The Bradgate Magazine - March 2017

BRADGATE

TH E

BRADGATE MAGAZINE

LOUGHBOROUGH - a town for all

IN THE GARDEN FOR SPRING with MARCH / APRIL 2017

Joanne Kennedy

Leyley LEICESTER’S

ISSUE 25

launches debut album

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

MAR APR 2017 1

2

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

3

4

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

5

6

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

7

8

At the heart of your community

GREETINGS Welcome to the March/April edition of The Bradgate Magazine and from March 1st we are officially celebrating the start of Spring!

Relating to themes of rejuvenation, renewal, and growth, March onwards is a great time for thinking about new ideas and developments for the home and garden or for perhaps considering a fresh wardrobe, holidays or significant plans for the year ahead.

With this in mind we’re delighted to be able to bring you news of some great ventures for all to get involved with – from The Spring Showcase, Inspirational Outdoor Wedding Open Day at Bawdon Lodge Farm to the Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride in support of Alex’s Wish, Twilight Walk in aid of LOROS and a whole ‘locomotion’ of adventures on the Great Central Railway.

Our advertisers accommodate your further needs also, with style, substance and competitive pricing to boot - check out Birstall Garden Centre, Millington Travel and The Fancy Flower Shop to name but a few, good examples all, with regards to bringing you new ranges and inspiration alongside great customer service...don’t forget too, when liaising with our advertisers, to let them know you saw their wares and services in the magazine also.

Our mini-features this month are on the bustling town of Loughborough and Mother’s Day – Sunday March 26th – turn to pages 29 and 38 respectively, to see what we’ve got for you and how your friendly, local advertisers are poised to help.

Please page-turn at your leisure and enjoy this month’s edition of the magazine.

All the best,

Jo editor

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

16

29

49

33

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

“ A ll that I am or ever hope to be, I owe t o m y a n g e l M o t h e r. ” - Abraham Lincoln

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.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

9

Charnwood Dementia Action Alliance

supports families in Charnwood

The Dementia Action Alliance encourages and supports local communities, organisations and businesses to create a network which takes practical action to improve the lives of local people living with dementia in Charnwood.

Members of the alliance join by sharing three actions they are either already doing or planning, which can make Charnwood more dementia friendly, such as providing Dementia Friends training.

The Charnwood branch of the alliance has been started by Carol Sargent, founder of MindforYou Ltd, a specialist provider of supported holidays for people living with dementia and their carers based in Burton on the Wolds.

Carol said: “We are proud to be able to lead the establishment of the Charnwood Dementia Action Alliance.

A new branch of an alliance which helps people living with

“We believe it is important that everybody works together to

dementia has been formed in Charnwood.

develop dementia-inclusive communities, where people with

The Charnwood branch was officially launched at an event at John Storer House in Loughborough by Mayor of Charnwood,

dementia are understood, respected and supported, and confident they can continue to contribute to community life.

“There is a lot going on in Charnwood already and the first thing

Councillor David Gaskell.

Residents and organisations were invited to attend to meet local organisations who are members of the new alliance, provide support for people living with dementia and to find out more.

Charnwood Borough Council has signed up to be one of the founding members of the alliance.

Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor David Gaskell said: “We have two dear friends who are struggling with dementia and we have witnessed the distress it has caused.

“We have also seen the benefits of having the right people and facilities available for people and their symptoms. The Dementia Action Alliance will be an integral part of providing these benefits to people in the borough.

“It will ensure people living with dementia are not prevented from living their lives as fully as possible and that their carers don’t feel isolated by the disease.”

we want to do is help everybody become more aware of what we have and share best practices.”

The alliance will be supported by the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme - the initiative aims to change people’s perceptions of dementia.

Ian Hind, Dementia Friends Officer for the East Midlands said: “There are 9,100 people in Leicestershire living with dementia and nearly 1,500 of those people are in Charnwood.

“Dementia impacts everybody in some way so it’s really important that we come together and tackle the fear and stigma that there is around dementia and make sure people are getting the right support and feel they are part of their community.”

You can sign up to become part of the Charnwood Dementia Action Alliance, arrange Dementia Friends sessions for your community group or find out more by contacting Carol Sargent on 01509 351008 or email c.sargent@mindforyou.co.uk.

Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride 2017 Taking place on Sunday, 14th May 2017 this super cycling event is open to everyone (aged 14+) amateur or professional. There will be a 10, 20 or 50 mile bike ride around the beautiful Charnwood Forest, the home of Alex’s Wish. Starting and finishing at The Rothley Village Centre in Rothley, Leicestershire, the route is all on open roads and is well sign-posted and because the event takes place on a Sunday morning the roads tend to be very quiet with traffic.

Check out the website for more details: www.alexswish.co.uk/event/charnwood-forest-cycle-ride BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW and start raising funds for the fantastic charity ‘Alex’s Wish’ who are making great strides in tackling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal genetic disorder - read more about the charity and the disorder on the website (www.alexswish.co.uk).

10

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

11

Twilight Walk A record amount of women have signed

“We’re hoping the sign-up rate continues

up for this year’s Twilight Walk!

over the next couple of months, which

Nearly 1,000 women signed up in January alone for the 10km walk which is a record

will mean this will be the most successful Twilight Walk to date.”

£12 per person.

For more information or to secure your slot visit

in such a short space of time, for the

Starting and ending at Leicester City’s

Hospice.

King Power stadium, the army of women

loros.co.uk/twilightwalk

walk a total of 10km, through the city, in

For the men-folk or for those who do not

fancy dress.

fancy walking this year, LOROS are always

magic, and has raised more than £250,000

Each year, moments before the walk starts,

looking for people to volunteer at the

since it first launched in 2010.

each participant is given the opportunity

event.

to release a pink balloon in memory of a

For more information about volunteering

loved one.

at this year’s Twilight Walk call 0116 231

that we’ve already had such a fantastic

Sign-up for this year’s Twilight Walk, which

8431.

response to this year’s Twilight Walk.

takes place on Saturday 8th April, costs

The annual event, which snakes around the city centre, has a theme of myths and

LOROS Fundraising Coordinator Laura Fitzsawyer, said: “I’m overwhelmed to see

Get Baking and Raise Funds for our Heroes Help for Heroes (H4H) is once again asking the great British public to dust off their aprons and get baking to raise lots of dough for our wounded, injured and sick personnel, veterans and their families.

Every slice sold really does make a difference to help rebuild lives and it is so easy to get involved.

You could hold a tea & cake event at work, at school or in your local community centre or simply invite friends around to your home for a slice of cake for a donation and a catch up.

Register and fund raise for the chance to win a Kenwood kMix (very kindly donated by Debenhams). A free fundraising pack will be sent to every Bake for Heroes organiser to help make each event a success. The packs include collecting boxes, a sweepstake game, bunting, balloons and pricing stickers.

The winner of our ‘Best Cake Competition’ in 2017, could win a stay in London, together with breakfast and afternoon tea, which has kindly been donated by our lovely friends at the Bloomsbury Hotel in London. You must be over 18 to enter and show that you’ve raised money at your Bake for Heroes event.

The ‘Bake for Heroes’ campaign starts on 15 April – 30 April 2017, however if this isn’t convenient please feel free to choose a date that is. To register or for more information visit www.bakeforheroes.org.uk or call 01980 846459.

Lynn organised a bake sale in her local town and said: “Help for Heroes is really close to my heart and I wanted to do something, so I invited my friends and family to my home for tea and cake. It was really easy to organise and a great opportunity to catch up, have some fun and raise some money for a fantastic charity.”

Register Now For Your FREE Fundraising Pack www.helpforheroes.org.uk 12

At the heart of your community

SADS

Awareness Help mark Heart Research UK’s 50th anniversary this year and join them in taking up a 50 Day Challenge. They are calling for willing members of the public to either Give Up or Take Up something for 50 days. Ideally, Heart Research UK want you to give up something unhealthy, or take up something healthy, for the duration of the

How do we get more defibrillators and CPR training into our communities? How can we ensure more victims of cardiac arrest survive because a member of the public took action? How do we spot the warning signs of these conditions?

challenge. 50 days may seem like a long time, but that’s why they

These are the sorts of questions that will be addressed at this

are doing it - after all, it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was easy. How

year’s SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) Awareness

about giving up chocolate, alcohol, takeaways or smoking? Or on

Conference, organised by local charity the Joe Humphries

the other side of the coin, why not take up running, swimming or

Memorial Trust (JHMT) in conjunction with the University Hospitals

cycling.

of Leicester NHS Trust. It takes place on Thursday 2nd March at the

Some people already signed up are giving up refined sugar, taking up cycling to work and one chap is even giving up using any transport for 50 days – he is walking to work, cycling to the gym and jogging to the shops!

The opportunities and ideas are endless and what’s great about this challenge is it can be tailored to suit your own vices. Creativity and personal experience is very much encouraged. Heart Research UK

King Power Stadium.

SADS is part of a group of subtle heart diseases that claim the lives of 12 teenagers and young adults, aged 12-35, EVERY WEEK in the UK. Some conditions causing SADS affect whole families.

just ask that in support of their work, you raise money throughout

The conference and study day is aimed at healthcare professionals

your #50DayChallenge. They will provide you with a fundraising

in sport, hospital or community care.

pack and any money you raise will be spent on benefitting people in your area.

Dr Ffion Davies, JHMT medical lead and consultant in A&E at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “I want to see more people diagnosed

Heart Research UK has paid for £22.6 million of medical research

before they have a cardiac arrest. If someone does suffer a cardiac

into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease across the

arrest, I’d like to see them arriving at A&E sitting up and talking

country. Your support will help them carry on this work through

because they’ve already received the right help – that is, access to a

2017 and beyond.

defibrillator and someone who has learned CPR and saved their life.”

Here’s the good news, and why we feel it’s worth celebrating being

The conference will feature an opening address from Martin

fabulous at 50!

Johnson, former England rugby captain and patron of the JHMT. Martin said: “This conference is a chance for professionals to come

• In the last 50 years, the annual number of UK deaths from

together and discuss how, by working with the JHMT, they can

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has more than halved

put Leicestershire at the forefront of awareness, research and

• 50 years ago, more than 70% of heart attacks in the UK ended in

action when it comes to sudden heart deaths. We want to make

death. Now at least 70% of people survive

an impact, make a difference – and events like this one are an

• In the 1960s, 80% of babies born in the UK with a heart defect did

essential part of our plan.”

not survive to their first birthday and today around 80% survive into

Registration fees are £70 for doctors, £40 for nurses, paramedics,

adulthood

ambulance technicians and physios, and £20 for students.

To sign up visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/50days or call

To book online, visit jhmt.org.uk/sads-conference.

0113 234 7474 or email community@heartresearch.org.uk.

For enquiries, please contact jhmt@jhmt.org.uk.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

13

14

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

15

LEICESTER ASSOCIATION The Shugborough Estate, near Stafford, was acquired by the National Trust in 1966 but almost immediately handed over to Staffordshire County Council on a 99 year lease. In 2015 the County Council asked the NT if they could surrender the lease and in mid-2016 the property was returned to the Trust.

Overall this is a perfect example of a country estate. It includes an historic mansion which was built in the 1690’s and enlarged and improved in the 1740’s and 1760’s.

The estate has always been the home of the Anson family, who were the Earls of Lichfield and who’s most famous son was Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl, the society photographer, who died in 2005.

The 900-acre estate includes (Grade-I listed) rolling parkland, created by Thomas Anson (1695 – 1773). Peppered with follies, including a Chinese House and Greek Revival buildings, there are also formal terraced gardens leading down to the river, a walled garden, an arboretum and a model farm. The whole estate is set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Trust has already begun a ten year project to restore every aspect of the property to its former glory, yet pleasingly the whole property will remain open throughout this time. The National Trust will reopen the property to the public on 21st March and it will welcome visitors 364 days a year.

“Lacemakers and Luddites” There was a full house on January 23rd, for Tony Jarram’s talk - with approximately fifty members present and the Committee were particularly pleased to welcome a further forty visitors.

