The Bradgate Magazine - May 2016

THE BRADGATE MAGAZINE

Bradgate

The

magazine The Great Food & Drink Festival May / June 2016

Syston Town What can this independent MAY / JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 20

CHARNWOOD VILLAGE offer you?

Local News, Activities & Events, Bank Holidays, Gardening, Charity News & Schools

WWW.THEBRADGATEMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Your Local Community Magazine May / June 2016

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From Ed & the team...

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Welcome to our late Spring edition of The Bradgate magazine.

For your perusal this issue we have a whole host of diverse articles and items, ranging from local history, fundraising events, gardening news and an interesting feature on the busy little town of Syston...and much, much more...to hopefully tempt you.

Worth mentioning are two such soon to happen fundraising events which both shine a light on ‘Alex’s Wish’ - the Rothley based charity which is working hard to eradicate Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (one of the most common fatal genetic disorders diagnosed in children) by helping fund world-class science and clinical trials. Gearing up to show their support is the Charnwood Forest Charity Cycle Ride and the Watermead Challenge Charity Run (details of which can be found on pages 10 and 12 respectively). Good luck to all those participating and may you raise very many funds whilst having super fun staying active in the great outdoors.

Our Feature this issue, as mentioned previously, is on Charnwood’s Syston. With interesting information pertaining to the town’s origins, some essential green-fingered (“Syston in Bloom”) viewing to be taken advantage of, alongside plenty of local events and going’s on, turn to pages 30 (to 33) to take a gander at what’s on offer and additionally how local businesses and traders can offer you a great service provision.

This edition our animal lovers are also spoilt for choice - we have some super reads on ‘Canine Partners’ and ‘Leicester Animal Aid’ on page 13 and vital information about microchipping pets (...did you know its now a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped which includes having up to date contact details registered as part of that process?).

Read more about it on page 17).

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Finally, if the arts (music, film and drama) are your thing, take a look at page 48 for news on Newtown Linford Choral Society’s summer concert: “Song on Screen” (featuring classics and favourites from the world of TV and film) – always a popular event that one; additionally, on page 49, the Bradgate Drama Society has details of it’s “Spring Mystery” to tantalise whilst not one but two film clubs, in Thurcaston & Cropston and Rothley, have information pertaining to their showings and times (see page 53) to pop in the diary.

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CONTENTS 10 WILL WRITING MONTH Write your Will for FREE this month and help to secure the ongoing care & support of LOROS your local hospice 19 GARDENS Everything gardens from Rothley’s Big Dig, Club News, Open Gardens, ‘In the garden with Joanne Kennedy’ and a fabulous Plant Hunters Fair!

30 THE SYSTON PAGES Have a browse through our feature pages and see what our local town can offer you.

41 THE GREAT FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL With a stunning location, great food, drink and entertainment what more could you want...?

Maybe the chance to win some free tickets!?

Enjoy the magazine and see you again soon!

CONTACT US: editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk | 01530 249589 | www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk ADVERTISING: For anyone wishing to advertise in The Bradgate 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 2016

The Bradgate is printed by: Spectrum Printing Services Ltd, Waterside Road, Hamilton Business Park, Leicester LE5 1TL | Tel: 0116 2461717

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LOROS Will Writing Month “It’s comforting to know that I’ll be helping to secure the care and support LOROS offers when I’m gone,” says Catherine Osbourne, who has included the Groby Road Hospice in her Will.

This May, LOROS and local solicitors have teamed up to offer a free Will writing service to the general public.

The initiative comes as part of the Hospice’s Will Writing Month, which is now in its fourth year.

“I decided to leave a gift to LOROS in my Will around six or seven years ago,” added 69-year-old Catherine, of Swithland.

“Two of the hardest things to talk about is money and death but adding LOROS into my Will was just so easy. My family are all aware that I’ve left money to LOROS and they support my decision. There was no pressure to leave a gift in my Will to LOROS, it was up to me, I was completely in control.”

Catherine has been volunteering in the Hospice sector for nearly 30 years, eight of which have been at LOROS. “I’ve seen first-hand just how hard the people at LOROS work to raise money, I would prefer to leave money to my local Hospice than a huge organisation; this way, I feel more reassured that the money is helping somewhere close to my heart.”

During the month, a number of events will be taking place, including two Will writing seminars, hosted by Leicester based solicitors, Dodds, at LOROS Hospice.

Both seminars will be taking place on Thursday 12th May at 11am and 6pm, which is also during Dying Matters Week, a national campaign that will be happening the week commencing Monday 9th May. Relationship Development Lead Rachel Hill said: “It is important to make a Will to ensure that your money and possessions are distributed according to your wishes. Every year, LOROS has to raise £4.5million and we rely on both fundraising and gifts in Wills to ensure we can continue to provide free vital services to terminally ill people. Please consider leaving a gift to LOROS in your Will.”

To receive a free Will Writing Pack or for more information on the Will Writing seminars visit loros.co.uk/support-us or call Rachel for an informal chat call (0116) 231 8431/2.

Photo: LOROS Relationship Development Lead Rachel Hill and Catherine Osbourne

Charnwood Forest Charity Cycle Ride A bigger cycling event with two new routes across Charnwood Organisers Emma Hallam and colleague Zoe Edwards have decided to liven things up this year by adding in two extra cycle routes, a 10 mile and 50 mile route to complement the existing 20 mile route.

The event welcomed 200 participants in 2015, Emma and Zoe are hoping that with the additional two routes they could double that number this May. Last year’s event also raised £7,500 for Alex’s Wish, a local Rothley based charity, who raise money to fund clinical trials into finding treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a life limiting condition which affects boys across the UK including Emma’s son Alex, after whom the charity is named.

The start and finish line is at The Rothley Centre in Rothley, Leicestershire with the route taking place on open roads. At the end of your ride you’ll get a warm welcome back, receive your medal as well as a chance to take the weight off your feet an enjoy a large selection of refreshments including hot bacon rolls, complimentary yummy homemade cakes and hot and cold drinks served to you by Cuppas of Rothley. Families are welcome to join in on the fun at the Rothley Centre whilst waiting for riders to finish.”

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, 8th May and it costs just £15 (10-mile route) or £25 (20 & 50 mile route).

It’s a fabulous opportunity to get back into cycling again after the winter months, so whether or not you are a keen cyclist, there’s never been a better time to dust of your bike in time for the summer months.”

You can register at our official event website (below), alternatively please contact Emma Hallam at

emma@alexswish.co.uk

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Watermead Challenge 2016 Charity Run

Tuesday 12th July 2016, 7pm - 5 mile and 3 mile routes!

Don’t forget to enter this year’s Watermead Challenge charity run. It takes place at 7pm on Tuesday 12th July. This is the sixth year the run has been staged and the first year with chip timing. 300 runners in 2015 can’t be wrong!

The five mile and three mile routes around Watermead Country Park are flat and mostly off road. They appeal to runners of all abilities with the opportunity of achieving a personal best time.

The event is presented by The Rotary Club of the Wreake Valley and the new Syston Rotary Club. This is a fundraising event with proceeds going to the local Alex’s Wish charity (www.alexwish.co.uk) which is aiming to “conquer” Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It is supported by Whitegates estate agency.

Entries are accepted on the night until 6.30pm. Please visit www.wreakevalleyrotary. org.uk for full entry details. You can pay online to secure your place in the starting line up.

Watermead Country Park, Syston Leicester LE7 1PD (north entrance).

Success of Autism Awareness Charity Fun Day More than 100 people came together at a community fun day in April to celebrate Autism Awareness Day. The event held by Loughborough Charity Glebe House in partnership with Leicestershire Autistic Society raised over £200 in just three hours.

Families with children on the autism spectrum were invited to enjoy a fun filled packed day which included face painting, balloon modelling, visits from emergency services, a tractor, a sensory room, arts and crafts, Bouncy Castles and giant bubbles.

Local businesses donated a range of raffle prizes which included autism friendly tickets

by Odeon Cinema and Leicester based 360play, a family ticket to Conkers and National Space Centre and many more, all of which helped to raise over £200 for both charities.

A spokesperson from Leicestershire Autistic Society commented: “This was a fantastic way to celebrate World, National and Local Autism in our lives and seeing families attend from both the county and city region.”

“Many thanks go to the staff of Glebe House for inviting us to work in partnership with them and hope we can continue to work together to provide more events for families to access.”

Peter Warlow, chief executive of Glebe House, said: “Glebe House provides help to many people with autism and it is important that we continue to build awareness of the condition at every opportunity to help the lives of people with autism and those who dedicate their lives to supporting them.”

Young Enterprise Needs You!

We are inviting Leicestershire Volunteers to support an Enterprise Masterclass or the Learn to Earn Programme. Learn to Earn is a great programme to enable the students to reflect on their skills and qualities and consider how their current studies are important for their future careers.

The Enterprise and Industry Masterclass enables students to work in teams and develop their employability skills whilst putting together a business proposal. This is a fun, busy and enjoyable day, working with young people to support them in working in teams running a business.

Students will make important business decisions including health and safety, sustainability, financial planning, architecture and design. The day enables the students to demonstrate skills such as problem solving, decision making, team work, math skills, creativity and innovation. re a u If yo Support Young Enterprise and help the students’ experience come to life, with your examples, support and knowledge. Please let me know if you are interested in supporting one of the interested in r Young following events: fo g n ri e te n volu Monday 4th July (9am-3pm) - Entrepreneur Masterclass lease email Enterprise p Limehurst Academy - Year 7, age 11-12 k .u y-e.org tina.smith@ Wednesday 6th July (9am-3pm) - Industry Masterclass or call Hamilton College - Year 9 - age 13-14 24 07794 4789

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CHARITY NEWS

Put a spring in your step at the Big Martinshaw Woods Bluebell Walk in aid of Canine Partners Step into spring and join our Big Martinshaw Bluebell Walk in aid of Canine Partners on Sunday 1st May from 11am.

Gather your friends, family, colleagues and community groups and stroll around the beautiful Martinshaw Woods in Ratby. There will be two routes, with the shorter one being suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The money raised will enable Canine Partners to continue its work in training assistance dogs to help people with physical disabilities such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.

Kathleen Hodkinson, organiser of the three mile walk and volunteer for the Charity, said: “Come along and enjoy our family friendly Big Bluebell Walk and support a charity which really is life-changing. They do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations so the money you raise will help create more canine partnerships, transforming the lives of disabled people.

“There will also be the chance to purchase merchandise, enjoy a raffle and for children to take part in a quiz.”

The Charity’s national Big Bluebell Walk campaign has raised more than £168,000 in the past 12 years. All funds raised from this walk will help the Charity to train more assistance dogs and transform the lives of people with disabilities, including wounded servicemen and women in conjunction with Help for Heroes.

Prices are £4 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family of four. Dogs on leads are welcome. There are toilet facilities available.

Meet at Martinshaw Woods, Markfield Road, Ratby, Leicestershire, LE6 0LS. To register for this event please email khodkinson9@gmail.com or phone 0116 2876684.

To find out how you can organise your own Big Bluebell Walk in aid of Canine Partners please visit caninepartners.org.uk/bigbluebellwalks or call 01730 716013.

rvous Dogs

Ne Local Charity Seeks Special Foster Homes For 7

Leicester Animal Aid, a dog and cat rescue and rehoming centre based in Huncote, Leicestershire, are launching a special appeal for calm and quiet foster homes for seven very nervous, young dogs to help them adjust to home life.

Terrier mixes Maggie, Rick, Daryl, Carol, Abe, Bernie and Merle have recently come into the Centre and although they have lived together, they have had very little human contact and hardly any experiences outside of area they were kept in. As a result, they are very frightened and LAA would like to help to build their confidence in a home environment.

