The Bradgate Magazine - January 2017

BRADGATE

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BRADGATE MAGAZINE

Bawdon Lodge Farm wins National Award

WEDDING FEATURE

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017

Fashion for the Ages

Adventure FILM FESTIVAL heading to Leicester

ISSUE 24

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At the heart of your community

G REETINGS Welcome to the first edition of 2017, and our all new refreshed, Bradgate Magazine.

We‘re bringing you the same quality content as ever, from businesses, groups and organisations that matter to you, but with a little dash of verve – we hope you like it!

Waking up to the new year we’re delighted to bring you a whole bundle of news and events from across the area, with notable nods to medieval banquets courtesy of the Mountsorrel Community Team (p20), news from Vietnam, with thanks to Millington Travel (p21), a delightful wedding feature (from p26) with the Wildlife, Woodland and National Trusts also making pleasing appearances.

We also bring news of a great competition, courtesy of the good folk at the Banff Mountain Film Festival (p33), where tickets to the De Montfort Hall leg and an exhilarating film night awaits.

Talking of competitions...our congratulations go to Mr. Richard Olivier and Mrs. Meena Gohil who won “Leicester: A Modern History” by Richard Rodger and Rebecca Madgin and a complete set of Ruffle the Rail Dog children’s books respectively. Well done both and thank you to Carnegie Publishing (www.carnegiepublishing.com) and local author and illustrator, Rachel Greaves (www.ruffletheraildog.co.uk) for their kind contributions.

But rather than take up your time summarising why not get stuck in and see what you think for yourselves. Feedback always welcome, always appreciated.

Warm regards

Jo To advertise contact the editor for prices, details and deadlines

editor

editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk | 07708 915779 | www.bradgatemagazine.co.uk

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News, reviews, competitions, events and must-see things to do and hear - add to that the fantastic range of services and products available from our advertisers and you have a publication that puts you, our reader, “at the heart of your community” - just as we have always proudly done, since 2013.

PS

“Wr i t e i t on your he a r t tha t e ve r y da y is th e b est d ay in th e y ear” Ra lph Waldo Emerson

Printed by

Our Disclaimer: Reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content, The Bradgate Magazine takes no responsibility for the accuracy of statements or content and can accept no liability for errors, omissions or any inconvenience arising therefrom. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. All text, images and design in this publication and on the website are subject to copyright. Any unauthorised duplication is strictly prohibited. Artwork and articles are accepted in good faith and on the condition that permission has been granted for use on our website. Copyright © The Bradgate Magazine Ltd.

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Woodland Trust & M&S

urge you to turn cards into TREES, TREES, TREES Over the last 19 years over half a billion cards have been collected and 245,000 trees have been planted by the Woodland Trust from the M&S Card Recycling scheme.

Celebrities Dermot O’Leary, Jo Brand, Julia Bradbury, Hugh Dennis and Cerys Matthews are calling on the public to recycle their cards this Christmas to help plant trees across the UK. For every 1,000 cards dropped in to M&S stores for recycling throughout January 2017, a new tree will be planted by the Woodland Trust in the UK. In just under two decades more than half a billion cards have been collected and 245,500 trees planted – if you lined them up they would run further than Land’s End to John O’Groats.

It’s the first year Cerys has backed the recycling scheme and she said: “People ask me if I’m a

Dermot O’Leary

dog or cat person - I say, plants all the way! Just look at the trees, and what they do for us, the oxygen we breathe, the insect, bird and animal life they sustain, they’re extraordinary! And you can help the Woodland Trust plant even more JUST by donating unwanted Christmas cards...

“Spread the word on Facebook , twitter and Instagram and donate those old Christmas cards: together we’ll grow more oaks, more chestnuts, more elms…!”

The Woodland Trust began the Christmas Card Recycling Scheme back in 1998 and ran it until 2011, aided by a range of retail and governmental funding partners. M&S came on board in 2008 and began running it themselves in 2012 with the Woodland Trust still the benefactor.

Joanne Mathieson, fundraiser at the Woodland Trust, said: “Christmas is a time of year where we think about giving to others and this is great way that your Christmas gesture can keep on giving. Hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted – creating beautiful habitats for people and wildlife to enjoy. We want this year to be a real cracker and are calling on the public to take their cards to their local M&S to help us plant even more trees.”

Special card collection bins will be in most M&S stores from January 2nd to January 31st 2017.

Happy Art As a registered charity the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation prides itself on offering a welcoming, supportive setting for those living in the local Leicestershire community. A new monthly taster session ‘Happy Art’ will encourage attendees to release the stresses of everyday life and strengthen one’s own ability to combat negative thought patterns. The meditative artist led sessions will promote wellbeing, through the exploration of mindfulness and painting.

Helen Baxter, Activities Coordinator at the Foundation, said “The sessions will take place in our new Activity Centre, a safe and inclusive space for individuals to discover new talents and learn new skills.” Session Leader Rosanna Monachello added ‘“he arts help to engage the brain in to the perfect state for learning by placing the individual into a state of relaxation, clearing and creativity. This is not art as you know it. This is art to help clear the soul of its burden and release the misunderstood and unseen.”

Taster sessions will run throughout January on Tuesday 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st from 10.30am – 12.30pm at Ulverscroft Activity Centre, Priory Lane, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, LE67 9PH. Booking is essential and a non-refundable payment of £4 per session in advance is required to secure your place. For more information and to book, please contact Activities Coordinator Helen Baxter on 01530 244914 or email hello@ shuttlewood-clarke.org.www.shuttlewood-clarke.org.

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CAFé

offers company The Companionship Café at Tesco was the

The next sacculated Companionship Cafés

idea of Nisha Chandarana, owner of Home

will be held:

Instead, who is very aware that winter can be a difficult time for older people many can be affected by the shorter days and bad weather which can lead to social isolation and loneliness.

Nisha explained: “We are very excited about

2-4pm Tuesday 3rd jan 2-4PM tuesday 7th feb 2-4pm tuesday 7th mar

the launch of the Companionship Café and Local home care company, Home Instead

I was so pleased that when I approached

For more information about the next

Senior Care West Leicestershire & Market

Tesco they welcomed us with open arms.

Companionship Café at Tesco please

Bosworth, recently hosted a successful

The café will provide an opportunity for

call Home Instead Senior Care West

Companionship Café event for seniors in

anyone - their carers, friends and family -

Leicestershire & Market Bosworth on 0116

the local community.

to come along, to meet, reminisce and to

3192474 or 01455 698011 or pop along to

share their experiences. We care for older

the Tesco Beaumont Leys Store, 1 Bradgate

people every day, supporting them so that

Mall Shopping Centre, Beaumont, LE4 1DE,

they are able to stay living in their own

at or during the prescribed times.

Home Instead teamed up with Tesco to provide a friendly and fun afternoon in the community room based at the store in Beaumont Leys. A delicious array of

homes.

cakes, scones and biscuits, with plentiful

“We understand how loneliness and social

cups of tea and coffee, were thoroughly

isolation can impact on wellbeing and

enjoyed by all the seniors present. It

quality of life so we look forward to seeing

proved such a success that there will now

more people at our next companionship

be a Companionship Café at Tesco every

event and welcome them to have a chat

month during the cold winter period.

over a cup of tea and some cake.”

Charity Link, which supports people in poverty, hardship or crisis in Leicester, is asking people to support its annual dress up event, Wear A Funky Scarf Day, which will take place on Friday 27th 2017 January as part of Poverty Action Week (23rd – 29th January).

This is the third year of Wear a Funky Scarf Day (WFSD) - a simple and fun way to help raise funds in support of Charity Link’s work. Simply don your most funky or favourite scarf for the day and donate an amount of your choice for the pleasure. The funds raised will enable Charity Link to improve the lives of people in desperate need by supplying items that most of us take for granted, including beds, cookers and clothing. The charity also offers help with the cost of utilities and, in emergencies, food. Charity Link Director, Susan McEniff, says: “Many of the people that Charity Link helps – including elderly and disabled people, the victims of domestic violence and those with a chronic illness – will struggle to keep warm over winter or have to make the awful decision between eating and heating. Wear a Funky Scarf Day enables us to help more people in real hardship to keep warm, have a hot meal and to sleep in a bed at night.

“It would be fantastic to see people of all ages donning their scarves on Wear a Funky Scarf Day to show their support for the most vulnerable individuals and families in our local community. We would also love them to share their ‘scarf selfies’ on social media using the hashtag #funkyscarfday to help increase awareness of the issue of local poverty, as few realise, for example, that one in three children in Leicester is living in poverty.”

Schools and businesses can order a free fundraising pack via the Charity Link website www.charity-link.org/poverty-action-week or people can simply wear their scarves on the day and donate an amount of their choice to the charity. Poverty Action Week takes place in January each year to highlight the issue of local poverty and to encourage support for Charity Link’s work in the local community. Charity Link supports people throughout Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and helps around 8,000 individuals and families each year.

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HELP

WANTED

Residents of Loughborough are invited to join the Charnwood Marie Curie Fundraising group, to help raise vital funds for their at-home nursing service for people with a terminal illness. The Charnwood Fundraising Group run events throughout the year, including a fashion show and tea party, and are looking for a Chair to help organise and lead the meetings as well as other members to help.

All money raised by the Group will help Marie Curie provide expert care, guidance and support to help people with a terminal illness, and their families, get the most from the time they have left.

Locally, Marie Curie Nurses work night and day, in people’s homes across Leicestershire providing hands-on care and vital emotional support.

Marie Curie also supports people throughout their illness by giving practical information from our free helpline and is also the leader in research into better ways of caring for people with terminal illness.

Seven out of ten carers say that people with a terminal illness do not get all the care and support they need. As the UK’s leading charity for people living with any terminal illness, and their families, Marie Curie doesn’t think that is good enough. Sophie Wallace, the local Community Fundraiser for Leicestershire said “Given the choice, most people would want to die at home, surrounded by the people and things that they cherish. Marie Curie makes this possible, but we couldn’t do it without our fundraising groups.”

To get involved, you can contact Sophie on 01332 204221 or email sophie.wallace@mariecurie.org.uk.

