The Bradgate Magazine - May 2015

THE BRADGATE MAGAZINE

Bradgate

The

May / June 2015

magazine

MAY / JUNE 2015 | ISSUE 14

Ladies Who Lunch HEAVY HORSES AT WORK WWW.THEBRADGATEMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Local News, Events, Entertainment, Charities, Festivals, Gardens & more

Your Local Community Magazine May / June 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR 17 Welcome to our May/June edition of The Bradgate magazine

and now that the lovely spring weather is here why not think about getting out and about out and enjoying our beautiful local areas with this in mind, how about a trip to Syston? It might seem like just a small town, but actually it has lots to keep visitors busy and interested, discover more in our special Feature (see pages 44 to 47).

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May and June is also a time of year, of course, when gardeners are busy making sure that everything is in place to bring the best out of their gardens over the coming summer months. We have articles from several local gardening clubs, take a look at pages 22 and 23 to see what hints, tips and the all significant essentials you can plant!

Talking of the great outdoors, we’ve a lovely article on page 42 about Heavy Horses. As a very low impact and environmentally friendly resource, it’s a pleasure to see them working so magisterially in our woods.

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Did you know also…a lovely new shop has just opened up in Rothley, called Cupboard Love. It specialises in beautiful hand painted furniture as well as lots of interesting accessories. Peruse their wares on page 29 and then, even better, why not pop along, say hi to the team and maybe grab something special for your home.

In Newtown Linford too there’s new or should we say change afoot: the Old Post Office Tea Room and Store has recently changed hands; the new owners have renovated the Tea Rooms and the garden has had a makeover, read all about it on page 42.

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We’ve also lots of events and reports from our local clubs to bring you, for example Woodhouse Eaves Local History Group has sent us a review of a recent meeting when a guest speaker talked about village cinemas – it’s very interesting to read about what has become of them, their article can be found on page 37.

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CONTENTS 17 DRAMA NEEDS YOU! Do you love taking to the stage? Or is being behind the scenes more your thing?

22 GARDENING GALORE Read about what the local gardening clubs have been up to and find out when their next meetings are.

44 LOCAL TOWN FOCUS This months feature focuses to the East of our beautiful Charnwood Forest by looking into both historic and present day Syston...

49 AWARDS FOR LOCALS Civic Servants Carol Hardy and Mike Hollingworth scoop National Award and local Arthur Murray is rewarded for his work with young speakers.

Lots of great news and views to bring you this month, so please, wait no more, dive in to the magazine and we hope you enjoy the read.

Ed & the team

CONTACT US: Follow us on

editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk | 01530 249589 | www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk @TheBradgateMag

The Bradgate Magazine

The Bradgate

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

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

May / June 2015

The Bradgate Magazine is printed by: Spectrum Printing Services Ltd, Waterside Road, Hamilton Business Park, Leicester LE5 1TL | Tel: 0116 246 1717

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EAST MIDLANDS IMMEDIATE CARE SCHEME (EMICS) East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) is a dedicated network of specially trained doctors from across the region who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to give medical assistance at the scene of serious incidents – whether road, rail, industrial or sporting – and medical emergencies when requested by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS). This unpaid work is in addition to their normal patient caseload.

They carry with them a wide range of specialist equipment to deal with the serious trauma and other emergencies that might be encountered in their day to day emergency work.

Volunteer doctors in the Scheme are alerted by a group text system and will respond to the incident if available and near enough to attend. EMICS responders are able to give valuable support in the early stages of a serious illness or injury.

EMICS is recruiting more doctors to the Scheme to give wider coverage so that more requests can be met.

Although the doctors are unpaid, EMICS does pay for their equipment and specialist training. It costs £15,000 to £20,000 to equip each doctor and his/her car. The money goes towards expensive resuscitation equipment e.g. a defibrillator alone - vital in the case of heart problems - costs around £4,000. It is also used for communications equipment, flashing lights and sirens for vehicles and personal protective equipment for the doctors.

EMICS is a registered charity and relies on donations from the public to keep running.

You can help support EMICS in several ways: o o o o

Sending a donation – large or small, once or regularly Inviting an EMICS doctor to talk to a local group or organisation Nominating EMICS as a workplace adopted good cause Remembering EMICS in with a bequest in a will or suggesting donations to EMICS in lieu of flowers

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team and the work of EMICS can do so by telephoning the Treasurer on 07736711199 or by visiting www.emics.org.uk where there is a form to complete for sending Gift Aided donations.

You can follow EMICS on Facebook at ‘Friends of EMICS’ or on Twitter at @emics999

Local Athlete Wins Place In Ugandan Marathon Competitions on Facebook have become something of a trend of late but little did local athlete, Bobby Wisehall, know that when he entered a competition on the social media site, he would soon be training for the biggest challenge of his life!

Bobby, who is a member of local running club Hermitage Harriers, came across a competition to win a place in the Ugandan International Marathon and was stunned when his name was drawn out on a youtube video. His journey was to begin with a crowd of excited Ugandan schoolchildren chanting his name.

The Ugandan marathon, which takes place on 24th May 2015, will be Bobby’s first ever marathon. He will join 1,500 other athletes including more than 100 international runners. As if running 26.2 miles wasn’t demanding enough, Bobby will also have to cope with running in the high temperatures of Uganda, the demand of running at high altitude (the course is 3900ft above sea level) and the added challenge of the marathon being entirely off-road.

However, Bobby is taking it all in his stride. “Training is going well and I have passed the 20 mile marker in training and am feeling confident. It’s hard on your body to run so many miles, but it’s such an honour to be involved in this amazing event, that the hard work will certainly be worth it. After all, what better way to embark on such a challenge than by heading to Africa to run 26.2 miles on the equator!”

Not only will Bobby get to run the marathon but the organisers ensure that competitors get to experience the real Uganda too. Bobby will take part in six days of adventure, friendship, challenge and fun! This will include staying with a local family; an adventure around East Africa which could include bungee jumping over the Nile or unwinding on the beaches of Ssesse Islands; marshalling the KidsRunWild race which is organised for local schoolchildren and orphans and visiting local projects funded by the marathon.

Bobby was so overwhelmed at winning the competition, he has decided to help the Masaka area by fundraising for local projects. “I am aiming to raise £1500 which will help to build and equip several classrooms, pay for simple but effective HIV test kits and support a project to protect vulnerable young women on the streets.”

Anyone wanting to support Bobby can do so by visiting www.inspiredescapes.com/fundraising/bobbywisehall and sponsoring him to run this challenging marathon.

Further information on the Ugandan marathon can be found at www.ugandamarathon.com

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WENLO RDA BLACK TIE CHARITY BALL Wenlo RDA are pleased to announce a celebration of 25 years. Wenlo RDA Group offers adults and children of all ages with physical and/or learning disabilities an opportunity to ride and look after horses to help their health, confidence and self-esteem. They aim to teach new skills and promote independence by encouraging riders to take charge of their horse in a safe and secure environment.

The event will include a 3 course dinner, an auction and live music with ‘The Roosters’. The ball will be held on Friday 6th November 2015 at Donington Hall, Castle Donington.

To register your interest and for further information please email the charity at: wenlo.rda@hotmail.co.uk

Music In The Park At Wistow

Charity Whist Drive

Bring your own picnic and enjoy a wonderful evening listening to music in aid of LOROS. Tickets: adults £15, 10-16 years £5, under 10’s free. Telephone: 0116 231 8431 or see: www.wistow.com for further details.

The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised

by Derek Farr will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th May. The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

Admission £2.00. All players welcome

Saturday 13th June 2015, 7:30pm

Ashby Concert Band’s Disney Evening Saturday 16th May 2015 Ashby Concert Band will be performing a Disney themed evening in support of Rainbows, our local Loughborough Children’s Hospice. The concert will be held at 7:30pm at Ashby’s Holy Trinity Church and promises to be a most enjoyable evening. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for 5-16 years and under 5’s free to include tea, coffee or juice and biscuits. Available from Ashby T.I.C. (01530 411767), band members or by calling 01530 222934.

Looking further ahead, A.C.B. will be giving an African themed concert in support of Muscular Dystrophy in June and a film themed concert in aid of Hospice Hope in July. Further information to follow.

LOROS Ladies Lunch

Wednesday 13th May 2015 Join over 500 Ladies and dine with Alison Hammond in aid of LOROS this May. Past guest speaks include Julia Bradbury, Clair Lomas, Anne Widdecombe and Dr Hilary Jones.

This year’s guest speak, Alison Hammond won our hearts by dancing away on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and is a regular presenter on ITV’s ‘This Morning’.

Known for her quick wit, outrageous presenting style, and big heart, nobody gets a better interview than Alison Hammond. Her unforgettable charm and sense of fun rate her number one with celebrities too: she’s tap-danced with Renée Zellweger, rapped with Will Smith, jammed with Russel Crowe, and been serenaded by Hugh Jackman…to name just a few.

Alison’s larger than life personality has taken ITV’s ‘This Morning’ by storm and she is now a favourite of thousands of viewers across the nation. This has afforded her the opportunity to act as ambassador for many different brands.

Other TV credits include her rise to fame in Channel 4’s ‘Big Brother’ where she first won the hearts of the British public.

She then went on to appear on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ where she was a contestant in 2010. She has also appeared as a panellist on ‘Loose Women’ and has presented a number of shows including ‘Inside Out’, ‘BBC Exchange’, and ‘Turn on Terry’.

Alison is also an accomplished actress having appeared in various TV dramas, notably ‘Boon’, ‘Chalkface’, ‘Doctors’, ‘Locksmith’, ‘Yes’, and 3 series of the BAFTA award-winning ‘Palace Hill’.

Wendy Marshall, LOROS Fundraising Co-ordinator said; “We are delighted and honoured to have Alison as our guest speaker this year, I am sure with her bubbly personality and wonderful stories, we shall have a fantastic afternoon.”

Tickets for The Annual Ladies Luncheon which takes place on Wednesday 13th May 2015 at King Power Stadium are strictly limited and are priced at just £40 per person. If you would like to attend this event, please contact Wendy Marshall on 0116 2318432.

