April 2014 herald magazine

Cllr. John Sutherington needs a bone marrow transplant.

CAN YOU HELP? See page 27.

APRIL 2014

Bagworth Community Centre “BIG” Lottery Project

Bagworth Community Centre refurbishment nears completion

STANTON SCARECROW COMPETITION

Update from the Chairman, Bagworth and Thornton Parish Council

F

ollowing my last article announcing the major grant from the BIG Lottery Reaching Com-munities Programme published by “The Herald” in December 2012, residents will know that after discovery of previously unknown damage to the internal floor within the old building, the project came to a standstill in June 2013.

A thorough assessment of the damage by our professional team at Pick Everard with evaluation of additional costs was needed before work could re-start. To ensure minimum additional expenditure caused a delay of five months.

Residents will have noticed that work re-started in December 2013 and the refurbishment is happily now approaching completion.

In keeping with one of Parish Council’s fundamental commitments; to ensure minimal expenditure; council faced considerable additional administration time consuming work: Immediately the damage was found, Parish Council notified its insurers Zurich Municipal Insurance.

Unfortunately they were not helpful

PIRATE THEME Ahoy there me hearties !

SATURDAY 3RD MAY 2014 Between 12noon-4pm Donations of cakes/prizes would be appreciated.

PROJECT TEAM: Chairman Barry White, Clerk Ann Murray & Roger Snowdin RFO, “BIG” project liaison in their response so in view of the huge possible cost of additional works potentially in excess of £140,000, Parish Council requested a Public Works Board Loan.

The detail of proposed floor repairs was not only very costly but complex and included cost options so council decided to request further professional opinion.

Councillor Chris Boothby contacted Malcolm Evans, Head of Estates at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Mike Thomson at Leicester County Council introduced their Principal Architect Mr Nigel Dutton.

Independent external opinions were obtained from other Engineers and

with excellent assistance from Pick Everard and cooperation from the contractor Smallman and Son, council was able to reduce the cost of repairs by approximately £70,000.

In addition to reducing the very high maintenance and running costs for the old community centre building, a core objective in the refurbishment project is to provide enhanced benefit to the community as defined in the BIG Lottery Grant agreement. In this the newly formed Bagworth Community Centre Trust 2013, which will run the refurbished community centre is already managing the bookings for and

In the afternoon 12noon – 4pm come along to Stanton Church for a get together.

• Enjoy a cup of Tea or Coffee • Nibble a Cake • Try your luck on the Tombola or Raffle • Enter the colouring competition • Sample the BBQ • And lots more!

The success of any future events depends upon village support !

Sally, Elaine, Pat, Ann, Loraine, Sheila Tina and Sue QGJ Committee

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 5

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 10th May - Adverts & Articles Needed By 26th April

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New dining and function room opens at South Charnwood The new dining and function facility at South Charnwood High School was officially opened in March.

Catering Manager Lisa Keates cut the ribbon and was joined by (from left to right) Andrew Morris - Headteacher, Tony Tromans - Site Manager for Greswolde Construction Kevin Shaw – Leicestershire County Council Architect and The facility is being enjoyed the pupils and the school hope to hire it out for community functions in the future.

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. The Herald reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication.

All contents © The Herald None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from The Herald.

This issue of The Herald is being delivered by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Sarah Jane, Maureen, John, Lyn, Lily, Ian, Ann, Gill, Sandra, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Lauren, Lisa, Daisy, Stacey, Ennyd, Margaret, Ellie, Hannah, Charlotte, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

The brand new dining and function room at South Charnwood High School

Tripping the light fantastic in Bagworth It is once again time to dig out your dancing shoes and dust them off. You will need them for a social dance at Bagworth Working Men’s Club on Saturday 19th April at 8 pm.

Tickets are £2 and can be bought on the door. During the evening there will also be a Bingo session and a raffle.

The next dance after this will be on Friday May 9th at 8 pm again at Bagworth Working Men’s Club. This is a Charity dance and all proceeds will go to Prostaid. Prostaid are a voluntary group of volunteers who have been affected by Prostate Cancer and was founded in 2004. They offer local support, information, befriending and awareness of Prostate Cancer. They also fund two Prostate Cancer specialist nurses, one at the point of diagnosis and one working in the community, giving palliative care for local men with advanced prostate cancer, the very first nurse in the UK to do this. In addition they fund new treatment equipment for local hospitals. They serve the local cancer care network in Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire. This is clearly a very worthwhile cause.

Again, during the evening there will be a bingo session and a raffle, which always has lots of donated prizes. Dancing will be to Ken’s music. Tickets cost £2.50 and can be bought from Ken, Glenda, Anne or Josie, or on the door. The Charity dances are always well attended and enjoyed by everyone. If you haven’t been before, come along and give it a go. You can be assured of a warm welcome.

Ken Hill I was disappointed after travelling all that way to see the Great Wall of China, it wasn’t made of china at all.

Can YOU help to keep Markfield library open?

Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald Thoughts have turned this month to how we might keep a functioning library serving our local community.

We have been informed by the County Council that it is almost certain that Markfield Library will close its doors, unless another body or organisation is willing to take on the responsibility for it. It really is that critical.

The current library at Markfield is well used (above average) and resides in a modern purpose built building and yet only those libraries in towns will be kept as going concerns by the County Council. Markfield library could be no more and it is very unlikely that a mobile replacement service would take its place as this service itself is under a threat of closure.

So the local community needs to find volunteers who might be willing to step up to the plate and help keep the library service going locally.

Already meetings have taken place and these will continue, to look at what might be feasible and what other stakeholders in our community might be willing to do. One of the problems currently being encountered is that apart from the headlines about closure, little else is fully understood and many questions remain unanswered. It is obvious that the policy to close village libraries throughout Leicestershire has been poorly thought through, leaving those seeking alternatives struggling to understand how best to respond. The closure policy looks a done deal despite continuing challenge by those who oppose the move.

I attended a meeting last week called by David Sprason, our County Councillor, who played

a big part in getting the current library built in the first place and is keen to do whatever can be done to keep it open. Alongside myself was also Andy Kitchen the head from the primary school, Tracey Beighton from the Library service and Margaret Bowler a parish councillor and a former chartered librarian. We mulled over what the options are and what resources we might be able to find to secure a future for this important service.

This is very much the beginning of our deliberations and as the facts become clearer we will know more what needs to be done.

The earliest indicators suggest that some limited support will be available at the beginning but that this transitional support, is wholly dependent on a viable body/community group being set up to take over the running of the service into the future. This is fundamentally where the main challenge lies, not simply in finding the required money. Don’t get me wrong, the money is and will be a problem, but I believe that we could possibly find ways to address that problem over time and I will be looking at what sources of future income we could secure but, without volunteers to take this forward we will find it almost impossible to get a solution off the ground. So we are looking to see who is willing to come forward and consider taking some role in setting up a community group to keep Markfield library open.

They will not be alone and a package of support and training we are assured will be provided.

The intention is that with a funding package in place a limited number of professional staff hours can be secured to provide technical guidance and ongoing support.

Alongside needing volunteers to help set up a community group

and keep it operational, volunteers would also be needed to help staff the library and serve the public.

The more volunteers, the more hours the library could function.

The library does really have great potential and being next to the school gives it an important focus for learning. It already has some income streams and these could easily be extended.

Providing refreshments such as tea, coffee and cakes, hiring out the venue when not in use, having income generating events etc, all of these are possible and all could make a big difference. I do not underestimate the challenge ahead on this and a lot more work is required to ensure this really is viable. Finding volunteers who are up for this challenge really is the key to success, without them it looks very difficult. So if you think you might be interested, please do get in touch with David Sprason or myself so that we can see the level of interest that might be out there.

It is also likely that future meetings will be called so please stay aware.

Trying to save our community library for the future is what

Holy Week and Easter Special services across the Benefice Experience the old story in a new way this Holy Week and Easter

Tenebrae

Matthew Lay

Tuesday 15th April 7.30 pm matters right here right now.

St Peter’s, Copt OakIt

does not however excuse the short‘Tenebrae’ means shadow; lighted sightedness of the County Council. candles are extinguished in this Nor does it excuse the lack of ancient reminder of the Passion of preparation in having a workable Jesus from the shadow of the Betrayal plan. It also saddens me personally to the darkness of the Cross through that the main saving from this Bible readings, hymns and silences. comes in the form of job losses from a dedicated group of skilled library staff. Whatever next? Actually it’s probably best not to ask.

Fish and Chip Supper and Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday 17th April 6.30pm at St Mary's, Stanton An evening of fellowship over supper, followed by sharing together in an informal service of Holy Communion.

Family Stations of the Cross

Good Friday 18th April 10.00a at St Peter’s, Thornton

Share in recalling the story of Good Fri and Easter in a journey round the chur with pictures, songs, readings and prayers. About 30-40 minutes followe drinks and Hot Cross Buns.

Suitable for all ages.

Markfield Library faces closure

Informal Worship Come and worship God in an informal setting, with contemporary songs, prayer and sharing.

Friday 2nd May 7.30pm The Rectory, Markfield All welcome My father is a soldier. He’s not a real soldier. He’s a thin strip of buttered toast.

Bagworth Community Centre UPGRADE From page 1 coordinating those activities which have been able to continue while the work is underway.

Excellent progress is now being made by the new Management Trust and I would like to compliment all Trustees, especially Phil Crompton for his initiative in setting up and progressively implementing everything that needs to be done to achieve the project objectives all of which are planned to bring community benefits as defined in the BIG Grant agreement.

