December 2014 groby spotlight magazine

INSIDE: Parish Council Newsletter on pages 16 & 17

Groby Discussion Group is looking for new members

Swimmer Lewis Kerrod invited to join ASA’s England Talent Programme

We are a lively bunch of ladies and gents who meet on Monday afternoons from 2pm to 3.30pm in Groby Village Hall. The Group has been in existence for the past 14 years and we are now looking for new members.

We supply a typed sheet of information on a topic each week to discuss, covering a large variety of subjects. We usually open the meeting with items of interest in Village Affairs, the Government, the World, The Foxes, The Tigers etc. in fact, anything any member would like to bring to our notice. We do not indulge in gossip and respect the views of members. We are not strait-laced and do have many light hearted moments.

Currently, our membership is depleted due to long-term illness etc. If you would like to join us on a Monday afternoon for a taster you will be most welcome. If you enjoy our company it would be great to have you enrol as a member.

We pay a weekly subscription of £1 each to cover the rent of the room.

Please ring Evelyn Ward (0116 287 6707) if you would like more information.

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Lewis Kerrod, current year 10 student at Groby Community College, pictured above, is a serious swimmer and trains a massive amount of time including 3 early mornings.

Local swimmer Lewis Kerrod has been selected to join the ASA’s England Talent Development programme.

He has had a terrific season with 3 national events and 3 relay team events at the British championships July/ August 2014. These swims have led to him being ranked in England as 2nd for 100m butterfly and 3rd for 1500m.

The ASA select swimmers on their performance and rankings to join the England Talent development. As a top 3 English swimmer Lewis has been invited to join this programme.

Last month he attended an Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) England programmes education and development day (EPEDD). These events form part of the overall approach to development of the swimmer pathway in England. The day included a number of sessions which aim to assist the development of skill and knowledge which the ASA believe to be critical to performance swimming.

Well done Lewis, this is a testament to your determination and hard work!

POPPY WALL

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Spotlight Readers!

As another year approaches its end, I’d like to say say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has contributed to the Spotlight during 2014.

Special thanks are due to our regular local article writers, who give their time so generously to provide the magazine with monthly news. Thanks also to our fantastic advertisers, who keep the show on the road.

And last but not least - three cheers for our super team of deliverers, without whom, the magazines would not pop through your letterbox! And thank YOU for reading.

Mike Wilkinson

The picture above displays the texts and letters students from Groby Community College have written to soldiers and veterans in honour of remembrance.

Miss Hall

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 17th January - Advert/Articles needed by 3rd January

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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 17th January

Advert/Copy Deadline: Saturday 3rd January

TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Exercise classes for the over 50s run by Age UK

EXERCISE classes are being held throughout Hinckley & Bosworth to help improve health and fitness amongst the over 50s.

“Some people believe that exercise classes are not for the over 50s, but at that stage of life, exercise is more important than ever for several reasons,” said Melanie Tee, who runs the classes on behalf of Leicester Shire & Rutland Age UK. Melanie is a qualified aerobic and gym instructor and a GP referral instructor (GPs can refer patients to help with ailments such as arthritis, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes).

She has been teaching classes for 20 years and five years ago started classes for the over 50s. “I love teaching the over 50s classes and find them very rewarding,” she said.

“Regular exercise as we grow older can help boost energy, maintain independence and help manage symptoms and pain. The classes are also a great way to meet people and make new friends.”

She added: “Aerobic exercise can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and can help us lose weight. Weight-bearing exercises can help maintain bone density, therefore reduce the risk of osteoporosis. They can also improve posture. Exercise can even reverse some symptoms of ageing and helps with balance, co-ordination, motor skills and confidence.

Improved balance can help provide falls.”

After the classes there is tea and biscuits and a chat. Throughout the year they have regular nights out as a group for dinner, dancing and skittles. The class is as much about socializing as it is about exercising.

Classes are run as follows: Mondays Bagworth Working Men’s Club (9.30am to 10.30am) Ratby Sports Club (11.30am to 12.30pm) Westfield Centre, Hinckley (1.30pm to 2.30pm) Tuesdays Earl Shilton Senior Citizens Centre (10am to 11am) Wednesdays Sport in Desford (9.30am to 10.30am) The Baxter Hall, Stoke Golding (1.30pm to 2.30pm) – starts 21 January 2015 Thursdays Barlestone Village Hall (10.30am to 11.30am) Westfield Centre, Hinckley (1.30pm to 2.30pm) As a special offer during ‘Move More 4 Less Week’, the sessions at Earl Shilton on 20 January 2015 and at Stoke Golding on 21 January will cost just £1 each.

For more details, call Melanie on 01455 290976.

Climate change grants available for community groups Community groups are being encouraged to apply for grants up to £5,000 to help them to finance climate change projects.

Lucy Whitfield, (Year 13 student from Groby Community College), 2013 WIKF Karate World Champion in the Kata, competed in the 17th WIKF European Karate Championship in Nicosia, Cyprus at the start of October.

The County Council is urging parish and town councils, local community groups and charities in Leicestershire to apply for the grants which can help to fund schemes which aim to reduce the potential impacts of climate change.

Projects might include: • Energy audits of community buildings.

• Installation of energy efficiency measures such as new heating systems, roof or cavity wall insulation, water conservation systems, solar power systems or wind turbines.

• Training courses run for the community relating to energy efficiency/climate change.

• Community events relating to energy efficiency/climate change.

Lucy picked up the silver medal in the Kata and followed that up with a gold medal in the team individual fighting.

Lucy is on the left in the picture above wearing her GOLD medal!

Well done Lucy on both medals, fantastic achievement!

For more information and to apply, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/ climatechange_grants

Medals for Lucy Whitfield

My five year plan? I don’t even have a five minute plan.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

New garden area planned for the Stamford Arms

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When the Stamford Arms was internally redesigned a couple of years ago the seating area outside was also improved and upgraded.

But for landlord Brian Rigby there was still something missing from his dream of delivering a better community pub. Now, subject to planning approval, all this is set to change with a proposal that an extended garden area is provided using land behind the Blacksmith’s Cottage on Rookery Lane.

Brian is part of a local consortium that has bought the historic one bedroomed dwelling and has plans to refurbish it and make it available for holiday rentals.

This will include the sympathetic replacement of the existing kitchen and bathroom fittings. “We are confident that there is a market for such a rental property in Groby,” said Brian, “ and think that it may also be attractive for use by local businesses who have visitors who need accommodation locally.”

Country cottage planting around the house will add to the external improvements which have already taken place. With such an old property it is not surprising that interesting artefacts have come to light. “As you would expect we’ve found horseshoes as well as such things as coins and even a a cannonball,” Brian added. These are to be cleaned up and hopefully displayed in the pub.

No one makes a bigger deal about driving to work than fire trucks.

The new garden area will have seating, a children’s adventure area, and a small petanque court.

“We will, of course, not forget that we have homes nearby,” he explained, “and will take this into account when deciding at what time external activities should end.”

As long as there are no planning impediments, a piece of unused land could be transformed and ready for use by next spring as a recreational asset for all age groups.

The Grade II Listed Blacksmith’s Cottage is described by the Borough Conservation Officer as a late 17th century timber framed property with a thatched roof. The house is thought to have been restored around 1980.

New homes on Rookery Lane?

Two new houses may be built on land at 20 Rookery Lane.

An application seeks planning permission for the erection of two houses on the site, one to the side of the existing dwelling and one to the rear on land currently used for garden.

There would also be alterations and extensions to number 20, removing the existing, modern single storey side extension and constructing a two storey extension at the opposite end of the building, providing a ground floor undercroft for car parking with additional living accommodation above. It

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk is then proposed to erect a three bed, two storey dwelling, alongside the existing cottage, largely on the site of the single storey extension.

There would also be a three bed dwelling, primarily single storey but with rooms in the roof space, within the garden area at the rear of the frontage properties.

The Planning and Heritage Statement submitted in support of the application argues that proposed development of two houses within the existing garden of 20 Rookery Lane will not harm the overall character or appearance of the Conservation Area or its significance and will improve the existing access. It is intended that the existing dwelling and the proposed dwellings will make use of the gated access at the eastern end of the site. This will be modified to improve the visibility splays along Rookery Lane and its width on the road frontage, and a turning space for these two dwellings will be provided along the south-eastern boundary of the site near Groby surgery. Vehicles will be able to enter and leave in a forward direction.

The Parish Council Planning Committee has concerns about the proposal after considering representations from residents who attended their meeting and taking into account the traffic implications and the fact that the development would be within the Conservation Area.

More information about the application can be found on the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough website by searching Google with the application number - 14/01084/ FUL.

National Forest When the National Forest acquired land in Ratby on the Groby side of the M1 a spokesperson explained that he had been drawing up a draft design proposal for the site which would be put out for consultation in due course.

“At the moment it is being circulated within the National Forest team, and we would like to have further discussion with the School and College before it goes out to wider consultation,” he explained. “Rather than supply further information at this stage, I would rather wait until September before issuing the complete consultation document with maps and plans. This will outline proposals and invite feedback. The Parish Councils are of course on the list of consultees and I can also send a copy to the Groby Spotlight at the same time – it would be an excellent way to include the local community in discussions.”

At the December meeting of the Parish Council members heard that a meeting of potential stakeholders had recently been held on site. The National Forest representatives explained their ideas for its development into a community woodland with the potential for the site to also become an educational resource.

At this stage there’s nothing more to report as surprisingly the Parish Council, Cllr Peter Batty and Cllr Martin Cartright appear to have been left off the attendance list, despite Cllr Cartright chairing the Charnwood Forest Steering Group within the Borough Council.

Assurances have been given that this won’t happen again.

Decision imminent on garden waste collection charge?

Residents who value the garden waste collection service will soon know whether or not they will have to pay for it in addition to their normal Council Tax bill.

A charge of £30 has been suggested to make up the shortfall in the annual grant received from Leicestershire County Council, but at the next Borough Council meeting on December 16th another option will be put forward.

“Until now the service has been funded through recycling credits provided by the County Council.

The withdrawal of these credits next year means the Borough Council will have to fund the £350,000 cost of the service from other sources or lose the service altogether,” explained a spokesperson. It appears that the council coffers include substantial additional income that has been generated by the fees received in respect of large planning applications and Members will be asked if they want to fund the service from this income. “It’s important to note that the funding would come from additional income and not from an underspend,” added the spokesperson.

This will no doubt be a controversial issue as the additional planning income could be used to boost the Council’s reserves. And with the possibility of a further cut in the County Council grant in 2016, this time in respect of the blue bin recycling service, the issue of extra charges is not going to go away. For the moment, however, gardeners who may be happy to keep the £30 in their pockets will follow the debate with interest.

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around 6 to 7pm. New Year’s day has no services but everything should be back to normal on January 2nd.

