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council chairman, steering group members Richard Weston, Keith Pyne and Colin Revell and Richard Younie, who chaired the steering group.

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DURING THE month of January, ten crimes were reported in Rothley.

Other crimes and incidents have been reported in the area that will not have had an impact on local residents.

On January 10 an item of plant machinery was stolen from a nearby building site and used to steal the ATM from the Post office on Woodgate. Enquiries are still being undertaken by our Regional Crime Team.

There was a burglary reported about a week later from a business off Westfield Lane and another in the area of Woodgate. In both cases the offenders entered through unlocked doors.

There was a burglary at a house in the area of The Ridings around 25th January, with the criminal smashing the window in the rear door to gain entry.

A criminal tried to break into an outbuilding at a rural location off Loughborough Road.

At the end of January a vehicle was broken into and tools taken from a street off Wellsic Lane.

If anyone has any information in relation to the crimes mentioned above, please contact Leicestershire police on 101 or your local beat team, details below. www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL56/ Crime Prevention There has been a report of a suspicious vehicle touring around equestrian properties. When challenged, the male driver stated that he was looking for dead batteries. Please remember to mark up all your equipment. If you need any help or tips on doing this please contact your local beat officer. Details at the bottom of the page.

Please remember to lock your doors and set alarms if you are not at home.

Keep any valuables out of site.

Shed alarms and security lighting are strongly recommended, along with good

Thurcaston & Cropston There have been 3 crimes reported in Thurcaston and Cropston during the month of January.

There was a burglary on 29/1/2017 on a quiet cul de sac near Latimer Road.

Entry was gained via a back door to the premise On January 2, 2017 a vehicle was damaged while parked on Causeway Lane, Cropston. The owner of the vehicle had parked up on this quiet road to go for a walk.

A vehicle was stolen from a location on or near Cropston Road on 4th January 2017. It had been involved in a collision If you have information that can help with any of the above, please contact 101 or your local beat team.

Full crime figures for the area can be viewed through www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL56/ Local Priorities There have been a number of reports in relation to loose horses on the road in the Thurcaston area. Police officers are making enquiries into who owns these horses and advice will be given in relation to keeping them secured. If you see any loose horses, do not try to deal with this if you have no horse experience. If they are on a fast road please contact the police as a matter of urgency.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house.

Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC

MAR 2017

THURCASTON AND Cropston are leading the way in Charnwood by being the first area to create a Neighbourhood Plan.

locking systems for your outside buildings and storage areas.

Don’t forget, mark it up. It makes it e asier to identify if it is stolen and later lo cated Local Priorities Speed monitoring remains a priority across the Charnwood West beat area and over the next few months, speed operations will be conducted.

One to remember, from 1st March 2017, if you are caught using your mobile phone whilst driving, there will be a £200 fine and 6 points added to your licence. If you have had your licence for less than 2 years, you will be losing it PC4505 Leye Price, PCSO’s 6524 Chris Kendall and 6391 Fiona Lacey can be contacted via the local policing website.

If you have any queries in relation to crime prevention or you just need help or advice about any other policing matters, please contact them.

THE ROTHLEY POST

Parish leads way

It was attended by Rothley NHW area co-ordinator Melanie Buchan, Chairman of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn, Sgt Rod Smart and PC Leye Price.

The format and content of monthly crime reports released to the NHW have recently changed and have been criticised for lack of detail.

The change is the result of a directive from the chief constable to reflect the increase in requests for privacy and to avoid duplication of reporting. The local beat team will try to include more helpful information in the reports.

When discussing the visible police presence in Rothley, Sgt Smart said that local resources had been stretched recently. This is due to officers being moved to support operational demands in Loughborough.

Rothley is part of the Charnwood West Beat which also covers Cropston, Thurcaston, Swithland, Quorn, Newtown Linford, Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves.

Sgt Smart said the local beat team will try to ensure a more visible police presence in Rothley and that PCSO Fiona Lacey will be doing more foot patrols.

Charity’s inspiring awards AN ASPIRING DJ, a charity fund-raiser and a trio of promising sportspeople have become the latest recipients of the Inspire Awards, run by a Rothley charity.

Inspire is run by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), a charity which works to raise awareness and reduce the incidence of sudden heart deaths.

Pic: Megan Morrison

It was set up following the death of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries, who died of sudden arrhythmic death syn-

drome (SADS) while out jogging near his home.