Understandably, due to the unavoidable delay in refurbishment work, a number of user groups found it necessary to find alternative facilities while the centre was unavailable. However bookings received by the Trust are now increasing and being fixed far ahead so I take the opportunity to encourage all readers who may have an interest in using the centre to enquire as soon as possible via e-mail bookings@ bagworthcommunitycentre.org, or mobile: 07866 766160 or via the Trust’s website where a booking form is available under; http://www. bagworthcommunitycentre.org The newly refurbished community

NEARING COMPLETION: Inside the refurbished community centre centre is finally planned to re-open from April 19th 2014. I imagine that it will be a progressive opening with previous user groups returning and new groups using the centre increasing usage up to full capacity.

I thank all concerned for their commitment and considerable

Police News for Markfield The next beat surgery will be held on Friday 25th April at the library between 3pm and 4pm, it will be held by PCSO Ed Green.

The main issue reported to Police this month in Markfield and Stanton Under Bardon is related to parking. Most of the complaints have not been illegal parking therefore no action has been taken

by Police.

Most of the reports have been inconsiderate parking, I would ask everyone to think about where they park and ensure that it isn’t going to have an impact of passing traffic or neighbours, more importantly please always ensure there is enough space for emergency services to pass.

PC 4675 Katie Harris

effort over recent months, not least Roger and Ann, and of course all who serve on the management committee whose role is vital.

For further information and news please go to:www.bagworthcommunitycentre.org

Barry White

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in a new way this Holy Week and Easter

7.30pm at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon

Tenebrae

An opportunity to listen to the Passion narratives from the Bible in the context of Evening Prayer.

Tuesday 15th April 7.30 pm St Peter’s, Copt Oak

Jazz in May

‘Tenebrae’ means shadow; lighted candles are extinguished in this ancient reminder of the Passion of Jesus from the shadow of the Betrayal to the darkness of the Cross through Bible readings, hymns and silences.

Reminder - The Brian Humpherson Quintet

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason

When service change consequences are not considered by politicians We are seeing many changes to how public services are being delivered due to the austerity drive following central and local government cutting budgets.

The service areas that are identified are ultimately chosen by politicians who do not always consider the consequences of their decisions. A number of these have already been highlighted in the media but have impacted locally.

Changes to the planning system that gives developers the presumption in favour of development has resulted in more development on green fields than as ministers envisaged on brown field sites. The consequences not considered by ministers when they changed the planning system were the impact on the infrastructure, roads, schools, health services and public transport. The idea that developer contributions would cover this was always tenuous and fraught with danger. The idea that local authorities would be able to pick up the funding shortfall is also now looking a distant dream as budgets are reduced to cover only road repairs.

The welfare reforms that we all agree needed addressing have again seen some unforeseen consequences. The assessment of disabled people by ATOS is over bureaucratic, slow and lacks compassion resulting in many disabled people losing their support and assistance. The appeal and complaints procedures were not considered and are very difficult to access and slow to react adding to the anxiety of the individual.

The spare room subsidy (bedroom tax) looks good on paper but the fact overlooked by ministers was the lack of one bedroom properties.

This has resulted in people not being able to move and who are stuck in a property they can no longer afford. A well thought out policy would have recognised this consequence and would have planned for a more realistic timetable to deliver these changes.

Ministers must recognise that to

implement its social housing policy it must first have the right types of housing available.

Changes to the school system moving them from being controlled by the local authority to being independently run academy schools is taking place. The consequences however are twofold, the first being the cost of the pension liability passing to individual schools. The second being the provision of school/college transport, this was totally overlooked by ministers.

The burden of this now falls on to the local transport authority to try to resolve with no extra money from central government. The consequences of this change in policy will result in the financial burden now falling on parents, students and schools.

Locally a number of issues have been raised following the need to cut services due to the £110 million reduction in central government funding. The administration commissioned a £50,000 report to look into reducing the number of councils, executives and councillors saving £31 million and reducing council tax. The consequences of this policy have raised people’s expectations when in reality the administration never intended to deliver on the recommendations highlighted in this report.

The tightening of the rules on who and who does not receive social care has been implemented. The result is that more people no longer receive care but instead this has fallen on the family to deliver. The cost of providing and accessing care is increasing and of course the increased costs have now passed on to the individual and the family.

The need to address this nationally continues to be debated and considered but a fairer social care system that protects peoples savings and assets is long overdue and one I have covered and raised over

Fish and Chip Supper and Holy Communion

THORNTON Community

CentreDay willServices be welcoming Easter

back The Brian Sunrise Service Easter Day, SundayQuintet 20th Aprilon Humpherson 5.45am at Hill17th Hole, May Markfield Maundy Thursday 17th April Saturday 2014 6.30pm at St Mary's, Stanton uB Greet with joy the day when 7.30pm start. we celebrate An evening of fellowship over supper, followed by sharing together in an informal service of Holy Communion.

Family Stations David Sprason of the Cross

Good Friday 18th April 10.00am many at years.

St Peter’s, Thornton Turning off and dimming of street Share in recalling the story of Good Friday lights takinground place andhave Easterbeen in a journey the across church Leicestershire being with pictures, and songs,currently readings and prayers. About minutes This followed implemented in 30-40 Markfield. is a drinks and Hot Cross Buns. result of needing to make savings Suitable for all ages. and to deliver the government’s carbon emissions reduction targets following the European Union’s directive. Due to the lights going Informal Worship off at midnight has raised some concerns residentsGod fearing Comewith and worship crimeinwill The evidence an increase. informal setting, to date the Policesongs, is that crime withfrom contemporary has notprayer increased but has actually and sharing. reduced in areas were lights have 2nd May been Friday turned off.

7.30pm Finally the County Council and other public are looking The services Rectory, to pass more service delivery to Markfield voluntary groups including Parish Councils. One of these areas being proposed is the local community All welcome library (Markfield & Desford). It is worth pointing out that Parish Councils are only legally able to provide a few parish services, running Museums for instance is not a service they can legally provide. The consequences of passing the running of community libraries to voluntary groups needs to be clearly thought out as so far this is not the case. Many questions are being raised to how this policy will be implemented.

These questions should have been considered before announcing a policy which could have wide reaching impacts on local communities for years to come.

This is why our national and local politicians need to consider the consequences when announcing and implementing policy changes.

If they fail to think about how the policy will impact on people and communities it is doomed to failure and subject to opposition and anger from day one.

Jesus’ resurrection; with singing of Easter This is in acclamation response hymns andreturn sharingvisit the Easter to several requests from previous Alleluia, Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed, alleluia! audience members.

The quintet is made up of Other Easter Day Services

Brian Humpherson (piano), Don 9.00am Holy Communion Blakeson (trumpet), Mike Read at St Peter’s, Thornton (saxophone), Dougie Wright

10.30am (drums)Holy and Communion Martin Slipp (double St Michael’s, Markfield bass).atThe Guest Vocalist will be Nicole van Kuinder.

10.30am Holyder Communion at St- priced Mary’s, Stanton Tickets at £7.00u-Bwill be available nearer the date. For early 6.00pm Holy Communion booking, on at Stcontact Peter’s, Iris CoptGleeson Oak 01530 230453.

St Michael’s Church

May Fayre with Raffle, Tombola Plant Stall Refreshments

Saturday 10th May Congregational Church Hall from 10.00 am - 12.00 noon

Markfield HomeMakers Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm.

Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436.

• • •

•

•

Brings it all back…

Do you know what ‘cascading reminiscence bumps’ are?

You will have experienced them, almost certainly. They are that rush of vivid memories that you get when you hear music that you associate with your childhood, teens and early twenties being played – the songs that open the door on so many events in your past.

Because such memories stretch back to childhood, even the music your parents used to listen to when you were a child will be bound up in this. As a study on the phenomenon at Cornell University puts it: “Music transmitted from generation to generation shapes autobiographical memories, preferences and emotional responses.” It confirms other research which found that the music you encounter when you were young will have the greatest impact on your life.

• • •

April ~ 9th ~ Claire ~ Talk about Inheritance May ~ 14th ~ Delia Bennett ~ ‘Reflections in Rhyme’ June ~ 11th ~ Outing to Courthouse Florist in Coalville Aug ~ 13th ~Skittles ~ 7.15 for 7.30pm At Little Markfield Farm Sep ~ 10th ~ Judy Marshall ~Corn Dollies - a talk / demonstration and a chance for everyone to have a go.

Oct ~ 8th Jenny Harris ~ Bats in the Belfry Nov ~ 12th Marie Anne ~ Serenity Eco Craft Dec ~10th ~ Christmas Party

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South Charnwood High School raises almost £1,000 for Sport Relief

Sport Relief at South Charnwood High School raised £924.90.

Pupils paid £1 to come to school in sports clothing and many then paid another £1 for the honour of running a mile around the school playing fields! Staff also joined in the fun.

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Billie from Bagworth wows judges at TeenStar auditions!

Egg-cellent Easter Competitions at Markfield Library Markfield library will host two cracking Easter competitions in the coming weeks!

The first is open to adults and children alike and runs from Monday 24th March. All you have to do is to borrow six books or any three chargedfor DVDs to receive a ticket and be entered into the prize draw to win a scrumptious chocolate Easter Egg worth £10. You can enter unlimited times and the winning ticket will be drawn by a member of the public on Thursday 17th April.

Our second competition is open to children up to the age of 12 years and runs from Monday 31st March until Monday 14th April. Entrants will receive an Easter Egg to decorate for the entry fee of £1 – the best egg in each age category then wins a prize. (The age categories are: 0-4 years, 5-8 years and 9-12 years).

So what are you waiting for? Get on down to Markfield library and take part! For more information call the library on: 0116 3053642.

LETTER

I’m organising The Buddy Gask Charity Day to be held at the Markfield community centre on 7th June 2014.

Buddy Gask was a founding member of the Leicester band Showaddywaddy who passed away in 2011. The event is to go ahead with the consent of his family and all money raised is to go to local cancer and Alzheimer charities.

I am organising this event because as a child I was a huge Showaddywaddy fan and Buddy was my hero. Now at 42 I am honoured to host this event.