LAA are looking for foster carers that are understanding and experienced in dealing with unsocialised and anxious dogs.

Foster carers will need to be patient, live in a calm and quiet home, be at home for at least part of the day and live without children or cats. The dogs will need to either be rehomed in pairs or with existing compatible dogs.

As the dogs are currently fearful of people and new situations, they can only have garden exercise and have not yet had any experience with collars or leads. Foster homes will need to have a secure garden with at least a 4ft solid fence. The dogs will need to stay in their foster homes for at least 6 weeks to provide stability and ideally foster carers should be happy to have visits at home from potential new owners that have been recommended by LAA. The dogs are up-to-date with vaccinations as well as flea and worm treatments and will be microchipped.

They have yet been neutered or spayed. Each dog will be given an individual care plan and foster carers will have weekly contact with the Centre for support and to update on progress.

All food and equipment will be supplied by Leicester Animal Aid and all medical costs paid for by the Charity. Foster carers will be provided with an emergency contact number available 24 hours a day and will be able to contact the Centre for support between 8am-5pm for non-emergencies.

If you are interested in fostering these sweet but frightened dogs, please contact Leicester Animal Aid on 01455 888257 May / June 2016

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NT Leicester Association

The Friends of Charnwood Forest There was a large turnout for the Annual General Meeting in March. This marked the completion of 30 years of the society. There were over 60 members present together with 31 visitors.

Mrs Janie Martin, President, presided with Councillor Paul Day, Chairman. His annual report showed a very good year, with over 200 members and a healthy financial position. There had been a very successful programme of talks and walks and there was a full calendar of events for 2016.

The National Trust has taken over the café in the recreation area at the northern end of Staunton Harold Reservoir from Severn Trent Water Authority. The café will be managed by the NT staff from Calke Abbey which is at the southern end of the reservoir.

The café provides an ideal location to relax whilst enjoying the views over the reservoir and the surrounding countryside. There is a children’s play area nearby and an adjacent car park which is operated by Severn Trent and for which there is a charge.

However, if you are feeling energetic it is a two mile walk through the parkland at Calke and across fields to the café.

It was some of the Calke parkland that was flooded in 1964 to create Staunton Harold reservoir.

The parkland at Calke Abbey was not enclosed until 1640 and is the last remaining tract of land from the ancient medieval forest that covered a huge area south of the river Trent. Whilst the parkland has, to some degree, been landscaped, mainly by planting avenues of trees, a number of Oak trees from the original forest still remain and one has been scientifically dated to be 1,200 years old.

The likes of Capability Brown and Repton were never involved at Calke Abbey and even though there was a small amount of landscaping carried out in immediate view of the house the land was essentially a deer reserve.

The National Trust still maintain a large herd of deer at Calke today.

Due to its age Calke Park is one of the best in Britain for insects, mainly beetles, and is designated as a SSSI. The rare beetles are considered to have survived thanks to Calke’s unbroken continuity of woodland cover.

The parkland at Calke is open every day from 7.30am to 7.30pm, or dusk. The new café is also open every day from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

The National Trust Leicester Association has now moved on to its summer programme of outings, visits and social events.

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

The Committee and Officers were re-elected unanimously, with the addition of Mrs Marilyn Palmer M.B.E. who was warmly welcomed.

After the AGM there was a most interesting talk by Matt Beamish. He is a Project Officer for University of Leicester Archaeological Services. He has worked as an archaeologist in Leicestershire since 1990.

From Ice Age To War Games Recent archaeological survey & excavation in Bradgate Park Mr Beamish explained that there had been a recent LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) aerial survey of Bradgate Park. This had revealed fantastic detail of the landscape which had not been visible from the surface. It had shown medieval field patterns and probable sites for stone age man. They had discovered many tools from the end of the ice-age. This site is of international importance.

The survey had led to excavation of many pits where digging had proved extremely fruitful. As well as tools, pottery and other artefacts they had found the foundations of a number of buildings. These had led to many further studies of the park and its history since the twelfth century. Armed with the new data the University has embarked on a series of excavations with the hope of discovering more about this wonderful and perhaps unique landscape.

The evening concluded with refreshments and a chance for members’ questions and discussion.

Further information from Peter Bertram 0116 210 0572 or visit the website:

www.focf.org.uk

Advance notice: There will be a visit to Ulverscroft Woods and Herbert’s Meadow led by Neil Pilcher of Leicester & Rutland Wildlife Trust on June 8th. Find out details on the Friends of the Charnwood Forest’s website.

Loughborough Celebrates The Queen’s 90th Birthday in Style!

This year is Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday - and there will be celebrating galore in Loughborough! A weekend of events is due to take place from 24th - 26th June, including the Town Twinning event and Picnic in the Park. Visit www.loveloughborough.co.uk for more details! Celebrate with your family, friends and wonderful community!

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Protect Your Pets - Get Them Chipped

Dog owners in Charnwood are being advised that microchipping their dogs is now law.

From April, it became compulsory for all dogs over the age of eight weeks in England to be fitted with a microchip, or owners could face prosecution and a fine of up to £500.

Charnwood Borough Council provides a microchipping service at a cost of £15 and is encouraging people to get their pets chipped following the changes.

Alan Twells, Head of Regulatory Services said: “The vast majority of owners have their dogs chipped already, but it’s now the responsibility of all owners to make sure it’s done.

“These changes mean a lost dog can be tracked down more easily and that will increase the chances of finding its owner.

“I’d encourage people to make sure their dog is chipped so they can help keep them safe and comply with the new rules.”

The Council’s microchipping service is provided by College Garth Kennels. To book an appointment call 01509 842 327.

The Dogs Trust also microchip pets. A local centre is in Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

For more information about the changes visit: www.gov.uk/get-your-dogmicrochipped

WALKERS WANTED:The Midsummer Meander

Walkers wanted for Leicester Rotary’s Midsummer Meander, a non-stop relay walk of the Leicestershire Round The Rotary Club of Leicester are delighted to announce their Midsummer Meander, a non-stop relay walk of the Leicestershire round, which will take place between the 17th and 19th of June 2016.

2016 marks the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Leicester. To celebrate their Centenary, the Rotary Club of Leicester has already raised more than £150,000 towards an overall target of £175,000 to fund the creation of a new Visitor Centre at Bradgate Park. The Midsummer Meander aims to raise an extra £5,000 towards the final total.

The Leicestershire Round is a circular walk of just over 110 miles, which is divided into 11 legs with each leg ranging in distance from 5 miles shortest to 15 miles longest.

The walk will start and finish in Bradgate Park by the Visitor Centre with the start on Friday evening 17th June and finishing hopefully late afternoon Sunday 19th June.

Each leg will be led by at least one member of the club and they are inviting members of the public to join them on one or more legs, providing they raise at least £30 per person for the Centenary appeal.

You can find more our about the Rotary Club of Leicester’s Centenary Appeal at www.facebook.com/ bradgateparknewvisitorcentre/ The Rotary Club of Leicester is one of the oldest and largest Rotary Clubs in the United Kingdom, with over 70 members, drawn from men and women living in, or whose business serves, the City of Leicester. It has a long association with Bradgate Park and the surrounding area, having bought the 125 acre Swithland Wood for preservation and opened it to the public as a nature reserve and country park in 1925. Later the Swithland Wood and Bradgate Park charities were merged to create the present Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood charitable trust.

WALK OUTLINE: Start: 6pm, Friday 17th June - Bradgate Park Car Park LEG 1: Bradgate Park to Mountsorrel. LEG 2: Mountsorrel to Frisby-on-theWreake. LEG 3: Frisby-on-the-Wreake to Somerby. LEG 4: Somerby to Hallaton.

LEG 5: Hallaton to Foxton Locks. LEG 6: Foxton Locks to Bruntingthorpe. LEG 7: Bruntingthorpe to Frolesworth. LEG 8: Frolesworth to Barwell. LEG 9: Barwell to Shackerstone. LEG 10: Shackerstone to Thornton. LEG 11: Thornton to Bradgate Park Finish: Approx 6pm, Saturday 18th June - Bradgate Park.

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Coming soon to a garden near you … It’s Rothley’s Big Dig! Over the weekend of 23rd and 24th July, Dr Julie Attard and her team of archaeologists from Leicester University, will be trying to make sense of Rothley’s past, from the Stone Age to Saxon times.

The team are hoping to find 40 suitable test pit sites at different locations around the village where a hole can be carefully excavated. This will not be more than one metre by one metre, and up to a metre deep. A member of the team will be in charge at every pit, but 3 to 4 volunteers will be needed to help with digging, sieving, sorting washing and transporting.

In her recent talk to the Rothley History Society, Dr Attard commented that Rothley had been chosen because ‘there are strong research questions to be answered’. For example, was there any prehistoric activity in what is now the centre of the village? Was there a Roman building there?

Anyone can volunteer to help find out more about Rothley’s past. Training and equipment are provided. For the project to be successful, 120 volunteers are needed and also 40 test pit sites, mostly in people’s gardens.

Dr Attard assured her audience that great care would be taken to replace the soil and turf of the pit and nothing would be visible after 6 months. The test pit owners will be presented with a souvenir report at the end of the project, as well as their finds, if the museum does not want them.

There were 2,000 finds when a similar dig took place in Anstey two years ago, so hopefully the Rothley event will prove equally successful. There is no upper or lower age limit for volunteers, and having a test pit dug in your garden can be an exciting family event.

If you, your family or someone you know would like to be involved in Rothley’s Big dig, please contact: charnwoodroots@ le.ac.uk or phone 0116 252 5946.

The Rothley dig is part of the Charnwood Roots Project which continues research that was commissioned originally in the reign of Queen Victoria.

One of the lesser known facts about the Queen, was that she wanted to have a published historical record of all the towns and villages in England. The Victoria County Historical Trust was formed and continued the publications for many years after Victoria’s death, and now, recently, this project has been restarted with new funding.

Press release from Ursula Greaves, Rothley History Society

Thurcaston & Cropston Gardening Club

The day before our March meeting the East Midlands had experienced one of the wettest 24 hours ever recorded, it meant that our speaker for the evening had to make 3 detours around flooded roads on his long journey from a small village near Newarke-on-Trent.

Alan Mason arrived flustered and a little late but after a drink and a few minutes to gather his thoughts he delivered a most enjoyable and very entertaining talk entitled “Drought Tolerant Gardening”.

Climate change is one of the biggest issues of our times and it could have a bearing on the plants we grow. Alan explained that with appropriate soil cultivation, plant choice and maintenance we can achieve a garden resistant to drought conditions.

Soil structure can be improved by digging in quantities of organic matter, choosing plants that have grey or silver foliage to reflect the suns rays help them to conserve moisture and also giving more consideration to the choice of plants for the soil type and the aspect of the site, this will encourage more tolerance when the plants experience varying climatic conditions.

Planting things whilst they are small helps plants to adapt to the conditions better as they mature, Spring is the best time, when the soil is starting to warm up. Avoid autumn planting as winter conditions could encourage root rot. After planting form a “dish-shaped” recess in the soil as this catches the water and feeds it down to the central roots helping to develop a system that is deep and strong. A layer of gravel, pebbles or similar helps to avoid evaporation. Give a little thought to the planning and execution of a ‘dry’ or ‘Mediterranean’ garden and you can have a garden as colourful and diverse as the gardens we see today; after a day of non-stop rain!

Alan has been a Head Gardener or Estate Manager at some of the finest houses in the north of England and his stories and anecdotes about his experiences were a joy, keeping his audience entertained throughout the evening.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 11th May when Jane Daykin will talk to us about Fuchsias. We will then meet on the 8th June for an evening visit to Whatton Gardens – Kegworth, Leicestershire.