If you have any questions about terminal illness and are looking for support, Marie Curie is here to help you and your family. You can call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 0902309 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm)* or visit Mariecurie.org.uk/help. You can also visit community@mariecurie.org.uk to share experiences and find support anytime of the day or night.

Jake Mccarthy Foundation Helps Fund Vital Research The Jake McCarthy Foundation is donating £28,000 to help a vital research program about the blood-brain barrier get underway.

The foundation has contributed the funds as part of the ‘The Grand Challenge’, a unique fundraising partnership between Brain Tumour Research and another leading UK Charity, the Dr. Hadwen Trust. The aim of the challenge was to raise £180,000 to successfully fund a bloodbrain research project for the next three years.

Understanding the blood-brain barrier is fundamental in the quest to find ways to treat brain tumours, the UK’s biggest cancer killer of those under 40. This barrier helps protect the brain from any toxins in our blood but it also stops most standard cancer drugs which makes treatment of the disease even more difficult.

After hearing about this exciting project The the Dr. Hadwen Trust & Professor Geoff Centre of Excellence, at the University of

Jake McCarthy Foundation team held meetings with Pilkington, lead scientist at Brain Tumour Research Portsmouth.

There the Dr. Hadwen Trust explained

the need for the remaining funding to get

the project underway whilst Professor

Pilkington outlined the plan for the research.

Professor

international expert on brain tumours

Pilkington,

who

is

an

and a pioneer in blood-brain barrier

research, has created the worlds first ‘all

human’ blood-brain barrier model

which will enable testing unlike any before,

as previous tests using animal models This model is being used by Professor live cell imaging which he says will “provide molecular features of invading tumour cells”. the mechanisms of tumour cells’ and their invasive

had not related directly to our brains.

Pilkington’s group and other researchers for a basis for the investigation of the cellular and So this research will further the understanding of behaviour, an essential step towards to the development

of successful new therapies for brain tumours.

Josh McCarthy, foundation trustee and marketing lead for the charity said “ with this donation we hope that the work of Professor Pilkington and his team of researchers can make a genuine difference to the understanding of the blood-brain barrier. Hopefully getting us one small step closer to one day finding effective new treatments for people with brain tumours just like Jake.”

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LEICESTER ASSOCIATION December 2016 was the 80th anniversary of the abdication of King Edward VIII, the first sovereign to ever abdicate voluntarily in this country. It reminded me that the King’s abdication had a strong connection to Belton House, the NT property near Grantham.

Peregrine Cust, the 6th Baron Brownlow, inherited Belton House in 1927. He attended Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards, where he met the future King.

During the 1930’s Peregrine became an equerry, and a close friend to the Prince of Wales, later became Lord-in-waiting when Edward became King. This close connection resulted in the King visiting Belton on a number of occasions where he chose to sleep in the Chinese bedroom overlooking the garden. It is considered that Mrs Wallis Simpson would also have visited Belton.

Once the King’s intention to marry Mrs Simpson became clear Peregrine became

“Lacemakers and Luddites” Talk by Mr Tony Jarram

involved in the abdication crisis and personally accompanied Mrs Simpson on her

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall

flight to France to escape the media attention. Records show that he did however

Monday January 23 at 7.30pm.

encourage Mrs Simpson to renounce the idea of marriage to the King.

Later, conflicting reports indicate that following the abdication Peregrine attempted to extricate himself from the former King’s circle of friends. Other reports, however, state that the Brownlow family retained links with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor during their years in exile.

An illustrated talk of the of the development of lace-making from hand-made to machine production. The story is centred on the East Midlands especially Loughborough and its environs. It is a story of invention, migration

At Belton House there is a revealing picture, in the library, of the King, painted during

and destruction and is as full of twists and

the year of his reign by Frank O. Salisbury. Also on display is the first pressing of the

turns as lace itself. The research for this project

Abdication Speech.

The 6th Baron Brownlow died, a few years after the Duke of Windsor, in 1978.

started with an exhibition by the Friends of Charnwood Museum in 2007 and has continued ever since with an international following by the descendants of former lace-workers. A recent

The NT Leicester Association has a meeting on Tuesday 10th January at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm when Caroline Taylor will present an illustrated talk entitled ‘Samuel Taylor Coleridge & His Somerset Cottage.’

exhibition in Loughborough Library further enhanced the story. Tony will raise several controversial theories relating to the Luddite attack in Loughborough and the reasons why

There will be an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 25th January at St Guthlac’s

the industry left the town to re-establish in the

Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm when Douglas Maas will present

South West of England and beyond.

an illustrated talk on Arthur Ransom. Admission to both meetings is: NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments.

Further information contact: Peter Bertram 01162 100572

For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler | Publicity Officer

www.focf.org.uk

CHARITY WHIST DRIVES It is with regret that Charity Whist Drives previously held at the Rothley Centre, Rothley are ceasing due to a decline in players. A gift of £120 has been made to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund.

We would like to thank Derek Farr for his dedication over the last 8 years and wish him all the very best for the future.

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MEMORIAL CENTRE TAKING SHAP E

Work is well underway on a new £3.9m Memorial Centre in

The rest of the funding for the project has been provided courtesy

Mountsorrel. The old hall has been demolished and a new one is

of the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, the Mountsorrel War

being built in its place for the village and community to use.

Memorials Trust Ltd and Mountsorrel Parish Council.

The new facility will offer a hall, complete with café, two retail units

Steve Haywood, Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council, said:

and smaller rooms for the community. The hall will also feature

“The new Memorial Centre has been brought about by excellent

moveable auditorium style seating for use when required.

partnership working involving borough and parish councils and

As it is one of the village war memorials, the names of the fallen will feature in the new hall.

The new hall has been supported by £2.7m of Section 106 money

the War Memorials Trust with fantastic support from Tarmac which has provided a very generous grant.”

The new facilities are scheduled for completion in September 2017.

which is funding given by developers to improve the community when they receive planning permission to build in the area.

Cllr Eric Vardy, Charnwood Borough Council’s Lead Member for Planning and Section 106 Money, said: “I am delighted that work on this new centre is underway and when complete, this will provide a great facility for the whole community.”

HRH The Princess Royal RECOGNISES STAUNTON HAROLD SAILING CLUB COUPLE

Nigel and Diane Pepperdine received an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award at last years recent 2016 RYA Volunteer Awards - which celebrates individuals who have made a significant volunteer contribution, either over a period of time or as part of a ‘one-off’ effort.

The Awards are considered the ‘MBEs’ of the sport and 44 people from across Britain were honoured for their exceptional generosity and commitment to boating at the ceremony and exclusive luncheon held at One Great George Street, Westminster.

The Pepperdines, who joined Staunton Harold SC in Melbourne in 2005, are true club ambassadors, between them volunteering many hours a year to their current roles managing the club’s 250 memberships, looking after the club’s fleet of hire dinghies so newcomers to sailing don’t need to own a boat and also organising the catering for many events and functions. They are both keen and successful racing sailors too.

Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive, said: “The RYA Volunteer Awards recognise the exceptional voluntary contributions of people who make a real impact in boating.”

Alistair Dickson, RYA Director of Sport Development, continued: “These volunteers are making our sport happen and without them local people wouldn’t be getting out on the water and enjoying all the activities they do. It’s really important we take the time to say thank you.”

The Pepperdines, nominated by their club, were selected as winners by the RYA Honours and Awards Panel. HRH The Princess Royal presented a total of 23 Lifetime Commitment Awards, 9 Outstanding Contribution and 2 Youth Awards in addition to a number of other special categories. For more information about how to get out on the water in the Midlands visit www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating.

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Medieval Banquet & Tournament In honour of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, and to mark the 800th anniversary of the Siege of Mountsorrel Castle a Medieval Banquet will be held in the shadow of the Castle Mount on Saturday 8th April 2017 (19.30 - 23.30), where the Concert Hall, at the Working Men’s Club (WMC), will be transformed into the great baronial hall for a “totally inaccurate historical evening!”

ARRIVAL: Your entrance to the banquet will be via the castle courtyard and across the drawbridge into the Great Hall where you will be greeted with the symbolic offering of water and salt (just sip, take a pinch and smile), pause for photo opportunities and get locked in the Stocks. Try the Blacksmith’s Anvil or see how you suit a helmet and sword, before taking your place at your house’s table.

TABLES: Each ‘house’ will be a long table of 6, 8 or 12 persons. Tables will have medieval hand painted coverings, dressed with candles, tankards and bowls all traditionally decorated with ivy, pine cones and fruit. Group bookings will have their own crest design painted on a banner which hangs over their table. Individuals, couples and smaller groups will be formed into houses of ‘Tournament Alliance’.

TOURNAMENT GAMES: You will elect various members of your house to accept the Tournament challenges. Gold coins will be bestowed by Lord Marshall for success in the challenges as well as Chivalry, Costume and Boisterous Cheering of your challenger. The house accruing the greatest hoard of gold shall be awarded the freedom of Mountsorrel...valid until midnight only!

BANQUET: Included in your ticket price is a delicious 4-course meal comprising of spiced vegetable soup, roast chicken with “dragons breath potatoes”, pears poached in red wine, alongside the all-important tea, coffee and gingerbread conclusion. The Great Hall has it’s own private bar but still at WMC prices!

HOSTS: The event will be compared by Sire John and his Jester, all overseen by Sir William Marshall, who will be seated at the Top Table.

COSTUMES (mandatory): You don’t have to be historically accurate – but you do have to take part; think along the lines of Lord of the Rings, Fanasty or Game of Thrones and you won’t go far wrong.

TICKETS: Each ticket has a ‘torn parchment’ edge and carries a wax seal - they will make excellent gifts - and are available on a ‘first come-first served’ basis. Early booking is very much recommended! Tickets are priced at £22.50 each (no concessions). Tickets may be ‘reserved’ with a £10 per head (non-refundable) deposit. The balance must be paid by 28th February 2017. Tickets will be dispatched once full payment has been received. The ticket price includes the full evening’s entertainment as well as the aforementioned 4-course menu.

Visit www.mountsorrel-community-team.co.uk/medieval-banquet for more information.