Living in Doncaster I was informed that Buddy used to play as part of a duo ‘Double Bill’ at The Red Lion Markfield in 2000/01 on a regular basis which is why I chose this venue. The daytime event is free with activities all day and the night time event is ticket only with three live acts and much more. Any kind of publicity for this event would be greatly appreciated.

Simon Thrower

Billie Ford from Bagworth, has been given the big thumbs up by judges at the TeenStar auditions.

Along with other impressive acts, Billie Ford has made it through to the Regional Finals of the UK’s only singing competition specifically for teens and pre-teens, and will now be performing live showcases of the competition.

TeenStar is an exciting national singing competition searching for the UK’s best teens and pre-teens singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material. TeenStar is brought to you by Future Music, the company behind the discovery of artists such as Jacob Banks, Warner Music’s Birdy, Columbia Record’s Lucy Spraggan, and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley and Jahmene Douglas, both of whom are now signed to Sony Music, meaning TeenStar is an exciting singing competition for teens and pre-teens to get involved in.

One contestant who has evidently caught the judge’s eye is local talent Billie Ford, who is now in the running to follow in the footsteps of previous winner Luke Friend and compete for a place in the Grand Final. Thousands of hopefuls entered TeenStar nationwide and hundreds of auditionees queued patiently on the day for their turn to impress the judges. Those who made it through the audition stage will now take part in a live Regional head-to-head battle on 5th April alongside the best talent in their area.

They’ll be performing in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel to win a place at the National Grand Final.

Chris Grayston, Events Coordinator for TeenStar comments “We are looking to find an act that has something unique to offer, another Birdy or Luke Friend that can go all the way, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist. There is so much talent out there I’m sure we can find that star again!”

Previous Future Music competition winner Birdy’s career has gone from strength-to-strength since winning Open Mic UK, after securing a deal with Warner Music and watching her debut album achieve Gold status in the UK and platinum status throughout Europe, and receiving a 2014 BRIT award nomination. For more information go to the website www. teenstarcompetition.co.uk, or better still come down and support your local talent performing! You can purchase tickets from the website www. teenstarcompetition.co.uk, as well as on the door subject to availability.

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The trouble with an all-day breakfast is that you’ve got to eat it so slowly.

10

LETTER

My concerns about the proposed Bagworth Wind Farm Residents of Bagworth may be concerned to hear of plans to develop a Wind Farm at Poplar House Farm in Bagworth.

We all know wind turbines are high, but did you know that the proposed wind turbine at Poplar House Farm will be almost twice the height of Nelson’s column! I recently went to the exhibition at the Community Centre put on by RES (the developer working with the farmer on this project) to find out more.

However the exhibition was more of a public relations exercise than anything, so I have tried to get more information from more objective sources.

First of all I was concerned to find that the presence of wind turbines can lower the value of nearby homes. Given a choice between buying a house looking out at a giant industrial windmill and one looking out over open fields and unspoilt countryside, which would you choose? A study by the London School of Economics found that when a wind farm blighted views it hit house values, reducing them by as much as 11%.

Another surprising issue with wind turbines is noise. I thought wind turbines were quiet, but it turns out the noise can be significant, travelling hundreds of metres and causing some nearby residents to sell their houses (if they can!) to get away from the noise. If you are downwind from a turbine the noise is at its worst - and much of the village of Bagworth is positioned downwind from the proposed Poplar House Farm wind turbine.

I have three times emailed RES to ask about noise from the proposed wind turbine but they never replied! Perhaps they think I won’t like the answer!

There is much evidence of the negative health effects of wind turbines. I was worried to read in the Daily Telegraph that “wind farm noise causes clear and significant damage to people’s sleep and mental health according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem... The findings provide the clearest evidence yet to support long-standing complaints from people living near turbines that the sound from their rotating blades disrupts sleep patterns and causes stress-related conditions”.

And if you think wind turbines are ‘Green’ I was surprised to read that even this is debatable and that they are not as efficient as other forms of Green energy. What they do do however is receive substantial subsidies for RES and the landowner and these subsidies are paid for by taxpayers.

Sadly this project will not supply jobs for local people or benefits for local people. Whilst we will have the disruption of a four month construction project, people in the local area will not benefit in any way.

Bagworth has recently benefited from new planted woodlands that are helping to re-establish the rural nature of the village that was once visually damaged by its industrial past. However at least the mining industry provided jobs for local people.

My concern with the wind farm is that it may have a negative effect on local residents and house prices whilst offering no benefits to those people bearing the brunt of its negative effects. I myself love walking my dog on footpaths around the village and enjoy seeing all the wildlife that seems drawn to the area now it has been planted with new trees. I would hate to see these valuable wildlife habitats compromised and walkers and other visitors discouraged from coming to the area by the wind farm.

Planning permission will soon be sought by Poplar House Farm and RES Energy. It is up to local people to get the information they need about this project and make up their own minds. I found a simple Google search very enlightening. Then hopefully when the planning process starts local residents will make their voices heard.

Local Councils and Planning Officers now have an increased duty to listen to the views of local people, so go ahead and have your say. This is your village and you have a right to your view about what happens in it.

Catherine (full name supplied) Bagworth

How your love can help your spouse’s heart Matters of the heart really can affect your overall cardiovascular health, a study suggests.

It seems that the risk of heart disease can increase or decrease depending on how much a husband or wife feels that they are supported by their spouse. Research at the University of Utah, published in the Psychological Science, found that marital support, or the lack of it, can have a significant bearing on overall heart health. As one scientist put it: “There is a large body of epidemiological research suggesting that our relationships are predictors of mortality rates, especially from cardiovascular disease.”

Put another way, love heals, and lack of love really can break your heart.

Successful Slimmers!

Local Slimming World consultant Hazel Hickson has kindly dropped us a line to sing the praises of some of her members who have been shedding weight over the past few months.

Pictured here are some of the groups’ Couples of the Year.

Hazel says: “Congratulations to them all on their transformations - a massive well done everyone!”

Morning group (pictured, right) Anne and Barry Davis ; Anne is a Target Member and husband has lost weight at home They have lost 4½ stones between them.

Evening group, 1st session Sue and Brian Hewson Brian is a Target member joint Weight loss 5 stones

Evening group, 2nd session Jean and Michael Forster Jean is a Target member joint weight loss 5½ stones

How to get your children to eat vegetables You’ll wonder why you never thought of this yourself: the secret to persuading your young children to eat their vegetables is to serve them with a dip.

In a recent study on obesity in children at Penn State University, it was found that children are three times more likely to eat a vegetable if it comes with a low-fat dip, and twice as likely if it came with a plain dip.

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I normally play the trumpet with some buxom ladies. I am part of a big bras band.

11

Snibston savings proposals outlined

Turning Snibston into a mining museum could save up to £9.4 million over the next 25 years, a new report reveals.

Leicestershire County Council’s ruling cabinet is set to launch three months of consultation on proposals for a smaller museum, as part of the authority’s £110 million budget savings.

In February, the county council agreed to cut Snibston Discovery Museum’s annual £740,000 subsidy by £240,000, by developing a mining museum on the site. The subsidy for 2013/14 is now forecast to be £850,000, due to fewer people visiting Snibston. Without changes, the subsidy is expected to rise to £900,000 per year.

The council has now produced a detailed report, to guide three months of consultation, before a final decision is taken on September 12.

Council leader Nick Rushton said: “At a time all our services are facing cuts, we can’t spend £900,000 per year to subsidise a museum with declining visitor numbers, or invest £2.2 million on building repairs that would be necessary. The public has told us that we need to focus more of our limited money on vulnerable people and less on museums.

“I want to consult the public on our proposals to develop a mining museum on the site, which would cut costs considerably, while focussing on Snibston’s history and its importance to Coalville.”

The council is set to consult the public on proposals to: •Develop a mining museum by the end of 2015, based around Snibston’s historic colliery buildings, the Century Theatre, the site’s railway line and the playground. Mining-related exhibits would be displayed or stored in the new museum •Demolish the existing Snibston gallery and clear the land for redevelopment. Selling surplus land would help to fund the new mining museum •Move non-mining exhibits to the council’s museums stores or to other museums If the cabinet gives the go-ahead, consultation will take place for 12 weeks, from April till June, before the cabinet considers the results and a way forward, on September 12.

Why do porters get their own loos?

12

Garden Jottings with Ted Brown of Markfield

Dahlias and Chrysanthemums Strange how these two plants, although so different, always seem to be linked as a pair.

Possibly because both make superb cut flowers and have been traditionally grown by gardeners who mainly grew vegetables.

They could, and still will be seen as the main flowers on allotments. Dahlias are completely frost tender; chrysanthemums are almost bone hardy. If not already started, now is time to get this year’s summer and autumn flower profusion underway.

Dahlias For so long ‘out of fashion’, now they are back big time, and in all their differing forms, decoratives, anemone centred, singles, cactus etc.

Provided they are maintained frost-free and young growth protected from slugs, they are the easiest possible flower to grow. For best results a good rich, moisture retaining soil is wanted.

Then, in the simplest growing way, you obtain a tuber (£2 to £3) , plant it about 5 inches below soil surface, mulch to give more cover whilst frosts are still about. Stake and get masses of flowers. Cut back after first frosts, mulch heavily and there is no need to lift tubers. Keener growers will obtain tubers early (or use ones own from previous year), pot them to obtain growth, in a frost-free place, before planting out when frosts are over. As dahlia growths root so easily, several cuttings may be obtained before the main tuber is planted. These cuttings will soon develop into plants with flowers equal to those of the tuber.

Chrysanthemums Easily bought about this time are cuttings to start or extend a collection.

