December 2013 groby spotlight magazine

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE - SEE PAGES 16 & 17

Groby Sings Christmas concerts are a great success!

Sell-out audiences enjoy a musical treat

Lost cat

Socks (above) has been missing from 25 Fern Crescent, Groby since 10th September and we’ve done everything we can think of to try and find her.

Were you one of the people lucky enough to get hold of a ticket to Groby Sings Christmas?

Both performances were a sell out and sadly many of those who wished to buy tickets on the door were disappointed.

Those who did get a seat were treated to a string of Christmas hits ranging from the beloved songs of black and white Hollywood movies to the raucous fun of the 1970’s Slade hit ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’. Each was performed in an appropriate style by the choir of over 200 under Helen Hayes’ guidance.

To pick out a few highlights: The opening number, Gaudete, was the perfect choice; the verses of Paul Cox’s new arrangement were sung unaccompanied with confidence by soloists from the youth section of Groby Sings. Helen kept them smiling through their nerves. The three-part harmony chorus filled the room with a rich sound and did indeed blow a few socks off!

‘White Christmas’ was made special with British Sign Language; one audience member said afterwards she was so moved that it has given her the incentive she needed to book signing lessons so she can communicate with a deaf family member! This is a typical example of the many side Continued on page 3 ...>

The Groby Sings Christmas Concerts were sold out

She’s a tabby with white markings and she’s about 5 years old. She wasn’t wearing a collar and hasn’t been chipped.

She’s never disappeared before so we don’t know if perhaps she’s got into a delivery van or car.

If you have any information, please contact me on telephone 0116 287 1221.

Pat Osborne

Operation Christmas Child Groby Community College students have been working together in year 10 Life skills classes to collect Christmas presents to send to children in poor countries around the world.

Groby dancer Roxanne Dinsdale has added Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector to her long list of TV appearances.

Roxanne explains: “Channel 5 rang me out of the blue and said they wanted a snake dancer to do a day’s work on The Hotel Inspector. READ MORE ON PAGE 4 ...>

Assistant Principal Mr Kimber said: ‘The generosity of Groby students never fails to impress and we will have helped to make it a very special Christmas for lots of little boys and girls who otherwise would not have received anything for Christmas.’

Special thanks to all who helped and Miss Wright for organising it.

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 18th January - Advert/Articles needed by 4th January

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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

LE67 9ZT

Telephone

01530-244069 Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.

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

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

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

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

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

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

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

All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

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

NEXT ISSUE OUT Sat 18th January

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TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Elizabeth Woodville School News Leicestershire Primary Schools’ Cross Country League On November 2nd a number of our year 3, 4, 5 & 6 pupils took part in the second race of the season at Prestwold Hall.

We finished in the top 10 in 7 of the 8 races, which considering there is on average 185 runners in each race, is a tremendous achievement. Well done to Theo Coats (2nd), Mackenzie Smith (2nd), Sam Collins (2nd), Rachel Nealon (2nd), Matthew Hollingworth (4th), Harry Gamble (6th) and Lilly McGlinchey (8th). The weekend also saw a number of our runners improving their time from the previous race in October. The children train twice a week (in all weathers) and their hard work has paid off with some really good results. We wish them the best of luck in the final race of the year in December.

Primary Schools Sportshall Competition Continuing on with the sporting theme, in October our year 5/6 Sportshall athletics team represented the school in the area heats at Bosworth Academy.

They won these heats and secured a place representing Hinckley and Bosworth in the county final this November.

Sportshall is an exciting indoor programme of adapted athletics activities. Our team of 9 girls and 9 boys competed on 12th November and achieved a very respectable 4th (of 10). Paralympian athlete Dan West, who has won 2 bronze and 1 silver medal, all in shot put, made an appearance to cheer the children along. A huge well done to all children who competed in the competitions.

Which ingredients would you choose?

As part of our creative curriculum the children have been exploring Leicestershire in all aspects of their work.

In year 5 and 6 as part of design and technology the classes have been investigating breads from around the world and in particular what types are found here in Leicester. They were then given a basic bread recipe and asked to choose 2 ingredients that they would put in their bread! Many went for onions, herbs or cheese whilst others went for a less obvious combination of bananas with cheese. One sweet toothed pupil from year 5 went for Haribos! All children had great fun trying their creations afterwards although many decided they would not be making the same recipe again!

Groby Sings Continued from page 1

benefits Groby Sings is bringing to the local area.

The Wombles made an appearance much to the delight of some of the more mature singers; practising the song ‘Wombling Merry Christmas’ had included quite a few questions from puzzled children about these early eco-warriors. They eventually understood and were happy to remind us with gusto to ‘Remember You’re a Womble’. The children’s rendition of ‘We’re Walking In The Air’ stole the show, however. The beautiful sound Helen had coaxed out of them at rehearsals brought tears to many eyes.

She herself was overcome by the choir’s thank you song.

Asked to conduct ‘Rudolph’ for a second time, the surprise of a set of words especially written about Groby Sings, and its success both in popularity and in community building in Groby, rendered her speechless! Those of you who know Helen will know how rare that is!

If you missed out on a ticket and would like to hear the Sunday performance, speak to any choir member as CD’s will be available at their party on December 16th for a donation of £5.

So how will the Groby Sings choir top their Christmas concerts?

Next year they will be learning songs from ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘Grease’. Although Helen is no longer a church minister in the Bradgate Team, she has been given permission to work in Groby for the choir whilst taking on her new role based in the city working with the homeless. Practice sessions remain unchanged thanks to the fantastic generosity of The Groby Club who will continue to give the use of their facilities for free! And the team of behind-the-scenes volunteers will be growing ready for even more singers. So why are you hesitating?

Come and join us.

Another World’s Oldest Man has died. This is beginning to look suspicious.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Charity events for Flat Head Syndrome in Babies - Update Further to our letter and posters in the Groby Spotlight about our charity events to raise awareness of flat head syndrome in babies, here is a quick update.

At our events, we met other parents who were concerned about the condition and we were able to provide them with the information that they needed and put them in contact with the correct people. We met families who had been helped by our awareness page, met another baby in a helmet and also had the founders of the headstart4babies charity attend to help us in providing information.

Both of our events were very well supported and attended and we were brilliantly able to raise over £1700 which will go to help other families fund treatment for their little ones.

Shelley

I can speak Swahelium. It’s like Swahili but a bit higher.

Last Sunday I went to church and it sounded beautiful because everyone was singing off the same hymn sheet.

Have you seen that TV show where you run over an animal and then get it valued? Antiques Roadkill.

Groby dancers meet up with Alex Polizzi - from page 1 “I agreed - in fact, I was over the moon as I am a big Fan of Alex and enjoy the program. After all these years doing TV programs it is nice to be in one that I actually watch and like!

“When I told Alex this, she gave me a big hug and kissed my cheeks.

She was wide eyed watching me dance and was fascinated by the snake.

We had a good chat, then she thanked me so much and said how lovely it was to meet me!

“I said I had never asked any of the celebrities I had worked with for a photo, but as I was a fan of hers would she do me the honour, and she was very obliging.”

We may be seeing more of Roxanne on TV next year - along with one of her relatives who has followed in her footsteps.

“My niece Rose, who is also from Groby, was with me on The Hotel Inspector and it was her first official TV job. I hope that in February, Rose and I can work together on programs such as Casualty and Holby City, as Rose will be auditioning soon to join the agency I have been with for many years.

“I had retired from TV work, but have been recently tempted back by a couple of reality shows which I had never done before. My main TV work had been costume dramas. But now that Rose has got her Equity card (for actors and variety artists), she has persuaded me to come out of TV retirement in order to show her the ropes!”

I purchased a microwave bed recently, 8 hours sleep in 10 minutes.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Teaching Life Saving Skills To All Teenagers

English former rugby union player Martin Johnson CBE, Dr Doug Skehan, Dr Mike Ferguson and Mr Charles Poole visited Brookvale and Groby Learning Campus on Tuesday 3 December 2013 to promote their campaign to get a defibrillator into every secondary school in Leicester and Leicestershire, and to teach life saving skills to ALL teenagers in Leicester and Leicestershire secondary schools as well.

This campaign is a joint project with the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and Leicester’s hospitals and is being led by Dr Doug Skehan from Glenfield Hospital.

Students were interested to hear that Martin Johnson is backing this campaign partly because he knew Joe Humphries and his family personally.

Joe Humphries was a Leicestershire school pupil who sadly died last year as a result of cardiac arrest.

Dr Doug Skehan highlighted to some of Brookvale High School and Groby Community College students (pictured above) that in the UK we only save a third of those who could be saved by emergency action, and we would be able to improve survival rates by teaching life saving skills in school that will last a life time. This is the first such project in the country and could become a blueprint for other counties to follow.

Ambassadors from all Leicester and Leicestershire schools will be invited to attend a launch event at the Leicester Tigers ground on 28 February 2014.

Thank you to all our students who took part and thank you to Dr Doug Skehan, Martin Johnson and the team.

Brookvale and Groby Learning Campus

From Charles ll to George ll An East Midlands Focus

New WEA course starting in the Waldrom Room, Groby Village Hall, Tuesday mornings 10.00am—11.30 for TEN WEEKS starting 21st January. ,Q VSLWH RI WKH 5HVWRUDWLRQ RI &KDUOHV OO LQ QRQFRQIRUPLVW UHOLJLRQ IORXULVKHG LQ /HLFHVWHUVKLUH SDUWLFXODUO\ WKH 4XDNHU PRYHPHQW IRXQGHG E\ *HRUJH )R[ 7KH DUHD DURXQG /HLFHVWHU HQWHUHG D QHZ DJH RI SURVSHULW\ EDVHG RQ GRPHVWLF IUDPHZRUN NQLWWLQJ DQG KRUVHWUDGLQJ )LQG RXW KRZ WKH IRXQGDWLRQV RI LQGXVWULDO /HLFHVWHU ZHUH ODLG Tutor: Dave Taylor : Fee £52.50— free to some benefit claimants.

