The Bradgate Magazine, September 2013

THE BRADGATE MAGAZINE

Bradgate

The

September / October 2013

SPORTING HERO

magazine

WEDDING EDITION Trends, Tips & The Best of Local!

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013 | ISSUE 4

Who deserves your vote?

CHARITY NEWS WWW.THEBRADGATEMAGAZINE.CO.UK

From the BIG BUGGY PUSH to the Rainbows Pyjama Party - it’s all inside!

Your Local Community Magazine September / October 2013

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CONTENTS 10 THE CHARITY PAGES Read all about the latest charity events in our

local area and find out what you can do to get involved!

22 FIERY ANNUAL CAMP FOR AIR CADETS

Our local cadets were put through their paces at their week long annual camp. Read all about the fire training, activities, picnics and history lessons that all made for an amazing camp.

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From Toymaker badges to chocolate making the girls have had a jam packed year! Find out about what they did to help the community as well as supporting the local Animal Aid Centre.

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ROUSING THE SLEEPING GIANT Take a ÂŁ300,000 refurbishment, add four local brothers and shake it all up with a mountain of passion and experience and see for yourself just what can happen... rediscover The Bradgate!

THE BROWNIES & GUIDES UPDATE

THE WEDDING PAGES...

Bringing you our lovingly crafted Wedding Pages packed full of handpicked local businesses that can make your dream a reality... www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

FROM THE EDITOR

www.rspb.org.uk

Welcome...

A warm welcome to you all and we do hope that many of you were able to get out and about and into the beautiful sunshine that so favourably graced us last month…if you did, maybe you came across an unsung or worthy sporting hero? If so Charnwood Borough Council are appealing for nominations for their 2013 Charnwood Sports Award, to find out more or to nominate someone sporty turn to page 52 for further information.

Keeping on the active theme….the 12th September sees local charity ‘Alex’s Wish’ holding a “big buggy push” to raise much needed funds for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, taking place at Beacon Hill Country Park please see page12 for more details.

Our feature this month is on Weddings and all things bridal - as a taster, Country Farm Weddings bring us a marvellous item, including top tips, for holding idyllic weddings in the great outdoors, plus there’s news on the latest trends in dresses for 2014. Browse through pages 34-39 for further information and to see what our fabulous local businesses can offer you.

It’s always good to hear news about organisations that have such a positive effect on our young folk and two such groups – the Cropston and Thurcaston Guides and Brownies and the Loughborough Air Cadets – have been doing just that. Read about their exploits and their adventures on page 26 and 22 respectively and don’t forget if you or someone you know would like to join either of these groups then get involved now, new members are always welcome.

And if the above all sounds a little too much like hard work, how about a bite to eat and a wee drink to relax over at the newly renovated Bradgate pub in Newtown Linford. With a tale to tell from the new owners, two sets of local brothers, why not read their story (on pages 30 and 31) before perhaps savouring their wares first hand.

We’d like to thank Alix from Lumiere Photography in Loughborough for this edition’s gorgeous cover photo, you can check out more of Alix’s work, or get in contact with her through the website for Lumiere Photography:

www.lumiere-photography.co.uk Enjoy this issue and we’ll be back with you again in November…

Ed & the team

CONTACT US: editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk | 01530 249589 | www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk To submit editorial please email: editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

ADVERTISING: For anyone wishing to advertise in The Bradgate Magazine please contact the editor for prices, deadlines and offers!

Our Disclaimer: Reasonable care is taken to ensure that The Bradgate Magazine and website are as accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no liability can be taken by The Bradgate Magazine for any errors, opinions or omissions contained herein.

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Join The

Pyjama Party

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People has launched its Moonlight Walk, which will take place on Saturday 12 October. East Midlands mums, daughters, sisters and females alike need to don their PJs, grab a teddy and stroll six miles around the streets of Loughborough.

The six mile sponsored walk starts at Charnwood Indoor Bowls at 10pm. Ladies will walk around Loughborough town centre before finishing back at the bowls club. In true pyjama party style, ladies taking on the moonlight adventure will be treated to a midnight feast after the walk at a celebration party.

All money raised at the event will go to the hospice, which provides care and support for children and young people in the East Midlands with life-limited illnesses. Raising £35 could fund a music therapy session, £50 could help fund part of our emergency pharmacy bill for a month and £250 would pay for a day at Rainbows for a child with complex needs.

Although this is a ladies only event, men are needed to volunteer their services by helping out with marshalling and refreshments.

Entry is £12. For more information, contact 0800 9521133, email fundraising@rainbows.co.uk or visit www.rainbows. co.uk/moonlightwalk

Dance To Live Music By Qu In Aid Of Inter Care….

Following the success of last year’s fundraising event; the band ‘QU’ return to Quorn Village hall on Saturday 28th September from 7.30pm. Guests can enjoy a formal dance to live Latin, Ballroom, Disco and Party music, by local Dr Steve Clay and Keith Croysdale. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Tickets £7.50 per person and also includes complimentary nibbles.

Last year £818 was raised to help donate medical aid to Nangoma Mission Hospital, Zambia, which is closely connected to Kayambi Mission Health Centre that is supported by St Bartholomew’s United Church, Quorn. We hope this year will be equally successful and raise vital funds to recycle quality medicines and donate aid to 121 clinics in rural Africa.

To date we have recycled over £11 million worth of medicines that would otherwise gone to waste, but have instead helped treat and alleviate suffering in Africa.

We would encourage people to book early to avoid disappointment. For tickets please call 0116 2695925 or visit www. intercare.org.uk

Afternoon Tea Raises £1645.67 On Saturday 6th July at The Sacred Heart Convent, Rearsby, over 170 enjoyed the Afternoon Tea fundraiser, to support Inter Care, and with their kind support raised £1645, 67. The event offered a rare chance to visit the exquisite gardens, listen to live jazz and enjoy a host of refreshments. We were extremely fortunate to have such wonderful weather.

Harry Ludlam, the fundraiser from Inter Care said “we were truly amazed by the fantastic turn out at the Afternoon Tea; with the money raised we could send 3 large consignments of much needed aid to some of the clinics we support in Africa”.

Inter Care is a unique charity that recycle quality surplus medicines and safely donate aids to 121 clinics in Africa. Last year alone, they sent £664,558 worth of aid which provided a vital lifeline to those who otherwise could not afford treatment.

Inter Care will be holding the Afternoon Tea again at the Convent in July 2014, so please do look out for details.

In the meantime, if you are interested in finding out more about the charity or would like to help fundraise to support their work please call 0116 2695925.

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Charity Pages Cadets Help Make Joe’s Charity Match A Success!

2229 staff and cadets pitched up early to help set up and run a recent charity game for the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust. The trust was set up in October of last year in memory of 14-year-old Joe Humphries who devastatingly lost his life to a condition known ass Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). The cadets have whole-heartedly supported the trust since its inception and have helped out at many of their major events in the past year.

The Big Buggy Push Has Arrived!

Come and join the East Midlands’ first ever Big Buggy Push on Thursday 12th September in aid of Alex’s Wish, a local charity raising money for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which affects 1 in every 3,500 boys.

Taking place in the beautiful Beacon Hill Country Park at 10am, it’s going to be a fantastic morning out with entertainment for everybody. All your little one’s favourites will be there, from Tiny Talk to JoJingles, and let’s not forget all you lovely mums: you’ll be taking home a gorgeous Big Buggy Push goody bag – perfect for carrying around all that baby gear! And to get your yummy mummy health and fitness storming ahead, postnatal exercise expert, Joanna Helcké, has put together an amazing 4 week nutritional and fitness plan for everyone who signs up for The Big Buggy Push.

The charity match, held in July, was the inaugural match of what is hoped to be a yearly event, played between Leicester Legends football team and Leicestershire band Kasabian. The cadets helped out tremendously providing support on the turnstiles, car parking, handing out leaflets, and providing a guard of honour for the players as they exited the tunnel at the start of the match and at half time.

2229 staff certainly had quite a major role in manning the turnstiles and providing support to the trust organisers throughout the event.

The event was a resounding success with £10,500 being raised on the day and Kasabians’ Sergio Pizzorno even donated his signed guitar to the trust for it to be auctioned off at a later date. The cadets had a fantastic time, and even managed to have a buffet at the end with all the players.

Steve and Angela Humphries said: ‘A huge thanks goes to the cadets for all their support, they looked smart on the day and showed great professionalism.’

The cadets parade at the Loughborough TA Centre from 7pm on Monday and Thursday nights. Feel free to browse their website at www.2229.org.uk.

Their next intake has been announced as Monday 9th September, for all those interested go along on the night and for more details see the website.

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It costs just £20 to sign-up. Sign up at www. thebigbuggypush.co.uk for a fantastic morning out! Or you can call Emma on 07903 349475 or email emma@ alexswish.co.uk and we can send out a registration for to you.

Fashion Show & Sale Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Tuesday 1st October 2013 at 7.30pm.

SOS Clothing Company will show garments from M&S, NEXT, River Island, Dorothy Perkins, Oasis, Wallis, Gap, Pilot, New Look, Top Shop, Evans, Jane Norman, Principles, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon, Country Casuals, Phase Eight, Bravissimo, Coast, French & Italian Designer clothes - all at under half price!

There will be clothes for the ‘Young & Trendy’ & ‘Mature & Elegant’ in sizes 8 - 26.

All this and a FUN evening too! At the end of the evening you can sort through the rails of over 1,000 items of clothing.

All Cash, Cheques & Credit cards accepted.

Tickets are £5 to include tea/coffee.

Contacts: Sandra 07850 548826 or Sheila 07779 728238.

Proceeds to Rainbows Children’s Hospice, The show is hosted by ‘Soroptimist International Loughborough’.

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Charity Pages ‘Soup & Sweet’ Lunch

Hospice Hope Fundraiser

Saturday 12th October - Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall

The local charity Hospice Hope, enjoyed a surprise windfall when a cheque for £195.00 was presented to the organisers last week.

Measham resident, Martin Hamm, who celebrated a birthday on 20th July with family and friends, requested donations to this worthwhile charity, in lieu of personal gifts.

The party was held at Martin’s home and guests were treated to live music from Joel Wildgoose and Ben, who performed various numbers to suit all tastes, along with Joel’s own compositions.

“The party was a huge success and I am thrilled at the amount we raised”, said Martin.” It was hard work getting everything organised, but it really was worth it. We all had a great time and I’d like to thank everyone for joining me and my family and for being so generous with their donations”.

The total amount raised for the charity, which helps those who are being treated for life changing illnesses, should reach in the region of £ 243.00 due to the addition of Gift Aid. For more information on ways in which you could help Hospice Hope, please contact Jan on: 01530 837267 or email: stewart@hospicehope.org.uk

Charnwood Branch of Cancer Research invite you to join us for a ‘Soup & Sweet’ lunch. All soups and sweets will be homemade and there will be lots of custard with the puddings!!!