Traditionally growers lift roots after all flowers cut late in autumn/early winter. These are boxedup, kept with a little protection (cold greenhouse, shed or frame) to give early growth which is then taken as cuttings. These are grown-on to become the main plantings. They need ‘stopping’ i.e. the growing point is removed, to allow several side-shoots to develop. Meantime the old roots from previous year may be discarded. That is the traditional way, but you may decide to leave the roots in the ground to flower again, perhaps mulching to give more cover over winter. Or, in spring the roots could be broken-up, with roots attached for re-planting.

With both dahlias and chrysanthemums the numbers and sizes of flower is determined by the number of buds you allow to grow. You may, of course, not disbud at all but, as with all flowering plants, dead flower-heads need removing, to extend flowering period.

Two unfamiliar plants Over the months I will try to mention a few plants, always of merit, which may be unfamiliar to some.

Another pair today. Daphne Bholua, a shrub about 4 to 5 ft tall is magnificent. Highly fragrant, evergreen or semi-evergreen, mauve flowers January and February into March. A truly wonderful addition to the winter garden.

The form generally offered is ‘Jacqueline Postill’, by far the best, which has won many awards.

Now, a small growing, double-flowered, blue Campanula, named ‘Elizabeth Oliver’ and quite charming. Only 2 or 3 inches tall and very suitable for a small container or sunny rock garden etc. This is certainly one to grow.

Potatoes In view of the increasing interest in

potato-growing in patio containers, the R.H.S. has recently held a trial of salad and early varieties.

This was in 40 litre bags, 5 potatoes to a bag, and held at two distinct locations for comparison. Unsurprisingly those varieties known to be good in the ground, proved also equally good in pots. Eight varieties (out of 21) received the Award of Garden Merit. Six of these: ‘Charlotte’, ‘Casablanca’, ‘Sharpe’s Express’, ‘Maris Bard’, ‘Lady Christl’, and ‘Vales Emerald’ were known to be in the top rank.

The very interesting other two: ‘Jazzy’ and ‘Golden Nugget’ are not yet generally available.

Two giving the heaviest crops were ‘Lady Christl’ and ‘Sharpe’s Express’. ‘Jersey Royals’ receive lots of publicity. They were in the trials as ‘International Kidney’ but failed to gain an award. Certainly I would recommend anyone to grow potatoes this way – so clean and convenient. Very tasty but also rather expensive (compost and fertilisers).

Recommendation for next Autumn Plant 50 bulbs of Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ in two layers in a 10 inch pot.

Magnificent spring show from mid-February onwards. When flowers over, re-plant in garden in say batches of ten.

A few reminders February/March is the time to buy and plant snowdrops ‘in the green’ that is as plants not bulbs.

Whether autumn or spring always buy bulbs, tubers, corms etc early in season (assuming from garden centres etc) before the possibility of drying out. Garden Centre shops are too warm for bulb storage. Still time to plant Sweet Pea seeds. Grow lots of parsley from seed whether in rows or large containers near the kitchen.

Tomato seed germinates readily and plenty of time to do so now. An inexpensive way to grow lots of cutting flowers is from seed. Now for hardy annuals and in May for half-hardy annuals. Both directly into the garden (or in large containers). Some seed suppliers offer mixtures specifically for this purpose.

My favourite overweight 70s band were the Obesity Rollers.

13

Invitation to Stallholders / Crafters / Activity organisers / Display groups

Redgate - Open Day and Dog Show, Sunday 10th August

For all the family

Saturday 12th April Bagworth Community Centre 4.00-5.30pm

Children of all ages - get a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend or neighbour to bring you There will be lots of things to

Refreshments provided including chocolate, hot cross buns and fruit drinks Children must be accompanied by an adult Organised by Holy Rood Church and the Benefice of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon and Copt Oak

Parking space

Well, we’ve had our first planning meeting at Redgate Angus was driving down the a street worried because he had an Farm Animal Sanctuary, (situated by the side of the A511 Churches Together important meeting and couldn’t next to Stanton under Bardon), and we would like to invite in Markfield find a parking place. So, looking initiative you to join us this year on Sunday 10th August for our up toward heaven, he said “Lord, annual Open Day and Dog Show – a great family day out. take pity on me. If you find me Timings will be 10.00 – 3.30pm. ... is aanparking opportunity to relax, within ourselves and 'reflect' place I willfind gopeace to Mass

Charges for Stallholders/Sales:-

• Cost per 6’ table – under cover The main difference this year is the ‘rental’ cost per 6’ table provided by us. This year unfortunately, due to fast rising costs, we will have to charge £15 per table (with as many as possible situated in the marquees or under one of our own gazebos).

• Cover We are just in the process of sorting out new marquees and we undertake to provide as much cover as we possibly can. We will update you in plenty of time before the event.

• Your own stand / gazebo?

If you would rather bring your own pop-up gazebo and table/salescounter, do please let us know and we can start planning out the site for this year’s event. The cost for a space for your own gazebo – up to 3m x 3m – and bringing your own table/sales-counter - would be £20 in total.

Please email me if your gazebo is bigger than this and we can discuss arrangements individually.

• Chairs Also with regard to chairs, we will only have a few available as most will be reserved for the Dog Show and agility exhibitors/spectators, and again, if you could bring your own folding chair(s) in the back of the car when you come, that would be great.

Please note – if you are a CHARITY – you can have a space for a PR table free of charge (please bring own table).

• Exhibitors warmly invited!

Please contact me if you could run an activity or bring an interesting exhibit for families to look at (animal, vegetable, mineral or vehicle!)

on our placeSunday in the world.

It will offer every for the rest of creative my life suggestions for reading, thinking exploring prayer. A moment andand give up whisky.”

later, miraculously, a parking place- 6-7.30pm Trinity Methodist Church appeared. Angus looked up again and said, “Never mind. I found Thursdays 13th one.”

March,

10th April, 8th May, 12th June

Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.

Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

Mrs Jo Leadbetter

On behalf of Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary and re-homing centre Tel: 01530 230 455

I used to sell furniture for a living. The trouble was, it was my own.

14

St Peters Church, Copt Oak

Craft and Table Top Sale Sat. April 26th 1pm – 3.30pm Light refreshments available Copt Oak Memorial Hall (Next to Copt Oak Pub) Admin. 50p, children free.

POLICE REPORT: PCSO E Green & PC K Harris attended the meeting.

PCSO E Green emailed the following report: CRIME FIGURES- 01/02/2014 TO 28/02/2014 • Theft from motor vehicle x4 06/02/2014- There were four vehicles broken into that belonged to guests of the Travelodge, and there were numerous items taken. Patrols were increased in the area and no further thefts have occurred.

Mr M Lay had spoken to the Borough Council regarding the derelict nature of the site to discuss what could be done to improve matters.

• Burglary other than dwelling x 3 03/02/2014- Two yards on Elliot’s Lane and Thornton Lane were entered and engine parts and a large amount of tools were stolen.

13/02/2014- Jelsons building site was broken into and numerous items of machinery had the diesel siphoned out of the engines.

• Damage x1 21/02/2014- A property on Bracken Walk had its front door frame smashed and damaged the metal frame work. There was no entry to the property gained.

• Damage to motor vehicle x1 24/02/2014 it was discovered that unknown persons have removed tyres from a pile on Hill Lane and rolled tyres down the hill causing damage to a vehicle at the bottom.

• Anti-social behaviour by youths at the Community Centre and Mayflower Close.

Mr M Lay reported the incidents seemed to have decreased significantly over the last month and that Mrs D Grantham had been pleased with the level of communication and support given by the police on this matter.

Mr B Gannon asked if there were any plans for the Police to use the Community Office at the Centre again in future. PC K Harris

Extracts from Markfield Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on Tuesday 4th March 2014. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration. stated that they would no longer be able to use the office as it no longer had the proper facilities.

Local History Group – Proposal to erect a War Memorial in Markfield adjacent to the Church Wall: - The planning application had been approved.

Fundraising for the memorial Anticipated total: £5600 Miners’ Welfare Institute: £2000 Markfield & Stanton Herald: £2000 The remaining costs of the stonework contract would be funded by the Parish Council who had budgeted for this work.

Mr B Gannon had also written to Midlands Quarry Products Ltd to request a donation of local Granite for the construction of the memorial.

Dedication Service: Resolved, a provisional date of Saturday 28th June 2014 at 11am would possibly need to be changed due to prior commitments at the church.

Relatives of the deceased would be welcome to attend the service.

As the Lord-Lieutenant was the Queen’s representative in the County, Lady Gretton JP should be invited to attend the service when a date had been arranged.

“Churches Together” united service including the British Legion to be held on Remembrance Sunday at 11.00am with the War Memorial as a focal point.

Previously resolved in Principle, the parish council intended to plant 30 memorial trees in the Autumn to represent each lost member of the armed forces lost in action during WW1.

New noticeboard outside the entrances of Mercenfeld

Primary School: The clerk stated that the notice board had now been installed by Signs Direct Ltd. As a gesture of good will the company had supplied and installed the notice board free of charge.

Markfield – Street lighting Energy Saving Scheme:- Leics County Highways had started the works.

Dog fouling - Neville Drive, Oakfield Avenue, The Green, Uplands Drive, Willow Court: The clerk stated that more and more residents were reporting incidents of dog fouling on pavements and private properties.

Mrs A Lay had obtained some irresponsible dog owners report forms from the Clean Neighbourhoods Team at H&BBC. After further discussion the Parish Council agreed to publish an A4 copy of the report form in The Herald, this would ensure every residential property in Markfield would have a copy and irresponsible dog owners would be alerted to this.(SEE PAGES 27 & 28) County Council budget proposals: - Mr D Sprason stated that the original decision to cap council tax rises to 1.5% had been over-ruled and the cap on council tax rises had now been set at 2%.

He stated that the county council had now agreed its budget cuts that will see a number of services reduced.

In Social Care the focus had shifted to placing older people into residential care homes if it was cheaper than a home care package.