To book a place ring 01509 268636 or email srogers@wea.org.uk For informal chat about the course ring 0116 2871895.

Church Bulletin Bloopers!

The church notices that did not come out quite as they were meant to do! • • • •

We are delighted to announce that the youth group has raised almost ÂŁ500 for drug abuse.

Correction: The following typo appeared in our last bulletin: ‘Lunch will be gin at 12:15.’ Please correct to read ‘12 noon.’ Any church member over 18 is welcome on our new lay ministry programme. It requires minimal training and time: just six weekly classes of about 200 hours each Tuesday night.

Remember the church jumble sale. We have a gents threespeed bicycle, also two ladies for sale, in good running order.

Council Approved

I got a brand new hedge-trimmer today. It’s state of the art cutting hedge technology

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Santa caught on video in Groby A mystery has been resolved by someone being in the right place at the right time with the right camera or mobile phone.

Yes, Santa was spotted in Groby last Christmas and the proof is there for all to see on You Tube. You can see him at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=yei33yPFXTg or just go to the Home Page at www. grobyonline.tk.

Mineral and waste management consultation It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Leicestershire County Council consultation.

This year it’s the first stage in reviewing the current planning policies dealing with mineral extraction and waste management which were adopted in 2009. The aim is to produce a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Normally you’d have a couple of months to comment on the consultation but this time, if the County Council website is to believed, you have just over 900 years as the consultation “will start 22nd November 2013 and run until 17:00 on 24th January 2914.” If you have comments, however, the closing date of January 2014 which appears in most of the documents is the one you should work to.

If this is something you feel you should look at you’ll find substantial documentation for you

to consider. Particular issues that have been identified include how much aggregate should Leicestershire provide and where should future aggregate operations and waste management facilities be located.

You’ll find all the details online at http://www.leics.gov.uk/ minerals_and_waste_local_plan or by following the link from www. grobyonline.tk

Disposing of clothes and small electricals What do you do with the old kettle that stops working or those other small electrical devices that eventually pack up?

Sadly there is no recycling collection, though the Borough Council is aware of the need.

“We have been trialling the pink electrical banks in 7 sites around the borough,” explained a spokesperson. “There are currently some changes happening to the regulations around electrical items and until this settles down, we will not be extending the trial. We have approached our recycling contractor with a view to providing a kerbside small electrical service, however they have advised that this is not possible as there is nowhere on the vehicle to put these items once collected. The only way to provide this service would be to set up a ‘man and van’ system working on a fortnightly borough-wide route, but as you can imagine, this is not financially viable.”

There are banks for small

electrical recycling at Tesco, Asda and Morrisons in Hinckley, but these are of little use to Groby residents. Even the closest bank, at Desford Academy, is inconvenient for most residents.

Another aspect of recycling is the disposal of old clothes and textiles. The 2014 refuse collection timetable recently delivered includes a reference to leaving any items in a red bag next to your blue bin. Some residents in the village, Field Head and Ratby say they have never been given a red bag or even seen one awaiting collection at the roadside. It seems that a replacement bag is left when one is collected.

If you have never had a bag it may be of no consequence as you may prefer to leave clothes out for one of the charity collections If you would like a red bag you can ring 01455 238141 and listen to the music as you work your way up the queue or email streetscene@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk.

It’s just not red bags that some residents haven’t received.

Apparently some of the 2014 calendars for collections have been placed in the edge of black bin lids instead through the letterbox. “This is clearly not acceptable and I have addressed this with the contractor accordingly,” said Darren Moore, Waste and Business Development Manager. If you live in Pymm Ley Gardens, Rookery Lane or Markfield Road and still haven’t received one you should give them a ring or send an email.

Development sites The decision of the Planning Inspector to uphold the decision of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to refuse Bloors Homes permission to develop land next to Groby Cemetery will be challenged on legal grounds in court in Birmingham on December 16th. This Judicial Review is considering the legality of

the inspector’s decision.

“Should the Judicial Review decide there is no case to answer, the appeal decision (to refuse) will be upheld,” explained a spokesman for the Borough Council. “But if the Review decides the decision was flawed it will be quashed and become the subject of a new appeal inquiry. This will be a lengthy process, so in the meantime the HBBC has to continue to plan for the borough’s housing requirement, including Groby’s needs.”

This makes it difficult to assess what impact it will have on the ongoing process of sorting out the preferred sites for future development to meet local housing requirements. At the moment the Brant Inn, Laurel Farm on Leicester Road near the Sacheverell Way roundabout, and the old A50 at Bluebell Drive seem to be the preferred options.

“The Brant Inn has planning permission and therefore has already been taken into account as far as Groby’s housing needs are concerned,” the spokesman added. “We can’t comment about Laurel Farm and Bluebell Drive until the Site Allocations Document becomes a public document at the council’s Scrutiny meeting on 16 January 2014.”

Wallace Drive planning application?

Residents of Wallace Drive have been told that a planning application has been sent to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a change of use of land at the rear to a residential caravan site with four vans to be occupied by two families.

There are concerns locally about the fact that the land is outside the settlement boundary and close to the Site of Special Scientific Interest.

When someone hands you a flyer, it’s like they’re saying “Here, you throw this away.”

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Pool car park

Meadow AGM in February

As reported last month, Groby Parish operates the gate opening service at Groby Pool car park.

Sometimes visitors get locked in when the gates are closed for the night and in the lighter nights this could be 2 to 3 times a month. Their calls are referred to Councillors who attend to open the gates. There is no fee for this service.

The Parish Council has asked the Borough for a payment so that the job can be passed on to the groundsmen. Lone working procedures would require 2 to attend and the Borough has offered £25 for each incident, which is £12.50 per employee. The Parish Council asked the Borough to re-consider as it thinks this is inadequate to reward someone for changing their lifestyle and being available for call-out in their own vehicles even though they receive no regular stand-by payment.

The response has been to suggest improving the signs but not to increase the offer. However, the Borough does acknowledge that this matter is still open and a spokesman said “All we can say at the moment is that we are still in discussions with the parish council on this issue.”

The New Year will see the end of the beginning, so to speak, for the Meadow on Newtown Linford Lane.

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It will be be formally signed over to the Community Interest Company (CIC) formed following the fund raising exercise when the land was put forward for auction.

Shareholders will then be notified of the date the Annual General Meeting to be held in early February.

“The Groby CIC are working with the Parish Council and the Borough Council to construct a bridge between the Meadow and Groby Pool so that the footpaths from the village can be extended” explained Chairman Alistair Cooper.

“We are looking for more people to become involved in the Meadow, so if people wish to become a shareholder, please email grobycic@hotmail.co.uk.

We are a non profit making enterprise, so will always be looking for new Shareholders and funding.”

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society

November meeting Our November 14th meeting welcomed Sally Cunningham who gave an interesting talk about Oriental Vegetables.

Sally was very well versed in her subject and showed us a great variety of different vegetables and fruits.

Unfortunately, due to our short summers, most would not have time to mature, but some, such as the pepquino melons, could be grown in greenhouses or outdoors in a very good summer.

These fruits take about 75 days to mature and can be used in salads and/or stir fried. Vegetables such as Oriental Spinach, Pakchoi and Chinese Broccoli can be grown quite successfully during our summers as they only need about 2 months in which to mature.

Similarly, Japanese Mooli (a long white radish) can be grown and used in salads etc. The point was also made that our position in such a diverse and multicultural city means that many different fruits and vegetables are readily available.

Shop keepers are usually only too pleased to offer help and advice on how to prepare and cook their wares.

Any adventurous gardener who would like to try something different in 2014 would find the catalogues from Heirloom Seeds, The Territorial Seed Company and Chilterns also make interesting and illuminating winter reading.

As our 2013 season draws to a close, the thoughts about 2014 are cheering. We already have a full programme of speakers organised and the preparations

Don’t be alone on Christmas Day ...

If you face the prospect of spending this Christmas Day alone, Kerry Sharpe and Julie Ford invite you to join them at St Mary’s Church Rooms in Anstey for dinner and festivities.

for various trips are well-advanced. We are already taking bookings for the first of these which will be on Saturday 22nd February 2014. This is a halfday trip to Hodsock Priory to see their wonderful display of Snowdrops. These can be seen in ordinary garden situations as well as some superb woodland settings.

As well as millions of snowdrops and spring flowers, there is a woodland walk, Victorian beehives, a heated marquee tearoom and plant sales and a gift shop.

There are also free daily history talks.

Later in the summer we will have our usual full day trip to a place of gardening interest and, for the first time, we are planning a 3 day trip (2 nights away).

This is in response to the positve results from the questionnaire completed on our 2013 trip to The great Harrogate Show. By extending the trip by I day enables us to visit more distant venues without having uncomfortably long coach journeys. More details will be available at the Annual General Meeting in early January.

To whet appetites, our trip will include a visit to a prestigious R.H.S. garden( including an annual flower show), a vinery and two of the top ten gardens in Kent. Naturally, our overnight stays should be memorable.

Forthcoming events •

December 12th Christmas Meal and Entertainment

•

January 9th Annual General meeting

Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill.

Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

This is a free event and transport can be arranged.

To book your place, please ring Kerry on 01530 243445 or Julie on 0116 236 8811.

Kerry says: “We catered for 80 people last year and had a great time so although its an awful lot of planning and fund raising, it’s well worth it on the day.”

If anyone would like to volunteer, or make a contribution, please contact the organisers on the numbers above.

Groby Village Society

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Thursday December 19 - History of Loughborough Carillon Caroline Sharpe (Carillonneur) Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

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

TRADING STANDARDS ALERT

Don’t fall for phone scam Information has been received by Trading Standards concerning a telephone scam affecting Hinckley residents.

Callers reported being contacted by a man called Steve Morgan offering them a refund on a pension fund overpayment of £6,000.

The caller told the homeowners to provide a post office cheque for a £199, mark it with reference number “PP 555” and the cheque would be collected from their home by another male called Mr Gilbert.

Callers are advised to politely end the call and do not agree to anything.