Tony’s talk covered nearly 500 years from the first stocking machines to recent times. He reviewed the various stages of machine development and their successes and failures.

Perhaps the most fascinating part was his account

The NT Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 14th March at the Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm when Alex Gordon (NT) will present an illustrated talk entitled “The History of Belton House”.

of the attack on Heathcote’s Mill in Loughborough on June 28th 1816. There was great resentment among the workers and machine-breaking was widespread. They were called “Luddites” after a

There will also be an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 22nd March when Derek

character called Ned Ludd (who may or may not

Holloway will present an illustrated talk on “Leicestershire’s Famous Artist – John

have been an actual person). About 200 rioters

Ferneley”. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road,

attacked the factory in Mill Street, Loughborough

Leicester at 2.30pm.

(now Market Street} with hammers and crowbars,

Admission to both meetings is: NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including

destroying all the machinery.

refreshments.

Heathcote, who lived in a house on Leicester Road,

For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other

Loughborough, was not hurt and may have taken

organisations please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler | Publicity Officer

refuge in a “secret” passage beneath the house. It is still there! That spelled the end of lace making in Loughborough!

Heathcote set up a new factory at Tiverton in Devon, where many of his former workers moved to, some of them walking the 200 miles to the new mill.

Heathcote and his partner Boden (ancestor of the well known clothing company of today) prospered in Tiverton but lace making also moved to Nottingham and to Calais in France.

Tony is still digging for further facts...was there a Ned Ludd in Anstey? How many rioters were hung? The same families turn up again and again in this fascinating story; not least the Wests who were the actual ancestors of our speaker, Tony Jarram.

For further information contact Peter Bertram on 01162 100 572

www.focf.org.uk 16

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

17

18

At the heart of your community

Local Charity spurs organisations to rally round to build awareness of the

‘invisible’disability Glebe House, a Loughborough based charity, has invited local

will be held to celebrate autism within the community on the 2nd

organisations and charities across Leicestershire to work in

April and later in the month a workshop will be held about the

partnership to coordinate a range of events and activities to mark

Pathways to Adulthood.

World Autism Awareness Week, starting from 27th March to 2nd April and then throughout April.

For more information about how you can get involved contact marketing@glebehouseproject.org.uk or call 07398 987627.

Organisations who have already pledged their support to help raise much needed awareness include Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Autistic Society, Autism East Midlands, RNIB College, Homefield College, Charnwood Borough Council and Attenborough Arts to name but a few.

Glebe House Chief Executive, Peter Warlow stated: “Whilst general awareness of autism is much higher in recent times, research shows that there remains a lack of understanding about what it really means to live with autism, not only for the person with autism but also for those who care for them and live with them.“ He went on to say, “...whether it’s at school, within businesses or in social settings, people with autism are still misunderstood. This is where support is often left to the charities to help raise awareness.”

The week will begin with a ‘Living with Autism’ Conference on the 30th March, followed by a worldwide initiative to ‘Light up in Blue’ as we countdown to World Autism Awareness Day. A charity event

Leicestershire...Marie Curie urgently needs YOUR help!

As we see the first daffodils of the year bloom, terminal illness charity Marie Curie is asking the people of Leicestershire to volunteer to collect for its March, Great Daffodil Appeal. Volunteering just two hours of your time to give out daffodil pins in return for a donation can help Marie Curie Nurses be there for people living with a terminal illness in their own homes.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, which takes places throughout March, but the charity needs people to sign up to volunteer now.

Actress Jane Horrocks, who volunteered her time to voice a radio and TV advertisement for the appeal, said: “This March the charity needs more than 24,000 volunteers to make the Great Daffodil Appeal happen. Please give up some of your time to ensure that Marie Curie Nurses can continue to provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness, at a time when they need it most. Together we can make every daffodil count this March!”

Sophie Wallace, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser said: “We are calling on the people of Rutland to help us make every daffodil count this year. All you have to do is encourage people to give a donation and wear a daffodil pin, it’s that simple. So round up your friends, family and colleagues and together we can help Marie Curie Nurses provide vitals hands on care and emotional support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.”

Make Every Daffodil Count and volunteer to support now: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil or call 0800 304 7025*.

For more information on how to get involved in the Great Daffodil Appeal, please contact Sophie Wallace on 01332 204221 or email sophie.wallace@mariecurie.org.uk.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

19

20

At the heart of your community

H I G H LY COMMENDED Local Audiologist Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre is delighted to announce that, for the second year running, Audiologist Lynne Leeming, has been highly commended in the Rayovac Audiologist of the Year awards.

The prestigious award is given to Audiologists who continually show a high level of professionalism, care and commitment to their patients.

In order to be considered for an award Audiologists must be nominated by their clients. Lynne is immensely grateful to all her clients who nominated her for the award. On receiving the commendation for the second time Lynne said “It is most humbling to think that my clients have taken the time to nominate me for this prestigious award when I am doing what I love to do – helping to improve the lives of those who are hard of hearing.”

Lynne has been an Audiologist for over 30 years, spending more than 25 years working within the NHS. She opened her private practice in 1998 and moved to the current premises on Stadon Road in Anstey 6 years ago. A quality, no pressure service has ensured that the Practice has grown steadily and indeed last year it saw expansion when Lynne employed a second Audiologist to work alongside her. New services recently introduced into the Practice include the removal of wax by microsuction.

The team at Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre can be contacted on 0116 2366633 between 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays. Nominations for Audiologist of the Year 2017 will open in the spring and details can be found at www.audiologistoftheyear.co.uk.

PRE-DRIVER DAYS Leicestershire County Council’s Safe & Sustainable Travel Team are offering Pre-Driver Day courses for 16-17 year olds who want to get behind the wheel and learn to drive.

The courses designed for young people who have not yet started to drive, are held at Mallory Park, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire and aim to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young, inexperienced drivers and give them the knowledge and understanding to make safe choices as drivers and passengers.

The pre-driver days include an introduction to driving, issues relating to speeding, impairment, the Highway Code and a practical driving session using the track and paddock area, accompanied by a qualified driving instructor in a dual control car.

Each course costs £50 and places sell out quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.

Course dates available for 2017,during school holidays are: • Monday 10th April • Thursday 20th April • Thursday 1st June • Thursday 20th July • Monday 14th August • Monday 16th October For more information and to book onto a course, visit www.tjunction.org.uk or call 0116 305 7233.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

21

22

At the heart of your community

Garth the Dog

offers award winning advice to new owners An advice leaflet ‘written’ by Garth the Dog has been highly commended by the RSPCA. The leaflet, which has been produced by Charnwood Borough Council, was Highly Commended at the RSPCA’s Community Animal Welfare Footprint (CAWF) awards in the Innovator category.

The council also won gold at the CAWF awards for its work in looking after stray dogs in the borough.

The leaflet offers advice for new owners who adopt a dog from the council’s College Garth kennels in Hathern, Loughborough.

The advice is written in plain English, from the point of view of Garth the Dog, who gives tips on tasks such as sleeping arrangements, walks and feeding time.

Councillor David Hayes, Deputy Lead Member for Regulatory Services said: “It’s fantastic to have achieved not one, but two commendations from the RSPCA. “We work hard to ensure stray dogs are either reunited with their owners or re-homed.

“It’s also important that we make sure that owners know how to look after their dog, particularly as many of our adopted dogs have had bad experiences with their former owners in the past.

“Our leaflet gives people practical advice to make sure that you can have a happy and safe relationship with your dog.”

Rachel Williams, Senior Parliamentary Advisor at the RSPCA said: “Garth’s rehoming leaflet is a truly innovative approach to helping both owner and animal have the best possible start in their new lives together.

“We’ve not seen a leaflet written in this friendly, accessible style anywhere else in the country, and it’s proof that improving animal welfare doesn’t have to be hugely complicated.

“What the borough council achieved in the CAWF awards is fantastic and something that all of the staff involved should be very proud of.”

For more information about how the council looks after stray animals visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/animals_stray.

To find out about more about the kennels, search College Garth Rescue Kennels on Facebook.

TRY

BELL RINGING

If you are interested in ‘heavy metal’ music using instruments founded in the sixteenth and seventeen centuries then this is for you. There will be lots of people about to answer your questions and tea/coffee and cakes and biscuits will also be available.

At Thurcaston on the morning of Saturday 8th April from 9.30am you will be able to visit and see the Church’s eight bells in the belfry. The ringers will then give a demonstration of ringing the bells up, ringing rounds and called changes and ringing them down before you are given the opportunity to have a go under close, strict supervision.

At the Open Morning you will also be able to try your hand at hand-bell ringing, ring a dumbbell in the Church and see how a bell actually operates. On screens in the Church DVDs will be showing of ringing outings, advanced ringing and also of complete novices learning the basics of bell handling.

If a mixture of physical exercise, mental challenge, team-work, musical and architectural appreciation at little or no cost may be of interest, do come along and find out more.

Peter Hunt, Tower Captain BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

23

24

At the heart of your community

20th - 26th March 2017

Primary school children invited to rock with Shakespeare

NEW Dance & Gymnastics @ Rawlins Academy Mayes Academy, a brand new addition to the community of Quorn, providing Dance and Gymnastics for children aged 5+.

Mayes opened its doors in 2016 at ‘The Deep End Centre’ Rawlins Academy.

At Mayes, we specialise in the provision of high quality, active and fun dance and gymnastics classes. Our academy provides the opportunity for young children to take part in dance platforms, competitions and annual shows. Our members have already performed at Mayes Academy Christmas showcase as well as New Creations79 at The Curve. The excitement does not stop there either as the troop are currently working towards their upcoming regional dance competition, Dance Caper.

Our well-experienced instructors and coaches pride themselves on delivering exciting, challenging and engaging dance and gymnastics classes, with a focus on developing the key techniques and fundamentals of these two disciplines.

Kicking-off Shakespeare Week 2017 will be the Big Assembly, where primary schools can join in the celebrations with a new song composed by Shakespeare Rocks’ Steve Titford.

At Mayes, our classes are designed to suit different abilities so all members are split into relevant age groups and every member also has the opportunity to join our Elite team, via either audition

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust passionately believes that

or invitation.

Shakespeare is not only for all time, but for everyone, and that

We aim to encourage younger children to engage in dance and

having a great first experience of Shakespeare should be something

gymnastics, to build team-working skills and in developing a

every child experiences. That’s where Shakespeare Week comes in.

healthy active lifestyle but most importantly to have fun.

Shakespeare is a named author on the curriculum in 65% of

If your child would like to try out our Academy please visit www.

countries, studied by around half of the world’s schoolchildren

mayesacademy.com to join in the fun.

every year. He has been hailed as the UK’s greatest cultural export, and the foremost reason why people are proud to be British. Yet many British children encounter Shakespeare only in their teens as a mandatory subject studied for exams. Many grow up to regard Shakespeare as difficult, and not for them, and in turn are very unlikely to introduce their own youngsters to his creative influence.

This is why Shakespeare Week is so important because it opens the door to Shakespeare and ensures that children have a great first encounter with one of the world’s most famous playwrights.

Shakespeare Week offers cross-curricular resources and activities to teachers and families inspiring all to explore Shakespeare in creative and diverse ways.

Shakespeare Week is a free scheme for primary school children and their families, run by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. To register, access free resources and take part in Shakespeare Week 2017 visit:

www.shakespeareweek.org.uk BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

25

NEW BREAKFAST CLUB

For Veterans & Armed Forces Members

A breakfast club for serving and former members of the Armed Forces has been launched in Charnwood.

The Charnwood Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club met for the first time on Saturday, February 11th at the Toby Carvery in Loughborough which gave the chance for serving and former servicemen and women, including reservists, and their families to enjoy breakfast for £5 and have a chat.

The club is organised by Victoria Coomber and backed by Charnwood Borough Council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Victoria’s husband Dai served in the Royal Signals for more than 20 years before his death in 2011 following a short battle with Burkitts Lymphoma.

Victoria, who lives in Shepshed and works for the Council, said: “We want to give veterans the chance to come together, meet new people who may have similar experiences and of course enjoy a good breakfast.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are still serving, left the armed forces last week, last year or many years ago. You will all have common bonds from your service and we’re hoping this will become a popular, regular event open to all current and past members of our Armed Forces in Charnwood.