Inspire Awards help local young people to fulfill their ambitions – something young Joe was tragically not able to do.

Eighteen-year-old Megan Morrison, from Quorn, Leicestershire, will use her £200 Inspire grant to compete in swimming on an international stage. Among her accolades are winning gold for 200m breast-stroke at the UK school games and achieving qualifying times for the British championships every year

WI news

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAR 2017

FOR OUR first meeting of 2017 Charles Poole gave a talk on “The Freedom of the City of Leicester and the people who have earned this honour”.

Freedom of the city is awarded in one of three categories. Hereditary Freedom was granted to respected citizens of Leicester who were given the freedom from serfdom. This privilege was traditionally passed on through the generations on the male side, a practice that was amended to include the female line in 2009.

Honorary freedom is awarded for eminent services to the City of Leicester. A silver casket and an illuminated address (scroll) are presented to the recipient, who has to take a formal oath. Suggestions for this award can come from local councillors, political groups and the general public. The city council hold a special meeting and a two third majority vote is needed before anyone is approached and offered the honour.

Gary Lineker, Sue Townsend, Alan Birchenall, Englebert Humperdinck and Sir Alex Jefferies, whose work and research on DNA is of such vital importance, are just some of the people to have received this award.

Freedom of Entry to the City of Leicester permits the military to march in the city with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.

Leicester achieved city status in 1919. The names of those who have been honoured are engraved on brass plaques, which are displayed on either side of the entrance doors at the Town Hall.

This was an interesting and informative talk that we all enjoyed.

At our March meeting Liz Robson from Kingfisher Pool vineyard talked about “Wine Making in Rothley”.

From Thurcaston & Cropston WI

Pic: Katie Twelves

since 2010. Her next goal is to try to qualify for selection to the next Commonwealth Games in Australia 2018.

Megan said: “The Inspire grant will help towards the cost of international meets. Each year the cost of swimming increases and I would not be able to pursue my dream without the help of grants such as these.”

Katie Twelves, 18, from Stapleton, Leicestershire, has a real passion for tennis. “My highlight of 2016 was finishing second in the Leicestershire County Championships – and in 2017, I want to win it,” she says. “This year, I’m going to La Manga in Spain to train at a performance academy. My £150 Inspire Award will benefit me so much as it will greatly help towards making sure I’m ready to compete at my very best.”

Harry Redfern, 15, from Wigston, Leicester, is already an accomplished fundraiser, raising £2,000 on a recent 142-mile Coast to Coast cycle challenge.

He donated £1,000 of this to Rainbows, and is putting £1,000 towards a trip to Tanzania which he has planned for the summer.

While in Tanzania, Harry will be taking part in voluntary work, building homes and schools for local communities. He’ll also be helping with animal conservation work.

Harry’s £250 Inspire award will go towards his Tanzanian trip. “I feel extremely proud to have been recognised for my work,” he said. “I’m really enthusiastic about going out to help other communities and this grant will help me to hit my fundraising target.”

Hannah Seager, from Loughborough,

Leicestershire, is 15 and has loved running ever since primary school. She’s previously won the secondary schools cross country league, and came third in the National English Championships, meaning she also got to represent England at an international level.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, though, and in 2015 Hannah suffered injuries which put her out of action for nine months. She’s since recovered, and is currently battling to fully regain her form.

Hannah said: “Getting this £150 grant from Inspire will help me to achieve my aim of getting back into the top 10 in national competition. I’ll use it to buy new footwear and clothing to help with my winter training.”

Twenty-year-old Joel Birkett is an aspiring music producer and DJ from Leicester. He’s released an album on popular web platform Bandcamp, and it’s attracted the attention of Joe Muggs, a music journalist, who featured Joel’s work as a recommended purchase.

His £150 Inspire award will go towards releasing the album on vinyl.

“This is the next step to give me more credibility and take my work to the next level,” he says.

Simon Taylor, Inspire lead for the JHMT, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support these five young people. They all show enormous ambition, resourcefulness, determination and enthusiasm and we want to reward them for that.

“We wish them every success and look forward to hearing about their future achievements.”

The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on May 5.

The copy deadline is Apr 25.