You can check the last bus times by following the link at http://www. arrivabus.co.uk/Midlands/. You might have to wait a few moments for the link to appear as it alternates with a photo of Arrivaman, or to be more accurate an Arriva man dressed as Superman. Perhaps he’ll be around to fly you home if you miss the last bus. You can bypass the Arrivaman stage by following the direct link from www.

Grobyonline.tk.

Christmas ...

I’d have to say, for me, as a child, my favorite memories were always centered around Christmas time.

It always seemed like no matter how much money my parents had or didn’t have, we got completely spoiled rotten. There were always presents under the tree, and we always did special things, like hide elves around the house.

Josie Bissett

Christmas bus services If you are planning to be out and about at Christmas, and are relying on Arriva to get you home, be sure to check the times of the last buses.

Buses will run normally on Christmas Eve but the last buses will be around 6 to 7pm. There’ll be no service on Christmas Day, and on Friday 26th there’ll be a special Sunday service during main shopping hours.

The only days with a normal service will be Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th. Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th will have a Saturday service. On Wednesday 31st there’ll be a Saturday service with an early finish, meaning last buses

If we get rid of all the margarine the world will be a butter place.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County’s pubs and restaurants pass ‘fake’ drinks tests

Trading standards officers in Leicestershire say spot checks at more than 100 pubs and restaurants in the county have revealed that all spirits tested were found to be genuine brands.

Officers say the 100 per cent pass rate indicates that licensed premises are purchasing stocks from reputable and traceable sources and confirms that customers are not at risk from unsafe fake spirits purchased from ‘rogue traders’.

The tests, which included evening checks, took place over the past 12 months and will boost consumer confidence as the run-up to the Christmas and New Year period gathers pace.

Joe Orson, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for trading standards, said: “Christmas is a time when rogue traders try to take advantage and our officers work diligently to protect the public. It’s pleasing that the bottles of well-known brands tested by officers were not filled with cheaper substitutes.”

Officers carried out more than 200 specialist DNA-type tests to ensure the products were genuine and that they met composition as well as weights and measures standards. The drinks checked included white rum, gin and vodka.

David Bull, head of trading standards in Leicestershire, said: “We work in partnership with the drinks industry to ensure consumers are supplied with genuinely-branded spirits.

“We are able to DNA-test a wide range of whiskies, brandies and white rums and I’m very pleased that so many pubs and restaurants were found to be complying with the law. Enforcement action is always taken against anyone found selling fake brands.”

Brigid Simmonds, who is chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, also welcomed the findings.

She said: “I am really pleased that Leicestershire pubs have performed so well. As a former director of Leicester City FC, I know this area so it is good to see trading standards highlighting that people can visit a pub in the county during the festive season and have full confidence in what drinks they are buying.”

Any consumers with concerns though should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service help-line on 03454 04 05 06, or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact the trading standards service at: tradingstandards@leics.gov.uk

Christmas ...

It always depresses me when people moan about how commercial Christmas is. I love everything about it. The tradition of having this great big feast, slap bang in the middle of winter, is an essential thing to look forward to at the end of the year.

Richard E. Grant

Success for Hannah Cox After a busy summer of orienteering, Hannah Cox, Year 12 student at Groby Community College, competed for Great Britain in the Junior European Cup in Belgium at the start of October.

Hannah came 7th in the W18 category of the sprint, putting her track and road running experience into good use, and was the top performing British runner across all age groups. Hannah followed this up with an 8th place finish in the relay races, after finishing 3rd at the end of her leg.

You can also hear an interview from Hannah whilst competing in Belgium by using the following website link: http://www.britishorienteering. org.uk/ Well done to Hannah on your continued success!

Thank you to Jean Poole On behalf of two Groby playgroups, Noah’s Ark and CATCH, both run at the United Reformed Church during term time, we would like to give a very special thank you to Jean Poole who has been a tremendous help serving refreshments to the adults and children at both playgroups for the last 15 years.

Last month, Jean helped at Noah’s Ark on Monday morning and CATCH on Friday morning for the last time. Both playgroups presented Jean with gifts to show how much we have appreciated her help.

Christine Fowler

For years I thought hitchhikers were complimenting my driving.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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The holiday season is a time for family…but let’s try to enjoy it anyway.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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I would read more books, but it takes my mind off myself.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

LETTER

Groby Post Office ‘should stay in the village centre’ It is proposed that the Post Office is moved from Leicester Road, Groby, to Budgens on Laundon Way.

For pensioners who do not have their own transport this will be very difficult.

The Post Office say: ‘There is a bus service.’ Well, let them try standing at a bus stop in the winter for a bus that often does not turn up.

I have placed a petition in Wilson’s Newsagents, Pricegate, The Bradgate Stores. Chaplins Butchers and the Groby Co-op.

I would urge everyone to sign the petition, and try to keep the Post Office in the centre of the village where it belongs.

Thank you,

Ernie Twells, Groby

Community grants on offer to voluntary groups Expressions of interest are still being sought from community and voluntary groups for a slice of a £260,000 grants scheme.

Groups can access up to £10,000 from Leicestershire County Council’s Shire Community Solutions grant which puts a strong emphasis on communities supporting – through early intervention - the young, vulnerable and the elderly in order to deliver long-term savings for the authority.

Pam Posnett, the county council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “These grants are a fantastic opportunity for voluntary groups to secure funding for projects, some of which are already benefiting from our support.”

That’s the case with Loughborough group Twenty Twenty, awarded just over £9,000 to fund a coordinator, who will organise placements with local businesses for around 40 young people, many not in education, training or employment.

Mike Hughes, of Twenty Twenty, said: “We’re working with youngsters who have had little exposure to the workplace and the generous grant from the county council helps us to offer individual support to these young people as they look to build a brighter future.”

Expressions of interest for a Shire Community Solutions grant can be made at anytime, with application forms sent to groups whose expression of interest is considered suitable for funding. Those applications are then considered by a grants panel as and when they are submitted.

For further advice, please contact 0116 305 7269/7020 or e-mail shiregrants@leics.gov.uk with further details are also available at www. leics.gov.uk/grants and the closing date for expressions of interest is Sunday, February 15.

Groby Juniors Under-13’s Girls

Goalkeeper Wanted Contact Phil Bray on 07809 437287

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

T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 13th Dec: Last Stand - Classic Rock Covers Band Sat 20th Dec: Thornton’s Own Punk & Disorderly Boxing Day Afternoon: The Del Sharrons New Years Eve: T.b.c. - Band - Twisted Medleys And Mash Ups Sky & BT Sports Free Room Hire Available For Your Perfect Party - Bingo Every Tuesday Evening - View Our Website On www. facebook.com/TheThorntonClub Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

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

Christmas Eve: Disco in the lounge with food. FREE entry.

Boxing Day Dinnertime: 12 noon onwards - Bingo and DJ Sat 27th December: STEWART GLENN - singer New Year’s Eve: SEQUENCE DANCING in the concert room - £3.00 entry. Disco in lounge - FREE entry Every Tuesday night - target shooting - call for details Every Monday night: DOMINOES only £1.50 entry, which includes supper.

Bargain!

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

Sequence dances Sunday Nights with live organist - £2.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

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

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Christmas Market - Sunday 14th December - loads of gift ideas!

See advert on page 30.

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 Sat 20th Dec: JOHN DANIELS brilliant guitar/vocalist ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS All live TIGERS games.

Christmas ...

The Bull’s Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Christmas Eve: THE DEL SHARRONS Boxing Day Afternoon: Song & Dance With Anstey Morris Men New Year’s Eve: Tequila First Sunday in January - The Leicester Morris Men visit All FREE Entry!

Garden & Pub Games etc.

POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:Next one is on Boxing Night with ‘King of the Road’.

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri 12th Dec: Joe Ross - very good male solo Sat 13th Dec: Dawn Allen excellent musician/singer Sun 14th December: Super Sunday’50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 19th Dec: Carl Merry - quality solo male Sat 20th Dec: Smile - Excellent male/female duo Sun 21st Dec: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Weds 24th Dec: EVAH - top female solo Fri 26th Dec: Keith Dee - very good male solo Sat 27th Dec: Dave Johnson quality guitar vocalist Sun 28th Dec: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Weds 31st Dec: Broken Silence - brilliant reggae/motown duo Fri 2nd Jan: Stacy - Female rock singer Sat 3rd Jan: Suzzi - Top Quality Female Solo Sun 4th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz Fri 9th Jan: Tyler Jon - very good male solo Sat 10th Jan: Just Jacob - great male solo Sun 11th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo and quiz

Send us your local entertainments news and we’ll publicise it here FREE! Tremendous!

I wrapped my Christmas presents early this year, but I used the wrong paper. See, the paper I used said ‘Happy Birthday’ on it. I didn’t want to waste it so I just wrote ‘Jesus’ on it.

Demetri Martin

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s my default setting.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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National Trust Leicester Association News This January sees the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill when representatives from over 100 nations gathered in London for the largest state funeral the world had ever seen.

Churchill was born in 1874 at Blenheim Palace, the home of his grandfather the 7th Duke of Marlborough. He spent many happy periods of his childhood there and it was at Blenheim in 1908 that he proposed to his future wife and lifelong companion, Clementine Hozier, the granddaughter of a Scottish Earl.

Following a military career which included action on the North-West Frontier, in North Africa and the Boer War, Churchill entered Parliament in 1900 as Tory MP for Oldham. He saw action in the First World War and returned to Parliament in 1916 where he had a varied and “on off ” career until he was made Prime Minister in May 1940. The rest, as they say, is history.

Three properties associated with Sir Winston Churchill are open to the public, Blenheim Palace, still in private ownership, the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall and Chartwell in Kent, which Churchill dearly loved and where the family lived for 40 years.

Churchill purchased Chartwell (pictured), with its expansive views over the Weald of Kent, in 1922 and spent two years renovating it before he moved in. It was a large house and estate which Churchill could never really afford. Things came to a head in 1946, but the situation was saved by Lord Camrose. He organised an anonymous group of rich men to buy the house on the condition that the Churchill’s could continue to live there and that on their deaths the house would be presented to the National Trust as a memorial to his achievements.

Chartwell is one of the National Trust’s most visited properties and is presented as the grand family home that it was in the 1930’s but also contains an excellent Churchill museum. It was opened to the public in 1966 and today is open seven days a week from early March to early November each year.

The NT Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 13th January when Colin Hobday will present an illustrated talk on A Visit to Bavaria. The meeting will be held at The 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 and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

GROBY BOOK CLUB Next year will see a change of meeting venue for the book lovers in the Age UK(LS&R) Book Club.

After many successful meetings in the Stamford Arms where they were superbly looked after by landlord Brian Rigby, the group are set to move the Village Hall in 2015 with the first meeting there being held on Thursday 29th January.