“I’d like to thank the Toby Carvery for their support in hosting the club.”

Armed Forces Community Covenants encourage understanding and awareness of the issues affecting service personnel, veterans and their families within the local community.

Cllr Hilary Fryer, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “I am passionate about supporting our armed forces personnel because these people are prepared to risk their lives to protect our freedom. It’s important we support them if we can, even if it’s only in a small way.”

The Charnwood Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club will meet on the second Saturday of every month at the Toby Carvery, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3HU. A full English breakfast will be £5 for veterans including unlimited tea and coffee. Booking is not required, but for more information, email Vicky at Victoria. coomber@talk21.com. A group has also been set up on Facebook called the Charnwood Veterans Breakfast Club. Search for it and request to join.

MURDER

at THE MEMORIAL HALL

The Latimer Players are having fun in rehearsal for their forthcoming production ‘Secondary Cause of Death’ which is the sequel to the comedy thriller ‘Murdered to Death’ written by Peter Gordon.

The action takes place in 1939, as the “storm clouds are gathering over Europe”. Again we meet the inept, aptly named, Inspector Pratt, who delivers grim news to Colonel Craddock, the owner of a country house hotel. This is just the beginning of our story Who is the strange Polish Count? Is Henrietta really an army captain? And where does the flamboyant thespian Cardew Longfellow fit into the picture? When Cynthia Maple, sister of amateur sleuth Joan Maple, arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, it is not long before Inspector Pratt’s visit turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher than ever!

The production takes place in The Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston on 27th, 28th and 29th April. Tickets cost £7 each and are available from Christine Deavin: T: 0116 237 6855 | E: christinedeavin@btinternet.com.

26

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

27

28

At the heart of your community

WELCOME TO

LOUGHBOROUGH Loughborough is a centrally-located Market and University Town, situated just off J23 of the M1. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the town is ideally based for visitors to explore Charnwood and its great parks, including Charnwood Forest and Bradgate Park.

Shopping: Loughborough offers a great shopping experience, with big names such as TK Maxx, New Look, Topshop and Next sitting side by side with an eclectic mix of independent boutiques. You will find all the big names in the Carillon Court and The Rushes Shopping Centres and across the pedestrianised Market Place.

But wander a little further or turn a corner and you’ll find yourself amongst a mix of eclectic boutiques, cafés, gift shops and eateries. Look out for the following popular areas: Cattle Market, Wards End, Bedford Square, Devonshire Square, Church Gate, Church Gate Mews, Biggin Street, Baxter Gate, Swan Street, High Street and Leicester Road.

Eating and Drinking: If you like spice, you’ve come to the right place. Loughborough is only a short distance from the Curry Capital of England and their great flavours can be found here too! There’s a super selection of Indian and Asian cuisine, as well as continental, fine dining and good old pub grub on offer – take your time to explore the culinary delights, you won’t regret it.

With a population of approximately 60,000 the town has a great mix of young, vibrant bars and clubs as well as more relaxed, laid-back restaurants.

Leisure: After all that shopping, you may want to take a break – well look no further than Queen’s Park, right in the town centre, with its iconic war memorial, the Carillon, stood at its centre. Charnwood Museum is also based within the Park and has a great café where you can sit and watch the world go by. There’s also the wonderful Loughborough Town Hall theatre which stages great shows throughout the year.

Heritage – Did You Know?

• Angel Yard, situated just off Market Place, was the original location of Wills & Hepworth Printers (est 1873) and is the birthplace of Ladybird Books. A green plaque was installed as part of the Ladybird Books Centenary celebrations that took place in the town centre in October 2015.

• In 1841, Loughborough was the destination for Thomas Cook’s first package tour from Leicester.

• The town has the world’s largest bell foundry, John Taylor Bellfounders, which made the bells for the Carillon War Memorial in Queen’s Park, as well as the Great Paul for St. Paul’s Cathedral and York Minster.

• Loughborough is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book.

• The Great Central Railway, Britain’s only double-track steam line, runs regular trips to Leicester at weekends and throughout the summer.

Why not take some time-out to visit this lovely town for a day or two or peruse www.loveloughborough.co.uk for more information, news and current event listings.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

29

LOUGHBOROUGH MARKET CROWNED

BEST IN BRITAIN Loughborough market has been crowned the best large outdoor market at the British Market of the Year Awards 2017.

The market was praised for supporting traders with its ‘Try a Trade’ offer, which allows people to have a free stall on the market for a day and 50 per cent off a stall for three months, to help local entrepreneurs grow their business.

The awards also recognised the market’s work with Loughborough University, where traders spent a day at the campus and students held a lecture in the marketplace.

The aim of the project was promote the market to students and encourage them to buy local produce.

The awards were held by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and saw markets across the country battle it out to win the coveted award.

Councillor David Hayes, Lead Member for Regulatory Services and Town Centre said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won best large outdoor market! Loughborough market is a fantastic part of our town centre and provides not only the Thursday and Saturday retail markets, but also vintage, farmers and festive markets throughout the year too.

“Well done to all the team and the traders who ensure that the market continues to flourish and provide local, affordable produce to our residents and visitors to the borough.”

Loughborough’s markets are held every Thursday and Saturday, between 7am and 5pm in the town centre. There is also a vintage market every Friday between 8am and 4pm and a monthly farmers market which is held on the second Monday of each month.

For more information about the market visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/markets, call 01509 634624 or visit the Loughborough Markets Facebook page.

30

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

31

SPORT FOR ALL

| an integral part of LOUGHBOROUGH’S identity |

The town’s university is a proud mecca for students with a passion for sport, accommodating Archery, American Football, Table Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and everything in between but it is also home to Europe’s most extensive sports development programme.

SportPark Loughborough University is a £15m development that houses many of the country’s top sports’ governing bodies and national organisations including British Swimming, England Cricket Board, England Squash, English Federation of Disability Sport, Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball, Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, Volleyball England and the Youth Sport Trust. The venue represents a brand-new concept in sports working that encourages partnership working, sharing of best practice, collaboration and innovation.

Based in purpose-built accommodation in a parkland setting at the western entrance of the University, sports bodies are also able to access expertise and knowledge from across the

BENEFITS OF SPORT Mental benefits include: • improved confidence • relief of stress/tension and stress related illness

Loughborough campus including the University’s Business School, its Sports Development Centre, the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and SportPark’s close neighbours the Sports Technology Institute.

SportPark has been developed by Loughborough University and part-funded by the East Midlands Development Agency, Sport England, Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council, and is designed to support sports organisations as they strive to raise their game in achieving excellence in all that they do.

At a more targeted grass-roots level Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, one of the country’s 45 County Sports Partnerships (CSPs), are tasked with increasing the number of people taking part in sport and physical activity by delivering on Sport England programmes such as Sportivate, at a local level.

Specialist Regional Development Officers are also on hand to assist in helping new clubs and sports get set up and started and the CSP’s website - www.lrsport.org - can help you and friends/family members get involved in sport and recreation by searching for a particular sport, campaign or course to help you play, manage or volunteer with a local club or team.

So why not get involved today and enjoy a whole world of benefits for body, mind and spirit and let Loughborough support your active ambition.

32

At the heart of your community

Physical benefits include: • losing weight • improved posture • improved body composition

Social benefits include: • meeting people • making friends

Nurturing Confident Young People Our Lady’s Convent School in Loughborough is famed for its warm and supportive ethos. The teacher-student ratio is 1:6, which allows for an unusually high level of individualised academic support. This is reflected in their public examination results (75% A*-B at A Level and 69% A*-B at GCSE in 2016) which, for a non-selective school, are truly outstanding.

Our Lady’s Convent enjoys the best of both worlds. The community and personal support of a small school is combined with access to the physical and human resources of the entire Loughborough Endowed Schools campus. This provides numerous benefits, from access to one of the best music schools in the country through to individualised mentoring for Oxbridge applications from a wide variety of specialised staff.

The School is served by an extensive network of bus routes radiating out to points across the county including Ashby de la Zouch to the west, Derby and Nottingham to the north, Kinoulton, Bingham and Melton Mowbray to the east and Oadby and Narborough Road to the South.

Above all, Our Lady’s Convent School is a beacon of holistic education where staff pride themselves on helping to nurture young people who are confident but not arrogant and ambitious but not materialistic.

A local Catholic, independent School for boys and girls aged 4-11 and girls aged 11-18 you are invited to tour Our Lady’s Convent School. They welcome interest from parents looking at any point of entry, but particularly encourage entry at the following points: reception or Year 1; Years 6 or 7; Year 9 and Lower Sixth.

Visit the School, meet the staff and the students, and see for yourself what makes Our Lady’s Convent such a uniquely positive educational environment. Tours are welcomed at any time or you can attend open mornings on 8th March and 4th April. For more information or to book a tour please ring 01509 638280 or email wendy.spencer@olcs.leics.sch.uk.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

33

34

At the heart of your community

LOUGHBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL INVESTS IN

BIGGER THAN EVER

Creative Inspiration Loughborough High School is inspiring

with Cisca in order to get inspiration

students to get creative by employing

and feedback, helping to find new and

an Artist in Residence for the next 12

engaging ways to explore the curriculum.

months.

Headmistress Gwen Byrom has created the role, which is currently held by ceramic potter Cisca Collins, having recognised that arts subjects deserve the same attention received by STEM subjects.

Working within the school, alongside

Cisca added: “When young people at Loughborough

Headmistress Gwen Byrom said:

High School hear about what you do and

“Creative subjects provide students with a unique set of skills that are vital for all aspects of life and personal development.”

students and staff, the full-time role is filled

“Our aim as educators is to help shape

by a new artist every year, bringing a fresh

well-rounded, confident and grounded

perspective to the school. The programme

young people, and the arts subjects play

allows students to interact and learn from

an invaluable role in this. Creative subjects

a skilled, creative individual who is also a

help students to think outside of the box,

successful business person and positive

and be proud of what they have achieved.”

role model.

shows a piece of her wonderful work.

how you have got to where you are in your life, it opens up discussions about an entirely different career path that they may not have previously considered.

“I’m enthused about being a positive role model for the creative industry and an ambassador for following your dreams and believing in yourself.”

Cisca Collins also works on a self-employed

For teachers, the artist in residence

basis

provides creative support and guidance,

commissions and showing work in galleries

and staff are keen to discuss ideas

and art fairs. The photograph to the right

outside

the

school,

accepting

Loughborough High School, Burton Walks, Loughborough, LE11 2DU Tel: 01509 212348 | Email: reception@leshigh.org | Website: www.leshigh.org To see more of Cisca’s work visit: www.ciscajane.com Photo: Cisca Collins with Loughborough High School students in a ceramics class.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

35

36

At the heart of your community

CURIOUS MINDS

in C a r i n g H a nd s at T h e Nursery The Nursery at Loughborough Endowed Schools is now open.

Conveniently located close to the centre of town, parents can confidently leave their children in the caring hands of Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, and her capable staff.

Babies can start in the Developers room from 6 weeks old and progress through Investigators and Pathfinders to the Pioneers pre-school room.

With light, airy and spacious rooms there are plenty of activities to engage and fascinate curious young minds. All the children enjoy the outside play areas where there is a range of stimulating play equipment suitable for all ages. Additionally the Developers also have their own garden where they can enjoy playtime in a secure environment. Offering full and part time places, The Nursery is open 51 weeks a year from 7.30am to 6pm, providing flexible cover for busy working parents, Monday to Friday. All consumables are included in the fees including milk, up to a child’s first birthday. All meals are prepared fresh and daily by Nursery Chef Judith, who is very experienced in supporting parents through the weaning process and in tempting selective eaters to be more adventurous.

Speaking recently a parent said:

“We’ve been really impressed with all of the staff who have taken the time to reassure us and go through everything with us every time. We’re thrilled that our girls are already so happy when they’re at nursery!”