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Planning applications

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P/17/0386/2: 22 Rowe Leyes Furlong, Rothley – proposed single storey rear extension and part garage conversion P/17/03338/2: 22 Macaulay Road, Rothley – the erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.685.m with a max height of 3.70m and height to the eaves of 2.3m P/17/0191/2: 1 Gipsy Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey rear extension to form glazed orangery.

P/17/0235/2: 27 Swithland Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey side and rear extension to dwelling P/17/0200/2: 99 Town Green Street, Rothley – proposed 2-storey extension to side & rear, single storey extension to side and re-modelling and alterations to roof areas including installation of front & rear dormers.

P/17/0176/2: Rothley Park Golf Club, Westfield Lane, Rothley – installation of 24m high lattice tower supporting 6 no antennas, 2 no 300mm dishes & 1 no 600mm dish and installation of 4 no equipment cabinets with ancillary works P/17/0049/2: 6 Kinchley Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling P/17/0025/2: 4 Wellsic Lane, Rothley – erection of 2 storey extension to side & rear of dwelling & erection of detached garage P/17/2835/2: 20 Swithland Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling to replace existing conservatory P/17/0247/2: 123 Station Road, Cropston – erection of two storey extension to side, single storey extension for a granny annexe to rear of dwelling and dropped kerb to front to widen access P/17/0253/2: 58 Leicester Rd, Thurcaston – erection of two storey extension to side & rear & single storey extension to rear of dwelling P/17/0219/2: 5 Lanesborough Drive, Thurcaston – loft conversion to form front & rear dormers, roof alterations with large front gable to dwelling and alteration to front bay window P/17/0168/2: 5 Thurcaston Lane, Thurcaston – erection of 1st floor extension to northern elevation & single storey extension to southern elevation of dwelling.

Erection of car port & garage building to side/front dwelling P/17/0092/2: 22 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston – erection of single storey extension to side of dwelling and 2 storey & single storey extensions to rear P/17/0058/2: 44 Leicester Rd, Thurcaston – erection of 2 storey extension to side of dwelling

Local club offers warm welcome Growing

Leicester Windsurfing and Paddle Boarding Club has been operating at Watermead for over 20 years and is organising an open day on Sunday May 21.

“Everyone is welcome to come along whether you are a complete beginner or

Council tax rise CHARNWOOD BOROUGH Council is raising its share of council tax by 4.67% for a Band D property.

an experienced windsurfer or paddle boarder” said club spokesman Tony Richards.

There is no charge on the day but you need to inform the club about your attendance via the contact page of its website: www.leicestersailboardclub.co.uk.

Tony said: “All you need is a swimsuit, a pair of trainers that you don’t mind getting wet and if you are 18 or younger you must be supervised by

The increase will see the annual charge for an average Band D property rise £5 (4.67 per cent) to £112.09 from April 1.

It is also being proposed to keep the Loughborough Special Rate, paid by residents of Loughborough and the equivalent of a parish precept in villages, at the same rate, £74.97.

Councillor Tom Barkley, Lead Member for Finance, said: “We had to raise the local element of council tax last year for the first time in five years and this year we are proposing a further increase.

“We do not do this lightly, but our funding from Government is shrinking and we are committed to maintaining frontline services, therefore we need to find extra revenue.

“In order to balance the books for 2017/18 we are also planning to use some of our reserves but fortunately they are in good health as we had built them up in previous years in anticipation of this situation. As ever, the Council aims to run as efficiently as possible and we regularly review that position.

A 51 year old man has been “We hope in future years that we will arrested following a violent not have to use our reserves or at least maybe not to the same extent and overrobbery at Mountsorrel Post all it is a manageable situation.

Charnwood Borough Council current- Office in January.

David Blood, of no fixed address, has ly has the 20th lowest council tax charge been charged with robbery. out of 201 district councils in the counThe incident happened at 5.30pm on try.

Council tax pays for a range of servic- Tuesday January 17 at Mountsorrel Post es provided Charnwood Borough Council, Office on Leicester Road (pictured above), as the postmaster was closing for the day.

Leicestershire County Council, LeicesterHe sustained a head injury during the shire Police and Leicestershire Fire and robbery and witnesses report seeing him Rescue and the parish council where running into the street crying for help. you live. The Charnwood element acPolice say a large amount of cash was counts for less than 10 per cent of the stolen. total bill.

your legal guardian.”

For those who wish to take the sport further, club membership is £65 a year for adults and £85 for families.