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Enjoy A Day In Our Gardens Monday 30th May 2016, 11.00 - 5.00pm

National Garden Scheme

Now Spring is well and truly here, there is warmth in the sunshine, and the plants are starting to grow well, you might enjoy walking around eight cottage gardens in Main Street, Newtown Linford, all open as part of the National Garden Scheme. Several of the properties have the River Lin as a friend, either running through, or along the boundary.

We last opened our gardens two years ago and this year we are offering you two extra gardens including one on the opposite side of Main Street, with markedly different terrain and views So on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 30th May, from 11.00am until 5.00pm, Woodlands (86 Main Street), Lin Croft (88), Bank Cottage (90), Dell Cottage (92), Dingle House (94A), Pilgrim Cottage (97), Meadow Cottage (98), and Apple-tree Cottage (114) owners will be welcoming you to enjoy their gardens. Depending upon the early Spring this year we should have stunning displays of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Wisterias, a prolific Exochorda known as The Bride, and maybe some displays of tulips. You will be invited into a colourful courtyard garden, see a small lily pond, and gardens on many levels and on both sides of Main Street Home made teas will be available at Meadow Cottage (98) where you will be able to sit and relax. All the gardens have a southerly aspect so if the weather is fine you can enjoy the sunshine, the view, and the wonderful home made cakes.

In addition we will have a Plant Stall, including home grown seedlings, at Woodlands, and an old garden tool stall at Meadow Cottage.

Free parking for visitors has been kindly provided by The Linford, and also in an adjacent field to the Open Gardens at the junction of Main Street and Ulverscroft Lane by kind permission of Malcolm Brewin. These car parks will be clearly marked and are off Main Street.

The National Garden Scheme has been raising money for nursing and caring charities since 1927. Over 3700 gardens are just waiting to be discovered nationally and we are just 8 of those.

Unfortunately the gardens are not suitable for wheelchairs due to the steep slopes and numerous steps, and we ask you not to bring your dog.

Entrance £5 adults, children free, for all 8 gardens. We will be pleased to see you here in Newtown Linford.

For more detailed information see www.ngs.org.uk

Dick Howard Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens 2016 The 10th Open Gardens event in the villages of Thurcaston and Cropston will take place this summer on the weekend of 25th and 26th June.

All money raised from the event will go to LOROS and the villages’ new Good Neighbour Scheme.

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.

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.

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 Open Garden weekend.

For more information about this event, or to volunteer your garden, please have a look at our website 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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In The Garden...

With Joanne Kennedy Early flowering perennials should be giving your garden some colour this month but you may want to add to your borders. This is still a good time to do this as the soil is now warmer and we have longer days.

Perennial plants are those plants that, once put in, will come back every year. Some are evergreen and will stay throughout the year such as heucheras which are available in a lot of colours. Try ‘Marmalade’, ‘Plum Pudding’ or ‘Paris’.

These are reliable and only need tidying up of their dead leaves in Spring.

Other evergreen perennials you could use are euphorbias and dianthus.

Most perennials are not evergreen and disappear in the winter then shoot back up again in Spring.

Choose plants that will be happy in your soil and happy with the amount of sunlight they get.

Reliable perennials for a sunny border with a loamy soil are salvias such as Salvia nemerosa Caradonna partnered with pink lupins, scabious and bergenias at the front of the border.

Other plants to try at the front of the border are geraniums such as Rozanne or endresseii.

For a zingy hot, sunny border try a combination of coreopsis, heleniums, crocosmias and rudbeckias. There are come in a variety of oranges, yellows and reds for a splash of colour.

Things to do in the garden this month: • Keep weeds under control by hoeing the borders regularly.

• Plant out summer bedding and fill containers once the fear of frost has passed • Keep greenhouses ventilated by opening windows and doors. Fix an automatic opener to a window which does the opening for you and saves you coming home to a greenhouse of wilting plants.

• Mow lawns weekly.

• Take off the heads of daffodils but wait for the foliage to die back before cutting off.

• Water hanging baskets and containers.

• Prune early flowering shrubs such as forsythia and ribes as these will have finished flowering.

• Prune early flowering clematis such as Clematis montana if finished flowering.

• Keep tying in climbing roses shoots to the framework its supported by.

• Put in plant supports for tall perennials.

Plants of the Month that are looking their best are Rhododendrons, azaleas, late tulips and ceanothus.

If you need any help with planting or designing your garden please contact me on 07739 153516, through Facebook ‘Garden Blueprints’, Twitter @GardenBluPrints or via my website:

www.gardenblueprints.net Joanne Kennedy established Garden Blueprints in 2006 having qualified via Pershore College. Since then she has helped hundreds of clients with their design, redesign and planting requirements.

Plant Hunters’ Fair at Historic House

Plant Treats for Garden Lovers at Donington Le Heath Manor. Spring is in the air and it’s time to get out in the garden and get planning and planting for the year ahead and where better to get inspiration than at Donington Le Heath Manor’s Spring Plant Hunters’ Fair on Saturday 7th May from 10am - 4pm.

It’s a great place to find something different to get your gardening season off to a great start. The plants are lovingly grown by small specialist nurseries and these enthusiastic plants people are on hand to give honest, straightforward advice on choosing and growing the right plants for your garden. For true ‘plantaholics’ there are always those little treasures to discover that can’t be obtained elsewhere. Entry to the plant fair and gardens is just £1.00 with the entrance fee going to the Friends of the Manor who use all funds raised directly for the benefit of the Manor House and garden. Full details of nurseries attending at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Donington Le Heath Manor House, Manor Road, Donington Le Heath, Coalville Leics LE67 2FW. 01530 831259 Entry to Gardens & Plant Fair only £1.00 (Fund Raising Event for the Friends of the Manor).

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The Cardiac Centre of Exellence on Your Doorstep Norman Griffiths learns about the exciting research at Leicester’s Hospitals It can come as a shock if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a heart attack or find yourself opposite a consultant who tells you that you need heart surgery.

Relatives and friends will rally around and will invariably re-assure you that if it needs to be done, you can’t find a better place to have the procedure than at Glenfield Hospital with its reputation as a centre of excellence. Not only is the quality of care high, the hospital is also home to the University of Leicester British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre (CVRC).

Cardiovascular disease kills more than 160,000 people in the UK every year and the CVRC further strengthens and consolidates Leicester’s position as a leading international centre for heart research. It aims to bring together scientists, doctors and patients to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment available. The team at the CVRC is led by Professor Gavin Murphy, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Leicester.

“People who undergo heart surgery currently have a risk of suffering organ failure of up to 30 per cent,” he explained.

“This is caused by the inevitable trauma and stress the body undergoes during these operations, which can lead to organ damage. Current research is focused on finding new treatments that could be used to try to prevent this organ failure.”

The most affected organs are the heart, kidney and lungs. Clinical trials have taken place to look at the causes of kidney complications in adults and children. These include the preventative effects of certain medications and also the detection of specific particles in the blood released which may help identify patients at risk of kidney damage.

Blood transfusions can play a critical role in heart surgery and the team has identified that microscopic particles may be released from the blood cells during storage. The research involves the washing of blood cells immediately before transfusion to prevent the particles being transferred to the patient.

Research such as this needs patient involvement and to help facilitate this, a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group dedicated to the cardiac research project has been formed. The group meets to receive and comment on updates from the research teams and to help the professional staff by giving the patient and public perspective. Members also help make sure communication with patients is clear and easily understood and spread the word about the research that is going on at Leicester’s Hospitals.

Commenting on the part played by the PPI group Professor Murphy said: “By making the PPI part of our research strategy we will ensure that our research best reflects the needs and concerns of the community which it aims to help.

We would be unable to deliver our current research strategy without the commitment and time kindly given by the previous patients and members of the public who make up the group, which is directly making a difference to both patient experience and research success to an unprecedented extent.”

Those who get involved in volunteering for such groups often have first-hand experience themselves and one such member recalled how he provided practical help to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team to re-develop a website called ‘Activate Your Heart’, which provides a self-management tool for people who are getting themselves back on track after a heart attack or other cardiac event.

“Having been through the experience myself, I was able to give my perspectives on what information people in that situation benefit from knowing, including increasing their activity levels to build confidence,” he said. “A few years on it is extremely rewarding to see the website helping so many people to get through what can be a tough time.”

Terry Finnigan, a Groby resident of 20 years, is another prime example. Fourteen years ago he suffered a heart attack and collapsed at a Jubilee Party. He was lucky, as there were four nurses there who gave him lifesaving resuscitation until an ambulance took him to hospital. Three weeks later he had surgery at Glenfield Hospital and had a miniature Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) inserted which automatically sends a shock to restart his heart if it stops beating.

Terry is well aware that events could have gone the other way. His gratitude for such a lifesaving intervention and the extra years of active life it has given him have found expression in the tireless volunteer work he does for Leicester’s Hospitals. Not only is he a member of the PPI but he also relishes his involvement in the Take Heart Adult Cardiac Patient Support Group which meets for 2 hours at the Education Centre at Glenfield Hospital at 10.00am on the first Saturday of each month. It also provides him with the opportunity to talk to patients on the cardiac wards.

“For over 13 years I have been a Leicester’s Hospitals’ volunteer and member of Take Heart which supports the cardiac wards in all three hospitals, though primarily at Glenfield where I visit the cardiac wards,” he said. “I am able to talk to them while looking healthy and can therefore reassure them.”

And with a background as a semi-professional entertainer in Leicester he knows just how to put patients at ease and even put a smile on an anxious face. “I got involved with the PPI group a few years ago and so far am ‘spreading the word’ regarding Professor Gavin Murphy and the wonderful benefits of his research.”

If you would like to be involved in the PPI group or want more information you should contact the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Glenfield Hospital on 0116 258 3021 or email sp504@le.ac.uk To contact the Take Heart Support Group telephone Volunteer Services on 0116 258 7221, email thl@takeheartleicester. co.uk, or drop in to one of their monthly meetings.

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URGENT APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEER FAMILIES Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leics) are urgently seeking a volunteer host family who could offer a secure, loving home for an 8yr old girl from Belarus next summer. The girl lives with her family in a remote village that remains badly contaminated with radiation and the charity desperately need to find her a suitable placement so that she can join their recuperative care programme this summer.

The charity also needs to find volunteer hosts for two English speaking interpreters who will be accompanying the children on the charity’s programme as well as additional volunteer families who would be willing to host a vulnerable young child in their home.

All host families need to live within 30 mins commuting distance of the charity’s day centre in Markfield and should ideally have their own transport. On weekdays, hosts will be required to drop off their child/interpreter in Markfield between 8.30am and 9.00am and pick them up again at approx. 4.30pm. The children spend evenings and weekends with their host families.

All family members aged 18 and over will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and provide two referees.

There are no age restrictions but hosts need to be fit, able to manage a needy young child and willing to provide them with a loving and stable home for 4 weeks.

Group Coordinator John Buckby explained “We had a great response to our appeal before Christmas, but we still need more families to come forward.

Although the children will not be arriving until 30th July 2016, there are lots of formalities that have to be completed before they are able to travel and time is against us. We need to sign up potential hosts as soon as possible if we are to stand any chance of offering a place to this needy young girl and other children on our waiting list.

Hosting can be a hugely rewarding experience and I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in working in partnership with the charity to provide a life-changing recuperative holiday for a child on our programme.”

For more information visit www.focc-westleics.org.uk or contact John Buckby on 01455 285799 e-mail john.evolution@btinternet.com

www.focc-westleics.org.uk | john.evolution@btinternet.com | 01455 285799 Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leics) are part of a national charity which was founded in 1995. The charity is self-supporting and receives no statutory funding of any kind. There are 25 FOCC groups nationwide and the charity provides humanitarian assistance every year through their Family Hosting Programme to approx. 300 families who are living with the after effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Over the past 20 years the charity has provided respite breaks in the UK to thousands of needy children.