To enquire about places or to book a visit please ring Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager on 01509 276820 or visit:

www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

37

Since time immemorial, spring is the time of fertility, regeneration and the renewal of hope. And motherhood has always been symbolic of this.

It followed therefore that spring was the time to celebrate motherhood. The druids dedicated a spring festival to the goddesses of Spring, Fertility and Plenty.

The

Romans

celebrated

their

spring

goddess, Cebele, and a whole host of adopted spring deities, and they all represented motherhood in some fashion.

This of course all started in pagan times but when Christianity began to hold sway, the more austere attitudes tried to banish these non-Christian celebrations. However, bowing to the inevitable...it being hard to stop celebrations in times when joy was a rare commodity in life...they were eventually adapted, as were elements from many other non-Christian festivals and the mother of Christ was celebrated instead of the pagan deities, leaving everyone happy.

The importance of the day increased over the years to the extent that in the 18th and 19th centuries, servants who were seldom given any time off, were allowed to return home to see their mothers and to worship in their mother church, that in which they were baptized.

Returning home this one time a year was very special and those returning carried adoring gifts for their mothers. Hand-embroidered handkerchiefs, sweetmeats, posies of flowers - especially herbs and medicinal blooms, saffron cakes and often a very special simnel cake.

This was baked with the very best ingredients by the giver’s own hands and was a treat for families because although Mothering Sunday fell in the midst of Lent when certain foods were forbidden, special dispensation allowed the simnel cake to be consumed.

As the 20th century dawned, the day became less important in the church calendar and certainly of less importance to the population in general. Servants gradually became a rarity and those that remained in service were granted statutory holidays and the family either became less important or more sophisticated. The habit of honouring mothers would have fallen entirely from custom had it not been for a certain Mrs Jarvis whose death in America, triggered the resurrection of the celebration, though in a less spiritual context.

In 1907, on the death of Mrs Jarvis, her daughter vowed to celebrate the anniversary every year and she began by persuading her local church to hold a special service. Her devotion to her late mother was such that this was not enough and she campaigned to get the day recognised as an annual event nationally. She managed to persuade the then President, Woodrow Wilson, to grant the day a national holiday in 1914. And so it became.

Unfortunately commercial interests saw the advantages of the day and it lost its spiritual character, much to the distress of Anna Jarvis who died a bitter and disillusioned woman.

It wasn’t until 1940 that the day as we know it came to Britain with the advent of American soldiers. Again commercial interests took charge - it was too good an opportunity to leave to chance - and a receptive public took to it like ducks to water. Celebrating their mothers seems as natural as celebrating Christmas and Easter, and as such it is approached in similar fashion.

First come the gifts. They are very similar to those of yore except perhaps the handkerchiefs which have been superseded in general by tissues. However embroidered tissue box containers have on occasion taken their place. Flowers are popular gifts as are pot plants. Chocolates are always appreciated too. Small pieces of silver jewellery are often considered appropriate as are pieces of porcelain and crystal. It is a highly personal celebration and people’s gifts have often tended to reflect this.

38

At the heart of your community

Celebrating Mum! Whilst a day for honouring Mom’s, Mum’s, Mater’s and Ma’s around

the world Mother’s Day in the UK has become one of the biggest

consumer spending days in the yearly calendar, with retailers seeing an increasing amount of cash spent, particularly online. For example, did you know, a staggering 30 million cards are sent each year, sons and daughters spend an average of £30 on Mum and the day has become one of the busiest times of the year for pubs, bars and restaurants...and for making phone calls!!? In fact, more phone calls are made - globally - on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year!

Gifts of choice for Mum range from flowers, dinner, spa days to clothes, jewellery, books and home-ware and electronics (in todays age).

Throughout every corner of the planet Mother’s Day is a tradition that’s still alive and thriving, but here’s some eye-watering facts that you may not be quite so aware of that pertain to a Mothers’ unique gift for maternity and motherhood: • The world’s most prolific mother was the Russian Mrs. Feodor Vassilyev, who had 69 children in 27 pregnancies. She had no single births, but multiple sets of twins, triplets and quadruplets. 67 survived past infancy!

• Maddalena Granata of Italy, gave birth to a whopping 15 sets of triplets between 1839 & 1886.

• In France, in 1906 ten mothers who had nine children each were given an award recognising their ‘High Maternal Merit’.

• The record for the heaviest, healthy baby was courtesy of Carmelina Fedele, who had a baby boy born in Italy in 1955, he weighed 22lb 8oz!

‘Celebrating Mum’ under these circumstances may have set quite the precedent, but who would argue these impressive Mothers didn’t deserve a few gifts for their quite considerable efforts.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

39

40

At the heart of your community

Flowers... Flowers... Flowers... and The Fancy Flower Shop

Newly opened The Fancy Flower Shop is situated in the heart of Quorn. Located in The Barn on Station Road opposite the popular White Horse Pub this stylish village florist is perfectly positioned for maximum convenience. With Parking directly outside and just a stones throw from the village car park it couldn’t be easier to pop in and browse the stunning selection of flowers.

The creators of The Fancy Flower Shop, Hatty and Kerry, bring a fresh and exciting approach to floristry With over 15 years experience Kerry has been commercially trained, providing lavish vase arrangements for such places as Kensington Palace, the financial district of London, and the Hilton of Leicester alongside many wedding venues across the UK. As well as working in small boutique florists Kerry has maintained relationships for over 6 years with highly reputable funeral directors such as Gambles of Syston. Her knowledge of flowers is extensive and her skilled floral arrangements are exquisite.

Hatty having studied at the London College of Fashion has always had a flair for colour and design. Discovering her passion for floristry Hatty trained at a busy London florist where she quickly progressed her skills to large scale events. Having travelled the world Hatty’s influences and inspiration is varied and lends a unique style to her creative floristry.

Hatty and Kerry have an excellent working dynamic and share the same strong yet simple vision: a florist shop that provides quality and choice flowers all year round by doing away with busy packaging and allowing the flowers to speak for themselves with simple, elegant and practical packaging with no customer leaving less than 100% happy.

As well as being a busy retail flower shop providing cut flowers, bouquets, plants, sundries and balloons, The Fancy Flower Shop has dedicated wall space displaying the works of local artists and a studio that will be used to host and teach flower arranging work shops.

Specialising in bespoke events, tailor-made corporate packages and wedding flowers, with a comfortable office the duo have a private and calm environment to discuss sympathy tributes.

The Fancy Flower Shop is a fabulous new addition to the charming village of Quorn and can be found online at www.thefancyflowershop. co.uk, on Instagram and Facebook @thefancyflowershop. Offering free delivery in Quorn, the team are also able to arrange and send flowers nationally and internationally. Contact Hatty or Kerry on 01509 768804 for more details.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

41

42

At the heart of your community

Thurcaston & Cropston

GARDENING CLUB The year started well for the Thurcaston & Cropston Gardening Club, with a short AGM. The Chair reminded everyone of the very successful programme held in 2016; which included eight visiting

Open Garden Weekend 24th and 25th June 2017, 2pm to 6pm

speakers; an evening visit; a day visit to Renishaw Hall; the annual September Show; and a lively Christmas social.

The new programme for 2017 was highlighted for members and it includes nine visiting speakers, including Nick Hamilton from Barnsdale; three visits, including RHS Chatsworth and Westonbirt; and lots of opportunity to meet and socialise.

‘An English Country Garden’ by Val Williams Our speaker for the January meeting, Val Williams reminded us about the next twelve months with a stroll through the gardening year. Her vast array of slides encapsulated a range of quirky gardening styles and a reminder of the stars of our spring and summer gardens; such as poppies, roses, snowdrops, aconites and primulas. Her collection of wildlife photos,demonstrated the range of visitors to our gardens, which included foxes, mice, badgers and birds and yielded a timely reminder to make sure we keep feeding and watering the birds.

Val’s most serious message concerned the threat to our native ladybirds the Harlequin ladybird from Asia could cause real

damage

to

our

much-needed native insects.

Whether an experienced gardener or an enthusiastic beginner we’re sure you will find something of interest in this year’s programme. New members are made most welcome, what’s more, it is excellent value! The membership fee is still only £12 for the year or £3 per meeting and, if you would like

We are inviting gardeners to join up for this year’s Thurcaston & Cropston Open Garden Weekend. Last year we raised £2,050 for LOROS and the local Good Neighbour Scheme.

This year we are again raising money for local charities and are seeking to support the Air Ambulance Service and again the new Good Neighbour Scheme within our villages.

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

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

to come as a visitor and then decide to join, your visitor fee will

Gardens in both villages are open on two afternoons, but if you

be refunded! So, if you are interested in gardening why not come

can only manage one afternoon, then that’s fine.

and give the club a try. We meet in the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall.

The next club events are: Wednesday 8th March, 7:45pm – Growing Healthy Plants – Sally

If you would like to open your garden for this year’s event or would like more information (or encouragement) please contact us. We hope you will join us for another successful year as part of the Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens event.

Smith: Looking at best practice and husbandry to achieve strong

Please contact Linda on 0116 2363872 or at Linda@tcog.org.

healthy plants.

uk or visit our website for more information, inspiration and

Wednesday 12th April, 7:45pm – Success with Vegetables – David Thornton: Soil preparation and fertilizers, higher yields,

encouragement: www.tcog.org.uk, a useful FAQ section is also included which may answer some of your questions.

pests and disease resistant.

We look forward to hearing from you. Alternatively, if opening up

For more information, please contact Dave Haddon on 0116 235

come along and support this worthwhile community event - 24th

9758.

& 25th June 2017 - we’d love to see you there.

your garden is not for you then please put the date in your diary to

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

43

Two Queens Celebrates

5 YEARS Two Queens is proud to announce a

celebration of five years of exhibitions and events, marking the occasion with a new solo exhibition by artist Viktor Timofeev opening on the 4th of March.

Two

Queens

is

an

artist-run

gallery

situated in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, established in 2012 by graduates from De Montfort and Loughborough Universities.

Alongside

a

programme

of

regularly

changing contemporary art exhibitions the organisation also provides affordable studio space to 25 local artists.

Two Queens co-Director, Gino Atwood said: “We are delighted to be celebrating five years of exhibitions in our gallery in the Cultural Quarter. In that time we have held over 50 exhibitions and events and worked with over 200 young, emerging artists. When the organisation started we had a temporary lease and didn’t know if we would last three months - to be able to look back on five years of activity feels like a major achievement and we have learned a great deal along the way.”

In spring 2016, the gallery attracted just under £50,000 grant funding from Arts Council England, with additional support from De Montfort University and Leicester City Council, towards a programme of newly commissioned works by international contemporary artists across 2016-18.

The next of these exhibitions opens on the 4th of March and is by Latvian artist Viktor Timofeev whose work often involves computer programming, virtual reality and robotics. The exhibition, titled ‘If I could go to sleep for days, would you count the hours? (Sazarus 4)’ will consist of an installation involving a mural and an interactive virtual reality animation. An opening night and 5 year celebration party will be held on Friday 3rd of March, 6-9pm, which is free and open to the public to attend.

2 Queen Street, Leicester, LE1 1QW - info@2queens.com - Gallery Opening Times: Thursday – Saturday 12-6pm during exhibitions

44

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

45

THE MONDAY CLUB: Anstey, Thurcaston, Cropston And Rothley On Monday 9th January the Monday

with encouraging many young men to

Club enjoyed listening to Felicity Austin

enlist at the start of the First World War.

telling us the Story of the Music Hall.