Trading Standards would welcome any information which would enable them to identify the person / business behind the calls.

Please call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06 to discuss or use telltradingstandards@leics.gov.uk.

I’ve only been wrong once, and that’s when I thought I was wrong.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Some sad news from Australia … the inventor of the boomerang grenade died today.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Speeding A50 Lena Drive Groby I have been liaising with the supervisor of the speed camera team and I can confirm that the camera on the A50 at its junction with Lena Drive city bound is now live and capturing the vehicles speed when travelling city bound when the traffic lights are on Green.

During the period between 18/11/13 to 25/11/13 the Speed on Green camera at the A50 Lena Drive Camera detected an average of 34 offences a day the majority of offenders were travelling between 40mph and 49mph. They have also carried out a mobile visit on the North Bound carriageway within the 40mph limit.

The Red Light part of the Camera continues to detect offenders with 39 offenders being detected between 1st and 25th November 2013.

I have also been made aware that the Mobile Road Safety Team will shortly be able to monitor speeding vehicles travelling on the City bound carriageway as the County Highways are now arranging a stopping point for them to park up. This will enable them to catch vehicles coming city bound in the 40mph limit around Lena Drive Groby.

Bus Service within Groby I have had numerous concerns passed to me over the bus service along Stephenson’s Way in Groby.

There were rumours circulating that Arriva were not going to continue with the service along Stephenson’s Way due to the ongoing parking issues. I immediately spoke with officers and Arriva confirmed to them that they had no plans to change the current routing or stop the service. I want to put the residents mind at rest on this point as we have had that direct from Arriva.

On this issue I called a site meeting and I met with officers on site a couple of weeks ago and we walked the route. We have identified areas along Stephenson’s Way that we could protect to make the bus passage easier for drivers with the use of waiting restrictions.

We also discussed protecting junctions with Double yellow Lines to stop people parking on the junctions. I would like to point out that I am working with our officers on this issue. I will update residents and the Parish Council when we

have some concrete proposals to put to you. This order if agreed would be separate to the parking order that was introduced in Groby in September this year.

I have also asked officers to look at the parking bays at the junction of Ratby Road and Markfield Road as both Buses and HGV’S appear to have difficulty manoeuvring around this junction when people are parked in theses bays it appears far too tight.

Disposal of Highway Land off Bluebell Drive, Groby Leicestershire County Council asset management team have stated the above land has become surplus to requirements.

A spokesman said: “Working in conjunction with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council we have identified a potential site off the A50 at Leicester Road, Groby (being part of the former route of the old A50) as one that might be considered during the review of Strategic Housing Land Allocation for Groby that will be undertaken by the district council during the early part of 2014.”

City Of Culture Bid

11

National Anti Bullying Week In Schools On Friday 22nd November all of the children at Lady Jane Grey Primary school participated in the national ‘Anti-bullying’ day.

completed it will benefit motorists from both Groby and Ratby villages.

I would like to thank residents for their continued support and I would like to wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Kind Regards

Ozzy O’shea Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com Tel 0116 239 4336 Mob 07808 585825

The theme of the day was ‘The future is ours’. All classes from Foundation to Year 6 all around the country, participated in a range of activities to highlight that bullying is not tolerated.

These activities included talking about working together as a school team, being kind to each other and to respect each other.

The children came up with ideas on how to deal with bullies and this included telling an adult or your parent how you were feeling.

By tackling bullying together the children thought they could make the world a better place.

To symbolise our beliefs on anti-bullying, every child wore a piece of blue ribbon that was tied around their wrist. The children tied them on each other. The final message from the day was that together we can all beat the bully.

It was agreed to underwrite the Bid by the County Council, a Bid that would not have even been short listed if evidence of County and City were not working together.

Had we won, I am sure the benefits to the County would have been huge for both the City and the County. The £2 million pounds that the County had put aside will now stay in reserves.

A50/A46 Traffic Island We have all taken the pain over the past few months with the road works that are re-modelling the island and slip roads from the A46.

I use this route during rush hour traffic and have experienced the problems first hand. The work is due to be completed within the next two weeks. The traffic lights are now working and after speaking with officers I expect that it will take several weeks to tweak the sequence to get the correct flow.

You will notice there are no lights governing traffic entering the island from Groby. The sequence I am informed will stop the traffic north bound on the A50 and also traffic coming off the A46 slip road from the direction of the Anstey. I am sure that once the work has been

Call it a hunch, but I’m pretty sure I have an abnormal convex curvature of the upper spine.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

12

Groby Online with Norman Griffiths

W

This month – would you pay the Cryptolocker ransom?

e often read that the victims of burglaries report that they have lost a computer which contains irreplaceable personal files and photos.

The problem is persuading people that they should either store the information on a separate hard drive or memory stick, or back up everything onto an external drive.

That takes time and is a job too easily postponed. But with domestic break-ins locally seeming to run at up to 5 a month it’s probably time well spent as long as you keep your external hard drive somewhere safe.

Sadly the criminal doesn’t always break into your home.

Sometimes they sneak in through your broadband connection.

Hopefully anyone who has a Windows based operating system will have heard about the latest threat – Cryptolocker. It sounds like a spoof, but sadly it isn’t.

Cryptolocker is ransomeware, a destructive blackmailer’s tool, a program that infects your PC and then encrypts your personal files so that you cannot access them. The next time you try to open one you get a message telling you that if you want the key to reverse the process you will have to pay for it. And you have no choice if you want the files back as the sophisticated encryption can only be reversed with the key.

You can remove Cryptolocker from your computer but the files will still be encrypted. Keeping the files on an external drive or memory stick will keep them safe, but only if the drive is not connected at the time of encryption. When memory media are not in use disconnect them from your PC. Cryptolocker targets all versions of Windows including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. It is typically spread through emails that

pretend to be customer support related issues from Fedex, UPS, DHS, etc, or disguise themselves as correspondence such as a voicemail, fax, details of a suspicious transaction or invoices for payment.

These emails would contain a dangerous attachment that when opened would infect the computer.

These attachments are often disguised as PDF files as they have a PDF icon and may be named something like FORM_101513.exe or FORM_101513.pdf.exe. They look like normal PDF files and people open them.

The ransom demand

When it has finished encrypting your files, a Cryptolocker payment screen will be displayed that prompts you to send a ransom in order to decrypt the files. This screen will also display a timer stating that you have at most a few days to pay the ransom or it will delete your encryption key and you will not have any way to decrypt your files. This ransom must be paid using MoneyPak vouchers or Bitcoins. Once you send the payment and it is verified, the program will decrypt the files that it encrypted. However, the National Crime Agency’s National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) says you should never send the payment of a ransom to criminals as there is no guarantee that they would honour the payments in any event.

Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre where you should report fraud if you have been scammed or defrauded. The National Crime Agency (NCA) says the emails have been sent to millions of people, but appear to be targeting small and medium businesses in particular. There have been over 7000 reports of ransomware made to Action Fraud in the six months from April to September 2013. Lee Miles, Deputy Head of the NCCU says

“The NCA are actively pursuing organised crime groups committing this type of crime. We are working in cooperation with industry and international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible and reduce the risk to the public.” An NCCU investigation is ongoing to identify the source of the email addresses used. Anyone who is infected with this malware should report it via http://www. actionfraud.police.uk/ Locally Groby Computers is happy to report that they have not had anyone contact them with a Cryptolocker problem, though many residents seem to have machines affected by another known as the Police Virus.

Preventative measures

“There are simple things we can all do to to prevent our machines being affected,” said Sadhana Stokes. “Do not to click or download unsolicited email attachments and always back up all your important files and treasured photos and store them off your network. Always make sure that your Windows system and anti-virus software is up to date.

You can adjust settings to do this automatically. Get into the habit of running your anti-virus programs regularly so that any risks are picked up and dealt with. And only download programs, including antivirus packages, from sources you know you can trust.”

In addition to these simple precautions Sadhana says lots of websites need you to have Java installed on your computer, and it’s important not only that you have the latest version but also that old versions are removed using the add/ remove function.

There are other steps you can take to protect your computer from Cryptolocker. The aim is to configure your Windows software to stop the Cryptolocker program from opening. Most users will not have

the experience or confidence to dig down into the operating system to do this, but there is a free alternative program you can install on your computer called CryptoPrevent which does it for you. Just like real life infections there is no magic pill which has no side effects. In this case there is a chance that CryptoPrevent may prevent a legitimate application from opening, though this can be corrected.

An online guide

Although much has been written about Cryptolocker in the press one of the best guides is to be found online at http://www. bleepingcomputer.com/virusremoval/cryptolocker-ransomwareinformation (or follow the link from www.grobyonline.tk). Parts are rather technical but they can be easily skipped.

It’s comprehensive and is the source of some of the content of this article and includes a link for those who do some research and decide they want to try CryptoPrevent, but remember that no-one is going to give you any guarantees about downloads. Don’t get out of your depth. We all have to make our own decisions before we download anything so never download software from any site you are not confident about. Scan the files with your anti-virus program before opening them. It’s good practice to back up your complete system before installing any new software as this gives you a recovery route if things go wrong.

Finally, remember the advice of the National Crime Agency - where a computer becomes infected with Cryptolocker it should be disconnected from the network, and professional assistance should be sought to clean the computer.

You’ll find more information about free security software on www. grobyonline.tk and loads of helpful tips on http://www.getsafeonline.org/

I’m always polite and courteous when I build anything. I’m a civil engineer.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Miss Slinky Winners

Hazel Hickson, who runs the Groby class of Slimming World, has sent us details of her latest Miss Slinky slimming award winners - one from each of her three sessions.

Lisa Gralewski, Lisa March and Joanna Benbow-Collins, pictured above, lost a total of 10 stones between them!

Well done ladies!

Seasons Greetings to Spotlight readers!

As another year almost reaches its end, I’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed articles and news items to the magazine over the past 12 months - you’ve done a brilliant job keeping us all informed of what’s going on in our area.

Particular thanks must go to ace reporter Norman Griffiths whose excellent articles help to make the magazine an interesting and informative read.