The group has been bringing children to West Leicestershire since 2009. The children are placed with local volunteer host families who work in partnership with the charity to provide recuperative care and essential respite from the conditions they endure in their homeland of Belarus, 80% of which was contaminated by radioactive fallout as a result of the 1986 nuclear explosion.

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A special last term at Dixie Who, what, where, when, why and how: The 12 April 2016 was a special day for all Dixie students in the Upper Sixth as it marked the first day of their last term at the school. For some students, this was a journey that started not just eight years ago, when they joined the Senior School in Year 6; not even fourteen years ago when they joined the Junior School in Reception; but fifteen or more years ago when they joined the Dixie Grammar School Pippins Nursery. Such is the case for Florence Pritchett, Greg Hancock, Damon Burrage and Ed Platts (Deputy Head Boy). When asked to share their memories of their time at Dixie so far, this is what they said: “Looking back it is hard to believe we are almost at the end of what has been such a huge part of our lives and such an amazing journey. It is remarkable to have spent so long with each other and to know each other so well and when you begin to look back, the first things you remember are the laughs, the jokes and the funny stories, from Ed crying on his first day at Pippins because he didn’t like the toast, to Greg getting stuck under a toilet door, to Damon dressing up in a tutu, wig and high-heeled knee boots for the Year 6 fashion show and enjoying it a little too much! Next, of course, come the trips and the big, memorable events, from Cadbury’s World and the day a helicopter and a rocket arrived at the Junior School, to skiing in Canada, hiking in Mozambique and undertaking work experience in France in the Senior School.

“Most remarkable, however, is how different we all are and how we are all set to take the next step in our education and lives, albeit in very different directions. Ever the keen sportsman, Greg is ready to take a gap-year and then continue his passion studying sport rehabilitation in London; Floss, with her farming family background and passion for food and nutrition, is looking forward to studying Food Production and Marketing at Harper Adams University; Damon, whose plans seem to change as often as his fashion and haircuts, has finally settled on studying Finance at university; and Ed, having learned to love the school toast, is looking forward to taking up his offer to study Chinese at Oxford.

“We really think that Dixie has a special quality and passes on to its students a real confidence to manage and succeed in all social and professional environments, a knowledge that success is always possible with hard work and a firm grounding in reality, built on strong relations between all members of the school community. We have loved every minute of being at the Dixie and now look forward to the future that it has helped us build.”

Top photo: Florence Pritchett, Second from top: Ed Platts & Damon Burrage. Bottom right photo: Greg Hancock, Damon Burrage, Ed Platts, Florence Pritchett. Bottom left photo: The Dixie Grammar School

The Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth CV13 0LE | www.dixie.org.uk | 01455 293 024 | 01455 292 244

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Site-Stone to Syston...

This month’s 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 benefits from 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 indeed, Otters, who are steadily re-populating the quieter stretches of the river.

Did you know 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 (and flavour) the plum features across the town’s welcome signs.

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

With interesting beginnings, great businesses and services 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 – there’s a little something of everything for the residents and visitors alike to this busy, little town.

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It’s Blooming Marvellous in Syston!

‘Syston in Bloom’ is a group that has been formed by the good people of the local area who wished to both enhance and promote the historic town of Syston, using what better way than the colour and beauty of gardening and horticulture.

Courtesy of the groups website: “Syston in Bloom is about the environment of the town as a whole, not just flowers and we have tried to reflect Syston’s heritage, as well as highlighting the best of what’s new.”

With good news that the group’s membership and volunteer base is growing it all bodes well for this year’s “East Midlands in Bloom” competition. The group lends considerable hand around town including the Library, Railway Station and some beautiful planters, along with weeding and litter picking (to name but a few contributions) to assist greatly in making the town look its best.

The group will be running its annual “Best Summer 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 than usual.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the group or perhaps even sponsoring or supporting their work by providing a tree or a shrub… “If you provide it, we’ll plant it!” then visit the team’s website for further information:

www.systoninbloom.co.uk

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Grace Dieu - Record Number of Scholarship Awards!

It has been a tremendously successful year at Grace Dieu Manor School. A record-breaking 16 pupils have been awarded Scholarships to top senior schools including Ratcliffe College, Denstone College, Dixie Grammar School, Foremarke, Loughborough Endowed Schools, King Edward’s School (Birmingham), Repton School, Trent College, Uppingham School.

The Scholarships were awarded for a number of different specialisms including Academic, All Rounder, ICT, Sport, Drama and Music. These coveted awards are a reflection of the hard work and dedication pupils have towards all aspects of their education at Grace Dieu.

Headmaster, Peter Fisher commented; “Staff are always delighted to hear when pupils have been recognised for the talented individuals they are. This year has been particularly gratifying in that so many of our pupils have been recognised as exceptional by the very best schools in the region. I am so very proud of our scholars, as I am about all our pupils. I wish all of this year’s leavers every success for the future as they soon embark upon the next stage of their education.”

Grace Dieu Manor School provides an excellent preparatory education for children aged 3-11 years.

To discover more about Grace Dieu and what we can offer your child come along to our Open Days between April 25th – 27th and visit our website www.gracedieu.com for more information and details of future open days.

The Monday Club Anstey, Cropston, Thurcaston & Rothley On Monday 11th April the Club Members welcomed two ladies, namely Claire and Sue from The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Company, a branch of which is resident in the Rowena Nurseries in Rothley.

A large assortment of menswear items and ladies wear was produced on rails and table tops for ease of viewing. The atmosphere was a very happy one as everyone sorted through items of interest and purchase.

As interest was expressed from the Membership as to the historical background of the company, I requested from Sue to email some details... she sent the below: “The Edinburgh Woollen was founded by Drew Stevenson in 1946 as the Langholm Dyeing and Finishing Company, undertaking the dyeing of yarn on a contract basis.

The development into retailing began in 1970, when David Stevenson, the eldest son of the founder and until 2001 the group’s chairman, opened the group’s first shop in Randolph Place, Edinburgh. In 1972 the decision was taken to retail the range of tartan and woollen garments in England, in addition to the domestic market within Scotland. The first branch south of the border opened in that year at 81 English Street, Carlisle.

EWMs chain of retail shops reached two hundred in 1993, when the EWM group acquired Grampian Woollen Mills and today’s group, still based at the Scottish border town of Langholm, now employs over 3,500 people.

The current chief executive is Philip Day and work continues in the development of the EWM brand, with the customer loyalty scheme as well as the development of core ranges to cater for the slightly younger customer while continuing to serve the existing customer base with value for money products.”

I was grateful to Sue for this input.

The Meeting continued with further browsing, together with refreshing cups of tea and biscuits.

Our next Meeting, on May 9th, will be our Annual Coach trip. We shall return to the Cropston Evangelical Chapel Hall, Station Road, on the 13th June when we shall welcome Mr. James Craven from Queniborough to speak to us about “The History of Perfume”.

If you would be interested in coming along to join with us, you will be most welcome. The Meeting starts at 2.00pm for 2.15pm. For any further details please ring me on 0116 2363467 .

- Ann Farndon May / June 2016

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Liven Up Your Living Space With Colour & Style If you’re looking for that special something to bring your room to life, adding warmth and style, look no further than the wonderful Oakham Rugs...

Oakham Rugs was established in 1993 by husband and wife team Christian and Fiona Hawker. They have an extensive knowledge of hand knotted rugs and the shop stocks an incredibly wide range of these in all sizes, from across the world. The range of colours and designs is extensive with fabulous choices for both contemporary and period homes.

The rugs are exceptionally hard wearing, the majority being made of wool, although some of the finer ones are made of silk. On top of this the rugs are offered at very reasonable prices.

What makes Oakham Rugs really unique though, is that you can design your own rug by choosing the colours from 300 samples which can be made in any size you require.

A new range in stock are the ultra-contemporary vintage over dyed. These are old Persian rugs which have had the original colour removed and then they’re over dyed with a more current colour such as magenta, teal, fuchsia, lime green and many others. They also come in patchworks.

If you are looking for something more traditional, a charming selection of antique rugs are offered in stock. Fiona and Christian also offer a special service where they will come to your home to advise you on the best rug for your requirements As you browse the Aladdin’s Cave you are sure of a warm welcome and plenty of advice is on hand should you need any.

The shop also offers a specialist rug cleaning and repair service The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am til 5.00pm. You can also view their website for some inspiration to refresh any room.

www.oakhamorientalrugs.co.uk | Tel: 01572 724441 | mail@oakhamorientalrugs.co.uk

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DOGS AT THE READY FOR.... PAWS 4 A CAUSE Did you know dogs can raise money for charity too? That’s right, Paws 4 A Cause is back, giving both pet owners and their furry friends the chance to fundraise vital funds for LOROS. On Saturday 8th May, pet owners and their dogs are invited to take part in a 4km walk around Abbey Park for LOROS Hospice.

Those without pets are also welcome, as there will be a selection of blow-up pets available to purchase and walk the route with too.

LOROS Fundraising Co-ordinator Laura Fitzsawyer said: “Paws 4 A Cause was great fun last year and we’re hoping this year’s walk will be even more so.

“Entry is free, all we ask is that you and your pet raise money for LOROS by asking family, friends and colleagues to sponsor you and your dog.”

There will also be the opportunity for dog owners to get a professional photo taken of their dog, thanks to The Love DOG Project.

Giving pet owners the chance to dress their pooches in a range of accessories, including neckerchiefs, glasses and bow ties, The Love DOG Project will be running a dog photo shoot stand especially for LOROS. Pet owners will be able to buy a fully-mounted 7x5” photo of their dog for the extra special price of £12.

“This is more than just a walk, it’s the chance for families, whether they have a dog or not, To to come and enjoy a day out for LOROS,” added Laura. register “It’s always nice to see so many people enjoying themselves and the dogs having a receive & great time too.” fundrais a free ing p Starting times for the event, which is being sponsored by Mars Petcare UK, are 10am visit: loros.co ack .uk/ and 11am. paws

Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves Local History Group Our guest speaker, Bob Trubshaw, is an historian who has researched extensively on Anglo-Saxon England. But it was as an authority on ‘Medieval Church Carvings’ that he addressed the group.

For several years he has been gathering information on Leicestershire’s gargoyles, holy wells, ancient crosses and standing stones. Perhaps the best known of his many books is the ‘Good Gargoyle Guide.’

In his talk he introduced us to a variety of imaginary beasts, face-pulling heads, contortionists and green men to be found on churches throughout the county. A few years ago he was one of the contributors to Project Gargoyle which aimed to record the variety of ancient waterspouts constructed to keep the rain off the ancient stonework of many of the county’s medieval churches.

The project recorded photographically gargoyle carvings from the 12-19th centuries. The best preserved of these are inside churches where they have been protected from the ravages of storm and pollution. Many appear as corbels and are found high up on chancel walls supporting the roof timbers. Flecks of paint can still be seen on some which indicate that faces of green men and Foliage-sprouting lion heads were often painted garishly. Some of the best examples in the county are in the medieval capitals on the aisle columns at Wymondham. Several ‘Green men’ appear at Oakham and the story of the fox and geese is depicted at Tilton on the hill. Contorted faces are shown on the springs between columns at Church Langton and on the hood stops at the end of door arches. Carvings of monarchs are represented by the inclusion of a crown whilst square headdresses define a woman. Animals are frequently depicted. There are asses ears at Foxton, a dancing bear at Ashby Folville, a cow’s head at Beeby and a gurning sheep at Thorpe Arnold who could have been an ancestor one of Shaun the Sheep.