Marie Lloyd’s name is still familiar today

She did some quick changes into various

- when taken to court by a woman

costumes from the heyday of the Music

campaigner for purity, who objected

Hall, which was from about 1870 to the

to her innuendo and saucy looks, she

1920s, explained how they had developed

managed to convince the officials that her

from a mere background entertainment

songs were quite innocent, and that any

at drinking venues like public houses, and

other interpretation came from the minds

gave us examples of the most popular

of the audience. Case dismissed!

artistes of the time such as Marie Lloyd, Ella Shields and Vesta Victoria, some of

Before recorded music or radio was

whom are still remembered today by our

available, stars would jealously guard their

older generations. We mostly know them

exclusive rights to certain songs as their

through songs and monologues, which

popularity spread through the country,

were immensely popular at the time, and

which could take many weeks. During

Miss Austin encouraged our members to

the winter they would also appear in

sing along with her from the sheets she

pantomime for about 6-8 weeks. In the

had given us. “Pop Goes the Weasel” is

summer the growing railway network and

based on Cockney rhyming slang, and refers to having to pawn your coat for money.

to modern day listeners’ ears!

increasing free time enabled huge crowds to enjoy a holiday at the seaside, and in

There were several well known female

1908 Mark Sheridan sang “I do like to be

From the 1870s this form of entertainment

artistes such as Florrie Forde from Australia

beside the seaside” wearing a boater hat

became mainstream, and grand halls like

(pictured), where the music hall was also

and clutching a brolly.

the Alhambra opened in London. There

well established. Miss Austin showed

was a Chairman who exercised some

us a photograph of her, resplendent

control over the spectators, who often

in feathers, sequins over a very short

heckled the artistes and enjoyed indulging

costume and tights. Songs about love and

in spirited repartee with the bravest ones.

marriage abounded, with lines like: “She

Acts were usually about 15 minutes in

cost me seven and sixpence, I wish I’d

length, and some performers would have

bought a dog!”, or about the one who got

a cab waiting to rush them to another

away, and wishful thinking about suddenly

theatre as soon as they came off stage.

coming into a large fortune, such as

Marie Kendal is said to have worked

finding money in your old grandad’s well

The First World War brought about

seven theatres per night and earned £100

worn armchair.

massive social changes, and early black

per week in 1900, which was an absolute fortune! She also toured North America, Australia and South Africa.

Another kind of entertainer would dress very smartly as a “champagne Charlie”, such as George Laybourne, who was

Vesta Tilley entertained the troops wearing an immaculate uniform and Florrie Forde popularised older songs again like “Pack up your troubles in an old tin can”, and “It’s a long way to Tipperary”. Gertie Gitana, who lived in Wigston, had a wonderful voice and sang “There’s an old mill by the stream” at the De Montfort Hall.

and white silent pieces of film began to be included in variety shows, which were often educational, but their popularity hastened the decline of the music hall

Humour was a way of dealing with the

literally paid to advertise a particular

hardships of life experienced by most of

champagne; and female artistes like Ella

The death of Marie Lloyd in 1922 was

the audience, and funny songs abounded.

Shields performed songs like “Burlington

reported in The Times, with huge crowds

Harry

a

Bertie”, dressed like a man. Vesta Tilley

reportedly attending her funeral - perhaps

costermonger, selling street food, sang

was a famous male impersonator who

acting as a fitting testament to the majesty

songs such as “Boiled Beef and Carrots”,

wore either evening dresses or sometimes

of the Music Hall’s heyday and all of its

and others dealt with items less palatable

a military uniform, and she was credited

golden-era stars.

Campion,

who

had

been

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month starting at 2.15pm - posters will be put up on local notice boards with details of the coming month’s talk. Visitors and new members are most welcome. For more details contact committee member...

Mrs Maja Tompkins, (07709 201881) 46

At the heart of your community

HEALTH & FITNESS for busy Mums...

HELLO... ...in this article you’ll find some hints and tips about achieving your health and fitness goals as a Mum. Being a Mum is a full time job and for many Mums who already work full or part time it can be hard trying to fit exercise in alongside eating the correct meals so you can fuel your exercise to try and reach your weight loss goals.

During my time as a personal trainer I have worked with a lot of Mum’s, and rest assured, we have found solutions to fit exercise into your busy home life and work commitments.

You don’t have to exercise for hours on end to achieve results, I have devised workouts using body weight or resistance bands which you can do in 30-40 minutes at home when the children have gone to bed or having an afternoon nap. These workouts along with the correct nutrition have achieved great results in terms of improving fitness and losing weight.

Finding ways to make time is always a smart idea too how about setting your alarm early to exercise before the house awakes, or consider heading out, before the day’s commitments, for a run. During your lunch hour you could fit in a short class or go for a walk. Another great way to get your exercise in is to involve the family - get everyone out for a walk, a kick about in the park, a bike ride...you could even run whilst your child cycles along side you.

As a busy Mum I totally understand too that you don’t want to be cooking different meals every night and I work closely with my clients to help devise meals that fit in with family life that are both tasty and enjoyable. To help with time during the week, at the weekend try bulk-preparing some meals, especially lunches which you can freeze or pop in the fridge, so you have healthy food ready to take to work. Getting the children involved with the cooking may help those that dislike vegetables to become more interested in wanting to try different foods too.

If you would like some help and ideas on fitting exercise and nutrition into busy family life contact me at bridie@darcyfitness. co.uk or call 07967 029106.

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

JAN / FEB

47

Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOURS? For the first meeting of 2017 Sandra Moore made a return to the Society to tell us about more about the characters buried in Belgrave Cemetery, this time we heard about Mrs Eliza Billington, landlady of the Bull’s Head, Belgrave (deceased).

Elisa lived from 1848-1915, during a time of great change, with the coming of the railways, and the industrial revolution leading to the demise of framework knitting as a cottage industry - as large factories opened up around Leicester - which lead in turn to high unemployment.

Dressed in a costume of the period, Sandra began her reminiscing, as Mrs. Billington, with the men returning from the 1905 march to London - more than 400 men had walked to the capital and back, hoping to petition the King and to protest against the lack of employment opportunities in the area. She talked about life as a publican at the Bulls Head, which she ran with her husband Thomas during the 1890s and into early 20th century, and explained how they started serving food while she was the landlady, which attracted a better class of clientele!

Using examples of people buried in the cemetery she described some of the businesses and lives of people who she would have come into contact with in the Belgrave area, illustrated with black and white photographs and postcards. These included Henry Wilkinson (1849-1904) who became keeper of the Victoria Model Lodging House in Britannia Street, where a bed cost 4d a night - terracotta tiles depicting an Englishman, Irishman, Welshman and Scotsman can still be seen on the exterior of the building. Benjamin and David Exton were bakers - life was hard for bakers, as bread was a staple diet, huge amounts of dough had to be kneaded by hand, and the flour-filled air had detrimental effects on the lungs. Life expectancy was only 40 years of age and Benjamin died at 39, leaving his son David to take over the bakehouse and support his family at the age of 16.

Among others Eliza described was Walter Bentley, born in 1866, his father was a framework knitter but Walter started working life with a Mrs Warner at Abbey Nurseries, he moved to Worcester for further experience before starting rose growing at Red Hill in 1890 and then moving to Wanlip in 1937, but with the advent of the 2nd World War, more land was needed for food and more than a million rose trees had to be burned.

The most recent burial was that of Wilfred Barry Deacon in 2012. Better known as impresario Barry Young he bought Goscote Hall Hotel and turned it into a cabaret venue and later ran the Starlight Club in Coalville. He worked with many leading stars including Engelbert Humperdinck, and had planned his funeral many years before he died, including a Union flag floral tribute.

The next meeting will take place in the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston, on Tuesday 21st March at 7.30pm when Anne Horton’s talk will be ‘From Swithland Rectory to Vimy Ridge: the story of nature artist Otto Murray Dixon’. Visitors are welcome. Annual membership £12, Visitors £3. Visit www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk for further details.

Mary Edmunds Otter

Swap the Suits for FOOTBALL BOOTS Organisations in Charnwood are being urged to swap the board room for the football pitch and take part in a corporate kick about.

The annual corporate football tournament is organised by Charnwood Borough Council, and encourages local businesses to go head to head in a friendly game of football.

The event will be held on Saturday 11th March at Rawlins Academy 3G pitches in Quorn, from 11.30am to 4.30pm.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Customer Services, said: “The tournament is a great opportunity for workplaces across the borough to socialize and team-build while enjoying a game of football.

“It’s also a great way to get active and is part of our commitment to ensure residents are living healthy lifestyles.

“Businesses can enter as many teams as they like and we’d encourage players of all levels to get involved and enjoy the game.”

All players need to be employees from the same organisation and teams must be of the same gender. Each team can have between six and nine players.

Entry is £50 per team and the deadline for entry is Friday 3rd March.

For more information or to download an application form visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/football_tournament or contact the Active Together Team on 01509 632536 or email active.together@charnwood.gov.uk

48

At the heart of your community

In The Garden... With Joanne Kennedy Have you ever thought of growing your own fruit?

There is nothing better than picking your own fruit straight from a tree or a bush. The taste is exquisite and if you can’t eat all of the fruit you can freeze it to eat in the winter or share it with friends.

You may think you do not have any space for fruit or are wondering how you could incorporate fruit into your garden but nowadays there are so many varieties to accommodate every size of garden.

For small gardens look for Ballerina apple trees such as the variety ‘Samba’ and Minarette fruits trees.

All fruit trees are grafted onto a rootstock of a related species to make sure they grow to the right height for the size of the tree you want so when looking for fruit trees read the label to make sure its suitable for your sized garden. Another way to grow fruit is along sunny fences or walls. These take up minimal space but will need a bit more training to keep them in check. As long as you get the right sized rootstock you should get the right sized tree or bush. Remember to pick a tree which is easy to pick from!

If you are looking for apple varieties, for cooking the familiar Bramley apple is still popular and for eating, varieties such as Red Falstaff, Fiesta, Red Windsor and Worcester Pearmain, are all excellent.

Pear and plums are other fruit trees that are easy to grow. Pear varieties to go for are Concorde and Conference. For plum varieties try Opal, Marjorie’s Seedling or Victoria.

fruit, also has lovely autumn leaf colour and are very easy to grow in this country.

Redcurrant, blackcurrant and white currant can also be grown this way.

On to a couple of our all-time favourites – raspberries and strawberries. Both are easy to grow if you have a bit of space in the garden: I have a small triangular, fruit plot of about 7m2 in which I grow a row of raspberry canes at the back and down the middle. Either side of the raspberries I have a blueberry and a redcurrant bush with strawberries around the edge. This yields me pounds of fruit to both eat and freeze!

Things to do in the garden this month: • Clean your greenhouse, sheds and tools with a preparatory cleaner and steriliser such as Jeyes fluid • Prepare vegetable beds by digging over, raking level and cover with cloches • Buy seed potatoes and leave them to chit in a cool dry place • Prune winter flowering shrubs if they have finished flowering – see websites such as Crocus, Shoot and The RHS website for advice. The RHS Pruning and Training manual

by Christopher Brickell and David Joyce is a good reference book • Cut back any ornamental grasses before new growth appears

Raspberries are easy to grow but can take

• Prune evergreen hedges

over and will need to be contained and extra ones pulled out. Great varieties are Glen Moy, Glen Ample and autumn fruiting Autumn Bliss. Cambridge favourite, Buddy and Fenella.

• Divide snowdrop clumps if they have finished flowering

Plant now and you will get some fruit this year and lots next year. Pop along to Staunton Harold Nurseries as they often have a good selection in the Spring.

• Move established deciduous shrubs - but not if the ground is waterlogged as the roots will rot

If you need any help with planting or designing your garden please contact me on 07739 153516 or go to my website:

gardenblueprints.net

Fruit bushes can be in a separate bed or can be planted in among your other plants, one of the best for this is a blueberry bush which apart from its wonderful

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

49

50

At the heart of your community

First Staunton Harold Triathlon Announced Derby-based HUUB Events has teamed up with the Staunton Harold Estate to organise the first ever triathlon event there this summer.

available for hire for large functions and up to 12 weddings a year.

The family converted the large Georgian stable block into the

The 2,000 acre family-owned estate will host the triathlon on June

Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts in 1974 which is now the base for

11th with competitors able to choose from two different distances.

16 local businesses.

The Super sprint will start with a 400m swim in the lake, a 14km

Caroline Large, daughter of the estate owners John and Jacqueline

bike ride followed by a 4km run through the estate. The Sprint

Blunt, lives at the hall with her husband and three children.

distance course will be a 750m swim, 28km bike and 8km run. A junior event with shorter distances is also being planned.

