Groby & Field Head Spotlight December 2020

Spotlight Groby & Field Head Mid-December 2020

The Monthly News & Information Magazine For Groby, Field Head & The Brantings

Join us for our Christmas carol countdown!

Mike Pratt has been at it again!

Some animated Christmas cards for you to enjoy on Facebook GROBY RESIDENT Mike Pratt has created a collection of animated Christmas Cards which are on display on his facebook page at: facebook.com/ mikefromgroby

DO YOU LIKE to sing carols? Would you like to know more about who wrote them and why? If so read on ...

Advent started on Sunday 29 November and is the time when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We also remember His promise that He will return to us.

Today we may mark Advent in our homes by keeping an advent calendar, lighting an advent candle or Christingle, erecting a Christmas tree, putting up decorations and singing Christmas carols.

Some carols are hundreds of years old. Until Victorian times however many were largely unknown until two men called William Sandys and Davis Gilbert collected music from villages across England. Many choirs were also established at this time as people wanted to sing at Christmas. New carols were written and the singing of carols together in the street became popular. This tradition remains with us today.

This year however we will unfortunately not be able to do this. We can however still raise our voices at home!

All through Advent until Christmas Eve Groby United Reformed Church members, together with friends from St Philip and St James Church, are posting a carol a day on their Facebook Pages and telling visitors more about each song.

We are also running a Christmas Carol Jukebox on Facebook Live several evenings during Advent when you can request a carol of your choice from a playlist and it will be played “live” for you!

Alternatively, “Sing the Christmas Story!” with us online on Saturday 19 December at 4pm at https://www. facebook.com/grobyurc/ or join in a more traditional carol service on Sunday 20 December at 6pm at https://www. facebook.com/StPandStJ/ Look out for our Christmas card in your letterbox for further details or, visit the Groby United Reformed Church and Praise Jukebox Facebook pages. https://www.facebook.com/GrobyURCPraiseJukebox/

Jane Cox & Trevor Pringle Churches Together in Groby

Several cards are there to view and enjoy, two of which are Grobyrelated, along with a daily photo as part of his online Advent Calendar.

There is also a fun Christmas song/ video that’s a load of rubbish, according to Mike!

It isn’t too late to share these with your facebook friends as part of your Christmas Greetings.

Mike started making these fun videos at the start of this year. His animated Stamford Arms and Pear Tree Cottage were the start of what has been, thanks to two Lockdowns, a busy year producing more and more of them.

Fun event to help local charities

The Great British Pooch off!

BRADGATE ROTARY are organising a VIRTUAL DOG SHOW and asking people near and far to show off their pets and raising funds for charity.

There are lots of categories (or should that be dogories?), including Best Dressed Dog Wearing a Santa Paws Suit! This is a fun event with winning entries displayed on the Rotary Facebook pages.

At just £3.00 per category entry, why not join in? There are 20 different categories, and multiple entries are welcome. Some are photos whilst others can be short videos uploaded to the website www. bradgaterotaryevents.co.uk All funds raised will be donated to local charities – Leicestershire Children’s Holidays and the LOROS Hospice.

Specialist judges will make the final decision and the overall winner will receive a cash prize of £100.

Closing date for entries is 7th March 2021.

Next Issue Out On 16th January • Advert & Article Deadline Is 2nd January

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby & Field Head Spotlight

Estates Committee

Who stole the safety rail at Butler’s Field?

A MISSING safety rail on the bridge over the brook in the corner of Butler’s Field is being replaced. Although it might sound bizarre it is believed it was stolen, as not only has the rail gone, but also the securing screws. To prevent a recurrence anti-theft screws are to be used in future.

Tree survey THE PARISH COUNCIL commissions periodic inspections of all the trees on Council land.

This year’s comprehensive survey is followed by check-ups in the following two years. A detailed survey by a professional costs the Council over £4000, but it is something that can’t be avoided. This year’s recommendations will cost over £12000 to implement, with the cost inflated by the need to pay for traffic management on the A50 whilst some of the essential work is undertaken.

Flower baskets QUOTATIONS have now been received for the provision, filling and maintenance of 80 baskets for the 2021 season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

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

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 16th January 2021 DEADLINE: 2nd January 2021

The Committee are considering a range of costs and options and will be making a recommendation once some issues have been clarified.

Play equipment THE END IS NIGH for the concrete pad in front of the BMX track.

The proposal is for a fenced play equipment enclosure at a cost of around £13,000.

It is hoped that about three quarters of the cost will be met by cash paid by developers to support local infrastructure as a condition attached to their planning consent.

Jottings • The mole visitation to Quarry Park seems to be over • 94 Remembrance poppies went up in November and this year there were no thefts • the Estates Team have planted over 700 crocus bulbs • some village footpaths are receiving a mulch of bark.

All recommendations are subject to ratification by the full council.

Norman Griffiths

News from Groby WI I APOLOGISE to all Spotlight readers for a lack of WI news over recent months but, in common with other groups, there have been no meetings during the Covid pandemic.

However, I must give huge thanks to Angela, our president who has sent out a total of 28 newsletters since the original lockdown. The content has been very varied from serious Covid news, her personal family news, crocheting a stag’s head, growing tomatoes from seed and some amusing poems from Pam Ayres! All her newsletters can be read on http://www.grobywi.org and I would highly recommend reading them.

Last week saw the first Zoom Members’ meeting and feedback received indicated that it was a total success. The majority accessed via the internet video stream but there was one member who phoned in to access the audio stream, enabling her to interact with the meeting even though she could not see what was going on!

The minutes of the last formal meeting in February were read and the AGM took place. The current committee has agreed to stand again, and Anne Allison gave formal thanks to the Committee for the work put in to engage with members during the pandemic.

The remainder of the meeting was a presentation by our very own Lynn Mellor on ‘Royal Visitors to Leicester and Leicestershire’ which was truly fascinating. Lynn had slides and provided a very clear description for those not able to see them. You could tell that Lynn had previously been a Blue Badge Guide as she has a natural way to interest and engage her audience.

One particularly interesting little-known fact is that Groby’s own Bradgate House is an example of a ‘calendar house’ as it has 365 windows, 52 rooms and 12 chimneys! So, overall, the meeting was a success and the Committee will be discussing a possible Zoom meeting in December. Technology is so amazing, and I think has been responsible for keeping both businesses going and families sane during these difficult times.

On behalf of Groby WI I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year and even though the lockdown rules are being relaxed, I hope that everyone will be sensible and keep safe.

Ruth Rolinson

Following the explosion at the Elizabethan music shop, they’ve had problems with luting.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Wildlife sites to visit along the A50 AS THE WEEKS of Covid enforced confinement have turned into months many residents have put on their walking shoes to get their regular exercise fix with a local walk.

Some will venture off the roads without hesitation in all weathers.

Others will be more cautious and may decide that in wet, muddy and slippery conditions it is perhaps safer to stay on well maintained footpaths.

Both groups may have their favourite walks, some into the countryside but some perhaps a more urban stroll to the local parks or the Millenium Green. From time to time it’s nice to find somewhere new to visit, and there are a few sites along the A50 where you won’t have to dodge others to maintain social distancing. But if you are in the cautious group you should ideally visit when it is dry underfoot.

Glenfield Wildlife Meadow THIS MEADOW is opposite the Millenium Green, on the Leicester bound side of the A50.

The entrance is opposite the bus gate, which includes pedestrian/ cyclist crossing lights. Managed mainly as a wildflower meadow, it has an annual mow. A number of tree/scrub areas have been planted, including a few non-native species, to diversify the habitat and provide additional interest. Just outside the entrance gate and alongside the A50 is an urban drainage pond that provides a wetland habitat.

Spottings on the meadow include toads, roe deer, dunnock, kestrel and the burnet companion. There is no safe parking on this side of the road, but when bus travel becomes more acceptable services 26, 27 and 29 stop outside the Millenium Green.

ongoing to restore the ecological balance, delays have been inevitable due to the virus.

“We have a comprehensive survey of the wood which has many interesting specimens but self seeded specimens, scrub and undergrowth has taken over in places and some clearance work is needed both to assist the more unusual trees and allow the rarer ground level plants to see enough light to be able to flourish. This should slowly open up the area and make it more a little more pleasant to wander through.

“We have had representatives of the Wildlife Trust, the Ornithological Society and the county bat expert out to weigh things up together with an expert on pond maintenance.

Some work on the pond is due to commence shortly as well as the installation of bird and bat boxes.

Our ground staff are mowing the grass paths as regularly as the weather permits and the areas which are left to encourage wild flowers, will have the annual flailing any time now. The hedges are invaluable homes to some species and bats use them as foraging routes so we wish to leave them as undisturbed as possible, but we have to keep the road side face trimmed to stop it intruding into the pavement and road.”

The meadow is situated between Gynsill Lane and the Premier Inn Hotel and restaurant, about a ten minute walk from the Millenium Green along the A50. Like the other sites mentioned there is no visitor car park. It is a large grassland area surrounded by mature hedges and trees. Grass paths are regularly mown but the remainder is cut only once a year to encourage wild flowers. There is a copse in the south west corner and scattered trees in the meadow.

The rough grassland attracts many invertebrates and the hedges and trees offer good habitat for birds.

Turning left off the A50 at Glenfield Turn roundabout, both the entrances to the wood and the meadow can be found on Stelle Way, which is on the right hand side. Paths through the wood can sometimes be muddy. Some of the trees were planted as memorial trees. There is also a sizeable pond in the south-west corner with fluctuating water levels.

The Orchards, Groby Road FOR THOSE with some strength left in their legs, or petrol in their cars, here’s another site to visit on the A50.

Norman Griffiths

Gynsill Wood, Pond and Meadow CLLR. ROY DENNEY, Chairman, Environment Recreation & Sports Committee, at Glenfield Parish Council, has written about this site in this month’s Glenfield Gazette.

Roy has planted over 200 wild native bulb species in the woodland edges, the verges and the meadow.

In the Gazette he explained that the Council took over ownership last April but that although work is

This site remains relatively undisturbed and has been described as “a hidden gem waiting to be explored.” The Orchards is wedged between housing developments and the City Farm on Anstey Lane. It’s on the bus route but parking is limited to roadside parking in nearby streets.

Pedestrian access is from Groby Road (downhill from the BP garage) or public footpath leading from the City Farm off Anstey Lane.

Despite the name you shouldn’t expect neat rows of fruit trees.

The site was previously orchards and allotments which were decommissioned and allowed to grow wild for some time. Since 1985 it has been in some form of conservation management and is currently being managed by the City Council’s Leicester Environmental Volunteers and Parks Services.

The site has relic privet hedgerows, old fruit trees and a fine display of lupins which are indicators of its former use. Some of the old hedgerows still act as boundaries to compartments and the more structured layout of the former allotments.