Archery Ale-horn drinking Coin basket Sword fight Space-hopper Joust Leicester Road Mountsorrel Loughborough

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At the heart of your community

Millington Travel

The Independent Experts

Discover your adventure in waiting With offices across Leicestershire Millington Travel are your expert, independent travel specialists with affordable prices, full financial protection and first-hand knowledge setting the benchmark – there are few destinations in the world that their well-travelled team of experts haven’t visited – but don’t just take our word for it, here’s Nick Elton, Senior Manager at the group’s Kettering Branch to tell you about Vietnam!

“On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we were promptly reminded of this fascinating country’s turbulent history as we looked out of the window to see military aircraft dotted around the airfield. Saigon, as it was formerly known, is a modern city and you immediately notice just how busy it is, and, how many mopeds there are, usually carrying a minimum of two people as well as various household items!

We visited the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, which were both fascinating and sometimes harsh reminders of the Vietnam War (the locals call it ‘the American War’), but the real highlight was a trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels where whole families lived underground to survive and thwart their enemy. After a busy day we welcomed a cool cocktail or two on the peaceful rooftop of the iconic Rex Hotel before readying ourselves for the following day and our next destination, the ancient coastal town of Hoi-An. We arrived into Danang airport – which was once the busiest airport in the world – and as we travelled the short distance to Hoi-An it was clear that this was the ‘real Vietnam’ we were now encountering. Hoi-An is simply beautiful, very old and very well preserved. It is full of charm, with narrow streets, stalls selling everything imaginable, and a mix of French Colonial, Chinese and Japanese architectural styles. Hoi-An sits on a network of waterways and the covered 16th Century Japanese Bridge is the stand-out landmark here. Apart from taking in the sights, we also had a fun day out on a fishing tour which isn’t exactly what you might imagine, there was little luck catching fish but instead we tried to paddle rounded basket-boats through narrow waterways between water coconut trees. Easier said than done! We stayed for a week in the town but one of Vietnam’s best beaches was only 10 minutes away which ensures Hoi-An really is a destination for all.

Our penultimate stop was in the capital city Hanoi where we stayed for 3 nights. Hanoi is very different to Saigon and it just felt ‘older’. We visited the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ which housed American Prisoners of War, the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius, and we let someone else take the strain as they peddled us around on a Cyclo tour. We also visited the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh himself where he lies in state to this day.

Finally, saving the best until last, we left Hanoi for the long drive to Halong Bay where we boarded a traditional luxury junk for a nights cruise around the more than 3,000 towering limestone islands, visiting caves, beaches and an amazing floating village.

Vietnam really is a destination full of surprises and with its proud, friendly and hospitable people, you’ll be sure of a warm welcome, a fantastic cultural experience and some superb opportunities to relax in amongst stunning surroundings.

If you fancy walking in fantastic footsteps like Nick’s call 0116 2917775 or visit www. millingtontravel.com and let the team help you discover your adventure in waiting!

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At the heart of your community

Cropston Guides Receive Highest Awards NEWS FROM SNOWY OWL: On a Thursday evening last November, Girl Guides, parents and Guide Leaders assembled at The Belmont Hotel in Leicester City Centre for an award presentation ceremony. Five girls from the 1st Cropston Guides had earned the highest award a Guide can achieve and three of them were present amongst thirty other girls from across the county to receive their Baden Powell Challenge certificates from the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Stephen Corrall.

The Baden-Powell Challenge is divided into 5 zones, each containing a number of different clauses. Our girls gained the Agility badge from the Healthy Lifestyle zone and studied World Cultures in the Global Awareness zone. They had learned to knit and crochet and made squares for blankets to give to Animal Aid in the Discovery Zone. With expert guidance they had sown wildflower seeds and made animal habitats in Castle Hill Park to accommodate the Celebrating Diversity zone. They completed many clauses in the Skills and Relationships zone by gaining First Aid certificates, planning and enjoying several celebration parties - each with a different theme and they learned fund-raising skills at the church fete to donate money to All Saints Church, Thurcaston and to fund their Baden Powell challenge adventure weekend.

These adventure weekends begin on a Friday night when approx. 20 girls from all over the county meet together at a campsite or village hall which will be their home for the weekend. The girls are given a challenge that they must complete by the Sunday afternoon. The challenge might be to put on an art exhibition, a play or a fashion show, redecorate rooms at Guide HQ, invent and prepare the equipment/instructions for an outdoor activity or a new badge for other Brownies and Guides.

When parents or packs of Brownies turn up on Sunday afternoon all the props, cakes, programmes, music, scenery must be ready; lines learnt, performances rehearsed etc, etc. The girls will have established teams made up of specific skills such artistry, computer work, baking and fashion-designing. They will have been shopping for materials, sewn costumes, used cameras, computers and printers to produce a very professional output for parents and other visitors - it is certainly a challenge for the girls but a enjoyable one when friendships are forged and talents discovered.

Congratulations to Zoe Frew, Izzy Crisswell and Emily Haag who were honoured at the Belmont Hotel award ceremony. Two other Cropston Guides who have earned the award but could not be present on the night were Sophie Hardy and Amy Harlow.

Cropston Guides meet at Richard Hill Primary School, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston on Wednesday evenings 7.15pm to 8.30pm. We have spaces for more girls who must be age 10, or almost, to start Guides. Contact Christine Miranda on 0116 2364293 for more details.

We have a few spaces also available in the Thurcaston Brownies, who meet at the school also on the Wednesday evening but from 6pm until 7.15pm. Brownies start from age 7. Contact Louise Keran, 07711 422350.

THURCASTON MAN CONQUERS THE HILLS Leon Wright from Thurcaston, 34 years of age, married Father of two children took part in the recent 2016 National Hill Climb Championships and achieved a fantastic 6th place.

After having time out following some road-race cycling accidents, Leon took up time trial and hill climb cycle racing just two years ago. Even though Leon is a devoted family man, his dedication and commitment to racing has without doubt paid off.

This was the first time Leon had ever taken part in the national hill climb, which was held on Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire. The first 250 metres are a gentle gradient but then the climb gets progressively steeper - to a staggering ascent of 834m, a 14 per cent average gradient with a 20 per cent maxi, meaning Leon’s achievement was - quite simply - no mean feat.

With over 400 applications for the race, (but only 240 able to race following qualification), Leon finished in a stunning 6th place, with a remarkable time of 2:24.4 - only 6.2 seconds shy of the winner. Very well done Leon!

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Grace Magic and Wizardry Day Dieu Grace Dieu was transformed into a School of Magic and Wizardry in aid of the children’s charity LUMOS, the JK Rowling charity which works hard to ensure that no child is denied a family life because of poverty, disability or ethnic minority. Lumos supports 8 million children and works hard to put an end institutionalisation.

The entire staff and children rose to the occasion with great enthusiasm and fully immersed themselves in the wizarding theme during the very special ‘Taster Day’.

The day started off with the assembly in the ‘Great Hall’ with children arranged by the ‘Sorting Hat’ into the School houses of de Lisle, Bishops, Gentili and Verdun, before embarking on a day of exciting lessons such as Potions, Riddles and Runes, Quidditch and Magic Art and Drawing. Many ‘mini dramas’ were staged throughout the day and there was a fierce battle for House points!

The day was devoted to cross curricular learning, themed with magic and wizardry. In addition to the set lessons children also had a chance to learn about ‘magical creatures’ as they tended to our alpaca herd, played ‘Magic Chess’ on the Chapel playground, encountered the talking portrait and ran the gauntlet with the ‘Moaning Myrtles’ in the famous Black and White Corridor!

‘Professor Perch’ (Tony Smith) visited the School with his Harris Hawks fittingly called Luna and Bellatrix and performed a flying display. The majestic birds prompted many questions from the children who found them fascinating. The Chef provided a great lunchtime feast for pupils and staff as well as a Witch’s trolleys full of yummy sweets! A great day was had by all.

24

At the heart of your community

KIND BEQUEST GIVES FUTURE STUDENTS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY

SPORTS AWARDS

D i x i e G ra m m a r S c h o o l L a u n c h H e a t h c ote F o u n d a t i o n Whilst a pupil at Dixie, Bernard Heathcote was appointed Head Boy, won the Victor Ludorum on two occasions and captained the football and cricket teams.

After leaving school, he spent five years in the Army with the Royal Signals, two of those in India.

until his retirement in 1985. He is remembered fondly as a splendid

Local sporting stars are honoured at the Annual 2016 Charnwood Sports Awards

disciplinarian, firm yet kindly, with a great interest in the welfare of

2016 saw two teams take home Junior Team of the Year -

the children, realising fully that every child is an individual in their

Charnwood Riders Girls and the Mountsorrel Juniors U12

own right. During his retirement, he gave generously of his time -

Futsal team - for their outstanding contribution and hard work

returning to the Dixie to teach chess.

throughout the year, both internationally and at home.

Through Mr Heathcote’s generous bequest we are delighted to

The awards ceremony, organised by Charnwood Borough Council,

be able to launch the Heathcote Foundation - all funds from

received a fantastic 110 nominations, and 12 shortlisted groups and

which will go directly to supporting those students who would

individuals were celebrated at Burleigh Court, Loughborough on

benefit from the advantages that a Dixie education offers, but

Monday, December 5.

Following the war, he undertook a teacher training course at Saltley, Birmingham Training College and taught at a local school

whose families require financial support. Our goal is to offer future students the educational opportunity of a lifetime, whilst keeping Mr Heathcote’s story and generosity alive.

Gold medal swimmer, Harriet Cooper, received the honour of Senior Sportsperson of the Year for her performance at the FINA World Cup and the 2016 European Championships, while

For further information about the Heathcote Foundation please

Paralympian Andy Lewis’ record-breaking feat at the Rio 2016

visit: www.dixie.org.uk/Heathcote

Olympics saw him awarded Disabled Sports Person of the Year.

Other winners included Team GB riathlete Ben Dijkstra, National champion’s Charnwood Sapphires and chairman of the Barrow Runners, Mick Ballard.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion, said: “The Sports Awards are a fantastic way to recognise the talented athletes, coaches and volunteers we have in Charnwood.

“Every year it seems that we can’t top the last, but once again the awards have been a huge success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the night of celebrations.