Book club members, old and new, are invited to come along and share in their reading experiences and listen to invited speakers. In January, author Tony Cox will be visiting the group to talk about his book “First Dead Body”, and on 26th February Alan Norman will be speaking about his book “A strange note to finish”.

Admission is only £2.00 and includes refreshments so why not join us between 2pm and 3.30pm on the last Thursday of each month (excluding August and December). New members will be made most welcome.

For more information contact Kate Webb on 01455 619519 or email kate. webb@ageukleics.org.uk.

I don’t flirt with disaster. It’s more of a long-term relationship.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

New £1m housing support scheme A new housing support service, to help older people stay safe and well at home, is being launched next year (2015), after receiving £1m from the Government.

Known as the Light Bulb project, it will provide vulnerable and older people with one point of contact for all housing support such as aids and adaptations, energy advice and home maintenance.

The county and district councils and NHS will offer rapid and effective support to people being discharged from hospital, prevent hazards such as falls and support a wide range of people to keep warm, well, mobile, safe and independent at home for as long as possible.

Every year, 20,000 people aged 75 and over attend A&E in Leicestershire. One third of these visits are avoidable. Around 600 people over 65 fracture their hip each year and councils in the region fund 1,700 care home places. These admissions and placements cost Leicestershire £77m last year.

The project will launch in April 2015 and should provide a fully integrated service by 2017. The Light Bulb project is one of 73 projects to receive funding from the Government’s transformation challenge.

Christmas ...

It’s true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers.

But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you’ll find you’ve created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.

Caroline Kennedy

11

Slimming World’s Miss Slinky sheds over 3 stones My weight loss journey started many years ago and Slimming World has been attempted a couple of times before with my mum, however I have never managed to hit target.

2011 made the difference this time when a three week holiday in New Zealand turned into a three month stay due to my dad being seriously ill and unable to return to the UK; three months of seeing patients on stroke and heart wards made me think about my own health. Life back in the UK took over and it took another two years and a relationship to end before I was in the slimming zone again and was determined to feel better about myself.

January 2014 saw me and mum joining the Groby morning group, both determined to do it this time and by September, I had lost 3 stones 3½ pounds, three dress sizes and hit target.

Getting back into my jeans is the best feeling and also going shopping again, knowing that things will fit! The only down side to getting slim is the need to buy a new wardrobe of clothes when everything is too big!

Hannah Barr

And Mr Sleek - aka Pete Janes - loses over 2 stones!

I can honestly say the thought of joining a slimming group had never entered my head until April this year.

I have struggled with health issues for a few years, including Angina, Diabetes and Spinal Arthritis.

Eventually the angina warranted heart surgery but the diabetes was fairly stable even though my food choices weren’t always suitable. The spinal Arthritis is a chronic condition and is the most debilitating, needing surgery 4 years ago.

I suppose I was aware being overweight didn’t help my problems, with the extra weight causing stress on my joints especially my hips and back. Sue, my wife, eventually talked me into going to group where I purchased a 6 week countdown. She is a Diamond Member at Slimming World and loves the healthy eating plan. I struggled to understand the plan but relied on Sue to deliver ‘the goods’!

After 6 weeks I had managed to lose 7 ¼ lbs and feeling a bit better about my ‘look’ thought I could continue at home without going to group. Sue knew I wouldn’t do it once I had left the group so encouraged me to carry on. I am so glad I did because since that point I have not looked back.

Everything started falling into place and I became totally committed to the program loving the weight I was losing I reached my goal of 12st 7lbs on 25th September 2014 loosing 1 stone 11 lbs and then decided to drop another 7lbs which I have now achieved, losing 2 stone 4lbs and weigh 12stone.

Christmas ...

Isn’t that the great thing about Christmas? You get a lot of respite, time to recharge your batteries, time with family without too much else happening anywhere else in the world, time to focus on the people you love and the activities that you enjoy, time to exercise, to read.

Wayne Swan

I’d try to look on the bright side more often but it hurts my eyes.

12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby library - let it go?

Norman Griffiths wonders how close we are getting to a closure Groby Sings is a great example of how the community can come together and deliver something special when it has someone with a vision to lead it and a dedicated team in support.

The Christmas concert has gone but the memories of the songs from the Disney success ‘Frozen’ live on, and probably none more than the big hit ‘Let It Go’. Sadly ‘let it go’ may be just what will happen to Groby’s library, despite the fact that in the Spotlight survey 98% of respondents said that they want the library to stay open.

Of course delivering a library is a more ambitious project than a creating a choir, requiring premises and finance, but both need a team to provide leadership and motivation. Groby Parish Council has been assessing the financial input to retain something as close as possible to the status quo and has registered its interest with the County Council(LCC).

It hopes to have something approaching a definitive statement of the implications from LCC before the parish budget setting meeting in January. If the parish council decides it is too large a commitment then the focus must turn to any other group who can deliver an alternative, a community library.

But this is where there are other problems, as despite an ongoing debate and appeals for interested parties to come forward, it seems that there has only been one resident with a proposal for a non local authority funded library.

“I’ve written a draft plan which I see as being a back up should the Parish Council proposal not come to fruition,” explained David Ryan in the Spotlight last month.

“It would involve the setting up of a Library Trust which would manage the day to day operations of the library and consist of local residents and hopefully a member of the council. Our plan would be to continue operating the library to the current opening hours as a

minimum but this would depend on a suitable number of volunteers coming forward to cover these hours. I then see the library building being used for a number of other activities for local residents which may include an Internet Café, Homework Club for the children, amongst other activities.

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who may want to be part of a Trust Management Committee or those who feel they would like to be part of a volunteer bank to provide the library services as it’s important that we can demonstrate the will and desire to keep the library in the village.”

Unless there has been a last minute rush it seems that his email inbox (david@happykidsedu.co.uk) wasn’t overflowing with offers. In fact there were none. Of course those who have given offers to help the parish council may be just as willing to work with David if a council package isn’t viable.

As time is running out it would certainly help him to know whether a team could be put together if

necessary. And with such a high level of support in the community for the continuation of a library service it would also help the parish council if there are other residents who feel they could provide leadership for a project at what is becoming a critical time.

What became clear when the LCC Scrutiny Panel met was that any community library would still have to comply with the legislation affecting libraries, and this would mean, for example, that membership fees or charges for borrowing books would not be allowed. Other income generating activities within the library premises would be permitted. A community library would be able to continue in the same premises, initially for a peppercorn rent. A speaker from a Warwickshire library at the hearing said that with hindsight the community group should have registered as a charity as that would have made applications for funding grants much easier.

What do you want from a new look Community Library?

Is the status quo is an option?

If Groby Library closes and the Post Office relocates to Budgens, the centre of the village will suffer a double blow.

Whatever the outcome of the Parish Council’s deliberations over library funding the likelihood is that, as the library is open for only 20 hours a week, the status quo is not an option. The building is available for rental when the library is closed.

If one assumes availability for all uses for 12 hours a day that means that the building could potentially be in use for 84 hours a week. It does not make economic sense for it to be in use for only 25% of the time.

Although it is not a brick built permanent building it is relatively spacious for the book stock it holds, and many libraries operate in smaller accommodation. There may be a number of ways it could be re-organised. For example, re-siting the moveable shelving could release more space, as would replacing the desktop computers with laptops that could be used at a table, and moving the issues counter to the computer alcove.

But creating a joint library and community activity centre would bring other problems, as the library only has a few parking spaces.

The availability of additional rental facilities for community activities or even as an election polling station might also affect the income of the Village Hall, having a financial impact on another valuable community asset.

No doubt the possibility of the library moving into the Village Hall has been discussed and, if so,

in the absence of anything that has been said to the contrary, discounted. A Village Hall option would allow a downsizing in the space needed and a reduction in library overheads as the cost of services such as heating and toilet facilities and maintenance are shared by all users.

Perhaps any space freed up in the library building could be used for some form of community hub, an internet café or similar, but is there sufficient demand?

What about a small retail unit? Is there an unsatisfied demand for something that could be provided here? If the Post Office moves could a retailer supply all those stationery goods that are currently bought at the Post Office? Could it be a delivery and collection point for online purchases? Or a base for an entrepreneur with an online presence such as pix2canvas.co.uk on Main Street in Ratby? What goods or services do we need that we can’t get elsewhere in Groby?

There is ,of course, the proposal

by David Ryan mentioned in another article which, if he receives the support he needs to create a Community Library Trust, may turn out to be the best option if the ideal solution of the Parish Council enabling the existing staff to stay isn’t feasible.

What are YOUR views?

But how do you think a 2015 library should operate and what services do you think could be provided in a library hub?

Time is running out, so share your thoughts and write to, or email, the Spotlight.

Once you start talking to dogs, it’s almost impossible to go back to people.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

13

Groby Gardening Society News Woodland Trust Talk On 13th November we welcomed Sarah Croft to speak about the work of the Woodland Trust.

Sarah started by acknowledging that she was no expert on trees, but was an architectural historian and a keen volunteer speaker for the Trust. This lack of expertise was soon outweighed by her enthusiastic and compelling style. Limiting herself to about 45 minutes, she ensured that noone lost interest or focus.

The origin of the Trust can be traced back to Kenneth Watson, a wildlife enthusiast who, spurred on by his 2nd World War experiences, decided to try to do something about the sparse tree cover in England.

Some of Sarah’s quoted statistics are startling.

The Trust now has 56,000 acres of woodland and has planted 22,000,000 trees, 5,000,000 of which have been planted by children. It has 200,000 members and relies upon very many volunteers. Its active president is no less a figure than Clive Anderson.

A cornerstone of its policies over the last forty years has been to allow public access to all its woods and its aims could be summerised by “Create, protect and restore”. They wish to double our country’s tree cover by preventing further losses and creating new woodlands. They also wish every child to have the opportunity to plant at least one tree.

Sarah spoke a lot about “native trees” and went on to explain that these are species that have largely been here since the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago. They include oak, ash, birch, beech and three different conifers.

Common trees that are not native, but are classed as “naturalised”, include chestnut, willow and sycamore. The importance of native trees to wildlife was explained by stressing that our wildlife has had this great span of time to become dependent upon such trees, whereas more newly arrived species of tree have not yet established this relationship with wildlife to anything like the extent of native ones.

Another term used was “ancient woodland”. This is defined as having existed for 400 or more years and only 2% of our woodland is this old.

Sarah was at pains to emphasise that ancient woodlands are irreplaceable, in terms of the environment it provides and the multitude of species that inhabit them. The Trust have ancient woodland indicators that they use to designate such areas. These include wild flowers such as wood sorrel and wood anemone and evidence of coppicing, charcoal production and remains of soil barriers or ditches. The theme of woodlands importance to healthy wildlife ran through the talk and Sarah told us that 50% of all our wildlife uses woodland for part or all it its life.