A good network of pathways provides access to the woodland, grassland and scrub areas. The woodland contains mixed broadleaf trees and provides valuable habitat for birds and small mammals.

Some areas of grassland have reasonable diversity and scrub areas contain gorse and bracken not normally found within the city. Peacocks don’t get spotted on Groby’s well cultivated allotments, but one was reported at the Orchards last April.

Cllr Roy Denney asks visitors to report any unusual flowers or birds etc they see to www.naturespot. org.uk. The website has proved a useful source to supplement the information in his Glenfield Gazette article.

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DECEMBER 2020 | ISSUE NO. 01

GROBY PROPERTY NEWSLETTER

HOW THE GROBY

PROPERTY MARKET IS LOOKING NOW

Written by Gemma Hawley

UK house prices rose at the fastest annual rate in more than four years in October this year. Halifax said in October 2020 the average price of a home topped £250,000 for the first time. With prices up 7.5% compared with a year earlier. Here in Groby, Markfield and Ratby we are no

properties up to £500,000 which is currently set to finish at the end of March 2021.

exception to the rule. In fact the East Midlands have seen an increase higher than most!

the best possible price for your Property?

As a country we are seeing record residential sales. The question is what can you do, to ensure you're getting

Currently in Groby, Markfield and Ratby there are 63 properties for sale. Asking prices range from £160k for a smashing 2 bedroom house with an added loft room.

Ideal for a first time buyer. To a £695k for a 3 bed property with 3 acres of land.

Standing out when there is so much It was the strongest rate of annual growth since June 2016. Fuelled by the Governments Stamp duty holiday on

competion is vital. First place to start would be preparing your property.

De-Clutter De-Personalise

Organise Look at your Property from the Outside The biggest tip of all simply imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time.

See it through their eyes and ask yourself: What impression does the house give you?

How is its kerb appeal?

Would YOU buy your house based on its value?

What would you like to see that’s different before you put an offer on your house?

Finally, to stage a home will cost money but you’ll get that back, and often more, when your property sells. Proper staging will help you sell your house in a shorter time and importantly at the price you want. If you'd like further tips and information. Like our new Facebook Page @GrobyPropertyNews

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Seasons Greetings from Groby Community Library WE WOULD like to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

You will see that the the Library is looking festive . Once again Drucks have given us a Christmas Tree and as an added attraction coloured lights to be projected onto the side wall of the Library.

Many thanks to all at Drucks , this will really lift people’s spirits’ in this most darkest of years.

We will be open again as soon as the Government restrictions allow. Look on the Library windows , Facebook and the Website for opening times.

Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2021.

Dr.Janet Harrison, Trustee,Groby Community Library

LETTER

Examples of Over-Sized Packaging I attach 3 photos relating to the above topic.

Two photos relating to a kitchen knife that we purchased, and the other photo relating to the bubble wrap that was wrapped around a frame that we ordered. (both purchased a couple of years ago – let’s hope the packing system has improved since then!)

Mike Pratt

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I think my iPhone is broken. I pressed the home button and I’m still at school.

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National Trust Leicester Association News DURING the pandemic many of you will have read a book to help pass the time. A number of National Trust properties have connections to “books” as they were either owned, lived in or frequented by famous authors.

The earliest connection is at Canons Ashby, near Towcester, which was built in 1550 by the Dryden family. In the mid 1600’s a regular visitor was John Dryden who was an English poet, literary critic, translator and playwright and was appointed England’s first Poet Laureate in 1668.

Even though Samuel Taylor Coleridge only lived at “Coleridge Cottage” in Somerset for three years from 1797, some of his best poems were written here, including “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. The cottage contains many momentos of the poet.

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856 and moved to “Shaw’s Corner” in Hertfordshire in 1906. The house contains a large amount of memorabilia from his life including his Oscar for his screenplay for the film Pygmalion.

Most of his writing was carried out in a little rotating shed in the garden.

Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top farmhouse in 1905 at the age of 39, partly as an investment and partly as a country retreat. It was here that she wrote some of her best work. She married late in life aged 47 and left Hill Top, together with substantial land holdings and farmhouses to the National Trust when she died aged 77.

H.G. Wells’ mother was the housekeeper at Uppark, near Petersfield, where Wells lived from age 14 to 27. The owner of the mansion allowed Wells free access to the library which led to him becoming a writer. His book “War of the Worlds” was a great success and is considered to have introduced the genre of science fiction.

Agatha Christie is one of the most successful and prolific authors of all time. Dame Agatha purchased Greenway, near Brixham, in 1938 as a holiday home and stayed there every summer up to her death in 1976. The house was given to the Trust in 2000.

At Charlecote Park, near Warwick, there is a very tenuous connection to a famous author. The records of the local assizes show that a teenager named William Shakespeare was brought before the court charged with poaching on the estate. The name of the judge later appears as a character of ridicule in one of Shakespeare’s plays.

A further eleven Trust properties have connections to famous authors.

• THE NATIONAL TRUST Leicester Association has currently suspended all of its activities. Please check the Association web site at – www. leicesternt.btck.co.uk for updates, including details regarding Stoneywell Cottage.

Beatrix Potter

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Thank you to all of the business owners who have advertised in this issue of Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

Your support makes publishing the magazine possible.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association Who invented the brush they put next to the toilet? That thing hurts!

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Supporting Children and Families Leicestershire County Councils Cabinet resolved the following on the 20th November 2020 in order to provide Free School Meals during the Christmas Holidays and to support families.

At that meeting of the Cabinet it was resolved that: a) The provision of Free School Meal vouchers for school holidays as outlined in the report be confirmed; b) It be noted that the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources, the Leader and the Cabinet Lead Member for Resources, has agreed the spend of £360,000 in relation to the provision of free school meals over the Christmas/New Year holiday period; c) Up to £1m in total be allocated for the provision of free school meal vouchers during the financial year 2020/21, noting that additional Government funding may reimburse the Council for a part or the whole of this sum.

During the Cabinet debate it was mentioned by the Director of Corporate Resources that discussions were taking place to support other groups eligible for this grant aid. Of the award of £1,462,162.43, at least £1,169,729.94 must be awarded to families with children for food, energy and utilities, and up £292,432.49 can be used to support other vulnerable families.

The main restrictions on the grant include: • It is not intended to cover payment of rent or other housing costs • It is not to be used for the provision of general advice on managing debt and/or financial hardship • A ‘child’ is defined as a person under 19 years of age on 31st March 2021 • Data returns to Government are required to ensure that locally authorities are directing the grant to meet the stated policy aims. 50% of the grant will be paid upfront and the remaining 50% in two instalments following satisfactory data returns. Any funds unspent or not committed by 31st March 2021 will need to be returned.

This grant aid scheme is part of a wider winter support package introduced by the Government for families and children, including: Up to £220m to fund expansion of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme through grants to local authorities and will ensure provision for Easter,

summer and Christmas in 2021.

• Increasing the value of the Department for Health and Social Care’s Healthy Start vouchers from £3.10 to £4.25 from April 2021. Healthy Start supports lower-income pregnant women and families with children under four years of age to buy fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and infant formula, providing an important nutritional safety net.

• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will provide further funding for local charities through well-established networks to provide immediate support to front-line food aid charities, including food banks, who are supporting those most vulnerable due to the economic impacts of Covid-19.

The Leader agreed that the grant be allocated to meet the policy aims of the scheme as shown in the following table:

Leicestershire to trial lateral Covid flow tests Leicestershire County Council are to receive up to 80,000 kits a week.

Leicestershire Healthy Weight Strategy We are consulting on the proposed new Healthy Weight Strategy for Leicestershire 2021-2026.

The consultation closes at midnight on the 27th December 2020.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall wellbeing. More than half (61%) of adults and a third (30%) of year 6 primary school children living in Leicestershire are overweight or obese. This increases their risk of having long-term conditions like type 2 diabetes and reduces expected lifespan. There is also emerging evidence that being obese increases the risk of developing complications of Covid-19.

To take part go to the Leicestershire County Council’s website: https://www.leicestershire. gov.uk/have-your-say/current-consultations/ leicestershire-healthy-weight-strategy If you need help to complete the questionnaire, or have any questions about the consultation, please email HealthyWeight@leics. gov.uk or call 0116 305 0705

Criminals are using children all across the UK Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is a term used to describe when children and young people are manipulated or coerced into committing crimes.

Test kits will be sent to Leicestershire after the county was added to the list of trial areas.

The move follows productive discussions between Leicestershire County Council and the Department of Health and Social Care.

It means that the Government will send the council up to 80,000 kits a week as part of its plan to expand asymptomatic testing across the country.

Criminals groom boys and girls to carry out illegal activity on their behalf – such as selling and storing drugs, carrying weapons and committing burglary, robbery or theft.

Currently across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland we are seeing children and young people between the ages of nine and 17 being used by criminals.

The most common type of crimes they are becoming involved in is activity known as ‘County Lines’.

Children and young people caught up in CCE won’t always act like victims because they don’t often see themselves as victims.

This is because individuals or gangs who target children will often make them feel respected, important and protected.

Some children are also made to feel like they have no choice and will be scared to speak out

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Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825

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about what is happening.

It is important we all remember children are often preyed on because they are vulnerable.

We must all work together to help put an end to this abuse.

The police, education, local councils and health organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland all have an important part to play in preventing children being exploited and deal with those responsible.

We also need your help to look after the children in your life. To know the signs and to act if you suspect a child is in danger.

Are you listening?

Funded by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s Violence Reduction Network, a new film entitled ‘Are you listening’ aims to raise awareness of the issue of CCE, some of the signs that could indicate a child is in danger and where you can go for help and support. It is important we all play an active role in tackling this issue.

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Email: Email:Julie.petcareservice@gmail.com juliedu.petcare@gmail.com You can view the film by going to the following web page: https://www.leics.police.uk/ areyoulistening Children won’t often just tell you if they are in trouble but there are often some obvious signs that could indicate they might need help.

The most obvious sign is a change in a child or young person’s behaviour from what is considered ‘normal’ for them.

Other signs include: • Withdrawal from usual group of friends and a mention of older or new friends • Having gifts, a new phone or money that can’t be accounted for •Becoming withdrawn or secretive • Receiving a large number of calls or messages to their phone or being worried about being away from their phone • A drop in grades or performance, as well as suspension or exclusion from school

Dog Walking CRB Checked • Going missing from home or not showing up to school or regular afterschool groups or clubs • Become involved in low level criminality such as antisocial behaviour • If you suspect a child is being exploited try to talk to them.

Children are more likely to open up to an adult they have an existing and trusting relationship with.

NEXT STEPS • If you think a child could be involved in this type of activity, you can contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or online. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger always call 999.

• You can also call your local council children’s team for advice.

• Leicester City Council 0116 4541004 • Leicestershire County Council 0116 3059521

• Rutland County Council 01572 758407 or their out of hours number is 0116 305 0005 • Children’s charities such as the Children’s Society and the NSPCC also have information and support which can help.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support.