12noon - 1.30pm. Tickets £5. Stall to include Beryl’s Pickle & Jam stall - Pheonix Cards - Cancer Research £1 stall.

For more info / booking please contact Jan 0116 2674746.

Charity Whist Drive The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised

by Derek Farr will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 5th September in the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. Admission £2.00.

Coffee Morning Coffee Morning in aid of Cancer Research UK to be held at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley on November 9th 2013 10am to 12noon. Please come and join us for a coffee and browse our stalls which include a cake stall, plants, gifts, toys, books, tombola, Phoenix Cards, as new clothes and a raffle. Pick up some Christmas Presents.

Entrance to include Coffee/tea and biscuits £1. EVERYONE WELCOME please come and help us to raise as much as we can for Cancer Research UK.

www.hospicehope.org.uk Hospice Hope wants to be able to offer a sanctuary and safe haven to those people who need it, at a time when they need it most. No contribution, in whatever shape or form, is insignificant. It all gives “hope” for a better future for the people that need it most in our local area.

Can You Be Nifty With A Fifty?

Groups and companies are being challenged to get nifty with a fifty to raise funds an East Midland’s children’s hospice.

Organisations across the county are being encouraged to sign up to the Accumulator Challenge and support Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, which provides specialist care and support to children from across the East Midlands with life-limited illnesses.

Teams that take part will be given £50 and encouraged to turn it in to as much cash as possible over three months.

Katie Baxter, community and events manager at Rainbows, said: “We give you £50 and during three months we ask you to raise as much as you can for Rainbows by whatever means you like, as long as it is safe and legal.

“Your challenge is up to you. There are so many different things that people can do from staging an Afternoon Tea to sitting in a bath of baked beans or holding a fancy dress event to organising a quiz night.

“Taking part can help to strengthen team spirit, provide great PR opportunities, demonstrate social responsibility and help Rainbows to be there for children and families facing the most extraordinary challenges.

“Our team of experienced fundraisers can also provide advice and tips to make your fundraising go further and promotional tools such as posters and collecting tins are also available.”

Rainbows is looking for teams to register before the Accumulator Challenge launches on Monday 2 September. The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday 22 January 2014 at The Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth, where the awards for the most money raised, the most innovative idea and the Judge’s Choice will be handed out.

For more information, contact 07876 500 632, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/accumulatorchallenge or email: fundraising@ rainbows.co.uk

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Local Interest MOUNTSORREL: Alzheimer’s Society Seeking Volunteer Befrienders Alzheimer’s Society is seeking volunteer befrienders in Mountsorrel area. Volunteer befrienders are involved in enabling a person with dementia to participate in activities in the community. These activities are chosen by the person with dementia and can range from having a cup of tea in the local café to attending a class at the leisure centre etc.

Dementia is caused by brain diseases the most common is Alzheimer’s. One in three people over 65 develop dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society has a plan to deal with dementia, help us to support people to live well today and fight for a world without dementia tomorrow.

Everyone needs a friend, yet 85% of people with dementia struggle with isolation, loneliness and depression.

Befriending offers the perfect opportunity for volunteers to support people with dementia to continue to feel a part of their community. They provide companionship and are matched with people depending on their personality and common interests. The commitment for a volunteer is up to four hours a week. Alzheimer’s Society is seeking volunteer befrienders

Are you interested?

Please contact Alison Chaplin (Volunteering Officer), on 0116 2316 922 or email: alison.chaplin@alzheimers.org.uk for further details.

What Do Patients Think Of GPs? Earlier this year a sample of doctors’ patients filled in questionnaires asking for their views. The surveys were developed

by Patient Participation Groups. These groups exist across the UK and engage patients in how their GP surgeries are managed. Some PPGs built on ‘Friends of’ surgery groups but the PPGs have more clout - the NHS now takes much more notice of what patients think and PPGs are one route to improving your experience of local health services.

Wherever you are registered with a doctor, there will be a PPG and you can take your views, concerns and criticisms direct to the group or become one of its members.

Woodhouse Eaves Cottage Surgery ‘Friends’ were already active and had helped the GP to buy a range of equipment so that patients could avoid having to go to a hospital for routine screening or monitoring that could be easily done locally with the right tools. This is helpful for village communities which often have fewer transport options. Woodhouse Eaves has only one bus an hour and it doesn’t go to any of the hospitals in the county. Also, local screening and monitoring delivers quick results and quick action if needed.

The results of the 2013 survey were similar to the 2012 one – patients were almost universally positive about the practice but offered comments and suggestions for the PPG to discuss with the practice management team. The two survey action plans have resulted in: new waiting room flooring and a re-paint; cleanable toys for waiting children; badges for all staff so you can distinguish between their specialisms; continuity in ‘supply’ doctors when the GP is absent; clearer answerphone messages when the surgery is closed; online prescription renewals; online appointment bookings; information on common conditions; and a better access drive for which planning permission has since been granted. With the PPG’s help, the surgery has been able to increase and improve its services. For group members, and hopefully all patients registered with Dr Clay’s practice, it has been well worth the effort.

Ask your GP’s receptionist for how to contact your surgery’s PPG. The Cottage Surgery PPG paperwork is on the surgery website at www.thecottagesurgery.co.uk/ppg.aspx

Birstall Birdwatching Club

Local Health Care – What Works?

The Long Journey North by Danny Green

The press has been full of stories about problems in the NHS - everything from delays at A&E to the problem of waiting times for appointments to see your GP. On Tuesday 24 September at 6.15pm Dr Clay from the Woodhouse Eaves GP practice will explain how his system allows patients to have a doctor’s appointment on the same day; how this keeps A&E admissions down; and how easy it is to make this system work. Dr Clay advises GPs across the country and will also respond to your questions about NHS changes in general. If you would like to attend, please let the surgery know on 01509 890747.

This is the title of Danny’s book which took him 8 years to complete. A visual exploration of the Arctic and Subarctic regions of Northern Europe with stunning images showing some of the most beautiful and iconic species that can be found in this varied and pristine landscape.

Tuesday 8th October 2013 7.30pm The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

Visitors welcome £2 | On-site parking and easy access.

Contact Ken Goodrich 0116 2674813.

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Local Interest Birstall & Rothley WEA Autumn 2013

The Monday Club, Anstey, Cropston, Thurcaston & Rothley

Drawing With Mixed Media

On the 12th August we listened to a fascinating talk given by Mr. Brian Johnson, entitled “And who lived in a house like this.. ?

Not only were we made aware in considerable detail, of the lives of the mentioned people, but we had sight of the individuals and their houses, by means of slides beautifully presented. For many members the talk awakened memories and for others like myself , the various successful individuals whose names were heard in Social Studies in our school days.

Amongst the famous names mentioned were Thomas Fielding Johnson who was a prominent Victorian business man and philanthropist in Leicester. He was noted for gifting in 1919, 37 acres of land for the site for the establishment of Leicester University. His home was “Brookfield” in Stoneygate from 1869 up until his death in 1921. He was affectionately known as “The Grand Old Man”.

Thomas Cook was the world’s best known name in travel.

He started from being a 32 year old Cabinet Maker and Baptist Minister, walking from Market Harborough to Leicester, when it occurred to him that many social problems could be solved with education derived from the opportunity to travel. In 1841 he set about enlisting the aid of The Midland Railway Co. and he introduced a successful one day rail excursion for a shilling per person from Leicester to Loughborough. 500 passengers boarded the train and so the “travel business” for Thomas Cook duly commenced. We saw his house “Thorneycroft” was built in London road, Leicester.

The above are just typical of the amount of information appertaining to many more illustrious characters spoken about, living dotted about the streets of Leicester; all of which helped in diverse ways to create the ensuing wealth and history of the city of Leicester.

In celebration of two Birthdays for Mesdames Gill Smart and Diana Whatton, the members were treated to delicious Meringues to enjoy with their cups of Tea. Mrs Anne Frisby was the lucky recipient of a lovely Pashmina scarf from the Free prize draw - already for Winter!

Our next Meeting for the Club will be on Monday 9th September; a Harvest Bring and Buy, which will be a fund raising event for “The Salvation Army” our Charity for this year. Everyone is welcome and it would be appreciated if there could be generous support in respect of anything saleable, cakes large or small, fruit and vegetables, tinned or fresh, to boost the Fund collection.

There will also be in-house entertainment plus, of course, refreshments. For enquires please ring me on 0116 2363467. I have an answer phone, so if I am not available, please leave a message and telephone number and I will return your call. Ann Farndon.

An opportunity to explore a range of creative techniques whilst developing the basic principles of drawing. This course will be excellent for returning learners wishing to hone their drawing skills but will also be appropriate for beginners looking to be inspired. Mediums covered will include graphite, charcoal, pastels, water soluble crayons, inks and mixed media. Learning is supported by demonstrations, one to one discussion and examples of artists’ work.

Tutor: Jo Sheppard. Fee £70, discounted: £63 (not available to the retired) or Free | Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR | Date: Monday 1–3pm, 10 meetings from 16th September 2013

The Habsburgs In an age when family history has become popular, we look at one of the most influential families in European history. It began as minor nobility in the early Holy Roman Empire, became holders in the title of Emperor, and is still recognisable. At one time it controlled vast territories in Europe, America and the Far East and even in its last stages it was removed from power only as a result of external rather than internal forces.

Tutor: Aubrey Newman Fee £52.50, discounted: £47.25 (not available to the retired) or Free | Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR | Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 10 meetings from 17th September 2013

Art & Perception Who or what inspired artists such as George Bellows, Stanley Spencer, Pierre Bonnard and John Piper, to develop their unique, often provocative, approaches to painting? This course explains some of the very different ways artists have expressed their view of the world in their art. No previous experience necessary-just a lively open-minded interest in art!

Tutor Janis Baker Fee £56, discounted: £50.40 (not available to the retired) or Free | Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR | Date: Wednesday 7.15 - 9.15pm, 8 meetings from 2nd October 2013

Contact: Marion Vincent, Telephone: 0116 2375156 or send your enrolments to John Laurance WEA Treasurer, 33 Loughborough Road, Hoton Leicester LE12 5SF. Please make cheques payable to WEA Birstall & Rothley Branch Visit the website: www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk

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Local Interest Belgrave Cemetery Forthcoming Events Bat Talk/Walk. Friday 13th September 7pm at Greenacres, The Sidings (A563) There will be a talk given by a local wildlife expert about bats where we’ll learn more about these fascinating creatures of the night, followed by a walk down to Belgrave Cemetery to see if we can find any bats.

The event is free to the public. Refreshments will be available at Greenacres. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.

Tel: 0116 2914484.