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Charity News

FUNDRAISING OPEN GOLF MATCH Crimestoppers - Help Keep In aid of LOROS Hospice Friday 10th July 2015, 2pm Shotgun start at Lingdale Golf Club, Woodhouse Eaves.

AmAm Stableford, 3/4 Handicap, any combination £45 per person including 2 course meal Excellent prize table. £5000 for Hole in One on 7th.

Our Neighbourhoods Safe

Crimestoppers is an independent crime-fighting charity that operates the 0800 555 111 telephone number and anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk. org , which allows people to pass on information about crimes anonymously.

To enter email: jonchap@ntlworld.com or ring: John 07759 008 290.

They are the only organisation that can guarantee information about crime is taken anonymously. They do not take personal details and cannot trace calls or information given online.

Bluebell Day

Those who give information to Crimestoppers do not have to give a statement to police or appear in court.

Sunday 3rd May 2015, 11am - 3pm Leicester Host Lions Club are pleased to invite you to their ‘Bluebell Day’ at Heyday Hays.

There will be refreshments, a cake stall, plants, raffle & a tombola.

Admission: Adults £2.00 Children £1.00 (under 5 free). Free car park. All proceeds to Parkinson UK. 240 Markfield Lane, Markfield LE67 9PS.

Gift Day at St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak Question - what has St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak got in common with Nelson’s Column Trafalgar Square London.

Answer - both St. Peter’s Church and Nelson’s Column were designed by the same person the architect, William Railton.

William Railton designed many other buildings in Leicestershire including Beaumanor Hall and St. Paul’s church in Swithland.

He obviously was a man who was way ahead of his time as he didn’t waste time in a new design for each church but used the same design for both churches. Over a period of 20 years Railton designed many buildings across the Uk however, his greatest achievement was the design of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square London.

St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak was built in 1837. As with all buildings, (and people) the older they become the greater the need for repairs and maintenance. St. Peter’s now needs repairs to the Bell Tower, Nave and Chancel. At a cost of 30,000 our small church family have a busy time ahead fundraising and seeking grants.

Our first event was a Gift Day on Easter Saturday. We choose Easter Saturday as we knew that our church would be decorated to celebrate Easter so what better time could there be to invite people into our church. Simon our Rector was on hand to accept all gifts and tea, coffee and biscuits were in plentiful supply.

Whilst the task of raising such a substantial amount is challenging it also gives us the opportunity to let people know that we actually exist. Our church is mostly hidden from view as people pass by on the Whitwick Road and it can go unnoticed by all the many folks frequenting the Copt Oak pub unless it is evening when the church is lit. Even if we cannot make our church as well known as Nelson’s Column we hope that this coming time will give us the opportunity to tell more people about our church and, the fellowship to be found within it.

Our Gift Day raised £2,371 and we are truly grateful for such a wonderful response.

So now we only have to raise another £27,629 - our fundraising efforts continue!.

Jan Gaskell MBE - Treasurer St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak May / June 2015

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NT Leicester Association This year the National Trust is continuing to mark the anniversary of various events during the First World War. 2015 is the centenary of the formation of the Machine Gun Corps which was based at Belton House near Grantham where the parkland became the home to thousands of men.

The camp covered over a third of the estate and trained 175,000 officers and men as machine gunners to fight on the front line. The camp itself was made up of 500 barrack rooms (housing up to 10,000 men at any one time) as well as cook houses, YMCA huts, several churches for different denominations, a railway and even a cinema.

There was also a hospital looking after those injured at the Front and a mortuary hidden in the woods. The camp had its own water supply, could generate its own power and had all the infrastructure needed for a small town.

Rothley History Society At our March meeting we heard about the interesting life of the well know High Street store proprietor, Laura Ashley from Jo Carter. Laura led an intriguing life, producing some of the most well-loved and recognised designs of the century, both for clothing and soft furnishings. She died at a fairly young age, leaving her family to continue with the business.

At our May meeting, following the General & Local elections, our speaker will tell the story of how the “Ballot Box” has influenced the development of Leicester, along with some of the people Leicester made notable through the “Ballot Box”.

A number of things will happen at Belton throughout this year. An exhibition will look at the MGC and why it was first formed along with personal stories from those involved. It will also cover how the camp effected Belton and Grantham.

As well as our regular monthly meeting in May, we will be visiting the Century Theatre at Coalville, which after its establishment in Leicestershire, has now been returned to the county and is situated at Snibston. We will hear about its history, no doubt its travels, and it’s engineering.

There will be a 1915-style Garden Fete similar to those organised by Countess Adelaide to fundraise for the MGC and a new book by members of the MGC volunteer research group will also be available.

In June, Mike Greenwood from the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust will be speaking about their interests, their fund raising and their restorations.

Full details of all events can be found at www. nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house Belton House is open every Wednesday to Sunday until 1st November.

The Parkland, Gardens, Shop and Restaurant are open every day of the week throughout the year, except Christmas Day. The NT Leicester Association has now moved to its summer programme of outings, visits and social activities. Meetings with a speaker will re-commence in September.

For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

Lunching Ladies

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley at 7.30pm. Admission is £3 for visitors and £2 for members.

Visitors are always welcome!!

New ‘Mums & Toddlers’ Group 3-5pm every Tuesday at the Newtown Linford Sunday School Rooms by the entrance to Bradgate Park. Cost £1 with free tea, coffee and biscuits.

Everybody is invited; parents, grandparents, carers, brothers, sisters.

For more information call Beate on: 01530 245198.

Ladies, if you enjoy a good meal, good company and good entertainment you might be interested in joining the Newtown Linford Lunch Club. Despite the name you do not have to live in Newtown Linford.

We meet at the Forest Hill Golf Club, Botcheston once a month on a Wednesday for a three course meal after which we are entertained by a speaker.

In recent months we have enjoyed talks about Living in China, Chocolate (demonstration and tasting!) and The Joy of Painting, when an amazing painting was created before our very eyes and, at Christmas, Eliza McClelland entertained us royally with stories and thoughts about the Festive Season.

Talks coming up are entitled: Oprah Winfrey touched my elbow, Life and times of Coco Chanel, Amusing Poems, Autumn Garden and Myth of Belly Dancing amongst others.

There is a friendly atmosphere, the venue is pleasant and the food is good. Why not give us a try? The three course meal with coffee is £16. If you decide you would like to join our club membership is £20 per year; this pays for the speakers. For more details or to book a meal phone 0116 2304420.

If you have read a similar article before and not come along to try us why not do it this time?

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We Need You!! Oh yes we do...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bradgate Drama Society reaches out for new members

Dear Friends, The Bradgate Drama Society has been treading the boards in Newtown Linford for some 60 years now and has delighted audiences young and old over the years.

We are lucky enough to have great facilities including a great sound and lighting system and the facility to rehearse on stage which is always a bonus. We are also able to provide a bar on performance nights which adds to the night out.

Sadly even with all this in our favour we have reached a point whereby we are having to take a long hard look at how we are able to carry on. We have a diminishing membership and are finding it very hard to recruit new members, and none of us are getting any younger.

Our audiences have also diminished over the last few years and from selling out over three nights we have had to reduce our performances to just two nights. All of this is having an effect on the type of productions we are able to produce. We have gone from having auditions to just seeing who is available and finding a play to fit. Without an injection of new members I feel that it won’t be long before we bring the final curtain down on the group.

As Chairman of the society I do not wish to preside over the demise of the group, so if you are willing to join us we would love to see you and don’t feel that you have be on the stage - we need plenty of help behind the scenes as well. I realise that this may not be for everyone so if it’s not for you then why not lend your support by coming to see our productions I am sure you would have a very enjoyable evening.

If on reading this you think you may want join us then please contact myself via the Society’s email address bradgatedrama@gmail.com or give me a call on 0116 2601375.

With a little more help and support we can together keep this group going to entertain people for many more years to come. As the saying goes “use or lose it”!

Yours faithfully,

Andreas Hastie,

Chairman - Bradgate Drama Society

Loughborough Naturalists’ Club The Nats indoor programme has been quite exciting and those of you who came alone seemed to enjoy the talks and the ‘talking’. We meet at Quorn Church Rooms, Church Lane, Quorn LE12 8DP at 7.30pm from September - April.

The last indoor meeting of this year was on Saturday 11th April when we held a quick AGM followed by members’ short talks, exhibitions and a lot of chatting about what everybody has found this year and where. However, it isn’t all over.

Some of you may enjoy one of the walks we have organised. These will take place on:Wednesday 6th May - Cloud Wood Nature Reserve, Breedon. We meet here at the lay-by, adjacent to the wood, on the road between Griffydam and Tonge (SK 419 214) at 9.30am.

Wednesday 3rd June - Ulverscroft Nature Reserve. Here we meet near the reserve entrance on Whitcroft Lane (SK 488 126) at 9.30am.

Wednesday 1st July - Hick’s Lodge, nr Ashby will be another enjoyable walk . Meeting at 10.00am at the entrance to the former Oakhouse Pit, Ashby Road, Donisthorpe, (SK 328 143). This will enable those of us who wish to avoid the £3.00 parking charge at the official car park which will however be available to those who wish to continue direct to this site nearby.

Wednesday 5th August - Watermead Nth. Country Park, including the Reedbed Nature Reserve,Wanlip. Meet at 9.30am at the car park just off the old Wanlip Road (SK 607 113). To find the entrance when approaching on the A6, turn eastwards on the Western Bypass and at the second roundabout, (near the Sweater Shop factory) turn right again on the Old Wanlip Lane and drive to the end passing the ‘Hope & Anchor Pub’ and turn left through the entrance gate and almost immediately right into the car park. (£2.50 per car) Contact Doreen, on 0771 340 97 43 for further information on indoor or outdoor meetings.

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Church Tower Restoration & Heritage Project Rothley Parish Church secures Heritage Lottery Fund investment for tower restoration and heritage project.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Church of St Mary and St John, Rothley, a grant of £56,600 towards a project totalling £82,000, for essential repairs to the stonework, the roof of the15th century tower and for initiatives intended to improve sharing of the church heritage and village history.