Membership includes the use of the club cabin, boards, sails and paddles, and a car park pass.

One enthusiastic member is painter and decorator Ricky Driver (51). He said: “What I enjoy most is family time on the water with my children. It’s a chance to escape the pressures of life and the club is so

friendly.”

Martin Higgins (47) is a fork lift truck engineer. He said: “I enjoy getting some exercise on a local lake in the beautiful surroundings of Watermead Country Park. It’s nice to have a picnic by the lake in the sun while enjoying water sports within a few miles of home.”

Access to the club and King Lear’s Lake is via the country park’s main entrance from Wanlip Road, near to the Hope and Anchor pub (LE7 1PD)

Post Office raided

volunteer service NEW VOLUNTEER drivers and a new minibus will help Syston and District Volunteer Centre continue providing services to elderly, infirm and lonely people in the local area, including Mountsorrel.

The Centre is about to take delivery of a new 12 seater minibus, thanks to a grant from the Department of Transport.

The Centre’s volunteer drivers also use their own cars to drive service users to doctors, hospitals and other kinds of appointment for those in need of transport.

A Centre spokesman said: “In addition to individual and group transport, we offer a range of disability aids for hire, we organise a monthly community lunch and a regular programme of excursions to places of local interest.

Our small staff are always available to listen to problems and to direct those involved to specialist support services in appropriate cases.”

Planning for the development of a community garden also continues.

Anyone interested in volunteering their services to help meet community needs should contact Centre Manager, Mark Smith, for full details, 0116 2607 888. Full details of centre activities and services can be found on our web site: www.syston-vc.org.

Library staying open A CHARITABLE trust is set to take on the operation of Mountsorrel library.

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire County Council told the Mountsorrel Post: “The County Council continues to work constructively with the owner of the library building, who has developed plans for a comprehensive range of community facilities within the village, including the library.

“Prospects for the library building and service are looking very positive, and the council anticipates that a charitable trust will be in a position to take over management of the library building in the near future.

The County Council continues to operate the library, pending the outcome of current discussions.”

MAR 2017

A LOCAL club promises a warm welcome to anyone who wants to try out windsurfing or paddle boarding on King Lear’s Lake at Watermead Country Park.

THE ROTHLEY POST

14

Monday Museum will double visitor numbers club IN JANUARY the Monday Club enjoyed listening to Felicity Austin telling us the Story of the Music Hall.

She did some quick changes into various costumes from the heyday of the Music Hall, which was from about 1870 to the 1920s, explained how they had developed from a mere background entertainment at drinking venues like public houses, and gave us examples of the most popular artistes of the time such as Marie Lloyd, Ella Shields and Vesta Victoria, some of whom are still remembered by older generations. We mostly know them through songs and monologues, which were immensely popular at the time, and Miss Austin encouraged our members to sing along with her from the sheets she had given us. “Pop Goes the Weasel” is based on Cockney rhyming slang, and refers to having to pawn your coat for money.

The First World War brought about massive social changes, and early black and white silent pieces of film began to be included in variety shows, which were often educational, but their popularity hastened the decline of the music hall. The first cinema in Leicester was the Cameo on High Street. The death of Marie Lloyd in 1922 was even reported in “The Times”, her funeral being attended by huge crowds.

On Monday February 13 the Monday Club held its Annual General Meeting The programme for the coming year was outlined. The afternoon was completed with a reading of her own poem by Margaret Hooper, and two different types of quiz to tax our brains, along with the usual tea/coffee and cakes.

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month starting at 2.15pm, and posters will be put up locally with details. The talk on 13th March will be “Medical Detection Dogs”. On April 10 we have a talk and slide show about “Cruising”.

Visitors and new members are most welcome.

From the Monday Club Thurcaston and Cropston, Mrs Maja Tompkins

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAR 2017

Contact 07709 201881

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THESE ARE the latest images of the £18 million railway museum that will be built at the Leicester North station of the GCR, near Birstall.

The museum is expected to double the number of visitors to the GCR from 130,000 annually to 250,000 and contribute £44million to the local economy.

The building, designed by architectural practice Wilkinson Eyre, will house locomotives from the collection at the National Railway Museum in York.

The new building will be constructed opposite the existing Leicester North station building, which will be retained.

It will have three two-storey exhibition halls and a glass wall will allow visitors arriving by train to see into the museum.