Thanks also to all of our wonderful advertisers who make publishing the magazine possible. Without your support, there would be no Spotlight.

Our printers - Norwood Press of Ellistown - deserve three cheers for managing to produce a quality product on time, every time - even when I’m late getting it to them!

Last but not least, please give a massive round of applause for our team of deliverers who cheerfully walk the streets of Groby, Field Head and The Brantings in all weathers every month to get the magazine to you.

Well done team!

Mike Wilkinson

IDC Home Maintenance Painter Decorator and Property Maintenance NO JOB TOO SMALL From changing a light bulb to complete house re-decoration.

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

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

I’ve got a new job working at a smoothie bar. I’m blending in well.

13

14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Brookvale High School Is Proud To Support Rainbows Hospice Over the course of last academic year (2012/13), Mississippi House, here at Brookvale High School, under the leadership of Mr Harvey Singh, Head of House/Maths Teacher, organised and took part in various events to raise money for Rainbows Hospice.

Some of these many events included: • A Christmas, lunch time concert, where staff members performed their rendition of Band Aid’s ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ and the students paid an entry fee to watch, and be traumatised.... sorry mesmerised! for the rest of the day!

• Our annual ‘Brookvale’s Got Talent’ show. A run-up of auditions culminated in a fantastic show of many talents, where a number of our students sung, danced and performed comic and magical acts (to name but a few) to be crowned the ‘winner’ of the audience vote.

(A couple of surprise acts filled in the gaps during the interval as well!!). Proceeds from tickets sold went into the charity pot.

• A sponsored walk to, from and around Bradgate Park involving our Year 9 students from all Houses.

Mississippi House are thrilled to announce that the grand total of monies raised amounts to £1,712.57 and particular thanks must go to Yangtse House, who donated all of their money to this particular charity. We were delighted to welcome a Rainbows volunteer, who came to Brookvale to accept

Mobility scooter being offered for sale - proceeds to go to British Legion CHEQUE THIS OUT: Mr Singh and Ms Rush, Brookvale, Mr Haylock, Ambassador for Rainbows, and students from Brookvale and Groby Community College, some of whom are in non uniform as they are raising money for Children in Need. the cheque on behalf of the charity. It was also a great pleasure to welcome back, and say thank you, to last year’s Year 9 students, now Year 10 at Groby Community College, who played a major part in the raising of this money.

Mississippi will be continuing their charity work over the course of this academic year, and ideas for events are already taking shape – watch this space!

Elaine Freeman

Antiques Fair at Brooksby Hall

Field Dog Fairs will be holding a two-day Antiques and Collectors Fair at Brooksby Hall on Saturday 14th December and Sunday 15th December.

Set within the stunning backdrop of rooms that comprise Brooksby Hall you will find an eclectic mix of quality items such as jewellery and collectables to suit every taste and budget.

A Markfield lady contacted the Herald last month to make a very generous and unusual offer.

She is offering for sale an unused premium-make mobility scooter with waterproof cape and charger, which originally cost almost £4,000, for the attractive price of £1,700.

The lady informs us that all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the British Legion, to benefit wounded soldiers.

For more information, please contact the seller on 01530 243030.

I remember the first thing my mum said when I was born.

She said ‘Ah, I was expecting you.’

Do you ever lick an envelope and think it tastes so good that you eat the whole thing?

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Accountants & Tax Consultants 26 Fosse Road Central, Leicester LE3 5PR ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 50 YEARS WE CAN DEAL WITH ALL YOUR ACCOUNTANCY REQUIREMENTS. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE ACCOUNTS PREPARATION, PERSONAL AND BUSINESS TAXATION, BOOKKEEPING, PAYROLL AND VAT.

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My girlfriend thinks I have a gambling addiction. She hasn’t said anything, but I bet that’s what she’s thinking.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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15

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I’ve fallen in love with a another ventriloquists doll, but she’s already spoken for.

Parish Council Office Village Hall Leicester Road Groby Leicestershire, LE6 0DQ Opening Times Mondays 11.00am to 2.00pm Tuesday s 11.00am to 2.00pm Wednesdays 11.00am to 2.00pm Thursdays 12.30am to 3.30pm Fridays 10.00am to 12.30pm Outside these times by prior appointment Parish Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7.00 pm in the Council Chambers within the Village Hall.

Planning Committee meetings are held every two weeks, usually on a Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm.

Forthcoming Meetings Jan 2014 8 Finance & General Purposes 13 Full Council Meeting 15 Planning Committee 20 Parks & Cemetery 29 Planning Committee 30 Scouts Liaison February 3 Full Council Meeting 12 Planning Committee 26 Planning Committee March 3 Full Council Meeting 12 Planning Committee 26 Planning Committee April 7 Full Council Meeting 9 Planning Committee 14 Parks & Cemetery 14 Finance & General Purposes 23 Planning Committee 24 Scouts Liaison

All meetings are Open to the Public.

A word from the Chairman of Groby Parish Council – Cllr. Jim Coley

My report for this Winter quarter is largely “traffic based” and probably includes some rather good news for those of us attempting to drive out of the village during the rush hour, or almost any other time on some days, (and nights!).

A50/A46 Road traffic improvement scheme: As most of you cannot help but be aware, this major traffic improvement scheme has been causing more than a few problems driving in and out of the village since it commenced. I hope that you will be pleased to know that the disruption is nearing an end with the night time closures planned to be finished by the time this Spotlight is published, due 29th November a couple of weeks later than originally planned due to “unforeseen circumstances”, and the main road works, including the traffic lights, should be completed by Christmas (2013 that is) assuming that we don't get hit by any extreme weather between now and then.

The congestion and road traffic accidents in this area have been an major problem for many years and an issue which all of your representatives (County, Borough and Parish) have lobbied LCC Highways over and again, so as well as making road conditions flow more smoothly these changes can only improve the safety record on the roundabout.

Looking at the various consultations and plans which have been issued over the past couple of years regarding this project I am reasonably sure that most of the journeys into and out of Groby should be considerably easier and safer when the lights and new lanes are fully operational, however looking at the complex nature of the junction I have a feeling that it may take a little while to get the traffic light sequences exactly right!

Updates to the changes to village waiting restrictions (Yellow Lines): Now that the work is complete I hope that most of you will have seen the improvements in casual short term parking in the village centre and reductions in road hazards in some of the most heavily trafficked areas of Groby, I realise that there are some areas still to be addressed, particularly in the vicinity of the Doctor's surgery, plus some of the long term parkers have now moved to other areas of Groby, but I certainly find whilst driving in and out of, walking around and occasionally parking in the centre of Groby does appear to be easier and safer now.

As was stated when the project was started, there is due to be a review during 2014 to see where any minor adjustments need to be made, however your Parish Council are also making representations in areas other than involving Yellow Lines which we may be able to influence in the shorter time.

The Land to the East of Groby Cemetery (Bloor Homes): Judicial Appeal.

As you will have read from the excellent article in the Spotlight last month, when Groby & Ratby Parish Councils and H&BBC defeated Bloor's appeal against a rejection in granting planning permission for 91 homes to be built on this Ratby location (in other words the Inspector found in our favour) there was a further step which Bloor's could take, which was to make a Judicial Appeal against the validity or legality of the Planning Inspector's decision. In other words, an appeal that the “Inspector's decision was made using an incorrect process or not following the letter of the procedure”. This Judicial Appeal is now on the horizon and will be heard in Birmingham on 16th December 2013 so we should know the outcome early in the New Year.

We hope that the decision will be in favour of the Inspector's decision, but if not and if Bloors do get the go ahead to build their 91 homes, this will then be the start of yet another fight by your Parish Council (and others) in order to get an improvement in the local infrastructure; primary schools, doctors, parking, dentists etc, in order to accommodate the extra 250+ parishioners the development is likely to bring.

This decision would also impact on my “traffic based” theme as two key issues regarding our opposition to this development were the safety issues regarding the access/egress from the new estate onto the Groby Road, Ratby just opposite Brookvale School and The College PLUS the safety and further congestion issues which additional classrooms and therefore increased traffic would bring to the area around Martinshaw Primary School if that school was expanded as was proposed by LEA in order to take the increased primary school children.

In closing I would like to wish you all, on behalf of your Parish Councillors and Staff, a ver y Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year .

This year’s ‘Carols around the Christmas Tree’ will take place on Tuesday 17th December starting at 7.00pm. A candlelit procession is planned with the Ratby Band playing and carols being sung around the village Christmas Tree located at the Stamford Arms Public House. Please come along and join your friends and neighbours in this annual event.

Dates for your Diary

The public local enquiry to consider the Definitive Map Modification Order 2012, Addition of a Public Footpath R125 between Markfield Road and Forest View, Groby will take place on Wednesday 12th March 2014 in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8RA at 10.00 am.

●

●

●

In the next Quarterly edition of the newsletter, details of the new Councillor who will have been coopted onto the Council to fill the casual vacancy will be announced.

Groby Parish Council is made up of 16 unpaid members. They are supported by a full time employed Clerk, a part time Admin Assistant, the Cemetery Sexton, a Grounds man and two other part time Grounds Maintenance Operatives.

Parish Councillors Cllr. Jacqualyn Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Sylvia Beck - 2876716 Cllr. Jim Coley – 07860523567 (Chairman) Cllr. Richard Douglas. JP - 2877065 Cllr. Liz Emmerson - 2312111 Cllr. Rob Fraser - 01530 244175 Cllr. Ted Hollick - 2875955 Cllr. Sandra Jones - 07977746108 Cllr. Helen Lindsay - 2314487 Cllr. Eileen Marvin - 2876799 Cllr. Norman McCausland - 2321165 Cllr. Leigh Quilter – 0772523033 Cllr. Cathy Thompson 01530 249203 Cllr. Keith Yarwood – 2870252 Parish Clerk

The Parish Council are pleased to announce that there has been much interest in the new Garden of Remembrance since it officially opened in July of this year, and that several scattering ceremonies have taken place. Granite plaques, rose and tree memorials are available to commemorative the loss of a loved one either with the ceremony of scattering or without. Contact the Parish Council Office for more details or visit www.groby.com

Beverley Greenwood. MBA.BSC.AILCM 0116 2876985 parishclerk@groby.com

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Councillors Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Martin Cartwright – 2874500 Leicestershire County Councillor Cllr. Ozzy O’Shea – 0116 2394336 / 07808585825 Member of Parliament

Community Grants – the Parish Council recognises that services for local people are often best provided by the many voluntary groups and charities working with specific groups across the village. During 2013 the following grants were provided: Groby Street Fair £1,000 and Groby Players £200.

