April 2012 Groby Spotlight

The News & Information Magazine for Groby, Field Head & The Brantings

Groby Primary Schools Triumph in County Cross Country Championship The Leicester and Rutland Primary Schools Cross Country finals took place at Rutland Water on Saturday 24th March 2012.

There were nine regions of the county competing in each of the eight races, both girls and boys, ranging in age from 7 to 11 years, School years 3 to 6.

Leading runners from all our local Primary Schools, Martinshaw, Elizabeth Woodville and Lady Jane Grey, ran for, and represented, the Hinckley and Bosworth Region. They all ran extremely well, picking up a number of team and individual awards.

Team Hinckley and Bosworth in fact managed top 3 finishes in 6 out of the 8 races.

Below are the results of Team Hinckley and Bosworths leading finishers from Groby schools.

•

Y3 girls. H & B (2nd) Katie Parker 4th (LJG)

•

Y3 boys H & B (3rd)

•

Y4 girls H & B (1st) Rachel Nealon 1st (EW) ; Harleen Thandi 4th (EW) ; Karandeen Thandi 8th (EW)

•

Y4 boys H & B (1st) Lucca Watson-Quilter 1st, (M) ; Roman Watson-Quilter 2nd (M)

•

Y5 girls (Outside top 3)

•

Y5 boys H & B (1st)

•

Y6 girls H & B (3rd)

•

Y6 boys H & B (outside top 3) Chris Nealon 4th (EW); George Robinson 8th (EW).

KEY: EW= Elizabeth Woodville, LJG=Lady Jane Grey, =Martinshaw

Martinshaw took the year 4 boys trophy and Elizabeth Woodville the year 4 girls trophy.

Well done to everyone, methinks there must be something in the water at Groby that makes the young people of our village, super stars.

Owen Lawrence

Groby BMX track: Important meeting on 25th April There will be a Groby Parish Council Extraordinary General Meeting on Wednesday 25th April 2012 at 6.30 pm to discuss the BMX track.

All interested parties can attend to discuss the way forward in maintaining and promoting the BMX track for the community.

RUNNERS: Lucca Watson-Quilter, Alfie O'Keefe, Jessica Tansley and Roman Watson-Quilter

SEE PAGE 3 ...

New Minister arrives at Groby URC Revd Sue McKenzie was inducted as the Minister of Groby United Reformed Church on Saturday 3rd March. Here Sue tells Spotlight readers a bit about herself: Hello everyone!

My husband Lewis and I are settling into our new home in Groby and are looking forward to finding our way around and becoming part of the community.

We have been very warmly welcomed by the congregation at the United Reformed Church and my induction service on 3rd March was a great celebration. I have been a Minister for nearly nine years, and have served two churches in Barnet, North London throughout that time.

Early in 2011 I felt God was calling me to move on and after a process lasting several months I was called to serve here. I am pleased that so many church activities are shared with the Parish Church of St Philip and St James and I am looking forward to being involved in many different aspects of church and village life.

Before training for ministry in the United Reformed Church at Westminster College in Cambridge I was a Primary School teacher and mum at home. (We have a grown up daughter and son.)

Lewis has worked in further education teaching carpentry and joinery and now will be working part time running a small building company.

We enjoy walking, and we are already delighted by the views of Bradgate Park which can be seen from the village.

(And yes, we have already walked from here to ‘Old John’!) We also hope to do abit of cycling. We both enjoy playing and listening to music and three years ago I took up tap dancing which I am hoping to continue.

Next issue out on 12th May • Article/Advert Deadline: 28th April

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

The days of good English has went.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT

Telephone

01530-244069 Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

BMX meeting arranged for 25th April

Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.

Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head.

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The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication.

All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

Groby Parish Council has arranged a meeting at the Council Chamber on Wednesday 25th April 2012 at 6.30 pm to discuss the BMX track.

Interested parties in the BMX track can attend to discuss the way forward in maintaining and promoting the track for the community.

Twelve months after Groby’s BMX track was opened questions have been raised about the extent of community involvement in the project, the cost of maintenance and remedial works, and an alleged decline in the number of users using the facility. The original project which considered fencing, lighting and features such as a starting gate was downscaled to something which was more easily delivered with the cash available. It was envisaged that users would form a club with initial financial help from the Parish Council and this would lead to mentoring and tuition for users in the skills needed to for BMX cycling but this has not happened. The experience in other parishes has been that once the facility is there use increases and in some areas competitive teams have been formed and fund raising started for improvements.

Initially the project suffered teething problems and more recently a drop in the number of users has been reported to the Parish Council, although this may turn out to be a purely seasonal issue which will change again with warmer days and lighter nights. The dry spring when the track was laid out affected the growth of grass on the supporting side banks and a year on this has resulted in the need for more maintenance, as has an element of misuse by youngsters with scooters and not BMX cycles, and the need to improve the drainage at the site. The Council has been given a quote for £13,000 for strengthening the grass sides of the track with mesh and re-seeding, provision of 2 french drains to aid drainage, and also for the provision of grass matting at the start of the track running down to the youth shelter.

Subsequent quotes may improve on this price but such unexpected expenditure will still be more than the amount set aside for maintenance.

NEXT ISSUE OUT

• 8” x 4.5” Digital Photo Frame. Power adaptor, 2 spare frames and remote control, Price £20.

• Raleigh ‘Zing’ Pink/Purple girls 10 speed gear Mountain Bike.

Good condition, Price £25.

• Giant ‘Speed Series’ in blue 18 speed gear girls Mountain Bike.

Good condition, Price £30.

Telephone: 0116 2879082 • Wooden Corner Cabinet. with glass display door and cupboard underneath.

Good condition, Price £30.

Telephone 01530 242669 • Guest Bed, hardly used.

Price £25.

• Gents Bike with gears and crash hat. As new, red.

Price £80 o.n.o.

Telephone 0116 287 6879 • Mahogany Dining Table, extendable oval pedestal with 4 matching chairs. Price £60 o.n.o.

Telephone 0116 223 5720 • Two large high-backed Sun Loungers on wheels with pads.

Price £30.

Telephone 0116 287 8651

Advertise Your Unwanted Household Items For Sale Free To Spotlight Readers!

Saturday 12th May

Advert Deadline: Saturday 28th April

Send us the details in writing, cost of item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication).

TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Max 4 items, please. Max price: £300.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Park and ride deals

People taking advantage of a spring park and ride offer can travel to Leicester and back from just £1.48* a day.

Shoppers, commuters, residents and visitors can save money on journeys from Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse thanks to some special vouchers.

The deals are: • A 10 trip ticket available for 10 return journeys within two months for £22.50 (usual price £26), available for purchase between March 19 and April 28** just £2.20* a day with a voucher • A four week ticket for £35.50 (usual price £42), available for purchase between March 19 and April 28**, just £1.48* a day with a voucher The vouchers will be available in local newspapers, can be downloaded from www.quicksilverbus.co.uk or can be picked up from terminus buildings at Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse.

They are also available on park and ride buses and at selected libraries, service shops and other local outlets (while stocks last) - see terms and conditions at www.quicksilverbus.co.uk Alternatively, copies can be requested by calling the helpline on 0116 305 0002.

The ticket offers are only available when presenting the driver with a promotional voucher within the offer periods.

Stress-busting workout

Young people invited to try box-fitness

ANY young people in Hinckley & Bosworth who have been inspired by the legendary “Rocky” films can try their own hands at boxing training, thanks to Sport England’s Olympic Legacy programme Sportivate.

Box-Fitness comes to Markfield this month with a new six week programme, designed specifically for young people aged between 14 and 25 years.

With Box-Fit, young people can enjoy the full benefits of boxing training, including boxing circuits, and no experience is necessary. For only £1.50 per class they can try this non-contact, stress-busting workout.

Sessions are led by ex professional boxer and Box-Fit instructor Kelton McKenzie and start on Saturday 14 April (from 4pm to 5pm) at Markfield Community Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield.

For further information about the sessions, can contact Kelton on box4health@live.co.uk or via the website www.boxercise4health.org/ Alternatively contact Markfield Community Centre on (01530) 242240.

The sessions are funded by Sport England’s Olympic Legacy programme Sportivate, which targets 14 to 25 year olds who aren’t currently taking part in sport and gives them the opportunity to join a sports club and continue in the sport at the end of the eight week programme.

Letter Dog fouling

I’d like to echo the sentiment of the letter in your last issue re owners allowing their dogs to foul the local area.

Twice in the last few months my front lawn has been fouled. I’ve also seen a young couple brazenly allowing their dog to foul a grass verge and then walk off without so much as a thought.

Owning a dog comes with certain responsibilities – and cleaning up after your pet is one of them.

R G Docherty Groby

Crafts Fayre & Mini Market

Saturday 14th April 9am-1pm Copt Oak Memorial Hall Refreshments and Tombola £7 per table/£10 per trestle table Admission 50p. Children free To book a table please contact Sue and Les - 01530 244229 Jan and David - 0116 267 4746

Bradgate

Drama Society

are pleased to invite you to join them for a

‘PERFECT WEDDING’ A Comedy by Robin Hawdon

Dates:19th, 20th & 21st April At Newtown Linford Village Hall Full Information in next month’s issue of Spotlight.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Returning to Work whilst Breastfeeding Volunteers with Charnwood BRAS, the breastfeeding support service, were surprised to find mums coming to the Breastfeeding cafes with a new concern.

Many of the ladies were really pleased with how well breastfeeding had worked for them, it was cheap, convenient and healthy so they were getting quite distressed at the thought of having to stop breastfeeding to return to work.

Volunteer, Liz Blackshaw explains: “Mums didn’t want to stop doing something that worked well for them and were also concerned about practical aspects such as how to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle. Returning to work can be a very stressful time for mums, we wanted to be able to support them and help them with their practical concerns.”

Angie Bell, Health visitor said: “Mums often don’t realise that it is possible to carry on breastfeeding when you return to work, the two things are compatible!”

So Charnwood BRAS now runs a ‘Returning to Work’ workshop for mums, in addition to their popular antenatal course. The workshop looks at how breastfeeding is supported by Health and Safety and Employment law, it also looks at practical issues like expressing and transporting breastmilk as well as how to safely reduce or stop breastfeeding and gives tips on how to help baby and mum adapt to the new situation.

Volunteer Liz said “I think we are quite candid about the advantages and disadvantages of both breastfeeding and bottle feeding for working parents. Our main aim is to provide information and help mum feel more comfortable about returning to work”.

Susan Forester has already been to one of the workshops before she returned to work at Loughborough University. She said: “It was really empowering to hear how breastfeeding is protected by law. The practical stuff was extremely useful too. It gave me a lot to think about and I’m really pleased I can carry on breastfeeding with confidence”.

The next workshop is on Wednesday 9th May, 10am until midday at Mountsorrel Children’s Centre. The sessions run every two months and are Leicester Host Lions Club invite free to attend. To book a place please everyone to a call the Charnwood BRAS on 07583 041054.