The project will include an annual events programme aimed at increasing the appreciation of Rothley’s past involving talks, music, bell ringing and village walking tours. Enhancements to the church’s electronic and printed media are also being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

These include a web-based virtual tour with 360 degree photography, making archive material available for schools and researchers through the website and creating new displays and leaflets.

The largely 13th century church has features of interest from the Saxon, Norman, Medieval, Tudor and later periods. The tower has a 500 year tradition of bell ringing and is an important part of the village landscape.

The grant will ensure it will be restored for generations to come. For the last 18 months it has been necessary to protect against the risk of falling masonry with fencing and scaffolding.

Vicar Rob Gladstone said “The church greatly values the generous grant made by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It will ensure this place of worship that has been in continual use for well over a 1000 years is in a fit condition for future generations. We are also very grateful for their support in sharing our heritage and are keen to welcome our whole community to visit the church, both those who live in established parts of the parish and those who are moving into housing developments in the area.”

Leicestershire & Rutland Gets Set To Push The Boat Out! No fewer than seven sailing and windsurfing clubs in and around Leicestershire and Rutland will be offering locals FREE and low cost opportunities to get out on the water and to try a new sport between 9-17 May as part of national RYA Push The Boat Out 2015.

RYA Push the Boat Out is a nationwide festival of sailing and windsurfing introducing newcomers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to the sports.

And for the first time ever this year Push The Boat Out will run over nine days - two weekends and five weekdays - to give people even more chance to have a go!

Last year 260 clubs and centres in Britain hosted Push the Boat Out events with 17,000 people trying sailing or windsurfing for the first time over one weekend.

Each Open Day and taster session will be different depending on what activities each club or centre offers, but all Push The Boat Out events are geared to appeal to the widest possible range of people, showcasing what the sports are really all about, from the freedom of being on the water to the social buzz of club life, and highlighting just how accessible sailing actually is to everyone.

Rutland SC and Wanlip SC near Syston are joined by Staunton Harold SC, Burton SC, Hollowell SC, Cransley SC and Trent Windsurfing Club all just over the Leicestershire and Rutland borders in already being signed up to Push The Boat Out in May. Some 27 clubs and centres across the East Midlands have signed up in total.

All you need for any of the Open Days or ‘have a go’ sessions are warm clothes, soft soled shoes and a waterproof and the clubs/centres will provide what else you need. Booking is essential for some of the activities. Refreshments will be available and a friendly smile guaranteed as BBQs and other social activities also take place to give newcomers a warm welcome.

In 2014, the nation’s sailing clubs gained more than 1,000 personal memberships through Push The Boat Out with more than 500 families also becoming members of the clubs they visited. For full details on RYA Push The Boat Out 2015 and what’s going on in your area visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo May / June 2015

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GARDENS Woodhouses Garden Club This friendly group encourages people of all experience and abilities- come along to one of our meetings!

Forthcoming dates for your diary include Edible Landscaping by Clive Simms who advises on multi use of your plot, whatever the size, on Thursday 21st May. You are invited on this year’s coach trip to Kelmarsh Hall. The £25 ticket includes transport and a tour of the house and garden on Sunday 5th July. Non-members are welcome. Contact 07552017568 for details.

We meet in Woodhouse Eaves village hall at 7:30pm. Visitors £3, single membership £15 and joint membership £25.

Refreshments included

Thurcaston & Cropston Gardening Club

The February meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club was a most interesting talk about saving vegetable seeds. Pauline Pears, our speaker, worked at Garden Organic, Ryton for 30 years and has built up a wealth of knowledge about horticulture. Garden Organic is also home to the Heritage Seed Library.

Pauline suggested a number of reasons why it was good to save seed (apart from saving money). You can harvest lots of high quality seeds which are often more vigorous than bought ones. You can keep your favourite varieties. You can be confident that your seeds are grown without the use of pesticides. You can select your own strains and save the genetic heritage of seeds. But for Pauline, growing plants from the seed she has saved is now an integral part of how she gardens. It gives her an increased feeling of satisfaction and self-sufficiency. It’s also fun and interesting.

Pauline also talked about the best place to store seeds, how long seeds can last, pollination, and suggested some seeds that are easier to save than others.

This talk was well organised and structured and Pauline shared a huge amount of information. The talk was supported by some brilliant photographs of a wide variety of seeds.

The March meeting Club was an illustrated talk entitled “Tulip Time” with John Gibson.

Tulip bulbs are different to all others as each bulb forms a cluster of bulblets around the base every year and as these break away from the parent bulb they will usually take 3 to 4 years to reach maturity and produce a flower, the old bulb gradually loses its vigour and rots away.

There are hundreds of tulips classified in 15 divisions based on flower form, the impressive range goes from the simple upright goblets of the single flowered tulips to the frilled and twisted petals of the Parrot tulips and the open double blooms of the Peony flowered forms.

John has visited the Dutch bulb fields a number of times and his photographs of the vast areas of tulips in flower were amazing, each colour in perfect stripes across the landscape - the automatic planting machines are guided by satellite navigation. This multi million pound industry of cut flowers and bulbs is a far cry from its humble beginnings as the favoured flower of the 15th century Ottoman Empire.

The talk ended with a ‘visit’ to the Keukenhof Gardens a massive 80 acres of park land divided into a variety of garden styles where over 7 million bulbs are planted each year.

The gardening club meets in the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall. Whether an experienced gardener or an enthusiastic beginner we are sure you will find something of interest in this year’s programme. New members are made most welcome. There are 12 events planned for 2015, including a trip to Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.

What’s more, it is excellent value!! The membership fee is £12 for the year 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.

The next club events are:Wed 13th May, 7.45 pm – Wildlife: The Environment & Organic Gardening – Simon Gulliver Simon, a National Trust Consultant, will show us how to be kind to nature and still have a beautiful and productive garden.

Encouraging biodiversity, avoiding chemicals, following natural cycles, observing and intervening only when necessary.

Wed 10th June, 7.00 pm – Evening visit to ‘Mountain Ash’, Newtown Linford A 2-acre garden with stunning views across the Charnwood countryside. Near to the house are patios, lawns, water features, fruit trees, flower beds, and veg garden. The lawns slope down to a wildlife pond with a waterfall and 3 areas of woodland with pleasant walks through many species of trees. The perfect place to spend a summer’s evening.

For more information, please call Dave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758.

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GARDENS Newtown Linford Gardening Club We really are having a lovely spring – no late frosts ( so far!!); our trees and hedgerows are in the first flush of new greenery and there is a splendid display of daffodils, primroses and other seasonal flowers.

This is what we gardeners have been waiting for all winter and there are signs of activity all over the village. As usual we have to wait a little longer before we plant out our summer bedding but we should all have learnt by now that this is something you just don’t do too soon.

After our Annual General Meeting in April we start our new season with a visit to the NGS garden at Barracca near Earl Shilton. This is a one acre garden containing a wide variety of features including a silver birch walk, a wildlife pond, a Mediterranean area and a utility garden for fruit and vegetables.

This is our annual local visit when we gather together to enjoy someone else’s garden and share some food and drink.

After that we move into our traditional summer activities with the garden party in July; our long trip in August which this year is to Hyde Hall the RHS garden in Essex; a collection of prestigious speakers culminating in our annual celebrity evening in October when Chris Beardshaw, the award winning garden designer and TV presenter is coming. We have also added an extra trip which is to the Norwell Gardens near Newark.

Ticket sales for the Chris Beardshaw evening will be announced in the coming months, and we expect it to be very popular,so pencil in the date which is October 27th 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.

Anne and David Couling

Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens 2015 27th and 28th June 2015, 2pm to 6pm - In aid of LOROS Once again there will be an Open Gardens event in the villages of Thurcaston and Cropston this summer.

All money raised from the Open Gardens event will go to charity. This year we are raising money for LOROS. We hope to have a number of different gardens for you to visit across the two villages; some large, some small, some immaculate, some very much less so! But all for you to enjoy.

Gardens will be open from 2pm – 6pm on both days; tickets will be £4 each (accompanied children and wheelchair users free) and will be valid for both days. They can be purchased on the day from any of the Open Gardens. Look out for further details nearer the actual weekend. Tea and cake will be available at various locations and a plant swap and sale will be held in one garden (bring along a spare plant from your own garden and swap it for something else!)

We are still looking for gardens to open, so if you would like to get involved by opening your garden please contact us as soon as possible (see below for details)…you will be most welcome. Gardeners who have opened before will tell you it is a very enjoyable and positive experience.

For more information about this event, or to volunteer your garden, please have a look at our web site www.tcog.org. uk or contact Linda on 0116 2363872 or email linda@tcog.org.uk Why not put the date in your diary now, then come along with your family and friends, and support this great community event, and help us raise money for a very worthwhile cause.

We look forward to seeing you!

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Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society At our March meeting, Society member Jane Smith gave us a thoroughly researched and well presented talk about two families that played a significant role in the history of Cropston: the Burchnalls and the Hinds.

The Burchnalls appear in the earliest baptism records of the parish and they were allotted nearly 50 acres in the Cropston enclosure of 1781. Their farmhouse is now known as White Lodge (opposite the Bradgate Arms). It had a brewery behind and they also owned an ale-house next door called the Brewer’s Arms. Brewing was a major occupation of the family, for better and worse!

Richard Burchnall, who was born in 1784, had about ten children and Jane traced their varying fortunes. The eldest son, Richard Sarson Burchnall, was regularly charged with drunkenness and Richard senior took out newspaper adverts disclaiming responsibility for his son’s debts. Richard Sarson did not inherit the estate but was paid a weekly allowance instead. Another son, Joseph, ran the Fish & Quart in Leicester with his wife Millicent. However, a few years later Millicent remains in England but Joseph re-appears in Kalamazoo, with a different wife, advertising “Old Joe’s XX beer, brewed in the English way”! The next son, Samuel, ran a successful brewery in Anstey and he donated the land for Anstey Primary School and for Cropston Chapel. He also built a house at the Elms, now opposite Anstey Co-op, where members of the family continued to live until recently.