Got a concern the Parish Council needs to know about? At the beginning of every Parish Council ● ● ● meeting, time is set aside for Public Participation. This is an opportunity for you to talk to us about any parish matter. The Parish Council may not be able to give you an answer straight away but your comments will be acted upon either by the Council or by signposting to another agency. There is also the online “contact us” form on our website that enables you to report anything directly to the Parish Clerk.

Mr Stephen Dorrell - 2608609

We hope you will find the newsletter and our website interesting, informative, useful and easy to access. Whether you are a resident, newcomer or visitor to the parish, don't hesitate to contact us.

This newsletter is also available on the Parish Council website www.groby.com

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

The water’s so hard where we live, the plumbers have to go round in pairs.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

19

Lady Jane Grey record breakers for charity events This autumn term the children at LJG have been very busy helping and supporting a lot of good causes locally, nationally and internationally. Read on for exciting news regarding the school and the worthy causes they have supported.

DRUM ROLL ONE !

Earlier this term the school took part in the FITNESS IN SCHOOL challenge (Fins). The task was to get as many people as possible to sponsor children as they carried out a number of physical exercises at school.

They were put through their paces by Brian Hockaday a fund raiser from LOROS. Brian has worked tirelessly for LOROS over a number of years and has helped raised thousands of pounds for the Leicester based charity. The money raised is divided equally between the charity and the school. This year the money raised is going towards new books for the recently refurbished library. LJG are absolutely delighted to be able to announce that the total raised this year is a school record. It is an amazing total of £1025 !! Harriett Bird in Year 6 raised a fantastic £106 ! Brian called back into LJG and Harriett presented him with the cheque for LOROS on behalf of all the children at the school. Well done to all involved!

DRUM ROLL TWO !!

Poppy appeal hits the heights at LJG ! During November the Year Six children have been selling poppies every day at school. A terrific response from all the children resulted in a school record of £125 being raised for the British Legion. The Poppy appeal ended with a moving assembly by the Year 6 children which focussed on the reasons we remember the fallen from past conflicts. Parents and carers were invited to the assembly and many commented on the hard work by all the children involved.

DRUM ROLL THREE !!!

This Year the school joined forces with the churches in Groby to support the Christmas Shoe Box appeal. The idea is a simple one, get hold of a shoe box and fill it with items that would make suitable gifts for a child somewhere in the world who is not going to have any presents to open on Christmas morning. Items such as gloves, a hat or scarf are ideal items to go in the shoe boxes. A total of 32 shoe boxes were donated to this worthwhile cause.

On behalf of all the charities involved, I would like to offer their sincere thanks to all those children and adults who gave their support to these good causes.

Michael FitzGerald

Bradgate Lions Club News During the last few weeks we have held a Comedy & Magic Evening in Botcheston and we have conducted our usual ‘Children in Need’ bucket collections in the local pubs and restaurants around Markfield, Copt Oak and Ratby.

Altogether these events raised over £500.00 for our charity account, which will be banked together with our earlier efforts this year, and hopefully our future fund raising receipts, to be allocated to various charities at the end of our financial year in May. During December we will be out with our ‘Santa Sleigh’, weather permitting, touring around the streets in Anstey, Kirby Muxloe and Ratby with the help of the local schools groups, the Scouts, and the Girls and Lads Brigade. Last year we had to cancel most of these collections due to the inclement weather, but we will be hoping for better things this time around.

We will be also collecting charity funds with our ‘Christmas Prize Draw Baskets’ in the local hostelries. We have 12 of these in place, so don’t forget that if you see one of these on display behind the bar somewhere, to ask the staff if you may enter the draw, and help with our fund raising.

Tour of the Wards at Glenfield Hospital

Also, giving ‘Santa’ a helping hand, and dressed in the appropriate costume, we will be visiting some of the local schools and nurseries at their end of term parties, with gifts for the children. And just before the ‘big day’ we will be doing our annual tour of the wards at Glenfield Hospital, along with members of Groby Church Choir, with carols, cards and ‘pressies’ for the patients.

As you will properly have gathered from the activities outlined above, we are in for a very busy, but fun time, and would really welcome some new faces to join our team, as members of the club, or as occasional volunteers to help at some of our collections etc.

Next year we will be celebrating our 25 anniversary, during which time we have raised and donated over £150,000 to International, National and Local causes and in order to carry on with our work, we would welcome you to join us.

If you feel that you would like further information about our Club just call me on 01530 242912 and I and a colleague will visit you, to give you the facts of what we are all about.

Roger Gamble

Groby Tuesdays Guitar Club There are spaces available for the winter session of the Groby Tuesdays, starting 6 January at Groby Community College.

The 12 week course is a fun way for guitarists with some experience to meet others and improve through working and performing in a group. One to one tuition will be provided from a patient, experienced teacher. Basic knowledge of a few chords is all that is required.

The group meets every Tuesday night from 7-9pm. For more information, please ring Mark on 01509 673064 or markwilde8@gmail.com.

I’ve been seeing a weather girl. Thought it’d make a change to date a woman that wasn’t right all the time.

20

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

All the latest news from Groby WI From a very lean October report to a quite hectic November one - where shall I begin?

A number of ladies went to see Michael Bourne’s Swan Lake ballet.

After hearing their rave reviews of the show I wish I had gone. I am not sure whether they were so enthusiastic because it was an all male show or just a wonderful ballet - probably both.

We also had two walks this month.

There is always one on the last Wednesday in the month - usually fairly local - last month was around Bradgate. This month it was along the railway line from Glenfield (finishing at Ratby to partake of a cuppa and cake).

Then we had a Derbyshire walk.

As usual led by my colleagues from Calke Abbey, we walked for about an hour and a half round the bottom of Staunton Harold Reservoir and around the ponds. We were very lucky, as just as we were staggering into the Restaurant it began to rain. I then persuaded the chef to do us sausage cobs albeit the lunch menu was being served, we must have looked as though we needed such nourishment. They were heavenly, from the local farm, just what the doctor ordered, a very successful morning all around.

Our big event was the trip to Rockingham Castle. The Castle was dressed for a Christmas in the middle of the l9th century. The weather was grim when we left the village but soon after our arrival the sun came out, but it was bitterly cold. The Castle stands very high (a view of five counties they say) and I think the freezing wind came from all five of them. Anyway we began by going into the Restaurant, where a huge log fire was burning, and enjoyed a cup of coffee and a wonderful warm mince pie. Then different groups were taken on a tour around some of the rooms set for a Victorian Christmas. We went on one where the Governess guided us around and was she brilliant at it. In each room there was a large log fire. We kept coming across “Price”, who dressed in cords, thick belt, neckerchief and flat cap, and kept servicing the fires with loads of logs. “Price” had a distinct Welsh accent and continually touched his cap when passing us. I asked him why he left Wales and he said he would rather load logs than coal.

There was also a woman who was the seamstress who did very fine needlework. She made us laugh and said that her predecessor had had eleven children. She had offered her a safety pin (to keep her

‘you know whats’ up) but obviously she had declined. We then went into the Restaurant again and had an extremely good lunch. It was crowded so we shared our table with a couple and finished up having a great laugh, again another huge log fire. I don’t know what the rest of the house was like but it was wonderful to walk around in the warm especially when, at Calke Abbey where I go, it goes from freezing to cold, slightly warmer until September then it gets cold again.

We spent a little time in the shop then my friend and I had a walk around the grounds and into the Church. The topiary around the grounds was beautiful, my husband tells me that if it looks like broccoli it is called cloud topiary and it looked like that.

It was our AGM this month. I am pleased to say that it was well attended. Even a business meeting can be fun, especially the way we do it. Pat was again voted President and Fran, Secretary.

Diane our financial wizard quickly went over accounts and was pleased to announce that we were solvent. Diane can take over my housekeeping anytime. Then we got down to the real business of the evening - a beetle drive. This may seem rather tame but believe

me, when 50 or so ladies set their minds to it, it can be really tense.

I am no expert on insect life but I didn’t really see many recognisable beetles, especially mine. My luck, as usual meant that I went up a table and then back again, still it was a laugh, just the thing to end a business meeting.

January begins our new programme. On l6th January Caroline Roberts will be speaking on “Murder Most Foul”.

Apparently it is about old historic murders. Caroline is a Blue Badge Guide so it should be good, I love a good murder.

For any lady who isn’t sure about what the WI is about, do come along to a meeting. These are held on the third Thursday of each month, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall (opposite the Post Office along side the Library). You will be very welcome and we are quite a friendly bunch.

The ladies of Groby WI would like to wish Groby Spotlight readers,

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Margaret Gamble

National Trust Leicester Association News Over the winter period when National Trust houses are closed it is a time when conservation is in full swing and they take care of the special buildings and their contents.

However, at many properties the parkland, shops and restaurants remain open. At Calke Abbey, if you arrive early or late, you can catch a stunning sunrise or sunset over the estate and the new car park is now open. The snowdrops in the gardens at Hardwick Hall begin very early and at Kedleston Hall you can enjoy a brisk stroll and spot a lot of winter wildlife. Also in the parkland at Belton House you will see fallow deer, often surprisingly close due to the lack of visitors.

During January at Calke Abbey, Hardwick Hall and Belton House the parkland, restaurant and shop are all open every day. The parkland from as early as 9.00am and the other facilities from 10.30am.