The Community Meals Subsidy would also be withdrawn and the

Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it.

15 full costs of the meals would now be charged.

Cuts to library and museums services would now risk closure of some of these services. The County Council’s plan was to hand these services over to local volunteer groups, but there was still a lack of details in the proposals.

Snibston Discovery Park would now close and be replaced by a smaller pit head museum, the land would be sold for housing development.

There would be further Highway cuts; more street lighting would be switched off or changed to partnight lighting and less money would be spent on highway repairs. There would be a reduction in supported bus subsidies and a reduction in expenditure for country parks maintenance Policy on academies and school transport: - The emphasis on catchment areas would be changed to a nearest school policy and include charging the full transport cost for 16+ students again using the nearest school model.

Markfield Library: - Mr D Sprason had emailed a copy of “Proposed Community Partnership Model for Leics Community Library Services” on 25/2/2014, which had been circulated to the members.

Mr D Sprason stated that the proposals would be put forward at the next Cabinet meeting on 5th March 4014. Then there would be a two months public consultation period.

Mrs A Cook asked if volunteers were expected to run the service where would the actual leadership come from. Mr D Sprason stated that Leics County Hall would provide all the relevant support i.e.

I.C.T. and training.

Mrs M Bowler asked if the volunteers would be expected to catalogue the book-stock. Mr D Sprason stated that the necessary software would be provided.

Mr M Lay pointed out that Markfield Parish Council already managed a number of assets throughout the village which were a financial strain on the Parish Council and the council could

not realistically manage another, however the Parish Council would be financially supportive of Markfield Library.

Mr D Sprason confirmed that the annual footfall was 30,949 last year and 22,000 books & DVD’s etc. were lent out.

Planning applications: 13/00979/FUL: - Erection of 2 dwellings with associated parking, Land Rear of 106 Main Street. Mr D Sprason stated that Planning Permission had been granted.

14/00057/FUL DESCRIPTION: Extension to existing travellers site to accommodate 7 pitches for static caravans LOCATION: Whitegate Stables Caravan Park Copt Oak Road Copt Oak, Markfield, Leicestershire Markfield Parish Council objected to a further 7 pitches for static caravans on the grounds that: • The area was within the National Forest on the edge of Charnwood Forest so a development of this nature would have a detrimental impact on both schemes.

• The planned extension was within an area of particularly attractive countryside.

• The land had been identified outside defined settlement limits (Local Plan 2001).

• The location for the proposed extension was within the National Forest, therefore planning permission for the development should not be granted as it would set a precedent for further development in this particular area.

• The development if permitted would be likely to introduce an unacceptable increase in turning traffic into and out of this unlit and unrestricted B591 road causing additional dangers to other road users.

• The proposed extension would result in an unacceptable overdevelopment of the site, resulting in the premises compromising existing car parking arrangements.

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Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.

16

NEWS from Markfield Community Sport Relief – Markfield Magic Mile

will be coming along to give a talk on old Markfield and the new War Memorial and at the same time gather memories of old Markfield from our member The club meets every Wednesday afternoon 2pm to 4pm and is open to anyone over 50 years as well as those people who care for the elderly and the sick. Entry costs only 50p and includes light refreshments. If you find it difficult to get to the centre or have a transport problem please contact the Centre and we can either arrange a home visit or try our best to find some transport for you. By the way – WE NEED MORE MEN to come along so, don’t be shy come along and join in it will be well worth it.

PHOTO

St John Ambulance - Essential First Aid Training Our first essential first aid training courses with St.John’s Ambulance have taken place.

I must say that I was rather disappointed with the turn out for this year’s Markfield Magic Mile in aid of Sport Relief.

Having struggled to mark out the course with the wind tearing at the course perimeter tape and direction arrows and also weathering a couple of showers and even a hail storm it was rather down heartening to see only a handful of people and their pets turn up to complete the one mile and three mile courses. Never mind, I suppose that every pound raised was worthwhile to help someone in need. Our intrepid contestants bravely completed the courses and were awarded medals by Lynda Hodkinson the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and apart from the lack of entrants we had a fun day. Photos of the contestants will appear on our website in the near future.

PHOTOS

Markfield Mayflower Club Sails On The Markfield Mayflower Club continues to staunchly sail on.

On the 12th March members had a very useful talk from our local Police Beat Officer PCSO Ed Green together with Rachel Burgess and Maddy Shellard from the Borough Council’s Community Safety Team. The talks were around being safe at home, distraction burglary, victim support and the use of the 999 and 101 call systems.

They also dished out purse bells, light timers, no cold calling door stickers, the PRIDE Alarm system and much more. This session co-incided with Joyce Briggs 89th birthday and she had the special birthday treat of sitting next to a real live Police Officer. On the 19th March we held a “puppy drive” which is my very own version of a beetle drive that caused some confusion but also a lot of fun and laughs. On the 26th March the group will be having a demonstration on first aid by the St John Ambulance and on the 2nd April a talk on preventing and surviving strokes.

On the 9th April we will be having a talk by the Royal Voluntary Service on the work they do to help the elderly especially those who have been ill. From my own experience with my own mother the RVS provides an amazing range of help and support that you can tap into.

On 16th April we will be holding an “Easter Bunny” drive and an Easter Bonnet Parade with even a surprise Easter guest.

On the 23rd April villager Margaret Bowler of the Markfield History Group

Those who have attended found the course to be very interesting and have given them the confidence to “step in” and give first aid assistance in the cases of an emergency and perhaps even to save a life.

There are a few places left on the courses to be held during the morning and afternoon of Saturday 12th April so, if you would like to attend please contact the Centre. If you cannot manage this date but would still like to have the training please let us know and we will arrange a further course(s) in the near future.

The courses are FREE (normally cost £25 plus VAT) and will teach you how to deal with an emergency situation such as collapse, choking or an injury for all ages from babies, infants and adults and hopefully save a life.

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate. The courses are of three hours duration so you need to be committed to coming along but at the end of the day you will be better equipped in an emergency.

Bill (Buddy) GASK Memorial Event As mentioned in last month’s edition of the Herald we are in the process of planning a memorial event for Bill (Buddy) Gask.

Buddy was one of the founder members of the famous Leicester band Showaddywaddy who had many chart topping hits in the 1970’s. Buddy sadly died of Alzheimer related illnesses in 2011 at the young age of 65.

The event is being planned for Saturday 7th June and will help to raise funds for Alzheimers. If you would like to have a stall at the event please contact the Centre.

Further details will be published nearer the date.

40th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations On Saturday 22nd March John and Barbara Winfield celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary at the centre.

Although John and Barbara live in Ratby they chose the Centre for their fortieth as they had previously celebrated their 25th

I’m taking anti-barn dance pills. I’m not allowed to exceed the stated dosey-dosage.

17

& Sports Centre Anniversary here. John and Barbara first met at Grannies Night Club in Leicester and have two daughters and two grand daughters. Barbara was a telephonist at the Royal Infirmary and John was a miller at Mellor and Bromley Engineers.

Many congratulations to you both and we are looking forward to holding your GOLDEN Anniversary at the centre.

WE NEED YOU! We are still looking for a reliable person to fill the role of Secretary to the Centre’s Management Committee.

We are looking for someone who has either a bit of spare time on their hands, wants to improve their experience or CV or simply would like to become a volunteer and help us out. I can promise you that and we will give you every help and support. The post includes attending meetings (up to six a year), recording minutes and sending out agendas and related meeting papers. It would be useful if you have a computer and email access though not essential. As a little reward the Committee is offering an annual honorarium of £100 paid in quarterly instalments of £25. If you are interested please contact the Centre as your help would be much appreciated

Activities and Clubs at the Centre 2014/2015 We have recently updated our programme of clubs and activities at the Centre for the coming year.

We have an exciting variety of clubs and activities for all ages ranging from sports, keep fit, arts, yoga, youth clubs, parents and toddlers, bingo and social clubs. These can be viewed on our website www. markfieldcommunitycentre.com or on posters at the centre.

Some Dates for Your Diary • •

26th April – Cancer Relief Charity Event 16th July – National Blood Service – Donate your much needed blood

RENEWED MONEY SAVING SPECIAL OFFER 2014/15 May I take this opportunity to remind you that the Centre’s Management Committee have agreed to extend our special offer available of free room hire for bar functions for the coming year.

Over last year this offer has helped people out with the cost of arranging special events, family occasions, parties and other celebrations. For further information please contact the Centre.

For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST, ring us on 01530 242240 or email at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail. co.uk Visit our website at www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com to see our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.

Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older it will avoid you.

18

Call for Barnardo’s fundraising volunteers in Leicestershire Barnardo’s is looking to recruit new volunteers in Leicestershire in a bid to help the charity continue its life changing work across the county.

The children’s charity desperately needs more volunteers in the county to help raise much needed cash to support vulnerable children and young people.

Last year, fundraising groups across the UK raised more than £360,000 which was used to help transform the lives of vulnerable children.

In Leicestershire Barnardo’s runs a number of services, including a support service for young carers. CareFree provides a range of services for young carers under 18 across the county, whose lives are affected by caring for an adult with mental or physical disabilities.

Rachael Voss community fundraising volunteer manager for Leicestershire said: “Our community fundraisers are a vital part of Barnardo’s. As well as raising money through running events they also raise awareness of the work we do. Put simply, we’d be lost without them.”

Community fundraising groups organise and run a diverse range of events and collections and support the charity’s appeals and campaign.

Rachael added: “Volunteering with Barnardo’s is a great way to meet new people and help others at the same time. By giving us a little of your spare time, you can also gain invaluable experience that could provide a stepping stone to a new career or add to your personal statement for college or university.

“It’s an opportunity to have some fun by joining the local Barnardo’s team in your community.

I am particularly looking for people who may be able to speak about Barnardo’s in school assemblies or to groups and projects out in their communities.”

Barnardo’s volunteers - who are all ages and come from all walks of life - are given training and on-going support. To find out more, please contact Rachael on 07557 076072 or rachael.voss@ barnardos.org.uk

Holy Week and Easter Special services across the Benefice Experience the old story in a new way this Holy Week and Easter

Tenebrae

Tuesday 15th April 7.30 pm St Peter’s, Copt Oak ‘Tenebrae’ means shadow; lighted candles are extinguished in this ancient reminder of the Passion of Jesus from the shadow of the Betrayal to the darkness of the Cross through Bible readings, hymns and silences.

Fish and Chip Supper and Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday 17th April 6.30pm at St Mary's, Stanton uB

Shuttlewood Clarke’s evening of fun - 29th April Registered charity, the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, is pleased to announce it will be hosting an evening on fun on Tuesday 29th April, 2014.

Taking place at the Copt Oak Memorial Hall, between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m., this wonderful evening of fun includes a quiz, bingo and promise auction. Booking is essential and tickets cost £2.50; to include a drink, canapés on arrival and raffle ticket entry. A licensed bar will be available for additional refreshments to be purchased.

The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation provides support care and friendship to the elderly and adults with disabilities through a variety of different services.

Alan Norman Chief Executive of the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation said: “We would love for you to join us for an evening of fundraising fun at the Copt Oak Memorial Hall – test your knowledge in our fun quiz and bid on an interesting pledge in our promise auction.”

He added: “Our fundraising events offer an ideal opportunity to have fun, meet with friends old and new and raise funds for our unique local charity.”

To book your place please call Helen on 01530 244914 or e mail admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org.

Copt Oak Memorial Hall is situated on Whitwick Road, Copt Oak, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB.

Meditations

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Churches Together in Markfield

Good Friday 18th April 2-3pm at St Michael’s, Markfield An hour reflecting on the story of Good Friday and Easter, with hymns, readings, prayers and silence.

7.30pm at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon An opportunity to listen to the Passion narratives from the Bible in the context of Evening Prayer.

initiative

... is an opportunity to relax, find peace within ourselves and 'reflect' on our place in the world. It will offer creative suggestions for reading, thinking and exploring prayer.

Trinity Methodist Church - 6-7.30pm Thursdays 10th April, 8th May, 12th June Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.

Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

Easter Day Services Sunrise Service

Easter Day, Sunday 20th April 5.45am at Hill Hole, Markfield

TABLE TOP & CRAFT FAYRE

An evening of fellowship over supper, followed by sharing together in an informal service of Holy Communion.

Greet with joy the day when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection; with singing of Easter hymns and sharing the Easter acclamation Alleluia, Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed, alleluia!

Family Stations of the Cross

Other Easter Day Services

SATURDAY 26th APRIL

9.00am Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton

COPT OAK MEMORIAL HALL

Good Friday 18th April 10.00am at St Peter’s, Thornton Share in recalling the story of Good Friday and Easter in a journey round the church with pictures, songs, readings and prayers. About 30-40 minutes followed drinks and Hot Cross Buns.

Suitable for all ages.

10.30am Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Markfield 10.30am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Stanton u B 6.00pm Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Copt Oak

Various Stalls, Refreshments including homemade soup 1pm till 3.30pm

Whitwick Road - LE67 9QB NEXT TO COPT OAK PUB

Admission 50p – children free For further information ring 01530 244229 or 0116 2674746 Ample free parking Stalls £7 - Proceeds to St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak.

Australia ... the inventor of the boomerang grenade died today.

Informal Worship Some sad news from St Michael’s Church

19

Donate your coats to this good cause

Leicestershire Cares is organising another Coat Drive appeal in September 2014 and would like to hear from community and voluntary organisations who would like to receive coats for their clients.

The People’s Voice: a different kind of news channel

The coats are donated by our member firms and the general public and checked for cleanliness and in working order. We collect children’s, men’s and women’s coats and are happy to pass them onto groups who work with people for whom a warm winter coat is a luxury they cannot otherwise afford.

Last year we received over 1,500 coats which went to hostels, domestic violence refuges, community drop-in centres and refugee projects.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Katharine and Carrie at Leicestershire Cares on 0116 275 6469 or email katharine@ leicestershirecares.co.uk or carrie@leicestershirecares.co.uk

Katharine Lightbown

Those memorable school reports…

What did your teachers say about your progress at school?

The following were sent into the Daily Telegraph some years ago…. ~ One of my French reports simply said: ‘Sheila attended the lessons’.

- Sheila Blow, Surrey ~ My housemaster wrote: ‘He has an overdeveloped unawareness.’ - Ian Jones, Wirral ~ A friend’s son’s report said: ‘By the time he has mastered French, he will be too old to cross the Channel.’ – M Knaggs, Dorset ~ My teacher observed: ‘The improvement in his handwriting has revealed his inability to spell.’ - Colin Sutherland, Switzerland ~ My teacher was a realist: ‘I am sorry to have to tell you that he is doing his best.’ Stan Proctor, Surrey

Do you ever question things you’re told by the media?

I expect, like most, you do.

So what would you say to an independent news channel, that shoots from the hip, and give s it to you straight?

Well, The People’s Voice (TPV) is such a channel! This grassroots channel was a pipe dream, turned reality, and is now gathering pace. The only problem is, we have just started out and need a little bit of assistance to get to the next critical stage!

TPV launched last November, and has achieved well over 6 million views to date, which is pretty impressive, but we are now ready for the next stage: satellite transmission! This would take us into a whole new stage of communicating the vital information that the mainstream media suppresses or ignores, and adds to our 24 hour global Internet coverage, and ondemand YouTube service.

There is so much excitement around this opportunity, and with so much first rate content, exceptional journalism and diversity of programming, we know in every bone of our bodies, that it’s the right direction.

We invite you to please watch the short clip on the new campaign, where you will see how far we have come in such a short time. We hope we can welcome you into our community as one of those people who committed to a TV Channel dedicated to making a change in the world by getting the REAL stories out there.

To see the full story, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-people-s-voiceand-you With much gratitude

The People’s Voice Team

Please share this campaign with your friends! Thank you!

HAMLIN’S PLUMBING SERVICES All Types of Plumbing Work Undertaken No job too small Call Mick on 01530 245155 or 07813 065538 Qualified Local Plumber with Years of Experience

The first time I sang in the church choir, two hundred people changed their religion.

20

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Ask about our new menus!

See advert on page 23. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 5th April: The Splinters Fri 11th April: Children’s end of term Easter Party Sat 19th April: Eddie’s Classic Sounds + Young band called The Platform Sat 26th April: Boneyard Blues Band - rock & blues band May Bank Holiday weekend (2nd 3rd & 4th May): beer festival accompanied by some very good music & BBQ! All welcome Sat 10th May: Mojo hand rhythm & blues rock band Sat 17th May: Thornton’s own punk band Punk & Disorderly Sun 18th May: Sunday afternoon with Georgie - band Sat 24th May: Leyton Merrell - singing motown soul reggae pop and rock covers FREE ROOM HIRE AVAILABLE. Sky Sports In Both Rooms, Bingo Every Tuesday Evening. www.facebook.com/ thethorntonclub The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 Pub Quiz - last Thursday of the month.

ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK search Bagworth WMC New members welcome.

Sat 19th April: SOCIAL SEQUENCE DANCE - 8pm £2 on the door, Bingo & Raffle.

Sat 26th April: STEVE COOPER - free live entertainment.

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month - and RAFFLE - with excellent prizes.

Sequence dances Sunday Nights.

£2.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions.

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

See advert on page 26.

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Saturday 5th April: MOJO HAND Saturday 3rd May: MICK KNIGHT All FREE Entry!

Garden & Pub Games etc.

POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Next two are Saturday 12th April and Saturday 26th April with ‘King of the Road’.

See advert on page 11.

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Saturday 12th April: TBA - Be Assured Of A Quality Act Sunday 13th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 18th April: Adam James Wilford - Songs From The Past Saturday 19th April: Boogie Street - Quality 4 Piece Band Sunday 20th April: We Will Be Having An Easter Bonnet Parade At Lunchtime Super Sunday’50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 25th April: Tba Saturday 26th April: Pop + Idol - Excellent Father And Son Duo Sunday 27th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 2nd May: Tba Saturday 3rd May: Soul Providers - Quality Duo Sunday 5th May: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 9th May: Tba Saturday 10th May: Tba Sunday 11th May: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

Learning from Bagworth’s Past We have some dates for your diaries.

The Bagworth Forward Group and the Bagworth Historical Society have joined forced in a project that we think is important for Bagworth.

Bagworth, as a village, is full of history, but it is not always immediately obvious. Bagworth has affected the whole of the world. This may sound dramatic but it is true. Bagworth had one of the first railways in the world. On Saturday, 4 May 1833 an accident occurred at the Thornton Lane level crossing. (Now replaced by the bridge near to Cross Hills Church.) The gates had been left open, and the train, pulled by ‘Samson’, ran into a horse and cart, the driver of which had not heard the engine driver’s warning bugle. The Company had to pay for a new horse and cart, for fifty pounds of butter, and eighty dozen eggs. George Stephenson thereupon devised the steam whistle, which was constructed by a Leicester musical-instrument maker working in King Street. It was added to all trains built after this. Whenever you hear a train klaxon and wherever you are in the world, it exists because of that incident at Bagworth.

But there is much more to tell. Consequently, we want to erect boards around the village at key sites to tell everyone about Bagworth’s history. We also want to create a village sign. We are holding a Coffee Morning Steam at the Bagworth Community Centre on Saturday Whistle June 7th from 10 am to 1 pm in order for you to see the work that we have already carried out. We are looking for constructive comments, especially if we have missed information that you may be able to offer. Please add the date to your diaries.