Richard senior died in 1841 and it was the youngest son, Charles, who acquired the Cropston property from his father’s estate, helped by loans from two of his sisters. Charles died young but his wife, Emma, continued the farming and brewing businesses for 20 years. In 1893 their only son, Charles Daniel, moved with his family to Leicester, the last of the Burchnalls to leave Cropston. Shortly afterwards, we find Charles Daniel in the workhouse at Mountsorrel, which is unusual when his wife Emily and their daughter are living comfortably in Stoneygate. An explanation is found in divorce papers filed by Emily in 1905, which contain a list of charges against Charles Daniel of drunkenness, violence, threats and adultery. The divorce was not contested. In a happier postscript, the daughter Margaret went on to marry a clergyman and former county cricketer. She died in 1956.

The Hind family is best known locally for the Hind Sisters’ Homes in Cropston, which are almshouses for “deserving gentlewomen in reduced circumstances”. A plaque at the Homes states that they were erected in memory of Sarah and Henrietta Hind, whose father had owned the Brand Slate Quarries at Swithland. That turns out to be not quite true! The Hinds did monopolise the Swithland Slate industry during the 1700s and they leased, and later bought, The Brand. They worked the slate at Hallgates, in the buildings opposite the entrance to Bradgate Park. During the 1800s the industry declined under competition from Welsh slate and the Hinds gradually moved out, building grand houses for themselves in Whetstone and elsewhere. However, the Hind sisters were not from one of the wealthier branches of the family so Jane wanted to find out where their money had come from.

The sisters’ great-grandfather, Henry Hind, owned a large amount of land in the county, probably including Astill Farm at Cropston, where the Enclosure Acts awarded him 27 acres. Henry’s will made detailed provisions for how his property should pass down the generations after his death in 1820 so later wills do not tell the whole story and it was difficult to piece together the pattern of inheritance. The Hind sisters’ father, another Henry, married Sarah Ward from Billesdon.

In the 1851 census he was unemployed but by 1861 Henry and Sarah were living in Ibstock, running the National School.

Henry argued with the Rector, who dismissed him for incompetency and said in a court statement that he had “not the slightest power over the children”, who used to crack nuts in church during the service! By the 1880s, Henry described himself as a “retired farmer” and the family was living in a smart little house in Ibstock with a servant so it is likely that a portion of the family fortune had come his way by then. Henry died in 1886.

Henry and Sarah had four children but only Sarah Jane and Henrietta Maria Louisa ¬– the “Hind sisters” – survived to adulthood. After Henry’s death, the sisters and their widowed mother moved across the road to the very grand Holmesdale Manor, now with two servants, so it seems that they had come into a further inheritance following the death of an uncle and cousin of Henry who had no children. The cousin was intriguingly referred to as Henry Hind of Naples and his was an interesting story. Having been in the English militia, in 1860 he went to fight for Garibaldi in the Italian wars of independence and subsequently settled in Naples, where he made a small living growing and selling flowers. In 1875 he came into an inheritance from his uncle but soon afterwards he was reported missing and his strangled body was found in a well. His gardener was tried for murder, allegedly carried out on behalf of the mafia-connected “secret society of Neapolitan market gardeners”, whose prices Henry had been under-cutting! The 10-day trial was something of a sensation and was floridly reported in newspapers throughout the English-speaking world. The gardener was convicted of complicity in the murder and was sentenced to 16 years’ hard labour.

Back in the UK, the sister Henrietta died in 1900 aged only 40, leaving Sarah Jane as the sole survivor and a wealthy woman. She also seems to have been astute at business, buying up land in Ibstock, Cropston and probably elsewhere.

She built dozens of houses, including Holmsdale Villas in Cropston, part of which later became the post office. An Ibstock resident remembered how Miss Hind used to drive through the village to collect rents in a pony and trap, reminding them of Queen Victoria. They would bow to her as she passed. Sarah Jane sold a parcel of land to the Cropston Land Society, where it built the terrace of houses nicknamed “Klondike” ¬– the start of the developments along Station Road away from the village centre. She died in 1922 and is buried in a grand tomb in Swithland churchyard, together with her parents and sister. The bulk of her estate of £35,000 was used to found the Hind Sisters’ charity, which built the Homes on one of the fields in Cropston that Sarah Jane had owned.

Peter Smith Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 19th May at 7.30pm in the Harrison Room, when Richard Knox will be telling us about the life of a medieval knight.

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Cupboard Love

‘Cupboard Love’ has just opened its doors at 12 Woodgate in Rothley. It is an exciting new addition to the local retail scene, with an interesting selection of beautifully hand-painted furniture and carefully chosen accessories.

From a traditional hard-wood & real rope swing and very cute painted ducks, to a magnificent, intricately painted giant mirror, there was plenty to catch the eye when we visited. Of course there were cupboards too, with a selection from the classic English kitchen style to an ornate French armoire.

The owner, Zoe Flude, selects and paints the items herself and told us: “I like to mix up my offer to keep it interesting and different so no particular `label` applies but my key pieces are all unique and original. I’ll always have `classics` but I’m not stuck in any particular era. For example, I am working on some super 1950’s and 1960’s themes at the moment”.

Zoe’s enthusiasm for the job is evident when you talk to her and her skill is obvious when you see her work.

We wish her well in her new venture!

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Moira Canal Festival Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2015 The 2015 festival is again at the historic Moira Furnace, on the restored length of the Ashby Canal. Over the weekend there will be a wide range of entertainment for all including stalls, boats, Vikings, dancers, children’s crafts, bands and performers plus much more.

There will be a wide range of catering, trade, charity and heritage related stalls at the Moira Canal Festival. Browse the craft and local produce stalls, enjoy a snack or find out about local history... there is something for everyone.

The festival aims to raise awareness of, and money for, the restoration, extension and maintenance of the Ashby Canal.

For further details see: www.moiracanalfestival.co.uk 10.00am - 5.30pm Day tickets: Adults: £5 children: 5-16 yrs £2.50, Under 5’s FREE Weekend tickets: Adults: £7.50, Children: £4, Under 5’s FREE Car park and programme: FREE Moira Furnace Museum, Furnace Lane, Moira, DE12 6AT.

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Hermitage Harriers Compete At National Level Hermitage Harriers competed against some of the top running clubs in the country this weekend at the National Road Relays Final in Sutton Park.

The club qualified for a place in the prestigious event after the men’s A team finished the regional relays in 14th position. This is an amazing achievement for the village club who had never previously entered the 12 stage event.

Tony Woodward was first to take to the course which alternated a longer leg of 5.5 miles with a shorter leg of 3.1 miles.

Woodward flew around the course in an impressive time of 29.26 before handing over to teammate Craig Hinds who delivered a fantastic performance and crossed the line in 18.42. The next two harriers to take on the alternated course were Shaun Coulton and James Willoughby who clocked up competitive times of 33.06 and 18.15 respectively. Hermitage maintained good form throughout the finals with super racing from Kristian Bravin (32.45), Fraser Harris (19.26), Darren Wilson (35.36), Matthew Moore (20.55), Gavin McDermott (31.52), Neil Doherty (19.06), Ryan Twigg (32.54) and Paul Gregory (19.04). A total time of 5 hours 11 minutes and 7 seconds secured the team 51st position and put them in the company of some extremely established and successful clubs: such as South London Harriers which was founded in 1871 and Kent AC, who had two of their members compete for Team GB in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Hermitage also fielded a ladies team at the event but sadly did not have a complete team and therefore weren’t able to place. That said, the three ladies ran amazingly and were in 41st place in the competition when they had to bow out. Bonita Robinson kicked off the impressive performances by covering the longer leg of the course in 39.32 which was matched by the efforts of her teammates: Katie Wright (23.18) and Zoe Sewter (40.52). Zoe Sewter thoroughly enjoyed the experience and later posted a message to her fellow harriers “Brilliant day, brilliant atmosphere, brilliant weather, brilliant team mates!”

Race captain Darren Wilson said “the teamwork and spirit of our club is fantastic! It is always a pleasure to race alongside such amazing individuals.

We are looking forward to the 6 stage relays in the autumn now; we qualified for the 6 stage finals for the first time in 2014 and I am confident we can do well again this year.”

In the meantime, the club will be turning their thoughts towards the Livingstone Relays at Braunstone Park on 3rd May and hoping they can build on their current success.

The Latest News From Glenfield U3A Glenfield U3A (an organisation for the retired and semi-retired) continues to go from strength to strength. The current membership of just under 300 participate in 36 active groups with something for everyone to help them “have fun, make friends, stay fit and exercise the mind”.

Over half our membership comes from outside the Glenfield area, from as far afield as Desford, Mountsorrel, Birstall, Leicester, Syston, Anstey, Markfield, Thornton, Kirby Muxloe, LFE, Countesthorpe, Groby and Enderby. Distance is no barrier to joining our group we make everyone welcome.

The groups include five walking groups, bird watching and natural history, gardening, creative writing, art appreciation, computing, history, card making, flower arranging, craft, ethnic eating, French, German, reading, photography, discussion, mah-jong, scrabble, indoor bowls, table tennis, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, cycling and badminton.

The monthly meetings take place on the fourth Thursday afternoon of the month in St Peter’s church centre, Glenfield; with a regular attendance of about a hundred members.

There is a diverse programme of interesting talks and demonstrations throughout the year. So far this year we have had a talk and demonstration on ‘Exploding the Myths of Belly dancing’, ‘The Funny Side of the Funeral Business’ and ‘Sausage making’.

Interspersed with the meetings are a number of organised additional events; including theatre outings, a trip to Blenheim Palace, the gardening group visit to Stoneywell, luncheons, quiz and skittles nights. There is a canal trip, a 60’s night and a talk by the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust in July and a strawberry cream tea in August, an antiques roadshow in October with TV personality Charles Hanson, a Christmas concert and much more.

If you are interested in joining then why not pop along to the next meeting or look at our web site www.u3asites.org.uk/glenfield for more information. Membership is just £15.50 per annum.