Accompanied children welcome. Suitable clothing is required on the night.

Heritage Open Day on Sunday 15th September 10am-2pm As part of the Heritage Open Day 2013 there will be a Heritage Trail of Killed-In-Action Soldiers and interesting people laid to rest in the Cemetery.

Belgrave Cemetery record information will be available with display boards and complementary refreshments.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Sturdy footwear is advisable. All visitors must keep to the path, anyone walking on the grass does so at their own risk.

For further information visit: www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.org.uk

Talks to Stimulate the Intellect The R.C.A have just announced a new series of intellectual, non-political talks to be staged at the Rothley Centre from October this year and to be given by Dr Michael Lynch, retired-Modern History Lecturer at Leicester University.

The talks follow on from a series given at the end of 2012 and continued into early 2013, all of which attracted good audiences from a wide cross section of the pubic Dr Lynch’s style and presentation is most entertaining.

The first series were staged under the banner heading “Know the Past to Understand the Future” and investigated the past actions by the larger imperial powers in foreign parts. Such actions are ingrained into the memories of the people of that area and this conditions their response to interventions and actions in the present day.

The first series of talks covered The Middle East, Modern China, Modern Germany, and Modern Russia. The first two of the next series of talks to take place on Tuesday October 15th and Tuesday November 19th will be on North Korea and Brazil. Dr Lynch will just have returned from a pre-talk visit to North Korea and so will be right up to date. He has also promised a third talk to be given on Tuesday January 21st on the novel historical subject “The Eunuchs and Concubines of Ancient China”.

The ticket price for each of these talks will be £5. There is plenty of free parking at the Rothley Centre on Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. The doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be a tea/coffee interval followed by a Q&A session with a finish round about 9.30 pm. To book please contact Norman Pratt on 0116 237 5254 or send your cheque made out to the Rothley C.A. together with a stamped, addressed reply envelope to 17 Windmill End, Rothley, LE7 7RP. Book early to be sure of your place.

Norman Pratt, Rothley C.A.

Rothley History Society It seems a long time ago since our last “indoor” meeting, when we were fortune enough to be able to welcome Ernest Miller, who gave us a lot of information about the Arts & Crafts movement, and its relevance to Leicestershire, with special reference to the Gimson houses, most notably Stoneywell Cottage at Ulverscroft, which has recently been taken over by the National Trust.

Since then we have had two “outings”.. the first when we were invited to the site of the proposed visitor centre at Nunckley Hill Quarry in Mountsorrel and then to Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire.

Our next indoor meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th September when our speaker will be one of our own members, Pauline Fitchett, who will share some of her childhood memories and experiences, entitled “Mining Memorabilia and Afternoon Tea”.

Our meetings are held in the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley at 7.30pm. £3 for visitors and £2 for members.

All will be made most welcome!

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Sing with the best in the Country

(and 20th in the world!)

Fiery Annual Camp for Air Cadets 12 cadets from 2229 (Loughborough) Squadron attended Annual Summer Camp with cadets 1181 (Syston) Squadron at Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Manston , Kent during August. The cadets and staff were given some amazing opportunities at the camp.

The first full day at camp was an easy start with a trip out to the local museums to look at some war time aircraft and various bits of memorabilia, closely followed by a jam packed afternoon on the range doing some target shooting.

The following day they visited Chatham Historic Dockyard to see how the navy make ropes and survive in a submarine.

They rounded off the day with an opportunity to watch the current recruits doing their penultimate test putting out lots of fires in the training area.

On the third day the cadets all bussed out to Dover for a walk round the castle and visited the memorial at Capelle-Ferne and after a bit of dinner back at base went out swimming in the evening.

Wednesday saw some worried cadets as they were handed over to the station Physical Training Instructor to put them through their paces in a fitness test with some very good results! After lunch everyone went across the road for a quick visit around Kent International Airport and had a look inside their fire training facility; a huge Boeing 747, that’s been converted to simulate a cargo and passenger plane all in one. They were given another opportunity to watch the recruits doing their Breathing Apparatus Tests and had a look around the training facility on station.

The cadets were given another rare opportunity on Thursday morning to watch a back-draft demonstration. After they saw this it was off out for a picnic lunch at Fowlmead Country Park and a run around the confidence course with B Flight taking the winning run. When everyone returned to camp it was time for the long awaited inter-flight drill competition in front of the Station Warrant Officer. Again B Flight took the winning marks! They ended the day off with a nice round of crazy golf down by the beach.

On Friday the 5th of July, forty five members of Grand Central Chorus walked out onto the dark stage of the Air Canada Centre, Toronto, a stage that has felt the feet of the famous, from the Rolling Stones to Madonna. An explosion of light and sound revealed a massive arena with 6000 applauding Barbershop followers and a small contingent of Grand Central fans cheering hysterically.

The CD waved his arms and the Chorus burst into song. Six minutes later it was all over and the Chorus were walking off to rapturous applause. ‘Wow that was phenomenal, it made all the work and the waiting worthwhile,’ said member Dave Eason who was experiencing his first competition. ‘I never imagined anything like that when I came along to the Open Night last year’.

The results revealed that the Chorus had achieved their highest score ever at International, 78.8%, and placed 20th, that’s 20th in the world, a real achievement.

The day before the Chorus had performed at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Concert Hall in the World Harmony Jamboree Show which featured top Barbershop performers from North America, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. An exciting week!

The next opportunity for you to see the Chorus perform is at 7pm on the 21st September, 2013, at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Melton Mowbray LE13 1AE. Tickets £8 obtainable at 01664 851457 or 01664 50057.

On Wednesday the 4th September, 2013, there will be an ‘ Open Night’ at the regular rehearsal venue, Harrington Junior School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BJ. Sing with the Chorus or just sit and listen but come along if you are male and 16 plus. Learn the basics of Barbershop harmony and voice production. It’s free!

Bring along a friend. If you cannot manage that evening come along any Wednesday, you will be welcome.

Ring Martin on 07855270803, 01664 411400, e-mail publicity.gcc@gmail.com to register, or just turn up on the night.

See the website: www.grandcentralchorus.com for further information.

On their last morning on camp the cadets were shown around the fire training section and the fire engines. In the afternoon the cadets were allowed to use the training apparatus used by the recruits to simulate crawling around obstacles.

Everyone involved had a fantastic time on camp!

The cadets parade at the Loughborough TA Centre from 7pm on Monday and Thursday nights. You can browse their website at www.2229.org.uk.

There is an open evening for potential new cadets and staff on Monday 9th September at 19:30, everyone is welcome!

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Computer Tips With Joe...

In a series of tips for the less than expert computer users, Joe Costello, local retired ICT teacher, Engineer and self confessed ‘Computer Geek’ wishes to offer useful and practical advice in dealing with PCs and laptops. He is also offering, on a pro bono basis, more direct assistance to his Newtown Linford neighbours with help on repairs, installations and software/ hardware problems.

You can contact Joe either by email: newfordcomputerhelp@hotmail.co.uk or through this magazine.

Greetings Fellow Compufferers ( Computer Sufferers) For the last month every one of my calls has concerned emailing problems. This is indeed a time of great change with company mergers, and acquisitions combining with the continual upgrading, updating and deleting of their products.

Someone once said, “You can’t fight city hall.” In that sentiment, much as I dislike Microsoft for the pain through which it puts us all, I am advising people to accept their email management programme, Windows live mail. Once installed you can forget, Hotmail, Gmail, Outlook, Btinternet and all the others, and get used to the Live Mail presentation.

1) Google “Windows live mail download”.

2) Look for the entry from “windows.microsoft.com/en-gb…”

click that entry.

3) This should take you to a “Windows Essentials” web page. Click the “Download now” button.

4) You may get a security warning, accept. If asked “Run or Save” at the bottom of your screen click Run. 5) You will then be asked if you want to install all Windows essentials or just choose the bits you want. I have downloaded all of it, (as it is free) but if you want only the mail programme, click “Choose the program you want to install” select “Mail”. Click install.

6) You will need a Microsoft account. If you use Hotmail or Messenger then your user name and password are your Microsoft account details. If you have neither you must create an account (free) with a user name and password.

7) When live mail has loaded, you can open it from Start / All programs / Windows live mail.

8) If nothing is there when you open it, you probably had to create your account and must now incorporate your other accounts. Go to “Accounts”, the fourth tab on the modular selection bar at the top of the page. Then click “emails” just below and to the left.

9) Fill in your email addresses and passwords for all you email accounts. These will then be synchronized into Live mail and all your problems should be over for the moment.

I apologize if this is getting a bit too teccy. I can find no way of making it simpler.

Our friends from “Microsoft” are still active from their regional office in Africa. One of my rather naughty Geeky friends came up with a novel way of dealing with them, not that I advocate such wicked and illegal actions. He pretended to be a police officer and irately demanded their names and address as they had just called the home of a murder scene and they should expect a call from their local police to question their involvement with the victim. Needless to say the line went dead very quickly.

These people want to take control of your computer through “Remote Desktop Access” under the pretext of curing your computer’s faults. They then proceed to steal all your personal details and empty your bank account.

You will NEVER hear from Microsoft. The government will tell us to loosen our belts before Microsoft provides any meaningful help. I believe they thrive on confusion and complexity that cause so many people to give up and buy the next generation machine with everything pre-installed.

The next thing, I believe, is Skype, the video call progamme. Microsoft will buy Skype, (if they don’t already own it) and proceed to coerce us into incorporating Skype into our communications systems. I have nothing against Skype, now they seem to have corrected the Registry-destroying early version, but on principle I dislike the Tescoeque way in which Microsoft try to dragoon us into using only their products.

Cheers,Joe Costello September / October 2013

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Local Clubs Ulverscroft Camera Club The club will reconvene for the 2013-14 season on September 3rd at their usual meeting place, Ulverscroft Grange, at 7pm where old and new members alike can re register for the season. They will have a very full programme of photography related events, all of which will be announced in the Programme section of the website (www.ulverscroftcameraclub. com). For further information email: info@ulverscroftcameraclub.com

Cropston & Thurcaston Guides & Brownies Annual Review September 2012 - September 2013 In the Autumn, the Guides worked for the Chocolate and Confectioner badges. We cooked with chocolate on wood fires, had a demonstration (& tasting) of hand-made chocs from ‘Hannah’s’ in Quorn; learned about Fair Trade and made our own chocolate bars. The Confectioner’s badge involved making a small, iced and marzipanned Xmas cake & using icing kits to pipe patterns on biscuits. Rev. David McDonough re-dedicated our 40 year old Guide flag. We planted trees in the National Forest.

Meanwhile, the Brownies gained their Toymaker badge by making board games, stuffed toys, finger puppets, dressing up outfits and doll’s house accessories. They joined with the Guides for Bonfire night, Remembrance Service & the pantomime in Loughborough. We finished the term with Christmas parties.