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

Finally I would like to wish all residents and councillors a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Kind Regards

Ozzy O’shea

Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The power is in your hands: The local NHS needs your help THE LOCAL NHS has launched a consultation asking for your views about proposals to spend £450 million to improve acute and maternity services in our hospitals.

The power to make this investment a reality is in your hands, by spending just a small amount of time completing a questionnaire.

Clinicians that have helped to create the proposals have written an open letter to all patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland asking for your help. They do what they do because they care about you and your family’s health. Ensuring you get the best possible care is at the heart of the decisions they make. They believe the changes they are proposing will improve services for you, not just now but for many years to come.

They need you to tell them what you think of the proposals, so their future plans are based on the widest possible range of points of view and circumstances.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in the hospitals in Leicester. It’s important we don’t waste this chance and we get the most value out of every pound.

You have a real opportunity to help get this right, to improve services for everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

PLEASE READ THEIR LETTER AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FILL IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE BY 21ST DECEMBER. Visit: www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/news-and-media-centre/news/ To request a copy of the questionnaire to complete at home and information in different formats, please contact 0116 295 0750 or email beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk.

To find out more about the proposals and upcoming events, please visit www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk.

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Last month, Groby Rainbows, Brownies and Guides paid their respects to all those who lost their lives in conflict.

My wife caught me cross-dressing ... so I packed her things and left.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

11

Has anything been GOOD in 2020?

W

“Despite all the pain there have definitely been glimmers of light”

hat a terrible and challenging year for us all. Month after month of bad news, but as we move through December it’s perhaps time to reflect about what we think was good about the year in Groby. For some, who may have suffered bereavement, contracted Covid or other illnesses, or lost their job, the answer may be that there has been nothing good about 2020.

But for others, in the midst of all the gloom and challenges, there has probably been something positive to cling on to. Some of it we all know about - the incredible burden carried by the NHS, all the other frontline workers still doing the things we always take for granted, the food banks, the community response team, and the generosity of those who stepped forward to help those in need of support.

Rediscovering community and countryside When asked, readers remembered the weekly clap filling the air on a Thursday evening, reminding us that we are not alone, we are a community. “I was pleased to join my neighbours every Thursday night outside to ‘Clap for the NHS’ and was quite moved on occasions when I could hear the rest of the village doing the same,” one reader explained. “This is perhaps one of the memories I will have of 2020 and Covid. I have found this year really hard going but what has impressed me, when I have come across people on my walks or jogs, is that people seem more prepared to respond with a ‘Good Morning’ and a smile. Maybe that is because it is someone outside the home with whom you can have a small but important communication with.”

Another reader added “everyone made an effort to smile and shout hello, just to show that they were not really avoiding you, just socially distancing! I have loved walking through Martinshaw Woods, the Burroughs and to Groby Pool and Bradgate Park this year and seeing all the wildflowers and birds.”

“Despite all the pain there have definitely been glimmers of light,” said another, “Rediscovering Martinshaw woods, and all the different pathways leading out of

and into Groby, observing the seasons through a field of wheat, and the community of a street new connections, help and support (as well as fun at street parties!).”

This rediscovery of the village and the surrounding countryside has been one of the most common themes in reader’s responses. “I’ve discovered parts of Groby that I’d previously not seen before and learned more about the village I’ve been living in since 1986,” one observed, whilst another added “Like most people, we enjoyed walking, particularly to Groby Pool and beyond. The weather was lovely, and Spring arrived in all its glory. The bluebells were particularly colourful and the nesting swans on the Pool gave reason to stop and enjoy nature.”

“Feeling incredibly lucky to live here,” was one response, “including seeing things every day that made me go WOW - new areas of gorgeous countryside that I wasn’t aware of, and even small things such as colonies of toadstools and frosted spider webs.”

Local shops and community groups rallied around to give support to their customers and members. “We’ve found the local shops to be more than helpful in free deliveries done with cheerfulness.” And on the allotments, for example, a call for volunteers to help those who couldn’t tend their plots due to having to isolate, resulted in twice the number of volunteers required.

The inventiveness of users enabled reasons to smile to quickly pass from person to person, at a time when there was not a lot to smile about.“What was very apparent was the need for people to send lots and lots of humorous photos or videos via Whats App. My phone was full of them every day – some very funny, but they all served to cheer people up” was one comment.

Local health facilities Before the pandemic our Doctors were considering their future careers and had decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Having ‘lost’ four doctors over the last five years, and given the difficulty faced by many surgeries, the survival of Groby Surgery was named a high spot for some readers, with particular reference to the efficient way the seasonal flu jab was dealt with during a difficult period.

“The surgery’s delivery of the ‘flu vaccine this year was excellent.

Having missed the actual day and having to book in at a later date, my husband and I were in the surgery, sleeve up, jab in and out before we knew it - and all before our allotted time!”

But in what ways do you see 2020 as having an upside? It might

be something quite simple, like spending more time exercising and bumping into people(not literally) who you might not have seen for years. It might be spending more time with your family, the birth of a child, a new pet to pamper, an unexpected change of career or a business opportunity. It might be the survival of a loved one against the odds. Or it may be something you’ve observed as you’ve walked around the village - for example, the increased use of local parks and footpaths, rediscovering local shops and tradesmen, or the fact that the Parish Council BMX track seems to have had its busiest year since it opened.

Or it may be that you feel that there was nothing good to compensate for the disruption to normal life resulting from the 2020 lockdowns and restrictions.

Younger people, in particular, paid a high price to protect others from Covid, and on our televisions the level of deprivation being suffered by some makes uncomfortable viewing. Whatever your feelings the Spotlight would like to hear from you.

Thanks go to all those who contributed to this article.

Norman Griffiths

Fewer cars, more cycles “In addition to the individual acts of kindness,” one resident observed, “an upside was the carbon reduction resulting from far fewer vehicle movements around Groby and the surrounding vast infrastructure network.” The safer roads also led to cycling becoming more popular. An improvement in air quality didn’t go unobserved, though sadly that upside was short lived as the motorways refilled and the school run returned.

Social media and technology Although social media attracts well deserved criticism when its power is abused, in the Covid context (once the fake news pranksters gave up) it gave cohesion and reinforced the sense of identity. The skills learned to make use of the video applications of social media and online meeting services like Zoom will outlast the pandemic.

I redid my entire house with mirrors. You could say it really reflects who I am.

12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

News from Glenfield

Millennium Green

IN SPITE of the lock down continuing as I write this and the prospect of being in Tier 3 restrictions afterwards there is some good news to report.

We have received a grant of £1000 from Blaby District Council’s Grant Award Scheme. This is a higher level of grant than normal and it’s aim is to help projects where fund-raising and voluntary work opportunities have been reduced by Covid restrictions. This money will give us a chance to re-instate the willow tunnel and pay for essential tree work. It will also allow us to have the hedge around the garden area reduced in height, making it easier for us to manage in the future. At the same time we hope we can organise a skip to remove a lot of garden waste from the site. We will need some help with this. The date for your diary is January 8th (weather permitting).

Please look out for notices on the Green for more details.

We know that some of our volunteers have continued to work on their own, or with partners, in the garden while there have been no regular gardening sessions. Thanks to them and to other users who continue to collect litter and keep the Green looking tidy. Hopefully in the New Year we will be installing new litter bins. The Green has stayed open throughout these difficult times and has provided a welcome area to take exercise and meet with friends, even if we have had to ‘distance’ ourselves.

Sadly there will be no ‘Carols on the Green’ this year but we will all get together again in 2021.

Keep safe and we hope you all have as enjoyable a Christmas as restrictions will allow.

Trustees of the Millennium Green

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

Launching Leicestershire’s Own “Horrible Histories” STEVE CARTWRIGHT is a songwriter from Leicester and Dave Taylor is a songwriter from Groby.

The two have just combined to produce an 18 track CD “Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire (with one honorary inclusion from Rutland!) – volume 2”. Steve brought out volume 1 in 2014 and this is a follow up celebration in song of some of the various characters “good, bad and ugly” who have played a part in our local history.

Starting way back in pre-Roman times with the story of King Lear (another king reputedly buried in Leicester!) through to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivahhhanaprabha, (so tragically killed two years ago) the CD also includes Black Annis (hag-witch of Danehills), Lady Ethelfleda (who freed Leicestershire from the Danish occupation army), King Richard lll (we couldn’t leave him out, could we?) the diminutive Jeffrey Hudson, (JHB bitter named after him), Ada Lovelace (local computer programming pioneer) and Alice Hawkins (Leicester suffragette).

There is also an account of a 1607 anti enclosure rebellion and a tribute to the “Leicestershire Miner”.

Some of the songs are serious, some humorous and the CD includes a 12 page pull our featuring biographical details of all those included. Just a word of caution in that one or two of the songs are a bit “ribald” in places so perhaps not suitable for young children.

I would make an ideal stocking filler £12.50 including postage and packing – contact Dave on 0771 1996210 or dave@acorn-4.co.uk.

It is also available as a download from Bandcamp:- £10.00 https://steve-cartwright.bandcamp.com/

Something To Live For

By Richard Roper MEET ANDREW.

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

Everybody likes Andrew. But they don’t really know him. They know what he’s told them - that he’s happily married with two kids. Living the kind of life that’s either so boring it’s true, or so perfect it’s a lie...

ENTER PEGGY. Peggy arrives in Andrew’s life in a burst of kindness and possibility. For the first time in ages, Andrew feels alive again.

So now that he has everything to lose, can he risk it all and tell Peggy the truth?

‘If you loved Eleanor Oliphant, try this brilliant new read’ Fabulous

What happens if Usain Bolt misses his bus? He waits for it at the next stop.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to invest £450 million: have your say on Leicester’s hospital proposals today

The local NHS has launched a consultation asking for your views about proposals to spend £450 million to improve acute and maternity services in our hospitals. The power to make this investment a reality is in your hands, by spending just a small amount of time completing a questionnaire.

Clinicians that have helped to create the proposals have written an open letter to all patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland asking for your help. They do what they do because they care about your health and your family’s health. Ensuring you get the best possible care is at the heart of the decisions they make and of the proposals. They believe the changes they are proposing will improve services for you, not just now but for many years to come.

They need you to tell them what you think of the proposals, so their future plans are based on the widest possible range of points of view and circumstances.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in the hospitals in Leicester. It’s important we don’t waste this chance and we get the most value out of every pound. You have a real opportunity to help get this right, to improve services for everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Please read their letter and, most importantly, fill in the questionnaire by 21st December. www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/news-and-media-centre/news/

How to have your say n Visit www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk to find out more and to complete the questionnaire online. n Call 0116 295 0750 or email beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk to request a copy of the questionnaire to complete at home, for information in different formats or for assistance in completing the questionnaire.