Andy Munro, Chief Executive of the Great Central Railway, said: “This is an important project for the Great Central Railway and represents a new chapter in the 50 year life of the railway. It will help us to further the preservation of the

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Pic: a view of the museum from the Station Road bridge

heritage of the GCR whilst at the same time create a new tourist attraction in Leicester, contributing to the ongoing regeneration of the city.”

The finished museum will see the construction of an additional platform and a turntable big enough for the largest locomotives.

“Like many new designs, our museum will take time to get used to” said Roger Shelley, the museum’s head curator.

“It doesn’t try to hide or blend into the landscape – quite the opposite – its ele-

vated position gives spectacular views out to the city and its landmarks. The museum will give us the home we need to shout our story – the significance of the Great Central, the powerful upheaval that railways brought to Leicestershire, the wonder of the workings of railways and locomotives that we all share, and what it means to work on, and with railways, both in the past and today.”

He added: “The museum will act as a beacon, visible from a considerable distance – during the day, enhanced by ‘gateway’ locomotives parked on the front concourse, and at night, from the south, with dramatic lighting. It will need many hours of hard work and effort, the support of you as residents, and we are particularly interested to hear from potential volunteers to research themes and objects.

“We’re optimistic that the scheme will meet the requirements of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and when finished it will give the Great Central Railway and people of Leicester the first purpose-built railway museum in Britain.”

To enquire about volunteering contact museum@gcrrailway.co.uk

Stroll through gardening year OUR SPEAKER for the January meeting, Val Williams, reminded us about the next twelve months with a stroll through the gardening year.

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THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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0116 4422067 Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Rothley Library or to our office Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words.

17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us or hand it in (inside an envelope) at Rothley library.

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word. You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words.

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Plans drawn and submitted. Extensions, conversions, new build. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 / 07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on May 5.

The copy deadline is Apr 25.

plants to mature. It is also the case that hellebores are very ‘promiscuous’ and can produce new plants with ‘wishy washy’ colours. To get good new plants it is best to cross two plants with strong colours. This is why specialist nurseries can produce fabulous hybrids such as doubles, plants with star like flowers, and unusual colours.

It is best to cut off old leaves in the winter to allow new growth. Hellebores can be moved, but dig them out with a large root ball to cause as little root damage as possible. It is best not to divide them, but if you have a large plant divide with a very sharp spade.

It has been an excellent start to the year for the Gardening Club with many new members joining. Both meetings have been very well attended and have been informative and enjoyable.

The gardening club meets in the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall Whether an experienced gardener or an enthusiastic beginner we are sure you will find something of interest in this year’s programme. New members are made most welcome. What’s more, it is excellent value! The membership fee is still only £12 for the year or £3 per meeting. And, if you would like to come as a visitor and then you decide to join, your visitor fee will be refunded! So, if you are interested in gardening - come and give the club a try.

The next club events are: Wed March 8, 7.45 pm – Growing Healthy Plants – Sally Smith Looking at best practice and husbandry to achieve strong healthy plants Wed April 12, 7.45 pm – Success with Vegetables – David Thornton Soil preparation and fertilizers, higher yields, pests & disease resistant.

For more information, please call Dave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758 From Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club

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MAR 2017

Her vast array of slides encapsulated a range of quirky gardening styles and a reminder of the stars of our spring and summer gardens; such as poppies, roses, snowdrops, aconites and primulas.

Her collection of wildlife photos demonstrating the range of visitors to our gardens included foxes, mice, badgers and birds. A timely reminder to keep feeding the birds and providing them with much needed water.

The February meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club saw the welcome return of Caroline Tait from Coton Manor Garden.

Caroline’s talk was about hellebores Caroline’s talk was illustrated by at Coton. There are a wide variety of brilliant photographs of the winter garhellebores at Coton, and each year they den at Coton. She made the interesting get additional plants from Harvey Plant point that winter is a very good time to Centre who have won RHS gold medals ‘take stock’ of your garden structure for rare and unusual shade and woodbefore there is too much foliage and land plants at Chelsea and who develop flowers in the borders. Hellebores are their own hybrids. fully hardy and their flowers can last a long time.

It is best to cut off the flowers when they fade so that the plant can put energy into the root.

Hellebores will produce seedlings that can be potted on to give new plants, but it takes a few years for the new

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THE ROTHLEY POST

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