Masons occasionally left cheeky caricatures of local village craftsmen, as at Ryhall, as well as leaving self-portraits in less prominent corners. More ominous are some hideous skull carvings reminding parishioners of their mortality and images of lepers (Burton Lazaars) probably a reference to the church’s support of the charitable work of the Knight’s Templar.

Only the church at Croxton Kerrial has any examples of misericords (carvings on the choir stall seats) although some fine wood carvings also exist like the lion head at Whissendine; which may have been painted or gilded originally.

Perhaps the most amusing revelation of the evening was the variety of risqué carvings that can be identified in the county.

At Stoke Golding there are carvings of acrobats, face pullers, tongue pokers and a well-endowed male exhibitionist!

Mooning men along with Demons and dragons can be seen at Bottesford and in several churches in the Oakham area Bob’s excellent talk concluded with a mention of his latest publication, a Gargoyle hunting guide for children.

Photo: Loughborough All Saints roof boss © Steve Harris

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Contact The Elderly Charity urgently appeals for volunteers to help ‘drive away loneliness’ among older people in Loughborough Contact the Elderly, the charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older people, is urgently appealing for volunteers living in Loughborough to spare just a few hours each month to drive one or two older people to a local tea party - and enjoy a cuppa and a cake themselves!

The charity aims to relieve the acute loneliness of isolated older people, aged 75 and above, who live alone, by organising free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups within local communities – providing a regular and vital friendship link every month.

Each older guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver, and taken to a host’s home, where they join a small group for tea, chat and companionship.

Contact the Elderly’s Midlands Support and Development Officer, Prabina Lord, said: “The charity is committed to offering a lifeline of friendship to the oldest and loneliest people. Anyone who can spare a couple of hours one Sunday a month, has a driving licence, a car, and a capacity for drinking tea, is eligible to volunteer! It’s not a big commitment, and our volunteers genuinely get as much out of the experience as our older guests, so I’m calling for anyone who is interested in giving something back to their community to please get in touch with me as soon as possible.”

Loughborough residents interested in volunteering for Contact the Elderly as a driver once a month can contact Prabina Lord, Support and Development Officer Midlands on 0161 460 2950 or email prabina.lord@contact-the-elderly.org.uk

Reborn Cyclist at 68 years of age

A local Leicester man, Rod Weston, 68 is set to take part in the 100 mile LondonRide, on Sunday 31st July 2016 to raise funds for MS (Multiple Sclerosis Society). Rod’s wife of 15 years, Jan was diagnosed with MS more than 30 years ago, and due to her positive attitude has kept fighting the condition, however, in the last 5 years Jan has deteriorated substantially and is now 100% dependant on Rod, as her full time carer.

Rod’s cycling history started back in his teenage years, and soon became a great passion of his. Racing for the Leicestershire Road Club, and competing in time trials across the country, unfortunately his foray into cycling was short lived, as he was involved in a nasty accident that left him with a fractured skull and in and out of hospital for three months. On the advice of the doctors, cycling was not a sport he could further pursue.

So after 46 years, and the accident a very distant memory, Rod got back on his bike and instantly fell in love again. He has been cycling for the last 3 years, and has joined a Road Club, which takes him on fabulous rides all over the county.

He is now averaging 150 miles a week, in preparation for the charity ride in the Summer.

The London Cycle Ride celebrates the legacy for cycling which was created by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 starts in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside. It’s a truly spectacular event for all involved.

The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 finishes on The Mall in central London, shortly before 150 professional cyclists race in the Prudential RideLondon Surrey Classic on a similar route. As Rod wanted to help fundraise for his chosen charity, especially with it being so close to his heart, the London Ride was a perfect event for him, combining his two great loves, his wife and cycling.

You can help Rod raise money for this great cause by donating directly to their fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/ Rod-Weston JustGiving sends your donation straight to Multiple Sclerosis Society and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.

Thank you for your support!

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The Great Food & Drink Festival Nottingham Castle Welcomes the Return of The Great Food and Drink Festival The Great Food and Drink Festival will be returning to Nottingham Castle over the May Bank Holiday (28th – 30th May). The event had over 10,000 people attend last year and with another star studded line-up of celebrity chefs, the event looks like it will be even bigger in its second year!

Celebrity Chef Tom Kerridge, who only does four food festivals a year, is just one of the celebrity chefs coming down to Nottingham for this great event.

Kerridge will do three cooking demonstrations on the Saturday (28th) of the event and will be joined by two more celebrity chefs, Nadiya Hussain, the current champion of the Bafta award winning show The Great British Bake-off (29th) and Rustie Lee (30th).

There will be a vast variety of food, drink, crafts and entertainment for all ages to enjoy at the incredibly beautiful grounds of Nottingham Castle for the festival. With a range of live music thrown in on each day which is performed by fantastic local talent, there certainly is something for everyone. With a multitude of rides, soft play area, Punch and Judy shows and a whole lot more, even the little ones will have a fantastic day out!

With over a hundred stalls set to be at Nottingham Castle, you will not be disappointed in the variation, diversity and tastes that you’ll be able to acquire. There will be stalls from Mister V, Nachos Amigos, I Love Ostrich and a lot more including a range of artisan crafts.

So if you’d like to know more about The Great Food and Drink Festival go to www.greatfoodanddrinkfestivals.co.uk where you’ll be able to see more on the chefs, exhibitors and live music acts!

For your chance to win 1 of 5 family tickets* to The Great Food & Drink Festival at Nottingham Castle over the late May bank holiday weekend, simply answer the following question...

Q: Which BBC baking show did Nadiya Hussain win in 2015?

Please email your answer, along with your name and quoting ‘The Bradgate Magazine’ to : luke@allabouttourism.co.uk

Good Luck Everyone!

WIN

TICK

ETS

*Family tickets allow entry for 2 adults & 4 children to 1 day of the 3 day event

May / June 2016

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Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society The March meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society was an illustrated talk given by Terry Shepherd (Rothley Heritage Team and Charnwood Roots) entitled “The Problem of the Poor: a look at relieving poverty from Elizabethan times, and the workhouse regime of the Barrow on Soar Poor Law Union.”

Terry Shepherd first explained the history of the Poor Laws from the time of Elizabeth I. The first Poor Relief Act was passed in 1601; this Act ensured that the local parish and a Vestry Committee were to oversee the poor and to dispense relief to those in want. From that time a poor rate was levied on households within the parish to pay for the relief.

Under this system relief was dispensed in one of two ways, either indoor relief, i.e. inside the workhouse where the poor were provided with accommodation and work, or outdoor relief in the form of payments, clothing, or food, e.g. loaves of bread. The cost of building and maintaining workhouses was high, so outdoor relief was the main form of relief.

This system continued with small amendments until the 1782 Relief of the Poor Act (Gilbert’s Act) was passed to combat the now excessive costs of outdoor relief. It promoted indoor alternatives and allowed parishes to combine together to support the poor. Barrow on Soar together with other local parishes formed the Barrow on Soar Incorporation with a workhouse ‘House of Industry’ in Barrow.

With the passing of the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834 parishes were organised into new Poor Law Unions. The Barrow-upon-Soar Poor Law Union was formed. Thurcaston and Cropston were part of this Union that included 30 local parishes. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, with members of the Board, from each constituent parish. The Board included farriers, glaziers and millers as well as clergy and magistrates. Money was raised by bonds to pay for a new workhouse in Rothley parish (called the Mountsorrel Workhouse), which opened in 1840 close to the quarry that would provide work. We were shown plans of the workhouse showing large single-sex dormitories and work areas. All workhouse procedures were regulated and the Master of the workhouse kept record books of admissions and discharges, financial statements etc. We were able to see some of the entries, giving details of the finances and individuals’ stories.

The Poor Law system came to an end in 1930 but vulnerable people continued to live in the workhouse building, as it later became the Glenfrith hospital. Only a section of the front entrance now remains.

Rothley Heritage has applied for Lottery Funds to create a workhouse exhibition in the chapel in Rothley Cemetery (where many of the paupers were buried in unmarked graves). Funds would also be used to build a model of the workhouse, and for research volunteers to find information, illustrations and story telling material to be made into films. Terry mentioned that if the application were successful, volunteers would be needed for this project, and also for the Rothley Big Dig, which is taking place on 23rd, 24th July this year.

The next meeting will take place in the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston, on Tuesday 17th May, at 7.30pm with Peter Tyldesley’s talk entitled “Bradgate Park: Making the Connections”. The June meeting will be a visit to the Leicester University dig in Bradgate Park. New members and visitors are always welcome.

ROTHLEY HISTORY SOCIETY At our March meeting we welcomed back Julie Ede, who gave a fascinating talk on Queen Eleanor of Castile (left). We heard of her life, her arranged marriage to Prince Edward I, her death and legacy of 12 memorial “crosses” which were constructed in her memory in each place where her cortege rested on its way from Lincoln to Charing Cross in London. Her body was finally being laid to rest in Westminster Abbey.

On 18th May our speaker will be Geoff Feavyour talking on ‘Leicestershire Police – A History in a Painting’. He will tell us how he completed the research for, and commissioned a painting, showing the development of police uniform from 1836 to present day – how the painting came to be created and some of the historical characters in it.

Our final meeting before the summer break will be on 15th June. The subject will be “Wyggeston’s Hospital” and the speaker will be the Master, Reverend Anthony R. Leighton.

On 23 & 24 July, Rothley History Society will be supporting the teams in “Rothley’s Big Dig”. Dr. Julie Attard from the Charnwood Roots Project said, “A team of archaeologists from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services Unit will lead the dig with us and we expect to involve between 120 and 150 local volunteers. An undertaking such as this relies on the goodwill of local people. It’s success relies on people to offer up a small 1 metre by 1 metre square of their back gardens. An army of diggers, sifters and pot washers are also required to help with the excavations and finds processing”. If anyone would like to get involved in any way, please make contact with any committee member of Rothley History Society, or Dr. Attard at Leicester University.

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

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PUSH THE BOAT OUT THIS MAY! Four sailing clubs and centres around Rutland are inviting you and your family to try sailing for FREE or low cost when RYA Push The Boat Out bids to get the county afloat RYA Push The Boat Out is the nationwide ‘have-a-go’ at sailing festival, organised by sailing’s national governing body, giving all comers the chance to get on the water and experience a sport you might never have thought was possible right on your doorsteps from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 May. The four clubs and centres ready to help you Push The Boat Out are Rutland SC near Oakham, Rutland Watersports at Whitwell, Tallington Watersports near Stamford and the Leicestershire & Rutland Youth Sailing Association (LRYSA) on John Merricks Lake, near Syston.

Events can include dinghy sailing, windsurfing, bigger boats, sailing for the disabled and even powerboat rides, and although each event is different, all are geared to appeal to as many people as possible, regardless of age, ability or experience.

Check out the RYA Push The Boat Out website at www.rya.org. uk/go/PTBO to find out exactly who’s doing what and when.

No fewer than 25 clubs and centres across the East Midlands are hosting 2016 RYA Push The Boat Out events, amongst 400 nationally. Last year almost 28,500 newcomers nationwide discovered sailing through RYA Push The Boat Out. All you will need to enjoy the RYA Push The Boat Out events is some comfortable clothes and old trainers you don’t mind getting wet and, weather depending, a waterproof and/or sunscreen. Buoyancy aids, equipment and safety brief will be provided by the venues and refreshments will be available.

To get inspired and for full event details visit www.rya.org.uk/go/PTBO

WARNING: KEEP YOUR KEYS OUT OF SIGHT!

Police would like to warn residents to keep keys out of sight to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.