In the Spring term we chose the Well Done badge for both Brownies & Guides. Leaders, Brownies & Guides learned to knit/French Knit/crochet and made two pet blankets. Lyndsey, from Animal Aid, told us about their work and we donated the blankets, bric-a-brac and £32 in small change. We painted plant pots and added primula plants and took them to the residents of the old people’s homes in Thurcaston and Cropston. We enjoyed swimming at Beaumont Leys, celebrating Thinking Day with a candle-lit ceremony and Chinese New Year making paper lanterns or wax and ink Willow Pattern pictures.

Our aim for the summer term was to look at Heritage and Culture so we compared present day Thurcaston with an old map, investigated the meanings of Nursery Rhymes, acted out Local legends and danced around the Maypole. The girls made collages of a Nursery Rhyme for the Thurcaston & Cropston Annual Show on 7th September. The Guides tried the permanent orienteering course in The Outwoods and had a camping sleepover with an evening walk from Thurcaston to the chip shop in Rothley. At Castle Hill, the Guides sowed wild flower seeds and built habitats, and the Brownies looked for mini beasts with expert guidance .

For Community Service, the Guides helped the leaders to collect Barnados envelopes in Cropston and raised £109! Finally, Brownies (right) & Guides (above) visited the Windmill at Woodhouse Eaves.

We also have 3 former girls achieving Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards and 5 Guides about to gain the Baden-Powell award. Sadly we have to report the death in April of a loyal supporter and “badge lady” Audrey Hamilton. We miss her advice and cheerful help.

Next term starts on Wednesday September 4th. If you would like any more information about becoming a Brownie (minimum age 7) or a Guide (age 10) or a helper please contact the following people : 1st Thurcaston Brownies: `Brown Owl’, Louise Keran tel 0116 2673162 mob.07711-422350 1st Cropston Guides: Assistant Guider, Christine Miranda 0116 2364293 mob 07852-559270 Thank you, Irene Marriott ‘Snowy Owl’ and Guider.

Meetings are held at Richard Hill School, Thurcaston on Wednesday evenings, Brownies 6 -7.15pm & Guides 7.158.30pm.

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Local Entertainment & Events The Three Musketeers

Woodhouse Eaves Cinema presents… ‘Nowhere Boy’ A chronicle of John Lennon’s early years, focusing on his relationship with his stern aunt Mimi and absentee mother, as well as the creation of his first band and its evolution into The Beatles.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, starring Aaron TaylorJohnson, Kristin Scott Thomas & David Threlfall.

Wednesday 25th September | 7.30pm | Age: 15 | Run time: 1 hr 38 mins | Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall | £4 with refreshments

Centre Stage visits Barrow this Autumn with “The Three Musketeers”.

Back by popular demand, Barbershopera’s hugely entertaining reinvention of Alexander Dumas’ much loved adventure story, “The Three Musketeers” will visit Barrow on Sunday September 22nd.

Brilliantly inventive and wowing audiences all over the country with their unique, award-winning style, Barbershopera, perform this comedy musical with fresh four part harmonies and bags of energy.

With her village under threat of destruction at the hands of the villainous Cardinal Rich Tea, young Nicole D’Aragnan must head to Paris to seek the help of the King’s Musketeers. But murky happenings plague the progress of our heroine and her new-found trio of friends as they battle corruption, femmes fatales and the cultural confusions brought on by a quest to England.

You might say: Blackadder meets Gilbert & Sullivan in a joyous evening of musical comedy. All for fun and fun for all!

The show starts at 7.00 in the hall of Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road, Barrow, LE12 8JU. Tickets bought on the door will cost £9, £8 concessions, £5 for children under 16 and a family ticket for £26.

However, if you buy your tickets in advance you gain a £1 discount for each ticket. Tickets will be on sale in The Paper Shop, High St, Barrow or by phone from 413227 or 07718153117 or email judithrodgers155@gmail.com The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Friends of Charnwood Forest The next meeting of the FOCF is on Monday 23rd September. The talk is “Charnwood Forest Landscapes, Changes in a Lifetime” by Tim Adkin, Access to Nature Officer, Charnwood Borough Council.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall 7.30 pm. Friends of Charnwood Forest, non members welcome, £3 on the door.

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Tickets from the Woodhouse Eaves PO, Newsagent, Le Fevre’s , The Village Hall or on the door.

01509 890050 | woodhouses.events@gmail.com

Newtown Scarecrow Festival Our Scarecrow Festival is once again taking place on Harvest festival weekend September 28th/29th and the sunshine has been ordered! Come and see the creations that our inventive residents construct, from miniature to major constructions, from rustic to high-tec ….

Teas will be available in the school on Saturday afternoon, when the school will also be holding its fete. The Church will be open and the Bellringers busy! The Art group are holding an exhibition in the Sunday School rooms (next to park entrance).

The Village Hall will be open for teas on the Sunday afternoon and there will be a number of stalls, including plants and bulbs, jewellery and cards and other activities eg face-painting etc (as in previous years) and a chance to see the hard work being put into the village collage.

LOROS will be there with lottery and scratch cards and you could win up to £1000 on the cards or even more on the lottery !

Whitwick & District U3A The September General Meeting of Whitwick and District U3A will include an illustrated talk on the fascinating history of the Century Theatre, based at Snibston since 1997. Built in Hinckley between 1948 and 1952, this mobile theatre toured Britain until 1974. Many famous actors, playwrights and authors have been associated with the Century Theatre and today it offers a unique home for the arts for Leicestershire people.

Come along on Friday, 20th September to discover more about the Theatre and the varied U3A interest groups on offer. Please arrive at 1.45 pm for a 2.00 pm start at St. David’s Church hall, Broomleys, Coalville.

Further details can be found at: www.whitwicku3a.org.uk

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Local Entertainment & Events Charnwood Orchestra’s 40th Birthday Concert

Loughborough RSPB Local Group

Charnwood Orchestra, once Quorn Orchestra, began its existence in Rawlins in 1973, the brain child of Jo O’Reilly. We are delighted that our anniversary concert year begins in Barrow, our new home since 2009. Of course, we have been giving concerts in Holy Trinity for much longer and have always felt very welcome.

Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk at Rutland Water at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the car park - SK878072. All details are on their website - www. rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough/events/

The concert is on September 28th and will start at 7.30pm. It consists of 6 pieces: Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus overture, Britten’s Suite on English Folk Tunes, the Trumpet Concerto by Haydn with marvellous soloist Anthony Thompson, Jarnefelt’s Praeludium and Berceuse and finally, Mozart’s Symphony No 1 “Paris”. Two of these pieces were played in our first ever concert, 40 years ago.

Which ones? Come and find out! As usual, we will run a wine, real ale and fruit juice bar in the interval.

Tickets can be bought from Barrow’s The Paper Shop for £10, £9 for concessions and £3 for accompanied children under 16. Or phone the box office 07712 8153117 or email: judithrodgers155@gmail.com For more information visit the website: www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk

Rachmaninoff - The Man And His Music By Barry Collett Saturday 9th November 2013, 10.30am - 4.30pm, The Old School Rooms, School Street, Rothley.

Sergei Rachmaninoff is now one of the most popular composers, yet he went to his grave convinced that his music would not last. His life was torn in two by the Russian Revolution, yet after that event he became one of the world’s greatest pianists. This day course will look at the composer’s career and play a lot of his wonderful music.

Presented by Barry Collett who founded the 75 strong Rutland Sinfonia in 1975 and conducted all of its concerts for the first 26 seasons. Barry has made 11 recordings both as conductor and pianist and was presented with honorary life membership of the Elgar Society for conducting all of Elgar’s orchestral music.

Barry presented our first music event in March this year on the Life and Work of Sir Edward Elgar.

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29th September 2013 Loughborough RSPB Local Group invite you to join them on a coach trip to Potteric Carr YWT reserve near Doncaster. Depart from Loughborough University at 8.30 am, fare £18 plus admission to the reserve. Booking is essential for this trip, for all contact and other details, please look at the group’s website - www.rspb.org.uk/ groups/loughborough/events/ 11th October 2013 Loughborough RSPB Local Group present a talk entitled Fez to Fair Isle by Andy Warren. It 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. Full details of the speaker and venue can be found on the group’s website - www.rspb.org.uk/ groups/loughborough/events/ 15th October 2013 Loughborough RSPB Local Group have a Wildlife Walk at Attenborough NWT reserve at Attenborough near Long Eaton at 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the car park SK516339. All details are on their website - www.rspb. org.uk/groups/loughborough/events/ 20th October 2013 Loughborough RSPB Local Group invite you to join them on a coach trip to Snettisham RSPB reserve in Norfolk.

Depart from Loughborough University at 8.00 am, fare £18. Booking is essential for this trip, for all contact and other details, please look at the group’s website - www. rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough/events/

Bradgate, Rothley, Mountsorrel & Birstall Forum Community Forums are the place to Have Your Say!

Early enrolment advised to secure a place. Booking essential with £5 course fee. Further information from Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 or John Laurance 01509 889757. Organised by the Birstall and Rothley Branch of the WEA with their financial support.

The next Bradgate, Rothley, Mountsorrel and Birstall Community Forum meeting will take place on Monday 23rd September 2013 at Longslade Community College Palmer-Tomkinson Centre, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4GH.

Please send bookings to John Laurance 33 Loughborough Road, Hoton, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 5SF. Cheques payable to WEA Birstall and Rothley Branch. Please include names(s), address, email and phone number.

Please get in touch with topics for the meeting.

September / October 2013

For further details please contact Richard Downing: email: richard.downing@leics.gov.uk or 0116 305 5823.

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A Job for the ‘Pub Brothers’

by Matt Wright, www.greatfoodclub.co.uk

After a £300,000 refurbishment, The Bradgate in Newtown Linford is in the hands of four local brothers with a pedigree in pubs…

It’s fair to say that Dave and Martin Keatley-Lill from Quorn, and Alex and Chris Astwood from Barrowupon-Soar like pubs. The two sets of brothers not only enjoy chilling out in their respective locals, they also successfully run The White Horse in Quorn and The Royal Oak in Long Whatton.

And now they have brought their passion and expertise to The Bradgate in Newtown Linford, which reopened on July 3, 2013 after a £300,000 refurbishment.

The large and characterful Bradgate, built in the early 19th century from local granite and Swithland slate, is the quartet’s biggest project to date, and the team are relishing the challenge of turning the pub into the essential food and drink destination for everyone visiting the Charnwood Forest area.

With around 900,000 heading to Bradgate Country Park alone each year according to various sources, The Bradgate has massive potential.

In a bid to rouse this sleeping giant, owner Everards Brewery decided to completely upgrade the pub. And that refurb, along with the new arrival of the four brothers and their team, means that if you visit The Bradgate today you may well be surprised by what you find compared with just a few weeks ago.