GillTapping May / June 2015

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ire Woodhouse Eaves Local History Group: Village Cinema In Leicestersh April’s meeting of the local history group brought us an entertaining, illustrated talk on Village Cinema In Leicestershire

by Brian Johnson. In an age when the local community provided everything for its members, cinema provided a warm, cosy environment for the entertainment and education of the masses. It also gave them an insight on the wider world outside their village boundaries. In the early days, before the 1900s, folk had to be content with mutoscope moving images. These employed flick book principles which took the form of What the Butler Saw machines at the seaside.

It was only after 1895 when the Lumiere brothers combined magic lantern projection, with a series of images using a hand cranked device, that the people came in their hundreds.

From about that time cinema started taking over from variety theatre and in many British towns old theatres and factories were often converted into cinemas. The silent era introduced cinema organs or pianos so redundant chapels were also popular venues for showing movies.

The introduction of sound in 1929 put a limit on the scope of non-English speaking films, boosting the British and American film industry at the same time. So that, by the mid-thirties, 20 million people were visiting cinemas in this country each week.

From 1910 onwards village cinemas were emerging all over the local area. Enthusiastic businessmen and managers were eager to jump on the bandwagon and giving locals what they wanted. In this area there were cinemas at Syston, Mountsorrel, Ratby, Sileby, Anstey and Kegworth. In some villages where a suitable building couldn’t be found, corrugated iron buildings in kit-form were erected on a piece of spare ground. They were only regarded as temporary structures yet amazingly one such building, made by Boulton and Paul, survives in South Street, Oakham; a cinema in the 1930s it is now part of Norton’s saleroom.

Some cinemas had to double as dance halls or venues for other activities. In Earl Shilton, Cooper’s skating rink was converted into a cinema. Because it had a tin roof whenever it rained it was so noisy that they had to turn the sound up.

Local businessman, Bertie Baum, was responsible for many village cinemas in this area. One of these was The Futurist on Ratcliffe Road, Sileby. This started life as a cycle shop and doubled as a dancehall. Today a chemist shop stands on the site. The Majestic in Ratby, managed for many years by Len Crump, was another which was also a venue for dance until it burnt down in the 1960s. Many cinemas were run by different generations of local families. The Newbold Verdon and Barleston cinemas (cozy cinemas) were run by the Chesterton family. They would show films in both cinemas on the same evening and then during the interval they would swap over the films. Lads would be sent off on bikes to meet up halfway between the villages and exchange the film reels. At Measham, the Empire cinema started by Hollands, who were an old fairground family who ran the cinema during the winter season when the fair wasn’t operating. Anstey had two cinemas at one time. The one on Regent road was started by a Mr Grimsley before being taken over by a Mrs Rodwell, rebuilt and leased to Bertie Baum. The much smarter, Savoy cinema opened on Cropston road. It later became a garage then a series of restaurants before being converted into Broughton’s lighting shop.

The County cinema in Castle Donington was another converted church as was the cinema at Kegworth and the Plaza cinema in Whetstone which was run for many years by the partnership of Fred Turner and Bert Coombs. At Cosby they converted the hall used by the Young Men’s Christian Fellowship. Built by Jack Fisher and again run by Bertie Baum was the Rock cinema in Mountsorrel. It later became Blakesley’s engineering works after being used at various times for dances and even boxing matches. In Shepshed the Brittania street theatre was converted into cinema in 1910. It later became sports hall and is now second hand shop.

Few of the village cinemas survived after the advent of television which became popular in the 1950s with the televising of the coronation. Some survived in towns as bingo halls or were converted into community halls as at Kibworth (the scout hut) and Markfield. Home video recording put a final nail in the coffin of many town cinemas. Paradoxically village halls in many villages (like our own) are reflecting the current resurgence in enthusiasm for films by organising monthly showings of popular releases.

Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust - Charnwood Group An interesting programme of events is being planned for Autumn 2014/Spring 2015. Please come along and support your local Wildlife Trust.

Regular indoor meetings are held in Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall on the second Wednesday every month from September to May starting at 7.30pm. Admission is £2 for LRWT members, £2.50 for visitors, children free, including refreshments.

Wednesday 13th May 2015 at 7.30pm ‘What’s new in bat conservation?’ A talk by Jenny Harris, Conservation Officer, Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust.

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Bats are a highly sophisticated group of animals that, because of their nocturnal habits, are difficult to study.

However, modern technology is helping us to learn more about their ecology and how to help them. Jenny Harris has been a member of the local Bat Group for nearly 30 years, and conservation officer for the Wildlife Trust since 1992. She finds there is still much to discover about these intriguing creatures.

For further information contact: Kate Moore (Programme Secretary) Tel: 01509 891005, email: katemoore123@ yahoo.co.uk, John Spencer (Secretary) 0116 236 4279, or Maggie Morland (Chair) 01509 890077. www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

May On The GCR

Plenty for everyone to enjoy this month with two Bank Holidays, a Classic & Vintage Vehicle Festival with a Real Ale Train in the evening, a Swap Meet and Midweek running. The dining trains also have a good selection.

MAY BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL

MIDWEEK RUNNING

Saturday 2nd - Monday 4th During the Bank Holiday there will be an intensive service using three steam engines, normal fares will apply. The engines subject to availability will be Stanier Black Five 45305, Stanier 8F 48624 and BR Standard 9F 92214.

Tuesday - Thursday, 26th - 28th The normal midweek timetable of three steam and three DMU services will be running on the three days.

CLASSIC & VINTAGE VEHICLE FESTIVAL

Sunday 31st There will be an early start at Quorn and Woodhouse Station where you might find a bargain or two amongst the stalls selling and buying railway memorabilia of nameplates, lamps, silverware and much more. This event is one of the longest running events in the country.

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th A weekend festival at Quorn and Woodhouse Station with a great selection of vintage vehicles and classic cars on display and where you can view our engineering from a by-gone age. The normal summer timetable and normal fares apply.

There is a charge for the event redeemable if a train ticket is bought. There is also live music and a real ale bar.

REAL ALE TRAIN Saturday 16th evening Take two round trips on a steam train in the Leicester countryside while enjoying a drink and a light meal.

Because of limited seating on this train it must all be booked online.

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL Monday 25th On the Bank Holiday Monday there will be an intensive service with three steam engines.

SWAP MEET

DINING TRAINS The regular dining trains will be running during the month with the addition of one Murder Mystery and at the end of the month there is a Pullman Fine Dining with Live Jazz.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN JUNE This is a very busy and varied month with something for everyone to enjoy, starting with the Wartime Weekend, Woodford Halse 50th Anniversary (mini steam gala) and a three day Model Event, and Midweek running on every Wednesday. The dining trains will have the usual variety plus a Wartime evening meal, Maharaja Express, two Murder Mystery evenings, the first Wine and Dine Wednesday, also an extra Forester on a Friday of the Model Event and Fathers Day Luncheon.

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: Ivatt LMS Class 4 2-6-0 No 43106 stands on Bridgnorth Shed on the Severn Valley Railway, its normal base, will visit the GCR for May / Junein 2015 37 two weekends June for the Woodford Halse 50th anniversary and the three day Model Event.

Crossword

This month's Easy Crossword...

ACROSS 1. Social blunder (4,3) 5. Not eating (7) 9. Bronco riding competition (5) 10. Lack of knowledge (9) 11. Annoying (10) 12. German title of nobility (4) 13. Taking part in nudism (10) 16. Of the mouth (4) 18. OK (4) 19. Property (4,6) 21. Coral formation (4) 22. Sleeping disorder (10) 26. South American city (9) 27. Seventh month in the Jewish year (5) 28. Etiquette (7) 29. Middle of gestation period (7)

DOWN

March / April Crossword Solution

1. From elsewhere (7) 2. Beneath (5) 3. Monitors (8) 4. Virtuous person (5) 5. Concerning money (9) 6. Certain (4) 7. Central part of a city (5,4) 8. In high spirits (7) 14. Dutch economist died in 1994 (9) 15. Possible events (9) 17. Alone (8) 18. Weapon (7) 20. Greek paradise (7) 23. Lucky object (5) 24. Spread (5) 25. On one occasion (4)

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The Monday Club, Anstey, Cropston, Thurcaston and Rothley On Monday 13th April, it was with pleasure we greeted Mr. Martin Greenwood to give us a talk on “My Maritime Career”.

He commenced with attending the School of Navigation Warsash in 1963 until 1964 when he became Indentured to Furness Withy & Co. up to 1967. He then served on general cargo and passenger vessels as 3rd and 2nd Officer. He was appointed 2nd Officer to the new era of Pacific Steam Navigation Company tonnage serving West Coast of South America in 1973.

Martin continued his position until he obtained his Masters FG in 1975. From then on his life was very varied, serving as Chief Officer on supercargo vessels chartered

by PSNC and Furness Withy until 1982. From then he was Seconded to STREAMLINE as Asst. Operations Manager covering the Caribbean/Central America.

From 1984 up until 1987 he was transferred to Hamburg to work in the EUROSAL consortium, as ship planner, planning container and general cargo vessels from Europe to the West Coast of South America. Then from there he was transferred to EUROSAL office in Valparaiso, Chile, as Operations Manager responsible for WCSA operations. Thereafter he moved through different operations in much the same area until he moved to NCSO Centre in London (formally CAROL) in 1993 then in 1994 acting as Operations Manager. Subsequently on merger, and closure, in 2006 Martin went on to Hamburg Sud Office acting as a Marine Superintendent for two years until in June 2008 he returned to England and retirement.

All this information was ably supported by some marvellous and detailed photography of the various ships on which Martin sailed, together with awesome Sea conditions!

In conclusion of the afternoon, we enjoyed luscious cakes provided by Gill Smart, our Treasurer in celebration of her and her husband Jeff’s, Golden Wedding Anniversary. We wish them both many more years of happiness and good health.

There will be no Members Meeting in May, as we have planned a delightful Coach trip to Ludlow, but there will be the usual Meeting on Monday 8th June, when we shall welcome Mr. K. P. Goddard with a light hearted “Introduction to Classical Music”. For any further information please ring 0116 2363467.

- Ann Farndon

The Challenge To Keep Rothley Library Open Rothley group in next stage to keep the village library open.