Over the last few months we have received a number of reports of break-ins where windows have been broken in order to reach keys left near windows or in doors. During these incidents, thieves managed to reach both house and car keys which were then used to either gain entry to the property or to steal the vehicle off the victims driveway. We have also received reports of people reaching through letterboxes to steal keys left on sideboards and hallway tables.

We would therefore like to urge all residents to ensure that they keep all keys out of sight and to keep them away from windows, doors and letterboxes, ideally in a locked drawer or cupboard if possible.

We would also like to urge people to report anything suspicious to us by calling 101 in a non-emergency or 999 for a crime in progress.

Leicestershire Police

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May On The GCR

There is a varied selection of events this month; for the youngsters Peppa and George, for the older generation a real ale train, a classic and vintage car weekend, Railways at Work, a Bank Holiday Steam Special and a good variety of Dining Trains to choose from.

PEPPA PIG AND GEORGE

BANK HOLIDAY STEAM SPECIAL

Saturday-Monday April 30th-May 2nd

Monday 30th

Peppa and George everyone’s favourite piggies will be visiting during the May Bank Holiday weekend, meet them at Loughborough Station for photo opportunities so don’t forget your camera. Steam train rides funfair rides, face painting and much more to see.

MIDWEEK RUNNING Tuesday 31st

Trains will be running hourly from Loughborough starting at 10.15 until 3.15.

REAL ALE TRAIN Saturday Evening 14th

Enjoy Real Ale and pie and pickles on the move with two round trips through the Leicestershire countryside, this trip because of limited seats must be booked via the internet. The first trip departs Loughborough at 6pm.

CLASSIC & VINTAGE CAR WEEKEND Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th

A vintage festival with a great selection of classic cars and vintage vehicles on display at Quorn and Woodhouse Station with steam trains passing in the background and with a real ale bar in the Tin Shed.

RAILWAYS AT WORK Friday-Sunday 20th-22nd

A busy all steam timetable will be in operation throughout the day.

This event is now a three day event with guest locomotive GWR 2-8-0T No 4247 visiting from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway Trust in its centenary year, another guest is also expected. A busy timetable is planned with passenger and goods workings, a steam engine will be at Quorn shunting around the goods shed with period vehicles showcasing how the railways moved freight around the country to towns and villages before mass road transportation took over.

DINING TRAINS All the favourites are running this month with a Pullman Fine Dining with Live Jazz on Friday the 27th.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS IN JUNE The big event this month is 1940s Wartime Event on the 3rd to 5th, Midweek Running on every Wednesday, the third Model Event takes place on the 17th to 19th, on the last Sunday the 26th sees the Swap Meet at Quorn.

Dining Trains sees the regular trains with extras including Maharaja Express on the 1st, three Murder Mystery’s on the 4th, 10th and 24th (these first two events are fully booked), an extra Charnwood Forester on Friday the 17th, Father’s Day Luncheon on the 19th, Wine and Dine Wednesday on the 22nd.

PHOTO: Recreating the past BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92214 departs Quorn with a mineral train during a gala. Lengthy trains of mineral wagons were common sight on the line between Annesley and Woodford Halse carrying coal from Nottinghamshire to the south, the regular service gained a reputation for fast running gaining the nickname ‘Windcutters’’ by enthusiasts and ‘Runners’ by enginemen.

This train should be running during the Railways at Work Weekend.

For all the latest information visit the website at: www.gcrailway.co.uk or phone Loughborough on 01509 632323 May / June 2016

Dave Allen, Duty Station Master, Rothley.

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WHAT’S ON MUSIC IN THE PARK Saturday 11th June 2016 This highly popular annual charity concert is taking place on Saturday 11th June in the beautiful grounds of Wistow Hall, and is a great night out for all ages.

Bring your own picnic and enjoy a wonderful evening listening to music by local covers band ‘Double Yellers’ and the award winning ‘Hathern Brass Band’.

The evening finishes with a fabulous fireworks display in front of Wistow Hall.

The concert is raising money for “LOROS” and “Leicester Charity Link”.

Adult night 16yrs Free.

£15.00 (on the £20.00), 10 £5, Under 10’s FREE Parking.

Gates open 5.30pm.

Concert Starts 7.30pm.

Fireworks Display 10.00pm Ticket Hotline : 0116 231 8431

Newtown Linford Choral Society SONGS ON SCREEN

YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC FROM FILM & TV Tickets are now available for the Choral Society’s Summer Concert to be held in Newtown Linford Village Hall on Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June. Our theme this year is music from films and TV shows. You can therefore expect to hear us perform songs from films such as Toy Story, Sister Act and the Bond films, from TV shows including Dad’s Army and Morecambe and Wise – and even some featured in commercials! The concert will be compered by the ever amusing Len Matthews.

An excellent two course supper will be included on the Friday and Saturday nights, when there will be a 7.15pm start. On Thursday night ‘nibbles’ will be provided, and there will be an 8 pm start. There will be a licensed bar on all three nights..

In previous years there have been capacity audiences for the June concerts, and so don’t delay in buying tickets! Ticket prices for Thursday night are £8 (£5 children age 14 and under). For Friday and Saturday nights prices are £18 (£9 children) Tickets available from Peter and Iris Sayer on 01530 243822.

More Info : www.wistow.com Why not take the hassle out of making a picnic? Hampers can be ordered in advance from the Wistow Café and collected at the concert on the night. Ring 0116 259 3756 for more details.

Tickets can be purchased from Baileys at Wistow Rural Centre, Glebe Garden Centre (Countesthorpe) and at all 24 LOROS Shops throughout Leicestershire & Rutland.

Friends of Belgrave Cemetery Annual Open Day Visitors to Belgrave Cemetery are being offered the chance to find out more about this Victorian cemetery.

The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery are holding their Annual Open Day on Sunday 8th May, and will be offering visitors two guided walks. Join the 10:30 walk to learn more about the Symbols and Meanings of Memorials or take part in the 1:30 walk to find out about the yew trees and their place in the history of the cemetery.

We will also be laying a floral tribute to mark the anniversary of the first burial in the cemetery, of a baby, 135 years ago.

Tea, coffee and cake will be available, and Members will be on hand to help locate family headstones.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Formed over ten years ago, in the wake of vandalism and graffiti damage to family headstones in the cemetery, the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery now focus their efforts on increasing public awareness of this Victorian gem. The Friends motto is ‘Protecting the past and caring for the future’.

More information can be obtained from the Friends Chairman, Dorothy Marshall on 0116 267 2018 or email: dfmarshall@talktalk.net

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Charnwood Orchestra’s Spectacular Concert Saturday 2nd July 2016, 7.30pm Charnwood Orchestra’s season ends in spectacular style with an exciting concert of twentieth century English music including The Planets. The concert will be in the Church of St James the Greater, London Road, Leicester on Saturday 2nd July starting at 7.30. There will be an interval bar.

The programme consists of three pieces by Vaughan Williams: The Wasps Overture; Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’ and his Tuba concerto followed by Holst’s monumental orchestral suite The Planets.

Tickets cost £12, £10 (concessions) and £3 for accompanied children under 16. They can be bought by Paypal from www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk , from the Box Office (07718 153117) or judithrodgers155@gmail.com or from Visit Leicester, 51, Gallowtree Gate, Leicester (0116 299 4444), from members of the orchestra or on the door.

Overture “The Wasps” Vaughan Williams In 1909, Vaughan Williams was asked to write the incidental music for a production of Aristophanes’ play The Wasps.

VW obliged with an overture and 17 other items. The music was a huge hit. Although the play is strongly satirical, the music is consistently jolly and good-natured, reflecting the sound and spirit of English folk songs (even though there are no actual folk songs, nor Greek music, nor Greek scales; only a very waspish buzzing.) The overture quickly entered the concert repertoire as a stand-alone piece.

Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan Williams is an exquisite four-minute orchestral miniature that has far eclipsed the song it was inspired by, Greensleeves, a traditional melody that was doing the rounds in the days of the Tudors.

Originally it was used in the third act of the composer’s Shakespeare-inspired opera Sir John in Love but has become a popular piece on its own. VW manages to capture the very essence of England, the serene, pastoral sounds evoking images of bucolic bliss.

While some view the Tuba Concerto by Vaughan Williams as the eccentric idea of an aging composer, it soon became one of his most popular works, and an essential part of the tuba repertoire. VW wanted to give the tuba a rare chance to take centre stage and went to considerable efforts to study its capabilities. True, its elephantine humour is exploited in the first movement, but its unsuspected agility is given rein too; the slow movement has a main theme of lyrical beauty and in the Finale, the tuba romps amid the dancing strings, like Falstaff among the fairies in Windsor Forest.

Our soloist, Stephen Calow is the young Leicestershire musician. He is no stranger to the orchestra but his first time performing with us a soloist.

The Planets Suite by Holst must be one of the most famous and popular pieces of English music in the world (excluding pop music!) It was also Holst’s largest orchestral work, consisting of “seven influences of destiny and constituents of our spirit”. It originated from his study of astrology which had helped him come to terms with a period of musical disappointments. Holst began to write Mars just before the outbreak of war in 1914 followed by Venus and Jupiter, then Saturn, Uranus and Neptune and finally Mercury in 1916. He then arranged them in the playing order Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, not the astronomical order. He explained the astrological pattern as symbolising the unfolding experiences of life from youth to old age (although others dispute this meaning).

Surprisingly, Holst was most dismayed by the international popularity of the suite.

Bradgate Drama Society’s Spring Mystery For this year’s Spring production Bradgate Drama Society is presenting a classic ‘whodunnit’, Aldous Huxley’s ‘The Gioconda Smile’.

In 1940’s suburbia, Emily, the invalid wife of rich art dealer Henry Hutton, dies in mysterious circumstances. Did she die at Henry’s hand to make room for a younger woman? Was the Nurse the culprit or was someone else involved in her demise? Follow the twists and turns of the plot through to its final denouement as the suspect sits in the condemned cell.

This play is a rare excursion into drama for Aldous Huxley, a writer mainly remembered for his novels including Brave New World and Eyeless in Gaza. The Bradgate Drama Society production features an exciting mix of new and established actors to bring the play to life and maintain the tension to the very end.

Performances will be on Thursday 5th, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th May at 7.30pm in Newtown Linford Village Hall.

Tickets are £7, available from Toby Manning (01530 245298 or ptm@tobymanning.co.uk) May / June 2016

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ugh

Loughboro

SOAR VALLEY MOUNTSORREL

BOWLING CLUB

Friday 13th May

WALK: The River at Barrow A Wildlife Walk at the river at Barrow on Soar at 10am until 12 noon. From Loughborough on A6 take first exit towards Barrow. After roundabout turn left at Flesh Hovel Lane and park by allotments. Postcode - LE12 8FP. SK565174.

Friday 13th May

TALK: Birds of Sherwood Forest A talk by Andy Lowe. Andy has been a bird ringer since 1974 and a Conservation Officer with Notts Wildlife Trust for 12 years. His talk will cover aspects of GPS logging of Nightjars and Cuckoos - for example the nightjar study since 2000, has trapped over 1000 birds and found nearly 800 nests He will also explain some aspects of bird ringing. 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.

Sunday 15th May

TRIP: Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Join the group on a coach trip to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire. Depart from Loughborough University at 8.00 am, fare £20 plus admission to the reserves. Booking is essential for this trip..

Monday 13th June

WALK: Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve Wildlife Walk at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve at 10am until 12 noon. Location: Take the M69 to Coventry, then A46. At A45 junction keep left & take first exit from roundabout then left in 250 metres following signs to reserve which is 1½ miles on right. SP386761. Nearest Post Code CV3 3GW. Full details of all of the events including finding the venue, booking the trips etc can be found on the group’s website:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough

Now is the Month of Maying!