The spacious interior has been given a fresh look that feels up-to-date and functional while still retaining character and charisma that stems from the pub’s age, architecture and magnificent location. Alongside acres of exposed wood are shades of pastel blue and design touches inspired by Bradgate Park itself, including an array of artwork. Gone is The Bradgate’s old fashioned carvery and centre stage is a sparkling new pizza oven, where chefs cook stonebaked pizzas in view of drinkers and diners.

Outside, the two large beer gardens – front and rear – have been mowed and trimmed to perfection, and a giant area of wooden decking peppered with garden furniture has been added. At the time of writing, a children’s play area is about to open. In total, there is space for up to 200 people to sit outside, while inside can seat up to 150.

So the all-new Bradgate is quite an undertaking for its new management team. But the brothers are loving it.

“We all thought The Bradgate had bags of potential,” says Dave Keatley-Lill, “so when the opportunity came up and we heard Everards were going to refurbish it, we jumped at the chance. The plan is simple: to give people exactly what they want and offer a great space where they can relax and refuel, accompanied by fantastic hospitality. Our new menus offer good quality but affordable snack-style meals – sandwiches, sharing boards and the thin-crust stonebaked pizzas for example – alongside top quality pub food.”

A glance at the main a la carte menu shows dishes such as pork belly rubbed with garlic and fennel seed in a pickled fennel and pear cider sauce, and rack of lamb with salsa verde, potato fondant and buttery Savoy cabbage and bacon.

Local sourcing is a priority for Dave and the team, with suppliers including A. Holmes Butchers of Coalville; Coppice Farm near Swadlincote (beef and lamb); Prestop Park Farm of Ashby (game); Swithland Spring Water; Quorn Country Ice Cream of Nanpantan; and Spencer’s Bakery of Hathern. In season, the brothers plan to serve venison from Bradgate Park itself, and also add this most local of meats to their Christmas hampers. In charge of making magic with all this produce is new head chef Joshua Smith, a Leicestershire lad who has recently moved back to his home county after a stint in London working with TV chef Angela Hartnett.

The two sets of brothers, whose ages range from 32 to 44, couldn’t be happier with their new pub. “The reopening went with a bang,” says Dave, “and we can’t wait to turn The Bradgate into a long-term success story.”

There’s little doubt they have the commitment, expertise and passion to make that happen. Dave continues: “All four of us are devoted to and completely in love with the idea of the Great British Pub so it’s fantastic to be running a place like The Bradgate as well as The White Horse and The Royal Oak. You won’t be surprised to hear that Martin and I first met Alex and Chris in a pub and, if I remember rightly, the very first thing we talked about was, well, what else but pubs?!” Furthermore, Dave’s first job was pot washer in The Olde Royal Oak, Bitteswell, Lutterworth.

Now, just a short walk from where Bradgate Park’s fallow and red deer herds graze near Old John and Lady Jane Grey’s ruined Tudor house, the two sets of brothers are putting all that passion for pubs into practice.

Matt Wright runs Great Food Club (www.greatfoodclub.co.uk), a guide to good quality restaurants, pubs and food shops in the Midlands. Great Food Club is currently free to join and members enjoy exclusive dining offers.

Photo (La Vie Magazine): The two sets of brothers, from left: Dave Keatley-Lill, Martin Keatley-Lill, Alex Astwood and Chris Astwood. www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk 30The Bradgate, 37 Main St, Newtown Linford, Leics, LE6 0AE | www.thebradgate.com | 01530 242239

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September On The GCR During the month there is a variety of entertainment for everyone, starting with the Swap Meet, midweek running, a Diesel Gala, Beer Festival, various Dining Trains & a Family Fun Weekend!

Swap Meet This is the last one of the year on the 1st at Quorn for all those interested in railway memorabilia (railwayana) whether it is a locomotive name plate, bridge plate, lamps, signalling, silverware, books, photographs etc visit the GCR’S famous swap meet which is one of the longest running events of its kind in the country. It will be back next March.

Midweek Running Trains run throughout the month on Wednesday with the normal three train service.

Diesel Gala During the weekend of the 7th and 8th it is time for the Diesels to entertain the enthusiasts, visiting for the summer from the South Devon Railway is Class 25 D7612 which will be making one of its final appearances before returning home, also it is hoped to get a special guest visitor. Most of the home fleet will also be in action. There will be a busy timetable and a Saturday night BEEREX when you can enjoy a pint and a leisurely ride through the Leicestershire country side.

Beer Festival This year the three day beer festival will be bigger than ever before with more than 50 real ales and ciders to choose from and will be open from midday each day starting on Friday the 20th with the main marquee at Loughborough, on Saturday and Sunday Greenacres next to Leicester North Station, Butler Henderson Café at Quorn, and the Griddle Car trains will join in with the festivities. There will also be live music on Friday night and during the weekend and food will also be available. At Quorn there will be a large display of traction engines, big and small, as the owners celebrate with a ‘last hurrah of the season’.

Family Fun Weekend During the weekend of the 28th and 29th there will be a Family Fun Weekend, full details on the web site.

Dining Trains The usual weekend selection run throughout the month with Murder Mysteries on the 13th and 27th, and on the 20th there is a Pullman Wine Tasting Evening.

Latest Bridge The Gap News The total raised by mid July had reached £148,000 almost fifteen per cent of the total, if you would like to donate you can do it online or send a cheque to The David Clarke Railway Trust to ‘Bridge Appeal’ Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough Leicestershire, LE11 1RW.

Preview Of Events In October The big event of the month will be the four day Autumn Steam Gala starting on the 3rd, it is hoped to have two visiting locomotives already booked to appear is SR unrebuilt Battle of Britain Class 34070 Manston. Also mid week trains will be running during the school half term on the 23-25th. Ghost trains will be running for Halloween on the 31st.

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

Dave Allen, Duty Station Master, Rothley.

Photo - BR Class 25 D7612 visiting from the South Devon Railway was built in Derby in 1966 and was allocated to Eastfield, Glasgow for a short time then spent the rest of its time at London Midland Region depots it carried two other numbers (25 262 and 25 901) during its BR days and will be making one its last appearances at the Diesel Gala before returning home.

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Local Sport Syston Bowling Club Secures Lottery Funding Grant Of £40,000 From Sport England Syston Bowling Club has been awarded a National Lottery funded grant of £40,000 under the terms of the Sport England Inspired Facilities fund, part of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme. The grant, one of 300 awarded to projects nationally in the fourth round of the scheme, will be used to extend the current clubhouse to provide additional and accessible changing room and toilet facilities.

Announcing the award to a packed clubhouse at the monthly coffee morning, Club Chairman, Colin Grimes said: “We are naturally delighted and excited by the award which provides recognition for our commitment to expanding the impact of our sport among a wider section of the local community. With the benefit of the additional facilities provided by the extension, we are confident of our ability to attract new members – especially ladies and younger players of both sexes. The inclusion of a disabled toilet and disabled access facilities within our plans, will also enable us to maximise the use of the specially adapted wheelchairs we already own.

Bowling is a sport where male and female can truly compete on equal terms. The increase in mixed matches, as the sport, both nationally and locally, moves towards full integration, has already demonstrated the serious inadequacy of our current facilities. We have regularly had to reduce the numbers of players involved in matches because of the lack of privacy and space. Our enhanced changing room and toilet facilities will solve those problems. We can face the future - and look forward to growth - with added confidence.

We expect work on the extension to begin immediately after the close of the current season, at the end of September, and are planning an official opening at the start of the new season in April 2014. At that time, we will be organising a series of Open Days and “taster sessions” for local people to try their hand at the sport.

In the light of this exciting development, we now plan to redouble our efforts to persuade the local Town Council to reach an amicable agreement with us on the question of parking within Central Park, for visiting teams – a thorny issue which continues to cause real damage to the reputation of the Town and does nothing to help us, as a Club, to maintain a full fixture list.”

Sport England has announced that the Inspired Facilities scheme is to be extended until 2017 with an additional £40 million of National Lottery funding to invest.

Florence Heads Stateside Rothley Park Golf Club’s Ladies Champion, Florence King, headed off to the USA in August to attend the University of New Orleans in Louisiana. The university is an NC11 Division 1 school, one of the highest ranking US athletics colleges).

She will be studying for a business and marketing degree as well as playing collegiate golf for the university.

Florence signed up with golf scholarship recruitment specialist ProDreamUSA. Last summer the company put together a ‘profile’ and a 10 minute video of her swing which was then promoted to hundreds of universities across the states.

Florence studied hard through the winter to get the grades she needed for a scholarship. Just before Christmas she accepted an offer from New Orleans, one of many offers she received.

“The hardest choice for me was deciding which university to sign with, I had to consider both the academic strengths but also the athletics dept, the weather, how easy it was to fly to and lots of other considerations. I also wanted to attend university in a southern state.

“I will gain so much from the experience, get to live in a completely different culture for 4 years whilst getting my degree and also travelling across the states playing collegiate golf, not many 19 year olds get an opportunity like that. I am so lucky to have had the support of my family, friends and members of Rothley Park, and my golf coach Steve Cooper at Gainsborough Golf Club.”

Florence doesn’t know what she’d like to do in the future but ideally it will be working in a golfing environment. All the members and staff at Rothley Park wished Florence every success and are looking forward to seeing her playing at the club during her college vacations.

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- The Bradgate Wedding Pages

www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

The Wedding Pages

So you said YES (congratulations) ...but what now?? Planning & Research of course... and where better to start than here in our lovingly crafted ‘Wedding Pages’? We’ve handpicked the cream of the LOCAL (business) crop - fantastic photographers, amazing venue’s, dresses to die for (!!!), blooming gorgeous flowers, rings that you’ll love FOREVER & hats worthy of the Queen herself. We not only have ideas & tips on the latest trends (Vintage of course) but we’ve even hunted out those lovely folks that will clean & preserve that gorgeous dress of yours forevermore after the BIG DAY! Go on, sit back, have a browse and watch that dream wedding of yours slowly fall into place.... Enjoy!!

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- The Bradgate Wedding Pages

www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

Brides.. look ahead to the trends of 2014 Susanne, from Bradgate Brides, talks us through the trends for 2014 ....

We all know that vintage is really in but it is getting to be really big news..everything from hair pieces, venues, invitations and of course the gown! Really full lace ball gowns have been in for the last few years and we have found that more brides now are opting for more chic styling (and definitely away from the usual tiara) and more and more side pieces which some can be also used as a bracelet, hair vine, (looks great wrapped around the hair when up), or even as a belt.. Rounded toe shoes are appearing more and more and heels are going lower to about 2”to 3”, but still with lots of crystals or lovely lace or pleating, but everything much more subtle than previously. And not just rounded toes but the opposite, very pointed court shoes with lovely diamanté or flowers . .. So as usual I would suggest COMFORT is a bride’s main priority in whichever style she chooses.