We’re delighted to report that Rothley Community Library has moved onto the next phase towards becoming a community library, so that it will remain open. The County Council has reviewed all the business plans from libraries across Leicestershire, and has placed them into two categories: those whose business plans will progress into a transition phase and those that need further work developing their plans. The group will now be working closely with Paul Love from Communities and Wellbeing Services, along with Kristy Ball from the same department, who has already been helping to develop the plans. The library will be staffed by volunteers, but the services of free library loans from the county’s book stock, wifi and computer use and photocopying facilities will continue to be available.

The group is now developing an agreed transition phase with clear steps, milestones and timelines for Rothley Community Library and the County Council in the transfer of the library. The group will also continue to work very closely with Voluntary Action Leicestershire, whose support has been crucial.

The Parish Council has offered a generous contribution to costs, and a group of people has gathered who are giving their time on a committee, which is organising the many arrangements necessary. “It is my privilege to be working with all these supportive residents in order to achieve what this village deserves - a community library which we can feel proud to call our own,” said Steve Mitchell, a parish councillor and chair of the library committee.

Many local people, including children and young people, have been asked what they would like from the library service, and all their ideas will be considered. Many have also offered to help, and the group is still looking for ideas and offers of help and sponsorship from local people and businesses. In the next few months a volunteers’ meeting will be held to establish a working team. When plans are fully established, the library will reopen as a community library by next February at the latest, after a month’s closure while minor alterations will be made to the building. The committee and the county council are however hoping for a date this autumn, if the timescale can be met. The opening hours will remain a minimum of sixteen as they are now, although there may be minor adjustments within those hours to accommodate changes that come as a result of consultations.

Rothley Community Library has a website, www.rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk, and a Facebook page, and information is updated regularly. The group can be contacted through the website and Facebook, or by letter in the box in the Post Office.

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Leicester Riverside Festival Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2015

Friday 8th May 2015

TALK: Magic Queensland & the Red Hot Centre by Gianpiero Ferrari Gianpiero has been interested in nature all his life, and has been taking photographs of every aspect of Natural History for many years.. He is now a successful photographer having won several national competitions.

He is a member of many natural history organisations including Lipu UK and Giros Italia.

This presentation is about a six week trip to Queensland and central Australia, to photograph local wildlife, especially the native birds. Other subjects included are landscapes, flowers, a few insects, marsupials, and the Great Barrier Reef. The talk will be held in the Lecture Theatre at the Brockington Building Loughborough University at 7.45pm. Price: £3 Group Members, £3.50 Non members, LU Students with SU card gratis.

Tuesday 15th May 2015

WALK: Attenborough Nature Reserve Wildlife walk at Attenborough Nature reserve - off A6005 between Long Eaton and Beeston. Signs to Nature Reserve (past sewage works). SK516339. Nearest Post Code NG9 6DY.

Sunday 17th May 2015

TRIP: Elan Valley - Powys Join the group for a trip by coach to Elan Valley in Powys.

Here we will see a good range of woodland and upland birds in a beautiful setting. We should see Red Kite, Raven, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Redstart amongst others. There are a variety of walks and habitats to explore here. Depart from Loughborough University at 8.00am. Fare £20. Booking is essential for this trip.

Monday 15th June 2015

WALK: Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve Wildlife walk at Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve - From the M42 leave at junction 10 and take A5 through Tamworth.

Exit onto A4091 and follow direction sign for Middleton Hall. Turn in for Middleton Hall and follow the drive.

SP193982. Nearest Post Code B78 2AE. Full details of all of the events including finding the venue, booking the trips etc can be found on the group’s website:

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Leicester Riverside Festival is a lively weekend of activities for the whole family at Castle Gardens, Bede Park, Mile Straight & Western Boulevard.

Sponsored by local housing provider Riverside, this popular festival offers boat trips, live music, a variety of food stalls from around the world, displays and an exciting choice of activities for all ages, making it a fun packed weekend!

For further details see:

www.visitleicester.info/riversidefestival

Children'sSpark Festival

Monday 18th - Saturday 30th May 2015 The Spark Children’s Arts Festival is a two-week summer festival of performing and visual arts for children in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The festival aims for variety and access - to create as many opportunities as possible for children to engage with a wide range of performances and events in a variety of settings. The programme presents a variety of work, from puppetry to contemporary dance, that is specially created for children by a range of regional, national and international companies. Last year they presented 147 events to over 13,600 people.

For further details see www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Coalville’s First Summer Fest Saturday 27th June, 2015 This year summer in Coalville is going to be a little different, with the first Summer Fest. The Carnival is coming to town on Saturday 27 June.

It will be largely hosted within the ‘Belvoir Shopping Centre’ although extra activities will be taking place around other parts of Coalville town centre.

The theme for the festival is ‘Carnivals of the World’ with stalls having different country themes and performances reflecting different countries.

So for great fun, food drink and entertainment from around the world head on down and bring the whole family.

For more information visit the Coalville Town Team’s website: www.coalvilletownteam.com www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

What’s On

W MUSIC IN THE PARK AT WISTO Saturday 13th June 2015 This highly popular annual charity concert, organised by the Wigston Rotary Club, is taking place in the beautiful grounds of Wistow Hall by kind permission of the Brooks family.

Bring your own picnic and enjoy a wonderful evening listening to music by a local covers band ‘Krisis’ and the award winning ‘Hathern Brass Band’. The evening finishes with a fabulous fireworks display in front of Wistow Hall.

The concert will be raising money for “LOROS” (Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice) and “Leicester Charity Link” (supporting local people experiencing poverty in Leicestershire & Rutland). Adult £15.00 (On the day/night £17.50) : 10-16yrs £5 : Under 10’s Free : FREE Parking. Gates open 5.30pm : Concert Starts 7.30pm : Fireworks Display 10.00pm.

For more information & Credit Card Hotline : 0116 231 8431. Wistow Hall, Kibworth Road, Leicester LE8 0QF.

Whitwick & District U3A

Whitwick and District U3A will hold its Annual General Meeting on Friday 15th May at 2.00 pm. Following the formal business, there will be the public premiere of the DVD “Your U3A in 15 Minutes”. Produced by our very own “Creating DVDs” Group, the vast majority of our numerous Interest Groups will be featured.

This is a marvellous opportunity to see just how many activities are available for members and the benefits of pursuing interests in a friendly environment. Group leaders and others will be on hand to answer questions and pass on information. Come along to St David’s Church Hall, Broomleys, Coalville at 1.45 for a 2.00 pm start. Alternatively, visit our website at: www.whitwicku3a. org.uk where comprehensive details are available.

Film Presentations...

...from Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council

As March’s film opened, we dropped into the colour and bustle of Mumbai. After a serious fire there, the Kadam family drove over the rolling fertile hills through France where they built a restaurant. Helen Mirren, as Madame Mallory, was not amused to see them only “One Hundred Foot” from her long established restaurant. The characters were so well cast in this delightful film which featured cooking with many surprises.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (left) will be shown on Friday 8th May and lasts 99 minutes.

This film traces the history of the hotel from 1932 to the present day through the eyes of two lovers who are involved with a stolen painting. The characters are eccentric, with Bill Murray in a comic role and Ralph Fiennes performing brilliantly.

Even the young lobby boy received an inheritance. Remarkably, this beautifully crafted comedy received four Oscar Awards and five BAFTA’s.

“The Theory of Everything” (right) will be shown on Friday 12th June and lasts 123 minutes.

This is the extraordinary true story of Jane and Stephen Hawking, starring Felicity Jones who won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and Eddie Redmayne who won the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Actor. Defying the death sentence of motor neurone disease, Stephen Hawking married Jane, raised a family and altered drastically our perception of the universe by searching for a single equation to explain everything. Our June film is based on the memoirs of Jane Wilde Hawking.

Have a good summer! Our next film will be shown on Friday 12th September 2015.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets cost £5 and concessions are £4.50. There will be refreshments and a lucky prize draw. Advanced tickets can be purchased via the parish office - 0116 236 7626 or at the door.

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A tea room garden made in Buckinghamshire If you go out to the park today you'll never believe your eyes!

It started in late autumn last year when Colin and Shirley Bushell left their home in Buckinghamshire for a day at Bradgate Park. While they were visiting the park they were struck by the for sale sign above the post office/tea rooms. In need of some major work and a lot of tender loving care they decided to buy the place and move to Leicestershire and redesign the post office and tea rooms.

Fast forward 6 months and the building is unrecognisable.

A beautiful outdoor space for you to enjoy: Take a stroll through Bradgate Park and (if you’re anything like me) you’ll be desperate to put your feet up... Ok and eat cake.

Well the recently renovated tea rooms, now delightfully named the Old Post Office Tea Rooms, has had a major landscape transformation carried out by East Goscote based landscape design company Leicestershire Garden Design Company.

It’s so relaxing and peaceful: As you walk in to the garden you’ll be struck by the simplicity of the design and by keeping the existing brick work and using natural products, the garden blends in to the surroundings and feels like it was always supposed to be there - making tea and scones in the sunshine as amazing as ever.

Accessible and spacious: The elegant way in which the levels have been considered to give maximum ease when moving push chairs, bicycles, and wheel chairs around is complemented with spacious seating areas with a choice of paving or artificial lawns to sit on.

Why this design works so well: “Once I knew how the client was going to use the space the design process and product selection was an easy decision to make” - Ross Elliott, Landscape Designer, LGD Co. The conclusion: “The garden was the best decision I ever made” Colin Bushell, Tea Room owner.

So come out and enjoy the garden, taste the scones, and put your feet up in the sunshine. See right for details of the The Old Post Office Tea Room and the Leicestershire Garden Design Company.

HEAVY HORSES A HIT WITH VISITORS Total Tree Services Horse Logging Team have been very active so far this year.

During January and February the team was hard at work thinning trees and extracting the timber at a site in Sharnford called ‘Fosse Meadows’ which is managed by Blaby District Council. Fosse Meadows is a must to visit if you have not yet been and I am confident that in many years to come will become an important country park for Leicestershire. At present offering a young woodland and a small lake where otters have been reported visiting. The park has excellent footpaths and ample car parking. An equestrian car park is also provided, allowing horse riding.