Saturday 7th May, 7:30pm Shepshed Singers bring you their latest concert conducted

by Nicholas Scott- Burt.

In one evening, a whole year’s worth of madrigals, part songs and jazz arrangements, beginning and ending in the merry month of May. Tickets cost £10 (U16s free) to include wine or a soft drink in the interval and are available from tickets@ shepshedsingers.org.uk or The Paper Shop in Barrow, members of the choir and at the door.

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Barrow upon Soar May / June 2016

After a very eventful 2015 during which the club were awarded £42,000 funding from Sports England, which enabled work to take place that transformed the bowling green’s surrounds, and enabled the installation of a new automatic irrigation system the club is in a first class position to provide excellent facilities for its members and new members for the new bowling season which opened on April 9th.

We are especially keen to encourage non bowlers both male and female to take up the sport, and to help achieve this the Club is offering a free year’s membership to all ages. So why not come along and join us, we would be delighted to see you, and don’t worry about equipment or dress as we are very relaxed about new comers and can supply equipment to help. We would also welcome any established bowlers who wish to join, and can offer both casual and competitive bowls throughout the summer.

Our Men’s Section prides itself by entering more club teams than any other locally to play in the Loughborough and District bowls League, giving all our members the opportunity to play on a regular basis. Our Ladies Section also offers regular bowling throughout the season, and would make any new member very welcome.

Interested? Then please have a look at our new club website: www.soarvalleybowlsclub.co.uk where you will find further information about us, or please give Stewart a call on 0116 2363628, or Shirley on 0116 2364246, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Soar Valley Mountsorrel Bowling Club, Loughborough Road, Rothley LE7 7NL.

Whitwick & District U3A

The next monthly meeting of Whitwick and District U3A will be on Friday 20th May: this will be the Annual General Meeting.

In addition, this will be another opportunity to discover what the U3A has to offer to those no longer in full time employment or approaching retirement. Our members are involved in a wide range of Interest Groups with something to attract most tastes.

At the AGM, Group Leaders and others will be available to answer any questions and pass on information about our U3A. After the official business, our own Fun Choir will give a performance to entertain everyone and showcase items from their repertoire.

To listen to the Fun Choir and discover more about our thriving and friendly U3A, come along on 20th May to St. David’s Church Hall, Broom Leys, Coalville LE67 4RL at 1.45 for a 2.00pm start.

The U3A is a non-political and non-religious organisation: everyone is welcome.

Full details of our friendly and thriving U3A can be found on our up-to-date website: www.whitwicku3a.org.uk

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This month's Crossword...

ACROSS 7. US state whose capital is Montpelier (7) 8. A wave with a white breast (7) 10. See 16 Down (8) 11. A freshwater fish of the carp resembling a roach (4) 12. New York street synonymous with theatre (8) 14. The stoat during winter when its coat becomes white (6) 15. Author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and The Queen and I (3,8) 19. A condition in golf when the path to the hole is blocked by someone else’s ball (6) 20. Royal castle on the river Dee (8) 22. Catherine ____ , 6th wife of Henry VIII (4) 23. Sport associated with John Curry and Robin Cousins (3,7) 25. The capital of the Falkland Islands (7) 26. Oliver Stone film that won Best Picture Oscar in 1986 (7)

DOWN

Mar / Apr Crossword Solution

1. A collection of reminiscences typically written in retirement (7) 2. The Red ___, Lincoln City FC nickname (4) 3. and 9 Composer of the musicals Cats and Starlight Express (6,5,6) 4. See 6 () 5. The state capital of California (10) 6. 2005 film starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn (7,8) 9. See 3 (5,6) 13. A blue variety of beryl used in jewellery (10) 16. 1999 film for which Michael Caine won an Oscar (3,5,5,5,) 17. American city - host of the 1996 Olympics (7) 18. Administrative headquarters of Somerset (7) 21. The ____ Lads, TV series starring Rodney Bewes and James Bolam (6) 24. Adopted name of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz (4)

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Film Presentations from

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council

March’s powerful drama, “Suffragette”, showed that even in the early twentieth century, the treatment of women in society was poor. It was interesting to see newsreel footage of the events of the decade.

Carey Mulligan’s character had to give up her little boy for adoption and her husband, to continue the fight for women’s emancipation. We were kept in suspense at the race course, not realising that their actions were bound to end in death. The film was certainly thought-provoking.

“Brooklyn”will be shown on May 13th and lasts 112minutes.

Nominated for three Academy Awards, “Brooklyn” stars Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent. Set in the early 1950’s, this historical drama was adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby. A young Irish woman named Eilis emigrates to Brooklyn where she finds a happy life..However, when she needs to visit her mother back in Ireland, she faces a dilemma. Should she stay with her family and return to her previous existence or return to her new life in the United States?

“The Dressmaker” will be shown on June 10th and lasts 118 minutes.

June’s comedy drama, starring Kate Winslett, is a 1950’s Australian tale of revenge, family and the transformative power of clothes. While still a child, Tilly was sent away from her township for supposedly doing something unforgivable. Having trained as a seamstress in Paris, Tilly returns, fashionably dressed, to her mother who needs her nursing care. Gradually, the townsfolk are won round, perhaps bewitched, by Tilly who discovers eventually what had really happened during her childhood. .

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost no more than £5 and concessions will still be £4.50. There will be refreshments and a lucky prize draw during the interval. Advanced tickets may be purchased via the parish office - 0116 236 7626 or at the door.

We hope you enjoy the summer. Our films will resume in the Autumn,

Diana Rothley Community Library Film Club Friday 6th May - ‘Lady in the Van’ 2015 British comedy-drama written by Alan Bennett, and starring Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. It tells the true story of Mary Shepherd, an elderly woman who lived i n a dilapidated van on Bennett’s driveway in London for 15 years.

Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Bar open from 6.30pm, film to start at 7.00pm.

Tickets £5.00 (£4.50 for concessions) Tickets can be bought from the Library or the Parish Council Office .

Wildlife Trust North West Group The Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust North West Group are a friendly local group which meets monthly for talks, visits, conservation work and social events.

All talks are in the church hall of Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Road, Ashby and begin at 7:30pm, entry is £2 each. To find out more about our group please ring David Maltby on 01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410.

Their work parties are on Fridays from September to April at a variety of local reserves. Please ring David Maltby for details.

May / June 2016

Saturday 14th May 2016

Kelham Bridge Reserve visit with Baz Forgham See and hear recently arrived spring migrants-sedge and reed warblers etc, perhaps even bittern in this well established marsh and wetland reserve.

Meet 9am at entrance gate on A447 between Ravenstone and Ibstock. Grid ref 407120, near Sence Valley Forest Park.

Keep your eyes peeled for our spring visit to a nature reserve or ring David Maltby on 01530 222934 or Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410 for details.

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BANK HOLIDAYEKEND EVENTS! WE Leicester’s Summer Food and Drink Festival The wonderful Summer Food and Drink Festival returns to Leicester Market on Sunday 29th May 2016.

There will be an array of street food, local producers, farmers, a licensed Drinks Zone, cooking demonstrations, live music and much more.

With tasty global delicacies as well as local treats on offer, such as kebabs, burgers, gourmet hot dogs, American-style smoked meat, cupcakes, baked goods, and preserves, how can you miss out?

There will also be a selection of non-food stalls for browsing including hand-made arts and crafts.

After a successful Winter Food Festival ‘Pie and Mash’ will be taking over the Drinks Zone, serving up a variety of refreshing pub-worthy summer time drinks including cold draught lager, a fully stocked bar from The Mash Tun, real ale from some of the best local breweries, cocktails and mocktails – all from their up-cycled double-decker bus.

In addition to all of this there will be a live music stage, where there will be performances from some of Leicestershire’s talented musicians, with sound and stage provided by Leicester’s JTHire.

The full Festival will run from 11:00am to 5:00pm, with the Drinks Zone operating from 12:00pm until 8:00pm.

Admission is free for this jam-packed, family friendly, Bank Holiday Weekend event.

Sunday 29th & Monday 30th May Established over 30 years ago the Melton Show is one of the longest running and best shows in the UK.

Charity GO TRI triathlon Loughborough University is holding its first GO TRI Triathlon on campus, and everyone is welcome to take part! GO TRI is a fun and inclusive way for everyone to access Triathlon for the first time, with manageable distances which have been purpose-designed for beginners.

The event will take place on Bank Holiday Monday

This fabulous weekend offers some amazing shows, a mixture of great rides and attractions, a wide range of trade stands selling a range of goods from fine jewellery to toys to delicious local produce.

Speaking of food... there will also be a mouth watering selection of food and drink to keep the whole family happy including burgers, hot dogs, sweet treats, beers and ciders!

Adding to the excitement is some fantastic entertainment including an appearance from the death defying stunt rider Steve Colley, an aerobatic horse riding display, Stallions Of Substance (as seen on Britains Got Tallent), Joseph Peace, Van Burren (one of the UK’s Top Illusionists), Melton Mowbreys Toy Soldiers and the fabulous UK Garrison bringing THE FORCE to Melton!!!

And to top it all off.... THIS YEARS SHOW IS FREE ENTRY! The show is nestled in the centre of the historic market town of Melton Mowbray. Directions for your SatNav are Park Ln, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0PW.

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2nd May 2016.

Registration on the day is at 9:45am at Loughborough Student Union. The event start time is 10:30am at the University Swimming Pool.

The Triathlon will consist of: Swim: 8 x 25m Lengths (200m), Bike: 10km and Run: 3km Entry cost is a bargain at £10. This fab event is to raise money for the Zambia IDEALS project.

Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU

QUORN MAY DAY CARNIVAL Monday 2nd May 2016, 12 noon - 6pm Come along for live music, a variety of stalls including the wonderful ‘Squirrel’ stand (from Wards End, Loughborough), food and refreshments, climbing tower, dog show and much more. Be entertained by Mixers, James Plimmer and POGO the Clown.

Stafford Orchard, Station Road, Quorn, Leicestershire LE12 8BS. www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

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OUT AND ABOUT Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 May

MOIRA CANAL FESTIVAL

The Moira Canal Festival is a family event held every year on the restored section of the Ashby Canal, at the historic Moira Furnace Museum, on the North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire border. It aims to raise awareness of, and money for, the restoration, extension and maintenance of the Ashby Canal.

Whether it is a Battle of Britain Memorial Fight flypast, Morris dancing, children’s crafts, local bands and singers, historical re-enactment, boats, classic vehicles or something more unusual... there is always something to entertain the whole family at the Moira Canal Festival!

Moira Furnace Museum, Furnace Lane, Moira, DE12 6AT 10am - 5:30pm | Tickets: Adults £5 or £7.50 (both days), Children: £2.50/£4, Under 5’s: FREE | Free parking For more information or to contact the organisers visit the website: www.moiracanalfestival.co.uk

Leicester Lions Bluebell Day Sunday 08 May, 11am - 3pm Leicester Lions invite you to walk among the Bluebells in the grounds of Heyday Hays, 240 Markfield Lane, Markfield LE67 9PS. Open from 11am - 3pm.

Wander through more than 14 acres of beautiful woodland along well marked trails amongst the Bluebells. Bring the children, grandchildren, the whole family!

Afterwards, sit and enjoy a cup of tea/ coffee and a cake, or buy some plants, books or home made produce.

There is plenty of free car parking, admission is only £2 for adults, £1 for children, under 5’s free.

All proceeds to Parkinsons UK.