As blush and nude colours are coming through on many bridal gowns, this should start to be seen in accessories also with blush pearls and beautiful beadwork and for many designers it is really 1920’s all the way!! However lace still reigns supreme in most cases.

Seasons have changed with regards to the buying of gowns and brides are no longer stepping out in big numbers in January, as they did in recent years but many come to us now in August ,September and October for the following year. This enables many brides to miss the after Xmas low cash flow predicament as their gown has been ordered already and of course many new samples arrive at the end of Summer for trying on.

Styles that brides can try on now can be not only strapless but more and more necklines and straps and sleeves.

Feminine ‘illusion’ necklines and sheer sleeve detail lend an extra touch of class. For brides wanting to make a bold statement , embellished straps and halter detail plus key hole backs, covered buttons and intricate lacework are just perfect for the big day. Still I love the dreamy fairy tale look of the tulle/lace full ball gowns and if you have dreamt about being a princess since you were a child, go for it! The Snow White , Belle or Cinderella gown from Disney could for fulfil your life long dream? As mentioned previously, the 1920’s has a major influence and if you love full beaded draped slimline gowns with a cutting edge, look at our capsule collection of Eliza Jane Howell designs . You can’t help but simply look in awe at them and every bride that passes, even if they are not trying them on just has to take them off the rail to admire.. For the destination bride, there’s some new extremely light lace slimline gowns to add to our great collection of chiffon beautifully cut structured styles plus we have new tulle,lace or taffeta shorter styles for that 50’s look... there’s just a gown for every bride. In fact I can honestly say right now we simply have the best collection of bridal gowns we have ever had in our salon! I only wish I could try them all on and get married again!

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G N I D D E W M R A A COUNTRY F

Whether you choose a marquee, tipi or barn, a country farm location for your wedding can be a great way of creating the day of your dreams with your personality stamped all over it!

Here are 7 tips to help you get your planning started:

1. Location, Location, Location Before you decide on your location discuss the layout possibilities with the venue owners including important things like parking, reception and ceremony layout, access for suppliers, electrical access, heating, lighting and the area for catering set up.

2. Dressing up or dressing down (and everything in between!)

Whether you choose to bring a touch of glamour and elegance to the country or opt for a rustic country feel to your day a marquee or barn can be dressed accordingly.

The addition of elegant lime wash Chivari spindle chairs to a formal seating arrangement are perfect for an elegant country marquee wedding. For rustic charm, consider replacing formal table layouts and white linen with relaxed picnic style seating and burlap runners. Hay bale sofas can provide a stylish yet relaxed guest lounge area.

3. Don’t be afraid to show some personality With a country farm wedding think creatively about the opportunities that having such a blank canvas can bring. If you're creative with the decor you can truly personalise your wedding, everything from the table settings, lighting, seating, entertainment and more besides. Choose creative and innovative wedding suppliers who enjoy the challenge and excitement that a country farm wedding can bring.

4. Eat, Drink and be Married!

The style and type of catering you provide for your guests will depend on the style of day you choose. Be it rustic, informal or country elegant think creatively about maximising the space you may have on the farm and in and around the barn or marquee.

Discuss your ideas with your caterer who will be able to advise on what might work best given your chosen wedding style and what they will need in terms of space and practical essentials like power and a water supply!

Whether you have a free bar or a pay bar for your country farm wedding you will need to allocate the right kind of space for things like fridges and possibly a back bar. Alternatively consider more informal 'help yourself' drinks stations.

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5. Let There Be Light The right lighting can really transform your wedding both inside and around the exterior of your marquee or barn. For a more rustic style using clusters of lanterns provide great atmospheric lighting as well as decorating around the farm with fairylights in trees or in the rafters of a barn. Candlelight is always a favourite but check with your venue if they have any naked flame restrictions.

Beautiful soft lighting looks great but remember that as the evening draws in your guests will welcome brighter lighting to make their way safely to the conveniences or to their transport home.

6. Do your guests a favour...

Without revealing too much about what your guests will see on your big day it's important to equip them with enough information allowing them to come along appropriately prepared. If you're planning a relaxed rustic feel consider advising your guests to for example "wear lawn friendly shoes". If you're planning an outdoor ceremony or reception think about inclement or adverse weather options for the day so providing guest umbrellas or a few pashminas or picnic rugs for the early evening might be an idea.

Consider hiring "luxury" toilets for your guests and include a few extras in a toiletry hamper - guests will appreciate pocket tissues, painkillers, wet wipes, handcream, mints, the list goes on!

7. If Music be the Food of Love...

Whether you're having a live band or DJ discuss entertainment ideas with your farm venue. Find out how much space your entertainment will require and any equipment or power and staging they may need.

These fantastic tips are brought to you by Val Mattinson, Director of Weddings & Events at Benessamy and the Associate Wedding Planner at Bawdon Lodge Farm.

Tel: 0115 870 8179 Email: events@benessamy.co.uk Web: www.benessamy.co.uk

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Diamonds...

... are part of some of the most stunning jewellery in the world... discover their amazing history!

3 Billion years ago the diamond on your finger was being conceived in the unfathomable depths of the earth. Your diamond was being formed in heat otherwise found only on the surface of the sun, under pressures greater than those at the very depths of the ocean. Starting as a tiny bubble of liquid carbon your piece of our planets amazing history was travelling upwards to the Earth’s surface.

Bourne along by a subterranean river of molten lava until it penetrated a weak spot in the Earth’s crust before slowly coming to rest just under the surface of our ancient planet. The lava will have cooled, slowly, slowly over millennia causing the bubble of carbon to solidify in to an eight faced crystal. Only the fierce but constant heat and pressure that your stone was subject to have ensured it’s bright white fire as carbon transformed to Diamond.

Despite the unimaginable number of years that your stone has so far passed through, this is really only the beginning of the story. Your diamond remained buried deep underground – most likely in South Africa although possibly India, Brazil or even Canada – until just 2400 years ago our own natural curiosity and love of beautiful things, coupled with an unparalleled skill for engineering, lead us to dig deep into the Earth to discover more of these rare and precious gems.

Your diamond has likely come from the same place as either the famous Hope Diamond (right), or illustrious Koh i Noor, or perhaps even the Eureka Diamond itself. To discover more about how these wonderful gems came to be part of some of the most stunning jewellery in the world and how you can have your own ancient piece of natural history designed and made into a piece you will cherish forever do come and enjoy the fabulous ‘History of Famous Diamonds’ an Exhibition at Cathy Stephens Jewellery in both Nottingham and Groby, Leicestershire.

Cathy will be on hand to design and re design for you and you are welcome to share in some of Cathy Stephens Jewellery’s traditional hospitality, perhaps a glass of bubbly? Furthermore customers are invited to take advantage of a special offer during the show whereby you can exchange your ‘old gold’ against any item or commission.

Cathy and all her team are looking forward to seeing you!

Cathy Stephens Designer Jewellery - 19 Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester. Tel: 0116 287 0041.

Flying Horse Walk, The Poultry, Nottingham City Centre. Tel: 0115 941 0800.

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Local Education Woodhouse Day Nursery Woodhouse Day Nursery is a privately owned independent day nursery in the quiet village of Woodhouse Eaves, with secure fingerprint access and CCTV to the inside and outside of the building. The nursery can offer places for 72 children per day, between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years, with a holiday club facility for up to 8 years. We are open 52 weeks of the year from 7:30am – 6:00pm, offering full time, part time and flexible sessions. We have a dedicated team of 10 staff, all of which are either fully trained to NVQ Level 3 or are currently undertaking training at that level. The Manager is currently undertaking a Foundation Degree at University and all practitioners undertake regular council run training courses to keep up to date with developments in the sector.

Woodhouse Day Nursery prides itself on offering parents a fully inclusive package, with all freshly cooked meals, nappies, wipes and formula milks included in the price. We also offer a home from home environment for our babies to ensure routines that the children are already settled in to are not disturbed when joining us. We offer settling in sessions prior to children starting to allow parents and children to settle in gradually and become familiar with their new surroundings.

Following the Government framework for learning, the Early Years Foundation Stage, allows us to focus on learning through play and fun experiences. We welcome parent’s involvement in nursery life, hosting Parent’s Forum meetings to give all parents a chance to have their say and requesting feedback on the service we provide.

The children attending our setting get to take on a wide range of experiences during their time with us, with various activities provided such as weekly baby signing classes with TinyTalk trained leader Claire Endicott, music and movement sessions and a monthly cookery club too. We have a quiet, spacious and enclosed outdoor play area to allow learning opportunities to be captured in the outside world too.

In October 2013 we will be celebrating our 10th year of opening with some special events, including an Open Day on Sunday 20th October 2013 from 10am – 3pm. We welcome new families to use the Open Day as a chance to come and have a look around and find out more about what we can offer. There will be various stalls and events taking place as well as all staff on site to answer any questions parents may have.

Kimberley Watson, Nursery Manager.

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Local Education Passion & Commitment at Castle View Day Nursery Castle View Day Nursery opened its doors for business in January 2013. Proprietors Helen Telford and Jayne Butler have been working continuously to establish and develop the nursery for all its users. The garden has received a makeover which incorporates a large sand pit, sand kitchen, and a nature area which is richly sourced with a wealth of equipment to provide investigative and exploratory play. Areas have been designed specifically to enable children to grow, tend and care for their own plants.

Children go on nature walks and outings most days and in line with the nursery’s ethos they experience real nature play by catching insects, hiding in tall grass and collecting twigs and leaves. Some outings extend learning ,for instance the children joined in the national butterfly count and will be attending a ‘Wildlife Warriors’ activity morning up at the Nunckley trail in Mountsorrel which helps support their understanding of local wildlife.

As the setting grows in numbers more Early Years Practitioners have been recruited. The setting supports their personal and professional development by providing relevant training. Practitioners are chosen for their passion and commitment to childcare.

Strong bonds have been developed with the families attending the nursery with one parent recently commenting ‘My child loves coming to Castle View and chats a lot about the staff, children and what he has been doing. I love the rich, practical experiences that are offered - he gets so much from his time with you’.

To arrange a visit or for more information please contact the nursery on 0116 319 1016, email: admin@castleviewnursery. com or just pop in, all families are very welcome!

Is Your Child Struggling At School?

We know that school can be hard, but it shouldn’t be a nightmare! Does your child find school hard and you’re not sure what to do? Do they struggle with reading, spelling and writing and are now falling behind?

Dyslexia is a problem that hinders the development of reading fluency and spelling accuracy. It has nothing to do with intelligence and it varies in severity according to the individual. Dyslexia may also affect handwriting, mental calculation, concentration, verbal and/or written expression, memory and organisation.