“It is always an honour to be involved and to celebrate the borough’s sporting heroes and I’d like to congratulate all nominees and winners.”

Photo: Christian Smaditch (Head Boy, U6) and Kate Smart (Head

The categories recognised the achievements of junior and senior

Girl, U6) in front of the new Heathcote Foundation display.

athletes, coaches, volunteers and individual projects.

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25

BRIDAL FASHION FOR THE AGES

Brides come in all different shapes and sizes but now more than ever, also, varying ages, with a large percentage being over the age of 40.

With this in mind Bradgate Brides, situated in Anstey, Leicestershire undertook a photo shoot with a difference - the models were all staff members, aged between 18 and 60, across sizes 8 to 20.

With a defined brief - to show that every age and shape can be catered for, with ease - Bradgate Brides’ expert stylists dressed each other and had a wonderful day posing for the camera, all in aid of encouraging potential brides to follow suit, not be discouraged when it comes to trying on different styles and sizes of gown and most of all to remember to have fun!

Behind the scenes All brides pictured are local ladies, before they worked in the bridal business they were teachers, bakers, dinner ladies, Avon reps - you name it.

More than half the brides pictured were over 50 and all gowns used were outlet gowns so no banks were broken in the making of this photo shoot!

Final thought: it took the team, with travel, dressing and the shoot itself, just 2hrs to accomplish everything. Wow! Images © 2016 by Ceri Oxman | www.cerioxman.com

26

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

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27

STYLE

ALWAYS ON

TREND

Bridal fashion comes and goes however there are a few styles that make come backs again and again, think of the beaded sheath like gowns of Jenny Packham that were straight out of the Great Gatsby era, or the short 1950s rock and roll vintage dresses. Then there are the styles that are so popular it seems every bride wants one and it stays in vogue for maybe five years and then it never reappears again, not even over the course of decades, like the puffiness of the Princess Di gown for example. Yet, if you see Princess Grace of Monaco’s wedding gown it is totally timeless and would be worn by many, many, brides over the years to come.

There is a big difference between the fabric of a gown and the styling. Lace will never date and even if sometimes it doesn’t appear to be around so much, it will always look incredible and wonderfully romantic. Currently, lace is still the choice of around 70% of brides either for the whole gown or as a back with sleeves or a bodice. Satin will also be the brides perfect choice for shaping and corsetry plus a fair amount of tulle to soften the look.

On trend right now is plus-sized wedding gowns with demand increasing for covered upper arms and shoulders in an elegant and stylish manner In terms of choice - there seems to be two types of brides at present; one that will select a gown very quickly and be satisfied they have chosen the right one immediately and then there’s the bride to be, who no matter how many gowns they try on, never feel like they’ve found “the one” - on average a bride will typically try on around 8 to 12 gowns. Thankfully the majority of brides are sensible and realise that when their Mother starts to cry at the sight of their daughter in a certain gown, at that point perhaps stop searching around for another for the same effect!

Bradgate Brides are a premier bridal shop and wedding boutique offering designer wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns by Maggie Sottero, Benjamin Roberts, Alfred Angelo, Disney Bridal, Enzoani Beautiful, Intuzuri, Anoushka G and Ebony Rose to name just a few. Bridal accessories, men’s suit hire and a discount designer wedding dress outlet attracts customers from all across the Midlands and UK. To find out more contact Susanne and her team on info@bradgatebrides.com or on 0116 2363388 | www.bradgatebrides.co.uk | www. bradgatebridesdiscountoutlet.com.

28

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

29

BAWDON LODGE FARM

Nanpantan Loughborough LE12 9YE

Bawdon Lodge Farm has beaten off stiff competition to win the East Midlands Wedding Event Team of the Year at the Regional Finals of The Wedding Industry Awards. Hosting and planning exceptional outdoor weddings on their stunning Charnwood Farm, Richard & Lynn Bailey have diversified in the farming world, and after stepping into the world of weddings and events, they have created a huge success in just three years.

Bawdon Farm Lodge is set on 30 acres of beautiful countryside and provides the perfect blank canvas for tipi and marquee weddings and events. “Seeing the looks on the faces of the couples as they enjoy their day - exactly as they wanted it - knowing that we have been a part of helping to make that happen. That’s what we love.” Lynn offered.

“Outdoor events require a different way of thinking and logistically need smart solutions” added Richard. “With the British weather to contend with, we come armed with blankets, sun-screen and lots of experience.”

Tipi and marquees provide couples with a unique day and wedding style. Utilising their skills in events, management, customer service and the great outdoors, Richard, Lynn and their team have been recognised as the experts who bring everything together to ensure the day is seamless.

With the farming industry still struggling in some areas, it is great to see how a working farm has built a new and successful way of harnessing the land. As one groom, Charlie Krurup, explained “What a team these two make...the farm is a beautiful happy place to be, full of laughter and positivity. The little touches they make (when you aren’t looking!) made the day extremely magical for all of us. You do not need to worry about a thing when you are in the trusted hands of Lynn and Richard.”

Hosted by TWIA Founders Damian and Anna Bailey, the East Midlands Regional Awards Ceremony was held at Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club on the 15th November.

“We are shocked and delighted” said Richard. “All the hard work has been rewarded tonight and we couldn’t be prouder.”

For further information contact Lynn Bailey | 01509 268080 | lynn@bawdonlodgefarm. co.uk | www.bawdonlodgefarm.co.uk.

30

At the heart of your community

W I N N E R S

Weddings & Ceremonies

Beaumanor Hall Beaumanor Hall is a 19th Century Manor House set in 34 acres of idyllic local Countryside.

Should you decide that Beaumanor Hall is the perfect venue for your special day, you will enjoy exclusive use of the elegant Victorian Hall and the beautiful gardens that surround it.

This includes the Main Reception Hall, Dining Rooms, Bar, Gardens and Marriage Room.

From your very first visit, right through to your wedding day, you will receive advice and assistance from our team of experienced and friendly professionals, ensuring that your day runs smoothly, leaving you to relax and enjoy yourselves.

Civil Ceremonies and Partnerships at Beaumanor Hall take place in the former library - vows are exchanged in front of a bay window looking out onto the extensive, manicured gardens.

We are also happy to accommodate couples who would like to use Beaumanor Hall for their Civil Ceremony only.

Up to 120 guests may be seated formally for a wedding breakfast in the beautiful dining room, and for a less formal buffet we can accommodate 180 people. We have a number of sample menus to choose from or you can work with our chefs to create a tailored menu. Each party has exclusive use of Beaumanor Hall for evening receptions, this includes the extensive gardens which have lots of places to sit and enjoy the beautiful landscaping and are the perfect backdrop for photographs. We can prepare and serve a range of buffet options during the evening.

Information on pricing, menus and contact information should you wish to arrange a visit, is available at www.beaumanorhall.co.uk.

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32

At the heart of your community

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL TOUR IS RETURNING

Photo credit - Senja Island, Norway © Thomas Senf

BIGGER THAN EVER

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World

outdoor passions and we guarantee that

Tour is back in the UK and Ireland for 2017,

viewers will leave with new enthusiasm and

with more screenings and more action

inspiration for their own adventures too!”

than ever before.

highlights will include: FOUR MUMS AND A BOAT When four middle-aged working British

The short films, starring the world’s top

mums announced they wanted to row

Featuring an evening of exhilarating

adventurers

in

the Atlantic Ocean, their families thought

adventure films, the tour kicks off in

mind-blowing destinations, are selected

they had lost their minds. The epic ocean

Brighton on 25 January and finishes in

from hundreds of films entered into the

expedition they were about to embark

Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, on 17

prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival,

upon, would change their lives forever.

May, with nearly 100 screenings at over 50

held every year in the Canadian Rockies.

venues racked up along the way.

on

exciting

journeys

DOING IT SCARED The UK and Ireland tour has two different

“It’s fantastic to be back with our biggest

programmes of films to choose from, each

tour yet – a reflection of the enormous

lasting about 2½ hours, with free prize

appetite for adventure that UK and Irish

giveaways at each screening. The tour is

audiences have” says Tour Director Nell

part of the wider Banff World Tour, which

Teasdale.

travels the globe each year, visiting nearly

Eighteen years after a terrible accident left him partially paralyzed, British climber Paul Pritchard returns to the Totem Pole in Tasmania to find out if he has recovered enough to finish the climb.

50 countries and reaching more than

For more information and to book tickets

400,000 people worldwide.

see www.banff-uk.com.

offers a real sense of community, bringing

The full film programme will be announced

The tour will reach Leicester’s De Montfort

together people with a wide range of

in early January but confirmed programme

Hall on Tuesday 28th February 2017.

“The Banff Tour is more than a series of exhilarating film nights. Each screening

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the Leicester show, just answer the following question.

Q: What does the BANFF Mountain Film Festival celebrate? A) Adventure B) Fashion C) Food Simply email your answer, name, address and contact number to editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk Competition closes on 31st January. Winners will be notified on 1st February. To claim, the winner must confirm their attendance within 3 days of being notified or tickets will be voided.

WIN TICKETS BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

33

THE MONDAY CLUB:

Anstey, Thurcaston, Cropston And Rothley

To conclude the social meetings for 2016, the members arrived

of crackers and the reading of the sometimes good but corny jokes,

in sunshine and enjoyed the happy atmosphere of greetings and

we thought about how we would be spending our own Christmas,

anticipation for what the future would hold for Christmas and the

mindful of the many blessings we enjoy, compared with many other

New Year in 2017.

peoples in different parts of the world. We thought about “How to

Firstly, of course, the issue of arrangements for Christmas had to be addressed and so we greeted an old friend, Penny Hodgson, who took us through a light-hearted look at the festive season. Penny said we all get so involved with the preparation and planning,

Survive this Christmas” in a materialistic way in our consumer-led society, whereas for others it would be a grim reality. We concluded Penny’s talk by enjoying a variety of lovely cakes to accompany very welcome cups of tea.

especially the ladies, that we sometimes forget the true meaning

I hope for most of us in our respective villages of Anstey, Thurcaston,

of Christmas.