The Charnwood BRAS provides Come and walk among the glorious information, reassurance and support bluebells in a woodland setting. to parents and parents-to-be at every All in the beautiful gardens at: stage from pregnancy to weaning, 240 Markfield Lane, Markfield through one-to-one support, a telephone helpline, breastfeeding cafes and Sunday 29th April 2012 antenatal workshops. The volunteers 11.00am till 3.30 pm believe that with the right support Car Parking in grounds breastfeeding success can be achieved Various refreshments all day for almost all mums and babies, with With books and paintings for sale wonderful benefits for both.

All Proceeds In Aid Of Charities For more information about the workshops or the Charnwood BRAS ADMISSION Adults £2.00 in general, please see at the gate www.charnwoodbras.co.uk Children £1.00 (Under 5 free)

Bluebell Walk

My best subject in school was spilling.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Local lad meets the Queen!

Local boy Thomas Ogleby met Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge on their recent visit to Leicester. Thomas has written an account of his Royal meeting, and the Spotlight is pleased to include it below: My Boys Brigade Captain received a letter from the Bishop of Leicester to supply a representative of the Boys Brigade to attend the Queens Diamond Jubilee Luncheon on 8th March 2012. I was the longest serving 11/12 year old - with 6 years service in the 5th Leicester Boys Brigade - so I got chosen to attend.

From the point I was chosen to go I was very excited and very much looking forward to the day. I found out that there were people chosen to attend the luncheon to represent each decade of the Queen’s reign, so I was on the table with people born in the 2,000’s and there were tables with people born in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s.

On the morning of 8th March I woke up very excited and also extremely nervous, I was worried that I would do or say something wrong and I really didn’t want any of the Royal party to talk to me in case I addressed them wrong.

My mum and I left home at 10.30am in plenty of time to allow for lots of traffic, parked our car and walked down to the Guild Hall where I had to show my photo ID and invitation card to be allowed in. My mum came into the Reception with me and gave my name to the lady who ticked me off as arrived and told me I would be sitting on Table 15. My mum then had to leave me and because I was a little early I sat behind the reception desk and watched people arrive on the CCTV cameras.

After a short while I was told to go to the Mayor’s Waiting Place with all the other guests and we were given refreshments and we all looked at the seating plan. Then someone with a bell called everyone to wait outside the Visitors’ Area so we could all assemble into our groups, before we entered St. Martin’s House.

In my group there was a boy called Jack, who I made friends with.

Each group in turn from 1 to 15 was called to enter the Great Hall to be seated for lunch. This took a long time as we were on the last table, but eventually we got called to be seated.

Everyone was sat at circular tables and the Queen sat at Table 1, the Duke sat at Table 2 and the Duchess sat at Table 3, with lots of other guests. There was a Table 12 and a Table 12a, but no Table 13 as this was considered bad luck. All the tables were dressed with white table cloths and flowers in the middle and all looked very nice.

We were told by the Master of Ceremonies that the Queen was entering the Great Hall, so we all had to stand behind our chairs and the Royal Party walked right in front of me to get to their tables, and everyone applauded. At this point I was extremely excited and nervous and just smiled at the Queen as she walked right by me, as close as a metre away.

We were served our main course which was Duo of Launde Abbey Lamb, root vegetables dauphinoise and spring greens. It was very nice and I ate it all. Then we were served dessert which was Lime & Lemon grass jelly, Grapefruit Parfait and Lemon Curd ice cream; it was three small desserts on one long thin plate, and they were all delicious. Then to end coffee and home-made shortbread biscuits were served. I didn’t have a coffee but I had three biscuits!

Fairly soon after coffee we were all told to stand up whilst the Queen and the Royals left the Great Hall to a great noise of everyone clapping. From here they left to see the crowds in the town.

I was then taken back to the Guild Hall Reception with the other guests to wait for my mum to collect me at 3.30pm.

I felt very special for being chosen to represent the Boys Brigade and had a very enjoyable day to share with all my friends and family for the rest of my life.

Thomas Ogleby The only reason my dad wanted to be a bus driver was because he wanted to tell people where to get off.

There was this Eskimo girl who spent the night with her boyfriend and next morning found out that she was six months pregnant.

God made only a number of perfect heads - the rest he covered with hair.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc.

Saturday 19th May: WMC Dance - £1 admission For further details, tel: 01530 230205

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 Sat 28th April: King of the Road KARAOKE ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm.

Fri 20th April: THE SUPREMES 8th Page advert: 95 x 65mm Fri 4th May: ROBBIE WILLIAMS Quiz Nite: 2nd Tues of Month

The Bricklayers Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 14th April: Mick Ridgway’s Mojo Hand Band Sat 21st April: S Punk 7 - Punk Rock Band Sat 28th April: The Boneyard Blues Band Sat 12th May: The Cheeze Sat 26th May: Local Band, First Time @ The Club - Punk And Disorderly ALL SKY SPORTS AND ESPN www.myspace.com/thorntonclub Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

Tel. 01530 230205 New members Welcome 2012 membership now due.

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s charity quiz – last Friday of the month £1.50 each Sequence Dance - Sunday nights 8pm £1 admission.

Tea Dance - Wednesday 2-4 pm £1 admission Friday 11th May: Charity Dance - £2.50 admission

The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 21st April & 5th May with ’King of the Road’ Sat 14th April: KRISIS Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 13th April: Sue C Sat 14th April: Booze Brothers Sun 15th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 20th April: Robbie Williams Tribute +Lauren Rose supporting act Sat 21st April: Limited Edition Sun 22nd April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 27th April: Steve Del Rio +The Deltas Sat 28th April: Rachel Ball Sun 29th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 4th May: Mikala Sat 5th May: Jolieanna Sun 6th May: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 11th May: Carla Jones Sat 12th May: T.B.A. Sun 13th May: Super Sunday ‘50’

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For all the jobs you need to do but simply don’t have time.

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk

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A hard thing about business is minding your own.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

A50 traffic lights You may sometimes wonder if anyone is ever fined for traffic light offences on the A50.

A recent case dealt with by Loughborough magistrates confirms that they are. A woman who admitted failing to comply with a red traffic light signal on the A50 Markfield Road in Groby on July 13 last year was fined £60 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. Her licence was also endorsed with three penalty points. She was not a Groby resident.

Mystery solved Last month’s Spotlight featured a photograph of a piece of machinery which the developers of the barns opposite the Old Hall had placed as a feature near the entrance. (SEE PHOTO) But what is it? Former Borough and Parish Councillor John Collins has provided an explanation.

John writes : “The ‘mystery’ item found during the barn conversion is a section of fast & loose line shaft normally used to transmit power from a stationary steam or I/C engine to machinery by means of flat belt drives. There is no doubt that this could have been used by a very progressive farmer to drive a very early milking machine or more likely a beet chopper or corn grinder for animal feed. However the close proximity of the Wharf Workshops up Fir Tree Lane to the Farm might well be where it came from as there was an engineering workshop there to maintain the

quarry machinery, locomotives & rolling stock.

The name fast & loose refers to the pulleys on the shaft. If you look at the two double pulleys on the far end of the shaft one of the pulleys in each pair is fixed to the shaft & rotates when the shaft rotates, which is the fast (fixed) pulley which drives the machine. The other pulley of the pair is the loose pulley which remains un-driven by the shaft. This was necessary so the machine could be stopped without stopping the main drive engine.

The flat drive belt was shifted from the fast to the loose pulley to stop & start the machine; the belt shifting was sometimes done by a system of levers but was more often or not by the operator using a piece of wood.

To stop the flat belts slipping under load a compound called belt-soap was applied to the surface of the belt in contact with the pulleys & this belt-soap was very attractive to mice & rats who used to run up & down the belts when the machines weren’t working nibbling the soap & belt, which is why all workshops had at least one cat. Sometimes the rodents didn’t jump off the belt when the machine was started first-thing in the morning & there could be a ‘quishing’ noise and some blood, this made the belt slip so more belt-soap was required to make the belt grip, which of course meant more food for the rodents & the cats.”

John suggests a visit to www. oldengine.org/members/levans/ lineshaft if you would like to look at some photos which put the piece opposite the barn conversions into context.

More Jottings on page 13

WANTED! Part-Time Gardener

Seasonal opportunity for a knowledgeable and well organised keen gardener to assist with tasks around the village and the Parish Council cemetery – planting and helping to maintain flower beds including feeding and watering where necessary.

This is an ideal part-time position for someone who may be retired or semi-retired but who is fit and healthy, loves gardening and can work with the minimum of supervision and enjoys seeing the results of their labour. Own tools and transport is essential for this role.

This hourly paid part-time opportunity is seasonal (April – September) with an average of 10 hours per week envisaged.

Initially this will be a trial period for 2012 only. However, the Parish Council will review the effectiveness of justification for such a role following the initial seasonal trial and the quality of results.

Please send your details to:

Ms Beverley Greenwood. AILCM Clerk to the Council Groby Parish Council Parish Council Offices Village Hall Leicester Road, Groby Leicester, LE6 0DQ

Email: parishclerk@groby.com

Volunteers urgently needed As a registered charity the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation relies on its volunteer support and is currently looking for more volunteers to offer support, care and friendship to a wide variety of people.

Alan Norman, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said “The Foundation has several volunteering opportunities, including Assisting at Ulverscroft Manor, working in the Tea Rooms or Charity Shop and Befriending to name just a few. The Foundation understands that people have other commitments and therefore is grateful for any support given.” For more information, telephone 01530 244914 or email admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org.

Ratby Village Society

Ratby Village Society meetings start at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby, on the third Tuesday monthly with the exception of JULY & DECEMBER when there are no meetings. The AGM takes place in February. Admission for members is £1.60 (Membership £5.00) and casual guests £2.50 refreshments included. All welcome.

Tuesday 15th May – ‘Post Office Patter’ – the other side of the counter!

Ever wondered what goes on from the business side of the counter well come and find out with a talk given by Mrs Taylor about the things we don’t know!

Ratby’s Annual Show 2012 The Mystery Object - identified for Spotlight readers by John Collins

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE. This will take place on Saturday 11th August at the SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB with more classes to enter and more certificates to win. You don’t have to live in Ratby so don your gardening togs and get planting, create your craft masterpieces, practice your cakes etc., everyone very welcome.

A woman has got to love a bad man once or twice in her life, to be thankful for a good one.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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13 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicestershire LE6 0DQ

One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to the others.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Join Groby On The Move Two great exercise opportunities in the heart of the village every Thursday morning in the Village Hall Want to lose weight?

Are you inactive?

Have high cholesterol?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Do you suffer from Arthritis?

Stressed, anxious or depressed?

If the answer is yes then why not try:

'Exercise to Enjoy Life' Join Hazel at 10am to enjoy an hour of fun exercise    

Friendly and fully qualified exercise instructor.

Encouragement and support to help you feel good.

Get more active on a regular basis Become better able to cope with your everyday life.

Ask your GP or Practice Nurse for a referral or just come along.

For further information contact Hazel on 0116 2879272 or mobile 07817 303018 Then there is a great opportunity to move on and walk regularly with:-

‘Let’s Walk Groby’ Your local Walking for Health group.