HUUB Events Race Director Claire Duffin explained: “Having organised the highly successful Jenson Button Trust Triathlon events in Derby for the past two years and a host of other swim,

She explained that the family were very keen to host the triathlon and thought it was the perfect event for the country estate.

“We have had occasional sporting events here in the past but nothing of this scale and we are very excited about our very first triathlon.

bike and run events across the county, we were keen to look for

“The Staunton Harold Estate is a hidden gem at the gateway to

a brand new venue for novice and experienced triathletes alike.

the National Forest with a fantastic network of cycle and walking

“The Staunton Harold Estate is the perfect venue with a fantastic lake, a fast cycle route and picturesque run route.

“Feedback from the triathlon community has been extremely positive with early-bird entries already coming in from far and wide and I am sure that newcomers to this, the world’s fastest

paths which attract thousands of visitors every year so it definitely has the wow factor.

“Hosting this triathlon will give participants access to parts of the estate that they would not normally have and will certainly be the first time that we have had people swimming in the lake!

growing sport, will also find this a great way to gain experience

“This is therefore a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of

of triathlon.”

the estate and I am sure that it will encourage people back again

Staunton Harold Hall was formerly a hospice run by the Sue Ryder charity and was bought by the Blunt family in 2003.

The Georgian hall is now a family home with the west wing converted into managed offices and conference facilities known as Lion Court and the suite of state rooms on the east and north front

– particularly to visit the Ferrers Centre or to view the business accommodation and function facilities at the Hall and Lion Court.”

Entries are now open for the Staunton Harold Triathlon on June 11th with online registration and more information available at:

www.huubevents.com BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

51

52

At the heart of your community

St Patrick’ s Ceilidh

PANTO’S BEHIND YOU...

...oh no it isn’t!!!!

Join us at our popular annual St Patrick’s Ceilidh with live music from local band ‘Turlough’. Held at The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR on Friday 10th March 2017.

Arrival at 7pm for a 7:30pm start – Late. Light supper and Licenced bar provided. Generously supported by Soar Valley Lions Club.

Suggested donation £10 (donation not required to attend event) - £10 could pay to treat 50 children suffering from diarrhoea, a leading cause of death in children in Africa.

Inter Care sends high quality medical aid to rural health units in sub-Saharan Africa while making use of surplus medicines from pharmaceutical companies and healthcare products donated by GPs. Barrow Panto Group is celebrating its 20th family pantomime

For more information or to book your place please contact

this year with a brand new version of the traditional Cinderella.

Charlotte on 0116 269 5925 or c.wright@intercare.org.uk.

There are performances on Friday 10th March starting at 7pm and Saturday 11th March 2pm and 7pm in Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road, Barrow, LE12 8JU. New jokes, slightly new characters, all the old panto fun and a lot of talent! Barrow Panto Group is stuffed with talent in fact - we can sing and dance and crack terrible jokes. We can wind up the audience until they can’t stop laughing. We can create stunning visuals with gorgeous costumes, terrific scenery and magical lighting. Then of course there’s Richard…say no more (except to say that he wrote the script)!

Leics & Rutland Wildlife Trust North West Group

Ticket prices are £6 for concessions including children, £8 for adults and a family ticket of £24 for 2+2. We welcome groups and can offer special rates. Disabled access is excellent.

We are a friendly local group which meets monthly for talks, visits, conservation work and social events. All talks are in the Church

Tickets can be bought via Paypal from www.busca.org.uk from

Hall of Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Road, Ashby and begin at

Barrow’s Paper Shop, through the box office on 07718 153117 or

7:30pm; entry is £3 each.

judithrodgers155@gmail.com.

Friday 31st March - “Twycross Zoo and Conservation” a talk

Don’t miss out. Get your tickets now. Pantos aren’t just for

presented by a member of the Education staff who will describe

Christmas you know!

the history of the zoo, its current activities and future conservation programme.

FILM SCREENING ‘Truth’

Friday 21st April - A virtual tour of remote and beautiful South America. Paula and Michael Webster take us to some of the most beautiful and remote areas of South America with its diverse environment , people and wildlife.

An investigative newsroom drama that engulfed the CBS TV

Sunday 21st May - A spring visit to a nature reserve. Details to

reporting team who tangled with George W Bush’s war record.

be confirmed.

Starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford.

Wednesday 22nd March, 7.30pm Tickets £4.00 with light refreshments (or bring your own). Tickets can be purchased from the newsagent or on door. Run Time: 2hr 5min | Rating: R Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall, Main Street, LE12 8RZ

To

find

out

more

about

the

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust - North West Group - please ring David Maltby on 01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

53

Loughborough RSPB Local Group 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

CHARNWOOD MUSIC FOR ALL

Organ Concerts If you were in The Forest Suite at The Charnwood Arms on January 18th, you would have heard an incredible man playing music which made the cold, misty weather outside seem a distant memory!

Andrew Nix is known, nation-wide, as a very talented organist, pianist and key-board player and his concert was a delight to hear.

He’s also a very amusing man who keeps his audience entertained for two hours and gives fantastic encores as well.

conservation with the charity Birdlife International. 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.

COACH TRIP: The Bird Fair 12th March 2017 You’re invited to join the group on a coach trip to Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve in Lincolnshire. Depart from Loughborough University at 8.00am, fare £20 plus admission to the reserves.

Booking is essential for this trip.

WILDLIFE WALK: Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood 15th March 2017 Wildlife Walk at Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at Bradgate Park, Hallgates Car Park, Cropston.

SK541113. LE7 7HQ. Parking fee required.

I have mentioned these concerts to lots of people. Some show

TALK: Living Wild in South America + AGM

and ‘church music’. These mental pictures could not be further

7th April 2017 Living Wild in South America by Mike & Paula Webster. This couple now spend a good part of the year in South America as part of a project to study the wildlife of the Andes. While there, they work with local organisations and give talks to local schools about the need for conservation. Come with them and explore this fascinating area and it’s unique wildlife.

Before the talk we will hold our Annual General Meeting - hence the slightly earlier start.

The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the Brockington

interest, others ‘pull their faces’ and mutter things about ‘boredom’ from the truth! Yes, some of the visiting organists do play pieces of classical music, often in a new style, in their own arrangement.

True, we do hear short pieces of classical music, beautifully played by talented musicians, but, the majority of the music is made up of songs from the shows; 50’s, 60’s and 70’s popular music; old-time music by much-loved artistes; modern and traditional jazz; dance music; honky-tonk and modern piano pieces; and much more.

Andrew Nix, like many of his organ-playing colleagues before him, brought his exceptional talent to a small area of Leicestershire where people have come to love this kind of music.

Building Loughborough University at 7.30pm. Price: £3 Group

The concerts are reasonably priced (£6.50 - tickets are available on

Members, £3.50 Non members, LU Students with SU card gratis.

the door) and start at 7:30pm and end around 10:00pm. There is a bar, and tea and coffee are also available. The venue is warm and

COACH TRIP: Gibraltar Point NNR Reserve 9th April 2017

welcoming and there is lots of parking.

Gibraltar Point NNR reserve in Lincolnshire. Depart from

Why aren’t YOU there?

Loughborough University at 8.00am, fare £20 plus admission to

Forthcoming Concerts:

the reserve. Booking is essential for this trip.

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 54

At the heart of your community

Wednesday 15th March - David Ingley Wednesday 12th April - Daniel Watt Contact Chris Powell 01530 274270 for further details.

NEW CAPTAINS

FOR THE NEW GOLFING SEASON Rothley Park Golf Club is delighted to introduce its new captains for the 2017 golfing season.

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

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

The new Ladies Captain is Pippa Arkle. She joined the golf club as a fourteenyear-old junior member in 1995. She is the director of Groby based, Cathy Stephens Jewellery.

“Having thoroughly enjoyed my year as Vice-Captain I am now looking forward to knuckling down to the Lady Captain’s role and getting some good results under our belts with our great Rothley Park ladies teams” says Pippa. “I know I am going to really enjoy my year. Rothley Park has a very large ladies section with over 100 members.

My chosen charity is Eyes for East Africa, an amazing charity where every penny raised goes directly to people who need it. The charity has no admin costs or salaries and is run entirely in a volunteer capacity. For just £60 we can give someone back their sight. Three of our club members are involved with the charity.”

The 2017 Senior Men’s Captain is Jim Needham, he retired in 2009 and decided to take up golf. Having considered all the courses in the area he decided on Rothley Park as he says it ticked all his boxes! “I’ve not been disappointed” says Jim, “the senior men’s section is an extremely welcoming group who enjoy competitive golf and are very supportive to new members. My role as Senior Men’s Captain for 2017 is to continue the great tradition of providing a programme of competitive matches, organising regular roll ups and competitions, as well as organising the senior men’s away day and weekend. Being Senior Men’s Captain will allow me the opportunity to repay the club for the tremendous amount of enjoyment and fun I have had since joining.”

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

After its success last year, Rothley Park Golf Club is continuing to offer Academy places to beginners at a special price of just £195 for a course of group or individual coaching packages from April to September. You don’t have to be a club member or even have clubs to take advantage of this great offer. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Academy or club membership in general can speak to Katie Tebbet at the club on 0116 2302809 or by viewing www.rothleypark.co.uk.

Photo: Captains – Henry Green, Jon Feeley and Pippa Arkle.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

55

Whitwick & District

U3A The next General Meeting of Whitwick and District U3A will be held

The Professor of

Adventure

on Friday 17th March when the speaker will be Bob Massey, who will be making a welcome return visit. The focus of Bob’s talk is the history of radio and television programmes for children and it has the wonderfully evocative title: “Are you sitting comfortably?”. No doubt, this presentation will bring back many pleasant memories.

The U3A is a self-help organisation for retired people where learning and social activities can be enjoyed in a convivial environment. As the U3A movement is non-political and non-religious, everyone is welcome. Whitwick and District U3A is a thriving and friendly group with a wide variety of Interest Groups. The General Meeting provides an ideal opportunity to meet existing members and see the options available.

To find out more and enjoy listening to Bob, come along to St. David’s Church Hall, Broom Leys, Coalville, LE67 4RL at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. Alternatively, visit:

www.whitwicku3a.org.uk ...where there are full details about Whitwick and District U3A.

Rothley

HISTORY Society

He smelt like a mountain goat, chain-smoked Woodbines and

At our first meeting of the New Year we were taken back in time

fashionable to do so and set out to seek romance and freedom

well before “people” inhabited Rothley, to the days when the area

living amongst nature in cabins, tents and caves for the next fifty

was situated in the southern hemisphere, when temperatures were

years of his life.

hotter and there was little more than desert land and rocks. Rob

The tale is set in 1941 and Millican is in ‘the safest spot to escape

Gladstone took us on a journey which moved almost faster than sound to the present day, seeing how Rothley had emerged, and he showed us what evidence there is in our surrounding, current

lived in a cave. Millican Dalton was a mountain guide, philosopher and self-proclaimed inventor of shorts.

Leaving his stifling city job, Millican dropped out before it became

the kind attentions of Mr. Hitler’ - his cave in Borrowdale. But the Keswick ARP warden has just ordered him to …“put that candle out!”

day landscape to prove how all this happened. He brought with

- and the Borrowdale Hermit is far from happy!

him samples of local rock and soil which made the talk even more

Meet this true English eccentric, the self-styled Professor of

fascinating and informative.

Adventure, in a one-man show celebrating his unique outlook on

In March (Wednesday 15th) we will be moving a little closer in time,

life, his philosophy and his continuing quest for freedom.

On 19th April we will welcome Cynthia Brown who will be speaking

“Free am I as the buzzard mewing by day or the owl hooting by night.

Freedom is everything”.

about ‘Vaughan College, Leicester – an adventure in adult

The Professor of Adventure is written and performed by Peter

education’.

MacQueen who although living now in the Lake District is no

when Peter Liddle comes to speak to us about ‘Anglo Saxons in and around the Soar Valley’.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at The

stranger to Quorn, having been born and raised here.

Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley at 7.30pm. Admission is

Presented at Quorn Village Hall on Sunday March 19th starting at

£3.50 for visitors and £2.50 for members. Everybody is most, and

7.30pm (doors 7pm) tickets, at £10, can be obtained from Terry

made, welcome!