Also during January, Woolsthorpe Manor, near Grantham, the Science Centre, coffee shop and grounds are open daily from 11.00am to 3.00pm and the house will be open with timed tours each Friday to Sunday at the same times.

The National Trust Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 14th January when Val Williams will present an illustrated talk entitled Travelling from Lands End to Scotland. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm. Admission is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments.

For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Chairman

My girlfriend drew a map of India then asked, “Does Mumbai look big in this?”

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

21

Council calls for tougher regulation of payday lenders

THE tougher regulation of payday lenders has been called for by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough councillors.

They supported a motion at the full Borough Council meeting on Tuesday 3rd December welcoming the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s new proposals for regulating payday lenders, but said they do not go far enough.

Councillors are concerned that the FCA’s proposals will not prevent payday lenders from drip-feeding new loans to people who already have payday debts and are struggling to pay them back.

In addition, the council decided it will promote and support the development of local credit unions, including the Clockwise Credit Union and more affordable lending, and work with partners on campaigns against increasing levels of personal debt.

The council is also encouraging residents to support the Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-Off, which is being promoted by organisations such as Which?, Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity, Church Action on Poverty and the Centre for Responsible Credit – as well as MPs from every Party represented at Westminster.

The proposer of the motion, Councillor Michael Mullaney, said: “Many people nationally, as well as in Hinckley & Bosworth, are being trapped in a spiral of debt by payday loans and I’m glad that the Borough Council is supporting this campaign to clampdown on the excesses of the payday loan companies.”

Residents can back the charter by signing the online petition at www. change.org/paydayloancharter.

Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with

friends at the village hall.

Carols

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

in the hall on Thursday 19th December at 11am

There are Christmas services held in both churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and of course on other Sundays too. For particular services please consult the websites or village Christmas card

We wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Carols Round the Tree

On Tuesday 17th Dec at 7pm mulled wine and mince pies Ratby Band and plenty of carols!

Wrap up warm and come along!

For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733 Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804

Catch

and Urban Saints are on holiday over Christmas and the New Year.

They resume next term

A driver crashed her 4 x 4 whilst listening to Adele on the radio. She was rolling in the jeep.

22

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Compulsory Purchase Order for The Klondyke ?

Norman Griffiths looks at the latest development

It has taken a long time but at last there is the prospect that the problems associated with the land known as The Klondyke on Newtown Linford Lane could be moving towards resolution.

Members of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council voted at their December meeting to support the proposal by the Chief Executive to make a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire and restore the land to a use commensurate with its proper planning purpose. During the Compulsory Purchase process the Council will negotiate in parallel with the current owners of the site to purchase their properties by private treaty.

Because it adjoins Groby quarry the Klondyke is viewed by some as being of strategic importance to Midland Quarry Products. The company has indicated a willingness to make a financial contribution towards the costs of compulsory purchase order, the purchase of the land and the remediation of the land. Councillors agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to enter negotiations with Midland Quarry Products Ltd in order to agree the terms of a Compulsory Purchase Order Indemnity Agreement to contribute to the cost of the compulsory purchase and remediation of the land.

The Chief Executive’s report explained that the current unauthorised usage of the Klondyke has been a matter of concern for the Council for a number of years.

The site is within both the Green Wedge and the National Forest and as such the current usage of the site is in direct opposition to its proper planning designation.

Years of planning enforcement

Planning enforcement action has been taken over the years to attempt to control the site. The serving of a Planning Enforcement Notice on one part of the site in 2005 requiring that all hard-standing be removed from the site and the land reinstated to its previous condition through the planting of appropriate grass, shrubs and seeds has not been complied with.

Following the failure of the owner to comply with the Enforcement Notice, the Council in 2007 sought and obtained an Injunction Order in similar terms to the enforcement notice. Owing to difficulty in locating the subject of the

Injunction the Council has not been in a position to enforce it although it remains extant.

Another area of the site has since 1986 been used as an unauthorised builders yard. A planning contravention notice was served against the property in 2007 which resulted in works being carried out to remove a proportion of the loose materials and scrap on the site although the unauthorised use continues. In March 2007 a further area of the Site was served with an enforcement notice to remove all caravans and mobile homes from the site. This enforcement notice was complied with.

In April 2011 the owners of the entire site were made subject to a further injunction to prevent any development of the site and in particular the bringing onto the site tarmac or other materials on to the land. This injunction expired in June 2011 as no breaches of the injunction occurred in this period.

The planning context

The Klondyke is part of both the National Forest and the Rothley Brook Meadow Green Wedge. Uses which are considered acceptable within the Rothley Brook Green Wedge include agriculture, recreation, forestry, footpaths and bridleways, burial grounds and nature conservation. In addition any land use within the green wedge is required to maintain the function of the Green Wedge, and retain the visual appearance of the area. The Council’s Adopted Core Strategy supports proposals that contribute to the delivery of the National Forest Strategy including increasing woodland cover, enhancing biodiversity, developing a new woodland economy for timber products and wood fuel energy, outdoor recreational and sport provision and tourism developments. Only development meeting this Strategy will be supported and even then only if its siting and scale is appropriate to a forest setting and the development respects the character and appearance of the wider woodland setting. The current unauthorised uses of the site do not comply and it is proposed that following the acquisition of the site a tree planting programme is carried out.

Council were to acquire the land, various costs would be incurred in making the land secure ahead of any decision on its future use.

These are currently estimated to be £1,100. Further resources may be required from the Council’s Estates and Asset Management officers to react to any disturbance that occurs as a result of the Council acquiring the site.

Potential further use for the land may include creation of a woodland area on the site. The cost of this initial planting is estimated to be £28,500, excluding any ongoing grounds maintenance work that will be required. On the basis of the current value and lack of present uses it seems that it would be difficult to demonstrate strict financial value for money in acquiring the land. Because of the cost associated with its future use, acquisition may not be deemed affordable, sustainable and prudent under the terms of the Council’s Prudential Treasury Management Strategy.

Those directly affected by the Order will be entitled to compensation which will be payable in accordance with the Compulsory Purchase Code,

assessed on the basis of the market value of the property interest acquired, disturbance and statutory loss payment. The reasonable surveying and legal fees incurred by those affected will also be paid by the Council. These costs will also be backed by the indemnity from Midland Quarry Products.

The Council has had to consider the balance to be struck between the effect of acquisition on individual rights and the wider public interest in the redevelopment of the site. The advice received is advised that compulsory acquisition of the land in this instance is considered to be justified in order to secure the economic regeneration, environmental and public benefits which the scheme will bring.

Over the years the Borough Council has received much criticism for the way in which it has responded to the problem of the Klondyke. The passing of the resolution supporting compulsory purchase has been described locally as the first step of a difficult and relatively lengthy process, but a step in the right direction.

Norman Griffiths

Experience Holidays In Australia In Your Own Living Room!

F

or those who are already sick of cold and rain will find in the new movie “Australia in 100 days” the ideal antidote.

Many Britons dream of holidays in Australia. The problem is the sheer vastness of the country. So where should you head to if you don’t have too much time? The film “Australia in 100 days” gives a detailed insight into all regions of Australia.

The cinematic journey begins in Perth, follows the secluded west coast north to Darwin, goes through Alice Springs in the Red Centre, through to tropical Cairns, and from there heads south via Sydney and Melbourne round to Adelaide. The pair even made a detour to the pristine Tasmania.

DVD and Blu-ray are available now at www.australia-film.co.uk

The financial implications

Based on the current position, it is considered that the cost of preparing the compulsory purchase order could be met internally by existing resource. However, for any ensuing public inquiry, the Council will be required to fund legal costs estimated at around £12,500. If the

My mate tries hard to get to work early to beat the crowds. He’s loving his new job with the riot police.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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At hospital over the weekend I heard a load of patients reciting Scottish poetry. Apparently it was the serious Burns unit.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

  Are you looking to improve your social life?

Do you want to take part in events and activities with like-minded people?

Don’t wait around! Come and join us!!

All events are listed on our website: www.sociallyleicestershire.co.uk or call 0116 430 1234 / 07583 488970 (Lots of events planned over the festive season!)

A Place for Fun and Learning

If you enjoy reading Groby Spotlight, please pass this copy on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

Courses in the Groby and surrounding area – New Year 2014 Arts: Pottery; Jewellery Making; Creative Sewing Workshop Health, Wellbeing & General Interest: Pilates; Guitar; Caribbean and Indian Cookery courses Languages: French and German Huge discounts available for learners on certain benefits, or courses may even be FREE – please ask at enrolment!

Also, see our wide range of other courses such as ICT, FREE English and maths, and FREE employability courses at our other learning centres!

Call Groby Adult Learning Team now for more information and to enrol on 0116 305 3829

I can’t remember if I’m the good twin or the evil one.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

25

What goes around comes around Norman Griffiths looks at the Parish Council’s transport dilemma

What goes around comes around, or so they say.

When the Parish Council reorganised and outsourced the grounds maintenance activity some years ago it resulted in the redundancy of the two operatives and a grand sale of surplus equipment. This included their vehicle which, it was said, had around 40,000 miles on the clock.

Today, in addition to the Clerk and her part time assistant, the Council has a cemetery sexton, a groundsman, and two other part time grounds maintenance operatives. So there are lots of willing hands but the only wheels to help them with any larger loads that need moving are those of their contractors. Some thought has been given to ways this shortcoming could be resolved, and two solutions have been suggested for members to consider.

Should it be a trailer?

The first would be to buy a trailer for between £600 to £1,500 and ask the council operatives if they would mind having a towbar fitted to their private vehicles, the cost to be met by the council and a rate paid for the use of their vehicle. It has been estimated that this could cost around £270 a month in mileage allowances plus incidentals such as business insurance for the person’s vehicle and an allowance for wear and tear.

The cost of putting a tow bar on has been estimated at £250 to £300. It is thought that more than one vehicle would need to be modified in order to ensure one was always available. Not everyone agrees that the monthly mileage cost would be as much as £270 because there would be seasonal variations in use.

Or should it be a Loadhopper?