If you’re new or just starting back to walking try our ½ hour ‘Starter Walk’ and work up to our weekly 1-hour walk.

We also offer regular 2-hour walks and 5 or 10 mile walks.   

9.45 for the 10am start of a free walk.

Nice, sociable walking for health group Friendly, fully trained and insured walk leaders Contact John on 0116 2877966 or mobile 07929 212723

Why not unwind and socialise after your exercise with refreshments at the Fair cuppa morning?

To Advertise in The Spotlight Ring 01530 244069 or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

They say when nature calls you should answer it, I say let the answering machine get it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Online with Norman Griffiths

Leicestershire Broadband Survey deadline approaches Leicestershire County Council (LCC) has launched a broadband survey in support of its initiative to help boost broadband speeds in the county.

“We are working with district councils to identify potential funding to help us roll out superfast broadband as far as possible.

Districts are committing to support the programme (e.g. promotion) but funding levels are still being discussed,” explained Matthew Kempson, the Broadband Project Manager. At the Groby Parish Council meeting last month members were told that Melton, Harborough and Charnwood had committed around £440k each but Hinckley and Bosworth had offered just £40k. The County Council is believed to have funds of over £7m to allocate.

“The project is essentially to gapfund a provider to roll out super-fast broadband beyond the commercial roll out,” Matthew added. “BT has committed to roll out to two thirds of the population. With public sector investment we aim to roll out to beyond 90% by 2015.”

It is estimated that the cost to deploy super-fast broadband across Leicestershire is in excess of £20m, but the full cost will not known until there are detailed discussions with telecommunications providers.

Leicestershire County Council has allocated £4m to match the Government’s allocation of £3.14m

Broadband speeds The broadband speed map at http://www.uswitch.com/ broadband/speedtest/streetstats/ suggests that broadband speeds in Groby have improved since the first Spotlight broadband survey, though they are still a fraction of the speeds advertised by service providers.

And there are still customers suffering abysmally slow or unreliable connections. Hopefully these subscribers will benefit from fibre optic cabling to the telecom box in the street box even if they don’t want the superfast service and will be better able to use basic services like catch-up tv which others take for granted. But this is a question that has been asked but not answered by the project team.

Many users don’t want superfast broadband, just a reliable service at a reasonable speed. The marketing of broadband seems pretty unique.

When shoppers buy a litre of milk at Tesco everyone gets a litre. With broadband many find that they pay the same as everyone else but their “bottle” is half full. If over £7m of public money is being spent this group will rightly feel they should

see some benefit.

But who will get what out of the funding seems unclear. “There are a number of different commercial solutions. BT and Virgin, for example, have different models. We have a procure a supplier to meet our needs. It is too early to judge at this stage,” Matthew explained.

And then there’s the issue of what happens if there is a disparity between the District Council contributions. “We have not considered the issue of what we will do if a council does not commit. At this stage we are progressing the programme and trying to ensure we raise demand.”

Parish Councillor Jim Coley, who has called for improved broadband for the village for over 5 years, welcomes the initiative.

“Groby is a large village and only 6 miles from the city centre but the broadband speeds have always been consistently low due to the way which BT had in the past re-configured the exchange areas when it got rid of many of the smaller telephone exchanges in the 70’s and 80’s,” Jim explained.

“Consequently the average line length from Glenfield exchange to residents in Groby village is quite long. Groby has many small businesses and many people work from home and consequently rely on their broadband to do day to day work. The speed of upload is laughable (less than 400Kbps) and although the download speeds have improved it averages less than 3mbps.”

Finding the survey The survey is a key element in the assessment of current broadband use and demand in Leicestershire and could help influence the roll out programme. You can find it at http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/ business/ruralgrants/broadband/ broadbandsurvey.htm or go to www.grobyonline.tk and follow the link. You’ll need to complete the survey by 30th April. Responses from Groby to date have been very low, with the first results indicating only 13 household and 2 business responses, though many other parishes are lower. In terms of responses Groby is ranked 26th out of 228. The best response rate so far has been from Ullesthorpe(116) and Claybrooke Magna(111).

The County Council is sitting on a pot of money for this project and has yet to decide how to use

to use it, so it is important that you have your say. Whilst there may be unanswered questions that shouldn’t discourage any broadband user from completing the survey and perhaps adding to the bid for a better broadband service to Groby. “We need to have a much better response if we are to get the increased speed that seems to be the Groby resident’s requirement. Any advance on 15 is good BUT we want thousands not tens to do it!” added Jim.

New Parish Council website Following the proposed introduction of charges for hosting some council websites the Parish Council has completed the move to another supplier. The name is the same, so you’ll still find it at www. groby.com.

On the Home Page you’ll find basic information including the office address and telephone number and the name of the Parish Clerk, links to local news stories, the weather and the Highways Agency road traffic report for the East Midlands.

Navigation around the site is easy with tabs for Parish Council information, Parish information, local news, useful links and contact details.

There are too many Useful Links to list but they include postcode and telephone number finders, the police, and directgov, the website for government services. There’s also a link to the Spotlight website where you can read the magazine online. The Parish Information is just what it says with details of schools, policing and more, including many often hard to find email addresses.

Norman Griffiths

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Read to your children

Read to your children on a daily basis – or they could be vulnerable to developing social and emotional problems.

It seems that the ‘intimate’ activity of sharing a book or telling a story to your child can be ‘enormously powerful’ in building a bond between you which helps them feel emotionally secure, and helps develop their social skills.

According to recent research by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, reading to children daily can reduce the number of three and five yearolds with social and emotional problems by up to 20 per cent.

As one professor explained: “There is something quite special about reading or telling stories to children... that level of intimacy between parents and young children.” As Proverbs points out: “A child left to himself disgraces his mother...” If we want our children to grow up well, we need to give them our time.

Packed lunches Almost half of us prefer to make our own lunch rather than use takeaways or canteens, according to a recent poll.

We tend to spend less than £10 a week on lunch, and our favourite sandwiches are ham, followed by cheese, chicken salad, egg and cress and BLT. It seems the economic downturn has made buying high street sandwiches a luxury, rather than a daily necessity. More concerning, the research from VoucherCodes. co.uk found that one in 20 people (five per cent of us) stop eating altogether during the day, as household budgets continue to be squeezed.

Give Blood!

There will be a Blood Donor Session on Wednesday 9th May 2012 at Markfield Community & Sports Centre (1pm-3.30pm and 5pm-8pm).

Anyone wanting to donate for the first time should be aged between 17-65, weighing at least 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health.

If you’ve donated before, you can start again up to your 70th birthday and there is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Elizabeth Woodville School ‘outstanding’ in area championships

On a bright March Saturday morning Elizabeth Woodville cross country squad produced yet another outstanding performance in the Hinckley & Bosworth Area Cross Country Championships held at Bosworth College.

The children took team gold in the Year 3 boys and Year 4 girls. Silver medals went to Year 3 girls and Year 6 boys.

There were individual honours for Rachel Nealon (Year 4) and Chris Nealon (Year 6).

Individual silver medals went to Lily McGlinchey (Year 3), Samuel Collins (Year 3), Matthew Hollingworth (Year 4) and George Robinson (Year 6).

Harleen Thandi gained a bronze medal in the Year 4 girls race.

• The area races double up as the selection process for the County Cross-Country. The children from Elizabeth Woodville School performed brilliantly and have 13 runners selected to represent Hinckley and Bosworth at Rutland Water on March 24th.

At Rutland water on 24th March, Hinckley and Bosworth won the Year 4 girls title.

(SEE REPORT ON The overall winner was Rachel Nealon with Harleen PAGE 1)

Thandi 4th, Karendeep Thandi 8th and Katie Onions 26th.

The British have a reputation for keeping calm even when there is no crisis.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby Allotment Society NEWS Groby Allotment Society has formed a fund raising committee since the 2011 AGM.

Jottings Continued from page 8

Every birthday deserves a cake The tenth anniversary of the Millennium Green just over the parish boundary in Glenfield was a great reason to get baking.

A last minute hitch with the in-store computerised icing process for the birthday cake was unfortunate but not a show stopper. The Easter event, which included an Easter Egg hunt for the children, was enjoyed by the many visitors who also took the opportunity to walk around the wonderful daffodil displays. The green is well worth a visit and you shouldn’t be put off by the distance – Arriva services 26 and 28 stop at the entrance.

At this year’s AGM. new people volunteered to help which was brilliant - as the more the merrier - and we need all the help available to organise the Allotment Open Day to be held on Saturday August 12th which is at the end of the National Allotment week.

The day will open at 11 am and from 12-2pm there will be a barbeque, and close at 4 pm. The United Reformed Church has kindly lent us their room and kitchen - and tea and cakes will be served - Cakes and volunteers wanted! Guess the sweets in a jar tombola etc and a sunflower competition have been organised.

By the time you read this we will have started the Sunday morning table situated next to the new shed. This will be manned from 10am -12 starting on Sunday April 1st and the first Sunday in the month onwards. To start with this will be a sociable meeting point where you can get a cup of tea or coffee - raise any questions or queries - but also seeds and plants will be for sale, The long term idea is to perhaps sell seeds - compost - potatoes -lime and have a sale table for unwanted tools and produce. If anybody has any other ideas just let one of the committee know. We are looking forward to this year - trying something new and hope the Sunday table takes off and is successful.

The Groby Street Fair is once again happening and is being held on Saturday September 8th.

The Allotment Society have booked two tables this year. One for plants and produce and other for cakes etc.

There again we hope that people will help and contribute as much as possible. This was a magnificent village day we hope the 2012 street fair is as successful as last year’s.

Helen Box

More Jottings on page 15

The BEST part of waking up? Hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Martinshaw football success

Groby’s Martinshaw Primary School are officially the Champion Primary School Football team for the North of England.

They have the chance to become the Champions of England when they run out in front of a capacity Wembley crowd to play the top team from the South prior to the Npower Championship playoff final.

The journey began when Mr. Pierrick Enoux assisted by Andy Wilson entered the school into a tournament organised by the Npower league and coordinated by every professional football academy of England.

They played in the Leicester Tournament made up of 18 selected teams, which they won and were then chosen to represent Leicester City Football Club in the bigger Tournament which gathered all the top county teams from the North of England.

The Tournament began on Thursday 15th March 2012, when Martinshaw’s team, comprising of Tom BannatyneBillson in goal, Captain Finley Armitage, Adrian Kuzel, Luke Pinnick-Thornton, George Thorpe, Harvey O’Keefe, Myles Rastall and Kian Giles arrived at Derby County’s training ground in Oakwood.

Martinshaw, were drawn in a 6 team group made up of schools representing Blackpool, Burnley, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City and Middlesbrough. they won 3-2.