Dyslexia is probably inherited. The condition exists before children go to school and becomes visible when they learn to read. Many experts believe that dyslexia is caused by difficulty breaking up individual sounds in words. Therefore, children with such difficulties typically struggle with the skills involved in reading and will find the process hard.

Reading: involves matching the sounds in language to letters. Children need to be able to identify the individual sounds in words and then connect them to their printed form: c – a – t. Once children become familiar with the different letter combinations, they can start to ‘decode’ unfamiliar words for themselves and develop their sight vocabulary – the words that they can recognise instantly. Children with dyslexic-type problems have difficulty learning letter names and sounds.

Most dyslexia readers will use context to support their reading. They will rely more heavily on using pictures and the subject matter to help them. Non-fiction books on subjects they enjoy and know something about, may be easier for them to access than fiction, as they are already in possession of information which will support their reading.

Spelling: although context is helpful for reading, with spelling the writer has to have the full information. Consequently, spelling is a very troublesome area. Spelling accuracy is slow to develop, as part of its development relies on experience of reading and repeatedly seeing words in print to build up a ‘picture’ of how they should look.

How can you help? Schools monitor children’s progress and you should consult with them if you feel that your child is struggling. Extra information regarding your child’s early development will be useful to them. Together you can then make a decision regarding the need for additional support or seeking specialist advice. Effective help matches the needs of the child to a programme of focused support.

If you are concerned about any of the issues in this article and would like to talk to a specialist, contact us to arrange a free 30 minute consultation – 0116 250 6277

www.dyslexialifeline.co.uk September / October 2013

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Local Gardening Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens 2013 The weekend of 29th and 30th June saw the villages of Thurcaston and Cropston welcoming hundreds of local visitors, as well as those from across the county and further afield, to their annual Open Gardens.

The organisers, Richard Hill School PTA (ably assisted by many members of the community), were delighted to see so many people obviously enjoying two beautiful afternoons wandering around the various open gardens of the parish, stopping here and there for a cream tea , ice-cream, or just a sit down to enjoy their surroundings!

They would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who so generously opened their gardens for this year’s event. The Gardeners themselves were also thrilled to see so many people and really appreciated visitor’s comments on all their hard work.

The school garden was also open on the Saturday where visitors could see the results of the children’s green-fingered skills, whilst members of the PTA served delicious cream teas.

We also held a PLANT Swap where visitors could bring along a spare plant from their own garden to swap for another. This was again very popular.

The event has raised just over £1400 which will go towards various projects for the children at the village school, possibly some new outdoor play equipment.

Many thanks to everybody who contributed to the success of the weekend, whether by visiting the gardens, opening their garden, making refreshments, allowing use of their car park, putting up posters, delivering leaflets or tolerating the numerous parked cars!

Another great community weekend!

If this year has inspired you and you would like to be involved in any future year’s Open Gardens please email Linda on lindabennett1301@gmail.com.

Visit the website for more photos: www.tcog.org.uk

Newtown Linford Gardening Club There were 79 people at the Gardening Club’s garden party in July. Despite heavy rain during the morning we were able to sit outside on a warm evening drinking Pimms and eating hot dogs and a wide variety of sweets. Plants and books were available for purchase and a raffle provided over 20 prizes. Mike and Liz Newcombe’s two acre garden provided a substantial venue and the view of the Leicestershire countryside from the garden is always glorious. This annual event is one of the highlights of our year and becomes more popular every time.

Mike and Liz opened their garden to the public under the auspices of the National Garden Scheme in late July and early August. On the two days they were open, some 500 people paid them a visit and around £2500 was raised for charity.

These events are held all over the country and the amount of money raised for charity is enormous.

The visit of Christine Walkden on October 22nd has caused a lot of interest. All the tickets have now been sold and a waiting list for returns has been set up.

We have welcomed a large number of new members this year and will be pleased if others want to join us. If you are interested in our activities just contact the secretary (tel. 242452 or e-mail 01530242452@talktalk.net) , or come to one of our meetings to see how you like it before making a commitment (£2 for visitors). Alternatively give us a ring and ask for a copy of our programme for the coming year and we will be pleased to send one to you.

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Local Gardening Thurcaston & Cropston Gardening Club Annual Show September 7th 2013 This year is the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club and the 30th Annual Show. The Show has improved each year and now has Arts and Craft and Photography classes alongside classes of Floral Art, Home Baking, Preserves and Wine, as well as classes for children to enter. However, the traditional sections of Vegetables, Flowers and Fruit still retain the largest number of classes.

The Annual Show has always been held at the Memorial Hall at Thurcaston. Now, after 30 years, we find ourselves needing a bigger home in order to accommodate our ever growing number of exhibits and afternoon visitors.

So this year we are moving to the Richard Hill Primary School a short distance away on the Anstey Lane. There will be the usual added attractions of a tombola stall, a “Market Stall” sale of entries after the Show and refreshments.

Bradgate Flower Club Bradgate Flower Club will meet on Wednesday 4 September at 7.30pm to welcome Sheila Clark from Doncaster. “As Summer Fades ...” is Sheila’s theme for the demonstration. The meeting is at Newtown Linford Village Hall (LE6 0AE). Visitors are welcome - a charge of £5 is made. Details from Lilian Coleman on 0116 2363191.

On 2nd October, Bradgate Flower Club will hold its Open Meeting at 7.30pm in Groby Community College.

National Demonstrator, Diane Fair from Chester is the Club’s guest and her theme is “In the Midst of ...... “.

Visitors are welcome - a charge of £5 is made. Details from Lilian Coleman on 0116 2363191.

The Club’s Bridge Drive is on Thursday 17th October in Newtown Linford Village Hall, starting at 1.30pm for 1.45pm. If you would like to book a table, contact Sue Howard on 01530 245373. The fee is £6 per person including afternoon tea. A donation will be made to ‘Canine Partners’

The Show is open to all and you don’t have to be an expert to enter. You will love the gentle competitiveness and the joy of taking part. Exhibits are displayed from 8.30 to 10.45am. You are also welcome as a visitor. Doors are open to visitors at 2.30pm at a cost of 50 pence (free to children and exhibitors).

Show schedules are now available from the Thurcaston Memorial Hall, Tebbatts Electronics in Thurcaston, Brookside Nurseries in Anstey, and Bradleys Supermarket in Rothley. Or telephone Dave Haddon the Show secretary on 0116 235 9758.

Autumn meetings at the Gardening Club:

Wed 9th October, 7.45 pm Plants that Excite – Dr Andrew Ward Wed 13th November, 7.45 pm An Old Fashioned Christmas – Felicity Austin

Wed 11th December, 7.45 pm Social Evening and Quiz Night Although we are almost half way through the year, it is still possible to join the Gardening Club. The membership fee is based on a pro rota basis, or £3.00 per meeting.

And, if you would like to come as a visitor and then you decide to join, your visitor fee will be refunded!! So, if you are interested in gardening - come and give the Club a try.

For more information of any of these events call Dave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758

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WHO DESERVES YOUR VOTE? Nominations For Sporting Excellence In Charnwood Are Now Open!!

Do you know a sporting star or a dedicated volunteer who makes your team or club tick?

Then why not salute them by nominating them in the Charnwood Sports Awards 2013 organised by Charnwood Borough Council.

Nominations are now being sought for the awards which recognise the achievements of teams and individuals as well as the work of dedicated volunteers.

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, October 4, 2013, and there will be a presentation evening planned for Monday, December 2, 2013, at Burleigh Court, off Ashby Road, Loughborough.

Councillor David Snartt, the Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I cannot stress enough how important the Charnwood Sports Awards are.

“They provide a brilliant opportunity for the community to recognise and reward local sportsmen and women whose achievements and leadership inspire and motivate others in the name of sport.”

Previous winners include Olympic and World Championship medalists and the competition is expected to be tough yet again this year.

There are 14 different categories that you can nominate achievers in that can be found on the website.

Previous award-winners cannot be nominated and all nominees must live or represent a club in the Charnwood Borough.

The nominations can be submitted by filling in a form, available from the Borough Council’s offices in Southfield Road; at Loughborough, Soar Valley and South Charnwood leisure centres or online at:

www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/charnwoodsportsawards

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Crossword Page This month’s Quick Crossword...

ACROSS 1. A young cow (6) 4. Official travel document (8) 9. A small cup-shaped sweet bread roll (6) 10. Compulsively dependent on something (8) 12. Required standard (4) 13. A dutiful devotion to God (5) 14. Official language of Pakistan (4) 17. Flat surface used for pressing clothes (7-5) 20. Advancing in amount or intensity (12) 23. Outing, adventure (4) 24. Cook food under heat (5) 25. Type of precious stone (4) 28. Makes something understandable (8) 29. To stay, continue to be (6) 30. A sudden unexpected event (8) 31. Written or printed message (6)

DOWN

July / August’s Crossword Solution...

1. Of or like man (8) 2. Lower in quality (8) 3. Cruel, wicked (4) 5. Besides, furthermore (12) 6. A short funny or satirical sketch (4) 7. Widespread protest (6) 8. State of being bored (6) 11. Inked impressions taken from persons for identification (12) 15. An evil spirit (5) 16. Railway transport (5) 18. Aubergine (8) 19. Type of makeup (8) 21. Mental, emotional or physical strain (6) 22. Smoked herring (6) 26. Den, hiding place (4) 27. Surrender, give up (4)

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OUT AND ABOUT Sunday 01 September | Charity Cricket Match The Leicester Tigers first team - led by Toby Flood a keen cricketer – will be taking on a combined Matt Hampson/ Lords Taverners celebrity eleven led by Paul Nixon and Harry Ellis. The Event will be commentated on by a number of local sports personalities including the razor sharp witted George Chuter! It will be a whole day of fun culminating in this 40 over cricket match.

It’s a whole day of family funday at Leicestershire CCC and will include: • U10’s Kwik Cricket Competition - 10am Start.

• 40 Over Celebrity Cricket Match - 2pm Start - Tigers XI v Matt Hampson/Lord’s Taverners XI • Paralympic legacy with sports demonstrations including Leicester Cobras wheelchair basketball team

Sunday 01 September East of England Bodybuilding Championships Come and see the finest bodybuilders in the UK compete for entry to the UK British Championships to be held later this year in Manchester.

De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU | 2pm Tel: 0116 2333 111 | Entry: £20

Friday 06 September | Björn Again Following their huge success previously at Kilworth House, Björn Again are back for what is always the dancing party of the year! Join in with what promises to be the party of the year at Kilworth and relive all those fantastic ABBA hits.

Tickets £28 | 8pm | Tel: 01858 881 939 | Kilworth House Theatre, Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6JE

• Plus many more community activities!