14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

GROBY GARDENING SOCIETY NEWS THERE WAS of course no meeting in November due to the continuing Covid-19 restrictions.

The Society would normally have had its pre-Christmas party in December, hopefully we can have a bigger, better one next year.

Leicestershire will by now have been placed into Tier 3 restrictions, meaning that this will be a sociallydistanced Christmas.

However, here are a few observations on the approach of the festive season.

The autumn colours have finished, plants and flowers are settling into winter dormancy, the lawn has been cut for (hopefully) the last time, and garden wildlife is facing up to finding food and shelter for the winter.

Despite the slowing down, plenty will be going on below ground, garden invertebrates will be recycling old material into the soil, and spring flowering bulbs and plants will be starting to wake slowly, ready for their turn in the sun.

November’s weather started with a very mild spell, and some decent sunshine making tackling those autumn gardening tasks more appealing. November often brings bright, still, cool conditions but we had some overcast days and windy days too. At the time of writing the temperature has hovered near to 0oC at night, with sunset getting earlier as we near the solstice in December.

Odds on a White Christmas, anyone?

UK weather is dominated by the Atlantic, the Gulf Stream contributing to our temperate climate, and the after effects of an extended hurricane season have been felt. There were two major named storms – relics of hurricanes Eta and Iota - that made their way to Europe having caused havoc in the Gulf of Mexico.

These are a reminder that we in the UK can be affected by changes occurring in other parts of the world.

This year is on track to be in the warmest three years ever, triggered in some part by a strong El Nino event in the eastern Pacific. In particular parts of Siberia and the western USA have warmed considerably, although western Europe has been slightly cooler than average. Climate change is becoming an increasingly prominent political problem, but we can all contribute by using less plastic where possible, and cutting down on waste. It might seem insignificant taking just another plastic bag in the supermarket, but if nobody did anything, nothing would get better.

When this edition of Spotlight is delivered, Christmas will be less than ten days away, and will undoubtedly be one that will be remembered, and not necessarily in a good way. I began to think about the traditional

Christmas dinner that many people look forward to, and did a bit of internet browsing…

Turkey is the most popular meat eaten at Christmas, in excess of 10 million will be consumed, its popularity in the UK only came about when it became more readily available in the 1950s. It’s enormously popular in the USA, and the original wild turkeys were discovered there

by Spanish explorers and invaders in Mexico where they had been domesticated before being brought to Europe.

It seems that many of our traditional Christmas vegetables originated in the eastern Mediterranean and central Asia. Sprouts are a member of the cabbage family that were being cultivated in northern Europe around Brussels in C13. It was common at that time to assign a location name to identify foodstuffs, an early forerunner of the legislation that protects, for example, Champagne and Stilton cheese. Enjoy your share of the 80 thousand tons that are produced each year in the UK! Parsnips are related closely to carrots and celery and originated in Eurasia, being cultivated in ancient Rome, and a source of sugar before the cultivation of sugar beet (as gardeners and allotment holders are aware, parsnips become sweeter once they’ve been exposed to frost). Carrots were found in central Asia (Persia and the foothills of the Himalayas), originally black/purple, they were cultivated and selectively bred to produce the more common colours orange, red or white that we see today. Peas originated along the Nile basin and into Persia some 2000 years ago. They are botanically speaking a seed, China producing more than ten million tons per annum, the great majority of peas are now harvested for freezing thanks to the inventor Clarence Birdseye (yes, he was a real person!). Potatoes were originally found in the wild in South America, in what is now Peru, and evidence of cultivation can be traced back ten thousand years. It’s a member of the nightshade family, along with tomatoes and capsicums, containing a toxin (solanine) that can be harmful if ingested, so you should avoid eating the fruits or any green tubers. Spanish explorers brought the potato back to Europe where conditions were well suited to its cultivation. Selective breeding has produced some 5000 varieties worldwide, and it is the world’s fourth largest food crop (behind maize, wheat and rice). I was intrigued to find that amongst the explanations of the popular name “spud” is one which suggests that in C18 the Society for the Prevention of Unwholesome Diet (SPUD) tried to keep potatoes out of Britain. It didn’t work!

Who would have thought that your Christmas dinner had such world-wide origins?

Mistletoe and holly are associated with Christmas, many people will have a holly bush in their garden, but mistletoe is becoming scarcer, as apple orchards become fewer. Mistletoe was believed to ward off evil spirits in mediaeval times, and was hung on doorways near the midwinter solstice. Druids considered it a symbolic plant, associated with their sacred oak tree, with healing properties and a symbol of peace. Mistletoe was used historically in medicine, but it’s not recommended to eat any part of it.

Holly is associated with the Roman festival of the god Saturn, symbolising wealth, regeneration and successful agriculture. In northern Europe its shiny, spiky leaves survive cold weather, a symbol of survival through the harsh winter. It’s also said that the spikes of the holly represent the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head.

• DID ANYONE IDENTIFY the mystery plant in the last newsletter?

It was a banana plant, about 15 feet tall some small fruits could just be made out at the top of the stem.

Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy your garden. Make the most of the good weather when you can. Stay safe.

(If you have any queries about the society, please email Helen Box on helen_box@hotmail.com in the first instance.)

Planning Apps LISTED below are some recent planning applications local to our area: • Two storey side and rear extensions - at 3 Forest Road Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9UN • Roof extension single storey side and rear extensions and front porch (part retrospective) - at 17 Marston Drive Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0DY • First floor extension at side and rear of house - at 45 Oakfield Avenue Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9WH • Single storey rear extension - at 17 Percival Way Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0AU • Re-roofing of existing property and canopy roof to west elevation - at 8 Carmen Grove Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0BA • Single storey side extension to detached outbuilding and conversion into annexe (partretrospective) - at Craig Y Don Bradgate Hill Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0FA • Change of use from residential to commercial for No.21 Ratby Road, demolition of retaining walls and outbuildings and erection of three terraced dwellings including the formation of new access and parking off Rookery Lane - at 19-21 Ratby Road Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0GF

Keith Poole

I was once bitten by a German Shepherd, but he apologised afterwards and even introduced me to his dog.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

15

In Memory of Marcus Richmond, Age 12 WE LOST Marcus in May 2018 he was diagnosed in August 2016 with a rare bone cancer called Osteosarcoma following a fall that broke his upper arm.

He then endured 18 months of chemotherapy and in Jan 2018 had his right arm and shoulder amputated at Birmingham children’s hospital in the knowledge his life and mobility would be improved.

He even managed a little time at school moving from Woolden Hill to Martin High.

Marcus was a fighter, never moaning or complaining. He LOVED life and was fearless.

Through the generosity of so many, Marcus had wonderful experiences including May 2018 flying a stunt plane, being driven around Silverstone race track by a racing driver in a Ferrari plus meeting TV car wrapper Yianni from Yiannimize who proudly wrapped his coffin in Marcus’s favourite blue vinyl wrap.

THEN RAINBOWS came into our lives ... not only do they support, care and are incredibly dedicated to terminally ill and short life children they look after parents and siblings too.

After Marcus passed, myself and Glenn Richmond (dad) were invited to group counselling sessions over a 7 month period where we met other bereaved parents who had lost their children in 2018.

After completing the course, the mums came together and met socially. One evening it was suggested we took up the Rainbows Snowdon Trek in September 2020, and we all enthusiastically signed up and planned our event.

Sadly Covid 19 hit and Rainbows decided to postpone until September 2021 as did the other mums.

However, Glenn and I decided we would continue with our fundraising and on 26th September 2020 we set off up Mount Snowdon, trekking up the Pyg Track descending down the Miners path.

The weather was fabulous, the scenery breathtaking, not a cloud or a drop of rain ... perfect.

We raised £3,620.00.

WE WANTED TO SAY A BIG THANKYOU FOR EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED US.

Johanna Partridge

Smokers stubbing out

Marcus Richmond

SMOKING is on the decline.

The number of people who successfully quit smoking last year was the highest in a decade,

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) reckons that more than a million people in the UK stopped smoking during the lockdown period. By the end of last year, smoking prevalence in England was at an all-time low: 13.9 per cent.

That made it the most popular lifestyle change of the year, according to Public Health England.

There was also a significant surge in smokers who are trying to quit.

Exercising can add years to your life. For example, I jogged four miles today and now I feel like I’m 73.

16

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter

Mortgage Feature

Covid 19 vaccine – wait to Now is the time to buy!

HAVE heard it all before: an expert claiming you can be contacted by the NHS WE save thousands of pounds on a home purchase.

ALTHOUGH many readers might agree that 2020 has been memorable for all the wrong reasons, what it has shown us is the importance of scientific research.

We only hear about a few vaccines, but a world wide effort to neutralise the impact of Covid 19 has resulted in over 200 vaccines at various stages of development.

That’s great news, but a Royal Society report highlights the challenges involved, including that the initial vaccines might be only partially effective, might not be effective for some groups, might provide only short lived immunity, and have many problems to be solved around rapid scale-up in manufacture, distribution and acceptability. Another concern is that any immunization programme based on a vaccine that has not been rigourously tested could make things worse.

“Less than complete protection could provide a selection pressure that drives the virus to evade what antibody there is, creating strains that then evade all vaccine responses,” said Ian Jones, a virology professor at Britain’s Reading University. “In that sense, a poor vaccine is worse than no vaccine.”

Unlike simple steps, like social distancing and hand washing, that is something beyond the control of patients, something for the experts to put their minds to. What we do know is that this is unlikely to be an issue with those subject to the rigorous UK quality control assessment regime. The first to be approved, the Pfizer vaccine, offers up to 95% protection and is about to be rolled out. “The bulk of the rollout will be next year,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, “but people should wait to be contacted by the NHS.”

Scores on the Doors celebrates 10th anniversary With all the headlines being taken by the pandemic, there’s the tenth anniversary of another initiative which has contributed to better public health, one which may have passed us by. November 30th marked the 10th birthday of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS). The scheme was developed to empower the public to make informed choices about where to buy and eat food. It continues to be important despite the pandemic as many food outlets affected by restrictions on ‘eating in’ have switched to offering takeaway or delivery services.

“The striking black and green stickers on display at restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, and now online, give people the ‘at a glance’ reassurance they seek that businesses are taking food hygiene seriously,” said Heather Hancock, Chair of the Food Standards Authority.

The scheme has driven up standards in food businesses. Local Authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland operate the scheme and the ratings that they give allow people to easily choose to eat or buy food from those businesses with the best score. Around 97% of businesses have a rating of 3 or above and outbreaks of foodborne illness are less likely to occur at these premises than those which have a lower rating.

And then there are the news stories that drive you to distraction by claiming that it’s impossible for next time buyers and first time buyers alike to save a deposit and cover the extra fees associated with a house purchase!

Today, making wild claims is the norm, and a lot of buyers are beginning to feel disheartened by the prospect of possibly never being able to own their own property.

Well what If I were to tell you that the outlook is a lot more promising than you might be led to believe and the time to act is now.