Much of the Trust’s woodland stock contained, and still contains in some parts, conifer plantations. In bringing about the creation of native woodland, great care is taken in removing such trees. If too many are taken out at once, the micro environment can be damaged to the

detriment of native wild flowers. If too much light is admitted to the wood, invasive species like bramble proliferate and make life difficult for less vigorous species such as bluebell.

England is one of the least tree covered countries in Europe with only 13%. The average in Europe is 44% and some countries like Germany greatly exceed this figure. Since 1990 we have lost 98% of our wildlife meadows and 40 million trees have gone since the 60’s and 70’s.

Sarah briefly described the diseases that are currently threatening our trees and finished by emphasising what we can do to help off-set the many dangers our woodlands face. These include becoming a member, donating (to help secure new sites), volunteer, dedicate a tree, visit woodlands and become involved in “citizen science”. All details and much more can be found on their website: www.visitwoods.org.uk

The auction of the donated painting In order for this kind donation from Francoise Menestrey to be finalised in time for Christmas, it was decided to close the bidding process by the end of November.

At this time, Eric, our treasurer, opened all the anonymous bids and was pleased to announce that the winner was EVELYN JELFFS.

Outings 2015 Although much still remains to be done, members may like to know that we have already arranged our stay for our three day (two nights) trip.

Next year we are visiting the South West and are staying for two nights at The Swan hotel in Wells. The hotel is well appointed, being adjacent to Wells cathedral. The signing up board will be firstly available at the A.G.M. on January 8th 2015.

The A.G.M. Although it is not recognised as the most interesting meeting of the year, it does remain, arguably, the most important one.

For the Society, it heralds the start of the new gardening year and sets the scene for the coming season. It is therefore hoped that as many members as possible will attend on the 8th January.

Future Meetings • •

January 8th: Annual General Meeting February 12th: “People in glasshouses shouldn’t” (Doug Stewart)

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. 0116 287 7870) or E mail anjjmj1@outlook. com

Alvar Johnson

There’s nothing sexier than a woman who doesn’t find me repulsive.

14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Proposed Post Office re-location to Budgens Supermarket Norman Griffiths reports on a controversial issue They say a week is a long time in politics, and it seems six weeks is a long time in the Post office business.

At the end of October the news about a possible relocation of Groby Post Office was that Budgens did have talks with the Post Office but it didn’t progress any further than discussions. “We would love to offer the village a post office service,” explained a spokesperson, “and if the opportunity did arise in the future we would put ourselves forward.”

The opportunity has now arisen and a consultation is underway to get the comments of the public about the suitability of the proposed location at Budgens supermarket on Laundon Way before the plans are finalised. In a letter to customers the Post Office explained that it would be a 6 week local public consultation to hear the views of customers about : • How suitable the new location and premises are and how easy it is to get there • Whether the new premises are easy to get into and is there easy access inside?

• Any concerns about the new location?

• If so, suggestions that could help make it better • Any local community issues which could be affected by the proposed move • Anything customers particularly like about the proposed change.

The new Post Office will open for longer from Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm. The proposal means a modern open

plan branch in newly refurbished premises offering the same products and services with the addition of Car Tax. Selected Post Office services will also be available at the retail counter during shop opening.

The consultation will run until January 19th. A leaflet will be available in the Post Office and you can make contact in the following ways • Online: www.postofficeviews. co.uk/liveconsultation.php • Email: comments@postoffice. co.uk • Phone: Call 08457 22 33 44 Textphone 08457 22 33 55 “This change is part of a major programme of modernisation and investment taking place across the Post Office network, the largest in the history of Post Office Ltd, which will see up to 8,000 branches modernised and additional investment in over 3,000 community and outreach branches,” explained a spokesperson.

“The programme is underpinned

by Government investment, with the Government committing £1.34bn in 2010 to maintain and modernise the Post Office network and in November 2013 announcing a further £640m investment in the Post Office network until 2018.”

Views within the village are mixed, as a location that is convenient for everyone could be difficult to find. Residents who live near Budgens, or travel to the current post office by car, may welcome the move. But the new location may be less popular amongst those who are closer to the Leicester Road premises or who visit whilst shopping, using the library or going to the Village Hall, the Club or the doctor’s surgery.

Councillor Peter Batty told the December meeting of the Parish Council that he had been contacted by many residents very unhappy and strongly opposed to a proposal that does not appear to be at all popular other than to residents who live near to Budgens. “A common theme seems to be that Groby needs a proper Post Office in the heart of the village, not a counter in a supermarket on the fringe of a village,” he added.

So what do you think about the proposal? An improvement or another blow to the viability of the social and commercial centre of the village? Write to, or email, the Spotlight and share your views with other readers.

The X Factor Winner’s Charity Single in Aid of ‘Together for Short Lives’ The X Factor winner’s single will be in aid of children’s charity Together for Short Lives.

The two X Factor finalists will perform their prospective winner’s single live during The X Factor’s spectacular final at the SSE Wembley Arena.

The song will be available to download immediately after The X Factor winner is crowned on the 14th December.

Syco will donate 100% of its profits from the sale of each CD single and download and also from streaming to Together for Short Lives (Registered Charity No: 1144022). This is expected to be at least £1 for each CD and 20p for each download.

Simon Cowell says, “I have worked with this charity for many years and I’m delighted that The X Factor’ winner’s single sales will help families who are going through unthinkably difficult times. Together for Short Lives is such an inspiring and important charity which supports children all over the country. The money we hope to raise will really make a difference.”

Spotlight Small Ads • Rectangular wooden table measuring 65”/165cm x 31.5”/80cm and 6 high-backed wooden and leather chairs.

Some damage to chairs.

Price: £90.00 • Pine oval table extending from 41”/104cm to 55”/140cm x 31”/79cm and 4 matching chairs. 1 chair been chewed.

Price: £40.00 • 2 x wooden bar stools with wicker seats, seat height 24”/61cm Price: £5.00 each Tel. 07824 567600 • 7 pairs of interior door handles, chrome finish, curved with back plate, screws and spindles. Also a matching pair of handles for the bathroom with built-in lock. Price: £35.00 for the lot.

Tel: 0116 287 1221.

• Coal suitable for an open fire.

135 kgs already bagged.

Buyer to collect.

Price: £20.00 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 243686 • Ladies Shoes - size 2½ and 3. Many pairs all in extremely good condition and some new (genuine reason for sale).

Prices vary from £15.00 to £45.00 Tel: 0116 287 0049

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

I was planning to get a flu shot until I found out it isn’t a kind of drink.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Bradgate Rotary Club

Santa is on his way to Groby!

On Monday 15th December the Rotary Santa Sleigh will be travelling through Groby and whilst this is new and exciting for Groby it has been a Rotary tradition for many years.

The sounds of festive carols will fill the winter night raising for our charities whilst providing some Christmas cheer.

Bradgate Rotary Club will be officially chartered in the New Year. Over the last year the club has been recruiting local people with the opportunity to become involved in like minded projects for local charities, whilst developing under the Rotary ethos nationally and internationally.

At present James Trigg is in Africa with support from the club working with communities providing clean water, members have conducted monthly litter picks in Markfield, Anstey, New Town and Groby and we have members running in the Loughborough Rotary Santa 5k Run next Sunday.

Whilst the club have been developing we have establishment many of the tasks in formally operating the club which gives us the support base for the year ahead.

As always we are recruiting members who are interested in making a difference locally. We hold two breakfast meetings, one evening social and one speaker’s evening on Wednesdays of every week.

Whilst we understand commitment is always an issue making a difference within our local area is at the heart of all our members. For more information, contact me at: brianrigby@icloud.com.

Happy Christmas!

Brian Rigby

President, Bradgate Rotary Club

FENCING

S G S

SHOOTER GARDENING SERVICES

NEW & REPAIR WORK UNDERTAKEN ALL WOOD IS PRESSURE TREATED

CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY

0116 2879715 / 07814224630

15

Domestic Abuse Sufferers Advised: Don’t Suffer in Silence ANYONE experiencing domestic abuse is advised ‘don’t suffer in silence’ according to the Borough Council’s latest campaign.

The “Don’t Suffer in Silence” campaign aims to raise awareness of different types of abuse and to encourage victims of domestic abuse to seek help.

Abuse can take a number of forms and psychological and emotional abuse can be as significant as physical violence and often takes longer to identify and to work through. The campaign aims to make people aware that domestic abuse is about control. This could include instances of intimidation, isolation, depriving victims of their financial independence or material possessions and regulating their everyday behaviour.

During the campaign, posters detailing how to access support will be sent out to community groups, health services, businesses and educational establishments. The campaign will also use social media to spread the message.

Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor David Bill, said: “Domestic abuse can be experienced by anyone. It is totally unacceptable and it is vital that people affected by domestic abuse know how to seek help so that specialist services can provide support to them. There is no need to suffer in silence.”

The Borough Council’s Domestic Abuse Outreach Service offers free, confidential advice, advocacy, emotional and practical support, in safe venues across the borough for victims of abuse.

Anyone who feels they are in an abusive relationship can access free confidential advice via the Borough Council’s Domestic Abuse Outreach service by calling 01455 255832 or 07966 202181. Appointments can be arranged or a drop in session is held at The Hinckley Hub on Rugby Road on Wednesdays from 10am to 12noon. The service has female and male support workers who can assist.

Dentures At Home Emergency Mobile

• Emergency Denture Repair Service 7 Days a Week • Duplicate dentures/spare sets available (1 week - 10 days) • Have you got a spare set of dentures?

• Soft lower duplicate dentures available • Large range of all quality teeth available - acrylic to porcelain 30 years experience to the TRADE

David Smith - 1 The Burrows, Narborough

0116 275 0101 (home) 07880 973 742 (mobile) When one door closes another one opens. I should really get this cabinet fixed.

A word from the Chairman of Groby Parish Council – Cllr. Jim Coley Parish Council Office Village Hall Leicester Road Groby Leicestershire, LE6 0DQ

Well, Christmas is almost upon us!

I'm one of those people who think Christmas all starts a bit too early so when the Groby Christmas street lights came on before the date we had agreed in Council it was a bit of a surprise to us all!

Opening Times Mondays 11.00am to 2.00pm

Apparently a new contractor was installing the lights and Leicestershire Highways hadn't re-set the timers, hopefully by the time you read this it st will be after the OFFICIAL switch on date of 1 December and we will all be enjoying Groby's festive lighting at the right time.

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 December 1st Full Council Meeting 3th Planning Committee 17th Planning Committee January 2015 8th 12th 14th 28th

Finance Meeting Full Council meeting Planning Meeting Planning Meeting

February 3th Full Council Meeting 12th Planning Meeting

All meetings are Open to the Public.

Groby Library We now have some of the further news we had been waiting for following the Scrutiny th.