Stirling (01509-414287 or terrystirling@ntlworld.com).

56

At the heart of your community

LEICESTERSHIRE’S LÉNA WALKER TO LAUNCH DEBUT ALBUM The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity supports Leicester Recording Artist Leyley

A former Miss Leicester, who contacted The Sir Thomas White Loan

Visit www.leyleyismusic.com to find out more about ‘Find Your

Charity in a bid to help get her music production business off the

Tribe’ and to purchase your copy. Léna can also be followed on

ground, has released her debut album, entitled ‘Find Your Tribe’.

Twitter and Instagram at @leyleyismusic – and on Facebook at

Léna Walker, who borrowed from the Charity in 2014 in order to

facebook.com/leyleyismusic

establish herself as a recording artist, music producer and guitar

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides interest-free business

teacher, is back in the United Kingdom having spent six months

and education loans to people within Leicestershire and Rutland.

hitch-hiking around South America and the West Indies with little more than her guitar and flip-flops. During her travels, Léna has been writing music, culminating in the production of ‘Find Your Tribe’ – the debut album which is being released independently.

The official launch of ‘Find Your Tribe’ took place on Saturday 21st January, where Léna – who performs under the stage name Leyley – performed original songs from the album at Café Cairo in South London, in addition to recalling tales from the travels that inspired her music.

Speaking ahead of the launch event, Léna – who was named Miss

Applicants over the age of 18 and under the age of 35 may apply for up to £15,000 to assist in the start-up of a new business, whilst loans of up to £6,000 are available to people wishing to study for a post-graduate degree.

All loans are interest free for a period of nine years, with equal monthly repayments commencing three years after the loan is taken out.

For more information on The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, visit: www.stwcharity.co.uk

Leicester in 2012 – said: “The reception for the album has been very positive, with the BBC covering the release of the album ahead of the launch on Saturday evening. I am always grateful to The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity for their continued help and support.

I wouldn’t have been able to reach this point in my musical career without it.”

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

57

58

At the heart of your community

On The

GCR Mar 2017

March brings us the first Swap meet of the year and a two day Diesel Gala. plus the usual selection of Dining Trains to enjoy!

SWAP MEET

and trade and craft stalls with real ale

Heritage Centre recently to unveil a plaque

Sunday 12th at Quorn, gates open 7.30am

and live music all on offer throughout the

to mark the work of Centre Director Steve

weekend. There will be a Funfair at Rothley

Cramp and his many volunteers who have

and during the Bank Holiday Weekend

restored the branch and started a nature

Peppa and George will be returning for

trail. HRH had a footplate ride on LMS Jinty

another visit.

0-6-0 No 47406 between Mountsorrel

This popular event returns for all those bargain hunters interested in railway memorabilia - “railwayana” - that elusive nameplate, smoke box number, lamps, signal equipment, enamel signs, books and much more could all be there.

and Nunckley Hill and he also toured the

BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

Heritage Centre and nature trail.

Work should be underway by now with contractors

preparing for the start on the abutments

Renaissance Railcars who look after the

Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th

north and south ready to take the bridge

three car DMU, which includes a buffet

All the home fleet should be in action with a visitor running a very busy timetable over the two days, with late running on

over the Midland Mainline (which was

car, used regularly on the GCR, has won

removed in 1973 by British Railways).

the Railcar of The Year run by the Railcar

Much time has been taken to sort out “the

Association. The group, all volunteers,

the Saturday.

paperwork” by lawyers for the five main

share a passion for the Class 101.

DINING TRAINS There is a full compliment of Dining Trains this month including Mothering Sunday Luncheon on the 26th plus the first two Murder Mystery Trains of the year on Friday the 10th and 28th March.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN APRIL

MPB

Structures

on

parties involved - including land transfers - it has taken many months to resolve, but if everything goes to plan it will take 30wks for construction to be completed.

Resources are on site getting ready to clear and test the ground in readiness once the go-head is given. We hope that

or

phone

Loughborough

on

01509

632323.

Duty Station Master, Rothley.

to witness one of the biggest projects ever

PRINCE OF WALES ON FOOTPLATE OF JINTY

vintage cars, commercials and tractors

www.gcrailway.co.uk

be able to walk over the bridge themselves

midweek running either side of the four

gallopers, a big wheel, traction engines,

website:

Dave Allen

undertaken by a preserved railway.

which will be held in Quorn yard with

For all the latest information visit the

at this years’s Summer AGM members will

Easter is the main event this month with day weekend, Easter Vintage Festival

site,

DMU WINS AWARD

DIESEL GALA

HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community

PHOTO: Two Southern class locomotives Q Class 0-6-0 No 30541 pilots King Arthur class 4-6-0 No 777 Sir Lamiel at Quorn on a Loughborough to Leicester North service. The Q class locomotive was the guest at the recent Winter Gala visiting from the Bluebell Railway.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

59

OUT AND ABOUT MAMBO JAMBO Barrow is lucky enough to have as its 3rd Centre Stage show for this season the hugely popular “Mambo Jambo in Concert”. It is a show that mixes music of all types and styles - Frankie and Pete give you “musical sunshine” and in March, that’s just what the doctor ordered.

This friendly and exceptionally talented duo takes you on an exciting and joyously vibrant musical journey, mixing styles and rhythms from around the world. There’s infectious music from Cuba, New Orleans, Brazil and Eastern Europe as well as blue grass, boogie and their own inspired compositions. They mix saxophone, vocals, clarinet, flute, guitar, banjo, percussion, ukulele, accordion and even a suitcase! It’s a feel-good show and the audience is guaranteed to come out smiling at the end of the night.

Mambo Jambo is performing at the Humphrey Perkins Community Centre starting at 7.30pm and tickets can be bought from the Paper Shop or by Paypal from www.busca.org.uk. In advance they cost £10, £9 (concessions) and £5 (children under 16). With a cabaret feel to the show, you can enjoy our well stocked bar while you watch and enjoy. Disabled access is good and the venue is warm and inviting.

Any enquiries please contact Judith on 07718 153117 or judithrodgers155@gmail.com.

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council Presents

Period details and costumes were impeccable in January’s romantic comedy, “Love and Friendship”. Kate Beckinsdale starred as Lady Susan, determined to arrange a husband for herself and her daughter as well as interfere in many other relationships. Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” was fitting music to accompany this society of intrigue where women usually had their own way.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople March 10th (101 minutes) This comedy drama, the most successful film ever produced in New Zealand, with director Taika Waititi, is based on Barry Crump’s beautiful novel, “Wild Pork and Watercress”. Rebellious foster teenager, Ricky, is dumped at a remote shack with the loving Bella and husband Hector. Tragedy suddenly appears so Ricky and Hector, with their dogs, have to disappear into the bush, ahead of a man-hunt. This is a warm-hearted, yet consistently clever film.

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

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

Diana 60

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

61

OUT AND ABOUT Birdwatching Club

Birstall Birdwatching Club presents:

A Grand Year of Harmony Ahead Welcome to the New Year at Grand Central Chorus and watch out,

WILDLIFE AT HOME

it is coming to your area in April. Hope is high that this year will match the excitement and satisfaction of 2016.

by Nigel Slater Tuesday 14th March 2017 at 7.30pm Every house in the world attracts wildlife either for taking shelter, looking for food or attracted to heat and light. On the 14th

It started in April with a drive to Derby Theatre to celebrate the Chorus’s 25th anniversary. Silver medals in May were the next pulse racer when we hot footed it to Harrogate to come second in the National Barbershop Competition. It got even better with a cracker in Cork where we took the gold medal in the Irish International event.

we will look at birds, mammals

In between we entertained in the East Midlands, including two

and even what the cat brings

outdoor events in Derby celebrating ‘Furthest from the Sea’, one

in!

are

hot (August) and one cold (Xmas). Mention of Xmas brings us to

creepy crawlies, but they have

treading home turf and Trent College and the Christmas Show

Of

course,

there

interesting lives - we bring wildlife to your doorstep with Nigel’s usual enthusiasm and his love of all things natural.

“LIVING WILD IN SOUTH AMERICA” - PART 2

by Mike and Paula Webster Tuesday 11th April 2017 at 7.30pm Mike and Paula now spend most of their year in South America as part of a project to study wildlife in the Andes. This evening, they will update us on what more they have been doing in this exciting part of the world.

Meetings are held at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

which finished the year with a traditional flourish.

Preparations are now in hand for two huge events in the next few months. First a concert in Loughborough in April and then in May its Barbershop time in Bournemouth where the Chorus will try to improve on the silver medal gained last year. Everything crossed, as the competition is fierce!

The Concert at Loughborough - in the College Arts Academy at 7pm on the 8th April - will feature in addition to the Chorus, three top class quartets, ‘Finest Hour’ the current British champions, ‘The Locksmiths’, and ‘4 On Demand’ plus our guest act ’Syncapella’ ‘50 energetic singers bringing hope, joy and funky goodness to your ears’. Tickets £10 (£6 child).

Come and listen to some of the best a cappella harmony singing in the country. Visit www.grandcentralchorus.com or contact us on

Members free. Visitors £2. Children free. Free on-site parking and easy access.

For further information contact Marion Vincent on 0116 2375156.

publicity.gcc@gmail.co.uk.

If you would like to see a rehearsal or try singing then visit Harrington School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BJ any Wednesday evening from 7.15pm.

62

At the heart of your community

Charnwood Orchestra CONCERT Brahms: Hungarian Dances nos.17-21 These are a set of 21 lively dance tunes based mostly on Hungarian themes, completed in 1869. They are among Brahms’ most popular works, and were certainly the most profitable for him. Brahms originally wrote the dances for piano four hands but amongst many other arrangements, Dvorak arranged this orchestral one.

Bruch: Concerto for Clarinet and Viola Max Bruch composed the concerto in 1911 for his son late on in his career. Although written when atonality and dissonance were becoming common, it is very much music of the Romantic age.

Bruch avoids sharp contrasts and dramatic outbursts - he seems to be taking his cue from the similarities between the two solo instruments, whose ranges are practically identical.

Charnwood Orchestra’s next concert will be in All Saints Parish

Our soloists tonight are no strangers to us, both Chris Swann and

Church, Steeple Row, Loughborough, LE11 1PL on Saturday 18th

Richard Muncey are principals with Sinfonia Viva and both have

March, starting at 7.30pm. There will be an interval bar.

also been principals and guest principals in many of the famous

The works consist of Beatrice and Benedict overture by Berlioz,

orchestras of the UK.

Hungarian Dances nos.17-21 by Brahms, Concerto for Clarinet and

Schumann: Symphony no.1 ‘Spring‘

Viola by Max Bruch, Symphony no.1 ‘Spring‘ by Schumann.

This is the first symphonic work composed by Robert Schumann. It

Tickets cost £12, £10 (concessions) and £3 for accompanied

was his wife Clara who encouraged him to write symphonic music,

children under 16. They can be bought via Paypal from www.

noting in her diary, “it would be best if he composed for orchestra;

charnwoodorchestra.org.uk; from the Box Office (07718 153117);

his imagination cannot find sufficient scope on the piano. His

judithrodgers155@gmail.com or on the door.

compositions are all orchestral in feeling. My highest wish is that

Berlioz: Beatrice and Benedict overture

he should compose for orchestra - that is his field! May I succeed in bringing him to it!” Schumann sketched the symphony in four

Béatrice et Bénédict is an opéra comique in two acts by Hector

days and completed the orchestration a month later, in 1841. Until

Berlioz. Love conquers all in his sparkling take on Shakespeare’s

then, Schumann was largely known for his works for the piano

Much Ado About Nothing. He selected the sunniest and funniest

and for voice. In a letter to a friend Schumann wrote: “Could you

elements and set them to ravishing music to create this witty love-

breathe a little of the longing for spring into your orchestra as they

hate duel. From Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, to

play? That was what was most in my mind. I should like the very

Hermione and Ron in the Harry Potter series, the age-old premise

first trumpet entrance to sound as if it came from on high, like a

of verbal sparring to mask true feelings of love or passion is

summons to awakening. Further on in the introduction, I would

employed to magnificent effect. The opera’s overture explodes

like the music to suggest the world’s turning green, perhaps with a

with a buoyant sense of fun and elegant wit.

butterfly hovering in the air, and then, in the Allegro, to show how everything to do with spring is coming alive.”