Earlier in the year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that he was introducing a stamp duty holiday to help the housing market that will run until March 31st 2021 on all new residential purchases up to £500,000.

So, what does this mean exactly? This means that anyone who buys a new home for £500,000 or less will have absolutely no stamp duty tax to pay. To put this into perspective, this means that you could potentially avoid paying a whopping 3% tax on your new purchase. That is £15,000 if you bought at £500,000.

First time buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty up to the value of £300,000 under the regular guidelines anyway but the implications of this change on next time purchasers is immense as we often see buyers struggling to cover the extra costs associated with purchasing and it’s a great step forward in the right direction towa rd home ownership.

The second big step that is coming in to play in the housing market is aimed specifically at first time buyers. Unless you win the lottery or inherit a hefty sum of money from a rich relative, chances are that first time buyers will be buying on a budget and raising a deposit can be a struggle especially when most mortgage lenders at the moment are asking for at least a 15%!

That is where the help to buy scheme comes in.

The scheme has been around since 2013 and ends in its current format in 2020 before being extended in a new format until 2023. In a nutshell, the scheme is available on new build properties and from 2021 will be exclusively for first time buyers.

The scheme allows you to potentially put down as little as 5% deposit yourself and the government will provide you with a 20% loan towards purchasing the property essentially making your deposit 25% with the other 75% being funded by a mortgage opening up more lenders and meaning you won’t have to fork out as much cash.

Help to buy has already helped more than 270,000 into home ownership and 82% were first time buyers and the new help to buy scheme for 2021 will build on this success with first time buyers in front of mind.

Now is a better time than ever to make use of the stamp duty holiday and the help to buy scheme to get you on the market and we are more than happy to help with any queries you have.

Louis Mason - Mortgage Advice Bureau

And finally...

On behalf of all those who use Groby Surgery, the Patients Group would like to thank all the staff who have looked after patients through a difficult year.

And looking towards the New Year, it’s welcome back to Nurse Danielle Donlan, who will be returning from maternity leave.

Surgery Christmas and New Year closures • • •

Friday 25th December 2020 Monday 28th December 2020 Friday 1st January 2021

Norman Griffiths for Groby SurgerWy Patients Participation Group

For church service details over advent and Christmas, please see CTG Christmas card .

Please be assured that we are still here for your spiritual needs during this time of great challenge.

Whether you meet with us face to face, via our facebook services or via telephone.

Rector – Rev Ed Bampton 01162396520 Rev Noel Colley 07757 302271 www.facebook.com/StPandStJ www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5501 !"#$"% #$&% '()%*+%, )%-.#*) '%)&$/%' *' 01##12'3 4&%)5 61",*5 7.%',*5 8%,' *( 9:+ ;1+:#$"% 4&%)5 7<.)',*5 *( =>*+ 61)"$"- ?)*5%)

!" #$% &''( )&# *+,-,.%)/ *%++$-. $- +-)#'-* +/')*' .'0.12'**)3' #$%- &)2' )&( 4$2' .'/'+4$&' &%25'- .$ $&' $" $%- '/('-* $& 6786769:;<< ! #$% =,// 3'. ) >)// 5)>?@ ===@")>'5$$?@>$213-$5#%->1 !"#$"% #$&% '()%*+%, '%)&$-%' ./*+ 01ndays, 34##45 1' 4" 6*-%7448 34) +4)% $"34)+*($4" *", ,*$#2 94'(' (4 '1994)( : %"-41)*;% 241<

4&%)5 @.",*5 *( =>*+ 61)"$"- 81)'<$: Every Sunday 11.15am Telephone church c Services in church -Dec 13th@6pm, 20th@9.30am, 24th@11pm Christmas day @10am Please note: Christmas eve and day services require booking Contact Hayley, church office Tel 0116 2393768 between 0930-1130 weekdays

Christian Booklets/Gospels/Magazines and DVDs - have been put outside the church on Chapel Hill for anyone who is interested and would find them helpful.

My wife decided on an underwater birth. The leisure centre manager was furious.

Dale Knight Adviser / Principal

Sue Knight Principal

Adrian Biggs Manager

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18

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS

Councillor Ted Hollick reports An IMPORTANT message for the residents of FIELD HEAD

TUESDAY JANUARY 5TH is the date that the Planning Inspectorate has announced for the Poundstretcher hearing.

This hearing will determine if the hours at which HGV’s are allowed to arrive and depart from the Poundstretcher site at Newtown Unthank can be extended. Early morning and late into the evening are the hours being requested applicable seven days a week including Bank Holidays.

There is not surprisingly a lot of objection to this proposal which was turned down by the HBBC Planning Committee quite some time ago and it is the intervening pandemic which has brought about the delay. The Hearing will be held virtually and details of how to access this via Personal Computer, Laptop or Mobile Phone can be obtained from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council nearer the time.

NB. The route which is already suffering a lot of Lorry movements daily, leaves the A50 at the Coach and Horses traffic island and takes in Launde Road, Ratby Lane and Thornton Lane going on through Botcheston to reach Newtown Unthank and return.

Free car parking for shopping in Hinckley THE BOROUGH Council has introduced free Saturday car parking on five of its car parks up to Christmas.

The 5 car parks are:- St. Mary’s, Church Walk, Castle, Lower bond Street, and Trinity Lane East.

This was introduced to thank shoppers for their support and loyalty during this difficult year.

Free parking after 3-00 pm is available every day in the Trinity Lane East, Castle and Lower Bond Street car parks, with Free Parking on Sundays throughout the year on Council run Car Parks.

Housing needs Survey SOME TIME back pre pandemic you may recall that a housing needs survey was conducted in the village which highlighted the fact that there was a distinct need for starter homes in Groby that would be of benefit to Groby families.

It therefore came as a surprise that there were not more applications submitted for the newly built properties on Leicester Road appropriately named Highway Close.

The mix of properties on this development consists of some rented and some shared ownership.

The Borough Council would like to remind everyone that registering your name on the Borough Council’s Housing register could ensure that should a similar situation arise you would then have a greater chance of getting your foot on the housing ladder.

Covid 19: UNCERTAIN TIMES HBBC Council Leader Stuart Bray has written the following letter to Robert Jenrick, Minister for Housing Communities and Local Government

Re: De-escalation from Tier 3 Dear Minister I am writing to urge you and your Government colleagues to review the basis for de-escalation of areas, such as mine in Hinckley & Bosworth, out of tier 3.

Infection rates in Hinckley & Bosworth are the lowest in Leicestershire and have seen a significant decrease over the last few weeks. In fact there has been a 50% drop since last Friday 7 day average report.

Being placed in Tier 3 has been a devastating blow for our local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. The current regional tiered system is hitting our area really hard. The approach effectively links areas with lower

infection rates with areas that have much higher infection levels.

It is a massive blow for our local independent businesses who have already invested so much money and effort in making their businesses operate safely, and particularly when we have seen in the results the positive impact of everyone’s combined efforts to bring infection rates down in the area.

I would therefore strongly request that Government consider basing de-escalation decisions on criteria applied to district boundaries to avoid decisions based on larger geographies adversely affecting businesses and communities who have worked so hard to bring COVID rates down.

The economic impact on our local hospitality sector is immense and I am gravely concerned about the impact this extended closure will have on hospitality businesses and on jobs locally, particularly at a time of the year that would usually be their busiest.

I would like to think that collectively we can find effective and responsible ways to support the local hospitality sector in areas where infection rates are low and where trends show are also on the decrease.

Stuart Bray, Leader of the Council Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council AS I WRITE the Government is deciding to put the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth into an unjustified Tier 3 situation as the Borough is currently 200th In the infection table, (see the Council Leader’s statement above requesting that this is reviewed downwards on December 16th ) I send Christmas Greetings to the Spotlight Staff and all readers with a sincere wish for everyone to have a Happy Christmas and an especially Happy and Healthy New Year. Remember the one thing you do NOT want for Christmas is the virus. Please stay safe and remember HANDS FACE SPACE.

Ted Hollick

(Deputy Mayor) Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

Councillor Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY

Crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet, but most have just four.

Counting the cost of coronavirus IT’S GOOD to look forward to a new year with hope, but few of us have left 2020 unscathed by the pandemic.

For example, nearly half of us, 48 per cent, put on weight during lockdown. (According to a recent survey by King’s College London and Ipsos MORI).

Millions of us turned to alcohol or drugs. Public Health England reports that one in five of us aged 45-74 are now drinking more than 21 units a week. The Royal College of Psychiatrists expresses alarm at the rapid rise in patients whose alcohol or drug use led to a decline in their mental health in 2020.

Children have suffered. Childline had nearly 43,000 calls from young people March and October. Cyber bullying has soared, with one in three children being bullied during the pandemic, according to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

For millions of pensioners, Covid-19 ‘hit the fast-forward button on ageing’, according to Age UK. Lockdown left old people frightened and losing their confidence, mobility and even functions such as memory.

Suicidal thoughts soared during lockdown, with the number of people seeking help tripling, to stand at more than a quarter of a million. The Royal College of Psychiatrists warn that mental health services are now ‘overflowing’ with patients struggling to cope with anxiety, psychosis and depression. Many charities fear that a ‘second pandemic’ of mental health problems.

So – what do we do as January 2021 dawns? Each one of us CAN do something to make things better, if only in a small way. How about these for your New Year Resolutions?

Firstly, just get regular exercise. As one professor said, “Exercise creates a virtuous circle of physical and mental well-being. You move more, you eat better, you feel positive.”

On the other hand, only a couple of weeks of lying around the house will leave your cardiovascular systems less effective, your musculoskeletal system weaker, your metabolic rate affected, and your immune system lowered.

Secondly, adopt the right mental attitude. Studies of Holocaust survivors found that those who recovered best had certain character traits of resilience: optimism, selfesteem, acceptance and above all, spirituality. A faith in God gave them purpose and meaning, even in the midst of fear and death.

Thirdly, make an effort this year to keep in touch with your friends and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours. Be willing to act as a safety net for others, if only to show compassion and a willingness to listen to them.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Congregational Church ‘Sharps & Flats’ Group pictured over 45 years ago

Are your double glazed windows STEAMED UP or

MISTY?

There’s no need to replace the whole window we will replace the glass unit for you.

Youngsters from the Groby Congregational Church Sharps and Flats Group pictured in a scene from their revue, “Fasten Your Safety Belts” presented in the Church Hall over 45 years ago.

Left to right: Gillian Atkins (9), Juliet Rudin (10), Alison Bowater (10), Deborah Pinkstone (10), Caroline Shooter (9), Susan Hall (12), Penelope Cramp (9) and Janice Pashley (6).

The photo, originally published in the Leicester Advertiser, was sent in by Juliet Briggs (nee Rudin).

19

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Have you made a Will?

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20

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism

By Sharyl Attkisson When the facts don’t fit their Narrative, the media abandons the facts, not the Narrative.