Somewhat in awe of their surroundings they started nervously with a The final was against a very good and narrow 0-1 loss to Middlesbrough, but confident Birmingham City team who growing in confidence then drew a very had won all of their previous games. tight game 0-0 against Blackpool, but Showing amazing rigour, focus and after that never looked back beating tenacity Martinshaw ran out winners both Hull and Doncaster, eventually scoring a goal in each half to become Npower Northern England Kids reaching the semi-final as group winChampions. ners. Just to add to the tension the semi-final went to extra time and then After the final whistle, and as it sank the dreaded penalty shootout, which in exactly what they had achieved, eve-

ryone, including the parents, ran on to the pitch cheering, hugging and jumping up and down in excitement and celebration. This was a complete team effort, each member, whether substitute or player, encouraging and supporting their mates.

The team have already been invited to appear at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Saturday 7th April where they will be presented to the crowd

either at half time or before the match.

Good practice you may say before the big day on 19th May 2012 when they run out in front of 80,000 fans at the home of English Football, Wembley Stadium. No pressure, then !!

Owen Lawrence STOP PRESS: Martinshaw Primary

School (Leicester City FC) will play Romilly Primary School (Cardiff City FC).

Early Announcement GROBY OPEN GARDENS 16th and 17th June

14 gardens around the village will be open.

Saturday 11.00am - 5.30pm Sunday 12 noon - 5.30pm Programmes £4 per person will give entry to gardens on both days. Programmes and maps available from the Parish Church on the day only.

Refreshments and stalls If you would like to join us by opening your garden there is still time to do this.

Call 0116 222 9133 for further details.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings Continued from page 13

Markfield Road footpath When Groby Parish Council was required by a court order to put a fence across a path between Markfield Road and Quarry Park to discharge an unfulfilled covenant dating back to 1967 it caused some controversy as there were opposing views on whether or not it was a public footpath.

Since then the public footpath issue has been considered by Leicestershire County Council.

Public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic are recorded on Definitive Maps and Statements. These Maps and Statements provide conclusive evidence of the existence of public rights. The County Council is responsible for the Definitive Map and Statement and has a duty to amend them when evidence suggests that they are inaccurate or incomplete. Such amendments are made by means of Modification Orders made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but do not come into effect until confirmed. An Order simply recognises the public rights which may already exist and does not create any new public rights. If there are any objections the Council must refer the Order and objections to The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

An Order made by the County Council on 15th March 2012 will, if confirmed as made, modify the Definitive Map and Statement for the area by the addition of public footpath R125 from Markfield Road to Forest View, but this cannot become effective until there has been a further stage of consultation. A copy of the Order and Order Map may be seen free of charge at Room 200A, Main Building, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester and the offices of. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley during normal office opening hours. A copy has also been forwarded to the Clerk to Groby Parish Council.

Any representation or objection relating to the Order must be sent in writing to the County Solicitor, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8RA, not later than 10th May 2012, quoting reference JPP/ COMHS/841. The grounds on which it is made must be included.

If no representations or objections are made, or if made are withdrawn, the Leicestershire County Council, instead of submitting the Order to The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, may itself confirm the Order. If the Order is submitted to the Secretary of State, any representations or objections which have been made and not withdrawn will be sent with it.

Groby Parish Council has discussed the effect of the order, if it is confirmed, and decided that the Clerk should seek legal advice regarding the Council’s position. If the Parish Council removes the fencing they would be in breach of the court order issued in 2007 ordering the Council to install fencing.

15

New College uniform from September The dress code at Groby Community College will be changing from September with the introduction of a new school uniform.

“The Governing Body and I have made the decision, following consultation, to put the college on a more formal setting,” explained Principal Robert Coles in a letter to parents. “From September, new students starting in Year 10 will wear a full uniform. This also means a change for Year 11 (from September 2012) students in that they will now be required to wear a strict dress code to mirror the uniform worn by Year 10.”

The college’s policy on the dress code is that it ‘must be perfect, not just nearly perfect’.

The new uniform will include a college tie for both male and female students, white shirt or blouse, college v-neck pullover or college cardigan in navy, black full length tailored trousers or black knee length skirt, and black school shoes or plain black trainers.

Unexpected visitor!

Spotlight reader Joy Hyman has sent in this extraordinary photograph of an unexpected visitor who seems to have mistaken a washing basket for a nest.

Do you have a photo to share with other readers? This photo was taken at the start of April.

Norman Griffiths

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group

Next production from MTTG Thank you to all of you who came along to see “Mother Goose” and who made it a successful and happy production for us. All goes quiet in MTTG after the pantomime – until we begin work on the next production!

Are you comfortably ensconced on the settee as you read this with a quiet, leisurely evening stretching before you?

Has nothing very exciting or interesting happened to you recently? Will this evening and the next… and the next… be pretty much the same?

Of course, it’s impossible to expect the unexpected.

After a busy day at the office, Cliff Brooks looks forward to another evening dozing in front of the television. However – all is about to change as one after another, visitors arrive to disrupt what has been the normal pattern of his life for some time.

Will the Brooks family’s life ever be the same again as crossed messages and mistaken identities add to the confusion of the situation?

Classed as a domestic comedy, “IDLE HANDS” BY RON HUTSON is to be staged at Thornton Community Centre from Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th April 2012, at 7.30 nightly.

Tickets, priced at £5 (£4 Concessions) are available now on 01455 822148 , at The Corner Shop, Thornton or from any Group member.

A singer featured in the January 2005 issue of Groby Spotlight has made it through to the next round of BBC’s THE VOICE talent show.

Groby lady celebrates 104th birthday!

A LADY with Groby connections has just celebrated her 104th birthday at a party with friends and family.

Hilda Harris was a treated to a glass of wine and some birthday cake at Charnwood Nursery Home in Shepshed.

Hilda left Groby School at the age of 13 - before the First World War and worked in a clothes factory for seven years.

During the 1920s she met her future husband Charles and the couple were married at Groby Church. During the Second World War, Hilda helped to deliver bread to homes in Groby while working for the Co-op shop in the village.

After the war, she settled down and had two children while Charles worked for the granite quarry operator until he retired. Charles died several years ago, aged 72.

Hilda remained in Groby until four years ago, when she moved to the nursing home.

Her son, Geoffrey Harris, 74, of Leicester Road, Groby, told the Leicester Mercury: “I think that her secret for long life has been her love of gardening.”

Groby Club raises cash for Tsunami appeal

MEMBERS of Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club have raised £688 for the relief effort.

The cash was raised at events including a New Year’s Eve collection. One member raised £350 at a family event.

Queen of Trade lives in Groby!

THE LEICESTER Mercury recently featured a photo of Coalville’s Queen of Trade, 1954, with her two attendants.

WHENEVER Tyler James told people he wanted to be a singer, the response was always the same: “How in hell is that ever going to happen?”

Tyler was born Kenneth ‘ Tyler’ Gordon and raised in Canning Town, East London. If lads round Tyler’s way did anything for a living it certainly wasn’t singing; these days most of Tyler’s mates are in prison.

But Tyler James is British pop’s unlikely lad. Against the odds, he got himself noticed. Against conventional wisdom, this guy who looks like a male model is one of the brightest new talents in years. And in spite of being only 22, he sings with an unwavering authority more suited to a songwriter twice his age.

Tyler grew up in a house full of women, allowing his mum, aunts and sisters to take over the stereo.

The James household throbbed to Motown, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, plus at parties, the odd drunken auntie thinking she was Diana Ross. His older sister added new Jill swing to the equation while Tyler himself took on board some Babyface and Boyz II Men while retaining ultimate faith in what he calls “old time classic stuff” - from Sinatra to Holland Dozier Holland.

The musical momentum from that vibrant East End household, where Tyler’s stepdad helped out with some education in the ways of jazz, was backed up by visits to Tyler’s real dad, a musician with a home studio where Tyler made his first songwriting attempts.

He’s come on a long way since then, of course, and there’s nothing overnight about this success story.

His first brush with success came in 2001 as guest vocalist on an R&B single called ‘Wilder’; in a chain of events that would come to characterise the next few years of Tyler’s career, the single was pulled at the last minute, and in spite of being a club favourite was never formally released. But Tyler was getting noticed. NME hailed him as an international superstar in waiting, and he soon became British music’s worst-kept secret, thanks in part to an obsession with live performance that saw Tyler booking himself into gigs in pubs and bars around London.

By 2002 The Face was billing Tyler as “the British answer to Justin Timberlake”, noting that his sound was “utterly unlike anything on the pop landscape”. Name almost any bigshot writing or production team on the planet: Tyler worked with them. Some of it was edgy pop.

Some was slick R&B. But it didn’t sound quite right. It wasn’t Tyler. His sound continued to evolve. And then

one day, during a writing session in LA, legendary ‘Thriller’ songwriter Rod Temperton told him: “Write with friends, or you’ll never find yourself as an artist”. So Tyler traded LA for Camden, and jettisoned the big names in favour of his mates Mathew Marston, Blair Mackichan and Mushtaq. This time round, it wasn’t about writing hits – it was about writing songs. That’s when Tyler’s music really started coming together, with an extra dimension added to the tunes by two of America’s finest producers Commissioner Gordon (Lauryn Hill) and Track & Field. (Nelly Furtado).

By 2003, Tyler still didn’t have a record deal. Things weren’t going wrong, because with each month that passed Tyler would surpass himself with new, fresh songs. It’s just that things weren’t moving.

That all came to an end when Island Records were played a batch of Tyler songs including “Why Do I Do”, ‘Long Day’ and ‘Drunk All Night’.

The deal was signed immediately and Tyler began working on what was to become his debut album, the tentatively titled ‘The Unlikely Lad’, pencilled for an early 2005 release.

The album finds Tyler finally singing with a depth and confidence to tell the truth about his life. He

The answers to the questions below all have a connection, loose in some instances!), with the “Hands” of the play’s title.

Police seek man following assault (albeit

LEICESTERSHIRE Police have issued a CD fit of a man they want to trace in connection with an indecent assault in Groby.

(The Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group “Idle Hands” Quiz)

Tyler James mentions ‘Why Do I Do’ as one example. “There’s a message in that song, which I’d hope people can relate to - why do we make the same mistakes again and again?

And I think the reason a lot of the best songs are bluesy is because they come out of honesty. ” ‘The Unlikely Lad’ is not just an R&B album, or a jazz album, or a pop album. It just is what it is: an album of songs whose breezy selfconfidence and seemingly effortless grooves will win fans wherever it’s heard. And it’s not just Tyler who’s been waiting a long time for this album. www.tylerjamesonline.com

Tyler James appeared on the programme on Saturday 7th April, and coach Will.I.Am turned his chair around to select him as a team member. We’ll watch Tyler’s progress with added interest!

The queen in question was 17year-old Beryl Kindrick, now Beryl Miller, who lives in Groby.

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The incident happened at around 11am on Monday January 10 on a footpath which runs between the A50 Markfield Road and Martinshaw Wood, Groby near to Quinto Crane and Plant Ltd, Groby.

During the incident the victim received minor injuries for which she received hospital treatment.

The suspect is described as a white, in his 50s, around 5’ 10” tall and of slim to medium build. He was clean-shaven with mousy coloured receding hair. His teeth were described as being badly stained. He was wearing a two-tone blue coat, black gloves and dark trousers.