Thursdays | Mighty Movers Physical activity sessions for 3-4 year olds in readiness for starting school, teaching them fundamental skills such as throwing, catching, balancing, team work, movement and co-ordination skills, through fun activities. Please note that there is a small charge of £1.00 per child for all of these sessions. If you bring two children along then we will charge you £1.50 and £2.00 for three or more children. sport@charnwood.gov.uk | Tel: 01509 634673 | Rosebery St Peters Community Centre, Loughborough LE11 5EQ | 1:30 - 2:30pm

Friday 29, Saturday 30 April & Sunday 01 May | Handmade Festival 2016 A totally independent music and arts festival that takes place on May bank holiday in the city of Leicester. Bringing the best new and forward thinking music, comedy, art, film, performance and photography and bring it all together for one weekend. The festival is curated by some of the city’s best loved independent venues and promoters.

See the website for venues and tickets | For general enquiries email: info@handmadefestival.co.uk

Wednesday 04 May | Charity Whist Drive The next in the series of Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr. The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. Admission £2.00. All players welcome. 7:30pm.

Thursday 05 May | Thurcaston & Cropston Women’s Institute Resolutions Meeting - This is Members’ chance to make a difference by voting on a motion to be discussed at the national AGM in London. Some of this year’s choices will be Ban the microbead, Free sanitary protection for homeless women, Prevention of sudden cardiac death in young adults in the UK, Mind or body - equal funding for care.

We meet on the first Thursday evening of the month at 7.30 pm in Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Why not come along to a meeting and find out more about us. Be assured of a warm welcome. Visitors £4 per meeting. Phone Mary on 0116 2365179 for more information.

Friday 06 May| Just The Tonic Comedy Club Just the Tonic has been putting on comedy shows in the East Midlands and Edinburgh for almost 20 years. This thriving monthly comedy club books the best of the established and the up-and-coming comedians on the circuit. Each session will showcase three comedians and an MC. 9pm | Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914 | Tickets £10

Saturday 07 May | BRADGATE PARK WALK: The History Of Bradgate Park Bradgate Park is steeped in history – from its Norman beginnings as a hunting park to the building of Bradgate House, home of Lady Jane Grey in the early 1500s and beyond. The walk is over surfaced tracks and grass. There are slopes to be negotiated and wheelchair users should be accompanied by a helper. Dogs on leads are allowed.

2:30pm - 4:30pm | £3.00 Adults, £1.50 Children, under 5’s free - pay the Ranger on the day | Tel: 0116 2362713 | Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire, LE6 0HE | www.bradgatepark.org/events

Wednesday 11 May | QUORN: Wednesday Film Show ‘Suffragette’ will be screened, starring Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter. This British drama follows the early members of the suffragette movement. After witnessing an act of protest vandalism in the street, laundry factory worker Maud Watts (Mulligan) finds herself drawn to the local suffragettes. Deciding to join the fight, Maud and her fellow campaigners face opposition and persecution. Suffragette is an enthralling and inspiring film.

Pay £4 at the door to include tea, biscuits and a free raffle ticket | Doors open at 1.45pm for 2pm showing - Quorn Village Hall

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LOCAL EVENTS Thursday 12 May | Birstall & District Local History Society Stoneywell and the Gimsons by Mark Temple (National Trust). Contact Adrienne Topley for further details on 0116 292 8214.

Meetings are held in Birstall Village Hall on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm.

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 May | Wysall Art Fair Original Paintings for Sale. Watercolours, Oils, Pastels, Acrylics. Craft Items. Live Music. Homemade Cakes and Refreshments.

ADMISSION FREE! 11 am to 4 pm. Wysall Village Hall (NG12 5QS). Sponsored by Wysall & Thorpe-in-the-Glebe Parish Council

Sunday 15 May | Swithland Open Church Third Sunday of the month May to September Swithland Open Church. St Leonard’s Church Swithland will be open for tea,coffee and cakes between 2pm and 4pm on the third Sunday of the month from May to September. Do come and have a look around this medieval building and learn some of it’s history. St. Leonard’s Church, Main Street, Swithland, Leicestershire, LE12 8TJ.

Sunday 15 May & Sunday 19 June | Sunday Night at 8 Organ Recitals Mountsorrel Methodist Church are celebrating fifteen years of ‘Sunday Night at Eight Organ Recitals’. May brings ‘Young Organists Entertain’ the students of Roxy Summerfield. June will bring you Simon Lumby of St. Aidan’s, New Parks to Mountsorrel.

Buffet from 7:30pm | Admission is free | Donations welcome to the Church Development Fund | www.organrecitals.com

Sunday 15 May | Loughborough Ceramics Fair Fifty of the finest potters and ceramic artists from the East Midlands and beyond will once again be selling their fabulous work.

There will be an exciting mix of old and new exhibitors. www.loveloughborough.co.uk/event/ceramics-fair | Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EA

Tuesday 17 May | Leicester Railway Society - “All Change at Cricklewood” John Downing brings us this fascinating talk. A new programme covering the 1950/1960’s of steam and the transitional change to diesel motive power at the Cricklewood depot in North London.

All meetings commence promptly at 7:30pm | Admission £3.00 | Tel: 0116 260 5748 | ‘Cricketers’, Grace Road, Leicester LE2 8AD

Thursday 19 May | Guided Walk - Mountsorrel Health Walk All are welcome, including buggies and wheelchairs; we’ll pick a route to suit. You are welcome to stop for a drink, snack and chat after. Meet at Sorrel Youth Café at 10.30am, LE12 7AF. Duration approximately 1 hour. Distance: 1.5 - 3 miles. Cost: Free.

Walk Leader: Matthew Richardson | Email: walks@fusion-lifestyle.com | Tel: 0116 2375267 | www.charnwood-leisure.com

Monday 23 May | Quorn Circle Dance Group Discover the benefits of gentle exercise through dancing simple steps to music from around the world. We dance traditional village dances and more recent choreographies in a circle or spiral. Each dance is taught from scratch with plenty of repetition in a supportive environment. Everyone is equal in the circle. Wear loose comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Cost per session £5.

2.15 - 3.45pm | Quorn Village Hall, Leicester Road, Loughborough LE12 8BB

Tuesday 24 May | Town Hall Tea Dance With Lizzie Cooper’s Jazz Band Come and dance the afternoon away in the elegant age of the afternoon tea dance. Lizzie Cooper and her Tea Dance Trio will feature waltzes, quicksteps, tangos, cha-chas and Charlestons, with the chance to sing-a-long, as well as a chance to meet with others, chat, dance or simply sit back and watch. No experience needed and everybody is welcome. Afternoon tea and cakes included in the ticket price.

2pm | Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3EB | Box Office: 01509 231914 | Tickets: £10 www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

Wednesday 25 May | Roundhill Flower & Garden Club “Out of Africa” - A flower arranging Demonstration by Shirley Henderson from Market Harborough. A relaxing evening with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit watching a professional at work, all arrangements are Raffled at the end of the demonstration so who knows you could be taking an arrangement home.

Roundhill Flower & Garden Club meet at the Divine Infant of Prague Catholic Church Hall, Broad Street, Syston ,LE7 1GH. Visitors welcome admission £5, Doors open at 6.45pm for 7.30pm.

Friday 27 - Monday 30 May | Ashby Arts Festival Every summer Ashby de la Zouch hosts an Arts Festival which features local artists, musicians, song writers, poets, performers and story tellers. Drama performances, street theatre, music, poetry, workshops, arts and photography competitions, exhibitions and talks.

Suitable for the whole family | Across Ashby de la Zouch town centre | Tel. 01530 411767 | www.ashbyartsfestival.co.uk

Monday 30 May | NGS Open Cottage Gardens Enjoy walking around eight NGS Open Cottage Gardens 86 - 114 Main Street, Newtown Linford 11.00am - 5.00pm. £5 adult, children free, for all 8 gardens. Free parking. Teas. Unsuitable for wheelchairs. www.ngs.org.uk May / June 2016

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THE BRADGATE DIRECTORY

CLOTHING, SHOES & JEWELLERY Caroline James............................... 37 High Class Ironing........................... 32 Jennings.......................................... 33 Smartley Stitched Tailors................ 55 Syston Jewellers............................. 32 EDUCATION & CHILDCARE Dixie Grammar School............ 28 + 29 Magical Maths Club........................ 55 Richard Hill School Charity............. 18 Woodhouse Day Nursery................ 46 FLORISTS & GIFTS The Flower Shop............................. 55 Squirrels......................................... 41 FOOD, DRINK & VENUES Beaumanor Hall.............................. 18 Beedales Lake Golf Club................. 32 Chapter One................................... 58 Farmers Market.............................. 41 Flying Horse.................................... 46 The Great Food & Drink Festival..... 40 The Manor House........................... 25 Quorn Country Hotel...................... 47 Vintage Afternoon Cream Teas....... 18 Vintage Tea Parties......................... 55 Woodcock Farm Shop..................... 50 GARDEN Abbey Lawn Turf & Landscaping.... 50 Birstall Garden Centre...................... 5 Delegate Services............................. 6 Garden Blueprints............................ 6 Harrison Landscaping..................... 46 Kee Construction.............................. 3 LB Grounds Maintenance............... 62 LB Landscaping............................... 24 Outdoor Solutions............................ 6 Roecliffe Tree Surgery..................... 36 Total Tree Services.......................... 20 HAIR & BEAUTY Aqua Hair........................................ 58

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HEALTH Charnwood Dental Centre................ 7 Charnwood Hearing Centre............ 61 Charnwood Physiotherapy............. 61 Denture Convenience..................... 55 Hypnotherapy................................. 61 HOME Ablutions........................................ 63 Absolute Window Solutions............. 2 Ancient & Modern............................ 6 Ashby Decorators Centre.................. 2 Broughtons....................................... 4 Byrites Electricals........................... 30 CE Computer Consumables............ 32 Charnwood Kitchens...................... 27 Charn. Oaks Roofing & Building...... 50 Chris’ Oven Cleaning...................... 41 Clock Doctor..................................... 6 Coopers Glass................................. 20 CV Lane............................................. 4 Daniel Chapman - Decorator............ 6 DeVol...................................... 14 + 15 DP Furnishings................................ 30 Elizabeth Jane Interiors.................. 33 Fabric Penguin................................ 55 The Flooring & Bed Company......... 11 FW Stevens Electrical....................... 8 Glenfield Electrical............................ 6 Graham Botterill............................... 6 Hassall & Son Ltd............................ 27 Holme Tree Kitchens....................... 21 Ideas Interiors................................. 43 Jacqueline Reynolds - Curtains....... 55 Light House..................................... 20 Listers Interiors................................. 6 Loft Storage Solutions...................... 3

HOME continued...

Logburners Ltd.................................. 3 Martin Allen Flooring..................... 20 MDW Fireplaces............................. 21 Oakham Rugs................................. 36 RJ Rowley........................................ 27 RSJ Roofing....................................... 4 Simon Shuttlewood Upholstery...... 44 Splashout........................................ 59 UK Gas Services................................ 8 Wreake Valley Flooring................... 31 JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES Bosworth Homecare....................... 55 LEISURE Bradgate Park Summer Fair............ 58 Let’s Party....................................... 30 Proms Concert................................ 18 Vintage Fest...................................... 8 Wuthering Heights......................... 34 MOTORS Cropston Garage............................. 44 PETS Anstey Cattery................................ 55 The Clothes Horse.......................... 31 The Veterinary Surgery................... 55 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Dodds Solicitors LLP........................ 34 Handelsbanken............................... 34 Henstocks Accountants.................. 61 Lee Cooper Funeral Directors......... 62 MB Sign Design............................... 21 Nest Estate Agents......................... 31 Prusinski Solicitors.......................... 24 Roy Green Estate Agents................ 64

To place your advert in The Bradgate Magazine contact Ed: editor@thebradgatemagazine.co.uk / call: 01530 249589 www.thebradgatemagazine.co.uk

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