Our two heavy horses, Breeze a 5 year old cob 14.2hh bred in Sileby and Queenie an 11 year old comtois 16.3hh (who was rescued from a field in France), are highly trained to work as logging horses. They are both competent with a range of equipment to enable them to carry out their work safely and efficiently.

At fosse meadows the team extracted approximately 40 tons of timber which was sold locally. Blaby Council were so impressed with the low impact to the site they are promising more work for our team for the next 5 years.

During February the team worked for South Derbyshire Council at Swadlingcote woods.

The team thinned trees and extracted the timber to a hard standing area, approximately 20 tons of timber was then sold locally by the council. This work was part funded by the national forest who also carried out a ‘case study’ with reference to horse logging being a productive management choice.

The horses worked well on very steep slopes ,and next to a very busy road ,the horses never cease to amaze me and fill me with pride when they take situations such as this all in their stride and just get on with the job. The site was right next to the ski slopes and again the horses were not fazed by the activity going on beside their work place.

At present the team can be seen working in Bradgate Park, the rangers have felled trees within a small woodland ,and are now working alongside Stuart Freeman our head horseman extracting the timber ,which will be either milled if suitable to use within the park or alternatively processed into firewood logs to be sold locally.

Bradgate Park have been an important supporter of our work ,and the rangers who work in the park have themselves pushed for low impact methods to be used where it is suitable to do so.

Having worked with the Bradgate Park team on many occasions now I feel I should thank them for this support and mention the fact that in my opinion they are a credit to both Bradgate and Swithland woods.

If you are interested in the work we are doing at Bradgate park and would like to sample working with horses we are running a two day horse logging course , where you will get hands on experience working with our 14.2 cob breeze . for information regarding this please contact the estates office at bradgate park.

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Site-Stone to Syston...

This months feature focuses to the East of our

beautiful Charnwood Forest by looking into both historic and present day Syston...

Syston is a small town and civil parish located in the district of Charnwood lying partway between Leicester and Melton Mowbray.

With its earliest known settlement dating back over 1,000 years the Doomsday book - William the Conqueror’s great record of survey, conducted in 1086 - affirms the town was originally called “Site-Stone”, probably in relation to a stone where folk used to meet up to settle disputes.

The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Syston’s most ancient building, dates back in part to the 13th century, thanks to its sedilia (stone seats for use during mass) and is today a proud listed building and town focal point.

Syston is well-placed on the Midland Main Line and with good bus coverage bringing business through its main passageways - Melton Road and the formerly Roman road, Fosse Way – the river Soar, running past the western edge of town, completes the town’s access links. Made navigable to boats in 1784, its major tributary, the River Wreake (running north west of the town) is graded ‘excellent’ by the Environment Agency and is home to dragonfly, crayfish, perch, chubb and pike, and wonderfully, Otters, who are steadily re-populating the quieter stretches of the river.

Syston is also home to its own plum, the Syston white plum, grown in the area for over 100 years, Syston’s plum crops in September and is oval in shape. Even better news is that it is excellent for pies, jams and desserts (when ripe). As a result of its favour the plum features across the town’s welcome signs.

Bringing Syston into the modern day is the well stocked high street which not only boasts many independent shops but also has bigger chains stores thrown in for good measure.

Syston in Bloom will be running their annual front garden competition in July so why not have a walk around Syston and take in the beautiful surroundings, the high street always has a beautiful display of flowers too, ensuring your shopping trip is even more enjoyable.

Syston boasts interesting beginnings, great businesses and not to forget the exciting opportunities for the local community, everything from wildlife projects and charity events to the ever developing sports teams and local clubs.

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PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST AT WREAKE VALLEY FLOORING Wreake Valley Flooring are a friendly, local run family business with over 30 years of experience in the carpet and flooring trade and have been based on High Street in Syston for 7 years providing flooring solutions and products to the surrounding Wreake Valley villages and beyond. They strive to meet the customers needs and expectations by opening six days a week from 9am- 5pm (except for Wednesdays 9am - 1pm). They pride themselves in delivering a personalised and a fully committed approach to all their customer’s individual needs and expectations when choosing a new floor.

They not only specialise in carpets of all price ranges, laminates and wood flooring, but also Amtico and Karndean flooring, of which they are the largest Karndean specialists in Leicestershire. This enables them to offer you free samples of any range so that you can create a unique, individual look for your home which can compliment the modern living of today.

Their customer service starts with a free estimate and design consultation, through to all floor preparation and on to their expert fitting service, which is only carried out from their own employed fully experienced fitting team. Through the whole process they strive to achieve a completely satisfied customer experience, which is key to their continued success.

Pop along to their showroom on the High street in Syston and see for yourselves, you can also give them a call on 0116 2609023, visit their website at: www.wreakevalleyflooring.co.uk or email them on: info@ wreakevalleyflooring.co.uk - the choice is yours!

HEALTH: Coconut Oil and its uses...

The Body Store in Syston has a wide range of Optima products, see our picture on the right, which includes Raw Virgin Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil is a pure product that has many uses and Raj, owner of The Body Store, keeps a handy list of 101 uses! We have included some of them here, for the full list visit the Body Store.

Coconut Oil is surprisingly versatile, as well as being used to cook with it can be used as dairy free replacement to butter. It can be taken as a supplement for daily energy, or used as a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee.

It can be used as a basic skin lotion or homemade into bars for soft, smooth skin. Also as an intensive night time facial moisturiser. Even an eye makeup remover. It can be used to create homemade deodorant or deodorant bar. Coconut oil is safe to use as a nappy safe cream for babies, or to get rid of cradle cap. It can be used as a tropical massage oil.

Or rubbed through the hair it can help get rid of frizz.

Coconut Oil can also help reduce the itching caused by insect bites, psoriasis or eczema, chicken pox or poison ivy.

It is quite incredible how one pure product can have so many diverse uses.

For further information on the uses of this product, or any other Optima products call into The Body Store, Syston.

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ST BE IN E TH

Civic officers scoop national award

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ND LA

The Mayor of Charnwood has the best office support in the land - and that’s official.

Charnwood Borough Council Civic Officers Carol Hardy and Mike Hollingworth have been awarded the National Civic Office of the Year award. They recently attended a ceremony at Camden Town Hall to collect the honour.

The Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Paul Day, said: “I was delighted when I heard that Charnwood had won the best Civic Office Award for the whole of the UK. Mike and Carol arrange our engagements to ensure we are in the right place and the right time, and this award is something to be proud of.”

The honour, which celebrates work in civic offices, has been running for 12 years and this is the first time Charnwood officers have been entered.

The award is judged on three categories, quality and innovation, promotion of the Office of Mayor and overall value for money. Mike and Carol excelled in all three areas, winning the award unanimously.

The Mayor has more than 500 duties in the 12 months in office and Carol and Mike manage these effectively and efficiently.

Carol said: “It was a really nice surprise and it was great to share the day with other Civic Officers.”

Mike said: “I am very proud that we have won this award and it was very nice to be recognised by our fellow Civic Officers.”

Mike and Carol were awarded a certificate, a shield and £500.

LOCAL RESIDENT HONOURED Arthur Murray, a Quorn resident was honoured at the Association of Speakers Club Midlands District Contests when he was presented with the Brian Driscoll Trophy by Margaret Robertson, National President, at the event which was held at the Quorn Country Hotel on Saturday 21st March 2015.

Arthur has been a member of Loughborough Speakers Club for 20 years and is currently its President. One of his stated aims as President was to increase membership amongst the younger age groups and his award of the Brian Driscoll Trophy was in recognition of the work he has done with young speakers. On being presented with the trophy Arthur Murray said that he was delighted and honoured to receive what was to him, a most unexpected award.

Arthur Murray was accompanied by his wife Freda on the night and the photo shows them both being thrilled by the presentation of the Brian Driscoll trophy as recognition of his work with young speakers.

Loughborough University with its population of 17,000 students made it an ideal starting point for Arthur’s work in encouraging young speakers to join Loughborough Speakers Club. Many of these students will be stepping out into the world of work over the next few years and speaking confidently to future employers and being able to give professional presentations is a must for any young person about to embark on their chosen career. To support students in developing their speaking skills, Loughborough Speakers Club, in conjunction with the University, offers a shortened speakers course which qualifies the student for the University’s Employability Award – a much sought after prerequisite for securing that top job against tough opposition.

As well as students, Arthur has met young people across the town and villages while promoting the benefits of developing speaking skills. Since the start of his Presidency, membership of the Club has doubled, the average age markedly dropped, and with members coming from so many different backgrounds, the international flavour of the Club has widened.

To learn more about Arthur Murray’s successful work with young speakers follow the Club on Facebook or visit their website: www.loughboroughspeakers.org.uk.

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OUT AND ABOUT Monday 04 May 2015, Noon - 6pm

Saturday 02 May 2015, 7:30pm

QUORN MAY DAY SPECTACULAR

Concert at Rothley Parish Church

The Mayor of Charnwood, Mr Paul Day, will be opening this fantastic event.

There will be stalls, a beer tent, live entertainment, children’s fairground rides, maypole dancing, a climbing wall, food and much more to see and do.

Please do come along for a fantastic family fun day!

Stafford Orchard Park, Station Road, Quorn, LE12 8BS.

250 years ago, Johann Christian Bach and Carl Philipp Abel started to run their own regular concert series in London, which later became famous as the Bach-Abel-Concerts. At the same time, child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was in London...

Saturday 20 June - Sunday 21 June 2015

FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Open 10.00 - midnight on 20th and 10.00 to 17.00 on 21st.

Live music on two stages all day, arena entertainments, large craft area, food village and real ale bar.

Entry is £5 before 5pm and £10 after when ‘Foxton Rocks’. All in aid of Foxton Inclined Plane Trust

Nicolette Moonen (violin) and Medea Bindewald (harpsichord) will celebrate the occasion by performing works by Mozart, Abel, JC Bach, CPE Bach, JS Bach, Bach’s student JL Krebs and a newly discovered sonata by Jacob Kirkman, nephew of the famous London harpsichord maker of the same name.

This delightful programme forms part of the “Early Music at Rothley Church” series.

Come and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Rothley Church! Refreshments will be available during the interval.