Cropston and Rothley that Christmas was a time enjoyed with

Penny talked us through some of the many customs and symbols of Christmas, their history and why we still practise them. Some of them have their origins in pagan ancestry, long before Christianity, when the mid-winter festival of Yuletide was celebrated. Other activities are more recent and owe their popularity to Victorian

friends and family and in remembrance of our Lord’s birthday, as we celebrated.

The Monday Club wishes everyone a very Blessed New Year.

Ann Farndon

times. Many of us have our own particular customs - passed down through the generations - and it was recognised that the nostalgia of our childhood is at its strongest across the festive time of year.

Penny also looked at the problem of buying presents, this seems to get increasingly difficult and expensive and these days very technical as well! But perhaps for many of us the focus was on shopping for food and drink: certainly the Supermarkets would have us think so as we filled our trolleys to siege proportions and couldn’t sleep for deciding “whether to stuff our dates or not”. Such is the hype and anticipation about Christmas when trying to plan the “perfect day” for our families and friends.

So as we heard, with a great deal of humour supported by the pulling

THURCASTON AND CROPSTON Gardening Club 2016 was another successful year for the Club. We held nine Club nights at the Thurcaston Village Hall and our summer programme included a visit to Whatton Hall gardens near Kegworth and a trip to Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire, a recent winner of ‘Garden of the Year’.

Our Annual Show was held at the Richard Hill Primary School in September which brought together not only Club members but the wider community for a day of fun and gentle competitiveness. Schedules for the show are widely available from early summer for 2017, we welcome all to come and have a go.

Once again the Club contributed to All Saints Church Harvest Festival weekend by decorating the altar area. Every effort was made to put together a ‘strong’ display to enhance the church’s celebrations.

We believe the programme for 2017 is our best yet with top class speakers that include tried and trusted favourites and a talk from Nick Hamilton of Barnsdale Gardens in August. In June we are going to the first RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth House - the ‘Horticultural Event of the Year’ - and not to be missed. There is no better place to see the fabulous colours of autumn than Westonbirt Arboretum - we’ll be going there in October.

Visitors and new members always welcome. For more information, please call Dave Haddon on 0116 2359758.

The next meetings are: Jan 11 - An English Country Garden, preceded by the AGM (15/20mins.) Val Williams | Feb 8 - Hellebores by Caroline Tait.

Mar 8 - Growing Healthy Plants - Sally Smith | Apr 12 - Success with Vegetables by David Thornton.

34

At the heart of your community

NEW YEAR...

Let it be your year to be as healthy and fit as you can

NEW YEAR GOAL SETTING The

beginning

of

the

year always brings about reflection on the previous year and looking at what we want to achieve moving forward, whether it is to start on a healthier eating and exercise plan, improve on current fitness and training or focus on your general well-being and stress relief. At Darcy Fitness we can help you define goals and devise bespoke training programs to help you reach them, but what are goals and how do you set them?

• Have one long term objective and then break it down into smaller tasks all working towards common aims.

• All goals should be SMART which means they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed.

• Example goal: to lose 3 stone by the end of the year. This would then be broken down into weight loss per month, goals for number of hours exercise per week, goals for change in nutrition.

• Example goal: to run a marathon in April. Again the long term goal would be broken down into weekly running, increasing the mileage and over differing intensities; include strength and conditioning along with target races during your training at race pace but shorter distances.

The aim is not to have too many goals at once otherwise you may become overwhelmed and then you will find it hard to stick to your plans as you will be trying to make too many changes at once - always difficult!

To keep yourself motivated stick your goals on the fridge, have your training and food diary with you (which can be a journal or an app) to note your progress - this is great for when it may become tough and tell your friends and family your goals so they can support and motivate you along the way.

A complimentary consultation can help inspire you to start working towards your goals, this would be in the exclusive Darcy Fitness Personal Training Studio, in the beautiful setting of Bawdon Lodge Farm, Nanpantan.

In every issue, I will be writing about a different health and fitness topic. If you have a question or topic you would like me to write about, send me an email: bridie@darcyfitness.co.uk.

BRADGATE

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35

Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society The Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society’s final meeting of 2016 was held in November and included a brief AGM followed by a talk about Hugh Latimer by Val Wadge from the Rothley History Society.

The AGM included a review of the year’s activities. A request for suggestions for future meetings resulted in ideas for indoor meetings and visits. Brenda Hooper retired from the Committee (Chair), she was thanked for her contribution as a founding member of the Society and elected by members as Honorary President. The other Committee members were re-elected en bloc. The Committee now has only four members and would welcome new recruits.

Val Wadge began her talk on Hugh Latimer by reminding us what a turbulent period of history he lived through; his life spanned the reigns of four Tudor monarchs, fraught with both religious and political upheaval. He was born around 1485 and died as one of the three Oxford Martyrs in 1555. He was the son of a yeoman farmer in Thurcaston and was educated locally before entering Clare College Cambridge at 14.

He never forgot his early life and used quotes from his background in his sermons.

He was in Cambridge at a time when the radical protestant ideas of Martin Luther were being discussed and was influenced by the ideas of Thomas Bilney. He won favour from Henry VIII by speaking in support of the annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon.

Henry rewarded Latimer with the living of West Kington, Wiltshire in 1531, but he was soon accused of heretical preaching and refusing to subscribe to certain Articles of Faith. In 1532 he was excommunicated and imprisoned until he submitted. His fortunes changed again and in 1535 he became Bishop of Worcester and by 1536 he was generally regarded as one of the leaders of the Reforms. However Latimer was forced to resign in 1539 when there was a return to more orthodox Catholicism. For the remainder of Henry’s reign he continued to be suspected of heresy and spent time in the Tower of London.

When Edward VI acceded in January 1547 Latimer was freed and became a popular preacher, described as the ‘most radical preacher of his age’. Latimer’s fortunes changed again when Catholic Mary (Bloody Mary) became Queen He had returned to Thurcaston but in 1553 he was arrested and taken to Oxford for trial and there he was convicted and burned at the stake, with fellow reformer Nicholas Ridley on October 16th 1555. His final words to Ridley “we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England as I trust shall never be put out.”

The evening ended with mince pies and soft drinks and an opportunity to look at the Latimer Memorial inside the Church, and a display relating to Latimer.

The first meeting of 2017 will take place on Tuesday 17th January, at 7.30pm in the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston. Sandra Moore will return with a talk entitled “What business is it of yours?”

We have a new website, please visit www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk to review its provision.

Mary Edmunds Otter

Are your little grey cells still active?

The ever-popular QUORN QUIZ, open to all-comers, returns on Saturday 14th January in Quorn Village Hall, quizzing off at 7.30pm.

Teams should consist of 4-6 players. Tables are usually snapped-up fairly quickly so please reserve early to avoid disappointment. A tasty supper is included in the price and you are invited to bring your own drinks and glasses.

Tickets are £10 per player and are available from Terry Stirling on 01509 414287 or email: terrystirling@ntlworld.com.

36

At the heart of your community

In The Garden... ...With Joanne Kennedy Things to do in the

Happy New Year... The nights should be getting lighter now, snowdrops maybe peeping through the soil and giving us a show of their nodding heads and spring is just around the corner.

garden this month: • Continue to clear leaves from borders • Ensure tender plants are wrapped

As the weather maybe too cold to get out

them get leggy, and when all fear of frost

in the garden, while away a rainy afternoon

is over (mid-May), they can be planted out

browsing through seed catalogues or look

in the area you want them to go.

at seed companies on the internet. Plants grown from seed are a very good way of

Also, rather than going for the familiar

filling spare areas in the border rewarding

bedding plants of Geraniums or Marigolds

you with splashes of colour all summer.

be more adventurous and look at Cosmos varieties, Cerinthe, Nicotiana or Stocks.

Hardy annual seeds are the easiest flowers to grow as they are just sown where you

It’s really worth trying annuals in your

want them to grow. Dig over the area you

garden too as they are great value for

want to seed, rake to create a fine finish

money and give you back wonderful

then sprinkle the seeds thinly over the

summer -ong colour. Good websites

area and cover with a thin layer of soil.

to look at or catalogues to request are

Examples to try are Nigella – Love in a

Thompson

Mist, try the varieties ‘Blue Starry Skies’ or

morgan.co.uk),

Persian Jewels’; cornflower varieties (there

co.uk), The Organic Gardening Catalogue,

are lots to try), Poppies, Salvia Horminum

(www.organiccatalogue.com) or Plants of

is unusual as it is its leaves that create the

Distinction (www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk).

Morgan

(www.thompson-

Suttons

(www.suttons.

or covered in fleece • Clean out greenhouses and sheds with a disinfectant such as Jeyes fluid - this rids them of pests and diseases • Clean your tools with a disinfectant • Sharpen tools – secateurs, shears and lawn edging shears • Request seed catalogues to help you decide what annual flowers and vegetables you would like to grow • Prune apple and pear trees •

Prune blackcurrant, gooseberry

and redcurrant bushes • Plant bare-rooted hedges and trees.

colour or try something that has become popular recently Ammi Majus Graceland –

If you need any help with planting or

Bishop’s Weed.

designing your garden please contact me on 07739 153516 or go to my website:

If you have a sunny windowsill or a greenhouse grow your plants from seeds:

gardenblueprints.net

divide them into individual pots when the seedlings are about 3cm high, don’t let

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

37

Loughborough RSPB Local Group TALK: Attenborough Nature Reserve by Nigel Slater

CHARNWOOD MUSIC FOR ALL

Organ Concerts

November’s visiting organist was Howard Beaumont who, for many years (since 1988) has been resident organist at The Spa in Scarborough. It is about four years since Howard last visited The

13th January 2017

Belvoir Suite at The Charnwood Arms, Bardon, but his performance

Nigel was born next to the reserve and still lives there. He is a

was as polished as ever. Howard always has stories to tell, of the

former bird ringer, a volunteer warden at the reserve, and he is

great Max Jaffa, of his time ‘on the road’ as a Demonstrator for

on the reserve management committee. He has been fascinated

Hammond Organs when he was expected to show off many of the

by wildlife all his life and wants to share his passion and show how

millions of tones produced by those amazing instruments.

exciting wildlife can be - even on your own doorstep! The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the Brockington Building, Loughborough University at 7.45pm. Price: £3 Group Members, £3.50 Non-members, LU Students with SU card gratis.