When you are hard of hearing, every night can be Silent Night THE PRESENT restrictions imposed by Covid-19 are difficult for all of us. But when communication is problematic because of deafness, it can add to the stresses of being confined to home for both sufferer and other members of the family.

Virtually every piece of information you get through the media has been massaged, shaped, curated, and manipulated before it reaches you. Some of it is censored entirely. The news can no longer be counted on to reflect all the facts.

Instead of telling us what happened yesterday, they tell us what’s new in the prepackaged soap opera they’ve been calling the news.

For the past four years, five-time Emmy Award–winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Sharyl Attkisson has been collecting and dissecting alarming incidents tracing the shocking devolution of what used to be the most respected news organizations on the planet. For the first time, top news executives and reporters representing every major national television news outlet—from ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN to FOX and MSNBC—speak frankly, confiding in Attkisson about the death of the news as they once knew it. Their concern transcends partisan divides.

Most frightening of all, a broad campaign in the media has convinced many Americans not only to accept but to demand censorship over journalism. It is a stroke of genius on the part of those seeking to influence public opinion: undermine public confidence in the news, then insist upon “curating” information and divining the “truth.” The thinking is done for you. They’ll decide which pesky facts shouldn’t cross your desk by declaring them false, irrelevant, debunked, unsafe, or out-ofbounds. We have reached a state of utter absurdity, where journalism schools teach students that their own, personal truth or chosen narratives matter more than reality.

In Slanted, Attkisson digs into the language of propagandists, the persistence of false media narratives, the driving forces behind today’s dangerous blend of facts and opinion, the abandonment of journalism ethics, and the new, Orwellian definition of what it means to report the news.

And on the few occasions when we are allowed to venture out, the mandatory face-masks impose yet more difficulties in understanding, particularly if we are used to reading lips and expressions to help us understand what someone is saying.

Help is at hand!

Although face-to-face lipreading classes have temporarily paused due to the check on group meeting by Coronavirus, the Leslie Edwards Trust (the Loughborough Charity that provides lipreading classes) are helping, with the aid of ZOOM, to combat the isolation faced by those suffering from loss of hearing.

Lipreading is a technique to aid speech understanding by watching the movement of lips, face and tongue when their accompanying sound is not sufficiently loud or clear to hear. Contextual comprehension can further clarify what the speaker might be saying.

Tutor Helen Barrow is helping to bridge the gap until we can resume meeting again, by using ZOOM technology to run classes in lipreading.

Apart from the obvious benefits such as learning and practising vital lipreading skills, the classes enable us to keep in contact in a welcoming and supportive environment. The classes are informative, and provide the opportunity to share experiences and useful tips.

Classes can be joined using anything from a smart phone, to a tablet, laptop or computer and enable members to learn and improve their lipreading and communication skills. There is usually an introductory class which will help you if you’ve never used Zoom before.

Please contact Jane Futcher on www.lets-lipread.org.uk or on Facebook @lets lipread if you would like further information or feel you would like to join.

The cost is a contribution of £20 per 10 week term.

Bradgate Rotary News Christmas Trail has been cancelled Unfortunately, as Leicestershire will be falling under Covid Tier 3 in the lead up to Christmas, Bradgate Rotary members have made the decision to cancel the trail and not risk the spread of the disease.

The Club hope that everyone stays safe to enjoy Christmas with family and friends.

It is felt that this is still a great idea and it is hoped to be included in our programme next year.

Bradgate Park Calendar The beautiful scenes of Bradgate Park have been captured throughout the seasons and put together to make a beautiful calendar. At just £5 this is an ideal stocking filler.

At the time of going to print calendar sales have proved very successful this year and we are on target to sell out completely.

With over 1,000 sold by Rotary members Bradgate Park Trust and our other two charities, LOROS Hospice and Leicester Children’s Holidays will benefit hugely.

There may still be a few calendars available from Bradgate Park, the Stamford Arms, Groby PO and Groby, Ratby, Anstey and Markfield libraries. Online sales on www. bradgaterotaryevents.co.uk

Santa and his Sleigh Look out for the posters and social media posts regarding Santa’s December visits to Groby and other local villages.

The Rotary Club are looking to create a Covid-safe way of ensuring children and young-atheart adults get to see Santa.

Something to look forward to in 2021 Plans are already being made to include a Valentine Scarecrow Weekend over the 13th/14th February, a Walking Market event in May and the very successful Family Funday and Obstacular at Ulverscroft Grange in September.

A bit of spare time on your hands?

Anyone interested in joining the local Rotary please email Adrian Walker – walk77a@yahoo.com

My Dad told me to invest my money in bonds. So I bought 100 copies of Goldfinger.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

The Brick in the Wall Quiz

The Nottingham ATM has gone

Enrich Your Child’s Learning Experiences

Ch

IF YOU THINK you are going to need some cash in your pocket over the Christmas holiday don’t leave it too late.

There is now only one ‘Hole in the Wall’ cash dispenser (ATM) in the village offering a 24 hour service. The second, long established, 24 hour ATM at the Nottingham on the corner of Rookery Lane, is no longer available following the closure of the office on November 30th.

The remaining 24 hour ATM is at the Cooperative Supermarket on Laundon Way. Cash withdrawals can also be made during opening hours at the Co-op Village Store on Leicester Road and the Post Office opposite the village hall.

The cavity left by the removal of the ATM is currently covered by a panel, but no doubt if it is not going to be replaced the wall will be made good, so there’ll be another brick in the wall.

21

e Day Nurs e r T y ery r r e

ow ell ugh f ng ro rti s th ic o m er pp Su ork nde a w y p ke the

Dis for coun NH ts a S w va or ilab ke rs le

& Kidz Club

Try the Brick in the Wall quiz Q1 In what year was Another Brick in the Wall single a hit? (a)1969 (b)1979 (c)1980 Q2 Which group had the hit? (a) Pink Floyd (b)Traffic (c)Abba Q3 Twelve years earlier they had their first chart success and appeared at a club in Leicester. What was the name of the club? (a) Burlesque (b)The Nite Owl (c) The Fifth Dimension Q4 An artist created a Club Poster.

Where can it be viewed? (a)The Victoria and Albert Collection (b)Newarke Houses Museum (c)the Nottingham Contemporary ANSWERS ON PAGE 27

Norman Griffiths

“Staff in the baby room place high priority on nurturing babies’ emotional wellbeing, hence settle in well.”

“Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time in the nursery.”

“Staff work closely with parents to reflect routines from home, and are caring and attentive to children’s individual needs.”

OFSTED quote

We provide quality care for 0-11 yrs old, from 7.15am, Monday to Friday, all year round.

30 hours FREE for 3 & 4 year olds 15 hours FREE for 2 year olds Breakfast Club school drop offs Kidz Club collect from school Holiday Club trips around the county

17 Holmwood Drive, Leicester LE3 9LG Tel: 0116 287 0092 Email: cherrytreeinfo@btinternet.com

Find us and our sister settings: Apple Tree Day Nursery & Kidz Club and Pear Tree Nursery School & Kidz Club

Give carers a helping hand this Christmas FOR MANY OF US, the festive season is a time for giving and sharing, which is why we’re inviting you to celebrate Giving Tuesday.

I’d like to take a moment to share with your readers how in choosing to give to our charity, Revitalise, based in Southport, Merseyside, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of the disabled people and carers that we support.

As a charity we know that however tricky this past year has been, life is about spending time with the people we love, and everyday life can so easily get in the way of that.

Hilary has cared for her son Shaun since he had an accident on holiday in Ibiza, aged 19. Caring is simply something she does for the person she loves. As she explains: “For the last 15 years I’ve been caring for Shaun but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a carer, it’s just something I do as his mum.

I’m never, ever, going to give up on my son. Life is too short you know; you need to keep fighting.”

On top of the difficulties this year has presented, disabled people and the elderly have also been left with far less support than usual, as the Emergency Coronavirus Act

allowed Local Authorities to axe their duty of care responsibilities.

Feeling vulnerable and abandoned, many carers are close to breaking point.

This is why we have launched our campaign, Care For Carers and the fundraiser Raise a Million, aiming to raise £1 million to support carers and their loved ones to access respite care breaks following lockdown.

We have provided respite care breaks - a vital lifeline to so many unpaid home carers and their disabled loved ones - for over 57 years. So, in celebration of Giving Tuesday this month, why not pledge

Red sky at night: shepherd’s delight. Blue sky at night: day.

to give something special to our charity this festive season?

I am so proud to work for Revitalise as we amplify the voice of carers, and will continue to do so until carers stories are heard. Please support our campaign if you can, and help us spread the word about the struggles carers are facing right now.

To find out more about Revitalise, our breaks, or the ways that we may be able to support guests, please visit: www.revitalise.org.uk or call: 0303 303 0145.

Devon Prosser www.revitalise.org.uk

22

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

GROBY ALLOTMENTS NEWS Scarecrow Competition Winners Last month I posted photos of the winning entries of the competition and promised I would post photos of the winners themselves this month, so here they are:The adult winners, with joint first prize were Pol Law and Amanda Richards, who were each presented with a gift voucher and a certificate. The winners of the children’s section were sisters Imogen and Summer Shephard who won a plant growing kit and a chocolate lolly each as well as their certificate. The girls do look very happy with their prize which was richly deserved for an excellent scarecrow!

Wildflower Bed

Amanda Richards, Joint Adult 1st Prize Winner

THOSE OF YOU who have been walking down the Chapel Hill to Ratby Road footpath recently may well have seen lots of weeding, actually grass removal, going on from the piece of ground close to the allotment car park which was designated as a wildflower meadow last year.

Sadly, most of the wildflower seeds were buried under a pile of rubble and although there were a few that grew last year, it was mostly grass that took over the raised bed. The majority of this grass has now been removed and the area covered with Yellow Rattle seed, a plant with rather pretty yellow flowers (the seed pods rattle, hence the name) but which is parasitic on grass roots and weakens them, so allowing the wildflowers room to grow.

Fingers crossed!

I have been digging there a lot (there is a lot of grass to remove!) and have found it a very sociable place to work. I didn’t realise that the footpath between Ratby Road and Chapel Hill was so popular with so many villagers.

Pol Law, Joint Adult 1st Prize Winner

Imogen & Summer Shephard Children’s First Prize Winners

The loveliest thing that I have had said to me as I weeded there was that so many people hadn’t realised that the footpath was there before we all went into lockdown earlier in the year and how nice it was to walk between the allotments. Some people had never seen the allotments before, apart from glimpses from the car as they drove past. It is nice to think that one of the good things to come out of this year is that quite a few of us have found that there are lots of lovely walks around the village and nearby and that the lockdown has given us a chance to see vistas new, literally on our doorstep.

Why a wildflower meadow?

WE DECIDED to make a wildflower bed there so we could fill it with lots of plants loved by pollinator insects, especially bees.