DC John Tate, from West area CID, who is investigating the incident, said: “The victim has been left extremely shaken and upset by the assault but thankfully only suffered minor injuries.

“The A50 is a very busy road and the footpath is popular with dog-walkers and I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time to think back. It may be that they have information which, at the time they thought to be insignificant, but which could prove vital to our enquiries.

“I would also ask people who use the area to keep a look out for the victim’s brown cotton handbag and Next grey woollen hat which were lost during the incident.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leicestershire Constabulary on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is free and anonymous.

N ORWOOD P RESS

THE VOICE contestant was featured 7 years ago in the Spotlight!

Would you like to win two tickets to come to see the play?

Why not try our Quiz?

Honk if you love peace and quiet.

Groby Village Society ~ Preservation ~ Conservation ~ Communal Interests ~

Forthcoming Events Thursday April 26 Leicestershire & Rutland Murders - Mr David Bell Thursday May 24 The Little Theatre - Mr Mike Bull Thursday June 28 An Indian Adventure - Mrs Sophie Hadfield-Hill Thursday July 26 The National Memorial Arboretum - Speaker to be

announced Thursday August 23 Evening All - Mr Richard Pollard Thursday Sept 27 Orson Wright builder of South Wigston and most of

Leicester Mr Peter Cousins

Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

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Who finds work for idle hands to do?

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“Praying Hands” the famous work of which artist?

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Which Lady was shocked by Jack’s revelation?

The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.

10. What did Pharoah’s daughter’s handmaid find in the river?

11. Barbra sang about her.

12. A Spanish article makes the composer complete.

13. Offred’s recount was Margaret’s creation.

14. What is a non-lavatorial but possibly regal flush?

15. An invaluable assistant.

16. Oily fans might find themselves born to it!

17. This existence provides only the bare essentials.

18. A stagecoach fell into this category because of the special rigging.

19. What equates to a duo in the greenery?

20. Dinner will end in five minutes when it’s put on the table top.

Answers can be submitted to Barn Hills House, Merrylees Road, Thornton, LE67 1AP or by e-mail to murielwalker@f2s.com .

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, 18th April 2012. In the event of a tie, the winner’s name will be drawn from a hat!

After a relaxing night of sleep, tense up to meet the day.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

17

Have your say!

An exciting new voice for young people CHILDREN and young people are being given an exciting new opportunity to get their voices heard in Hinckley & Bosworth.

Those aged between 11 and 19 years, who want to have their say about things that are important to them in the borough, are being invited to join a Voice of the Young People group.

Group members will then be encouraged to get involved in a number of different projects. The first of these will provide young people with an opportunity to get a play training qualification. This will enable them to be part of the team that is planning the National Play Day on 1 August 2012.

Other projects will include the formation of a research team to look at policies and strategies for the group and a marketing team to help with publicity.

All members of the group will also receive a newsletter outlining what has been achieved and other ways to get involved.

Any young people interested in joining the group should simply send an email to voice@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk to sign up.

“This a great opportunity and a really exciting time for young people of the borough to get involved in all kinds of exciting projects,” said Cllr Mathew Hulbert, the council’s Children and Young People’s Champion.

“They will have a voice and this new way of working should mean they make a real difference to young people of the borough and the communities in which they live.”

Dates for your Diary is running various Olympic-themed ‘More Than Gold’ Events www.bradgateteam.org.uk/groby www.grobyurc.com

for the community of Groby over the next few months.

Each event has a different focus and we’d love to see you at our Future events!

Look out for further information around the village as these events come up.

May Free Family Fun Day

Groby Community College Grounds 27th May from 2pm – 5pm Followed by Church Outdoors: 5.30pm-6.30pm Everyone Welcome

Sports Quiz Night

as advertised for 21st April is now postponed until

June.

We apologise for any inconvenience, Please look out for further details!

Please contact Matthew Smith 0116 2236238 for more details

I’m so fat, I was diagnosed with a flesh eating disease and the doctor gave me 13 years to live.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

On how maintaining the churchyard can lead to turf wars The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren Consider yourself fortunate that your churchyard consists of no more than a small paved area and that keeping it tidy requires ten minutes of picking up discarded takeaway boxes on Sunday morning. Our four acres of grass and randomly placed gravestones absorbs a large portion of the time and energy of half the parish.

Ladies Fashion Show and Shopping Evening Friday 18th May at 7.30pm at Thomas Estley College, Station Road, Broughton Astley Friends of Chernobyl’s Children will be holding their 3nd annual ladies fashion show and shopping evening in Broughton Astley on Friday 18th May. Garments from a wide variety of major High Street retailers will be on offer at hugely discounted prices and there will be items to suit all tastes and sizes ranging from size 8 – 22, with an opportunity to try before you buy. All purchases are covered by a 28-day full refund policy and card payment facilities will be available on the evening.

In addition to our catwalk show, there will also be a fabulous selection of shoes, handbags and jewellery available on the night courtesy of Pink Confetti who specialise in accessories for girls who love to shop!

As well as the chance to pick up a bargain for your summer wardrobe, there will be a licensed bar and a prize draw with some fabulous prizes so don’t miss out on this popular event.

Advance tickets are £5.00 (£6.00 on the door). For tickets or more information, contact Sue on (01455) 285799 or e-mail paperchase.sue@ btopenworld.com. Tickets are also available from Zoe’s Hair Studio and Pink Confetti in Broughton Astley.

All proceeds will go to Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leics) who are raising funds to bring a group of disadvantaged 7-12yr old children affected by Chernobyl for a 4-week recuperative holiday in Leicestershire this August.

By getting different people to adopt sections of the churchyard, the hope was that an element of competition would be introduced; Major Rutherford would never let Admiral Crompton’s section look tidier than his and the local farmers would want to show the amateurs that they knew far more about land maintenance.

Sadly, human nature has got in the way – as it invariably does. Miss Timmins has declared her section a nature reserve, so that the cuddly field mice and darling hedgehogs have somewhere to live in. This now means that crossing from her patch to the next feels like crossing from Kew gardens to the Amazon rainforest. Two feet high grass and a profusion of dandelions give way to manicured lawn with any weed daring to pop its head above the parapet being beheaded in seconds. Miss T is toying with erecting a fence round her plot, to keep her dear furry friends safe and Sir Horace is threatening to have it electrified, to make sure they do not defile his grass billiard table.

Mr Tremble, a retired health and safety officer, whose well-meaning advice on avoiding accidents is such a burden, is applying to have all the gravestones on his patch levelled, so that no one could be killed by having a fall on them. The fact that this has never happened in 600 years, seems an irrelevance to him. On the other hand, his neighbour spends summer evenings painting his stones with sour milk in order to encourage lichen.

Mr Tremble’s warning that some lichens can be quite poisonous have so far fallen on deaf ears.

A local farmer, who maintains the boundary walls, generously planted cherry trees all round the perimeter; not only for their looks in Spring, but so that the birds would have somewhere to roost. Sadly, Lady Lipton, while resting from maintaining her plot, tends to shoot them while she smokes her briar pipe.

The only area which no one dares criticise surrounds the mausoleum of the Luscombes, maintained by the gardening staff of the present Lord. It contains such a collection of rogues and miscreants that parishioners fear their anger at being disturbed may even cross the divide of death.

I hesitate to admit it, but the thought of an area of concrete with a few pizza boxes scattered round does at times hold a certain attraction.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Don’t forget to send us your news!

Email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk and we’ll do our best to give you a mention.

Tremendous!

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

LETTER

A big thank you to generous local businesses Homemade Authentic Indian Snacks Samosas Pakoras / Onion Bhajis Spring Rolls & a Variety of Curries Catering is available for Dinner Parties, Weddings, Birthdays, Office Events & more.

Free Home Delivery within 5 miles For all enquiries please contact us:

Ria’s Kitchen 07772 542 356 Email: riaskitchen@hotmail.co.uk

On Saturday 3rd March I held a f undraising party at Botcheston Village Hall in aid of three very worthwhile cancer charities.

The evening started with a fabulous curry supper cooked by ‘Sands of Glenfield’ followed by an Auction of Promises and Grand Raffle. Our fantastic auctioneer was Lizzie Beeby and the event was raising money for ‘Macmillan Cancer Support’, ‘Penny Brohn Cancer Care’ and local charity ‘Coping with Cancer’.

We had 30 ‘lots’ to be auctioned that had been generously donated by friends attending the party or from a range of businesses. The auction had something for everyone with a huge variety in the lots ranging from limited edition prints donated by local artists, rounds of golf, babysitting, tennis tickets, a children’s party venue, electrical work, paintballing, weekends away in B&Bs, a private Zumba party to a case of fine English wine from Tiltridge Vinyard, Upton on Severn. There were many talented people who donated handmade items such as gorgeous cupcakes, a bird table and beautiful custom made scarves.

I also have two rounds of golf for up to four people that have been donated by Charnwood Forest and Birstall Golf Clubs. If you are interested in bidding for either of these rounds (usually worth around £35 per person) then please email me at creativenetwork3@gmail.com.

So many people generously gave raffle prizes or items to be auctioned, all for a great cause and the event could not have happened without them. I would like to thank our brilliant local businesses who supported the night: Budgens, Cathy Stevens, Wilsons Newsagent, Pricegate, Flint, Midlands Co-op, Animal Magic, Forget me knot and Peppercorn Cafe in Anstey, Kirby Muxloe Golf Club, The Post Office Tea Rooms in Newtown Linford and Sands of Glenfield.

The final total has topped £2,000 so a big thank you to everyone who supported the event.

19

Book Review

From Clare Brierley

The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett True to form, Alan Bennett is witty and original in this story of a love of reading.

He takes an unusual and famous protagonist – The Queen - and takes her on a journey through books.

The Queen one day discovers a mobile library outside the grounds of the palace and ends up leaving with a book. From this point on she develops an extensive reading habit, much to the disapproval of the Royal family and the staff.

This is a very funny and warm story that shows a real feeling for humanity and its quirks from the heart of the author. It is only a small book and so makes for a quick read but the story will stay with you and make you smile whenever you think of it.

The Uncommon Reader is available to borrow from Groby Library.

Jo Williams

If God had meant us to travel economy class, he would have made us narrower.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Major development in the Borough

£80million town centre scheme gets go-ahead THE major £80million scheme to redevelop Hinckley’s bus station site has received the go-ahead from the Secretaries of State, who have confirmed both the Compulsory Purchase Order and the linked Highway Stopping Up Order.

This follows a public inquiry that was held last November and means the developer – The Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership – can now secure all the land on the site, which will enable the scheme to be completed by the end of 2014. In addition to car parking and range of new retail and restaurant units the scheme will include a major new food store for Sainsbury’s and a 5 screen cinema for Cineworld.

Council Leader Stuart Bray said: “This is fantastic news for the town and means we shall soon start to see things happening. The exciting new shopping and commercial scheme will give the town centre a further boost, thanks to a superstore, cinema, fashion shops, family restaurants and a major new shoppers’ car park alongside a re-designed bus station.

“We are now looking forward to working with the developer on the construction programme.”