Admission free, retiring collection. Parking facilities at Victoria Mills, Fowke Street, LE7 7PJ.

www.medeabindewald.com

Every Thursday | Art History Class - QUORN A series of lectures by Dr Ray Sutton MA PhD covering a wide range of subjects from “Jewish Art” to “Sydney Long and Australian Art Nouveau”. No prior enrolment necessary.

10.00am to 11.30am | The Council Chamber, Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road, LE12 8BB | Admission is £3 | Tea/coffee 50p.

Saturday 02 & Sunday 03 May | Artisan Cheese Fair In its fifth year the Artisan Cheese Fair is now the largest dedicated festival of cheese in the UK. Held undercover within the halls of Melton Mowbray’s heritage Cattle Market, the fair showcases cheese makers from all over the British Isles. At the Fair you have the opportunity to taste some of the UK’s rarest cheeses and find the hidden gems you never knew existed. You can also learn about cheese in the daily programme of talks, demonstrations and tastings given by industry experts as well as enjoy other local produce including ales, wines, chutneys and of course Melton Mowbray’s famous Pork Pie. For further details see www.artisancheesefair.co.uk | 10am - 4pm | Entry £2 | Cattle Market, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray.

Thursday 07 May | Wedding Open Evening - Rothley Rothley Court will be hosting it’s first ever Wedding Showcase evening. Come down and see the venue set up for a wedding, meet some of the fabulous suppliers and imagine what your special day will look like.

For more information please contact 0116 237 4141 option 4 | Rothley Court, Westfield Lane, Leicester LE7 7LG

Saturday 09 May | Woodhouse Eaves Art & Craft Fair Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall, Open 10am - 4pm. Local handmade crafts & gifts, Raffle, £1 entry in the door. Seating area: Drinks, snacks & homemade cakes all available. If you are interested in having a table at the event please contact Anna 07740 947759

Saturday 09 May | Jumble & Toy Sale Charnwood Scouts attending the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, will be holding a Jumble & Toy Sale selling books, clothes, toys, bric a brac, cakes and much more. Admission is 50p. Children free when accompanied by an adult.

All donations can be dropped off at the hall between 11 - 12 on the morning of the sale or for collection call Jez Chapman 07779 279203, Dave Pidgeon 07759 122247 or Adrian Sheward 07429 525292. The sale will take place between 1.30pm - 3.00pm at Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road, Loughborough LE12 8BB.

Tuesday 12 & Tuesday 26 May | Rothley Ladies Circle Meetings The group meets twice a month at the Methodist Hall, Howe Lane, Rothley. 2:30pm start.

May 12th - Charity ‘Make a Wish’ Representative Talk | May 26th - Friendly get together and have a bit of fun.

Saturday 16 May | Loughborough Concert Band - “Strike Up The Band” “Strike up the Band” - Performance by Loughborough Concert Band, 6.30p, for 7pm. Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children £4.50 (available from Jeff Kennington - phone 0116 2365402) Includes light refreshments. All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston.

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LOCAL EVENTS Saturday 16 May | Merlin, The Sword In The Stone The mystical story of the ‘Sword in the Stone’ follows the life of Arthur, a young squire destined to become king. This show requires the participation of the whole audience as the chorus and 10 children to play small parts in the production. With beautiful costumes, enchanting sets and magical puppetry, the audience will be captivated, continuing Image Musical Theatre’s tradition of providing the very best touring theatre.

Duration: 110 minutes (including interval). Suitable Age: 7+. Tickets: £8/£6. Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3EB.

Saturday 16 - Thursday 28 May | The National Forest Walking Festival Join in the short, medium and long guided walks across the varied landscape of The National Forest. Discover canals, rural villages, reservoirs and woodlands and hear fascinating facts about the wildlife and local heritage of this beautiful area.

For further details see www.nationalforest.org/visit/walks/access/sarah.php

Friday 22 - Sunday 24 May | Glastonbudget Glastonbudget is an annual music festival held at Turnpost Farm in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, England. The festival has been held since 2005. Initially started as a festival for tribute bands it has expanded in recent years to include a showcase for new acts as well as the main tribute stage. Interest in the festival and those attending has increased year on year with the 2014 festival seeing almost 12,000 festival goers in attendance.

For further details and prices see www.glastonbudget.org

Saturday 23 May | 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. The forth Saturday of the month. Donations are to be given.

3 - 5pm | Methodist Hall, Howe Lane, Rothley | For more info please ring Sue Waiwright on 07585 557548

Wednesday 27 May | Woodhouse Eaves Cinema - Theory of Everything This is the Oscar-winning story of Stephen Hawking and his wife Jane. It stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

7.30pm | Woodhouse Eaves village hall | £4 including light refreshments | Tickets from newsagent on Main Street or on the door.

Friday 29 May | Motown Evening - Loughborough Celebrating Motown’s greatest years with music from Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Contours and many more, this is an unforgettable night filled with Motown Sounds played by DJs Doug Hall and Cressy.

8pm | Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EB | Booking Office: 01509 231914

Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May | Bradgate Park’s Early Summer Fair Summer fair at Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, selling local produce, arts & crafts, gifts, may pole dancing, demonstrations, refreshments and much more. 10.00am to 5.00pm. www.bradgatepark.org | www.facebook.com/BradgateParkTrust | Estate Office: 0116 236 2713

Saturday 30 May | Stress Relief and Relaxation Workshop - Somatics and Dru Yoga Using Somatics we will begin by releasing the body from habituated patterns of contraction that hold it in tension and prevent you from relaxing, no matter how hard you try. Revitalise the body with fun movements and learn a beautiful sequence, as well as postures, breathing techniques, and meditative practices to calm and soothe body and mind. Experience and learn how deep autonomic relaxation aids you to be in charge of your body.

Website: www.mind-body-movement.co.uk/#!workshops/c1al | 9am - 11:30am | St Mary-in-Charnwood, Nanpantan | £20 payable in advance.

Saturday 06 June | All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston, Annual Garden Fete This year the fete is one of the events marking the tricentenary celebrations for the founding of Richard Hill School by the former Rector, Richard Hill, in 1715.

Come along to enjoy the various activities - Teddy Bear parachuting from the tower, raffle & tombola, live music, delicious refreshments, plus a variety of stalls. 1.30pm to 4.30pm. All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston.

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June | Open Church Weekend, Swithland St Leonard’s Church Swithland will be open from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm each day. Pop in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Secondhand books also available. See their website www.swithlandchurch.org for more information.

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THE BRADGATE DIRECTORY

CLOTHING & JEWELLERY Caroline James............................... 51 Elegance......................................... 34 High Class Ironing........................... 44 Jennings.......................................... 45 COMPUTING CE Computer Consumables............ 44 EDUCATION Leicester College............................ 33 Magical Maths................................ 28 Quorn Grange Day Nursery............ 50 Richard Hill School Charity............. 48 Woodhouse Day Nursery................ 48 FLORISTS The Flower Shop............................. 28 FOOD, DRINK & VENUES George Inn...................................... 32 The Old Post Office Tea Room........ 43 Vintage Tea Parties......................... 28 The Wedding Cafe.......................... 47 Woodcock Farm Shop..................... 31 The Woodies................................... 34 GARDEN Bentley’s Garden Buildings............. 60 Birstall Garden Centre...................... 5 Charnwood Tree Services............... 33 Composting Waste......................... 27 Garden Blueprints.......................... 28 George Walker Ltd.......................... 45 H20 Design..................................... 54 Harrison Landscaping..................... 27 LB Grounds Maintenance............... 55 LB Landscaping............................... 31 Leicestershire Garden Design......... 43 Outdoor Solutions............................ 4 Roecliffe Tree Surgery..................... 54 Total Tree Services.......................... 43

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HAIR & BEAUTY Aqua Hair........................................ 50 Zoe’s Mobile Hairdressing............. .28 HEALTH The Body Store............................... 47 Charnwood Hearing Centre............ 57 Charnwood Physiotherapy............. 57 Quorndon Care............................... 34 HOME Ablutions........................................ 59 Absolute Window Solutions............. 2 Ancient & Modern............................ 4 Ashby Decorators Centre.................. 8 Broughtons..................................... 18 Charn. Oaks Roofing & Building...... 31 Charnwood Kitchens...................... 24 Chris’ Oven Cleaning........................ 4 Clock Doctor..................................... 4 Cupboard Love............................... 29 CV Lane............................................. 6 Daniel Chapman............................... 4 DeVol...................................... 14 + 15 DG Plumbing................................... 57 DP Furnishings................................ 47 Evans Fireplaces............................. 45 The Flooring & Bed Company........... 7 G & D Property Services................. 24 Glenfield Electrical............................ 4 Graham Botterill............................... 4 Hassall & Son Ltd............................ 18 Holme Tree Kitchens....................... 18 Light House....................................... 6 Loft Storage Solutions...................... 3 Logburners Ltd.................................. 3 Martin Allen Flooring....................... 6 MDW Fireplaces............................. 20 MGAS................................................ 8 Midland Bi-Folds............................. 46 My Spa UK...................................... 11

HOME continued...

Plastic Fantastic................................ 6 Quality Flooring.............................. 28 RJ Rowley........................................ 20 RSJ Roofing....................................... 7 Shuttleworth Decorators................ 20 Simon Shuttlewood Upholstery........ 4 Splashout........................................ 25 UK Gas Services................................ 3 Watson’s Electrical........................... 4 Wreake Valley Flooring................... 46 LEISURE Lingdale Golf Club.......................... 30 Plays In The Park............................. 48 Rawlins - Kids Holiday Activities..... 48 RECRUITMENT Health Equals Wealth..................... 50 MOTORS Bond Street Car Service.................. 32 Cropston Garage............................. 57 PETS Anstey Cattery................................ 28 Retreat Boarding Kennels............... 28 The Veterinary Surgery................... 28 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Dodds Solicitors LLP........................ 43 Harrison Murray............................. 21 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors......... 54 MB Sign Design................................. 8 NFU Mutual.................................... 32 Nicholas Humphries....................... 58 Prusinski Solicitors.......................... 55

To advertise contact Ed: editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

or call 01530

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