Most of the food plants we grow on the allotments requires pollination by insects, mainly bees. However, the increasing use of F1 hybrid seeds and/ or plants, which are sterile which either produce no pollen reward for the insects and bees or the pollen is either unsuitable or inaccessible to foraging insects. We decided that to make sure we can still support all the vital pollinators; we would grow various pollen-rich wildflowers on the otherwise unused piece of land next to the car park.

Buried Treasure!

WHILST DIGGING over this bed I have found, buried in the soil, a distinctive gold bracelet.

I have no idea how long it has been in the soil but as it was quite near the surface, it must have just dropped off someone’s wrist fairly recently.

So, if you have lost a gold bracelet in the last year or so and walk down the footpath regularly, please contact the allotment society (email grobyallotments@yahoo.com) giving a description of the item to see if we can reunite the bracelet with its rightful owner.

Season’s Greetings to you all! Enjoy all your Christmas vegetables!

Carol Lincoln

I’m gonna open a shop where people can come in and just scream into a pillow and then leave.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk • Beko free-standing GAS COOKER - silver, single oven with eye-level grill, four burners. Oven and grill never used. Almost new.

Height 146cm, width 50cm, depth 60cm. Price: £100.00 Tel: 01530 242050 or mobile: 07716 925014 (Markfield).

SELECTION OF WORKSHOP MANUALS: • Vauxhall Corsa B Haynes workshop manual, April 1997 to October 2000, (P to X registration) Petrol. Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Ford Fiesta Mk4 Haynes workshop manual, October 1995 to March 2002, (N to 2002)Petrol & Diesel. Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Ford Capri Mk1 Haynes workshop manual, 1969 to 1974 1300 & 1600 ohv. Reasonable condition, £3.00 • Rover 414, 416 & 420 Haynes workshop manual, May 1995 to 1998, (M to R) registration.

Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Rover 211, 214, 216, 218 & 220 Haynes workshop manual December 1995 to 1998 (N to R).

Immaculate condition. £5.00 • Vauxhall Corsa 6 pin 4 SPARK PLUG COIL PACK. Suitable for a 2005 model, bought to cure a misfire but the fault was elsewhere. £10.00. It is also suitable for other 4 cylinder Vauxhall engines.

Tel 07421 110522 (Thornton) • Disney (large) TIGGER SOFT TOY. Price: £6.00 • Disney PLUTO (yellow) dog.

Price: £3.00 • Disney large MICKEY MOUSE. Price: £6.00 • Large MINNIE MOUSE. Price: £6.00.

• Teletubbies TINKY WINKYS - large priced at: £6.00 or small priced at £4.00 Excellent condition.

Tel: 07547 901657 (Groby) • OFFICE CHAIR in plum colour, very good condition, adjustable height & rake, arms adjustable too.

Price: £35.00 Tel: 07928 431629 (Groby)

Pick Up A Bargain!

Spotlight Small Ads • CANON PRINTER - Pixma MP465, with 2 new cartridges worth £45.

Any sensible offer please. Genuine reason for sale.

Tel: 01530 244267 (Markfield) • Disney LADYBIRD BOOKS approx. 25. Price: £25.00 o.n.o. Will split if required.

• ‘DEAR FATTY’ - Dawn French autobiography, hardback. Price: £1.50 • ONLY FOOLS & HORSES hardback books: ‘A-Z of’ and ‘Peckham Archives’ - £5.00 both.

All excellent condition.

Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield) • Wicker 2-seater SETTEE, matching high back ARMCHAIR, tall DISPLAY CABINET in mahogany, mahogany NEST OF TABLES, small OCCASIONAL TABLE. No reasonable offer refused, to good home.

Tel: 07801 882585 (Groby) • Undercounter built in BOSCH FRIDGE, excellent working condition with new salad box, new kitchen forces sale.

Price: £25.00.

Tel: 0116 2876 715 (Groby) • Evergreen GARDEN SPREADER. Price: £10.00 • Panasonic BREAD MAKER. Price: £25.00 • Celestron nature BINOCULARS 8 x 42 with carry case. Price: £50.00 Tel: 07512 963016 (Groby) • PORTABLE GAS CABINET HEATER FOR SALE. On castors, elect. ignition, 3 heat settings, as new condition. 4.2 Kw, Butane / Calor with regulator / hose. Price: £40.

• 2 x 13kg GAS BOTTLES FOR SALE. Flo gas Butane. 1 full, 1 empty.

Price: £20 for both.

Call Ray on 07821 094472 (Markfield).

BATHROOM CORNER CABINETS: • 1. Corner wall mounted cabinet with mirrored front door and internal shelf, white H 47cm, W 45cm, D 30cm.Vgc. • 2. Corner wall mounted cabinet with full mirrored front door and internal shelf, white H 50cm, W 43cm, D 25cm.Vgc. Pictures can be sent on WhatsApp. Tel: 0116 267 6291 or mob: 07764 945745 (Groby).

• COLLECTOR’S DOLLS HOUSE - Height: 120cm including wheeled base, Width: 80cm, Depth: 50cm approx. Wired, with lights.

Fire places. Fully decorated and furnished. Three storeys, 6 rooms, plus hall and stairs. Terracotta chimneys. Too much furniture to list!

Not suitable for young children.Needs some TLC! Buyer collects.

Price: £250.00 o.v.n.o.

Tel: 0116 287 6724 (Groby) • Selection of WINE GLASSES, TUMBLERS & SHOT GLASSES £10 • Timberland BOOTS, size 7 hardly worn. Price: £10.00 • Wooden DOLL’S CRADLE. Price: £10.00 • 2 x TEA SETS, one white & one white & blue. Price: £10.00.

• Child’s CAR SEAT, hardly used & never in a crash. Price: £10.00.

Tel: 07896 466429 (Field Head) • Men’s & Ladies’ CYCLE HELMETS. Price £7.00 each • PANNIER and various BIKE BAGS. Price £5.00-£10.00 • Caravan Vision Plus wide band TV AERIAL AND MAST. Price: £10.00 Tel: 07779 552320 (Groby) • 6 Dark Brown leather CHAIRS Price: £100 • Pac-Man arcade game. New. Price: £200 Tel: 07939 826011 (Glenfield)

Relationship status - table for one but drinks for two.

23

• JIGSAW PUZZLES - various 1000-4000 pieces, from £3.00 each.

• Childs ‘England’ SLEEPING BAG. Price: £5.00.

• ATHLETICS WEEKLY magazines 2000-2018. Price: £20.00 • PILATES ROLLERS (physioworld) 45cm: £10.00 and 30cm: £5.00.

• Selection of BARBIE, CINDY, BRATZ DOLLS (16 plus accessories): £20.00 • Oxelo 4 wheeled SCOOTER: £15.00 Tel: 0116 287 3229 (Groby) • Viking 1 ton TROLLEY JACK Price: £60.00 o.n.o.

• BINOCULARS - Large Swallow, in case. 25 x 125 x 80 zoom.

Price: £80.00 o.n.o.

• BINOCULARS - Small Tasco Zip, 20 x 50, fully coated. No case.

Price: £20.00 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 243493 (Markfield) • SQUIER STRATOCASTER in sunburst, with 10 watt SQUIER AMPLIFIER, CARRY BAG ,SPARE STRINGS & LEAD. Excellent condition, had virtually no use.

Price: £130.00 • Lego Technic 42055 BUCKET WHEEL EXCAVATOR, 3900 pieces, has been part assembled but not completed. Bag 8 never opened. will dismantle and rebag in order. Full instructions & box.

Price: £120.00.

Tel 07561 816369 (Groby) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum EIGHT items please.

Our postal address is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

24

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS - Councillor Martin Cartwright reports Cllr Martin Cartwright

Thank You Message AS 2020 DRAWS to a close I am left feeling worried and concerned by the year’s events and the impact on those people I represent in respect of health and wellbeing, employment and financial pressures as the year dealt the cruellest of possible blows, impacts that will last well into next year and beyond for many a year.

The light at the end of this dark tunnel is how close we are to a vaccine that hopefully consigns this virus to the history books?

My thank you message this year is especially poignant in that the community of Groby have done a stirling job to help one another with the acts of kindness that would take an entire encyclopaedia to document.

The local shops and businesses have also done a fantastic job not only to keep the shelves stocked but also to help people in need with deliveries and many acts of kindness. I hope residents will continue to use and support these shops in the future.

Finally, thank you to everyone who continues to put their faith in me representing you as your Borough Councillor.

Borough Council Christmas & New Year Arrangements COVID-19 HAS been a tough year for everyone and that includes the Borough Council officers. In a gesture of thanks to them this year our administration has awarded them all an additional day off over and above their normal entitlement that means a change to the Christmas and New Year opening times, bank holidays falling upon a weekend also have an impact.

The Christmas and New Year opening times are as follows: Borough Council offices close at 5pm on Thursday 24th December and will reopen at 8.30am on Monday 4th January 2021.

The emergency telephone line will still operate during this time on 01455 251137.

Refuse & recycling arrangements ALL GROBY’S REFUSE and recycling collections will continue as usual during the Christmas and New Year period except for Monday 28th December when there will be no collection replaced with a collection that will take place on Tuesday 29th as a result of the above.

@CllrCartwright

However, the garden waste (brown bin) collection service will be suspended for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year period (last Groby brown bin collection Monday 21 December and collections starting again Monday 18 January 2020).

• Monday 21st December: Recycling & Brown Bin • Monday 28th December: No Collection • Tuesday 29th December: Black Bin • Monday 4th January 2021: Recycling Blue Lid bin only • Monday 11th January 2021: • Black Bin • Monday 18th January 2021: Recycling & Brown Bin I am sure residents will join me in saying thank you to the bin crews both ladies and gentlemen who have done a fantastic ensuring our bins are emptied throughout the pandemic, we applaud you.

COVID-19 Pandemic AS I WRITE this month’s article, Groby has gone from tier 1 – to lockdown – and comes out into tier 3 not as a result of the numbers increasing but by the far larger geographical area that of being lumped together with Leicester and Leicestershire.

The district councils such as Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council are for the foreseeable future rated in line with the whole of Leicestershire. This is due to be reviewed in two weeks time, around the time you actually get to read this article.

Plans are also in place by the government for the rules to be relaxed for 5 days over the Christmas period. I suspect by the time we get to Christmas the rules around that may well have changed.

Concerns Raised about Proposed Planning Overhaul COUNCILLORS AND planners have raised concerns about sweeping Government proposals to

cllr.martincartwright

overhaul the planning system that potentially could see far less control by residents over planning.

The Borough Council was asked to respond to a consultation on the Government white paper, ‘Planning for the Future’, which proposes the largest reforms to the planning system since 1947 with changes it says will ‘streamline and modernise’ the planning process and remove perceived barriers in order to boost the supply of new housing.