WILDLIFE WALK: Swithland Reservoir 16th January 2017 Wildlife Walk at Swithland Reservoir North at 10am until 12 noon.

Turn into Kinchley Lane, and follow this round to the dam where we meet. SK556148. Nearest postcode: LE12 8AA.

TALK: Birding in Morocco by Neil Glenn 10th February 2017 Neil has a life long passion for birds - he is now a tour leader with Avian Adventures and has an intimate knowledge of birds

Howard took us through a wide range of musical experiences, from

from Morocco. The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the

George Formby’s banjo-ukulele greats ’Fanlight Fanny’; ‘When I’m

Brockington Building, Loughborough University at 7.45pm. Price:

Cleaning Windows’; ‘Leaning on a Lamp-Post’; to a nautical medley

£3 Group Members, £3.50 Non-members, LU Students with SU card

which included ‘Portsmouth’; ‘Drunken sailor’; ‘’I am Sailing’; ‘Life on

gratis.

the Ocean Wave’ and many others.

WILDLIFE WALK: Barrow River & Woodland

Jazz piano and organ are among Howard’s specialities and his

14th February 2017 10am until 12 noon. From Loughborough on A6 take first exit towards Barrow. After roundabout turn left at Flesh Hovel Lane and continue to Pillings. Lock car park is 0.4 miles down lane. SK565174.

Nearest postcode: LE12 8FE.

TALK: THE BIRD FAIR - Its impact on global conservation by Tim Appleton 10th March 2017 Tim has been involved in the Bird Fair since co-founding and organising the first event in 1989. His presentation will give an overview of its trials and tribulations - but mainly its fantastic success over 27 years, raising millions of pounds for global conservation with the charity Birdlife International. The talk will be held in the Lecture

rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ was unusual and very special. He played lots of old film themes in a medley comprising ’Dangerous Moonlight’; ’Warsaw Concerto’; ‘The Dream of Olwyn’; and ‘The Glass Mountain, bringing back many memories for some of our older members. Later we heard music from Abba, when our Organist brought us ‘bang up to date’ (well to the 70s at least) and then repeated the treat with a nostalgic medley of 50s tunes including: ‘Green Door’; ‘Singing the Blues’; ‘I Believe’; and ‘Shake Baby Shake’.

Listening to Howard Beaumont was a real treat and it was good to see that the large audience appreciated his skills. His efforts received a standing ovation and we hope to see him again at Bardon very soon. He is just one of the excellent organ, piano and keyboard players who perform at this venue monthly.

Theatre at the Brockington Building, Loughborough University

We are a friendly group. Tickets cost £6.30, payable on the door.

at 7.45pm. Price: £3 Group Members, £3.50 Non-members, LU

Liquid refreshments available, as are good value meals at the pub

Students with SU card gratis.

next door. There is ample parking. All concerts start at 7.30pm.

Full details of all of the events, including finding the venues, booking the trips etc, can be found on the group’s website:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough

38

At the heart of your community

Future concerts: Wednesday, January 18th: Brett Wales Wednesday, February 8th: Elizabeth Harrison For further details contact Chris Powell 01530 274270.

ROTHLEY ACCOUNTANCY FIRM RELOCATES CP Accountancy Ltd has moved from Lazarus Court to 44 Town Green Street in Rothley. The move to more spacious and accessible accommodation comes at a time of rapid growth for the company in servicing small businesses in the area with their accountancy and taxation requirements.

Caroline Dinsmore, Managing Director of CP Accountancy Ltd said, “We are thrilled to have moved to this great location and are excited about the future. As a small, friendly, professional practice in Rothley, with many local clients, we recognise the importance of convenience to small businesses and these new premises offer an easy drop-off point for delivering accounts, in addition to a private meeting room for confidential discussions in a light, spacious environment.”

CP Accountancy Ltd was formed in 2011 by Caroline to provide a professional, reliable and trustworthy service to small businesses. The company is committed to providing a first-class service with a personal touch to clients who are either soletraders, partnerships or small limited companies and whose businesses range from hair and beauty salons, sub-contractors, retailers, gardeners, consultants, roofers and a BAFTA-nominated sound recordist to name just a few!

Testimonial:

that is what we are. Please feel free to come and see us at our new offices to discuss

"We have relied on Caroline and her team from day 1, she has never let us down and efficiently sorts financial issues out for us.”

any accountancy or taxation query you may have over a cup of coffee.”

Dignified Hair Design

Caroline concluded “The service we provide is tailored to clients’ needs. They may just need a set of accounts and a self-assessment tax return preparing each year, however they may require that extra help each month with bookkeeping or payroll together with advice along the way. An accountant should be approachable and

Photo: Caroline Dinsmore (right) outside the new premises in Rothley with Janette Hick and Remi Sargeant.

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39

R E A D E R S P H OTO S TAKE A BOW DAN RACKHAM Both photos were taken with a Motorola Moto G smart phone on some local mountain bike rides - which in Dan’s words are a “great way to explore.”

Left: Sunset over Syston (with Teezels).

Bottom: Thornton Reservoir.

Super shots Dan, many thanks for allowing us to share them with our readership.

WANT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES IN PRINT? Just email your high resolution images over to editor@ thebradgatemagazine.co.uk stating when and where your pictures were taken and using what camera - we’ll then choose some of the best to share; supplementary information and/or anecdotes always very welcome.

Rothley HISTORY Society At the AGM in November, the committee - apart from Jill Anstock, who did not wish to stand this year - were all voted in again “en bloc” namely, Chairman Sue Joyce, Vice-Chairman Martin Greenwood, Secretary Ursula Greaves and Treasurers Albert Greaves, Linda Poole and Mary Toone. The Chairman thanked all members for their continuous support and said that meetings had all been well supported which was pleasing.

The outstanding event of the year was Rothley’s Big Dig, when residents of the village took part in an archaeological dig, led by Dr Julie Attard, in connection with Charnwood Roots. One of our best meetings was an outing to Rothley Vineyard. The tour of the vineyard was followed by a lovely supper, which, thanks to the wonderful August weather of that evening, was enjoyed on the patio, along with some samples.

Onto 2017 and it starts with our meeting on 18th January, when Rob Gladstone will be telling us about “Rothley….before the people got involved!”, a talk designed to educate us on how Rothley came to be.

Our speaker on 15th February will be Noel Wakeling of Mountsorrel to talk about “Leicestershire Water”, and his family connection with the building of Swithland Reservoir.

Meetings are held at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley at 7.30pm. Admission is £3.50 for visitors and £2.50 for members.

40

At the heart of your community

GONE WITH THE WIND? LOST LEICESTERSHIRE WINDMILLS

These days to see a working windmill you would to in or

probably

travel

to

have

Tuxford

Nottinghamshire Whissendine

near

Oakham. In a county that once boasted over 180 there are no working mills left. A few forlorn towers survive, dotted around the county to remind us of these once majestic symbols of rural life, but the majority of

sites

have

been

destroyed and can best be described as lost.

These are the subject of some research being carried out by Mark Temple, a volunteer on the National Trust Talks Service based at their arts and craft property, Stoneywell. Although normally offering talks on the cottage and the Gimson family, last year Mark found himself being asked back to groups he had previously addressed requesting a second talk. His response was to pick up on some work he last explored over forty years ago at Loughborough University. Back in the ‘70s he investigated ‘mill history’ as part of a library studies project. A large part of his new research has been sourcing images of windmills from the county records office and local library archives. Surprisingly very few good images have survived although many mills were still standing up until the Great War, well within photographic memory.

Mark has had several conversations with Nigel Moon, miller at Whissendine and the leading authority on the county’s mills, who is encouraging Mark to update information that has come to light since the publication of his definitive book, “Leicestershire and Rutland Windmills” in 1981.

Even with Nigel’s help Mark says he is struggling to find information and images of the windmills in the following locations: Markfield, Hoton, Sileby, Eaton, Seagrave, Shearsby, Twyford, Desford, Shepshed (postmill), Saddington, Bottesford (Queens Mill not Scrimshaws), Barkestone (pre-house), Earl Shilton (Cooper’s), Oakham (Ashwell Road) and Barrowden. He knows that windmills featured in both the city and many local towns up until the late 1880s but few usable images have survived. He is even extending his remit to include locations from just over the county boundaries to places like East Leake, Gotham and Rempstone (Notts).

He would love to hear from anyone with stories about these or any other windmills. Most of all he would be thrilled to hear of any windmill images that he could share with local groups in a slideshow.

Tel: 01509 890830 or email mark.temple@rural-web.me.uk.

Glebe House Allotment Project Receives Award Local community groups were recently awarded certificates for their contribution to the Loughborough in Bloom competition. Glebe House Work skills were awarded a Level 4 ‘Thriving’ recognition for their work covering environmental responsibility, community participation and gardening. Their entry covered the projects they completed at 3 Close Tenants Association and Thorpe Acre.

Mark Horsefield, Works Skills Manager said, “I am very proud of our team in receiving this recognition. Their hard work has certainly and deservedly paid off.”

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Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council Presents

November’s film, Danish Girl, was a ground-breaking, remarkable story and a tender insight into transgender issues. Throughout the emotional yet gripping tale of Gerda and Einar, who was later known as Lili, there was a bold intensity in Gerda’s stunning art-work. The Danish countryside was beautiful but the end of the story was quite unexpected. The film, however, was a privilege to watch.

Love and Friendship January 13th (93 minutes) This romantic comedy drama, based on Jane Austen’s novel, “Lady Susan”, stars Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon. She favours scandal without scruples and observes that “Facts are horrid things”. The costumes are impeccable.

Trumbo February 10th (124 minutes) After WW11, there was a deliberate American government attempt to shame communists. Trumbo, was one of several Hollywood professionals incensed by the challenge to freedom of thought and speech. Bryan Cranston, as Trumbo, received an Oscar nomination for his fascinating portrayal of an era where suspicion alone was enough to end your career.

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 (to include refreshments and a prize draw during the interval); advanced tickets available via the Parish Office - 0116 2367626 - or at the door.