Leicestershire County Cricket Club, County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester, LE2 8AD Tickets: Adults £10 - Under 16s FREE! 10am start | Tel: 0116 245 2401

LOCAL GROUPS Thursday 05 September | Charity Whist Drives The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr. All players welcome.

Admission £2 | 7.30pm | Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

Friday 06 September | Fab Friday-Funky Bird Puppetry Fluff up your feathers and get funky with this creative puppet-making session at Charnwood Museum.

Charnwood Museum, Queens Hall, Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3DU | £5 per person | 8-15 years Pre-booking essential | 1pm - 2.30pm & 3.30pm - 5pm | Tel: 01509 233754

Saturday 07 September | Car Boot Sale Car Boot, raffle, refreshments. Stalls set up from 7.30am - Public admission 9am. Cars £5 - all other vehicles £8. . Booking advisable: 0116 2674746. Proceeds for St. Peters Church Copt Oak Entrance: 50p, children free | 9am -12noon | Copt Oak Memorial Hall Field, LE67 9QB (next to Copt Oak Pub)

Sunday 08 September | Vintage & Collectors Fair With a fantastic array of stallholders including fine art, vintage clothing, kitchenalia, stunning glassware, French antiques, much sought after collectables, ceramics, furniture, furnishings and much much more from all eras. There really is something for everyone at every price range.

9am - 3pm | Tel: 0116 2872011 | Guildhall Antique and Vintage Fairs, Palmer-Tomkinson Centre, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4GH Admission £1.50

Sunday 08 September | Conservation Volunteer Day at Beacon Hill Country Park If you would like to help the Rangers to carry out a wide variety of practical habitat conservation tasks then please get in touch to find out how.

Free | Pre-booking advisable | Tel: 0116 305 7937 | Beacon Hill Country Park, Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 8SP

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LOCAL GROUPS Sunday 08 September | Walk on the Wildside for LOROS Dig out your walking boots and join the annual sponsored ‘Walk on the Wildside’ event. Come along and enjoy the walk, passing through the beautiful Bradgate Park and enchanting Swithland Wood.

Starting and finishing at The Severn Trent Water Visitor Centre, Cropston, this year there are two routes to choose from. A new 7 mile walk commencing at 10:30am, and the 13 mile walk starting a little earlier at 9:30am.

Register online at www.loros.co.uk/fundraising for your FREE sponsorship pack. Last chance to register is Monday 2nd September

Tuesday 10 September | Ladies Circle, Rothley Ladies Circle, Methodist Hall, Howe Lane, Rothley.

We will be re-opening on Tuesday September 10th at 2:30pm and will be having a full programme for the year. New members welcome.

For Information please contact Pam Floyd at 0116 2374111.

Friday 13 - Monday 16 September | Flower Festival ‘Loyalty Binds Me’ at Leicester Cathedral A feast for the eyes on a theme that borrows the motto of Richard III looking at monarchy, friendship, justice and injustice.

Tel: 0116 261 5200 | Leicester Cathedral, St. Martin’s House, Leicester, LE1 5DE

Saturday 14 September | Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas at De Montfort Hall The military band of the famous Brigade of Gurkhas returns by popular request after their spectacular concert in 2012. In aid of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

7:30pm | Tel: 0116 2333 111 | Tickets: £15 | De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU

Saturday 14 September | Darbar Festival at Embrace Arts Darbar Festival makes a welcome return to Embrace Arts with the UK debut performance of Anupama Bhagwat. Her tremendous control of the sitar, love for the raga and virtuoso skill is a sheer delight to listen to. She is accompanied by Gurdain Rayatt, a rising star of tabla. In conversation with Anupama Bhagwat at 7:30pm, followed by concert at 8:45pm.

Adults £10 / Concs £8 | 16+ years | Tel: 0116 242 2455 | Embrace Arts, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA

Wednesday 18 September | Rothley History Society Meeting “Mining Memorabilia & Afternoon Tea” Speaker: Pauline Fitchett 7:30pm | The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR | £3 for visitors, £2 for members.

Monday 23 September | Friends of Charnwood Forest Talk Talk “Charnwood Forest Landscapes, Changes in a Lifetime” by Tim Adkin, Access to Nature Officer, Charnwood Borough Council, Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall | 7:30 pm | Friends of Charnwood Forest, non members welcome, £3 on the door.

Wednesday 16 October | Rothley History Society Meeting “Orson Wright, Champion of the People” Speaker: Peter Cousins 7.30pm | The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR | £3 for visitors, £2 for members.

Wednesday 16 October | Charity Bridge Drive Organised by Loughborough Lions Club. To book a table please contact Jackie on 0116 230 3317 or email: brianjackie.popple@ ntlworld.com | 1:30pm | The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR | £6 per person including afternoon tea.

Saturday 26 October | Coffee Morning Stalls will be ,Cake, Tombola, Raffle and White Elephant. Entrance fee will be £1-00 including coffee/tea and biscuit and will be in aid of The Carpenters Arms,Loughborough.

Methodist Hall ,Howe Lane ,Rothley | 10-11:30am | £1 Entry

Saturday 26 October | Messy Church All Children welcome whatever the age - Carers, parents, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles etc come and join in the fun of craft activities and share a meal. For more info please ring Sue Waiwright on 07585557548 3 - 5pm | Methodist Hall, Howe Lane, Rothley

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PETS CORNER

So dogs and cats are still the nations top choice in furry friends... but did you know....???

• In total there is said to be around 400 million dogs in the world & 500 million cats!

• Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, they are capable of differentiating odors in concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can.

• Cats and humans have been associated for nearly 10,000 years.

• A group of cats is called a clowder, a male cat is called a tom, a female cat is called a molly or queen while young cats are called kittens.

• Domestic cats usually weight around 4 to 5 kilograms, but the heaviest domestic cat on record weighed a giagantic 21.297 kilograms !

• Dogs Can Smell Hypoglycemia - dogs can sniff out a dangerous drop in blood sugar in a diabetic owner and alert the person to take action by pawing, licking, whining, or barking.

• Cats Smell With Their Mouths - Cats have a small scent gland in the roof of the mouth called the vomeronasal organ. For a really good whiff of something they’ll open their mouths wide to draw the odor to this scent organ. This fierce-looking behavior is called the Flehmen reaction.

• Smoking Kills Cats & Dogs - Secondhand smoke increases the risk of at least two fatal cancers in cats: lymphoma and oral carcinoma. Housecats get a double dose of toxins by breathing cigarette smoke in the air and by licking the residue off their fur when grooming. Dogs with long noses may develop cancerous nasal tumors from living with a smoker -- and short-nosed breeds are more prone to lung cancer.

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THE BRADGATE DIRECTORY

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Bradgate Brides.............................. 37 Caroline James.............................. 53 Cathy Stephens Jewellery.............. 41 Churchgate Jewellers..................... 39 Divine Ladieswear.......................... 36 Supacare Dry Cleaners.................. 39 The Watch Den............................... 24

EDUCATION Anstey Kumon Centre.................... 46 Castle View Day Nursery................ 46 Computer Angel.............................. 49 Grace Dieu Manor School.............. 44 OLCS..............................................46 Rawlins - Adult Courses................. 45 Rothley Park Kindergarten............. 44 Woodhouse Day Nursery............... 45

FLOWERS The Flower Shop............................ 39 Lily & Grace.................................... 36

FOOD, DRINK & VENUES The Blue Bell.................................. 43 Bawdon Lodge Farm...................... 39 The Bradgate.................................. 31 Bradgate Party Tents...................... 35 Farmers Market.............................. 62 Flying Horse................................... 42 Quorn Grange Hotel....................... 43 Vintage Afternoon Teas.................. 40 The Wheatsheaf Inn....................... 42 Woodcock Farm Shop.................... 42

GARDEN Bentley’s Garden Buildings............ 64 Charnwood Paving......................... 49 Charnwood Tree Services.............. 48 Delegate.........................................18 Garden Blueprints.......................... 62 LB Landscaping.............................. 48 Mr B................................................18 Neil Johnson Landscaping............. 49

GARDEN continued...

Roecliffe Tree Surgery.................... 48

HAIR & BEAUTY Aqua Hair....................................... 34 The Hair & Beauty Gallery.............. 40 Zoe’s Mobile Hairdressing.............. 40

HEALTH Charnwood Hearing Centre............ 61 Charnwood Physiotherapy............. 61 Forest Fitness Studio..................... 52 Gareth Hudson - Foot Health......... 18 Quorndon Care............................... 52

HOME ABD Picture Framing...................... 61 Ablutions......................................... 63 Absolute Window Solutions.............. 2 Ancient & Modern............................. 3 Anstey Homecrafts......................... 61 Ashby Decorators Centre............... 15 Broughtons....................................... 3 Charnwood Conservatories.............. 4 Charnwood Kitchens...................... 27 Charn. Oaks Roofing & Building....... 3 Charnwood Oakwrights.................. 14 Clock Doctor................................... 18 Coalville Decorator Centre............. 14 CV Lane........................................... 6 DeVol......................................20 + 21 DG Plumbing.................................. 61 DP Furnishing................................. 18 Elegance in Glass.......................... 15 Glenwood Interiors........................... 6 Graham Botterill............................. 62 Holme Tree Kitchens...................... 11 Ibstock Kitchens............................... 6 Keller Construction........................... 5 The Light House............................... 6 Loft Storage Solutions.................... 11 Logburners Ltd................................. 3 Martin Allen Flooring......................... 5

HOME continued...

My Spa UK....................................... 7 Parker Tiling................................... 18 Peter Smith Kitchens........................ 5 Quality Flooring Services............... 62 Roger McNulty................................ 18 Rutland Shutters............................. 62 RSJ Roofing................................... 15 Simon Shuttlewood Upholstery...... 62 Terry Allen Painter & Decorator...... 61 Your Blinds..................................... 18

LEISURE & EVENTS Brothers Fury - Book Release........... 42 Buckingham Events........................ 39 Butterfly Ivy..................................... 36 Coalville BIG Bike Ride.................... 8 Faces Arts........................................ 8 Field Head Hotel Wedding Fair...... 36 Just Bikes....................................... 62

MOTORS Cropston Garage............................ 61 Loughborough Kia.......................... 55

PETS Anstey Cattery................................ 58 Birstall Pet Suppliers...................... 58 Pawtraits......................................... 62 Posh Paws..................................... 58 Retreat Boarding Kennels.............. 58 The Veterinary Surgery.................. 58

PROFFESIONAL SERVICES Ask Accountancy............................ 62 Bentons Estate Agents................... 59 Dodds Solicitors LLP...................... 25 Gray Gordon Photography............. 34 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors........ 25 Leics Registration Services............ 25 Lightowler Design........................... 18 Prusinski Solicitors......................... 24 Walters Architects........................... 61

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