The Borough Council has responded in detail to the consultation, stating that while it wishes to work with government to find ways to improve the planning system, it believes many of the aims of the government are already being met, or have the potential to be met by the current system and that now is not the time for a radical overhaul.

In particular the Council’s response expresses its concerns that the consequences of the proposals may be many more new houses in the Borough; less public input into planning applications; less infrastructure investment and fewer affordable homes.

While the proposals state they aim to give communities and neighbourhoods a more meaningful voice in the future of their area, the Borough Council is concerned that the proposals will actually result in a significant transfer of decision making and power from local government to central government.

Under the White Paper, initiatives include quicker development and creating ‘zones’: categorising land into growth, renewal or protection, a system which the Council points out is an untried, untested system different to that used elsewhere in the world which could potentially reduce the Council’s ability to decide what development goes where. Any areas that are labelled as growth are expected to have outline planning permission in place that would allow developers to create housing without Councils debating the principle of the scheme.

It is also proposed that central

Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward. Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub

Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 07850 707050 E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ

Cllr Martin Cartwright

@CllrCartwright

cllr.martincartwright

Government will decide how many new homes are required in each Council area and local Councils will be asked to plan for the new homes, with no opportunity for local authorities and residents to influence how many new homes are built in their area.

Councillor David Bill, Executive Member for Planning said: “There is a clear obligation on all of us to ensure that there is an adequate supply of housing and employment sites to meet the growing needs of the people we represent and in particular the aspirations of people to live in their own homes.

Unfortunately, these Government proposals will limit the ability of local councils like us to influence local development and meet these expectations. The proposed changes are considerable and if the reforms are implemented as outlined, they would have significant implications for all local planning authorities. We hope that the Government will heed our concerns and recognise the strength of opposition to these proposals.”

The full Council response to the consultation can be read here: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ planningwhitepaper The current planning system is far from perfect as for example the Borough’s allocation of new housing is roughly 450 homes per year every year. That said these only count once built therefore we could approve 2000 homes but if only 100 were built we would not meet our target. The implications for not doing so are severe and we have no tools in the box to force builders to build the homes that we give planning permission for.

Permitted Development WHILST WHAT has been required in terms of planning permission in respect of permitted development for household extensions has been watered down in recent years meaning that extensions have got far larger and closer to residents boundaries without requiring planning permission.

It is also proposed that two storey extensions could well not need planning permission either in the future. Currently any extension that is two storeys no matter what the size needs planning permission.

If this change is made to the permitted development rights you will see large overlooking extensions with the test of scrutiny by a planning application being built and there will be nothing the

I’ll never forget the first time we met but that won’t stop me from trying.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

Tel: 0116 287 4500 Mob: 07850 707050 affected neighbours could do about that.

The overriding factor here is the ability to build by the current government with little or no regulation yet alone voice of those affected by it.

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Entangled Life

By Merlin Sheldrake

I am here to help you SHOULD YOU have any comments or problems you would like me to mention in my article please get in touch.

Please remember if I can ever be of help to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are listed above.

Without doubt this year has been like no other and Christmas for all of us will be very different. I would like to wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas.

Keep safe, take care looking forward to helping you again in 2021.

Cllr Martin Cartwright

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby ward Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub

Don’t forget to send us your news.

Thanks!

THE MORE we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.

Neither plant nor animal, they are found throughout the earth, the air and our bodies. They can be microscopic, yet also account for the largest organisms ever recorded.

They enabled the first life on land, can survive unprotected in space and thrive amidst nuclear radiation.

In fact, nearly all life relies in some way on fungi.

These endlessly surprising organisms have no brain but can solve problems and manipulate animal behaviour with devastating precision. In giving us bread, alcohol and life-saving medicines, fungi have shaped human history, and their psychedelic properties have recently been shown to alleviate a number of mental illnesses.

Their ability to digest plastic, explosives, pesticides and crude oil is being harnessed in break-through technologies, and the discovery that they connect plants in underground networks, the ‘Wood Wide Web’, is transforming the way we understand ecosystems. Yet over ninety percent of their species remain undocumented.

Entangled Life is a mind-altering journey into a spectacular and neglected world, and shows that fungi provide a key to understanding both the planet on which we live, and life itself.

And I Quote Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Joseph Addison Alexander the Great is what happens when men get to name themselves.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-DECEMBER 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

News from Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club IT’S BEEN a very challenging and different year here at the Club like it has for most businesses throughout the UK.

We never expected that on the 20th March 2020 we would have to close our doors for a while to curb the spread of this dreaded virus. Although we were closed to our Members and Guests there was still essential work being continued behind the scenes to keep the Club up to it’s high standards.

The Committee carried on with meetings most being ‘virtually’ planning of the next steps we would need to take and be ready for when the UK Government would let us reopen our doors. This being perspex screens put in place, foot signs to help keep distances when queuing at the bar, one way systems for the front entrance introduced etc.

We had the green light to re-open but then unfortunately closed down again. Work is still being continued during this time with risk assessments being carried out and meetings with local authorities to be fully compliant once again when we reopen and ensure that when visiting the Club it is a safe and pleasant visit.

I would like to thank all of the Committee for their loyalty who have put a lot of hard work into the Club to ensure that we can open daily and make your visit safe and enjoyable.

I would also to like to thank the Bar Management Team and all of the Bar Staff for their extraordinary work during these unprecedented times. Their commitment, drive and flexibility has been outstanding.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you, our Members and Guests for supporting the Club and enjoying the facilities that it has to offer, your excellence in adhering to the rules and helping us keep open is very much appreciated by the Officers, Committee and the Staff.

This has proved the love for the Club from our Committee, Staff, Members and Guests from the Village and near by. We thank all of you for your pride in the Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Social Club. We will overcome the difficulties soon but now we must keep us all safe and look forward to the good times in the very near future.

On behalf of the Officers and Committee I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope we head to better things in 2020. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Nathan Clarke Club Secretary

Doing housework can help you live longer If you spend half an hour a day tidying the house, going up and down your stairs, and doing household chores, you are reducing the risk of an early death.

OUR STREETS NOW

IS A MOVEMENT to end Public Sexual Harassment in the UK by making it a criminal offence and changing the culture that allows it.

Public Sexual Harassment (PSH) comprises unwelcomed and unwanted attention, sexual advances and intimidating behaviour that occurs in public spaces, both in person and online. It is usually directed towards women and often oppressed groups within society however, it can be experienced by all.

Join the movement, sign the petition at www.ourstreetsnow.org

So says recent guidance from the World Health Organisation, as it urges people to maintain regular moderate exercise on a daily basis, of up to at least 150 minutes a week. It also recommends vigorous exercise of at least 75 minutes a week.

The WHO recommendation was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and is part of the new global guidelines on physical activity.

WHO also warned that those who stay sedentary for 10 or more hours on a regular basis will have a “significantly heightened risk of death.”

The only thing I have to offer men is that I don’t ask questions during a movie.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

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CLASSIC KID’S TV SHOWS WordSearch D D E B M U K G I P A P P E P E J

M Y N P M J F T W K R Y M J D W M

W T C M I Z F X D E O I B P F G Q

A U I M H K P G S V T N K L Q Z Z

Q B G S F K I S R W L V B B R N Z

U J A Z W C G T O L J X I W L H Q

X Y M S Q A M H L B A V I R N U R

K D L U N J S I Z S C Y O U K C S

I E A G T R H C R X K T F Q T G Q

N U M A O E L V E H A O I R N B I

O W I I G K E V T X N T K C Q T U

K Y N N P C Y E E N O N O I S I V

S U A D C A U K P L R W M P D Q A

J R E V O R G R E K Y B C K O T U

G B R D C C H E U X B W Z C E Q X

H M M F I T J I L T B S M U P C F

Q U Q X D O J J B H N V J U U S N

IF YOU can find 12 CHILDREN’S TV SHOWS in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win ANIMALMAGIC BLUEPETER yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house BYKERGROVE wine at The Stamford Arms in Groby.

CRACKERJACKAll you have to do to go into the draw is find - and GRANGEHILL mark a line through - the names of 12 WELLHOW LOVED CHILDREN’S TV PROGRAMMES. These can run vertically, JACKANORY horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

JUNIORSHOWTIME PEPPAPIG Send your marked entry forms to: IT’S FRIDAY, IT’S FIVE TO PRESSGANG FIVE, Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to TISWAS arrive

by FRIDAY 1st January 2021.

VISIONON

Why parking your car is getting more difficult HAVE YOU NOTICED that it is getting harder to park your car? And that when you finally do get parked, you can barely get the door open enough to squeeze out?

Brick in the Wall quiz answers

Q1 (b)1979 Q2 (a)Pink Floyd Q3 (c)The Fifth Dimension, a Please remember to fill in your name and address - and to put a Leicester psychedelic club on stamp on your envelope.

Humberstone Road in the late The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the 1960s. When the Leicester Mercury appealed for reader’s hat will win the voucher for Created a Meal for Two and a Bottle by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com It is not your fault. Modern cars have recollections there appears to of House Wine at The Stamford Arms, Groby - thanks to grown so big that many drivers now have been no response. Perhaps the generous sponsorship of Brian Rigby - owner of The have as little as 21cm of room to spare another case of ‘if you can in a parking space.

Stamford Arms. remember being there, you A recent study has found that the weren’t there?’ country’s most popular cars are as Here are the 12 CHILDREN’S TV SHOWS you have to find: Q4 (a)The Victoria and Albert much as 55 per cent larger than Collection. The poster was they were in the Seventies, while the designed by Michael English.

ANIMAL MAGIC • BLUE PETER • BYKER GROVE standard parking space has not grown In the late 1960s he created at all. No surprise, then, that millions psychedelic posters for many of drivers scrape their cars each year CRACKERJACK • GRANGE HILL • HOW of the English bands of the trying to park in cramped spaces. time, as well as Jimi Hendrix.

The biggest grower is the Mini Hatch, JACKANORY • JUNIOR SHOWTIME • PEPPA PIG It can be viewed online and which is now 55 per cent bigger and you can buy a copy for £100. takes up to 22 per cent more of a PRESS GANG • TISWAS • VISION ON Google Grobylinx and click on parking space that the original did, back GrobySpotlight links. in 1959. The Honda Civic of today is You can also see an original 1.8m wide, an increase of 44 per cent. artwork master drawing in Name: ..............................................................................................................

It now takes up nearly three quarters of pencil, signed by Michael a standard parking bay.

English, which went to auction CarGurus, who carried out the in 2009 with a guide price of Address: ............................................................................................................. research, has urged the authorities to £4,500 to £5,900. In a 1999 update the guidelines for parking bays. letter that accompanies it English The current size of a parking bay is .............................................................................Postcode: ............................. explains the artistic process he 2.4m by 4.8m, and has not changed in adopted to produce the posters.

50 years.

Connect with us on Facebook My wife says I can join your gang but I have to be home by 9.

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