In welcoming the decision, Tony Baker a director of Tin Hat, said: “This is a crucial step in securing the delivery of this important project for the future of Hinckley. It will not only improve the retail provision in the town centre but provide much-needed new employment. Whilst there are a number of steps to be completed before work starts on site we are now able to move forward with confidence knowing that the entire site can be delivered.”

How we could get our green spaces protected for ever Town and parish councils can play a vital role in ensuring the green hearts of communities are protected forever, with the help of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.

Village greens, sports playing fields or playgrounds: they’re all key focuses for communities, encouraging activity and appreciation of the outdoors and fresh air. So why not get involved with the Challenge, and preserve outdoor recreational spaces like these?

Joining in with the Challenge is a great way of connecting our community with the big events of 2012: the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, creating a legacy that will continue forever. Find out more at www.qe2fields.com.

As one Parish Councillor, Trevor, of Little Quinton, found: “The Playing Fields were gifted to the village 100 years ago and we’re delighted that we have been able to make sure, through the QEII Fields Challenge, they will always be there for the village.”

QEII Fields can also access funding streams available just to them: £1million from SITA Trust, County Funding direct from Fields in Trust and applications to Sport England’s People, Places, Play Legacy Fund, are given added weighting.

For many communities, their QEII Field is becoming the focus for the summer and Diamond Jubilee celebrations – through Have a Field Day. Have a Field Day organisers get a free toolkit with ideas as well as a box full of items to help celebrations go with a bang. Balloons, medals, flags, bunting...whatever might be needed, it’s in the box! Find out more at www. qe2fields.com/fieldday “Our Have a Field Day will be a fantastic celebration of our lovely field and the Queens Diamond Jubilee,” says Jane, of the Fretherne with Saul and Framilode Memorial Hall and Playing Field.

We are all more cuddly now Whatever happened to the British stiff upper lip? It seems these days that we cannot stop hugging each other.

In fact, we hug each other about 13 times a day, and each hug lasts for almost 10 seconds, according to a recent poll.

A clinical psychologist suggests that this may be a reaction against our increasing reliance on remote communication. “Human beings need physical contact – the sight, sound, smell and touch of someone else.” Our laptop-based lives, despite Twitter and Facebook, leave us much more alone than in the past.

It seems that nothing replaces direct physical human contact. Nivea, who conducted the poll, found that the main reason people want to hug someone is for simple comfort.

Einstein said that talking to yourself is a sign of intelligence. Answering yourself, however, is a sign of insanity.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

All the latest Groby WI News “Who passed it on to you” (mining history) was the subject of Pauline Fitchett’s talk for our March meeting.

She set out her display of mining memorabilia and a second table set for afternoon tea. The embroidered cloth was beautiful and the best china was brought out from the dresser. A heavy glass cake stand took pride of place, also a two-tier pottery stand for sandwiches etc. I normally link afternoon tea in the past with family gatherings on Sunday afternoons, but in the mining community this ritual took place on Saturday. One strange custom- as a treat they always had cucumber at Easter, and one half of a cucumber cost 2s. 6d. This would be the weekly wage for a school leaver starting work in a local hosiery factory. Most of the male members of Pauline’s family, going back several generations, had worked in the Leicestershire pits. In the early 1800’s, parts of the mines had exotic names: California, Calcutta, Alabama, last but not least Humbug Hoodwink (If this name is incorrect there will no doubt be several attentive members who can put the record straight).

One job underground was that of a pit pony hustler; traffic jams created by these animals caused great problems. It was important to keep them moving. The men often fed them titbits from their ‘snap’ this was the local word for pack-up food. The ponies had three days holiday per year, being brought up to the surface to enjoy a romp in the fresh air with natural grazing. She explained the system, first used in 1947, whereby miners left a disc (tally) at the pithead, which they collected on return from the coalface at the end of their shift, thus ensuring that no man was left underground.

During the war the miners’ ranks were swelled by so-called Bevin Boys, conscripted to work in the mines instead of going into the Armed Forces. There was no choice, just the luck of the draw. The name comes from the MP who came up with the idea. Before the demise of coal mining, extra men were brought in from County Durham and Glasgow to Leicestershire and they soon became integrated into the community. There was a thriving Rangers supporters’ club. Mining was once proposed in the Vale of Belvoir. Naturally, the Duke of Rutland opposed this.

The seams were thought to be of good quality and thirty-seven men volunteered to drive the first bulldozer over his land if the scheme was allowed to go ahead. No surprise result, the Duke won his appeal.

Today we are aghast at the idea but it meant continued prosperity for them and their families.

The women bore the brunt of life in the mining communities. Until the advent of The Pill, large families were brought up in very small terrace houses, with a shared outside lavatory, cold water, often from an outside tap.

No pit-head baths. When the men came home from work water had to be heated, usually on an open fire, to remove the coal dust and sweat. I imagine that, due to the shift times, the men either returned home midafternoon or late at night and maybe they managed a little privacy when the children were at school or in bed.

The coal seams necessitated them working kneeling or lying down in water, consequently their wet clothes had to be dried out overnight ready for the next day. These days it is hard to imagine the smell of wet washing hanging on racks or a clothes ‘horse’ in front of the fire. All this in addition to the family laundry, feeding and caring for a large family in such a limited space – surely, a housewife’s nightmare.

Their houses were built over the mine so when the shot-firing took place to expose the coal, buildings shook. Those of us who can remember the blasting vibrations from Groby Quarry at 12 noon every day can relate to this experience; albeit that was at a considerable distance away. The shot firing and tunnelling caused considerable subsidence in many properties. Fortunately, the Coal Board were responsible for repairs.

Personally, I remember seeing houses in the Coalville area shored up by long wooden props.

Pauline has fond memories of an elderly aunt, whose fiancé was killed in the 1914 war. She later married and made a beautiful christening gown for her first baby, which was exhibited on the table. This lady supplemented their income by embroidering socks, buying 1d (1 old penny) Cadbury’s chocolate bars at a discount and selling them to her daughter’s workmates. She began a newspaper round, collecting the papers from Coalville railway station and walking back to New Swannington. Often, miners returning from their shift would help her. She opened a small general store in the front room of the house. There were many such small shops in the area at that time. When the aunt died, Pauline’s mum retired from work and took over the shop. In recording and presenting her memoirs and collecting so many artefacts, our Speaker has preserved an insight into the day to day lives of a vibrant community.

• Leics. & Rutland WI held their Annual Council Meeting at the All Nations Centre with about 600 members attending. After the usual business we had the morning’s speaker.

Former Leicestershire police chief, David Wyrko after retirement from the Force, was appointed appointed High Sheriff by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton. His role, which dates back to the mid16th century, saw him conducting a wide range of official duties across the County, including attending remembrance services and citizenship ceremonies. He refused to wear

21

from Evelyn Ward & Margaret Gamble

the traditional dress of High Sherrif, no way he said was he putting on “pantaloons” etc. Instead he had specially made a Police Officer’s uniform dating from the turn of the last century. The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular Office in the United Kingdom after the Crown and dates from Saxon times.

The afternoon’s speaker was another ‘cup of tea’. Jonathan Agnew the well known cricketer was a very different guest speaker. He made us laugh, talking in general about his cricketing and broadcasting career. Jonathan spoke of many famous cricketers, Boycott for a start. Boycott liked to hold court in any conversation when broadcasting, the remaining reporters having a job to get a word in. He was always right. Generally he was not a very friendly type but Jonathan saw the other side when Geoffrey invited him to his home in South Africa. On arrival he was left to introduce himself to a couple who he didn’t know and staying at Geoffrey’s home. He asked how long they had known Geoffrey. The surprising answer was they had only just met him. Apparently they had won a charity bidding competition, the prize being a trip to South Africa, staying with him, being able to watch the match, all of which was paid for

by Boycott. Jonathan also spoke of David Gower. He was very laid back, so much so that before Captaining a Test Match he just sat in the corner doing a crossword. When asked about tactics, he said it would work itself out. On being called to field, the bowler asked David where he wanted the fielders placed, he replied he could please himself. So on setting the field the bowler found himself with eleven players. He reported this to David who just shouted over to one saying “Get Off ”. Of course, Jonathan couldn’t finish without mentioning Brian Johnston. He really missed Brian who had helped him in his reporting career from the beginning. He then played the famous tape of Brian and Jonathan getting the “titters” after commenting on “getting his leg over”. Apparently the next day Brian has embarrassed at his unprofessional reporting but later enjoyed reminiscing about it. A lovely finish to a great meeting.

Our next meeting is on the l9th April, “Keeping Up Appearances – Process of Aging” a talk by Audrey Matthews.

Hopefully I will learn something to my benefit! As usual it’s at the Village Hall and visitors will be very welcome.

Evelyn Ward and Margaret Gamble

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

22

National Science and Engineering Week at Lady Jane Grey Primary School National Science and Engineering Week was held nationally during March 12 – 16th 2012.

Lady Jane Grey took part in a variety of activities for the first time.

National science and Engineering week encourages children to have fun through a variety of scientific mediums. The theme this year was ‘sustainability’.

To start the week classes of all ages took part in quizzes to test their knowledge and introduce the theme. In the afternoon all the children made helicopter spinners from different materials to test which was best.

The year 6 children were lucky to work in collaboration with Brookvale High School where they explored energy values in food. Using a bunsen burner for the first time gave the children a real thrill and a taste of how science develops.

The whole school took part in the ‘Great Global Adventure’ Challenge to design a futuristic car that was powered by sustainable energy and could cross a variety of terrains. Some of the designs were superb but from pictures drawn we could see that from year 1 to year 6 all children understood the need for change in energy sources.

We had a lot of fun during the week. Key Stage 1 made snow and butter – not together! They enjoyed seeing how materials could change into something new. Key Stage 2 looked at plants and how they draw up water; they measured growth rates of cress and looked at inhibitors to growth. The year 6’s were inspired to write up their experiments as a research paper.

All our entries for ‘The Global Challenge’ have been submitted to the organisers and we are waiting to see if we have been successful. As a school it was a very positive week that was enjoyed by us all and further developed our understanding and knowledge.

Gill Okuniewski Science Co ordinator

Crime Figures for March 2012 The following incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during March 2012.

Description

Groby

House Burglaries Actual: Elsalene Drive Attempted: Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Attempted:

1 Actual 0 Attempted

Field Head 0

0 Actual 0 Attempted

0

Theft of Motor Vehicle:

0

0

Theft from Motor Vehicle: Anstey Lane, Ratby Road & Pymm Ley Lane

3

0

Damage to Motor Vehicle: Lawnwood Road and Woodlands Drive

2

0

Non-Domestic Assaults

2

0

Anti Social Behaviour Incidents

0

0

Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars

7

0

TOTAL (Actual)

15

0

TOTAL (Attempted)

0

0

Theft: 0 / Damage: 0 / Other: 7

Groby NHW Calendar of Events 2012 Groby Village Hall, New room to the rear of the main hall Thursday 14th June 2012 at 7.30pm Thursday 13th September 2012 at 7.30pm Thursday 6th December 2012 at 7.30pm PC 0918 Ned Kelly • Sergeant Matthew Trott

Open Day at Desford Bowls Club

Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk

DESFORD Bowls Club are holding an Open day on Saturday 28th April 2012, between 2.30pm and 5pm.