The second option considered was to buy a modest vehicle suitable for the job in hand. The vehicle which would be acquired would be a Chinese DFSK Loadhopper Single Cab Pickup, a fairly recent entrant to the UK market.

When Auto Express looked at the range earlier this year they awarded the vehicle four out of five for loadspace and practicality, three and a half for MPG and running costs, and three for reliability and safety, driving, performance, cab and interior.

What Van took a look when the vehicle when it was introduced in 2011

and concluded that there’s a market out there for cheap, functional small vans. “There’s a likeable basic charm to the unashamedly basic Loadhopper, and it successfully fills a large gap in the UK light commercial vehicle market. It’s far from the world’s most exciting, luxurious or well-equipped vehicle, but no-one buying a DFSK will be in any doubt about what they’re getting – a basic, unpretentious working tool, and its addition to the UK market is a welcome one.” The verdict was that it’s a “Cheap and cheerful, does-what-it-says-on-thetin sort of vehicle that won’t suit everyone thanks to lack of creature comforts, but for some it’ll be a handy new alternative that meets their needs.” www.vansa2z.com said “The steering can feel a bit heavy at low, manoeuvring speeds, but is fine once on the move. Speaking of manoeuvrability, there is no other LCV that can touch a microvan for squeezing through small gaps and into tight loading/unloading areas. The turning circle is diminutive at 8.8m, akin to that of a Black Cab. Ride quality can be a bit lumpy on badly maintained urban streets — cart springs feature at the rear — and although the cab has plenty of headroom, rearward movement of the driver’s seat is restrictive in the single cab pickup and tipper. If the shoe fits, go for it, but try before buying. Stout-built, long-legged folk may have a problem.” The range won their microvan award in 2012 and 2013, but with little competition at that end of the market this is no surprise.

It could be bought on hire purchase at a cost of around £255 included a month for 36 months and at the end of that time would be owned by the Council. Although the Loadhopper range comes with a three-year warranty and servicing, a three year anti corrosion perforation warranty and one year’s DFSK UK roadside assistance, some Councillors felt that it would have difficulty coping with the workload so after 3 years there wouldn’t be much left to own. Members decided to defer a decision to allow time for further research into alternative vehicles, and with no council meeting until mid-January it will be next year before this is resolved.

If any readers think that this sounds like a vehicle they could use in their business, charity or other organisation, they should arrange a test drive before Christmas if they want to be in with a chance of winning one.

Norman Griffiths

Start your journey on the road to learning!

The next few weeks see the start of hundreds of courses across the County, as Leicestershire Adult Learning Service welcomes thousands of people who are keen to return to learn.

With a wide variety of examination and general interest courses on offer, we can help you on your way to improve your life. The Spring is the prime time for adults seeking to develop their potential by enrolling on part time study courses. Gaining further skills for work by enrolling on a new course of learning can vastly open up the field for people wishing to enhance their career prospects, or for those wishing to follow a new and life-changing direction.

Get the qualifications you need to change your career, make new friends, or learn a new craft or skill – by enrolling on one of our many courses you’ll be taking that first step to a new life.

This year we are offering adults the chance to improve their skills and get qualifications in English and Maths completely free, and a range of ICT qualifications for just a £35 registration fee*. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

At Groby College we are running Indian and Caribbean cookery, a range of creative courses, and pilates for those of you who wish to tone up ready for your summer holidays! We are continuing our French and German language courses to help you find your way around too. There are a whole host of alternative courses at our other venues around the county.

Check out our course search at www.leics.gov.uk/golearn, or for further details on courses and to enrol call our FREEPHONE enrolment line on 0800 988 0308. Staff can give advice about the help available for those in receipt of benefit or on low incomes – meaning many courses are completely free of charge. Enrolment for courses is taking place now, don’t miss out, classes begin soon!!

It is truly easier to forgive your enemies than figure out how to limit their access to your facebook page.

26

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

All the latest news from Glenfield U3A 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 Autumn and Christmas menus! www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Fri 13th Dec: Redgates Xmas Party - 7.30pm Motown Magic and the Disco Diva Evening with live music cocktails and professional DJ Fri 20th Dec: Children’s Xmas party Sat 21st Dec: Punk & Disorderly Boxing Day: The Del Sharron’s - 1950’s/60’s band at 5pm New Years Eve: The Dirty Water band Sky Sports In Both Rooms, Bingo Every Tuesday Evening, Bar Snacks Mon Wed Fri, No Membership Required. www.facebook.com/ thethorntonclub The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 Sat 28th Dec: MIKE LEE - male vocalist 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.

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

Boxing Day: MUSIC & BINGO from 2pm Fri 27th Dec: FATBLOKE’S CHRISTMAS QUIZ - 8.30pm start - £1.50 per person New Year’s Eve: AXIS DUO will be playing their last ever gig! £1 entry.

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

Send details of your local live entertainment and we’ll give you a free mention here. Tremendous!

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

Fri 13th Dec: COUNTRY & PARTY NIGHT Sat 14th Dec: PHIL COLLINS Fri 20th Dec: 70’s HEATWAVE New Year’s Eve: Hollywood Red Carpet Event Fri 31st Jan 2014: Comedy Night See advert on page 30.

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

POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays starts at 8pm Christmas Eve: JOHN STACEY Christmas Day: We’ll open 11am till 2pm and then again at 8.30pm.

New Year’s Eve: PARTY NIGHT with Entertainment to be confirmed.

The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Sat 21st Dec with ‘King of the Road’.

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 20th Dec: Scandal Female Duo Sat 21st Dec: Sisters In Arms - Female Duo Sun 22nd Dec: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Tues 24th Xmas Eve: Rachel Paul - Solo Female Artist Fri 27th Dec: Toni - Female Solo Sat 28th Dec: Double Trouble - Female Duo Sun 29th Dec: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Tues 31st Dec (New Year’s Eve): Hot City Nights - Brilliant Band Fri 3rd Jan: Richie Dean Excellent Solo Artist Sat 4th Jan: T.b.a.

Sun 5th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 10th Jan: T.b.a.

Sat 11th Jan: Chris Robin Quality Male Solo Sun 12th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

The Glenfield U3A entered into its fourth year in November, which means some Committee members have to stand down from their current roles at the next AGM. The Committee and members would particularly like to thank the ‘Chair’ Carol Knill for having the vision and drive to set up this branch of the U3A, Janet Fenton for her tireless work as membership secretary, Gail Nunn for organising all the group ‘start ups’ and Dennis Bradley, Vice Chair, and to all the other Committee members who have worked so hard to make the organisation such a success.

It has been a busy few months for the Glenfield U3A, with new groups being formed and existing groups thriving.

Walking group 2 is now well established and the Strolling group continues to grow. German conversation started in September and in the New Year there will be two further groups ‘Walk & Talk’ and a ‘Discussion’ group.

Gyrating geriatrics of Glenfield Due to popular demand there was a repeat of the 60’s Night held in May. 110 tickets were sold within just a few days of going on sale. 60’s Sound entertained their audience with popular songs from the 1960’s and the geriatrics of Glenfield were gyrating from the first song played. Not an arthritic knee in sight!

The ‘Baby Boomers’ of the 1940’s and 50’s doing the twist and rock and roll would put any youngster to shame. Yvonne, from Café 27 in Ratby catered for the event, providing a superb jacket potato, cold meat and salad buffet followed by a very tasty sweet.

The Days Out group organised another visit to the Houses of Parliament and a visit to the Leeds Variety Club. During December the group will be visiting Thursford and plans for further visits next year are in hand.

The gardening group has blossomed and had to find new premises for their indoor meetings. They now meet at the Ratby Sports Club. At the November meeting the gardening group programme for the forthcoming year was formulated. Visits include The Bluebell Arboretum (always a favourite), Japanese Meditation Garden, Whatton House and Gardens, Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens and Melbourne Hall and Gardens. The group will be having another stall at the U3A Craft Fair on 29th March and will be busy over the winter preparing plants and Spring bulbs for sale.

A second table tennis group has started up and they play on a Wednesday evening at Ratby Sports Club for those that can’t make the Thursday afternoon meeting at Beaumont Leys.

History Group visit Norman & Underwood The history group visited the premises of Norman & Underwood in November, where Dr Jon Castleman DSc (Managing Director), a seventh generation descendent of the company’s founders, gave a presentation on the restoration work of the company on such projects as Windsor Castle and Lincoln Cathedral. The company was founded in 1825 and is Leicester’s oldest remaining family run business. Their hospitality was second to none.

On arrival we had hot or cold drinks and biscuits. After the presentation we were given ‘high viz’ jackets to don for a tour of the workshops where we saw a demonstration of lead making and glass cutting. After the demonstrations we were treated to a buffet lunch. The members donated £49.50 for LOROS to Dr Castleman.

Several social events have been organised over the past twelve months and over £800 has been donated to Charities including Macmillan, MS therapy centre, LOROS, Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, Save the Children and Cruse.

There will be another New Year Luncheon at St Peter’s Church Centre on Tuesday 7th Jan 2014 following on from the success of last year’s luncheon.

If you enjoy your food but don’t like bothering to cook then the Glenfield U3A is for you. Meals feature strongly with many of the groups especially at this time of the year!

If you are interested in any of our activities and have entered your ‘third age’ (are retired or semi-retired) then why not join? Membership is only £1 per month + an annual fee to head office for insurance of £3.50.

Please take a look at our website it is full of information and membership forms are available on line. www.u3asites.org.uk/glenfield or email glenfieldu3a@aol. com or telephone Carol Knill - 0116 2919464

Gill Tapping Publicity Officer, Website & Newsletter Editor I remember when yoga was called Twister.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

27

Poppy Wall at Groby Community College The picture (right) was created at Groby Community College to display the texts and letters year 10 students wrote to soldiers and veterans in honour of remembrance.

Miss Hammond Teacher at Groby Community College

Music to our ears at Lady Jane Grey Primary School!

This term our Year 4 children have begun to play a brass instrument in school.