Exhibition on 5th & 6th July In addition, the Bagworth Historical Society, the Bagworth Forward Group and the Bagworth Community Centre Trust are hosting an exhibition on the weekend of July 5th and 6th. The Community Centre will be open for an exhibition entitled ‘Bagworth and the First World War’, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the war. The exhibition will include information not only about the Bagworth men who died in the First World War, but also all of the men who fought and left the village to take part in the war effort. You will probably be surprised how many men were involved in this, especially with Bagworth being a mining village.

The exhibition will also include full details from the 1911 Census for Bagworth. There will also be photographs of some of the men involved and also photographs of war graves and war memorials in France and Flanders.

In addition there will be a section on World War One poetry. The Centre will be open on the Saturday and the Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.

If you have any information that could be used in this exhibition or if you would be prepared to help in the smooth running of the exhibition, I can be contacted on 01530 230429 or on Austin@bagworth.freeserve.co.uk Please add these dates to your diaries as well.

Bob Austin

I haven’t seen you since that one time I hoped I’d never see you again.

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David Walliams becomes patron of Rainbows Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People is delighted to announce David Walliams as its newest patron.

Mr Walliams visited the East Midlands’ only children hospice last month, and was so moved by the families he met and the work of the charity, he wanted to get on board. The children, young people, families and staff at Rainbows are all overjoyed to have his valued support.

As a Rainbows Patron, Mr Walliams will be supporting the hospice in whatever way his busy schedule allows, which will be invaluable in raising the profile of the charity. Ahead of his last visit, he donated personally signed copies of his books to the children and their siblings and said that he looked forward to visiting again.

Mr Walliams said: “I am thrilled to become a patron for Rainbows. It’s a very special place with incredibly inspiring people. I have recently been to the hospice and met some of the children and their families. They have to deal with so much and Rainbows is there for them with smiles, laughter and lots of care and support. I was so moved by the positive atmosphere, work they do for that I wanted to get involved. It David meets William Furlong with his parents Alison and Sean and sisters Olivia and Niamah Rainbows and for will be my pleasure to help raise promoting the charity awareness of this charity to help all was very touched by her story and and young people with lifeall over the UK. When Mr Walliams of the children, young people and donated to Rainbows through her limiting and terminal illnesses as visited last month, everybody families.”

Virgin Money website as well as well as supporting 249 bereaved loved him and we appreciated him Geoff Ellis, chief executive at sending messages to Mrs Taylor’s families and 521 siblings. Through spending valuable time with our Rainbows Hospice for Children and family. its outreach efforts into East children, young people and their Young People, added: “To have Mr This year, Rainbows is Midlands paediatric oncology families.”

Walliams on board is very exciting celebrating 20 years of care and units, Rainbows is also caring for Mr Walliams first heard about and we are extremely happy that to commemorate its birthday, the a growing number of the region’s Rainbows when Susan Taylor very he has pledged his support to us; charity wants to raise an extra children with cancer. sadly lost her life swimming the we are delighted to welcome him £100,000 over the year to help fund For more information, visit English Channel for Rainbows last as our newest patron. We are very more children’s nurses. www.rainbows.co.uk year. Although he didn’t know grateful to all of our patrons and Rainbows cares for 288 children Susan personally, Mr Walliams ambassadors for the wonderful

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area Awesome Holiday Club

Lent Course Revd David Butcher has been leading this year’s Lent Course on Saturday mornings and in the first few weeks we have been looking more deeply at the writers of the four Gospels in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and discussing the comparisons between them. In the coming weeks we will be looking at Jesus’ crucifixion, what it’s all about, why it is so important and why the cross is the symbol of the Christian faith. Anyone of any faith or none is welcome to join us for the remaining meetings on 5th and 12th April (it won’t matter if you’ve not been before), starting at 10am, with coffee being served from 9.30am.

Easter Services We look forward to welcoming you to our Easter Services - full details of the dates and times are in the Church Service Information section in this magazine.

The empty dark cross that is inside the church from Palm Sunday and during Holy Week will again be decorated, during our Easter Sunday service, with fresh colourful flowers brought along by members of the congregation. It will then be put outside the church as a symbol of the joy of the resurrection of Jesus on that special day over 2,000 years ago.

Olive Branch Support Club On Monday 23rd March a group of around

14 people had a very enjoyable outing with the Support Club for lunch at the Grange Coffee Shop on Copt Oak Road, run by the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation.

All adults are welcome to join us at our meetings and outings, particularly if you are a carer, have a disability or long term condition, family worries or are just lonely.

The Parish Nurse, Vera, who runs the club is always available for a confidential chat or advice if needed.

The next meeting, which has an Easter theme, is on Monday 7th April at Cross Hills from 2pm to 4pm. If you need any more information please ring Vera on her number below.

Meetings are free of charge, although donations are welcome if you wish.

This year’s Awesome Holiday Club, for children up to age 11, will be on the mornings of Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th August. Please keep the dates free and we look forward to seeing the children for fun, games, bible stories, crafts and lots more.

For details of our services, please see the Church Service Information towards the back of this magazine. We are well known as a very friendly and welcoming church and look forward to meeting you. Tea and coffee are always available after our services giving the opportunity for friendship and fellowship together. We are always here for the community’s spiritual needs and our Pastor’s and Parish Nurse’s contact details are below.

Contact Numbers Pastor - Garry Kelly: 01455 457802 or mobile 07816 616189 Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 01455 457802 or mobile 07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Glynis Straw Treasurer - on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

I don’t always have a valid argument, but when I do, it’s later that day, in the shower.

23

Do you believe in miracles?

More than half the British population still believes that ‘spiritual forces’ affect our lives here on earth, even if they have turned their back on formal religion.

One in six of us are even convinced that either we, personally, or someone known to us, has experienced a miracle. Angels and ‘spirits’ are also widely believed in, whether or not we have any religious affiliation.

A recent study for the television production company CTVC and the religious thinktank Theos has found that almost 8 out of 10 people surveyed agree that “there are things in life that we simply cannot explain through science or any other means”. Six out of ten non-religious people also agreed with that statement.

A majority of people (59 per cent) said they believed in the existence of some kind of ‘spiritual being’, and a quarter said they actively believe in angels. Almost a quarter of those polled had turned to tarot card readings and one in 20 had had their ‘aura’ read or attempted healing with crystals.

Yet traditional approaches remain strong: two in five of us believe that prayer can heal people, and just over half of us turn to prayer at times. The report concluded: “Spiritual beliefs are clearly not the preserve of the ‘religious’, but are to be found across religious and non-religious groups.”

New Book on Leicestershire’s Parish Churches Recently I was loaned a book entitled The Parish Churches of Leicestershire which I commend to you.

It was written by local author Andrew Swift and consists of written descriptions, and is lavishly illustrated in over 3000 photographs taken by the author, of the 316 Anglican churches active in the County.

To quote from its opening paragraph:- _Leicestershire has long suffered from its position in the centre of England and is often seen as being ‘on the way to somewhere else’. Its many attractions and qualities have therefore been unjustly overlooked. The two volume book, was conceived to redress that unfair view, and to celebrate the County’s fine church buildings, their architecture and treasures: If you too can borrow this book, perhaps from the County library, please do so - its a good interesting read.

As a footnote I should add that Andrew selects from the 316 his favourite ones on his ‘must visit of ten’ St Peter’s at Thornton as a ‘building with a wonderful atmosphere’

Organ Restoration update The fund is steadily growing with one-third of the total required already obtained.

If you haven’t already contributed please send your donation to me at 210 Main street Thornton, (cheque payable to Thornton Bagworth and Stanton under Bardon PCC) - and watch out for my sponsored hymn play on Sunday July 13th at 2.30pm.

Martin Foster

Found On the church noticeboard: Contact lens found in church.

See vicar. If you can.

Walkway down to the Reservoir Easter - Bookings Essential Big Beautiful Beer Garden

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Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £8.00 2 Courses - £10.00 3 Courses - £12.00

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Home-Made Pie Night - Tuesdays - £5.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

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24 Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon Sunday 6th April Church meeting 10am Monday 7th April Coffee morning 10am, Singing Dementia cafe Kirby Grange care Home 1.30pm

Local Church Services Sunday 11 May 10.15 am SUNDAY CLUB DAY

Congregational Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Friday 18th April 7.30 pm Good Friday Meditation

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton

Sunday 25th May 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Sunday 20th April 10.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield

Sunday 27th April 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 11th May 10.30 am Holy Communion

Tuesday 8th April Singing Cafe Shepshed Library 10-11am, Singing Cafe Connaught House Care Home, Loughborough 1.30pm

Sunday 6th April 10.30am Morning Service

Wednesday 9th April Prayer meeting 7pm

Palm Sunday 13th April 10.30am Morning Service with the Lord’s Supper

Thursday 10th April Pure Gold drop in for over 50’s 10am Friday 11th April Singing Cafe Loughborough Library 10-11am, Coalville Library 1.302.30pm Sunday 13th April Meeting 10am Monday 14th April Coffee morning 10am Tuesday 15th April Singing Cafe Shepshed library 1011am Wednesday 16th April Midweek dinner & fellowship, 6.30pm please call for details of location (07875378628) Sunday 20th April Easter Family Service 10am Friday 25th April Singing Cafe Loughborough Library 10-11am, Coalville Library Sunday 27th April No morning meeting, Cafe 4U 4pm, Joint meeting with other church family, Guest Speaker Monday 28th April Coffee morning 10am Tuesday 29th April Shepshed Library 10-11am Wednesday 30th April Bible Study 7pm Sunday 4th May Meeting 10am Monday 5th May Coffee morning 10amm

Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 13 April 1030 am United Churches Together Service at Methodist Church Friday 18 April 7.00 pm Good Friday Meditation Sunday 20 April 10.15 am Easter Day Worship Sunday 27 April 10.15 am Morning Worship Sunday 4 May 10.15 am Morning Worship followed

by Communion

Good Friday 19th April Cross Hills is part of the Barton Fabis Group of churches and Good Friday Communion for the Group this year is at 7.30pm at Barlestone Baptist Church Sunday 20th April 10.30am Easter Celebration Service Sunday 27th April 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 4th May 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 11th May 10.30am Morning Service with the Lord’s Supper There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service, other than for family or special services when they join with the main church. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section of this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 6th April 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 13th April 10.30am United Churches Together Service at Methodist Church 6.00pm Special Easter Service Easter Sunday 20th April 9.00am Easter Morning Breakfast followed by: 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service Sunday 27th April 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.30pm Evening United Local Preachers Recognition Service at Glenfield M.C. Sunday 4th May 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 11th May 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Circuit Missions Service at Epworth Sunday 18th May 10.30am United Churches Together at

Sunday 13th April 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield at Trinity Methodist Church Palm Sunday 6.00 pm Holy Communion Friday 18th April 2.00-3.00 pm Good Friday ‘Hour at the Cross’ Meditation Sunday 20th April 5.45 am Easter Sunrise Service at Hill Hole Easter Day 10.30 am All Age Easter Service 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 27th April 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

Sunday 4th May 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 18th May 10.30 am Christian Aid Service Sunday 25th May 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 13th April 9.00 am Palm Sunday Holy Communion Friday 18th April 10.00 am Good Friday Family “Stations of the Cross” Sunday 20th April 10.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion Sunday 27th April 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 4th May 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 4th May 10.30 am All Age Service

Thursday 8th May 6.00-7.30 pm “Reflection” at Trinity Methodist Church

Sunday 11th May 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 11th May 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion Friday 16th May 8.00 pm “Still Friday” Sunday 18th May 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at the Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 25th May 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 13th April 10.30 am Palm Sunday Holy Communion Thursday 17th April 6.30pm Fish and Chip Supper / Holy Communion

I wonder how much a zebra would cost if you scanned it.

Wednesday 14th May 10.00 am Holy Communion and Coffee Sunday 18th May 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 25th May 10.30 am Morning Service Thursday 29th May 7.30 pm Ascension Day Holy Communion

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 20th April 9.00 am Easter Day Holy Communion Sunday 4th May 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 13th April

25 9.15 am Palm Sunday Holy Communion Tuesday 15th April 7.30 pm Tenebrae Sunday 20th April 6.00 pm Easter Day Holy Communion Sunday 27th April 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 4th May 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 11th May 9.15 am Holy Communion Sunday 18th May 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 25th May 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Catholic Church of St Wilfrid of York 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB Sunday Mass Saturday Vigil: 6 pm Sunday: 10 am See Newsletter on the website for details of weekday Mass times, Benediction & Confessions Parish Priest: Fr David Cain: 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www. stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.st—clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle./leics.sch.uk

Encyclopaedias Sorting our books for the local fete, a parishioner came across some wellworn and dusty illustrated encyclopaedias, treasured from his childhood.

Unwilling to part with them, he put them on a shelf in the garage where his small grandchildren found them and spent many happy hours looking at the pictures.

These books, however, caused him great embarrassment the day the minister came to visit. One of his grandchildren suddenly said: “Grandad, can we go look at those dirty books you keep in the garage?”

Subject A man stayed at home while his wife went to church.

When she returned, he enquired about the sermon. She hesitated, and then said it was okay. When he pressed her as to what it had been about, she admitted: “I don’t really know - the minister never did say.”

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the perils of building a kitchen in church The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren It never fails to amaze me how in church life, an issue can suddenly become an Issue.

In the last month, we have acquired an Issue: a proposal to convert a space at the back of church into a kitchen. Inevitably, battle lines have been drawn and trenches dug. Attendance at church council meetings have soared and unofficial sub-committees meet in the car park after Services.

It’s obvious that feelings are running high, because people have become remarkably polite to one another.

Some who are wildly in favour see it as an opportunity of being able to leave the pews ten minutes early in order to get ready for the rush for weak coffee and damp biscuits. I can already hear in my mind the final hymn being drowned by kettles being filled, biscuit tins opened, cups thunderingly placed on saucers, while the volunteers discuss the dress sense of others in the congregation in deafening whispers.

I was a little surprised to hear that Colonel Wainwright was all in favour – until I realised that it would give him a place to totter into to read his newspaper once he got bored with my sermon, which usually seems to happen in the first minute. Naturally, smaller turf wars have broken out alongside the major battle. There is conflict about whether we should get new crockery, what colour carpeting tiles would look right – and most importantly of all, who will take charge of the coffee rota.

Others are totally against the project: the treasurer dreads the thought of signing yet more cheques, the churchwardens worry about removing pews which have quietly hidden the dry rot, and the theologically angst-ridden agonise about the fact that St. Paul never mentioned coffee after Sabbath worship.

Naturally, I encourage all sides, especially if it will bring any possibility of progress to a halt. I proposed bringing in flasks of coffee, thus stopping anyone being able to escape before the end of the Service; I suggested drinks being brought to people in the pews, thus ruining the Colonel’s hopes of finding a safe haven; I organised a group to study High Priestly attitudes to refreshments in the Temple in Jerusalem in Leviticus.

I am sure that by the time all these groups have come up with their conclusions, we will have safely moved on to fight the next Issue.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Tribute The newly-arrived minister was asked to take a funeral at short notice.

At one point in the service she said: “As I did not know the deceased, is there anyone here who would like to say a few words of tribute?”

There was silence for several minutes and then a voice at the back was heard to say: “His brother was far worse.”

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I don’t always have time to study, but when I do, I don’t.

26

Word Search Puzzle

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Best Sellers Wordsearch

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Find the 12 best-selling fiction authors in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a TASTY prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

H G G I L B E R T P A T T E N V Z H D

B R G N V H W H B Y Y I X F R F E N A

H N Q N S G I Z E D N C G O G E A Q D

M K W T I U I C I O J S O M X L H D X

V S P O F L K U T P C O E S T K A X S

Z N I I G T W Y S Z T O T R X N R X Q

G X K D V C L O I U F V A F I Y O O V

U B O E N B M M R W O C C E T O L R L

R L I G D E Y F H K A K L Q I T D M I

N P P I J I Y A C R J L F F F S R G G

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of the 12 best-selling fictional authors (according to Wikipedia). These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: V U V X K C S W A AUTHORS, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

M E G E Q W S I Q LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 30th April 2014.

N R L B S N U L M Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Trilby will win the Meal for Two at U Q M B O Z E L V The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

R T Y L B E S I N Here are the 12 AUTHORS you have to find: J Z V A E L R A O

L S A T E B A W X L O O P

K B H S T P J Z A O B W L

R I T E D H G A R T B N T

T E A R L G D F W O I K C

E Z G L D D L P X E N F F

P N A C B U O V H L S M P

D E S Y W U P N M I P B R

M S H A K E S P E A R E K

N E M I S S E G R O E G D

AGATHA CHRISTIE • BARBARA CARTLAND • DR SEUSS DANIELLE STEEL • ENID BLYTON • GEORGES SIMENON GILBERT PATTEN • HAROLD ROBBINS • J K ROWLING LEO TOLSTOY • SIDNEY SHELDON • WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Name: ...................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last month’s Wordsearch Competition was: B. HOLLOWAY of Leicester Road, Markfield Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you within 21 days.

Public Speaking Success for Students of Our Lady’s Convent School

AGATHACHRISTIE BARBARACARTLAND DANIELLESTEEL DRSEUSS ENIDBLYTON GEORGESSIMENON GILBERTPATTEN HAROLDROBBINS JKROWLING LEOTOLSTOY SIDNEYSHELDON WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE

Created by Puzzlemaker at

Our Lady’s Convent School (OLCS), Loughborough has an established ethos of educating the whole individual, focusing on helping each student achieve DiscoveryEducation.com to their best abilities both academically and in life skills; as demonstrated by the School’s senior public speaking team.

Recently a team of three reached the Rotary Youth Speaks District Final. The Amelia, Christina and Frances with their Year 12s; Amelia (Millie) Rotary Youth Speaks 2014 awards Elliott, Frances Devine and Christina O’Dowd, battled against teams from other schools for a place in the National finals. Whilst they didn’t make it through to the next stage Millie was presented with an award for the Best Speaker of the regional competition.

The following day Millie competed at the Catenian Public Speaking competition; an extremely challenging contest. Millie spoke on the topic “Technology is not necessarily improving the quality of our lives” and impressed the judges with her delivery and argument to finally be announced winner of the Regional Catenian Public Speaking 2014 event. She will now represent the School at the National competition in Manchester in September.

I have so much debt, I can start a government.

27

SPIT FOR SUTTY

- John Sutherington, the local Borough Councillor in Anstey, is not well!

- He’s in need of a bone marrow transplant.

- Please spare 10 minutes of your time to join the bone marrow register as a donor.

Joining the bone marrow register is so simple.

JOHN SUTHERINGTON NEEDS YOU! For thousands of people with blood cancers and disorders, their only hope of survival is a donation of healthy stem cells. But we can’t just take cells from anybody - they have to be from a person who is a match.

Give a Spit

To register simply come along to the event below, complete an application form and then spit in a tube - it is that simple.

To join you need to be between the ages of 16 and 30 and in good health.

We need more young donors as they offer patients the best chance of life.

The only other thing to remember is that all donors shouldn’t eat or drink for 30 minutes before giving a sample.

Wednesday 9th April 3pm-8pm Anstey Nomads Ground, Cropston Road, Anstey

Come and chat to the Anthony NolanTeam about becoming a lifesaver!

0303 303 0303 info@anthonynolan.org www.anthonynolan.org Registered charity number 803716/SC038827

I named my dog ‘5 miles’ so I can tell people I walk 5 miles every day.