Information supplied by Martin Cartwright, Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: neighbourhoodwatch@appliancehome.co.uk

Come along and enjoy a cup of tea and try your hand at bowling.

You will be made very welcome.

Desford Bowls Club is situated at Sport in Desford, peckleton Lane, Desford (opposite Caterpillar Works).

For more information, telephone Brian on 01455 824645.

Turning the tables!

Looking for a job this summer?

The next time your application for a job is rejected fill this letter out and send it back.

Dear [Interviewer’s Name]: Thank you for your letter of [Date of Interview].

After careful consideration I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I have had been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.

Despite [Firm’s Name]’s outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will initiate employment with your firm immediately following graduation. I look forward to seeing you then. Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

In An Emergency dial 999.

Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222.

• Spoilt with choice

In the past decade we have been hit with an extraordinary explosion of choice in almost every area of our lives.

Fancy a coffee? Is that cappuccino, lattte, flat white, Americano or espresso; skinny, full-fat, double or single shot, small, medium or large?

Want to watch some television? On Freeview you have over a hundred choices; many more than that on cable. You will find programmes you never dreamed of, even in your worst nightmares. Do you like computer games? The choice is endless. What about music on your iPod? You can download more music that you will ever have time to listen to in your lifetime. Want to play with your laptop or iPad ? There are hundreds of thousands of apps you can choose from...

No one is still these days. We surf, we text, we email, we listen to iPods. We may all live in the same house, but we seldom sit and share an experience together; instead we roost around the house, each absorbed and tapping at our electronic devices.

We all seem to be living in a state of permanent distraction, and some dislocation from those physically closest to us. We can find anything on the internet, but we can’t find time to appreciate it. We have 400 friends on Facebook, but how many true friends in the flesh? We pay more attention to our emails than members of our own family...

One writer has recently wisely observed that if we don’t slow down, we will ‘carry on twitching aimlessly to the beat of endless distraction, gradually choosing ourselves sick.’

By the time they had diminished from 50 to eight, the other dwarves began to suspect “Hungry”.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Broken promises don’t bother me at all. I just wonder why they keep believing me.

23

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

24

Fairtrade Fortnight promoted in Groby supermarkets

High blood pressure?

Have 8 cups of tea

Every Step Counts and it can be as easy as trying a new Fairtrade product from your local supermarket.

This year pupils from Martinshaw Primary School help support Groby United Reformed Church in promoting Fairtrade Fortnight. As in previous years, the church worked with the Co-op and Budgens to help promote Fairtrade Fortnight to shoppers in the village. This year the Year 6 pupils at Martinshaw created collage pictures for display at the two stores.

The pupils spent time learning about Fairtrade, including taking part in a lively debating game. Small groups of children represented the different groups of people involved in the growing and selling of bananas and attempted to negotiate with each other to agree on a fair distribution of the profits made from selling bananas in the supermarkets.

The children were then given the opportunity to choose something that can be bought fairtrade and create collage pictures using a range of materials. These were then mounted onto boards and displayed in the shops on Saturday 10th March. The pictures were also used to create a grid for the annual ‘free’ competition to win a hamper of fairtrade produce from Co-op and Budgens. Shoppers were invited to choose a square on the grid behind which they thought the prize had been hidden and we are pleased to say that 200 people took part in this competition.

The artwork created a talking point to raise awareness amongst shoppers and the work with the children has hopefully planted a seed of understanding in the next generation of shoppers too...

Congratulations: It’s the nicest thing that’s happened to me this week said Lynne Mellor of Sycamore Grove Groby when she won the hamper of Fair Trade food. Her prize was presented by Stephan Burdett, Store Manager of Budgens. She went on to say: Tell the children of Martinshaw School their art work display of Fairtrade goods is really lovely.

Janet Lowe was the competition winner of a hamper at the Co-op.

Enjoy your goodies ladies!

The British have long enjoyed destressing over a hot cup of tea.

Now scientists in Australia have found that tea really does lower the blood pressure. In tests it was found that drinking eight cups of black tea a day ‘significantly’ cuts blood pressure, according to research from the University of Western Australia. So – put the kettle on!

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

25

Housing, the Green Wedge and the Brant Inn Norman Griffiths takes another look at planning After much controversy, debate and campaigning by a wide cross section of interested groups and the media, the National Planning Policy Framework has at last been published. The government says it sweeps away over 1000 pages of planning guidance and replaces it with 65 pages. Time will tell whether that really means 65 pages of guidance and 65 man years of appeals and disputes over interpretation.

But perhaps this is to be overly pessimistic as we could be on the cusp of a new era of harmony between those whose business it is to build the new homes the country needs, planning officers, and those who have, or live near, the land where it can all happen. The Policy says that “local planning authorities should approach decision-taking in a positive way to foster the delivery of sustainable development. The relationship between decisiontaking and plan-making should be seamless, translating plans into high quality development on the ground. Local planning authorities should look for solutions rather than problems, and decisiontakers at every level should seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible.” So that’s sorted.

Targets by another name?

The house building targets have gone, but before anyone who feels Groby has all the houses its infrastructure can cope with starts cheering they should reflect on the fact that local planning authorities should “boost significantly the supply of housing” and “ensure that their Local Plan meets the full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing” in the area. To this end they still have to identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years worth of housing against their housing requirements with an additional buffer of 5% to ensure choice and competition in the market for land. Where there has been a record of persistent under delivery of housing, they have to increase the buffer to 20%. But it doesn’t all end at 5 or six years as they also have to identify a supply of specific, developable sites or broad locations for growth, for years 6-10 and, where possible, for years 11-15.

The Green Wedge and Brownfield sites One of the fears was that the new Framework would encourage

current Green Wedge policy and boundary.”

Reassurance

the use of greenfield sites instead of brownfield sites. These fears have been allayed to some extent by the guidance that “planning policies and decisions should encourage the effective use of land by re-using land that has been previously developed (brownfield land), provided that it is not of high environmental value. Local planning authorities may continue to consider the case for setting a locally appropriate target for the use of brownfield land.”

Locally there has been concern that further development on the edge of the settlement boundary could erode the green wedge which separates Groby from neighbouring villages and so the recent review of the green wedge has been important.

“The Green Wedge review is just a review of the Green Wedge and makes a series of recommendations,” explained Simon Wood, Head of Planning at the Borough Council. Two local sites amongst those considered in the review are of particular interest. One is the land owned

by Bloors next to the cemetery, which could be reclassified as green wedge, a move which would be welcomed by those who oppose any development on the land.

The other is the site of the Brant Inn, currently within the green wedge but which could be taken out. As a brownfield site some might find it more acceptable as a redevelopment site for housing, but it appears this change of use has to be approved at another stage in the planning process.

“The boundaries of the Green

Wedge will be addressed through the site allocations documents,” explained Simon, “as will any potential removal of the Brant Inn from the Green Wedge and any possible allocation for housing or other uses. At the moment the Brant Inn is still within the Green Wedge and any planning application would need to demonstrate why housing would be acceptable on that site given that at present it would be contrary to the

The prospect of losing the Brant may concern those who enjoy a drink, meal or overnight stay in this long established Groby landmark.

“I am well aware of the reclassifying of the Brant to a brownfield site,” said landlord Daljit Ghai. “My family has had the privilege of running the Brant for 6 years and I would like to reassure all customers that we will continue to trade for many more years to come and have no intentions otherwise.”

They will welcome this reassurance and these comments from Erika Hardy, Head of Marketing at Everards : “The pub is trading and our current licensees, who have been there for a few years, have a substantive agreement in place so it is business as usual.” There are many locals who will happily drink to that.

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26

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

A couple of interesting courses at Groby Community College Sugarcraft One day Sugarcraft Workshop on Saturday 21st April 10 am to 3 pm.

The cost is £25.

This is a one day course in an informal atmosphere where you will be shown how to produce lifelike carnation flowers using petal paste, wires, etc. You will make 2 different sizes of carnation using coloured paste.

Your old milk bottles are wanted!

Do you have any old milk bottles? If so, don’t throw them out! In fact, the older they are, the better.

Unlikely as this may sound, there is a burgeoning little milk bottle museum in Malvern Worcester, and the owner, Steve Wheeler, is eagerly looking for more old milk bottles. Steve has been collecting for 30 years, and currently has more than 17,000 of them. He has all sizes, from quarts right down to old creams, half pints and the one-third pints originally used to supply local schoolchildren.

Steve explains: “People often have old milk bottles and don’t even realise it: they are in their sheds, old barns and dairy buildings. Please, if you find any, don’t throw them away! Contact me instead.” Steve’s aim is to establish a National Milk Bottle Museum, and he is in talks with the National Trust and other bodies.

In the meantime, Steve gives talks to WIs, young farmers’ clubs and church groups, etc. while scouring the country for any bottles and dairy memorabilia he can find. He also receives donations from various institutions, such as the Dairymen’s Benevolent Society.

So - if you have any old milk bottles, why not tell Steve on 01684 569656 or email him at milkbottlepast@hotmail.com.

Anstey Folk Club Singaround 1st Sunday every month at 8.30pm Old Hare & Hounds, Bradgate Road, Anstey. All welcome

Computing Absolute Beginners Guide to IT Starts Monday 14th May 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Groby Community College Cost £15 for 5 weeks.

If you want to gain some confidence and get started in computing this course is for you!

If you are interested in enrolling on either of these courses please telephone the FREEphone no on 0800 988 0308 or the Adult Learning Department at Groby Community College (please note the Groby office will be closed for the Easter Break between Friday 30th March and Monday 16th April) on 0116 287 4725.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

27

Word Search Puzzle

Subscriber Login Passcode/New Users Help

WACKY RACERS WORDSEARCH STORE Win a Sunday Lunch Main Course for Four at CAFE 7, Within Sevenoaks Nursery, Groby Lane, Newtown Linford.

G S F A N T H I L L M O B D H Y

S R E H T O R B G A L S Q P G L

T G U S X Q H V Y Z U P V N R D

W S I E L A R L Q E E G I W U R

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K M O G R E A A T W A P X M F K

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T E R E D B O R A A Z E D M T N

B P V Y U L S A K D R P S G E K

P E N E L O P E P I T S T O P D

If you can find 12 CHARACTERS FROM THE WACKY RACES CARTOON in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win a SUNDAY LUNCH MAIN COURSE FOR FOUR at CAFE SEVEN, Sevenoaks Garden Centre, Near Groby Pool.

All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 WACKY RACERS. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: DOUBLE DRAT, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 2nd May 2012. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the CAFE SEVEN voucher. Good luck!

Here are the WACKY RACERS you have to find: ANTHILL MOB • BLUBBER BEAR • DICK DASTARDLY GRUESOME TWOSOME • MUTTLEY • PENELOPE PITSTOP PETER PERFECT • PROF PAT PENDING • RED MAX RUFUS RUFFCUT • SERGEANT BLAST • SLAG BROTHERS Name: .................................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last month’s Wordsearch competition was: MRS. JANE OFFORD, of Bedford Drive, Groby.