Committee's report on December 19 If you feel like some bedtime reading on the subject there are some lengthy documents on the LCC website here: http://politics.leics.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=39961#mgDocuments On the basis of the previous consultation within the Village, Groby Parish Council has made a statement of intent to LCC that we (the village community) wish to retain Groby Library as a community library in one form or another.

The bones of how the recent reports and changes affect Groby are as follows:

  

The running costs of the Groby library costs are now estimated at £19.90k per annum.

The support from LCC will taper off over the 7 year period starting from year 2 so that at the 8 year point the Community will be paying most of the running costs for the library which is provisionally estimated up to £30k p.a.

The Book Costs (the cost to the Library of “buying/hiring/obtaining” the books which are loaned out – currently £4,599) are to be supported for 5 years and then “looked at” which then may or may not be removed from the support costs and put upon the community.

Those communities opting to support the retention of their local library will begin funding their libraries in the early summer of 2015 (June 2015 is the estimated date) which means that the net cost for Groby for the rest of the year would be the £16.5K we had estimated back in May when we conducted our survey, though the cost for the following years would be higher than estimated. The more detailed running costs will be not available to us for a few more weeks.

As you will see, these changes are significant!

As you may remember GPC conducted a survey in the Spotlight on what the community wanted to do in the way of supporting Groby Library and at that time we used the best figures we had available. The results of that survey showed that 98% of those who responded were in favour of residents/ratepayers paying a sum of about 50 pence per month per household as an additional levy on the parish precept in order to maintain the Groby Library much as it is today. The figure to achieve the finances for supporting the Library in the year 2015/16 has not changed significantly from our earlier estimate but the following years' Precept will now have to be increased year-on-year by approximately an additional 1.5% in order to achieve the requisite funding needed to meet the ongoing costs to the LCC libraries department.

My biggest problem with the younger generation is I’m not in it.

These sums and the changes are not massive when compared to your main council tax figure, however in the terms of Parish Council finances they are significant and I feel that before Groby Parish Council take the final step on your behalf we need to feel that the Community have at the least had the opportunity to comment regarding these changes. For that reason if anyone has any views either positive of negative regarding this issue please contact either myself or the Clerk (contact details on this page) on email, letter or phone.

Wallace Drive travellers site application: Just an added update from the point of view of the Parish Council on this planning application as I'm sure there will be other comments from Borough and County councillors elsewhere in this month's Spotlight. As those who have been following this application will know, the planning application has been turned down by H&BBC. This was primarily due to Highways issues regarding the entrance and exit to the site being unacceptable due to the safety issue of vehicles, particularly when towing trailers, pulling on and off the A50 at this dangerous place. This would increase the danger at an existing hazardous junction.

It is now the belief of the Wallace Drive residents group and their legal advisor that the applicant will appeal the result of the planning committee and to that end the local residents have set up a “fighting fund” to pay for that appeal. Your parish council have offered to act as a “Bank” for this fund.

Donations (cheques or cash) to the fund are being taken at the Parish Office and will be fully receipted and then deposited into a separate account. The manner in which the fund is utilised and what is done with any residual sum will be solely under the control of the members of that residents group.

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 Parks Keeper 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. Leigh Quilter – 0772523033 Cllr. Cathy Thompson 01530 249203 Cllr. Keith Yarwood – 2870252

th

Groby Street Fair 20 June 2015:

Parish Clerk

Information from the Groby Street Fair organising committee that this date is now th confirmed as 20 June 2015 (11am - 6pm) so please put it in your diaries. It is certain to be a superb event once again.

The theme this year is “Carnival” so if anyone has any suggestions for local performers, or of any stalls required at the fair, please contact the Street Fair committee via grobystreetfair@virginmedia.com or via the Groby Street Fair Facebook site.

Robert Davies 0116 2876985 parishclerk@groby.com

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Councillors Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Martin Cartwright – 2874500

Quarry Park Overflow (ing) Car Park Those of you who use the Quarry Park car park may well have experienced this situation on the “old” part of the car park (now the overflow car park and access).

As many will be aware we are in the process of developing this area but are currently held up whilst waiting for bids for grants to mature. We do appreciate that the current state of the access to this area is not acceptable so we are now in the process of organising an improvement, to the access onto the new car park.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy Christmas and a prosperous and exciting New Year.

Leicestershire County Councillor Cllr. Ozzy O’Shea – 0116 2394336 / 07808585825 Member of Parliament Mr Stephen Dorrell – 01509 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

Jim Coley - Chairman, Groby PC. Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Fancy appearing on telly?

New George Clark home renovation series A television company called Betty is filming a new George Clark renovation series for Channel 4 and they are looking for people who might be interested in taking part.

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Channel 4 features has commissioned Betty and Amazing Productions to make Ugly House (working title) a radical six part design series, hosted by expert architect George Clarke. The series will champion the power of great architecture to transform undervalued and unloved British housing stock into exciting spaces in which to live.

In each programme, innovative and awarding-winning architects will grapple with an “ugly” house and remodel it into a home that works and excites the owners. The results will be surprising, inspiring, and challenge our ideas about how we live in the 21st century.

Big transformations will be underpinned by a sense of real and positive social purpose, sticking to average budgets of around £50,000. With the property market growing increasingly competitive, this isn’t about redeveloping your house for profit and selling it on so you can upscale. This is about loving the house you live in - and reimagining what you can afford in an amazing new light, with the help of some of the UK’s finest architectural minds.

For a young generation, who thought they would never be able to afford their own home, this series will inspire them to look at a whole swathe of housing stock in a brand new way. Ex-local authority properties, for example, can be significantly cheaper than comparable private properties and, with a little ingenuity and help from an architect, they can be transformed into dream homes.

Whether the property needs reconfiguring to meet the needs of a modern family or redesigning to transform an eyesore into a home the owners can be proud of, the show will help people to completely re-imagine their houses.

Ugly House also gives major architects the chance to give back

and work on domestic projects with small budgets like they did in the early days of their careers.

All the plans and details from the series will available on Channel4. com so viewers too, can draw inspiration from the six great architects in the series, to create their own imaginative homes.

George Clarke says, “I’m delighted to be presenting Ugly House for Channel 4 and it’s a really exciting first time coproduction between Betty and my new tv company Amazing Productions. Phenomenal architecture and design should be available to everyone and this show will hopefully bring it to the masses, showing us how we can turn our unloved houses into beautiful homes.”

Commissioning Editor, Kate Teckman, said: “Our ambition is to blow the doors off the design potential of ‘ordinary’ British housing and make people fall in love with the home they can afford and not waste their lives dreaming about the ones they can’t”.

Creative director at Betty, Neil Smith, said: “Previously the ability

Groby Village Society

Forthcoming Events Thursday December 18

Way With Words (Christmas) Mrs Ruth Coward

to commission great architecture was regarded as being the preserve of wealthy individuals creating high end projects. But this series demonstrates that architecture is also a realistic option for those on a smaller budget. It will inspire people to take on their own “ugly” houses and transform them into desirable properties.”

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

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

Letter

Stephen Dorrell Stephen Dorrell has been a long serving and wellrespected MP representing Charnwood and Loughborough and I am pleased to pay tribute to his sterling work as a constituency representative in Parliament as well as being Health Minister and chairman of the Health Affairs Select Committee.

I congratulate Stephen for his decision to stand down because of a conflict of interest between his new role with accountancy firm KPMG and his position as a Member of Parliament. This is an honourable and truthful decision.

Yours sincerely,

Sean Kelly Walsh

Labour candidate for Charnwood

I don’t have Facebook so I have no way of saying happy birthday to my wife.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

19

Residents warned over cold calling scam

Residents in Hinckley and Bosworth are being warned to be on their guard after a door to door salesman attempted to deceive a local woman by telling her his product was endorsed by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The Borough Council issued the warning after a concerned Hinckley resident contacted the council to report a sales representative attempting to sell insulation products at the door, ignoring the ‘no cold calling’ signs on display.

The sales representative claimed his company was endorsed by the Borough Council, but the council has made no such endorsement and is not associated with any companies who use cold call selling methods either door to door or over the telephone.

The resident refused to buy anything from the sales representative on this occasion, but the council is keen to make sure that nobody is misled by this or any other company making similar false claims.

Joe Orson, the county council’s cabinet member for trading standards, said: “My advice is never deal with anyone on your doorstep, especially if they have ignored your “No Cold Calling” sign - reputable businesses do not ignore these signs.

“You need to know who you are dealing with and always get more than one quote, especially if it is for home repairs or improvements. Never accept that anyone is working for your local council without checking with the council.”

Executive Member for Community Safety at the Borough Council, Councillor David Bill added: “I share everyone’s concerns about this. We have had an appropriate sign on our front door for years and it does seem to work. If anyone says that their sales are endorsed by the council please ignore what is said.”

• Anyone with any concerns about traders can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Service on 03454 04 05 06.

This is ‘like a magic pill’ to slow your ageing

Want to combat ageing and even help prevent an early death?

It is easy – take a daily walk of about half an hour a day. According to recent research from the School of Life and Health Services at Aston University, a daily walk of half an hour can help prevent obesity and diabetes, lower the risk of some cancers, relieve depression and anxiety, increase mobility and reduce the chance of hip fracture by 40 percent among older people.

That daily half hour walk will also improve your ability to think and to reason, slow the progression of dementia, cut arthritic pain, raise your energy levels, and reduce fatigue.

And the really good news is that “all these changes are not seen in people who run marathons….people who lift weights in the gym, or spend four hours running on the treadmill. These are seen in people who simply walk, and who walk for half an hour a day.” So says Dr James Brown of Aston University.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

GROBY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY NEWS “Life With A Lottie”

By Jane Marston Christmas is almost upon us and the plot is still providing us with plenty of winter produce – leeks & brussel sprouts today oh and a few raspberries for breakfast.

We are keeping a careful watch on the Brussel Sprouts and the parsnips for the big day, I have not yet asked about the red cabbage. Christmas would not be Christmas without these staples. Shallots are pickled – our son always likes a jar for the season and blackcurrant chutney will come in handy on Boxing Day. Next year’s seeds have arrived and before we think of this season as over, the new season is in our thoughts. Seeds saved from this year’s show runner beans have been shared with family (no one in the village – we don’t want the competition!).

The main vehicular access gates to the plots have been locked on the Ratby Road site for the winter, this will save damage to the grass roadways and also the water has been turned turned off.

The waiting list is very short so if you would like to be considered for a plot please contact a member of the committee. Plans are being made for next year’s social programme, and also for the maintenance schedule - if you have any thoughts please make them known.

The Allotment Society AGM will be held in February, all plotholders will be sent details along with the annual rent letters.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH Christmas Brussels

• Brussel sprouts – I tend to use approximately 8 per person • Bacon lardons or chopped streaky bacon • Finely grated rind of ¼ lemon Heat a large frying pan and cook the lardons or bacon in the pan until brown and crispy – set aside Steam or boil the sprouts for 7-8 mins until just tender, drain and return to pan with butter, lemon zest and seasoning to taste. Turn the sprouts until well coated, tip into serving bowl and add the bacon pieces. Or if like me serving dishes just make extra washing up!

Stir in the bacon with the lemon and butter. Very simple but lift sprouts for the occasion.

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the importance of NOT keeping accurate minutes The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Since you were the one to ask this parishioner of yours to act as secretary, you have no reason to complain about the minutes of meetings she produces.

You should never let anyone act as a secretary unless they either cannot speak English, or are deaf – preferably both. The more significant the committee and the more contentious the issues being debated, the more you should nobly put yourself forward both to chair the meeting and take the minutes. In the majority of cases, that will spare the other members that awkward moment when you ask for a volunteer and they all feel the need to stare at their feet.

If you act as secretary, then you can be certain that accounts of what took place will only be what you had wanted to happen and that the decisions taken will be what you had already decided before discussions started. Any inconvenient observations from other committee members can be omitted entirely.

Admittedly, the more observant may notice that your accounts of the meeting may not wholly agree with their recollections, but the skill of being a secretary is not to produce the minutes of the previous meeting until the day before the next one. This will mean that the great majority will have long forgotten what actually did happen two months previously and that many will not have had the time to read them anyway and will avoid having to admit that fact by passing them.

Only the deeply committed will want to pursue apparent discrepancies.

In that case, confess to the meeting that your hand-written notes were accidentally left on a bus and so you can no longer check the accuracy of what you have written. As a way of appearing helpful, you could even give the person challenging you the bus route number and time of day you travelled – but make sure that that route has subsequently been discontinued. Further challenges will rally the rest of the committee to your side and someone will oil the wheels by suggesting you proceed to the next item on the agenda. Since you are also the chairman, you naturally bow to their request.

Just in the way that church rotas bear no resemblance to the people who actually turn up to do the jobs, minutes of meetings need not bear too much resemblance to what actually happened – especially if what did happen is inconvenient.

Democracy is all very well - provided a benign dictator is in overall control.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Marriage is the only union that can’t be organized. Both sides think they’re management.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Lunchtime Talks at Coalville Library Come along to Coalville library’s last talk in a series of monthly lunchtime talks. The talks have fallen every second Wednesday of the month throughout the year and will be finishing for the year with a WW1 themed talk.

‘The 1914 Christmas Truce’ with Dr John Sutton is a moving account of the temporary truce between troops at Christmas time during WW1.

So join us from 12.30pm until 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th December.

You are welcome to bring along your lunch for the session and a tea/coffee is included in the price of £2.50 (for library members) and £3 (for nonmembers).

Don’t delay – get your ticket now!

For further information or to prebook your ticket please contact the library on: 0116 3053565. Staff will be answering the phones during the two weeks temporary closure for refurbishment from 24th Nov to 6th Dec.

21

Glenfield Millennium Green Trust NEWS

As Christmas approaches don’t forget to come and sing Carols on the Green on Sunday December 21st at 4.00pm.

Not only a different day but an earlier time. Carol sheets will be available and torches or lanterns would be useful to read these. After the singing you will be rewarded with a warm fruit punch and mince pies or biscuits. Don’t forget to wrap up warmly!

Donations will be welcome for the Millennium Green.

A date for your 2015 diary Our AGM will take place on Tuesday February 17th at 7.30pm at Park House in Glenfield.

After a review of the last year we will be planning for events and work on the Green during the next 12 months. Please join us if you can as your input would be useful.

The Trustees would like to thank everyone who has supported us during the last 12 months and we wish you all a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Where did all this STUFF come from?

Is your home full of clutter? It seems that almost a quarter of us are feeling stressed by the sheer amount of stuff in our homes.

This includes unread books, old video and cassette tapes, and now, those unwanted Christmas presents. Research has discovered we are a nation of hoarders, with an average of £400 worth of unused items lying around our homes. The good news is that around two thirds of us are going to take action, and get rid of some stuff – especially the more hideous Christmas presents. The research was carried out by needaproperty.com.

Thornton Christmas Concert St. Peter’s Church,

Sunday 14th December 3.00 – 4.45pm

Natalie Nightingale & Friends with the fabulous choir of Thornton School and the Kirby Muxloe players £5 entry for adults (children free) - includes coffee and cake .... and mulled wine for the adults!

Proceeds shared equally between the Friends of St. Peter’s & Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary

Some things are better left unsaid. If only I could determine which things.

22

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The LOROS Light Up a Life This year around 6,000 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be facing their first Christmas without someone they were close to.

To help them through this difficult time, LOROS Hospice will hold a Light up a Life event where people can celebrate and remember the life of a friend or family member.

A special outdoor service for the lighting of the Christmas tree in memory of loved ones will be held on Sunday 7th December at 4:30pm in the Hospice Grounds, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QE. As the lights are lit on the tree there will be the opportunity to share in singing carols.

The name of loved ones will be entered in to the Christmas Book of Remembrance and will be displayed in the Chapel/Prayer room at the Hospice. To sponsor a light in memory of someone special please contact the Hospice for an application form before 1st December 2014.

With more than 300 events taking place across the UK, the LOROS Light up a Life event is part of the nationwide campaign by the hospice movement to support people dealing with the death of someone they care about.

Jo Kavanagh, Director of Care at LOROS Hospice said: “An important part of hospice care is the support provided to friends and family of a patient after they have died. A Light up a Life event is one of the many ways that hospices help people come to terms with the loss of someone close to them and warmly remember a loved one for years to come.

“Like all independent hospices, LOROS is reliant on the generosity of the local community to fund its vital services. Light Up a Life events also help hospices to raise the money needed to provide care that is tailored to patients’ individual needs and supports their friends and family too.”

Jack, who’s Gran died at the Hospice in 2010 when he was aged only 7 said “Every year at Christmas time they have the light switch on and friends and family go to LOROS to see it.

5,4,3,2,1, from the dark night, a massive glow explodes from the pitch black sky, causing millions of lights to appear. They say each one is a patient at LOROS which when you have lost someone there, is very emotional. You feel it in the air, the love and sadness, then we sing the carols and the lady in charge says a big thank you to us all.”

LOROS would encourage people to find out more about their nearest Light Up a Life event. The event is for anyone who is bereaved, not just those cared for in a hospice.

For further details contact LOROS on 0116 2318431/2.

Mather Jamie secures sale on 90-acre Ratby land Mather Jamie has overseen the sale of a 90.17 acre block of land in a popular Leicestershire village to a historic country estate.

The substantial site on Groby Road, Ratby, comprises arable land, grassland and woodland, and will now form part of the agricultural estate’s portfolio of land.

Mark Brandon of Mather Jamie comments: “We are delighted to have secured a sale on this agricultural land, after attracting strong interest from a number of different farmers and investors due to the size, location and potential of this land.

“The site comprises 68.30 acres of Grade III arable land, 19.64 acres of grassland and 2.22 acres of woodland.

“The land sits close to the M1 and is located approximately five miles from Leicester.”

The sale comes as land values in the county continue to soar, with figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ latest Land Market Survey showing that farmland prices increased by 4% in the first half of this year and are now 8.4% higher than they were in 2013.

Mark adds: “The increase in interest over the last couple of years is as a result of investors and farmers wanting to expand their operations and portfolios, as a result this is driving land values upwards, particularly in the East Midlands.

“There is currently a lot of competition for substantial agricultural land and as there is not enough supply to meet demand, this will continue to push prices upwards.”

For details on similar opportunities please contact Mark Brandon at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email mark.brandon@matherjamie. co.uk for more information.

Established in 1991 and based in the East Midlands, Mather Jamie Chartered Surveyors is an independent mixed commercial and agricultural practice with a long established and unrivalled reputation for delivering reliable advice and expertise on residential and commercial developments.

For more information please telephone 01509 233433 or visit www. matherjamie.co.uk.

Christmas ...

My Christmas wish would be to have an entire week off. To spend it with my family and just curl up and watch Christmas movies when it’s snowing outside.

David Hasselhoff

Of all the possible utensils that could have been invented to eat rice with... How did 2 sticks win out!?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

23

Grants available for Solid Popular Programme For Loughborough Wall Insulation Orchestra The Government’s popular Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) reopened for applications on Wednesday 10th December 2014 in England and Wales and the National Insulation Association (NIA) is urging householders to contact its members to take advantage of the scheme to upgrade their property’s energy efficiency.

Under the GDHIF householders can apply for: • Up to £4,000 towards the cost of installing Solid Wall Insulation • Up to £1,000 for installing two measures from an approved list including cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, roof insulation and central heating boilers and .

• Up to £100 rebate towards the cost of a Green Deal Advice Report.

The scheme also entitles those who have bought a property in the 12 months before applying to qualify for an additional £500 if they carry out energy efficiency improvements.

“Neil Marshall Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “The NIA welcomes the return of the GDHIF and the Government’s continued commitment to helping households to reduce their fuel bills and increase the comfort of their homes. Under the new scheme, householders will need to obtain a quotation for the work to be undertaken in order to apply for a voucher. Therefore, we are urging householders to contact their local Green Deal accredited NIA Installer or Green Deal Provider members without delay to find out more about GDHIF and arrange a survey and quotation.”

Householders can be safe in the knowledge that an NIA member will have signed up to a strict Code of Professional Practice, meaning peace of mind comes as standard.

To find a local Green Deal accredited NIA installer or Green Deal Provider member and details on the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund householders and landlords should visit the NIA website www.nia-uk.org or call 08451 636363.

The Loughborough Orchestra January concert is packed full of sumptuous music!

As a starter, comes the stirring Finlandia, which was composed by Sibelius and recognised by his fellow countrymen to express the very heart of Finland. Soon after the piece was composed, the title was changed several times to avoid Russian censorship against repeated performances!

The next tasty treat is a performance of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto no. 1 by East Midlands violinist, Yulia Nortridzh. This concerto contains one of the best known and most lyrical slow movements in the violin repertoire, while the outer movements display the soloist’s sparkling virtuosity Yulia grew up, trained and performed in Russia before moving to Derby and her playing will not disappoint!

For the second half of the programme, the orchestra will play the ever popular New World Symphony by Anton Dvořák. This is full of hauntingly beautiful themes and dramatic energy, which reflect the music of Native American Indians and African American spirituals. Whatever the inspiration, the music has become one of the most popular of all time and used in films, advertisements, TV and many other promotional uses.

The concert is on Saturday January 24th at 7.30 pm in Trinity Methodist Church Centre, Royland Rd. Loughborough. Tickets are available from members of the orchestra or on the door. For more information, see http:// www.loughboroughorchestra.org.uk/

I have a condition that renders me unable to go on a diet. I get hungry.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Iconic Christmas film houses As Andy Williams has been letting us know ever since 1963, Christmas is the most wonderful time of year.

But as the magic fades somewhat due to the discovery that Santa is your dad in a cheap costume there is one thing that still, and will always, bring that festive warmth to our hearts regardless of age. Driving home for Christmas can be one of the most exciting parts of the holidays with the anticipation of a warm fire, family and friends and more food than you can eat.

For many their home symbolises what the festive period is all about and many choose to deck the halls with boughs of holly and cover its exterior in fairy lights. Christmas is a time for togetherness and our home is the ingredient that ties it all together.

For most it is the only time they can spend some quality time with loved ones, your house is the catalyst for this and having somewhere you can all gather together is key. eMoov have compiled a list of property from some of the most iconic Christmas films and how much they would cost you if you were to buy them for a loved one this Christmas.

Home Alone As predictable as it may be, when asked about the most iconic Christmas film house, there is one that immediately springs to mind.

Home Alone. One of the all-time greats, the house in Home Alone is as much a lead role in the film as little Macaulay Culkin before he grew up and went off the rails.

After being accidently left behind by his family, little Kevin is left alone to defend the house over the Christmas period against a pair of clumsy burglars. Although there’s no doubt he probably shaved a few percent of the asking price in the process, Kevin’s endeavours to protect his home

reflect the importance we place on our homes and the lengths we can go to in protecting it.

Located in the suburb of Winnetka, Chicago’s affluent North Shore, it lies just a few blocks from Lake Michigan. The three story colonial style mansion that spreads across 4,250 square feet, was put on the market in 2011 for over £1.5 million. But after more than a year without a sale it finally sold for just under £1.1 million in March 2012, complete with iconic attic room and all.

The Snowman Another timeless Christmas classic and family favourite for generations is The Snowman.

Request for publication of local crime figures

EC1 postcode, depending on the number of bedrooms you desire But if that’s slightly out of your price range you could always look to buy a similar property to Marcus, the young boy Will be friends in the film, who lives with his hippy mother in a two bedroom flat in Kentish Town just north of Camden.

Back in 2002 when the film was first released a two bedroom flat in that area of London would set you back around £200,000. But with property prices in London a law unto their own in recent years the same property could cost you three times that if you were to buy it now.

Love Actually

The children’s book adapted into an animated film in 1982 is best known for its signature sound track ‘walking in the air’.

Granted as an animation, the house that young James builds his magical snowman in the garden of is fictitious. However a number of clues point to him living on the South Downs near Brighton. The more notable of these being the pair flying over the Royal Pavilion and Palace Pier at the beginning of their journey, before moving onto the snowman’s secret party.

A four bedroom detached house on the South Downs, similar to that in The Snowman, could be yours for around £850,000.

Although it doesn’t come with a magic snowman as standard, you do get the breath-taking views of the South Downs, albeit from your garden not while walking in the air.

About a Boy Based on the bestselling novel by Nick Hornby the big screen adaptation isn’t necessarily a classic Christmas film, however Hugh Grant’s character Will lives the life of Reilly due to royalties he receives from a Christmas song his father wrote.

The flat he resides in is impressive and would set you back £1.5 million for a similar property in the

Letter

One of the most successful British Christmas films is without a doubt Love Actually.

It follows the intertwining love stories of ten different characters and includes an impressive array of London property along the way.

Now we could value number ten Downing Street but as that is unlikely to be available on the market any time soon, we won’t.

However if poor Mr Firth was to find his wife and brother up to no good today and chose to flee the country, he could sell his house in Turnham Green W4 for a pretty penny. A property in West London would set you back the top side of a million quid for a three bedroom terrace and can climb to over four million for a five to seven bedroom house.

Or if the ‘dodgy end of Wansworth’ is closer to your price range, you could pick up a three bed terrace house similar to the one the PM finds Martine McCutcheon in (pictured below) for £850,000. Although the house was actually located in Herne Hill the SE postcode isn’t as frowned upon as it once was and even property in that area of London can top a million pounds.

As a long time resident in Groby, recently blighted by scum in a burglary, I must make comment about the recent omission of crime figures in issues of the Spotlight over the last few months.

I understand that the figures or details are supplied or reported by the local Police who I am sure are working as hard as they can to counter the scourge that seems to be hitting this area at the moment, notwithstanding this residents should be made aware of such issues so that they can then perhaps be more vigilant.

Residents should be made aware that there have been a number of these crimes as well as car break-ins over the last few months.

We thought our house was fairly secure, the padlocked gate was still locked. They climbed in over an adjacent 4 foot garden fence, the padlocked shed was broken into, security lighting was smashed, the armed alarm system was completely smashed during the break in and even though it was heard at between 18.00 and 19.00hrs it was ignored, which Police at the scene advised “ is common nowadays”.

We had been to London to pay our respects to the 880,246 servicemen who died to allow us the freedom that we enjoy today, returning at 21.30hrs and no doubt thwarting the burglars’ plan to return later to finish the job.

It is quite possible that passed relations of the miscreants involved may have fought and died in this same conflict, I am sure those great grandfathers and great-great grandfathers would have been proud to be related.

Let’s have the crime figures and details back so at least we know what is going on.

Name & Address Supplied

Christmas ...

I owe my life to my father. I remember that my first Christmas present was a ball. In the district where we lived, there weren’t many kids who had one.

Sergio Aguero

When I argue with my wife, I always get the last word. It’s just that sometimes she can’t hear it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Don’t worry about what people think. They don’t do it very often.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

DON’T BE ALONE CHRISTMAS DAY

Come and Join us at

ST MARY’S CHURCH ROOMS ANSTEY

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DINNER AND FESTIVITIES For people over 60 in Anstey and surrounding villages TRANSPORT CAN BE ARRANGED

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE RING

07979 607099-Kerry Sharpe or 0116 2368811-Julie Ford If anyone would like to volunteer or make a contribution please also contact above

When the kitchen smells warm and cozy, it can only mean one thing. We’re not in my kitchen.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

27

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Groby Post Office proposed move to New Premises I have been notified by the Post Office that they are proposing with the postmaster’s agreement to move to Budgens, Laundon Way Groby, LE6 0YG. I am told that if the move goes ahead after consultation it will change to one of their new style branches.

What will it mean for customers?

The Post Office says: “A modern open plan branch in newly refurbished premises Longer opening hours The same products and services with the addition of Car Tax Selected Post Office services will also be available at the retail counter during shop opening hours Improved accessibility Public Concern has been raised with regards to the possible loss of the Post Office from the Centre of the village where the Post Office is readily accessible. I would urge all residents to take part in this consultation. I would be interested in your views.

Groby Parish Council passed a motion at its meeting on the 1st December not to support the move away from the centre of the village.

The public Consultation is open between 26th November and the 21st January 2015.

To take part in this consultation via the internet please go to: postofficeviews.co.uk and put the following branch code in 20821799 Email: comments@postoffice. co.uk Phone Customer Helpline 08457 223344 Text phone 08457 223355

By Letter to the following Address: FREEPOST Your Comments (Note the above address is the full postal address - no stamp required.)

If posting your comments they say you should allow 2 working days for them to arrive.

Posters and leaflets will be displayed in the Post Office.

The Proposed change would be in March/April 2015

Libraries The County Council’s Cabinet has now approved the new tapering packages that are on offer to Community Groups wishing to run their own Local Library.

I would urge any interested residents or groups to contact the Parish and share your ideas and work with the Parish council as I know your Parish Council is actively looking at ways it can help run the Library. I want residents to know that I am working with both Groby and Ratby Parish Councils.

As your County Councillor I will do everything I can within my power to protect the library services for residents. The County Council is now listening to the various groups across the county wishing to put their business cases forward. The officer to contact is Nigel Thomas - head of Library services at County Hall. Residents are also welcome to contact me.

Fair Funding for the Residents of Leicestershire Leicestershire County Council is the worst funded UK council and we are leading the charge to get the Government to agree to a fairer funding model for local government, and Leicestershire in particular.

We are in the process of setting the Budget for 2015/16 and I am keen to hear residents’ views. Are residents happy to pay a council tax increase of up to 2% or do you support a further freeze?

Planning Application Ref: 13/01029/COU Wallace Drive Groby Residents will be aware that the above planning application for the Gypsy and Traveller site was heard by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday11th November.

The Planning Committee unanimously refused the application on Highway Grounds.

LED Street Lighting Many of you will have seen the article in the Leicester Mercury and seen the local Midlands news on the BBC which featured Cllr Peter Osborne Cabinet Lead member on Highways talking about the Council’s wish to move to LED lighting.

The Cabinet decided to move to a centrally managed control system, as well as move to LED lighting for all LCC maintained streetlights (66,000) subject to the business case. An outlay of £25M from the reserves is a serious investment in times of austerity. However the payback is between 8-12 years and savings generated will be in the region of £1.6M per year. Doing nothing to the streetlights would cost £2.9M per annum. I support moving to LED lighting as the Council would be achieving the savings necessary whilst reducing energy consumption and thus carbon emissions.

Parking Issues on Ratby Road Groby I have had several complaints with regards to vehicles parking on the pavement and partly on the road along Ratby Road on the right hand side of the road heading into the centre of the village.

These vehicles are causing problems for pedestrians, mothers with pushchairs and disabled mobility scooters. I understand the police have issued Fixed Penalty Tickets to some motorists and advised others. I would urge both residents and motorists not to park there. In doing so both the footpath and the road is narrowed. Vehicles have always parked on the road on the opposite side of the road. I for one fully appreciate the parking Problems in Groby.

Fire & Rescue Service Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is currently Consulting on their Operational Provision.

The Consultation titled Have Your Say is asking for the public’s views they have to make a total of £7 million savings by 2019/2020 and they are asking the public for their views on several proposals. I would urge residents to take part in this very important consultation which is open until 31st December 2014.

You can respond by going to their dedicated Website at: www. leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/irmp If you prefer to submit your responses via a printed questionnaire, please request a copy from the information management team by phoning 0116 2872241 I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Remember I am only an Email or a phone call away.

Kind Regards

Ozzy O’shea Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail. com

Let there be light!

This is going to depress you if you can’t do anything about it: but if you are having trouble sleeping, it may be due to where your desk is situated in your office.

It seems that working too far away from natural light can knock up to 46 minutes off a normal night’s sleep.

A recent study has found that workers in windowless rooms have a poorer quality of life and more erratic sleep patterns than those with access to daylight. The study, in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, suggests that your working environment may well be crucial to setting your body’s internal clock. Look at it this way: a sunny day provides a light intensity of about 10,0000 lux, a unit of illuminance. But indoor office lighting provides only about 300 to 500 lux. And adequate exposure to natural daylight is vital for the body’s circadian rhythm – that built-in clock which dictates our sleeping and waking patterns.

How can I be sure I’ve succeeded if I can’t remember what I was trying to do?

28

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The Prince’s Trust xl club at Groby Community College

More time for Snibston proposals

The club aims to provide a flexible alternative programme for young people by improving confidence and communication, developing enterprise and employability skills and by finding new ways of learning, including working as part of a small team.

The Friends of Snibston are set to be given more time over their proposals to run the county council’s museum in Coalville.

On October 31st Prince’s Trust students from both Years 10 and 11 hosted 4 groups of children (over 120 in all) from Elizabeth Woodville Primary School as part of their Activities Day. This involved children from Years 3 - 6 visiting 4 different places around Groby and taking part in different activities and tours. The visit to the college included a look around the David Wilson Construction Centre to see some of the work produced by our students followed by a Halloween Scavenger hunt around our Forest School site and into Martinshaw Woods.

The children enjoyed exploring the woods and looking for spooky items such as “a twig shaped like a long, bony witches hand” and a “preserved goblin’s eye ball” (otherwise known as a conker!)

The students who took part were James Cole, Nicole Riley, Beth Mead, Maddy Boothby, Shauna Morgan (Year 10) and Charley Chander, Bhawik Champaneri, Toby Brennan, Louis Anderson and Ashlee Herbert (Year 11).

Fair Cuppa:

Leicestershire County Council says the Friends’ current proposals require more work and is set to ask for more information by December 24th.

The council’s cabinet had been due to consider a way forward for Snibston by December 11th but it is now expected to delay this until January 14th.

Cabinet member for museums, Richard Blunt, said: “We can’t continue to subsidise Snibston at the current level - which is due to rise to £900,000 per year if we do nothing.

“I said we’d consider the Friends’ proposals, alongside our idea of a smaller mining museum. I’m proposing that we wait until next month, so we can take an informed decision.”

Last January, the county council proposed to save more than £240,000 from Snibston Discovery Museum’s annual £800,000 subsidy, as part of its £120 million savings. The museum’s exhibition hall also requires £2 million of repairs.

The council proposed to meet the savings by developing a smaller, mining-based museum and demolishing the main hall. Following an approach from the Friends of Snibston, it agreed to also consider alternative savings proposals, which would see the Friends group running the museum, in its current form.

an opportunity to meet with

friends at the village hall.

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

Carols in the hall on Thursday 18th 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 16th 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.

I look forward to paying off all my debt and finally getting back to just being broke.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

29

All the latest news from Groby WI Twenty or more of us had a behind the scenes tour of the Curve Theatre.

Now I must admit when it first opened I didn’t think much of it, preferring the traditional sort but over the time I have changed my mind. This visit, however, most certainly did convert me.

Firstly, I was amazed by the use of what I thought were just walls. The young guide explained that these walls were called “irons” and were in fact walls of iron. For example when the 32 tonne steel walls separating the stage from the foyer are lifted, the stage becomes visible from street outside. At a press of a button these gigantic walls can be moved to create a completely different space such as making the Studio Theatre merge with the main theatre to create one huge stage. It has two auditoria, one with 750 seats and another 350 seats.

Each has its own “flying system” which enables them to operate independently.

We were taken around passing the wardrobe department. There a chappie was ironing yards of ribbon, as he did it, he looped it around his neck with enough to hang himself I thought. I asked what it was for and he showed me a costume dress which would have these yards of ribbon all around. All of us really enjoyed our tour and, like myself those who were rather dubious, found ourselves seeing The Curve in a very different light..

Pie Night On getting home, it was a quick change for a number of us to go to Beaumanor Hall for a Pie Night.

It is a regular favourite with members and I can guarantee no one goes home other than feeling “stuffed”.

Walks It’s A good thing we have our walks.

There is usually a local monthly walk and a walk on a Friday from the Village to the Glenfield Country Market. We also had a walk from Staunton Harold around the lovely countryside there. Naturally we finished up in the café, again we succumbed to bacon butties etc, naughty but nice.

1st World War Talk Karen Ette stepped in at the last minute to fill in a gap at our November meeting. Her subject was

the 1914/1918 War. She opened with her own moving poem. This 100th anniversary has brought home to us the carnage and horror of life in the trenches.

Capt. C.A.B. Elliot kept a comprehensive diary which, together with papers and correspondence he had with Ernst Junger, his former enemy, provided on the spot details of life in battle. He didn’t show hatred to his enemies, but in the book Storm of Steel he came across as cold and unfeeling.

The famous Christmas Day Truce took place in No Man’s Land, the strip of ground between the rival trenches. The soldiers exchanged schnapps, cigars and uniform buttons. Hostilities quickly began again but were halted a second time to enable wounded men to be brought in on stretchers. It was noted that lunch was roasted cow’s udder. Ugh!!! I can still remember eating this ‘delicacy’ during the war, boiled and sliced, similar to ham.

The memory is not a good one.

Men were killed on Christmas Day, the truce was not observed on the Western Front. I am sorry that this report is not very comprehensive but the talk was accompanied by slides which made it impossible to make notes in the darkness. I gave up, then Ruth took over. We did our best.

The Green Tiger magazine, published by the Leicestershire Regiment produced articles about Ernst Junger’s description of the truce. Unfortunately, there was a large gap in the records, many were lost in a fire at the Imperial War Museum.

My father enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment at 17 years old and was badly wounded in the leg. As with most ex soldiers he did not say too much about his experiences, although he had a very large scar on his shin. My son attempted to fill in the gaps, as to whether he was invalided out or sent back to the front but the fire

had destroyed his army record.

Glenfield Market Glenfield Market brought along “goodies” for sale; some very nice preserves and one or two cakes.

Very few craft items this year. This was disappointing because it is usually possible to pick up one or two Christmas gifts.

AGM Meeting I should have mentioned this earlier but it was our AGM Meeting.

Actually it went without a hitch as the President, Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected and all Committee members.

We did try to tempt more to come on the Committee, we are quite a happy, friendly lot and have very lively meetings, but unfortunately no one came forward. I am pleased to say that our Treasurer announced that we were in funds so that’s nice to know.

December meeting Next meeting is a week earlier, being the second Thursday in the month.

This is because we are trying to avoid clashing with other groups who are also holding their Christmas Meeting.

Our meeting this year is a little different, we are having; wait for it; The History of Sausages, Demo and Try. Our sausage man is Mr. Alf Pallett, he sounds a lovely chap and apparently doesn’t look a bit like Sweeney Todd. This meeting is therefore on the 11th December.

Needless to say the ladies of Groby WI send greetings to all residents in Groby wishing them a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.

Evelyn and Margaret

Letter

Fireworks nuisance I was taking my dog on his evening walk across the Groby allotments around 5.30pm on 13th November.

I was half way along the path, when a local residence set off many fireworks including numerous thunderflashes that rocked the neighbourhood.

My poor dog was terrified – if he had not been on his lead, he would have run back home crossing the busy main Ratby Road - possibly getting killed and causing a road accident which, in turn, kill those drivers, passengers, pedestrians involved!

Why on earth do people think it is ok to let off fireworks 9 days after the Guy Fawkes night?

Do you know of any local byelaws that could be brought into force to stop this happening in the future?

Something must be done to regulate fireworks sales to authorised organisations and not to the general public.

Also restrict letting fireworks off within a couple of days either side of Guy Fawkes night.

Name & Address Supplied Take care on the roads!

More than 6,000 additional car crashes will occur during the winter months, according to recent data from a number of insurance firms.

But if you have trouble even getting into your car in freezing weather, try warming the car key first, or spray it with something like WD40.

From the moment our eyes first met, I knew I would spend the rest of my life avoiding you.

d Search Puzzle

http://puzzlem

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

30

12 Days of Christmas Wordsearch

Passcode/Create New User

G G C N Z P Q N I G H K W G R S C D

J N L A U Y S S O S C F N Q B E R L

A I I R L S M L C M R I X E L V Q G

A M A M G L D X N J P F X P O O J U

V M S U M R I B J I T A G F R D G W

W U A N I I Z N P U V P L V D E Q M

CALLINGBIRDS DRUMMERSDRUMMING FRENCHHENS GEESEALAYING GOLDRINGS LADIESDANCING LORDSALEAPING MAIDSAMILKING PARTRIDGE PIPERSPIPING SWANSASWIMMING TURTLEDOVES

I R G N E N W S G D U A B Z S L T Z

R D G S O H R S B B D R L J A T O P

D S K K B E H M A I I W E T L R O W

C R H I P L Y C E S X R A Y E U J M

Find the names of the TWELVE GIFTS in the Twelve Days of Christmas song 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 the 12 gifts mentioned in the Twelve Days of Christmas. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

J E U I X O T S N B N H D W A T Y G

R M P G J P D Y X E H A G S P C A F

J M A J C A R C N S R J W M I R I W

I U W S N R Q T I W U F M S N V Y U

K R R C Z S P O N N M S G K G O X I

U D I E G D I R T R A P I N L A I X

G N I K L I M A S D I A M W L J C C

G E E S E A L A Y I N G Z M T T U N

Send your entry to: in a pear tree, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Tuesday 6th January 2015. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Christmas Party Hat will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the twelve CHRISTMAS GIFTS you have to find: PARTRIDGE • TURTLE DOVES • FRENCH HENS CALLING BIRDS • GOLD RINGS • GEESE A LAYING SWANS A SWIMMING • MAIDS A MILKING • LADIES DANCING LORDS A LEAPING • PIPERS PIPING • DRUMMERS DRUMMING Name: .................................................................................................

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

Last Issue’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: Mrs J.Carney of Leicester Road, 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.

Christmas has arrived at Ulverscroft Grange!

The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is delighted to announce that Christmas has arrived at Ulverscroft Grange Community Support and Wellbeing Centre!

The charity shops are now Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com stocking the new Christmas selection which offers a wide range of festive items – gifts, decorations, stocking-fillers and much more!

Santa will be making a very special appearance at Ulverscroft Grange on Saturday 13th December 2014, between 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. There will a small selection of Christmas stalls and a magical hand bell performance commencing at 2.00pm. Admission to Santa’s Grotto is £5.00 per child (including a small gift).

Alan Norman, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said “this is a wonderful opportunity to come along and enjoy the festive spirit; whilst relaxing in the Tea Rooms, browsing the charity shops and enjoying the magnificent views. He added ‘Groups and individuals are welcome to book during the week for a Christmas Lunch, served in the Tea Rooms. These are available subject to availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2nd December 2014 and pre-booking is essential.

For more information please contact the Helen Baxter on 01530 244914 or via email at hello@shuttlewood-clarke.org Ulverscroft Grange, Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB www.shuttlewood-clarke.org

You know you’re getting old when you have to turn your music down to park your car.

He

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • DECEMBER 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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I used to like the mirror that I had in 2002 much more than the one I have now.