Diana

42

At the heart of your community

On The

GCR Jan 2017

The ‘not to be missed’ event of the month is the three day Winter Steam Gala, book early for the Burns Night Dinner Train and look ahead to the wonderful events The Great Central Railway has to offer you during 2017!

WINTER STEAM GALA Friday 27th - Sunday 29th January The first big event of the year takes place

Charnwood Forester will run on the 4th

list of six for the Leicester Railway Museum

and 25th, also a Valentines Dining Train

now selected. The station building will

runs on the 14th.

be

the Saturday and Sunday. The star of the

THE MAIN EVENTS FROM MARCH TO JUNE

gala will be Ex-Southern Railway Q Class

The first Swap Meet is on March 12th and the

No 30541 making its first visit to the

two day Spring Diesel Gala on March 18th

GCR from the Bluebell Railway. There will

and 19th. April is a busy month with Easter

be passenger and local trains running

mid-week trains running on April 11th-13th

alongside freight trains and TPO drops at

and 18th-20th. In between is Easter Vintage

Quorn, also some double headers on the

Festival, 14th-17th, and the month ends

only double track preserved railway in the

and the next begins with Peppa Pig May

world. The Tin Shed Bar at Quorn will also

Bank Holiday (April 29th-May 1st). The rest

be open, selling a selection of real ales.

of May is just as jam-packed with Railways

over three days with a busy timetable on the Friday and an intensive one on

DINING TRAINS There is a limited selection of Dining Trains during January with the lunch trains running every weekend except the gala weekend. The only evening train this month is for Burns Night with a Pullman

at Work (May 6th-7th), Real Ale Train (May 13th), Classic and Vintage Vehicle Festival (May 13th-14th) and Bank Holiday Trains (May 29th). The Wartime Weekend brings June in with a bang (2nd-4th) and the Model Event between June 16th-18th and Swap Meet, June 25th, finish the month off

retained,

which

volunteers

had

campaigned for, also allowing for future expansion and visitors to the museum will see the trains arrive (behind glass side walls) and conversely, train visitors will see the inside of the museum. The project, supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund, will house exhibits relating to the railways of Leicestershire in three, two-storey exhibition halls. The estimatated cost is £18million with £10million coming from HLF. Some of the engines expected to be displayed in the museum including Class V2 No 60800 Green Arrow, GCR Class 11F Director No 506 BR No 62660 Butler Henderson and possibly GCR Class O4 No 63601.

For all the latest information visit the website: www.gcrailway.co.uk or phone Loughborough on 01509 632323.

Dining Train on Wednesday the 25th.

perfectly.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

MUSEUM FOR LEICESTER NORTH

The main event this month is the half term

Leicester North has suffered for years with

PHOTO: Plan of the two storey Leicester

fun with See Chase and Marshall from PAW

being at the end of the line with not much

North Museum with, to the left, heading

Patrol. The lunch trains will be running

to see, but that’s all about to change with

to Rothley, the existing platform at the

every weekend and Saturday evening

the winning design chosen from a short

bottom of the picture.

Dave Allen

Duty Station Master, Rothley.

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43

OUT AND ABOUT Whitwick & District

U3A

Whitwick and District U3A will hold its first General Meeting of 2017 on Friday 20th January.

Details of all the varied Interest Groups will be available, making this an ideal opportunity to follow through those New Year Resolutions to be more active and meet new people. The U3A offers friendship through learning and social activities to those no longer in full-time

LRWT NORTH WEST GROUP We are a friendly local group which meets monthly for talks, visits, conservation work and social events. All talks are in the Church Hall of Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Road, Ashby and begin at 7:30pm; entry is £3 each.

employment. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday 1st January - New Year’s Day walk at Breedon Enjoy a walk to see Viking sculptures, a reinvigorated SSSI and the

Our speaker for January will be Peter Varden with a presentation

pretty village of Breedon. 1pm meet, The Green, Breedon.

entitled “The History of the 78rpm Record”. Peter will share examples from his large collection (including ‘old recordings’) and take us

Friday 20th January - Endangered Species Peter Chatwin, an artist, shows how his passion for the preservation

back to the days when technology was simpler.

of biodiversity and endangered species is reflected in research on indigenous wild bees and their role in pollination.

St. David’s Church Hall, Broom Leys, Coalville, LE67 4RL, 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. Further comprehenive information can be found at: www.whitwicku3a.org.uk.

Friday 17th February - The new Bardon quarry Phil Jackson, Bio Diversity Advisor, Aggregate Industries, describes the development of the new quarry and outlines how the ecological mitigation measures will be put in place.

Birdwatching Club

Friday 17th March - Pine martens, water voles and horseshoe bats Lizzie Croose describes the work of the Vincent Wildlife Trust in safe guarding mammals and brings us up to date on the pine marten recovery project.

Birstall Birdwatching Club presents:

To find out more about our group please ring David Maltby on

FINLAND AND NORWAYBirding the Arctic Circle

01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410.

by Neil Glenn

Sacred Music of the MASTERS

Tuesday 10th January 2017 at 7.30pm A return visit by Neil takes us to this wonderful landscape, that few

The Newtown Linford Choral Society’s next concert will be on the

of us may have experienced, for wildlife watching. From the Land

evenings of Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th February at 7.30pm, in

of the Midnight Sun to days when light is scarce this is an exciting

Ratby Parish Church. The Choir will be singing pieces from some

destination for lovers of natural history.

of the great composers - Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Rossini – rightly described as ‘The Masters’. Many

COASTAL WILDLIFE

years after their deaths their compositions are still regularly performed at concert halls throughout the world.

by Jack Perks Tuesday 14th February 2017 at 7.30pm

The Choir will be accompanied by an accomplished orchestra,

Well-known for his work on the TV programme ‘Springwatch’ where his interest in wildlife in the water has introduced many to this fascinating, mainly unknown area of

professional soprano soloist Bethan Williams and flautist Joanna Kirkwood.

The concert promises to be a memorable event for Choir and

natural history. This evening he takes us to the

audience alike!

coast to see what can be found and enjoyed around our shores.

Tickets are priced at £10 (£5 for children), including glass of wine or soft drink, and will be available online at www.ticketsource.

Meetings are held at the Rothley Centre,

co.uk/event/155051 (no booking fee), or via a link on the Choral

Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

Society’s Facebook page.

Members free. Visitors £2. Children free.

Free on-site parking and easy access.

Alternatively they may be purchased at Ratby Post Office,

For further information contact Marion

Newtown Linford Village Stores, from Peter or Iris Sayer on 01530

Vincent on 0116 2375156.

243822 or from any member of the Choir.

44

At the heart of your community

“Quack!”

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45

OUT AND ABOUT Workers’ Educational Association

Rothley Branch

Charnwood Orchestra VIENNA AND BEYOND

JANUARY COURSES:

Saturday 14th January

SUNRISE AND SUNSET (C2337445)

It is definitely part of the spirit of Christmas when Charnwood

An exploration of textures and surfaces to depict these wonderful times of the day.

Orchestra brings Vienna to Barrow in January. Over the years many people have told me how much they look forward to the feast of Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches. This year will be even better

Tutor: Anna Michalska-Tomajer. Fee £86.65 or free if in receipt of an

because we are introducing other popular pieces from the rest of

income-related benefit.

Europe to start the concert – just as happens in Vienna on New

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR.

Year’s Eve.

Date: Mondays 12.45–3pm, 10 meetings from 16th January.

The first half of the concert will include Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie

BRUSH STROKES OF HISTORY (C2337269) A look at history through paintings, sometimes great historical events but also simpler, more everyday aspects of society; and the backgrounds/motives of the artists.

Tutor: David Price Fee £52 or free if in receipt of an income-related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR. Date: Tuesdays 10–11.30am, 9 meetings from 17th January.

CREATIVE WRITING (C2337495) This course will help you to start writing your own stories and poems.

Tutor: Maxine Linnell. Fee £53.90 or free if in receipt of an incomerelated benefit.

overture, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers (from Nutcracker), Nic Fallowfield himself playing Beethoven’s Romance no.2 for violin and orchestra, Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg and Smetana’s Dance of the Comedians. In the second half, Humphrey Perkins hall fills with the music of the Strauss family, some new to Barrow, some very familiar indeed. Obviously we will include the Blue Danube, the Radetsky Waltz and Thunder and Lightning Polka.

The tickets cost £14, £12 (concessions) and £3 (accompanied children under 16) and can be bought from The Paper Shop, High St, Barrow, the box office: 07718153117 and by PayPal from www. charnwoodorchestra.org.uk The concert starts at 7.00pm and don’t be late because we will be giving you a free glass of bubbly or juice to get you into the mood.

Enquiries from Judith on 07718 153 117.

Venue: Rothley Library, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PS. Date: Wednesdays 9.45-11.45am. 7 meetings from 18th January

THEMES AND VARIATIONS - ART APPRECIATION (C2337273) From Gaugin’s Impressionist years through the vibrant images of modern life of the work of the Scottish Colourists, to landscape visions of Paul Nash.

Tutor Janis Baker Fee £53.90 or free if in receipt of an incomerelated benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR. Date: Wednesdays 7.15–9.15pm, 7 meetings from 18th January.

SUMMER COURSES: PRACTICAL ART with Anna Michalska-Tomajer. ‘Exploring iconic packaging and the way that artists have been involved in these’. Starting Monday 24th April 1pm-3pm. 7 meetings £53.90. Course reference C2337487.

CREATIVE WRITING with Maxine Linnell. For new and more seasoned writers. Starting Wednesday 10th May 9.45am-11.45am. 7 meetings £53.90. Course reference C2337518.

For information contact Marion Vincent on 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 the references above.

46

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

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47

OUT AND ABOUT

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER MONDAY 02 JANUARY

-

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER SUNDAY 08 JANUARY

-

FRIDAY 13 JANUARY

BBC Radio 4 Any Questions

Jack and the Beanstalk

Cinderella

A traditional family show full of music,

Doomed to drudgery by her wicked

different part of the country with a panel of

laughter, silliness, a dancing cow and

stepmother

four speakers who answer questions from

plenty of audience participation. Young

Cinderella dreams of escape and romance.

the audience. The programme provides

and old alike will love our classic tale of

Meanwhile far away in King Carillon’s court

the opportunity for people to challenge

poor old Jack who sells the family cow,

plans are being made for a royal ball.

politicians, policy makers, writers and

Daisy - for a pile of old beans.

Adults: £13-£25, Children: £9.50 £20 | De Montfort Hall, Granville Rd, Leicester LE1 7RU | Box Office: 0116 233 3111 | www.demontforthall.co.uk

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER - SUNDAY 08 JANUARY

Sleeping Beauty

Every week the programme visits a

and

vicious

stepsisters,

It’s going to take all the magic her Fairy

thinkers.

Godmother can muster to whisk Cinders

Tickets are free of charge, but must be

from pantry to palace by pumpkin, but with

applied for in advance on the website.

her sisters digging their ugly heels in, it’s not

Bring your questions with you on the night.

an easy ride to happy ever after.

www.spacecentre.co.uk | 6:30pm - 9pm

Tickets:

£15/£16,

£14.50,

Family

Loughborough

Concs: (2+2)

Town

£13.50/ £53/£57

Hall,

National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS | 0116 2610261

Market

Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire,

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY

A dream of a Pantomime filled with all the

LE11 3EB | Box office: 01509 231914

magic and mayhem that you have come to

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

The Quorn Quiz The popular QUORN QUIZ returns and

expect from the annual extravaganza. With Fearsome Dragons, enchanted Spinning

FRIDAY 06 JANUARY

continues to be organised by the Quorn

Wheels and Mystical Swords - you won’t

Mega Slam Wrestling

Old School Trust as part of its community

Megaslam Wrestling Live - the all action,

supper and you can bring your own drinks

family entertainment spectacular! If you are

and glasses.

into your wrestling then this is an event for

Enquiries to Terry Stirling - tel: 01509

sleep through this little beauty!

Tickets: Adults £14.50, Concs: £12.50 The

Little

Theatre,

Dover

Street,

Leicester, LE1 6PW | Box office: 0116 2551302

FRIDAY 06 JANUARY

Loughborough Uni FC vs Coventry Sphinx

you! Stars set to appear so far:

com | Quorn Village Hall, 64 Leicester

‘Mexican Sensation’ El Ligero

Road, Quorn, LE12 8BB | 7pm

•Megaslam Ladies Champion - Lizzy Styles •‘Dancing’ Danny

SUNDAY 15 & 29 JANUARY

•’80 Minute Man’ David Graves

Indoor Car Boot Sale

•PLUS many more to be confirmed,

Coventry Sphinx at home.

Hermitage Leisure Centre, Silver Street, Stadium,

Whitwick, Coalville, LE67 5EU | 7:30pm

Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU.

Tickets: Adults £12 - £15.50, Child £10

Adults £5, Concessions £2 – Students

Family (2+2) £39 - plus booking fee

& U16s Free

www.megaslamwrestling.co.uk

48

University

At the heart of your community

414287, email: terrystirling@ntlworld.

• ITV World of Sport Stars - CJ Banks and

Loughborough University FC take on Loughborough

programme. The evening will contain a hot

Pick up a bargain!

9am - 12 noon | Details, or to book a stall, call Kirk Leverett : 07901 380412 The Palace Community Centre, High Street, Ibstock, LE67 6LH

TUESDAY 17 JANUARY

Leicester Railway Society Steam on the Screen - Graham Briggs

SATURDAY JANUARY

28

&

SUNDAY

29

Science of the Time Lords

FRIDAY 03 FEBRUARY

Ruby Wax - Frazzled Her new best-selling book, ‘A Mindfulness

Join the National Space Centre for a fun

Guide for the Frazzled’ is the basis for the

family weekend where we look at the fact

discussion. Funny and insightful, this event

behind the fiction.

is your passport to saner living. She might

This year we will be looking at Time Travel

not be sane herself, but she does a pretty

and the ultimate Time Lord vehicle, the

good imitation. uitable Age: 12+.

Free, Visitors: £3 | Contact Michael

TARDIS.

Loughborough

Chapman: 0116 260 3336 or Brian

An event for families, children and fans

Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire,

Holland: 0116 236 8328

to enjoy, there is a jam-packed schedule

LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914

of workshops, competitions, challenges,

box.office@charnwood.gov.uk

talks, exhibitions and lots of your favourite

Tickets: £21 / £19 Concs | 7:30pm

returns to give our annual feast of action on the main line and preserved railways, shown from DVD on the big screen.

Cricketers, LE2 8AD

Grace |

Road,

7:30pm

|

Leicester.

Members

THURSDAY 19 JANUARY

terrifying Who foes to encounter.

Lunchtime Concert

National Space Centre, Exploration

Emmanuel Church Lunchtime Concert.

Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS | 0116 261

Admission is free but donations are

0261

appreciated. A soup & roll lunch is served

info@spacecentre.co.uk

|

www.spacecentre.co.uk |

Church,

Forest

Road,

Loughborough, LE11 3NW | 12:45pm

SUNDAY 15 JANUARY

Magnificent Meccano Try your hand at building a masterpiece with this ever popular toy. Cost: £3.

Abbey Pumping Station, Corporation Road, Leicester, LE4 5PX | 1pm - 5pm

Hall,

Market

WEDNESDAY 08 - SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY

Leicester Comedy Festival The 2017 Festival will take place from 8-26

from 12.00.

Emmanuel

Town

February and the full line up can be found

TUESDAY 31 JANUARY

on the website. There are over 800 events

Literature at Lunch

across the 19 days and tickets are now on

Oscar Wilde ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’. The infamous trial and conviction of Oscar Wilde tends to overshadow the fact that he was extremely funny!

This is his most famous play which took him only 3 weeks to write and it is on stage, somewhere in the world, every day

sale so take a look and plan your festival visit. www.comedy-festival.co.uk | Tickets from the website, email: tickets@ comedy-festival.co.uk

or

telephone

0116 456 6812

of every year.

THURSDAY 09 FEBRUARY

Come and enjoy the wit and wisdom of a

Just The Tonic Comedy Club

man who fell, in the course of a few short

This thriving monthly comedy club books

months, from being the most famous

the best of the established, and the

The annual Winter Steam Gala takes places

playwright in the world - in addition to

up-and-coming comedians on the circuit.

over three days. Up to six locos will be

being the darling of society - to being the

Featured line up to include Sol Bernstein,

in action on Friday, with up to eight in

most vilified.

Darius Davies, Mark Simmons and Roger

steam on Saturday and Sunday. Our guest

Loughborough

locomotive will be joined by selected home

Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire,

fleet locos.

8pm

LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914

£8 Loughborough Town Hall, Market

Great Central Railway, Great Central

box.office@charnwood.gov.uk

Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire,

Road, Loughborough, LE11 1RW

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914

Tickets: Various prices - see website

Tickets: Adults £6 / Concs £5.50 | 12

box.office@charnwood.gov.uk

www.gcrailway.co.uk

noon

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

FRIDAY 27 - SUNDAY 29 JANUARY

Winter Steam Gala

Town

Hall,

Market

Monkhouse. |

Tickets: Adults £10, Concs

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

49

DIRECTORY

CLOTHING, SHOES & JEWELLERY

HAIR & BEAUTY

HOME continued...

Bradgate Brides...................................................27

Aqua Hair...............................................................31

Martin Allen Flooring.........................................22

Brides of Ibstock..................................................28

New Dimensions.................................................28

MDW Fireplaces.................................................... 6

Mr Stitch.................................................................. 6

Mobile Hair by Zoe............................................29

Oakham Rugs.......................................................18 RJ Rowley...............................................................18

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE

HEALTH & FITNESS

Catherine Infant School....................................24

Charnwood Hearing Centre............................39

Five Rivers Fostering..........................................24

Darcy Fitness........................................................35

Woodhouse Day Nursery................................... 4

Home Instead Senior Care...............................42

RSJ Roofing............................................................. 4 Simon Shuttlewood Upholstery....................... 6 Swift Solid Fuels...................................................22 Total Bathing.......................................................... 8 Wodcock Farm Shop........................................... 5

Hypnotherapy......................................................35 Woodhouse Eaves Chiropody Clinic.......................47

FLORISTS & GIFTS Designer Daisies..................................................27 Holywell Petals.....................................................29

Millington Travel..................................................29

HOME Absolute Window Solutions.............................. 2 Ancient & Modern................................................ 6

FOOD, DRINK & VENUES

Broughtons............................................................. 5

Alloro Restaurant................................................22 Beaumanor Hall...................................................27

LEISURE

MOTORING Cropston Garage................................................47

Central Construction............................................ 3 Charn. Oaks Roofing & Building...................... 2 Chris’ Oven Cleaning........................................... 6

PETS

Clock Doctor.......................................................... 6

Anstey Cattery.....................................................47

Cube 3 Design & Build Ltd...............................17

Glebe Von Wood................................................47

GARDEN

CV Lane................................................................... 4

MM Leggett Vet Surgery..................................47

Delegate Services................................................. 6

DP Furnishings.....................................................28

Garden Blueprints...............................................47

Evans Fireplaces...................................................51

Harrison Landscaping.......................................... 7

The Flooring & Bed Company.......................... 11

LB Grounds Maintenance................................... 8

Graham Botterill.................................................... 6

LB Landscaping...................................................32

Hassall & Son Ltd.................................................. 7

Outdoor Solutions................................................ 6

Holme Tree Kitchens...........................................18

Roecliffe Tree Surgery.......................................... 2

Jacqueline Reynolds - Curtains.......................47

The George Coleorton.......................................32

DeVol.............................................................14 + 15

Just Frames...........................................................47 Light House............................................................ 7

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CP Accountancy..................................................39 Emery Johnston Astills........................................ 3 Henstocks Accountants.....................................42 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors..........................17 MB Sign Design...................................................22 Prusinski Solicitors................................................ 5 Roy Green Estate Agents..................................52

To advertise contact the editor for prices, details and deadlines editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk | 07708 915779 | www.bradgatemagazine.co.uk

50

At the heart of your community

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At the heart of your community