You win a Sunday Lunch Main Course for Four at Cafe Seven, Sevenoaks Garden Centre, near Groby Pool.

Congratulations! Your prize will be with you soon.

At an ‘all-you-can-eat’ restaurant, is there a penalty for eating less than you can?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

28

Groby Gardening Society News We now can see the woods for the trees!

Over fifty members heard the talk and presentation by Ian Retson of The Woodland Trust.

The first part of his interesting and illuminating talk revolved around the work of the Trust in preserving existing woods and forests and increasing the overall tree coverage of the U.K. We are one of the most sparsely tree-covered countries in Europe with about 15% of the surface area. Germany, at about 30%, has the most abundant trees.

A long term aim is to get our coverage to be in the same order as the rest of Europe. Ian highlighted the benefits of trees in the environment covering topics such as the diverse habitats for animals and birds, the economic value of sustainable woodland, trees as a “sink” for carbon dioxide and as a supplier of atmospheric oxygen. He was at pains to suggest that woods enrich our lives in a more spiritual way. The peace and tranquillity of woodlands can comfort, calm and enrich the lives of those who take advantage of their presence.

Few would disagree with the latter point.

Much of England was denuded of trees many hundreds of years ago as felling enabled agriculture to take a hold. Also, our current concern about recycling and sustainability is not new. In the latter half of the 17th century, Charles II, realising how neglected our woodlands and forests were, demanding much planting to ensure a supply of English oaks to build, amongst other things, warships. Prior to his talk, Ian had pieced together a short history of our own Martinshaw wood and some of his findings now follow:-

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•

•

•

•

Up to 1,000 years ago Heavy loss of woodland to agriculture. Charnwood area was less affected due to poor soil. Evidence of an Iron Age enclosure.

1086 (Doomsday) 1200 acres of woodland in “Grobi” was owned by the Norman Baron, Hugo de Grentesmainell. Martinshaw was probably part of this.

1100-1600 - William de Ferrers, baron of Groby, had a large deer park and Martinshaw was protected from the deer by a woodbank and ditch. (evidence is still there) The Greys (Earls of Stamford) owned the wood from 1446 for about 500 years.

The wood land was used for coppicing, pannage, grazing, oak bark for tanning leather, quarrying (marl pits are still there). Bricks from the marl and granite from Toothills helped to build Kirby castle.

1600-1900 - Tenants paid for wood collection in hens.

Coppicing and timber for the coal mines (pit props).

During 19th and 20th centuries there was cover for foxes and pheasants and in 1886 there were three resident gamekeepers. 20,000 trees were planted in Martinshaw in 1895.

1913 - Prior to this date, the wood was “Shaw Wood”. The market for wood declined as coal became more accessible.

1925 - The Grey estate was sold. Martinshaw still had underwood, but the rest of the estate was thinned, park-like.

1925-1950 - Most trees were cleared. There was a huge national loss of woodland between the wars and during WWII.

Groby Village Society ~ Preservation ~ Conservation ~ Communal Interests ~

Thursday April 26 Thursday May 24 Thursday June 28 Thursday July 26

Thursday August 23 Thursday Sept 27

Forthcoming Events Leicestershire & Rutland Murders - Mr David Bell The Little Theatre - Mr Mike Bull An Indian Adventure - Mrs Sophie Hadfield-Hill The National Memorial Arboretum - Speaker to be announced Evening All - Mr Richard Pollard Orson Wright builder of South Wigston and most of Leicester Mr Peter Cousins

Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

•

•

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1950s - Forestry Commission took over and planted 550000 trees as Martinshaw was used as a tree nursery. There were large open spaces used by the Quorn Hunt.

1967 The M1 was driven through, effectively creating two woods from the original.

1986 A large local campaign saved Martinshaw from commercial development and it was sold to the Woodland Trust. Part of the Trust’s ethos is to allow unrestricted public access to their woods and visitors no longer had to keep to designated paths. The Trust’s vision is for the conifers to be slowly replaced with English broadleaf trees with an understory consisting of hazel, elderberry and the like.

This is a 30 year plan, as faster conifer clearance upsets the microclimate within the wood, to the detriment of animals and wild flowers.

Subscriptions If still outstanding, please pay Eric a.s.a.p.

Forthcoming events May 10th: An Evening with Ken Whittaker (or “dos and don’ts in the garden”) May 19th (a.m.): The Plant Sale in the Village Hall June 10th: Angels (the pelargonium kind) We always welcome new members and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail alvar3@ talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

Cycling courses for adults

THOSE who haven’t cycled for a while, or don’t feel confident on a bike, might like to try a free adult cycling course.

The courses are held over five two-hour sessions (daytime or evening) at various venues around the county between April and September.

Courses are for adults over 16 and are with qualified instructors. Bikes (and helmets) are available to borrow, subject to availability.

Courses will be taking place as follows: Hollycroft Park tennis courts, Shakespeare Drive, Hinckley. Monday evenings (6pm to 8pm) on: 16, 23, 30 April and 7 & 14 May (please note 7 May is a bank holiday) Radford Park, Barwell. Saturday mornings (10am to 12noon) on 4, 11, 18, 25 August & 1 September.

To book a place or to find out about other courses around the county visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk, call 0116 305 5289 or email: choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.

All men are animals, some just make better pets.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

29

Churches Together in Groby Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall.

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

Catch

For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Mrs Norma Whittaker 287 6606 Children/Youth Worker Deb Goodhead 07730 596309

Play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent/carer.

Every Friday in term time, 9.30 – 11.30am, at the URC. Urban Saints During term time, held at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions.

- for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45, 6.30 or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30 - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30 More details on the church websites If we quit voting, will they all go away?

Christian Aid Week is th th 13 – 19 May and the two churches will be distributing and collecting envelopes as in previous years. If we don’t manage to call in your street, all is not lost. Drop a donation in to either church, in a clearly marked envelope.

The Groby collections are always very successful; we regularly raise over £4,000 …let’s keep it that way!

Information about Christian Aid’s work is available at www.christianaid.org.uk There’s a lot we can do.

Help people in poverty out of poverty

30

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

National Trust Leicester Association News Stowe House near Buckingham was built by the Temple – Grenville family in the 1680’s. It is currently the home of Stowe School, is owned by an independent Trust and open to the public for about 180 days each year.

Now open for Breakfasts, Lunches, Afternoon Teas & Traditional Sunday Roasts.

Two Full English Breakfasts for £5.00!

Before 10.30am Tuesday—Saturday

Outside catering for all occasions; for bespoke menus & prices please contact us.

Sevenoaks Garden Centre, Groby Lane, Newtown Linford, LE6 0HG. 01530 245123 www.facebook.com/cafenoseven

Event offers new plants that don’t cost the earth GARDENERS are being offered the opportunity to get their hands on some garden plants that don’t cost the earth as part of a plant swap event at Hinckley’s Hollycroft Park this month.

The plant swap, which is run by volunteers from Friends of Hollycroft Park as part of RHS National Gardening Week, will take place on Saturday 21 April from 10.30am until 12.30pm near the bandstand in Hollycroft Park, Hinckley.

Anyone who wishes to take part is invited to come along with any plants, cuttings or seedlings from their own garden which they wish to swap with other people.

There is no charge to take part in the swap, but people will be asked to make a donation to the park. Even people without plants to swap are welcome to take part by simply making a donation to the park in return for their plants.

Friends of Hollycroft Park volunteer, Sue Neal said: “It’s a great opportunity to get hold of new plants for your garden without it costing the earth. I would urge anyone interested to get planting seeds and taking cuttings as soon as possible! I look forward to seeing as many people as possible there”.

Pre booking is not required and everyone is welcome. For more information contact Sue Neal 01455 234371 or Margaret McFadden 07828 145169 or email gardening@hollycroftpark.co.uk

The house is surrounded by the 250 acre Stowe Landscape Gardens which are owned by the National Trust and considered to be one of England’s foremost landscape gardens. They are open every day of the year except for 3 days over Christmas.

Sir Richard Temple began to develop the gardens in 1715. The work was carried out in phases and was completed by his nephew, Earl Temple, in the 1750’s.

The first phase was executed by the royal gardener, Charles Bridgeman, and adorned with buildings designed by Sir John Vanbrugh. The design included an elaborate parterre, avenues of trees, a large octagonal pond, a number of temples and monuments and the first major ha-ha ever constructed in England.

The second phase undertaken by Sir Richard, by now Lord Cobham, began in 1734. This phase was carried out in the Picturesque style by the garden designer William Kent following his grand tour of Italy and was based on the Elysian Fields or the Roman’s mythological paradise. The development included a serpentine spouting from a grotto, tree fringed glades and more temples and monuments.

Additional areas of land were landscaped in the 1730’s and the last development of the garden began in 1746 with the young Lancelot “Capability” Brown as head gardener working on his first major design.

Both these phases included more temples and architectural structures, of which there are now over 40 at Stowe.

Early on in the project, in 1717, Lord Cobham built the New Inn as the entrance to the gardens for all of his visitors to Stowe. Over the years the inn had become very dilapidated and it was acquired by the National Trust in 2005. Following a long period of planning and fund raising the Trust has, over the last two years, undertaken a full restoration of the property, which was opened as the new entrance to the gardens at the end of March.

You can now see the kitchen and laundry room at work, sample ale in the old tap room and sit and play games in the parlour rooms. The stable block has also been converted into a conference centre, café, shop and plant centre.

The NT Leicester Association has its AGM, followed by a talk on The Clumber Park Estate on Tuesday 17th April at Highpoint Conference Centre, Glenfield Road, Leicester at 7.30pm. This is the last meeting of the winter season and there is a programme of outings and visits over the summer. For more information on the Association and its Talks Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler Chairman

Where am I?!

A man was driving to work when a lorry hit his car broadside, and knocked him cold. Passersby pulled him from the wreck and revived him.

He began a terrific struggle and had to be tranquilized by the paramedics.

Later, when he was calm, they asked him why he had struggled so. He said, “I remember the impact, then nothing. I woke up on a concrete slab in front of a huge flashing ‘Shell’ sign...and somebody was standing in front of the ‘S’!

What did I do with the car?

Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I suddenly realised I could not find my car keys. They were not in my pockets. They were not in the church. Then I thought – I’ve left them in the car! As I burst through the doors of the church, my heart sank: the church car park was empty.

With a heavy heart I called the police, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen. Then I made the really difficult call: “Darling,” I began (I always call her ‘darling’ at moments like this). “Darling, I have left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”

There was a little gasp. “You did not have the car. I dropped you off.

Remember?”

My heart sang as relief flooded through me. “Of course! Thank God! Well, come get me quick – I am already running late... what is keeping you?”

That was not smart. My wife replied with ominous calm: “What’s keeping me? I’ll tell you what’s keeping me. The police are here. They think I’ve stolen your car...”

This would be really funny if it weren’t happening to me

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-APRIL 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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