Rothley WEA Summer Courses PRACTICAL ART with Anna Michalska-Tomajer. Starting Monday 24th April 1pm - 3pm: ‘Exploring iconic packaging and the way that artists have been involved in these.’

7 meetings £53.90 or free. Course reference C2337487.

CREATIVE WRITING with Maxine Linnell. Starting Wednesday 10th May 9.45am - 11.45am.

7 meetings £53.90 or free. For new and more seasoned writers. Course reference C2337518.

For details contact Marion Vincent on 0116 2375156 or at 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 online for all courses at www.enrolonline.wea.org.uk using the above references.

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

63

OUT AND ABOUT

SATURDAY 04 MARCH

Brownies Rummage Sale The

Newtown

Linford

Brownies

are

holding their annual rummage sale in the Village hall and they invite you to pop along to grab a bargain.

The

Village

Hall,

Main

Street,

TUESDAY 07 & TUESDAY 21 MARCH

FRIDAY 10 MARCH

Leicester Railway Society 7th March: All Change at St Pancras Early days of steam until the change over

Just The Tonic Comedy Club This thriving monthly comedy club books the best of the established, and the up-and-coming comedians on the circuit.

to diesels,plus the current view by John

8pm | Tickets: Adults £10, Concs £8

Downing.

Loughborough

Newtown Linford, Leicestershire LE6

21st March: “Welsh Highland Heritage

Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire,

0AE | 1:30pm | 50p admission

Railway Miscellany - history of original

LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914

WHR, the preservation era and WHHR

MONDAY 06 - SATURDAY 11 MARCH

box.office@charnwood.gov.uk

today including rolling stock/building the

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

The Full Monty

civil engineering, volunteers & projects.

FRIDAY 10 MARCH

Then a short section on Galas by Nick Pell.

Meet an Astronaut!

Based on his smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer

Town

Hall,

Market

extension. Second half will focus on the

Cricketers, Grace Road, Leicester. LE2

The National Space Centre, in collaboration

Simon Beaufoy, this hilarious and heartfelt

8AD | 7:30pm | Members Free, Visitors:

production has been getting standing

£3 | Contact Michael Chapman: 0116

ovations every night, it also won the

260 3336 or Brian Holland: 0116 236

four-space mission veteran, Don Thomas.

prestigious UK Theatre Award for best

8328

There will be an Astronaut Breakfast, an

touring production!

with Space Boosters, is delighted to welcome former NASA astronaut and

Autograph Session, a Q&A Session, Photo

Adults: £18-£34, Concs: £16 - £28

THURSDAY 09 MARCH

Session and Gala Dinner.

| De Montfort Hall, Granville Road,

Open Auditions: The New Quorndon Shakespeare Co.

Prices start from £10. See the website for

Leicester LE1 7RU | Box Office: 0116 233 3111 | www.demontforthall.co.uk

Come and join The New Quorndon Shakespeare Company. A friendly local

WEDNESDAY 08 MARCH

group that will be auditioning new

British Pie Awards

members for their 2017 productions. Just

more details.

National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS | T: 0116 261 0261 | info@spacecentre.co.uk www.spacecentre.co.uk

The British Pie Awards is a celebration of

go along to find out more about them

the Great British Pie, recognising the craft

and what they are doing.

and skills of those that produce them

Additional

whilst promoting British produce and our

arranged if necessary.

Pick up a bargain!

Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road,

9am - 12 noon | Details, or to book a

Quorn, LE12 8BB | 7:30pm | Email:

Mowbray, LE13 0PB | FREE PARKING

stall, call Kirk Leverett: 07901 380412

nqsc@ymail.com | www.nqsc.co.uk

email: info@britishpieawards.co.uk

The Palace Community Centre, High

Facebook: @theNQSC

Street, Ibstock, LE67 6LH

regional specialities.

Pera,

Nottingham

Road,

Melton

www.britishpieawards.co.uk

64

At the heart of your community

auditions

may

then

be

SUNDAY 12 & 26 MARCH

Indoor Car Boot Sale

MONDAY 13 MARCH

SUNDAY 26 MARCH

Quorn Circle Dance Discover the benefits of gentle exercise

The Magazine Gateway & Leicester Castle Tours

through dancing simple steps to music

On the last Sunday of the month, the

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship

from around the world. We dance

Magazine Gateway and Leicester Castle

traditional village dances and more recent

Donington Park will host the opening

Great Hall is open to the public from

choreographies in a circle or spiral. Each

round of the 2017 British Superbike

11am - 3pm. Visitors are invited to explore

dance is taught from scratch with plenty

Championship season. As well as the British

the buildings on their own or book onto

of repetition in a supportive environment.

Superbikes, a full package of support

a guided tour with one of our expert

Wear loose comfortable clothing and flat

races will also take place, including the

Blue Badge guides, who can share their

shoes. Cost per session is £5. Beginners

British Supersport Championship, British

detailed knowledge of the history of this

welcome!

Superstock and more. Camping available.

fascinating building and explain features

Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road,

of architectural interest.

Quorn, LE12 8BB | 2.15 - 3.45pm

11am - 3pm | Guided tour price £2.50

Donington Park, Castle Donington,

per person | Castle View, Leicester, LE1

Derby, DE74 2RP | Tel: 01332 810048

5WH | Leicester Castle Guided Tour

www.donington-park.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 15 - SATURDAY 18 MARCH

Female Transport A Brutal Historical Drama by Steve Gooch and directed by Jane Towers. This

FRIDAY 31 MARCH - SUNDAY 02 APRIL

Day tickets from £12 (Children 13 & under FREE with a paying adult)

11am, The Magazine Guided Tour 12:30pm

TUESDAY 28 MARCH

SATURDAY 01 APRIL

Justice Beach & Friends This charity concert will see Leicestershire

of the confined women under the brutal

Newtown Linford Gardening Club

regime of a sadistic jailer and the decisions

This month’s talk is titled ‘Plants for Shade’

to jazz and blues to more current music.

and the speaker will be Andrew Mikolajski.

This eye-catching and memorable young

Everyone is welcome to come along (£2

lady was recently talent scouted by people

for visitors). For further details contact the

involved with ITV’s The Voice.

Tickets: Adults £8 The Little Theatre,

Secretary using the details below.

Thringstone House Community Centre,

Dover Street, Leicester, LE1 6PW

The Village Hall, Main Street, Newtown

The Green, Thringstone, LE67 8NR

Box office: 0116 2551302 | 7:30pm

Linford | Tel: 01530 242452 | Email:

excellent play explores the torturous lives

they make under terrible conditions. A fascinating play of repression and female endurance where only the strong survive.

vocalist Justice Beach perform a variety of genres of music ranging from vintage

Tickets £5 from the centre (Mon - Fri,

01530242452@talktalk.net | 7:30pm

9am - noon) or www.ticketsource.

SATURDAY 18 & SUNDAY 19 MARCH

WEDNESDAY 05 APRIL

Spring Diesel Gala

Charity Bridge Drive This

Cob horse. Limited places available.

Join us for a busy gala weekend of intensive running of our heritage diesel fleet, featuring special guest Class 33 33063. There will be a wide variety of food and drink available & real ale.

Tel:

0116 236 2713 | Email: estate-

Running at all Great Central Railway

office@bradgatepark.org | £95 pp for

Stations | Tickets: Adult: £18, Seniors:

two days | 8:45am - 4pm | Bradgate

£16, Age 5-16: £10, Under 5’s: Free |

Park, Newtown Linford, LE6 0HE

www.gcrailway.co.uk

SATURDAY 18 MARCH

Horse Logging Course Two day horse logging course for beginners with Stuart Freeman of Total Tree Services on the Bradgate Park Estate.

A unique opportunity to work alongside an experienced horseman with his Irish

co.uk/thringstone | 7:30pm

event

is

organised

by

the

Loughborough Lions Club. Afternoon tea will be provided and the cost is £6 per person. To book a table please contact Jackie on the below number or email.

Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley | 1:30pm | Tel: 0116 2303317 Email: brianjackie.popple@ntlworld.com

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

65

DIRECTORY

CLOTHING & JEWELLERY

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

HOME continued...

Jennings...........................................................40

Charnwood Hearing Centre...................... 20

Simon Shuttlewood Upholstery................. 4

Smartly Stitched.............................................. 4

Charnwood Physiotherapy.......................... 4

Splashout.........................................................50

Syston Jewellers.............................................41

Darcy Fitness.................................................. 47

Total Bathing.................................................... 8

Home Instead Senior Care......................... 22

Wreake Valley Flooring...............................42

EDUCATION & CHILD CARE

Margaret Gee Hypnotherapy.................... 47 Woodhouse Eaves Chiropody Clinic................ 61

LEISURE & EVENTS

Grace Dieu Manor School.......................... 58

HOME

Bawdon Lodge - Wedding Open Day......7

Nursery at Loughborough Endowed...... 35

Absolute Finesse Kitchens..........................34

Barnardos......................................................... 11 Five Rivers Fostering.....................................18

OLCS.................................................................33 Pre-Driver Course......................................... 20 Woodhouse Day Nursery............................18

Absolute Window Solutions........................ 2 Ancient & Modern Restoration.................. 4 Broughtons Lighting & Ironmongery....... 3 Central Construction...................................... 3

FLORISTS & GIFTS

Charn. Oaks Roofing & Building................ 2

The Fancy Flower Shop...............................40 The Flower Shop............................................ 39

Chris’ Oven Cleaning................................... 39 Clock Doctor.................................................... 4 Coopers Glass................................................ 52 Cube 3 Design & Build Ltd.........................17

FOOD, DRINK & VENUES

CV Lane............................................................18

Cooks Farm Shop......................................... 52 The George Coleorton.................................40 Holly Bush Inn................................................ 22 Woodcock Farm Shop.................................24

DP Furnishings................................................41 Evans Fireplaces............................................ 67 The Flooring & Bed Company.................... 11 GCL Heating...................................................34 Hassall & Son Ltd...........................................18

Birstall Garden Centre................................... 5 Delegate Services........................................... 4 Garden Blueprints..........................................61 Harrison Landscaping.................................... 8 LB Grounds Maintenance............................. 6 LB Landscaping.............................................45 Outdoor Solutions.......................................... 4 Roecliffe Tree Surgery.................................... 2

GCR Easter Vintage Festival...................... 52 Just Bikes.........................................................61 Mayes Academy...........................................24 Millington Travel............................................31 Rainbows Annual Lunch............................24 Rothley Park Golf Club............................... 55 Squirrel - Bear-making Course..................41

MOTORING Cropston Garage............................................ 4

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

Graham Botterill Soft Furnishings.............. 4

GARDEN

Charnwood Forest Golf Club....................45

Holme Tree Kitchens...................................... 6 Jacqueline Reynolds - Curtains..................61 Kee Construction.......................................... 27 Light House.................................................... 20 Loft Storage Solutions................................. 27 Martin Allen Flooring................................... 20 MDW Fireplaces............................................ 52 Oakham Rugs................................................ 27 PD Electricals.................................................. 30

PETS Anstey Cattery................................................61 The Clothes Horse........................................45 Glebe Von Wood Boarding........................61 MM Leggett Vet. Surgery............................61

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Emery Johnston Astills.................................31 Henstocks Accountants...............................24 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors....................17 Prusinski Solicitors........................................ 28 Roy Green Estate Agents............................ 68

Putts..................................................................34

HAIR & BEAUTY

RJ Rowley.......................................................... 3

Aqua Hair........................................................ 22

Rossells Security............................................42

Hair & Beauty Gallery.................................. 39

RSJ Roofing..................................................... 28

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

66

At the heart of your community

BRADGATE

JAN / FEB

67

68

At the heart of your community