Over the last few weeks their confidence and ability has grown and it is fantastic to hear the weekly development of their playing skills. This opportunity is because Lady Jane Grey is now part of the Leicestershire Hub for Music in Schools. Every week the children’s ability to play the instruments gets better and better and it will not be that long before their parents and carers are invited in for an evening of musical entertainment.

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28

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

LETTER Natasha Marie Jackson Memorial Charity Golf Day We would like to give a huge thank you to you all for making this a special & successful event - held this year on the 3rd August at the ‘Groby Club’ Thank you so much for remembering ‘Tasha’ who is the reason behind all these proceedings, she is and always will be a huge loss in our lives, even more so at this time of the year.

All proceeds from the day, a total of £3,000 will go towards and support the fantastic work of the ‘Air Ambulance Service’ - which solely relies on charity, public funding and donations such as this.

Our special and heart felt thanks must go to:• Mick Quilter and Andy Eversfield for organizing the golf and the whole of the day’s events throughout.

• Stuart ‘Raffles’ Holmes for his persistence in selling every single raffle ticket in his possession.

• Adey Dale and colleagues from the Groby Club for holding this event and supplying the evenings music and entertainment.

Again this being our fourth year, the golf and raffle prizes were in abundance, thanks to the generosity of friends, family and many local businesses: • Stapleford Golf Club • Sytners - BMW • Bistro Live • Reiss - Leicester • Birstall Golf Club • Whites Hair & Beauty • Cathy Stevens • Stamford Arms • Leicester Tigers • Kasbah • Flints • Groby Chinese Our most sincere & heartfelt thanks, hope to see you all at next year’s 2014 tournament.

The Jacksons

Spotlight Small Ads If you have any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Our postal address is Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk • New bathroom fittings Price: £10.00 • Ladies black Gabor shoes, size 4.

Price: £10.00 • Ladies white Skechers trainers NEW. Price: £20.00 • 2 pairs mens black shoes Price: £20.00 per pair • New Italian sweater, was £35.00, Price now £20.00 ono.

Tel: 0116 287 6332 (Groby) • Mahogany display CORNER UNIT, with clear glass doors and sides, 4 shelves and lights, 170cm high by 86cm wide. Langtons quality.

Price: £100.00 • Ladies SKI SUIT, size 12 Price: £10.00 • Ladies TAP SHOES, black, size 3 Price: £5.00 • Ladies TAP SHOES, black, size 6 Price: £5.00 Tel: 0116 223 5720 (Groby)

• Gents All Terrain Cycle, Decoy Stealth, Aluminium dual suspension, Disc brakes, 24 gears Silver and Black frame.

Price: £55.00 • Also young person’s cycle, Magna Sparkler in shocking pink and white, 5 speed Index shifting gears Price: £25.00 Both in good condition.

Tel: 0116 287 0252 or mobile: 07831 155330 • Aluminium LADDER with full extension, v.g.c.

Price: £35.00 • Complete set (12 dvds) of ‘The World at War’. Used once.

Price: £5.00 • Reader’s Digest new DIY MANUAL. Excellent condition.

Price: £1.00 Tel: 0116 287 5973 • Fisher Price - Little People Toys Age - 12+ months - Noahs Ark with Animals - Fairground with Ramp and Accessories - Animal Alphabet with Interactive Questions and Sounds - Train Track and Station with Sounds and Accessories All Good Condition Price: £10 each Tel: 07932 6001792

Traditional Door & Cemetery Wreaths Made To Order From £5.00 Each Contact Vicki On 01530 230389 (raising funds for Coalville Foodbank)

I was always taking notes at my last job, but then they checked the till.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Year 6 Fire Works Day Science Fair Goes With A Bang!

Gifted year 6 pupils spent the afternoon of fireworks day making rockets and learning all about how fireworks are made at Groby Community College.

The 14 pupils from Kirby Muxloe Primary school were taking part in in a special event at Groby Community College designed to challenge and enthuse gifted young scientists as part of Groby’s Primary Liaison work.

The year 6 pupils started the afternoon off watching some spectacular demonstrations led by Mr Dixey. These included creating a wall of flame using milk powder, an exploding treacle tin and an ethanol powered rocket! By the end of this the Year 6 pupils were very excited to get some hands on Science work with Mrs Woolhouse and Mrs Gibson. The first task was to burn lots of different compounds to find out how fireworks get their amazing colours with copper compounds for blue and read and sodium compounds for red and orange. The pupils were helped in this by several of our Post 16 scientist from year 12.

Finally after a quick drink and a snack the students got to make their own rockets! Several different designs were put onto the rockets before we rushed outside to launch them. Our rocket fuel consisted of some water, a vitamin C tablet and a lot of enthusiasm!

Each pupil got to have several goes at firing their rockets and several went straight up on to the roof!

After all of the excitement it was time to head back inside where Groby Principal Mr Coles presented each student with Gifted Scientist Certificate and a copy of the fabulous Science Museum book; ‘How loud can you burp?’

(106 decibels apparently). Mrs Tobin and the year 6 pupils thanked all of the Groby staff and said how much they had enjoyed it and everybody left on a real high saying how they could not wait to come again. Mr Kimber who organised the event said: “This kind of work is important, as Groby strives to become an outstanding school we want to share our excellent facilities and inspire the areas young people before they even come to our campus to learn”. After the huge success of this event planning has already started for the next Primary visit to Groby Community College.

Mr Kimber, Assistant Principal

The cool part about naming your kid is you don’t have to add 6 numbers to make sure the name is available.

d Search Puzzle

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069 http://puzzlemaker.di

30

Loadsamoney Wordsearch

“Look at my wad!”

J L M S B J Z L Z R S L C M V R N

R S D R R N X X O K W W D B Q O Z

R O E W A E G T C L R Z I G Z J V

U A D G T O K I O G L Q X F E D K

BREAD DOSH DOUGH FILTHYLUCRE LOLLY LOOT MOOLA READIES SHRAPNEL SMACKERS SPONDULICKS WONGA

D G N C O Q L C V O D Y E C O B G

G O M U U U E D A Z L K B W K U M

W U X Y D D N O H M V B H E Z R J

X Y C N D W P U S K S P E T I O B

P E O C K M A G O P K T B X Q D A

P P F L B K R H D F T Q P J N Y K

Subscriber L Find the names of the 12 Slang Terms for Money 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.

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 slang terms for money. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your entry to: SHOW ME THE MONEY, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive S L F Y A X H by Tuesday 7th January 2014. Remember to include your name and The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Piggy Bank S V I S W Q Y address. will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck!

U A H O H G L M A C G E Q J D

N Q B O S P F E A N T K P B G

L T H Y L U C R E D M E P X K

E I D A E R Q R M H E I W Y T

R B J S X D M O O L A G I P X

F R B U F T Y Z X W K I L Y W

Z J X I D H B K K G X B K V S

Here are the 12 SLANG TERMS FOR MONEY you have to find:

BREAD • DOSH • DOUGH • FILTHY LUCRE LOLLY • LOOT • MOOLA • READIES • SHRAPNEL SMACKERS • SPONDULICKS • WONGA Name: .................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: MRS S COOPER of Laundon Way, Groby Your prize - a Voucher for a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel will be sent to you within 21 days.

Glenfield Millennium Green News Table Top Sale

A big ‘thank-you’ to everyone who bought a table and turned up on the 30th November with a selection of wonderful things for people to buy.

Unfortunately their enthusiasm was not matched by customers as very few came through the door, disappointing after advertising widely in the Groby Spotlight, Glenfield Gazette and the Leicester Mercury, as well as village notice boards and shops. We are grateful to those who did come to support us. We need to think of other ways of raising money. Ideas welcome. You can now find information about the Millennium Green on our new websitewww.glenfieldmillenniumgreen.org.

Created by PuzzlemakerCarols at DiscoveryEducation.com on the Green

We invite you to join us on Saturday 21st December at 6.30pm to sing Christmas carols on the Millennium Green.

This is a good way to get into the festive mood (if you aren’t already) and a chance to meet with friends. You do need to wrap up warmly and bring a torch to read the carol sheets. A warm fruit punch and mince pies etc are provided as a reward, after the singing! The 100 Club draw will take place with extra seasonal prizes.

Used Stamps

If you receive your Christmas cards by post this year don’t forget to keep the stamps for us.

Just cut them off from the envelopes, leaving a good margin around each one. We can collect them in the New Year (phone 0116 2991868) or they can be ‘posted’ in the letter box near to the main entrance on the Green.

The Trustees of Glenfield Millennium Green wish you all A Very Happy Christmas and Good Wishes for 2104.

I wish conversations were like user agreements where I could skip to the end and just agree.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Achieving Excellence Together 14 - 19

MATHS TUTORS REQUIRED Groby Community College is a successful 14-19 upper school in Leicestershire.

We are looking forward to welcoming highly motivated Maths tutors to join our dedicated Maths faculty.

Hourly rate dependent on experience.

For further information or to arrange an informal discussion/tour of the college please contact Tracey Malsbury, Business Support Officer: E: tmalsbury@grobycoll.com Direct line: 0116 281 7010

Closing date: Wednesday 18 December 2013 (12 noon) Groby Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Groby Community College, Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GE www.grobycoll.com Tel: 0116 287 9921

They say you need to listen to what your body is telling you. But mine just points and laughs.

31

budgens.co.uk Savings to celebrate this Christmas.

Charles Devalmont Champagne This high quality elegant Champagne is full of crisp, green apple and toasted brioche flavours with a long rich finish.

Hurry offer ends 18th December

SAVE £3 Champagne Charles Devalmont 70cl

£12 £15

To the consumer: This coupon entitles you to a saving of £3 when purchasing the Charles Devalmont Champagne 70cl only in any Budgens store. Subject to availability, whilst stocks last. Offer only available to over 18’s.

Offer valid from Thursday 12th - Wednesday the 18th of December 2013. Copies of the voucher will not be accepted.

Valid until 18.12.13 Budgens of Groby Laundon Way Budgens of Moreton-in-Marsh, Groby Hight Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0AF. Leicester Tel: 01608 651854 LE6 0YG

I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere.