December 2018 Herald Magazine

MID-DECEMBER 2018

Recycled Teenagers’ Party in Stanton ON SATURDAY 1st December, the QGJ committee held its annual Christmas party for those over 65 in Stanton under Bardon.

It was our 17th year for the party and all those able to attended seemed to have a good time. We enjoyed a sherry on arrival, music and a sing song, bingo, a bite to eat, tombola and a raffle.

Santa even paid us a visit and everyone received a little gift.

I would like to thank our group - the QGJ (Queen’s Golden Jubilee) Committee - especially with the fund raising done in May to allow this party to go ahead. Thanks also go to those who came to help at the party - it helped us a lot - and to Stanton Stores and The Thatch for all their support and donations.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Sally Wilkins

Bagworth, Thornton and Stantonunder-Bardon Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group

Your Village Needs You!

HOW WOULD you like a ten storey TOWER BLOCK to be constructed at a convenient site in the centre of Bagworth?

Or how about a WIND FARM overlooking the reservoir on the outskirts of Thornton? Or 120 NEW HOUSES on a site on the edge of Stantonunder-Bardon?

No? You wouldn’t? What a surprise! But it could happen!

Now is your chance to have a say in how your village develops over the next twenty-five years. Only a well-constructed and viable Neighbourhood Plan can help us control the way in which development in our designated area takes place. When our draft Neighbourhood Plan reaches the Planning Examiner at the last stage of the project we need to be able to show that it reflects the opinions and views of many of our parishioners regarding the following major planning areas:• • •

Churches together in Markfield Warmly invite you to

Sing Carols outside the Co-operative Store, Main Street, Markfield on Saturday 22nd December from 10am to 11am.

Come for as long as you can spare at this very busy time of year.

All welcome!

Contact Rosie Woodland on 01530 244497 if you need more information.

Housing and the Built Environment Natural and Historic Environment Sustainability (Economic Growth/Community facilities/ transport)

We would like to invite you to the launch of our Theme Groups on Saturday 16th February 2019 at 10.00 at Stanton-under-Bardon Village Hall. The meeting will last no longer than two hours.

PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING IS FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL THREE VILLAGES – WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO RUN A SIMILAR MEETING IN EACH VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE! You don’t need to book and the event is free. You will be invited to join the Theme Group of your choice; all we ask for is your views and opinions on the relevant subject.

PLEASE DON’T LEAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. Your lack of interest now will change rapidly if any unwanted development is threatened in your village. BY THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE! Only an effective, well constructed and appropriate neighbourhood plan can assist your parish council to fight against inappropriate development. We cannot create such a plan without your input! Parish councils have never previously had a say in planning matters. Now at last, with your help we can!

ACT NOW – BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! For further information, or if you have any questions about Neighbourhood Planning, please contact me on 01530 243631 or email: ibriggs.sub@gmail.com

Ian Briggs

Vice Chairman BT&SuB NPSG

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to all Herald Readers.

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 19TH JANUARY - ARTICLE/ADVERT DEADLINE: 5TH JANUARY

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Coming up at The Club, Thornton Sat 15th Dec: The Top Secret Band - 9.30pm Sat 22nd Dec: Punk & Disorderly - 9.30pm Sun 23rd Dec: Family Bingo Christmas Party - 3pm Boxing Day afternoon: Wellard Willy - 4pm

New Years Eve: The Boodons - 9pm Everyone welcome!

Buy aWreath and Support Animal Aid CHRISTMAS wreaths for door or cemetery, made to order, real holly & seasonal foliage, £6 each.

Also cemetery pots, £5 each. Collection from Bagworth.

Donation from each item sold goes to Animal Aid. Tel. Vicki on 01530 230389.

Police to be equipped with ‘trauma’ kits to stem bleeding FRONTLINE police officers across Leicestershire are to be equipped with special “trauma” kits to help control severe bleeding and save lives when responding to knife crime and violence, it has been announced.

Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach announced at his recent Knife Crime Conference that he has agreed to fund 120 Haemorrhage Packs – worth £10,000 – to enable police officers across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to deliver critical blood loss management.

The Haemorrhage Packs, which are the same kits used by the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS trust as part of its #SaveLivesNoKnives campaign, contain L-R Deputy PCC Kirk Master, EMAS Ambulance Operations chest seals, blast bandages, wound dressings Manager Lee Brentnall and Lord Willy Bach and a tourniquet aimed at stemming blood flow quickly in the event of a serious injury.

When police officers are first on the scene of an emergency, the new kits are designed to give officers everything they need to act swiftly and save lives in the critical minutes following a life-threatening injury.

The move comes on top of the PCC’s pledge to invest £100,000 from reserves into tackling knife crime at grassroots level in Leicestershire to turn impressionable young people away from gang mentality and street violence. This £100,000 is in addition to the Commissioner’s £250,000 Crime Prevention Fund.

“Our police officers already undertake comprehensive first aid training as part of the job,” explained Willy Bach.

“The Haemorrhage Packs go one step further ensuring vital equipment is available instantaneously to give victims the best possible chance of survival when they have suffered trauma.

“By the nature of their work, police officers are often first on the scene of a critical incident and it makes perfect sense to equip them to act in those precious early minutes.

“With violence an ever-present threat on Britain’s streets, we need to look at practical measures as well as preventative work to avert more unnecessary deaths and this is a positive step forward.”

Lee Brentnall, Ambulance Operations Manager for EMAS, said: “We have seen an increase of violent knife crime across the East Midlands and nationally and one of our Big Three visions is to work closely with our partners to improve the outcomes of our patients.”

Friends of St. Peter’s, Thornton Christmas Craft Fayre THIS YEAR’S Craft and Christmas Fayre held in November was a tremendous success and a very happy day thanks to the team-work of so many villagers who gave their time and effort to raise a total of £1310 plus a £200 donation from Midland Quarry.

One of the high lights of the day was Father Christmas arriving on the Steam Traction Engine belonging to Colin Harris. What a sight that was, with children steaming behind. Wonderful. A huge thank you to Colin and to Father Christmas and his helpful elf.

A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in the event or who supported it in any way. And especially thank you to all the stall holders who produce such excellent products.

The Friends of St Peter’s raises money for the medieval church building of St Peter’s in Thornton. We are currently raising money to help with repairs to the building.

If you would like to help this happy band please contact Shirley Garlick 01530 230422.

Maths problems: the only place where someone can buy eighty watermelons and no one wonders why.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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A very big THANK YOU from the RBL

I JUST wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to you all for doing such an amazing job of raising a record amount of money over the last few weeks for the Royal British Legion.

All of us have seen a fantastic spirit and determination to make this centenary year special and the residents of Bagworth, Markfield, Stanton and Thornton certainly have done that.

Local activities and events including the Thank You event in Thornton, the Thornton wreath project, the poppy event at Markfield Library and the many and varied events on at the local schools and clubs have given every generation the opportunity to take part in a remembrance activity. This year our door-to-door collector in Bagworth, Olive Lovett, could be seen collecting with her granddaughter and her great-granddaughter.

This has been the busiest appeal in the history of the Royal British Legion. You have all helped to honour those who sacrificed so much for our freedom and independence. The funds raised will help to provide a more certain and positive future for those Armed Forces personnel and their families who are in need of support both now and in the future. For this, we should all be incredibly proud.

At the time of going to press the total raised which includes individual donations, the Thank You event, the Thornton wreath project, the collection boxes, sale of hand-made poppies at Markfield Library, a poetry competition at South Charnwood School and monies from the memorial wreaths and street poppies is £4,118.41. Fantastic!

Thanks again.

Liz Mitchell

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I told my gran a knock knock joke, but she wouldn’t answer it until I’d shown her three forms of ID.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Avoid the unwanted gift of food poisoning this Christmas THERE ARE an estimated one million cases of food poisoning in the UK every year, and without attention to food hygiene, this doesn’t stop during the festive season.

To save your loved ones from a nasty bout of food poisoning over the holidays, follow these Food Standards Agency tips from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to keep your festive season truly the most wonderful time of the year.

TOP TIPS 1) When Christmas food shopping, take sufficient bags with you so that you can separate out raw and ready-to-eat foods to avoid crosscontamination.

2) Check the guidance on your turkey to ensure you have enough time to fully defrost it – it could take as much as 4 days.

3) Don’t wash raw turkey; it just splashes germs onto your hands, clothes, utensils and worktops.

4) To work out the cooking time for your bird, check the instructions on the packaging. Check that: the meat is steaming hot throughout; there is no pink meat visible when you cut into the thickest part and meat juices run clear.

5) Whether you cooked your turkey from frozen or fresh, your turkey leftovers can be used to make a new meal (such as a turkey curry). This new meal can then be frozen, but make sure you only reheat it once.

Executive Member for Environmental Services at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Morrell, commented: “Cooking a Christmas roast for a large gathering can be a challenge, and it is vital that the turkey, or other meat of the meal, is stored, defrosted and cooked correctly.

“Likewise, leftovers from Christmas need to be reheated and consumed within specific timeframes in order to avoid food poisoning.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Bagworth

BY THE TIME you read this, no doubt your thoughts will be turning to Christmas.

Christmas celebrations began in Bagworth way back in November, November 24th to be precise.

This was the date of the Christmas Fayre organised by the Bagworth Forward Group (BFG) in the Community Centre. The Front Hall was full of a variety of different stalls. In the Meeting Room, Santa was in attendance in his grotto ably assisted by his elves, Grace and Madi. In the coffee bar, hot turkey and stuffing rolls, hot mince pies, mulled wine and cake was sold, along with a variety of posh coffees were the order of the day.

The event raised £527 for BFG funds. Thanks are especially due to Karen who is the main driving force for this event and also to Debbie and Phil who trimmed out the Centre with Christmas decorations. They also decorated the tree, supplied by the Parish Council, which is adjacent to the bus stop. This allowed the lights on the tree to be switched on at the end of the Fayre.

BFG also held their Christmas bingo on Monday 26th November when a further £138 was added to BFG funds. Thanks once again to Debbie for organising this.

BFG would like to wish all villagers a happy and peaceful Christmas and hope that you will continue to support them in the New Year.

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I always try not to judge people. Which is probably why I lost my job as a judge.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Funding available for community groups and volunteers RECOGNISING the extensive work local groups put into organising community events and activities, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has made available two funds; the Community Transport Fund and the new Community Volunteers Fund to apply for.

The Community Transport Fund is available if you are organising an event and may consider arranging community transport to enable other people to attend. A one off grant could pay for you to arrange a mini bus to pick up people from nearby, making your event special for even more people.

Your group will be responsible for organising your required transport, and you must use a form of community transport such as Hinckley & Bosworth Community Transport, Dial a Ride, Age UK, volunteer drives, Good Neighbour Scheme etc. Funding for Christmas and New Year events is still available.

Applications of up to £500 are invited from voluntary and community groups from within the Borough. Please note this funding must be allocated

by March 2019, so please apply as soon as possible.

The council has also made available a new Community Volunteers Fund aimed at small groups of volunteers or individuals to support their volunteering activities, who can apply for up to £250. You do not have to be a constituted group.

Council Leader Cllr Mike Hall said “These two funds are important additions to the support that we provide to the voluntary and community sector. The ability for groups to use community transport will enable more people who may be isolated to get involved in community activities.

“The new Community Volunteers Fund could be used by groups who want to undertake a single community project, or those who wish to start up a new group in their area and need some initial funding to make that happen.

Among other things I would like to see young people taking the opportunity to use this fund as a way to start new projects and to get involved in volunteering in their communities.”

To request an application form please contact Next Generation on Tel. 01455 632984 or email vcsinfo@nxt-gen.org.uk. Please note you can apply for both funds.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

MORE EYE WITNESS HISTORY FROM BAGWORTH

George and Joyce Farmer’s interview in 2002 GEORGE AND JOYCE Farmer said that from 1937 onwards special railway excursions were laid on from Bagworth station to the seaside. Trips were arranged to many inland resorts.

George said, “They were summer trips which usually started from Desford at 12.30pm and made their way to Burton-on-Trent on the first leg of the journey. There were never many seats left empty, in fact you often had to stand up. Tickets to Matlock and Matlock Bath cost 1/9d return, old pennies. We’d get lunch there... ham sandwich 3 pence, mug of tea 2 pence.”

Joyce laughed, “They were wonderful trips... climbing to the top of the ‘Heights of Abraham’, or in the underground caves if you wished. The return train left at 7.30pm. There was no vandalism them, just a bit of harmless fun.

There were trips to Skeggie, too, but mainly the trains went to Derbyshire... Hathersage, was another place we visited. There were lots of scenic walks to enjoy, with a tearoom to stop for breaks.

Once when we were visiting Matlock we saw a man carrying a slaughtered cockerel. We followed him to his restaurant because we thought it would make a nice meal.

Unfortunately when we ordered dinner we found out the cockerel was for the next day, so we were unlucky!”

Said George, “I went with the N.U.M. one weekend for a Conference at a top hotel. We lived like lords... best silverware and all.

Real posh hotel, very old fashioned, mind. You’d share a room with a colleague and we had to climb some steps to our beds. Trouble was, the pints of ale consumed earlier made you have to get up in the night... and half-asleep you’d come tumbling down the steps.”

“Then there were the trips to Blackpool from Bagworth Station,” added Joyce. The trains made a 6am start. My mum took our son, Mick, on a week’s holiday there.”

Joyce also recalled going to work on the train from Bagworth to Leicester from 1937 onwards.

“The fare was 6/6d a week return, including Saturdays.”

During the war George went on the train to go to Blackpool, only to find when he reached Leicester his connection was packed with American soldiers in transit to some unknown destination. Some trains, however, went straight through from Bagworth. “The station was a hive of activity then,” recalled George, “The trains carried widely

varying loads... tarmac, coal, livestock... cows were unloaded into pens adjacent to the station after arriving from cattle markets, awaiting collection by the farmer.”

George remembers that miners’ wages used to arrive weekly by courier at Bagworth station in a satchel, or briefcase. It was never interfered with... no ‘Great Train Robbery’ ever occurred.

“All the pigeons travelled by train in their baskets,” Joyce added.

“The guardsman was responsible for looking after them. He’d fill in his report... ‘Fed, Watered and Liberated’.”

He had to check the time, let them out at their destination (Dundee, or somewhere remote) so they could race back to Bagworth.

Farmers sent churns of milk by Bagworth’s 9am train. George, smiled, “Two farmers, by the names of Insley and Peters, would race each other from opposite ends of Bagworth in their horse and floats to get their milk on board first. It was madness.”

“Lots of farmers sold milk then,” Joyce recalls. “Like Mrs Cart from her push bike. She had a bucket on her handlebars and ladled it out into customers’ jugs. She later sold milk from a pony drawn trap.”

Joyce said. “Mrs Cart lived across a field back of the brickyard on Station Road. She owned quite a few fields and lived in a house made entirely of wood.”

We used to fetch a ‘pigs belly’ from Herbert Miles’ butchers shop in the ‘Crew’. We had an old bath mounted on pram wheels to fetch it... it cost 6 old pence and would make fine ‘scratchings’ and ‘chitlings’. The pigs head would make brawn.”

When George and Joyce were married, Bagworth was plunged into the darkest depths of war.

It was the 3rd January 1942.

Rationing caused them problems in finding enough food and drink for the reception.

“Luckily I won a barrel of ale in a raffle at the Club,” said George.

“That helped a lot, as we saved it for the guests at our wedding reception.”

Joyce: “When we first married, George earned £4 and I earned 30s. Out of that I paid 6s/6d to get to work in Leicester. For the first two years we lived with my mum in the 40’s row. Then we rented an Old Colliery Row house, number 25. The miners used to sit on our window-sill at the end of their shift, waiting for their bus home.”

They encountered problems in that house, explained Joyce.

“It was damp and the dust was

terrible from the land-sale building just at our back door. It soiled the washing, and you couldn’t keep the house clean.”

George added, “John Agar, the Manager, came round with his secretary to see about the dampness, it came right up the walls. “Even Mr Agar was shocked.

‘Good grief, you can’t live in those appalling conditions’ he told us. We got a prefab opposite the Maynard.

Then we swapped it with our present house in Station Road.”

In the darkest days miners were only required to work a quarter of a shift some weeks. “I would walk to the pit for work, very often there wasn’t any and I wouldn’t get paid.

So we then had to walk to Ibstock to sign on the dole.”

Joyce mourns the day all the shops in Bagworth closed down.

“The Co-op in particular. When the baker called on a Wednesday we sent our order book with him. Our parcel was delivered on a Friday, wrapped neatly in brown paper and tied with string. They patted the butter into individual blocks themselves in those days.”

“When I was 16 I helped Mr George Percival deliver coal,” said

“I would walk to the pit for work, very often there wasn’t any and I wouldn’t get paid.

So we then had to walk to Ibstock to sign on the dole.”

George. “I took a load of coal by horse and cart to Thurmaston, and on the way I had to call at Newbold to have the horse shod. On some of the steep hills I had to swerve from side to side to get the load up.”

Said George, “The Maynard was an important trading place, animals were bought and sold there.

Herbert Miles delivered meat in a horse-drawn cart. Jenny Dilks delivered milk the same way, and measured her milk straight out of a churn. Mrs Cart sold duck eggs.”

Joyce said some horses had character: “To the amusement of onlookers one horse, in charge of a cart, used to stand with legs crossed whenever it was stationery. Another would take itself home from the Maynard whenever its owner fell foul of drink (which was frequent).”

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My wife left me because of my obsession with Africa. Kenya believe that?

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Save the last dance for me in Bagworth HAVING RAISED £26,351 in about 13 years for a variety of charities at The Club, Bagworth, Ken and Glenda and their small team of helpers have decided to switch off their cd for the last time.

They are grateful to all of those people over the years who have contributed cash and help to achieve this amazing level of success.

On Wednesday afternoon, 28th November, they handed over £510 to the Wishes 4 Kids representative. The money will be used to buy a Play Station and TV for a young lad with sickle cell anaemia.

Before they ‘retire’, there will be a Social Dance at 8 pm on 21st December. This will have a distinctly Christmas theme to it. The last dance will be on New Year’s Eve, 8 til late. Admission will be £4 and tickets are available.

Ken and Glenda will only be stopping Friday night dances. They will continue to organise the tea dances on a Wednesday afternoon at The Club, Bagworth between 2 and 4 pm. Admission is £1. The dances that The Club organises on a Sunday evening will also continue. The Club would be delighted if someone is prepared to step in and organise the Charity dances and/or the Social dances on a Friday evening.

Finally, well done Ken and Glenda. You should be proud of yourselves.

On a scale of 7 to 1.2, how much do you not hate being confused?

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Fantastic Praise For A Wonderful Piano Recital At Markfield Methodist Church WE WERE extremely honoured to welcome back the wonderful and very talented Renata Konyickska (right) to perform for us again this November at Markfield Methodist Church.

Here is just a selection of comments from a very appreciative audience….

• Wonderful – FAB – U – LOUS!! More please.

• Uplifting, thought provoking. Wonderful, first class, most enjoyable. Thankyou for the wonderful experience.

• Sublime! At times heartbreakingly beautiful, a privilege to hear.

• An evening of poetic harmony. A stunning interlude at the end of a busy week. Thankyou for sharing your amazing talents Renata.

• Wonderful well balanced performance – how lucky are we!

I think the last 4 words sum it up – how lucky are we to have such talented performers coming to play for us, on our doorstep for a small fraction of the cost of a large concert hall!! It is also actually much nicer to be in a smaller place as we set the Church out so that as many people as possible can see the musicians playing as this brings with it a whole other delight – seeing how Renata played, watching in awe how her tiny fingers could make such a wonderful sound!

We are already planning next year and are very much looking forward to welcoming our next musicians. PLUS Renata has said that all being well she will return again next year – so watch this space for the date!

• FRIDAY 8 March 2019 we will welcome 25 year old Roman Kosyakov from Russia. What is especially exciting about Roman is that he recently won First Prize in the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory who now studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire • FRIDAY 17th May 2019 in a departure from piano recitals, the saxophonist Alistair Parnell will be presenting a one-man concert. One of the organisers of the event Malcolm Goldring - who is wonderful musician, conductor and composer himself - recently worked with Alistair in a concert in Derby and can guarantee an evening of rare delight!

For further details of the above, other events, activities, Church Services and much more pleasde see our website www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org and/or “like” our facebook page – Markfield Methodist Church.

Are your children gamblers?

HERE IS a sobering fact: more children have placed bets in the past week than have drunk alcohol, smoked or taken drugs.

Such are the findings from an audit by the Gambling Commission. It also found that one in seven 11- to16-year-olds bet regularly, staking an average of £16 a week. And those who start betting young are more like to have issues as adults, warns the charity Gamcare.

The sad truth is that gambling has never been easier, with online outlets available 24 hours a day. And once a young person accesses them, the sites bombard them with marketing prompts for ‘boosted’ odds and ‘free bets’.

Youthsite, a research organisation for 16-to 30-year olds estimates that more than 100,000 students are in debt due to gambling, with one in four of those owing more than £10,000.

Although the Government has promised to (eventually) reduce the FOBT (Fixed Odds Betting Terminal) maximum stakes from £100 to £2, there are fears that the reduction will itself only increase the attraction of betting online.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Jay Brothers Concert was fantastic!

ON SATURDAY 1st December, Christmas came to Markfield with a fantastic concert provided by our ever popular Jay Brothers.

With Markfield Community Centre bedecked with Christmas decorations, over a hundred people danced, clapped and sang the night away to a fantastic array of popular songs intermingled with all our favourite Christmas anthems. It was a truly fun evening with the dance floor crammed with happy and festive revellers.

The evening concluded with a slow dance to Bing Crosby’s “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” followed with everyone getting on the dance floor Angela Berry, Dot Pickering, Doreen Murby pictured with the Jay Brothers to join in with a resounding rendition of Slade’s “It’s Christmas”.

The Jay brothers were fantastic throughout their performances giving us this wonderful Christmas concert. The event was organized by Angela Berry, Dot Pickering and Doreen Murby to raise funds for Markfield Congregational Church.

Many thanks to you all for your efforts and PLEASE let’s have more Jay Brother concerts in Markfield.

Ron Grantham

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

News from Redgate

Happy Reunion for ‘stray’ cat REDGATE FARM had a call from a lady in Quorn who had been feeding a stray cat with the help of her neighbour for three months. She was worried as the weather was getting colder that something could happen to the cat which would upset them both.

They had not heard of Redgate before as they had tried other rescues to take the cat in. Luckily in conversation with friends the suggestion of Redgate came up and the lady called and the cat who they had called Lorrie was taken in on the same day, 15th November.

Lorrie had her health check when arrived and found by Redgate that she had a microchip so they contacted Petlog. Lorrie was actually Mabel and had been missing from Loughborough since January!

The owners were contacted and came to collect Mabel on the 16th November where they were all reunited. You may ask what happened to her in the 11 months she was missing and how she got to Quorn – well only Mabel will know that!

But Redgate are happy to have played their part in returning her safe into the love and warmth of her family. And would like to highlight the importance of microchipping and that we have a scanner on site.

Rhona, Animal Manager at Redgate Farm

Rock and Roll Re-Releases

When ageing stars remake their oldies hits…

•

• • • • • • • •

Herman’s Hermits - “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Walker” The Bee Gees - “How Can You Mend A Broken Hip” Procol Harum - “A Whiter Shade Of Hair” Johnny Nash - “I Can’t See Clearly Now” Leo Sayer - “You Make Me Feel Like Napping” ABBA - “Denture Queen” Paul Simon - “Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver” Roberta Flack - “The First Time I Ever Forgot Your Face” Commodores - “Once, Twice, Three Times To The Bathroom”

Don’t forget to send us your news!

My wife just said she left me four weeks ago because of how unobservant I am.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Health survey for England:

Most adults living unhealthy lifestyles says Heart Research UK THE OVERWHELMING majority of adults in England are so unhealthy they put their lives at risk, a survey suggests.

The data from the Health Survey for England showed nearly nine in 10 had at least one unhealthy trait.

That was classed as those who smoke, drink more than 14 units of alcohol, eat fewer than five portions of fruit and vegetables, are obese or have low rates of physical activity.

Alexandra Preston, head of Healthy Hearts at Heart Research UK, said: “These results are not unexpected, it is vital we all take responsibility for our health right now. Although 4 in ten adults have no signs of ill-health developing yet, people need to act now to prevent developing conditions such as heart disease in the future.

“Fewer manual jobs, more office based roles and an increase in TV watching and video gaming means the current working generation are the first who need to make a conscious decision to build physical activity into their daily lives. We are simply consuming too many calories and not burning off what we consume.”

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Santa gets ready to swap Lapland for Leicester SANTA will be swapping Lapland for Leicester this Christmas – and he’s about to move into his cosy new home in the city centre.

The finishing touches are now being made to his snow-topped grotto in the new Market Square, where dozens of Christmas trees are helping to create an enchanting festive scene.

Anyone who’s written a list for Santa will be able to hand their letter over in person – or they can post it in Santa’s special post office close by on Market Place. And of course every child who meets Santa will be given a small gift – free of charge.

Children wanting to see Santa are advised to wrap up warm, as there may be a queue – while mums and dads are reminded that the market and its food hall have got everything you need for a festive feast.

Santa will be in the square from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, 10am to 4pm on Sundays and from 11am to 6pm from Monday to Friday.

He will be in his grotto – which is surrounded by Christmas trees – every day until Saturday 23 December. Santa in the Square is a free Christmas experience for local children provided by Leicester City Council and run by Leicester Markets.

Are you a member of a local club, group or society?

Tell us what you’re up to and we’ll give you a mention in The Herald. Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Wise Words Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it onto future generations.

George Bernard Shaw

INDIAN FUSION - MARKFIELD

I’m worried that my addiction to helter-skelters is spiralling out of control.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Families getting together at Christmas Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald IN MY humble opinion, one of the most enduring things about Christmas which often distinguishes itself from other festivities which I am familiar with, is the act of families getting together.

This might be on Christmas Day to eat dinner or tea, it might be in the days before to exchange gifts and greetings. It might of course be on Boxing Day or the days after. It might be the only time in the year or it might be one of many times spent together, either way a special effort is made. It might be a joyous time and, of course, it might not be.

Throughout my life I consider myself blessed that I have always been able to enjoy the time spent with family and this is thankfully still very true today.

Looking back to when I was growing up, we would have a routine of always spending Christmas dinner with my Grandma (Jane) Russell and Auntie Hazel.

This was after my Grandma (Kathleen) and Grandad (Stanley) Lay (often accompanied by my Uncle Roderick) had called round before to bring gifts to us excited children. We might in the afternoon then go for a walk and call in to see my mum’s other two brothers my Uncle Harold or Uncle Howard Russell. Sometimes we would walk up Hillside to see various members of the Siddons clan and then return for tea and a chance to play with any toys we had received as gifts.

On Boxing Day we would go round to my Grandma Lay and have Christmas dinner again, served up with a little Blue Nun and followed up with a trip over in the late afternoon to see my Auntie Hilda and Uncle George Cooper in Kirby Muxloe. Here we would again join my Grandma Russell and Auntie Hazel at my Auntie Hilda’s and we would all enjoy a grand tea

which distinguished itself in those days with the serving of tinned salmon and quartered sandwiches (which I recall as being referred to as quite posh) and a great selection of desserts, including a favourite of mine and my sister, that of brandy snaps filled with whipped cream.

It is very nostalgic to think of those days and the passing of time can sometimes exaggerate the feelings of wellbeing they bestowed, but needless to say these traditions live on with me and my family and I am glad of that and the memories.

This year we will have a full house at my mother’s as both my sisters will be present with partners and respective children. It will be a little bit crazy and a little bit mad but I can honestly say I look forward to it as I have always done.

While Brexit might dominate the news outside, we have been discussing and debating what meat is to be served (unusually in these times we have no vegetarians in the mix) because we are to have two variants on the table. The first was settled long ago and that was a joint of Beef, however the second has proved more controversial. I had believed it was to be Turkey but from out of nowhere came the suggestion of a joint of Pork, which caused some disagreement amongst the settled masses. I am unclear (a little like Theresa May it seems) as to what will happen next but I have expressed a strong desire for the traditional Turkey and hope it comes out of the oven nicely crisp on the outside but juicy.

I am tasked with bringing the liquid beverage and I have taken advantage of an offer from Laithwaites wine and had 12 bottles of vintage reds delivered (we don’t intend to consume the lot in case you wondered, it was just a good deal) although that was a story in itself. In ordering the wine I explicitly stated when I would and

when I wouldn’t be around to receive the delivery. They delivered it on the very day I told them not to, so following my complaint they sent another case out which I duly received on the day arranged. I later found out that the original crate was sat in the delivery room at the Markfield Post Office. I collected this and for a short while had 24 bottles of vintage reds for the price of 12. Alas it was not to be and they came and fetched the surplus crate the following day.

For a good number of years after I married we also had my partner’s family to bring into the Christmas equation and this led us to play the Christmas Day hosts when we alternated between my parents and my in-laws who we would stay over for Christmas Dinner. It was actually enjoyable to play host and cook a full Christmas dinner, although I could be accused of trying too hard, including one year cooking a pheasant (which had been given to me by my cousin) with a turkey, only to find it laden with lead shot.

My mother in law unfortunately suffered with poor health in last few years, so they no longer felt able to journey down and just after last Christmas she sadly passed away.

Even though they had not been able to travel we of course would go and visit them in Yorkshire, often prior to Christmas Day. Over the Christmas period, those who are able will make many similar journeys, either to visit family and friends or to go and stay with them and spend the days together. It maybe you who are playing the host as family and friends visit you. This reuniting of family and the annual returning to ones own roots if you have moved away for whatever reason, is a long standing tradition which is more important than we might believe, as we become ever more global and

Matthew Lay separated from our origins.

It may not for some always be enjoyable - and perhaps for others it may present as a chore - but nevertheless we should not underestimate its importance and significance in an ever changing and secular world.

The reality is that one day those you have loved and whose love for you was given so unconditionally, will no longer be there for you to visit and a little bit of who you are, will have passed into the mists of time and memory.

We cannot go back in time, but we can remember, and we shall all toast the loved ones no longer with us when we sit down to eat on Christmas Day. We shall also celebrate each other’s company and make the most of the time spent together.

In thinking about spending Christmas with my family I am also reminded of those who for whatever reason are alone at Christmas whether it be personal choice or circumstances.

It has been a strange year and the next one may yet be even stranger, so let us all try and find some peace and happiness this Christmas regardless of what is happening in the world. And let me take this opportunity wish to wish all of you, peace and goodwill and a genuine hope that 2019 is a year to remember for the right reasons.

Matthew

I saw a kid earlier with a hairy face and horrible beady eyes. Having said that, I suppose it’s normal for a goat.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Early Christmas presents for LOROS Hospice families A LOCAL WOMAN is giving the families of LOROS patients an early Christmas present by providing baskets of pampering goodies and essential toiletries.

After Kelly-Marie Williams’ father in law was taken into the Hospice suddenly last Christmas the family didn’t have time to pack.

“All our focus was on Malcolm so when he was admitted to LOROS last Christmas and we ended up staying several days at his bed side, I suddenly realised I hadn’t even bought a toothbrush with me.”

“The nurses were great and provided me with some basics but they were very busy caring for the patients. “ This year Kelly, 26, wanted to give something back for the care her father in law received and the kindness of the nurses.

“I thought that it would be lovely to provide families with some goodies.

Being able to have a hot shower and use some nice toiletries can help you feel you can cope when you’re tired and stressed.”

So Kelly and her husband John asked their neighbours and friends for donations, and made up a dozen baskets filled with a combination of essentials, like toothbrushes and disposable razors, and luxurious treats to pamper patients’ families over the Christmas period.

“My father in law came to LOROS at Christmas – a really busy time and one where it’s very easy to forget the little things.

“Of course I realise nice shower gel is not vital, but it can make you feel a bit better.”

I’ve been carb-loading for the last thirty years in case I ever need to go on a 5,000 mile run.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

From All Our Volunteers In The Library We Would Like To Wish Everyone A Very Happy Christmas And A Healthy And Peaceful New Year

All the latest news from

Season’s Readings If you like quick easy reads and in particular love stories, here’s five recommended books from Penguin to read this festive season. Cosy up by the fire and enjoy.

One Day in December by Josie Silver.

This most heart-warming, feel-good, page-turning must read of the Christmas season sees Laurie who doesn’t believe in true love at first sight until her eyes met those of a gorgeous man through a bus window a he stands out in the snow.

The Christmas Stocking and other stories by th Katie Fforde Embrace the festive season with these lovely short stores including romance and happy endings The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern One of the most famous and favourite Christmas movies, It’s A Wonderful Life, was based on this original story by Stern. The Greatest Gift is the plot we all know and love, as George Pratt discovers what the world would be like without him, serving to remind him of the best things in life.

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman This bittersweet fable tugs at the heartstrings.

When father and son meet for the first time in years the father has a story to tell about a little girl in hospital only a few miles away.

A Christmas Wish for Land Girls by Jenny Holmes If you love Call the Midwife this is the perfect Christmas gift to yourself. It’s 1942 and the Yorkshire winter is bitterly cold, so when a young boy goes missing in the snow, everyone must rally round to find him before it’s too late. It’s heart warming, brimming with friendship and a perfect tale to remind you of love, luck and all round loveliness.

So many people are touched by dem

PLEASE COME TO OUR FRIENDLY COFFEE MO at MARKFIELD LIBRARY at 11am Thank You For Your Support In 2018 Thanks to everyone for all your support once again this year. We are now into our fourth year of running our village Community Library and as on Wednesday 18 January. always would welcome new members and new volunteers. Just call into the library for more information and don’t forget it’s FREE to join.

Would you please spend just one ho understand a little more about dem It could help you, family, friends, neig - our whole community.

Santa’s Visit To The Library

Bradgate Rotary invited Santa to Markfield last week where he first rode around the Village on his fantastic sleigh before ending his tour in the library where he met and told stories to lots of children before heading back to the North Pole to begin his preparations for Christmas Eve. We had a great time with Santa as well as fun and games and some lovely Christmas treats.

Book Sale

The pre-Christmas Book Sale was a huge success, thank you to everyone who came along and bought bags of our donated books. We still have lots of paperbacks and many almost new hardbacks for sale on the donated book shelves in the library. It’s still not too late to pop in the library before Christmas and treat yourself or someone special to a lovely book for Christmas.

Our free, valuable and interesting Dementia Quiz Night Information Session is just about asking ever Our next quiz night will be in January. We have not fixed a date yet, but keep an eye out on our website www.markfieldcommunitylibrary.co.uk understand a bit more about dementia and how where we will be posting details about the quiz as well as all the other activities taking place in the library. make life that bit easier and more pleasant fo New Yoga And Meditation Class Christmas opening hours Advance notice. We are really pleased to welcome a new yoga and people who Our opening hours will change slightlylive during with it. meditation class into the library starting in February. The class will be held on Wednesday mornings and for more information please email either info@ascensionfitness.guru or markfieldcommunitylibraryevents@mail.com

the Christmas period, when we will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Most of our groups will be meeting as usual

Please do be a Dementia Friend

Police have recovered my stolen sofa - very kind of them. It was looking a bit tatty.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk although the art class is taking a short break and will not be meeting now until January 12th.

For more information about the Library or any of the groups, clubs or events please email markfieldcommuntylibraryevents@mail.com or visit our website: www.markfieldcommunitylibrary.co.uk

Monday

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Wednesday

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Thursday

9.00am to 10.00am

12.30pm to 3.00pm

6.00pm to 7.00pm

Friday

9.00am to 10.30am

1.00pm to 3.00pm

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Saturday

10.00am to 12 noon

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Closed

Sunday

Closed

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Community Initiative Fund opens for applications COMMUNITY groups in parishes across Hinckley and Bosworth are being encouraged to apply for their share of this year’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund.

This year the fund has been increased to £275,000, offering community projects in the parished areas of the borough the chance to bid for grants of up to 50 per cent of the total project cost. These grants fund a wide variety of projects such as play areas, community buildings, new pathways, heritage trails, and sports facilities.

The maximum grant available to each area ranges from £12,000 to £22,000 according to the parish’s population size, with a maximum grant of £12,000 available to individual projects in each parished area.

Grants for 2019/20 will be provided on the following basis: • Projects must be within a parished area of the borough • Maximum grant of £12,000 per project • Maximum of 50 per cent of total project costs funded • All works must be completed within the financial year • Projects must demonstrate that they meet the council’s corporate aims and that they are of community benefit Councillor Kevin Morrell, the Executive Member responsible for Rural Communities and Environment at the Borough Council, said: “As in previous years I would like to see these grants spread as wide as possible, with special emphasis on the smaller organisations as well as parish councils.”

Applications are invited from now until the closing date of 8 February 2019. Application packs will automatically be sent to parish and town councils. Further copies are available by contacting the Green Spaces team on Tel. 01455 255707 or by emailing greenspaces@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

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Man is rated the highest animal, at least among those animals who returned the survey.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

2018 Markfield WI Programme December: Christmas Party

Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7.45pm at the Methodist Church, Main St Markfield.

Further information from Fran Johnson 01530 243350 or Jane Barrington 01530 243285.

MARKFIELD HOMEMAKERS

MARKFIELD HOMEMAKERS meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm For more information, call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436.

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

The venue may have to be altered for some meetings.

For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell

Tel. 0116 287 9842.

E-mail:- pcastell42@gmail.com Non Members are Welcome

South Charnwood High School Remembers PUPILS and staff at South Charnwood High School remembered the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with a moving service at the school.

Prior to the actual day, teacher and Head of Year 9, Mr Alan Stephenson, had organised a poetry competition which was open to staff and pupils alike. Out of the 71 entries received, Lauren Dixon’s poem entitled “Over by Christmas” was chosen as the winner. The poem is reproduced below: Joshua Felton-Bailey, Sam Wood, Henry Smith (Air Cadet), Jack Pullen (Royal Marine Cadet), Joseph Clarke (Royal Marine Cadet), Beth York, Hana Pearson “It will be over by Christmas,” and Matilda Phillis.

Don’t worry my dear, He will be home soon, there’s no need to fear.

So she waved him off, with a heavy heart, Dreading all the time that they would spend apart.

“It will be over by Christmas,” He said to himself, Shutting his mind off from the dread that he felt.

Bombs and bullets cascading by him, The agony, desperation as the lights grow dim.

“It should have been over by Christmas,” She cried, kneeling down by his grave.

He didn’t deserve it after he was so brave.

So she waved him off with a heavy heart, Dreading the lifetime they would now spend apart.

Lauren’s poem, and all the others, was printed in an anthology at the school.

On the day itself all staff and pupils filed out to the tennis courts and stood in silence as present pupils (see picture) delivered readings. Henry Smith, former pupil of the school, now at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus studying A Levels, dressed in his Air Cadet uniform, played The Last Post. The service was immaculately observed by all those present and a fitting tribute to the fallen.

The Poppy Appeal at the school raised £325.71 and the Lauren Dixon with her winning poem sale of the anthology generated £183.00, which also went to the Poppy Appeal.

Grateful thanks must go to Mr Stephenson and Mr Haughan for their organisation of the event and for the pupils who spoke and played at the service.

I’m very suspicious about joggers. They’re always the ones who find the bodies.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

17

January - time for the gym Why tidy teenagers live longer UP TO A million of us will join a gym next month. Up to 800,000 of us will have given it up by February. But before you return to the couch, why not consider the following: • Only do exercises that you enjoy.

Have fun, and nothing else! Don’t torture yourself on the cross trainers if you prefer salsa dancing. Your endorphins will still be released, leaving you stimulated, inspired and generally better.

• Start small. Okay, you like swimming, but why aim for 20 lengths your first time in the pool? You will never go back. Start instead with just two lengths, and then reward yourself with a coffee. Next time do three, and so on. Always end with a reward.

• Go at the same time, on the same days. Make it a part of your week. You will meet the same people, and it will begin to feel natural. Make it a habit.

• Be friendly. A lot of people are intimidated when they first go to a gym.

So, the first week, smile at people, the second week try saying hello, and gradually you will get on friendly terms with enough of them so that you feel comfortable.

• Don’t forget the spiritual. Away from the gym, give yourself time for your inner, spiritual well-being as well - on a daily basis.

• Keep your mind active. Read books or join an evening class. Do puzzles. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.

• Be creative. Make the space around you more beautiful in some way decorate, paint, sew, knit, or even just add a vase of flowers.

• Give some things up. As well as putting good things into your life, take some less-good things OUT of your life. What in your life is draining your time and energy, and giving little in return? Get rid of it!

Staying alive

“The secret to a long life is to stay busy, get plenty of exercise, and don’t drink too much. Then again, don’t drink too little.”

Hermann Smith-Johansson, at age 103

TEENAGERS who are tidy are more likely to live to old age, according to a recent 48-year study.

The vast data analysis found that people who had been tidy, quiet, calm and empathetic as teenagers, had then tended to live well on into old age.

On the other hand, the research also traced strong links between impulsive, messy, chaotic teenagers and those adults who died before their late 60s.

The link may be explained by the fact that tidy teenagers usually go on to live healthier, ordered lives and are even less likely to divorce.

All this will reduce the stress upon them, and therefore lessen the impact on their immune, hormonal and cardiovascular systems.

The study was carried out at the University of Rochester in New York.

Help for your family’s eating disorders A CHARITY, Tastelife, has been set up to help support families struggling with eating disorders.

Aimed at both sufferers and their carers, it was the brainchild of two Church of England volunteers, whose own families were deeply traumatised by the problem.

Tastelife offers courses run over eight weeks to help families with guidance on how to cope on a daily basis, and how to get onto the path of recovery. The courses are now on offer in 27 locations around the country, including Leicester and Hinckley.

A new course, Awareness of Eating Disorders will be delivered in schools to help young people understand more about their attitudes and behaviour towards food. More details at: https://www.tastelifeuk.org/ Tastelife was recently recognised for its achievements with a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister.

Being married is like having a best friend who doesn’t remember anything you say.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Fundraising belly dance event at Markfield Court entertains 65 guests

LAST MONTH, in a quiet part of Markfield, there was a two counties Belly Dance Party, or Hafla, featuring a host of interesting attractions.

The Hafla was held at Markfield Court Residents Social Centre, and showcased Traditional Belly Dance, Mystical Fusion, Tribal Dance, Isis Wings, Asaya and Saiidi Stick Dancers, Flamenco Salsa Fusion Dance and live Tabla Drummers.

There was also a Souk, Henna Tattooing, Essential oils, Hand-made Eastern Jewellery and a Snake Charmer!

The entertainment was organised and hosted by Roxanne Dinsdale of Groby, who is a professional Middle Eastern dancer, after dinner speaker and teacher. She is also owner and choreographer at Sisters of Sway Belly Dance School.

The Caravan Project Tribal Dancers came from Nottinghamshire along with Jane Carlyon and the Saiidi beats drummers. The show also featured Katerina and Moonlight Belly dance troupes from Leicester, and the Ruddington Dancers.

A total of £101 was raised for the Markfield Court Residents Social Centre, who provided excellent facilities and wonderful food - cooked by volunteer Bernard - for all the 65 guests.

Helena Coxshall, who works at the centre, oversaw the event.

(Want to try belly dancing? See Roxanne’s ‘Belly Dance Classes for Beginners’ ad on page 7.)

I might not be my mother’s favourite child, but I am her only one, so that makes me kind of special.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield local History Group news

Very enjoyable talk about ‘Historic Medicine in Markfield’ AROUND 40 people, both members and non members, enjoyed a fascinating talk at our November meeting by Tony Wood entitled ‘Historic medicine in Markfield’.

As you may know, Tony ran the village Pharmacy for many years. The first pharmacy opened in 1969 next to the chip shop on Main Street – prior to this the doctors did their own dispensing. Readers may remember the wooden building in the front garden which was both the surgery and dispensary! Initially the pharmacy dispensed basic stock mixtures for coughs, indigestion etc, and tablets were counted out by hand. These were known as ‘The tablets’ or ‘The mixture’ although the pharmacist could put the proper name on the bottle if the doctor agreed to this.

From the late 1700s to the mid-late 1800s, three generations of doctors lived at the Manor House in Markfield, next to the Bull’s Head public house. There are plaques in St. Michael’s church commemorating two of the doctors who lived here – Charles Dally being one of these. During restoration work at the Manor House a prescription book from the 1800s was discovered, and Tony has worked to translate entries, which are written in abbreviated Latin.

The mid 1800s saw great changes, with the Industrial Revolution, the Stockton and Darlington first passenger railway in 1826 and riots in towns as workers were replaced by power looms in the factories. In the 1830s a cholera epidemic caused the death of around 20,000 people – the disease spread quickly because of crowded living conditions. People suffered from injuries, too, as a result of their work. Some people could afford to pay for private treatment from a doctor, others joined a ‘sick club’ and paid so much per week in order to be treated. The prescription book from the Manor house shows the sources of income for the doctors – private, ‘sick club’ and also Poor Law, which covered the treatment of those living in the Workhouse, which lay opposite the Bull’s Head. Towards the end of the book, the doctor also listed the names of patients together with their age, occupation and nature of the ailment, for example ‘injury from a cow’ or ‘disease of the bowels’. In 1826 there were 77 members of the ‘Sick club’.

We all tried to read extracts from the Prescription book, but found it very difficult! Luckily, Tony was able to help here!

The doctors used a complex weights and measures system - grains, scruples, drachms and ounces. The signs used for each one in the book were also unfamiliar and had to be explained. The drugs used to make up each medicine came from many countries. For example, cascarilla, or sweet wood bark, came from the Bahamas, and was used to treat wind and indigestion. Quinine originally came from Peru but was then grown in India.

Opium and Mercury compounds were also used! Leeches were important in blood letting – it was interesting to see pictures of the leech jars used in the chemists shops, with breathing holes at the top. We learnt that leeches still play an important part in medicine today!

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to Tony and were able to chat afterwards and reminisce. We are looking forward to inviting him back to speak to us again.

• OUR NEXT MEETING is the AGM which will be held on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at Markfield library, starting at 7.30pm. If you would like to join our group then please do come along. We would be delighted to see new members - you are more than welcome to come and join in the faith supper/social occasion.

For more information about Markfield Local History Group, visit the website at www.MarkfieldHistory.info or phone Rosie Woodland on 01530 244497.

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Methodist Minister’s Reflections HAROLD PARRY was a young man who was killed in action at Ypres, Flanders, in 1917 at the age of just 20.

In some of his letters home, he related how his Christian faith had upheld him during the horrors of the conflict. One of his letters was written in December 1916. This is what he wrote to his mother: ‘But keep cheerful mother – have a good time this Christmas, and think that the star of Bethlehem still shines, and the God who gave his dear and only Son to the world does not look upon this war unmoved and from afar … God, this day and all days, is down on earth amongst us, suffering our anguish and joying in our joy … even in the most miserable of times, I can be happy and can contrive to live in a joyful past and a no less joyful future.’

A powerful reminder of the message that lies at the heart of Christmas.

God is not a far-away, remote God, but a God who draws near to us. Even in the most terrible of circumstances, we can know strength and security in God’s loving presence.

May you know God’s peace and joy in your heart this Christmas and in the new year.

Steve Clark

Minister, Markfield Methodist Church • www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org FB - Markfield Methodist Church

0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way.

• Qualified Funeral Directors • Floral Tributes arranged • Hearse, Limousines and alternatives available • Monumental Service • Car parking available

• Online tribute and donation profile • Catering suite • Chapels of rest • Funeral plans available • 24 hour service

Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred.

Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com

If you want to avoid the flu, stay away from the fireplace.

20

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS OVER THE last 70 years the National Trust has become the custodian of the largest composite collection of works of art in single ownership in the world.

The collection is considered to be the world’s largest and most significant holding of fine art and heritage objects. It includes paintings, sculpture, silverware, jewellery, porcelain, tapestries and carpets, rare books and furniture.

Many of the items in the collection were commissioned, acquired and accumulated by country house owners over many centuries. Most items would have been displayed in their large houses to show off their wealth.

At the last count the Trust collections list totalled 935,646 items. The list is updated every year with items being added all of the time and it can be viewed on the National trust website. The list includes 12,553 paintings.

The property that contains the most individual historic artifacts is Tyntesfield near Bristol, with over 60,000 objects, all acquired in the 1800’s. They were purchased with the wealth accumulated by the family from the guano trade.

“Where there’s muck there’s brass”!

The Herald PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.

East Midlands NT properties feature well on the list with four properties , Belton House, Calke Abbey, Mr Straw’s House and Sudbury Hall all containing over 20,000 items. Part of the collection at Sudbury Hall are the rare toys donated to the National Trust by Betty Cadbury.

One of the most recent additions to the Trust’s collection are works

by Norman Thelwell. He is often regarded as the unofficial artist of the British countryside because of his humorous cartoons of mischievous ponies and horses drawn in the 1950’s and 60’s. The works are on display at Mottisfont in Hampshire.

• THE NT LEICESTER ASSOCIATION has an evening meeting on Tuesday 8th January at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone, at 7.30pm. David Skillon will present an illustrated talk entitled “Women in the American Civil War” 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 222 9133.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

It’s all happening at Coalville Library’s Christmas Craft Fayre!

COALVILLE Library warmly invites you to join us for our Christmas Craft Fayre on Saturday 15th December, 10am-3pm, when we will be joined by two local school choirs performing festive songs and the Churches Together group for a community carol service.

Entry is free into the fayre where you can browse 12 local crafters’ stalls selling a wide range of items ideal for those last minute purchases for Christmas presents and stocking fillers.

Sit back with a hot chocolate and mince pie and listen to wonderful performances by: Belvoirdale Primary school choir at 10.30am and All Saints Primary at 12.15pm.

Really excitingly Hermitage FM will be here recording the choirs for a later broadcast.

This year we are finishing the day with a Community Carol Service. For all of you who can’t resist joining in, the local Churches Together group will come along and lead us in some singing, 2.00pm-3.00pm.

Information will be available from the Work Club, the Children’s Centre and The Great Project, who will also be running family Christmas crafts. As usual, festive refreshments including mince pies, hot chocolate and Christmas chocolate lollies will be on offer all day. There is no need to book, just turn up to this FREE event.

Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries.

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

This issue of The Herald is being delivered by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Sarah Jane, Lyn, Lily, Ian, Ann, Gill, Miles, Sandra, Jeanie, Jenny, Callum, Lisa, Yvonne, Margaret, Daniel, Jessie, Ray, Stacey, Maisie, James, Mackenzie, Louie, Ray, Stacey, Sophie, Andy, Linda, Rowan and Mike.

People said I’d never get over my obsession with Phil Collins. But take a look at me now.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

21

Bardon Park Book your tickets now for the MTTG Panto!

Chapel www.bardonchapel.co.uk

FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE: Come and worship the Lord with us on the 1st Sunday in every month at 10.00 am. Our gatherings are fairly informal.

THURSDAY ART CLASS: Between 7pm and 9.00pm.

Bardon Park Chapel, Shaw Lane, Bardon, Coalville LE67 1TD There is a large car park at the back.

For more details on any of the above please contact: Richard Norburn on 0116 332 9634

REHEARSALS are well under way in Old Peking, (Thornton Community Centre), for Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group’s production of Aladdin and The Magic Lamp.

Dance moves and singing voices are shaping up to rival those of Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor!

This promises to be another amazing production from MTTG with lots of family fun and laughter and something to look forward to when all of the festivities are over. To be staged from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th January 2019 at Thornton Community Centre at 7.30pm nightly with a matinee performance at 3.00pm on Saturday 19th January.

As well as our wonderful cast members, the pantomime comes together with the help of so many other people both front of house and behind the scenes. This year we are in desperate need for willing hands to help on stage with changing sets and rolling backcloths for the duration of the rehearsal week and pantomime week.

If you think that you may be able to offer your help please call Andy on 01530 469714. We’re a lovely crowd really and would welcome, and very much appreciate, any time that you may be able to offer. It would also give you a little insight into the Group and who knows, you may wish to join us and be a treading the boards at our next production.

Don’t miss it! Tickets, (priced at 5.00, with no concessions) can be ordered from our Bookings officer Anne on 01530 469714. On our MTTG Facebook page and from any Group member. They are also on sale at Thornton’s Stepin Convenience Store at the corner of Church Lane, Thornton.

We look forward to seeing you. In the meantime Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Learn to play bridge in Bagworth THE BAGWORTH Whistlestop bridge is shunting into town again with two new offers both for its members and the wider community.

The first is a one day refresher course on Saturday January 19th 10.00 – 4.00 aimed at those less experienced players who need a bit of revision to play with more confidence and for those players who used to play and might like to start again. You don’t need to be a member of the Whistlestop Bridge Group to attend the day but you will need to pay the temporary membership fee of £5, if not, together with the £10.00 tuition fee which everyone will pay. Teas and coffees are provided all day but please bring your own packed lunch with you. All course materials are provided for the day and numbers are limited so please reserve your place and contact Carol 01530 231525 or Shelagh 07530 364339 or email whistlestopbridgeinbagworth@gmail.com.

The second offer is a two day weekend express course especially for complete beginners, although you will find it useful to have played whist or solo or canasta before. The fee will be £20 for the two days plus a temporary membership fee of £5.00. Additionally a course book will be useful to reinforce your learning and provide some practise exercises. We shall give participants who join details. We don’t pretend that you can learn bridge fully in 24 hours but you can start and use it as an opportunity to consider whether you have an enthusiasm for it. Many people do so and become quite addicted as it is such a challenging, fun, as well as social game. The two days are Saturday and Sunday February 23/24th 10.00-4.00. Again, bring your own packed lunch each day, tea and coffee are included and provided all day. All course materials are provided except the course book. Please contact Shelagh or Carol above to reserve your place.

Both courses are held at the Bagworth Community Centre, Station Road Bagworth. The centre is warm, well equipped with full disabled access and free wifi . Carol and Shelagh are both English Bridge Union qualified teachers and have run very successful courses before and introduced many to playing bridge regularly and are passionate about bringing new people into the game.

I cut my drinking in half by eliminating the orange juice in these screwdrivers.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Local Church Services Markfield Congregational Church

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield

Sunday 23 December 10.15am Service of Lessons and Carols

www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org Facebook : Markfield Methodist Church

Tuesday 25 December 10.15am Christmas Day Family Service Sunday 30 December 10.15am Morning Worship Sunday 6 January 10.15am Morning Worship followed

by Communion

Sunday 16th December 10:30am Christingle Service 6:00pm No Evening Service Sunday 23rd December 10:30am Morning Communion Service 6:00pm Carol Service Monday 24th December 11:30pm Midnight Communion Service

Sunday 13 January 10.15am Morning Worship

Tuesday 24th December 10:30am Christmas Morning Service

Sunday 20 January 10.30am United Service in Trinity Methodist Church

Sunday 30th December 10:30am Morning Worship 6:00pm No Evening Service

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton

Sunday 6th January 10:30am Morning Worship 6:00pm Taizé Service

Sunday 16th December 3rd Sunday in Advent 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 13th January 10:30am Morning Worship 4:00pm Café Church Service

Saturday 22nd December 7.30pm Carol Service with Marwood Brass Band, a treat for the young ones, mince pies and hot drinks

Sunday 20th January 9:45am Focused Prayer Fellowship 10:30am United Covenant Service 6:00pm Evening Service

Sunday 23rd December 4th Sunday in Advent 10.30am Family Service with Sunday Club performance ‘Humbug!’ and Ladies Singing Group

Sunday 27th January 10:30am Morning Service 6:00pm No Evening Service

Christmas Day, Tuesday 25th December 10.30am Short Family Service to celebrate The Lord’s birthday Bring your favourite Christmas present, if it’s portable!

Other Events at Trinity Methodist Church

Monday 24th December 6.00pm Christingle Christmas Eve 11.30pm Midnight Communion Tuesday 25th December 10.30am Family Christmas Day Communion Christmas Day at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 30th December 6.00pm Joint Evening Service at St Peter’s, Copt Oak Sunday 6th January 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday 13th January 10.30am All Age Service 6.00pm Holy Communion Friday 18th January 8.00pm “Still Friday” Sunday 20th January 10.30am Churches Together in Markfield Service at Markfield Methodist Church 6.00pm Evening Prayer Sunday 27th January 9.00am Holy Communion (said service) please note new time.

6.00pm Evening Service

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon

Everyone Very Welcome

Sunday 9th December 10.30am Holy Communion

Music Café 2:00pm to 4:00pm 10th & 24th January

Sunday 16th December 10.30am Carol Service

Sunday 6th January 10.30am Morning Service

• Sparklers Group For Children Zero to Reception Age & Carers • Church Club For Children from Mercenfeld School Both Groups meet Monday 3:15pm to 4:30pm Every Week during Term Time

Sunday 13th January 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper

1-2-5 Birthday Celebration Event Saturday 12th January 12noon til 1:30pm Soup & Roll £3.00

Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during Morning Service.

For Family Services they join in with the main church. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine..

Quiz & Supper – Theme: London Friday 25th January 7:00pm Tickets £6.00

Sunday 30th December 10.30am Morning Service with Praise and Worship Group

Sunday 23rd December 8.00am Holy Communion (said service) 6.00pm Evening Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield Sunday 9th December 10.30am All Age Service 6.00pm Holy Communion Sunday 16th December 10.15am Nativity Service at Markfield Congregational Church 6.00pm Carol Service

Sunday 23rd December 10.30am Joint Morning Service Monday 24th December 4.00pm Christingle Christmas Eve Tuesday 25th December 10.30am Family Christmas Day Communion Christmas Day Sunday 30th December 10.30am Joint Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 9th December 9.00am Holy Communion Sunday 16th December 10.30am Holy Communion 6.00pm Carol Service Sunday 23rd December 10.30am Joint Morning Service at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon Monday 24th December 4.00pm Christingle Christmas Eve 11.30pm Midnight Communion Sunday 30th December 10.30am Joint Holy Communion Sunday 6th January 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 13th January 9.00am Holy Communion Sunday 20th January 10.30am Holy Communion Wednesday 23rd January 10.00 am Midweek Communion & Coffee Sunday 27th January 10.30am All Age Service

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 6th January 9.00am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 9th December 3.00pm Praise Service Sunday 16th December 9.15am Holy Communion (said Service) Sunday 23rd December 6.00pm Carol Sevice Monday 24th December 9.00pm Christmas Communion Christmas Eve Sunday 30th December 6.00pm Joint Evening Service

Sunday 6th January 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 6th January 6.00pm Holy Communion

Sunday 13th January 10.30am Holy Communion

Sunday 13th January 3.00pm Praise Service

Sunday 20th January 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 20th January 9.15am Holy Communion (said Service)

Sunday 27th January 10.30am “Something Different” Service

Sunday 27th January 6.00pm Evening Prayer

A nice way to fire someone is to throw them a surprise going-away party.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

23

Latest news from Markfield WI Catholic Church of St Wilfrid of York 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB Sunday Mass Saturday Vigil: 6 pm Sunday: 10 am See Newsletter on the website below for details of weekday Mass times, Confessions, and other events.

Parish Contact: Parish Priest: Fr Tom Breslin – 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website: www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk School Details: St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www. st-clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle.leics.sch.uk

Markfield Masses

Held at the Congregational Church Hall on Main Street, next to the Chinese take-away. All are welcome.

FOLLOWING her talk earlier in the year about the sale of rolled recycled paper jewellery helping the women of Uganda we invited Alison Rockett to come and hold a session on making the jewellery.

We were surprised how easily we could make the beads from scraps of paper - obviously the larger pieces made by the Ugandan ladies take more technique. The afternoon was well attended and went quickly with beads and chat and each of us went home with at least one finished bracelet. Alison had also brought along some of the jewellery made by the women which proved very popular as Christmas presents.

• ON FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER we held our annual fundraiser quiz night at Coalville Rugby Club. This is always a popular (and highly competitive) event complete with a ploughman’s supper in the interval.

Prizes were eventually awarded to the winning team and we all look forward to next year.

Ten things God won’t ask you when you die God won’t ask what kind of car you drove; He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

God won’t ask the square footage of your house, He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He’ll ask how many people you helped to clothe.

God won’t ask which diet you were on; He’ll ask how many hungry people you helped to feed.

God won’t ask what your highest salary was; He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

God won’t ask what your job title was; He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won’t ask how many friends you had on Facebook; He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won’t ask in what neighbourhood you lived; He’ll ask how you treated your neighbours.

God won’t ask about the colour of your skin; He’ll ask about the content of your character.

God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek Him; He’ll lovingly take you into his Kingdom, not leave you at the gates of Hell.

as easy as it looked when he demonstrated, but we all had a go and everyone went home with a finished tree. In 2000 Peter set up Greenwood Days a centre teaching traditional craft skills based at Spring Wood. His specialist skill is chair making and he brought along a chair he had made. He also brought details of the various courses run at Spring Wood, giving some of us food for thought for next year (the chair making course is already sold out).

• FOLLOWING our evening making Christmas trees we felt properly festive and are looking forward to our Christmas Party at our December meeting.

If you didn’t come to any of our meetings this year why not make it a New Year’s resolution to come and meet us next year; you can come along to any meeting without obligation. Our speaker in January will be Matthew Morris who will be telling us about recent archaeology in Leicester since Richard III.

• WE WOULD LIKE to thank all the library staff for their efforts in relation to their poppy display. For any WI members who helped with the poppies I attach a photo of our poppies as part of the display.

• AT OUR NOVEMBER MEETING Peter Wood came to talk to us about willow weaving.

He told us about the different species of Willow and we learned the difference between coppicing and pollarding. We then had the chance to make Christmas trees, not

I used to live the life of Riley. Until Riley discovered his credit cards were missing.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

What’s Been Happening at Markfield Community and Sports Centre Words and pictures from Ron Grantham • Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Markfield Community Park progresses AS MENTIONED in last month’s Herald ground and construction work on the playing fields around the Community Centre are going well.

The new pathway around the grounds is virtually completed and now just requires surfacing. The brickwork to provide a new patio area outside the small hall is nearly complete.

Construction work on the new outdoor sports pitch has reached the stage where the surface is about to be laid before work starts to provide fencing, lighting and sound proofing. With some continued good weather and with all “fingers crossed” the new facilities should be completed early next year and will then be available for hire. As part of the continued development of the site there are also plans to provide an outdoor gym so, you can keep fit and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Once again our thanks go to the Parish Council in providing these marvelous new facilities for the village.

Marriage Celebration ON SATURDAY 10th November one of our former youth club members and villager Danielle (Eastwood) celebrated her wedding to Uzzuell Edward with family and friends especially those who could not make it to their wedding in Malta on 9th October this year.

I understand that they had a wonderful wedding in sunny Malta. Danielle and Uzzuell have two children between them Marley 9 years and Lilah 17 months old. Guests were treated to a fish and chip supper and the children got to play on a huge bouncy castle. I understand that the happy couple got together after meeting at a friend’s house. It is really nice to see one of our former youth club members growing up and settling down in the village with a family of their own. Many congratulations to you both from all at the Community Centre and we wish you a happy life together.

Mayflower Club’s Update World War One Commemoration ON THE 7th November the Mayflower Club marked the centenary of the ending of WW1 with a special commemorative event.

I recounted my own family history story about my grandfather. He served with the Royal Artillery on the Western Front until he was injured.

Once he had recovered he was sent back to the front where he served as a stretcher bearer. I am lucky to still have his army issue “cut throat” razor and tin opener plus several items of trench craft made out of bullets and brass shells. We also put on a display of replica WW1 newspapers, letters, trench orders, posters and other memorabilia provided by members as well as a WW1 display kindly lent to us by Markfield Library. Villager Di Lockley also gave us an extremely interesting talk on research she was doing which involved delving into old news paper articles relating to Markfield’s past. Her research included stories of the men from Markfield who had served in the war and their families.

We concluded the event by sampling a typical meal from that period in time which included a hot meal of “Boiled Beef and Carrots” mopped up with a slice of bread and tinned potatoes. This was followed pudding that consisted of canned sliced peaches topped with tinned evaporated milk. This was washed down with a good old cup of tea whilst original WW1 songs were played in the back ground.

Have you often wondered where on earth many sayings and idioms commonly used in the English Language originate from. On nearly all of the recent BREXIT media coverage people still say “Back to Square One”. Why and where did this term come from? Answers on a post card!

So, on 14th November and, after a bit of research, I was able to put together a quiz on the origins of many other sayings that are still in common use today .It was fascinating to learn where these sayings originate from and what they now mean in modern times. I wonder if current terms such as “Fake News” and “Brexiteer” will still be with us in years to come.

On 21st November our friend Kate Webb from AGE UK came along to give us a talk on the importance of keeping warm and well in winter. It was quite startling to learn that there is a massive spike in deaths during the winter months in the UK caused mainly by the affects of cold weather and related winter illnesses.

This spike does not occur in far colder European countries mainly because they are used to cold weather and are far

Every once in a while, It’s important to show my kids who’s boss. I do this by pointing to my wife.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk better prepared for the winter months than we are in this country. Kate gave us tips on keeping warm and well during cold weather. Many of her tips are common sense but we ignore them at our peril.

On the 28th November and as part of our build up to Christmas we put on a special Laurel and Hardy Christmas Show. The show included a number of black and white Laurel and Hardy films with the original sound tracks.

The films were hysterical with the boys getting into terrible scrapes with Ollie often using his famous line “That’s another fine mess Stanley”. The show brought back many fond memories of huddling round the old black and white television at Christmas with all the family laughing and enjoying their antics.

The following events are being planned for Mayflower Club over the coming months: • 12th December Christmas Decorations making • On the 19th December we will be holding our annual Christmas Party.

Apart from a sumptuous festive feast we will be having a Christmas sing along with live entertainer Bill Brookman. Father Christmas has promised to come along and dish out “Secret Santa” presents.

STOP PRESS

– I have just been informed that our application for funding from the Hinckley and Bosworth VCS has been successful and this will ensure that the project will continue throughout next year.

We must be doing something right as volunteers from the Mayflower Project have been invited by the Chair of the Leicestershire County Council to attend a reception at Beaumanor Hall in January. This reception is being held to show appreciation and recognition for the valued work undertaken by voluntary organizations across the County.

And finally ...

Season’s Greetings to you ALL ON BEHALF of the Centre Staff, Management Committee and volunteers may I take this opportunity to wish all our Centre users, volunteers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and happy, healthy and a peaceful 2019.

Just a reminder. The Community Centre will be closed over the festive season from 24th December and reopen on Wednesday 2nd January 2019.

Money Saving Special Offer DON’T FORGET that if you are planning a special family event, party or function with a bar we only charge a modest hire fee of £10 per room.

This hire fee is very competitive to other venues in the area and will save you money.

For bookings and enquiries please contact Markfield Centre and Sports ,Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST on 01530 242240 or email markfieldcomunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk or you can visit our website www. markfield communitycentre.com to view our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.

Reminder of New Sessions at the Community Centre Ballroom and Latin Dancing: Tuesday Evenings 7.15pm - 8.15pm Kettlercise: Wednesday Evenings 7pm - 7.50pm

Blood Service visits in December THE NEXT opportunity to donate blood via the National Blood Service will be on Friday 28th December.

So please come along and “Do something amazing” by donating your much needed blood.

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

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

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

25

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

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

I measure my fitness level by whether or not my bath towel still fits around me.

26

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Medical Centre and Patient Participation Group (PPG) news Flu vaccinations ON BEHALF of everyone at the surgery, we would like to thank everyone very much for their patience during the issues around the flu vaccinations.

We are pleased to announce that the remaining vaccines have now arrived, and anyone with a routine check up for long term conditions is also being offered the flu vaccine if it is appropriate. If you think that you need to be protected against Flu this winter, as a result of your age or if you are suffering from a long term condition, please contact the surgery and you will be booked into a clinic or slot for your vaccination.

Do you find it hard to attend appointments with a doctor during the day because of work commitments?

IN ORDER to extend the times when appointments are available, Leicestershire patients are being offered additional appointments at the following locations – Loughborough Urgent Care Centre, Coalville Urgent Care Centre and Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital. These Extended GP and Advance Nurse Practitioner appointments can be booked for you by your surgery during surgery opening hours (Markfield Surgery opening hours are 8am to 6.30pm). The times of these extra appointments are mornings, 7am to 8am and evenings, 6pm to 9pm.

HOWEVER this depends on staff availability at each centre so it is essential that they are booked through the surgery as they will know which additional appointments can be booked on that day. These are not walk in appointments but must be booked through your GP. If you would like to know more please ask in the Surgery.

Prescribing Survey MANY THANKS to all those who completed the short survey around prescribing which the PPG members undertook at the Saturday Flu clinics in October. The results show that, of the 269 people asked, 84% were happy or very happy to purchase over the counter medications such as paracetamol, hay fever medication, eye drops etc. The same percentage ( 84% ) were entitled to free prescriptions. 77% of those asked did not mind when medications were switched by the practice to another manufacturer to save money for the NHS. However, only a small number of patients order their prescriptions on line. This is an area where the PPG hope to help the practice by encouraging patients to sign up for the on line ordering service. The results are very useful and will help to inform future work.

The PPG AGM will be held in January – watch out for more information.

All welcome!

Health and wellbeing over the Christmas period.

JUST A reminder that, with Christmas approaching, it is a good idea to see that you have enough medication to last you over the holidays. Make sure you put a repeat prescription into the Surgery in plenty of time for it to be signed and dispensed by the pharmacist before the Christmas break.

Matthew is a Sporting Hero THE BOROUGH is celebrating the success of another one of its sporting unsung heroes.

Matthew Chilvers was announced as the East Midlands BBC Sport Unsung Hero Matthew Chilvers is surprised on air by on East Midlands BBC East Midlands Today reporter Today. He will Mark Shardlow with his award. now go forward to represent the East Midlands at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at the Genting Arena in Birmingham on Sunday, 16 December.

It is the fifth time since 2012 that the regional winner has come from the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth. In 2018 Denise Larrad was the Regional and National Unsung Hero award winner as were Jim and Sue Houghton of Sport in Desford in 2012 and disability swimming coach Jill Stidever from Markfield in 2014. The borough also produced East Midlands regional award winners and national finalists in 2013 with Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Club’s Colin Magee, then again in 2015 with Desford Lawn Tennis Club’s Harry Matty and again in 2016 with Hinckley Rugby Club’s John Tilly.

Matthew, aged 22 who is currently studying for a Leisure HND at Loughborough College, was nominated for the award by his Desford Lawn Tennis Club coach, Alec Matty in recognition of his work as a role model for people with special needs over the last seven years. Matthew, who has an autism spectrum disorder, coaches several groups each week at Desford Lawn Tennis club including a group of people affected by cancer, an inclusive session and a session for people aged 50 and over. He also volunteers as a coach in special schools and in day care settings.

Matthew is keen to continue offering people with special needs the opportunity to play tennis and improve their health, social contact and to help people to gain confidence. He said: “I get so much out of sport I want other to have the same opportunity. Just because you have special needs does not mean you cannot play sport and have fun.”

Matthew’s coach, Alec Matty added: “This award is well deserved and I couldn’t be more happy and proud of him. Matt has shown us all that having autism need not hold you back. Matthew has built confidence and skills through coaching and it’s helping others too.”

Executive Member for Culture and Sport at the Borough Council, Councillor Maureen Cook said: “Matthew is extremely well deserving of this award and I wish to warmly congratulate him. With support from his family Matthew has overcome his own difficulties and his commitment to give back to the community is heart-warming and appreciated by so many.”

Surgery opening hours over the Christmas period are as follows: • • • • • • • •

Monday 24th December 8am – 4pm; 4pm – 6.30pm Out Of Hours (OOH) DHU Cover ; 6.30pm onwards 111.

Tuesday 25th December – Surgery Closed - call 111 Wednesday 26th December – Surgery Closed - call 111 Thursday 27th December – Normal 8am – 6.30pm Friday 28th December – Normal 8am – 6.30pm Monday 31st December – 8am – 4pm OOH DHU Cover; 6.30pm onwards 111 Tuesday 1st January – Closed Wednesday 2nd January – Normal 8am – 6.30pm

Over the counter medicines YOU CAN also stock up on over the counter medicines, such as paracetamol, for minor aches and pains. You can call 111 for medical advice if needed. Don’t forget that your local pharmacist can offer advice on minor illnesses. You can find some useful information on how to stay well this winter on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/staywell/ We would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!

From all of us at Markfield Medical Centre Drive-Thru McDonalds was more expensive than I thought. Once you’ve hired the car ...

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Herald Small Ads Pick Up A Bargain!

• Two Piece Leather SETTEE SUITE, dark brown/almost black. One 2 seat settee with reclining seats, hardly used and excellent condition. One 3 seat settee with reclining seats, one of the seats needs attention and probable upholster. Approx 4 years old. Price:£100.

• Electric BENCH GRINDER, ‘Ferm’, 150W power and double grinding stones 150mm x 16mm. Never used.

Price: £20 • Free-Standing HAMMOCK with carry case. Foldaway steel frame and central hanging. Like new condition, ideal for garden or camping and very easy to put up. Price: £23.

• Kawasaki Racing MOTORBIKE LEATHERS, Men’s Blue with white trim, 2 piece, 36” waist. Price: £25.

• EXERCISE TRAMPETE, black with red padding. Good condition. £5 Tel: 0116 287 0375 (Groby)

• Authentic Leicester City stuff: LE City Rucksack, as new, hardly used £12 LE City padded tablet case £3 2 x LE Kits – Brand new (labels on) child’s home (blue) and away (red) kit – s/s shirt; shorts; socks size 32/34 £12 each set LE Kit – worn twice - shirt; shorts; socks –red away kit – size 30/32 £7 LE kit – has been worn a few times but VGC – blue home kit (shirt with Fred on rear; shorts; socks) £5 LE Quilted jacket (small 9-10years) – VGC rarely worn £12 LE Zipped sports cardigan (small 9-10 years) VGC £8 LE Yellow Goal-keepers long sleeved shirt – VGC – size 26/28 £5 LE premier league t-shirt 2016 – aged 6 - £1 Or the lot for £45 Tel: 07843 290665 (Markfield)

• PS3 GAMES FOR SALE: Most Wanted Need for Speed - £4 Kill Zone - £4 Saints Row 2 - £4 Assasins Creed - £4 Red Dead Redemption - £10 Grand Theft Auto IV - £10 Dangerous Hunts - £10 Moto GP - £15 Tel: 07427 202060 (Ratby)

• Unused Citroen C4 16” Space Saver SPARE WHEEL. 5-stud, R16 125/90.

Price: £70 - no offers.

Tel: 01530 243574 (Groby)

• 16 various AUDIO CASSETTES. Price: £5.

• Also 9 Nora Roberts AUDIO CDS ON MP3. Price: £10.

All good condition.

Tel: 0116 287 0864 (Groby) • HOUSE OF PUZZLES JIGSAWS: Train now Standing (Adult)1000 pieces, New Unopened £8; (6+) 250 big pieces good condition £3 each.

Steaming Along, Midsummer, Feed the Birds.

Tel: 01530 245580 (Groby) • Set Roger Black EXERCISE BIKE. VGC Price: £50 • Set of WEIGHTS. Price: £10 • Set of GOLF CLUBS with extras.

Price: £40 • 3 Fencing SWORDS (need cleaning). Offers invited.

• Wii COMPUTER & games Price: £30 Tel: 07512 963016 (Groby) • 8” COPPER WREATH RINGS, new, never used, 10 No. available for £3.50.

Tel: Vicki on 01530 230389 (Bagworth)

• BEDSIDE CABINET (new), 3 shelves, 24” x 9” x 24”. £5 o.n.o.

• Carpenter’s SPOKE SHAVE (new) - £2 • Carpenter’s BLOCK PLANE No 2 (new) - £3 • Plasplugs CABLE/PIPE FINDER (new) - £4 o.n.o.

• Hand-held MAINS LIGHT - £2 • Mains EXTENSION LEAD - 6-way - (new) - £2 • Clearance of VARIOUS SMALL ITEMS - £1 or less - you choose.

Tel 0116 287 5973 (Groby)

IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Herald, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum EIGHT items please.

Our postal address is Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘Small Ads’ in the subject line, and include your postal address (not for publication).

“Still Friday” 2019 Each evening will include simple reflective worship songs, silence, prayer, readings and responses and last up to an hour.

All are welcome. Come along and enjoy the peace.

18th January 17th May 20th September

15th February 21st June

15th March 19th July

18th October

16th August 15th November

No “Still Friday” in April or December

Fridays 8.00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels’ Church

I try to be modest at all times, and that’s what makes me better than everyone else.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

HBBC Refuse & Recycling arrangements

LOROS honoured to attend Royal visit

THERE WILL be alternate arrangements for collections due on Tuesday 25 December, Wednesday 26 December and Tuesday 1 January.

All other refuse and recycling collections will continue as usual during the Christmas and New Year period. However, the garden waste (brown bin) collection service will be suspended for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year period (last collection Thursday 20 December and collections starting again Friday 4 January 2019).

Alternate arrangements for refuse (black bin) and recycling (blue-lid bin) collections due on Tuesday 25 December, Wednesday 26 December and Tuesday 1 January are as follows: • Refuse due on Tuesday 25 December will be collected on Monday 24 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Tuesday 25 December will be collected on Friday 21 December • Refuse due on Wednesday 26 December will be collected on Thursday 27 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Wednesday 26 December will be collected on Friday 28 December • Refuse due on Tuesday 1 January will be collected on Monday 31 December • Recycling (blue-lid) due on Tuesday 1 January will be collected on Wednesday 2 January For residents living in rural west areas of the borough who usually have garden and refuse bins collected on the same day, collection arrangements are as follows: • Recycling (Blue-lid) due on Tuesday 25 moves to Monday 24 December • Recycling (Blue-lid) due on Wednesday 26 moves to Thursday 27 December • Refuse due on Tuesday 1 January moves to Monday 31 December Residents can find full details of collection dates on their collection calendars or on-line at http:// www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ collections

Wise Words “The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”

Marcel Pagnol

LOROS Hospice was among the honoured charities invited to meet Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Leicester City Football Club on Wednesday 28th November.

The Royal couple visited the King Power stadium to pay their respects to the club and the Srivaddhanaprabha family following the recent tragic helicopter crash in which five people died including Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

John Knight, LOROS CEO, said: “It was an honour and a privilege to talk to The Duke and Duchess about our work here at LOROS. “We enjoy a close bond with LCFC and are proud to call them a supporter. Our staff, patients and their families are delighted LOROS was chosen to attend the Royal couple’s visit.

“Way back in May 1986, The Duke of Cambridge’s parents The Prince and Princess of Wales officially opened our Hospice. It is lovely to receive similar recognition from the next generation.”

LOROS Hospice is closely linked to Leicester City Football Club.

LCFC Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall is a LOROS’ patron and has been involved with the Hospice since the turf was cut on the original site 35 years ago.

The club regularly donate items such as player memorabilia as raffle prizes as well as actively fundraising for the charity. Players are also regular visitors to meet patients and their families.

Public services Christmas closures Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Borough Council services at the Hinckley Hub will close at 12 noon on Monday 24 December and re-open at 8.30am on Thursday 27 December. Also closed on Tuesday 1 January 2019. In an emergency call Tel. 01455 251137.

Coalville Waste Recycling site Closed 25th and 26th December and Tuesday 1st January 2019.

Also closed Thursday – Friday during the winter months.

Arriva local buses in Leicestershire Sunday 23 December 2018 Normal Sunday service Christmas Eve - Monday 24 December - Saturday timetables (finishing around 6.30pm) Christmas Day - Tuesday 25 December 2018 - No service Boxing Day - Wednesday 26 December 2018 - Sunday timetables Thursday and Friday 27/28 December 2018 - Saturday timetables Saturday 29 December 2018 Saturday timetables Sunday 30 December 2018 Sunday timetables New Year’s Eve - Monday 31 December - Saturday timetables (finishing around 6.30pm) New Year’s Day - Tuesday 1 January 2019 - No service Wednesday 2 January 2019 Normal services resume

Norman Griffiths

The Beatles’ last concert ... on a roof, 50 years ago

IT WAS 50 YEARS ago next month, on 30th January 1969, that the Beatles gave their last public performance – on the roof of Apple Studios in London.

It was their first truly live show since their final tour ended on 29th August 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. They had become less popular in the US after John Lennon’s controversial remark in an interview that ‘we’re more popular than Jesus now’.

In the rooftop concert, which lasted about 45 minutes, Get Back was the final song, and in the recorded version Lennon can be heard saying: ‘I’d like to say thank you … I hope we passed the audition.’

It was cold and windy, with a threat of rain. Lennon borrowed Yoko Ono’s fur coat, and Ringo wore his wife Maureen’s red raincoat. The group also varied their classic stage placements: Lennon took the middle spot, with Harrison to his left. Keyboard player Billy Preston guested.

The police are widely criticised for breaking up the session, but in fact they were nearby and could have shut it down after the first song; instead they let it continue and gave the band ten minutes’ warning that they were about to intervene after complaints from neighbouring businesses. The Beatles broke up formally in April 1970.

I wish there was some kind of rollover plan for childhood naps I refused to take.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Word Search Puzzle Christmas Activities Wordsearch

09/12/2018

Y S S X D H A K O C A M O A W R Q O H

K A R S E I P E C N I M T A E O K R C

J R L E U I F P T O O U T J Z H S Q R

A U W N P N P J T X I C O P O T U J U

J J W I D M W R Y H H Z R D N T L E H

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N M N W D I U Z O A H B G E D N B A C

Z C I D F N S J P X P E S K K G N B O

R D M E G F I A Y U H E A R J G U A T

L P O L D M N M E L R F T L U R S W O

Forgot username or password?

Newwin User He FIND 12 THINGS WE DO AT CHRISTMAS in this month’s WordsearchPasscode/Create puzzle and you could 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.

Solutions for Districts Free To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - 12 THINGS THAT WE FIND Resources What We Offer TIME. Who We Are Teachers Students OURSELVES DOING AT CHRISTMAS These can run vertically, horizontally Parents or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: YULE DO THIS, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 5th January 2019. Remember to include your S V G I E E Z H X S name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the hat X U R P M N L N V E will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

I L O T G W K P L P N P C Q D A G

M U O X C V P K W I A Q N N R Q Q

N M G V A A C L W S S E C Y A A E

I E E E R T E H T E T A R O C E D

F K V W O P Z O P A I Y R A D V W

Z A U N L P C U O F S J R A N N L

Z M Q D S K Q J M W I A H P E J S

Z A W P I G Z F W T V S A U S W F

H R I N L Z S N I I B J W W D R A

M A G D R A O B Y A L P B D A R I

Find the 12 Christmas activities below: DECORATE THE TREE • EAT MINCE PIES • GO TO CHURCH HANG UP A STOCKING • MAKE MULLED WINE • PLAY BOARD GAMES SEND CARDS • SING CAROLS • VISIT SANTAS GROTTO WATCH A PANTOMIME • WEAR A SILLY JUMPER • WRAP PRESENTS

Name: ...................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch Competition was: F.G.Allen of Beech Close, Markfield.

Congratulations! Your prize voucher will be sent to you soon.

Tributes Paid to Former Mayor Mike Preston

DECORATETHETREE EATMINCEPIES GOTOCHURCH HANGUPASTOCKING MAKEMULLEDWINE TRIBUTES have been PLAYBOARDGAMES paid to a former Mayor of SENDCARDS Hinckley and Bosworth SINGCAROLS VISITSANTASGROTTO and long-serving Newbold WATCHAPANTOMIME Verdon councillor who has WEARASILLYJUMPER died.

WRAPPRESENTS Mike Preston served as a Conservative councillor for Newbold Verdon ward for 10 years from 1977 to 1987 and was Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth Created by Puzzlemaker between 1979 and 1980. Mr Preston also served on the former Market Bosworth Rural District Council before the Borough Council was formed in 1974 and was a member of Newbold Verdon Parish Council for many years, serving as Chairman for more than 15 years.

Friend, Newbold Verdon Parish Councillor and former Borough Councillor Joyce Crooks paid tribute to the former Mayor. She said: “Mike was very well respected and I always had great respect for his love of the village and his dedication to all things Newbold Verdon. He was a conscientious Chairman and as Mayor he carried out his duties with great dignity and charm. Mike will be very sadly missed and the Parish Council will look in the future to dedicating a Memorial to remember the years of service Mike gave to the village.”

at DiscoveryEducation.com

It’s good to share!

If you enjoyed reading this issue, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

My new dustbin is too small. I can’t get the old one in it.

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THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area Beetle Drive in memory of Ivan Marriott, 9th November IVAN ALWAYS ran our Beetle Drives so we thought this would be a lovely way to remember him.

Pastor Garry Kelly was entrusted with Ivan’s well-known whistle to keep us all in order and it was a great evening, poignant but with lots of fun, laughter and memories.

After the usual fish and chip supper prizes were given to the adult and child top scorers and wooden spoons for the booby prizes! Ivan’s wife Joyce and her son Paul were able to be with us and at the end of the evening we presented Joyce with a lovely bouquet of flowers.

We wanted to have a collection in Ivan’s memory and the total amount of £160 was, at the family’s request, sent to the Leicester Hospitals Charity with a request that it goes to the Leicester General Hospital I.C.U. who looked after and cared for Ivan so well in the last 3 weeks of is life.

2018 Shoebox Appeal THANK YOU so much to everyone who helped us in any way this year with our shoebox collection for the Samaritan’s purse Christmas Child Appeal.

We took 61 boxes to the Covenant Life Church building on Freemans Common in Leicester in midNovember, and, this year they were being sent on to a large warehouse in Burton on Trent for checking and packing into larger boxes ready for their onward transportation. A special thank you this year goes to Markfield Library for the 20 boxes that they filled and brought along.

For those who paid their donation online and put the barcode in their box, you will be told by email where your box was sent to. We understand that some of the boxes this year were being sent to African countries.

Just a note for 2019 – please make sure that there are no liquids or lotions of any sort in your boxes, such as shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion or creams and that there is no chocolate amongst the sweets. For customs reasons we don’t think toothpaste will even be allowed in the boxes next year but more details about this will be on the leaflets in Summer 2019.

Reverse Advent OUR REVERSE Advent hamper is now getting full and we’ll be adding small donations week by week such as non-perishable foods like tins and packets (not fridge

items) or small toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, etc. These will all be given to Hinckley Homeless at Christmas along with our Christmas services collections. Adding a small donation each week will make such a difference to those in need and, if anyone would like to help us, you should find the information on how to do this on our Facebook page.

Christmas Carol Service, Saturday 22nd December 7.30pm Our ‘Jingly, Jingly Brass Band Carol Service’ with Marwood Brass Band would be a lovely start to your Christmas celebrations so please come along – bring the children, Grandma, Grandad, Aunties, Uncles and the rest of the family and enjoy singing some of your favourite Christmas carols.

There will be a treat for the young ones and we’ll be serving the usual mince pies and hot drinks afterwards. There will be a special collection for Hinckley Homeless taken during this service.

Ladies Singing Group and Praise and Worship Group AT CROSS Hills we have now seen our Ladies Singing Group perform a number of times over the last year. The group is very informal and join together every week, sometimes with more chatting than singing! They will next be performing at our Carol Service on 22nd December and at the Christmas Family service on 23rd December.

Cross Hills also now has a Praise and Worship Group who help to lead the music during the service on the last Sunday of each month.

On 30th December they will lead the music at our Family Service which will be a service full of thankfulness for the past year. You are more than welcome to join us.

On Christmas Day there will be a short and very informal family service at 10.30am led by Revd David Butcher and we would be pleased to welcome you with your family and friends for this short time when we give thanks to God for our many blessings, and especially for the birth of our Saviour. The children like to bring one of their favourite Christmas presents with them to show everyone, so please join in, whether you’re a child or an adult! As is usual, a special collection will be taken on Christmas Day that will be put together with the Carol Service collection and the ‘Reverse Advent’ box and go to help the Lawrence House Hinckley Homeless Project that is always glad of the support.

For details of the dates and times of all of our services in the run-up to Christmas and into the New Year see the Church Service Information section in this magazine. You can also find us on our Facebook page.

A very Happy Christmas from everyone at Cross Hills Church and we look forward to seeing you at Christmas or in the New Year.

Contact Numbers • • •

Pastor - Garry Kelly: 01455 457802/07816 616189 Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 01455 457802/07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272

Glynis Straw

Treasurer, on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

Christmas Services AT OUR 10.30am Christmas Family Service on Sunday 23rd December the children and young people of our Sunday Club will be preforming a Christian version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ called ‘Humbug!’.

They’ve been working hard as well as having a lot of fun practising so please come and support them if you can.

With Christmas music from our Singing Group and maybe Ruth with one of the puppets, there will be something for everyone. Karl Tyler will be leading the service and bringing the Christmas Christian message.

The orange juice carton says concentrate, but it doesn’t say for how long.

THE HERALD • MID-DECEMBER 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Markfield Quaker Reducing period poverty in schools suspected of “witchcraft” SOME OF THE countless number of women accused of witchcraft fought back by suing those who sought to persecute them.

At the height of the English witch hysteria, the rector of Markfield in Leicestershire accused Elizabeth Hooton of being a witch, insisting that he would “scratch or harrow her” in preference to permitting her to take communion. Her response was to sue him. I haven’t been able to ascertain the specific grounds on which Markfield’s rector based his suspicions that Elizabeth Hooton was a witch. However, women’s bodies, emotions and sexuality were generally viewed with contempt, and Bernard Capp points out that such accusations were commonly made on grounds of actual, or assumed, sexual impropriety.

There is no surviving evidence that Elizabeth was suspected on such grounds. I have only been able to trace one Elizabeth Hooton in the East Midlands in 1626, although that does not mean there were not any others. My research has unearthed an Elizabeth Hooton born in Ollerton in Nottinghamshire, who certainly has an established track record when it comes to clashing with clerics. This lady, born in 1600, did not live in Markfield, although she certainly travelled widely, eventually finding her way to Massachussetts in the USA. She was heavily influenced by George Fox, and his exposure to her sharp mind in turn influenced his interpretation of the individual’s quest for, and relationship with, God. These were the formative years of the Baptist movement, and she went on to become the first woman preacher in the fledgling Society of Friends, generally known as the Quakers.

There is no extant evidence that the rector’s allegation that Elizabeth Hooton was a witch had any basis in fact. However, her spiritual views were considered ‘dangerous’ and ‘heretical’ by the clergy, and that, in itself, would have been enough to provoke many into making all manner of accusations and speculation about her. Both the Baptist and the Quaker movements were treated with open hostility and suspicion when they were in their infancy.

The law stipulated that church attendance was compulsory, otherwise a fine was payable. Attendance at any religious gathering other than the state-approved Christianity was illegal, and could result in a prison sentence, or even death. These separatist pioneers were literally taking not only their reputations, but also their lives, in their hands. It is highly likely that if the Elizabeth Hooton who went on to become an important figure in the Quaker movement was the same woman who so incensed the rector of Markfield, then the accusation of witchcraft was simply an attempt to get her into serious, perhaps even fatal, trouble because her thoughts were deemed too dangerous.

By Radcliff Gregory, author of Bygone Magic and Witchcraft of Leicestershire and Rutland, £10 including p&p: https://www.reprintuk.com/books/magicwitchcraft

A COMMUNITY project to ensure no girl misses school because she has her period has started in Leicester. The Red Box Project Leicester, which is part of the wider UK Red Box Project aims to reduce period poverty in schools.

The Red Box Project Leicester collects donations of sanitary products from members of the public, through donation points and collections organised locally by groups. It then takes those sanitary items, puts them into red plastic boxes and gives them to schools in the Leicester area, for the schools to pass on to their disadvantaged students. Boxes are topped up whenever this is needed so that there is always a supply of items. There are 8 schools currently supported with a red box in Leicester, including Brookvale Learning Campus in Groby.

Overstretched teachers already take on the responsibility of helping pupils in need and schools keep small stocks of sanitary items for emergencies. The problem is that limited budgets mean they are usually able to hand out just a couple at a time. In Leicester, 4 in 10 children live in poverty and with many families having to rely on foodbanks to eat, they also struggle to access sanitary items.

This project supports young women throughout their period with as many sanitary products as they need plus the added reassurance of a few left over to prevent a panic next month. The Red Box Project can also supply red boxes to appropriate settings such as local youth clubs and groups so that girls can access support in these settings too.

The Red Box Project is entirely funded by community kindness and focused solely on supporting young women. Public donation points in Leicester include Sainsbury’s Fosse Park and the reception of BBC Radio Leicester (see the facebook page – www.facebook.com/ theredboxprojectleicester for further details). Please consider a donation to help provide more boxes to schools across the Leicester area and support this vital project.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Help our HEDGEHOGS – or lose them forever

AN OLD, tired-looking dog wandered into my house. Slowly he walked into the sitting room, and fell asleep on the rug.

THE UK has lost half of its hedgehog population since the year 2000.

An hour later he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, walked by me into the house, and again slept for an hour or so in the sitting room. This daily visit and nap continued for several weeks. Curious, I finally pinned a note to his collar: ‘Are you are aware that your sweet dog comes to my house each day for a nap?”

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with my six children - he’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?”

The Christian conservation charity, A Rocha UK, is out to stop the decline.

‘Project Hedgehog’ is one result, a joint initiative between A Rocha UK and the Lea Brook Valley Project.

‘Project Hedgehog’ provides purposebuilt, cat-proof hedgehog boxes for private gardens. There are also detailed information leaflets on how to make gardens hedgehog-friendly. ‘We need to do this, for God, for nature and for people – and we need your help,’ says Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha UK. If you could help hedgehogs, visit: https://arocha.org.uk/

I wonder how many of those cocaine-sniffing dogs have to go to rehab.

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