Feb 2014 spotlight

I have lived in Groby since I was 4 and some of you may know me as the former Churches Together in Groby Youth and Children’s Worker.

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Groups who work with teenagers are urged to bid for a share of a new fund.

A total of £400,000 has been earmarked for organisations who work with young people to prevent problems growing and support them to develop skills.

The money is being made available by Leicestershire County Council which is working with the district and borough councils to give out the grants.

The Early Help grants are available for groups who work with young people aged between 11 and 19, and young people with learning difficulties aged up to 24.

Organisations need to apply during February or March - to find out more, groups should contact their local district or borough council young people’s officer.

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In January 2013 I went out to Tanzania for 6 months in a joint venture with the organisations Tearfund and GoMAD in Tanzania (Go Make A Difference in Tanzania, a UK-based Christian charity). The experience has been life changing! Not only have I seen and experienced so much, but I was then offered a job as their ‘In-country Support’, working with teams who come out on mission trips and I’m heading back out to Tanzania mid-January 2014.

So exciting! We have many teams with people of all ages and backgrounds coming out for various periods from 2 weeks to 6 months, to work with the local people making lasting, practical improvements in their living conditions, while at the same time experiencing the local culture and a great sense of community and family.

We work predominantly in Musoma, a rural town near Lake Victoria, as well as in Zanzibar. All the work we do is in partnership with the local Church and Diocese and includes building work, education in schools, helping out in the local orphanage, as well as raising health awareness in the villages and communities. There are plenty of opportunities for the teams to be encouraged and to grow and develop in faith too! The people who come on the mission trips don’t need to have any previous experience, only an enthusiasm to serve the local people in Tanzania! If you think this might be something you’re interested in why not check out the Go M.A.D. website at: www.gomadintanzania.org.uk. TURN TO PAGE 3 ...>

Groups urged to apply for ‘early help’ grants

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Deb heads back to Tanzania...

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I want my children to be independent headstrong people. Just not while I’m raising them.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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

LE67 9ZT

Telephone

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

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

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

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

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

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News From Brookvale High School

Proud of links with special school Brookvale High School is extremely proud to continue our close link with West Gate Special School.

During the course of last term students, along with their teachers, from West Gate’s Upper 4, came to join with us for two separate 3 week blocks, firstly practising their culinary skills, and then again to work with Laura White, our Music Subject Leader, perfecting their musical talents!

Some of the West Gate students were familiar to us, and had visited us before, but we were delighted to welcome new faces to this year’s group.

As in the past, when our friends from West Gate pay us a visit, we are overwhelmed with the number of our own students from Brookvale who wish to volunteer to assist with the planned programme of activities and it is always so very inspirational to observe the friendships that develop between these young people, all of whom have very different needs.

These two 3 week blocks culminated on the last week of term with a Christmas party in our Drama Studio, where music, dancing, and even a little bit of singing (when no-one was listening!!!) was enjoyed by both schools.

During this term, West Gate students, both old and new, will be joining us again for a spot of clay modelling and another bash at becoming a Master Chef! Maybe your son/daughter will be helping? If so, you will most definitely be treated to a heart-warming account of their experiences, as they get to know their new friends.

Watch this space for more news of future adventures ..

Elaine Freeman Roving Reporter!

Deb heads back to Tanzania...

From page 1

Some of our current projects include: • Building water tanks for people who cannot access clean water and toilets to help them with sanitation.

• Also, a Market Garden project which grows vegetables and maize to sell at market, as well as a Chicken project and Goat project, all aimed at helping the villagers to develop skills and become self-sustaining, providing them with an income.

I love it out there and feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity, plus I get to come back home to Groby sometimes too, to see my family and friends. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and ‘watch this space’ for further updates during the year!

God bless,

Deb Goodhead

BABY SALE

(Well Equipment, Clothes and Toys) Sunday 16th March Castle Hotel, Main Street, Kirby Muxloe 12.00—3.00 pm Are you looking for new and nearly new baby and toddler items? If so we may have just what you need - these sales are usually very busy so if you’re looking for a bargain please put this date in your diary now!

You can’t fight progress. But I’ve noticed you can unplug a lot of it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society Annual General Meeting This meeting was held on January 9th and a pleasingly large group of members attended.

The proceedings progressed relatively uneventfully with nearly all the 2013 officers and committee being re-elected en bloc. The exception being that Ted had requested not to be re-nominated. Ted has been, and still is, a stalwart member of the Society and has contributed greatly over a period of many years and the Society would have been the poorer, but for his support. We heard from Eric that the finances are in good shape and all is set for another good year.

The Society’s charities for 2013 were The Lifeboat Association and The Laura Centre and these will benefit as the proceeds from Molly’s wonderful efforts will share the £360 she raised at our meetings. The meeting voted to adopt Macmillan Nurses and a Hedgehog charity as our charities for 2014. After the business was over, there was a presentation of slides illustrating how our Village Show is put together. If nothing else, it showed how so much is owed to the few volunteers who do all the preparations. A few slides featured the hotel that we are staying at in Kent during our three day trip.

scheduled for June 12th. The overnight trip has been extended to encompass three days with a two night stay at a Best Western hotel in Canterbury. (July 31stAugust 2nd). A brief description of this itinerary will be available at the February meeting.

Three day trip By extending the usual overnight stay, we can visit an area of the country that otherwise is inaccessible without long coach journeys.

A New Trophy In recognition of the support that Eric has received over the last 12 months, he has donated a new, glass trophy.

This has enabled us to iron out a long-standing oddity in the Village Show awards. Historically, The Firth Shield has been presented to the entrant with most combined points in the handicraft and cookery/ preserves classes. Retrospectively from 2013, the Firth Shield will go to the winner of the Cookery/preserves class and the new trophy will be awarded to the entrant with most points in the handicraft class. In Eric’s absence, the committee decided that the new trophy should be called “The Atherton Trophy”. For the 2013 Show, Kay Blick received the Firth Shield and Lynda Hawkes won the Atherton trophy.

Programme for meetings Once more Beverley and Helen have our thanks for the organisation of our programme for meetings and copies will be available at the February meeting.

As well as normal meetings, the number of outings has beeen extended and the first of these is to Hodsock on February 22nd. (Alvar is still taking bookings for this) . Also, a one day trip to Stamford and The Easton Walled Gardens is arranged for June 19th and an evening visit to a local private garden is

This year, on day one, we are visiting one of the Country’s four prestigious R.H.S. gardens at Hyde Hall.

Our visit, on the 31st July, coincides with a R.H.S. flower show at this venue.

We then travel to Canterbury for our hotel. Day two will offer the chance to see a little of Canterbury itself before we visit one of Kent’s top ten gardens at Sandwich. On day three, we visit Sissinghurst Castle gardens which is described as “The garden to visit in Kent, if only one can be seen”. This is another garden that regularly features in the top ten gardens in Kent.

More details are available from Alvar.

Forthcoming events •

February 22nd: Leave Groby Village Hall at 10.30 a.m., pick up at Marina Drive at 10.35 a.m. and leave Hodsock for home about 2.30 p.m.

• March 13th: “Growing for Showing” by Clive Bevan Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 0116 287 7870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

DON’T MISS the Staying Alive Project at Markfield Community Centre In March Markfield Community Association are planning to hold a series of Staying Alive courses that will include: 1. Essential First Aid (all ages) provided by the St.John’s Ambulance Service 2. Child and Vulnerable adult protection information on what to look out for and how to seek help and advice on concerns you may have.

3. Alcohol and Substance Abuse awareness and information on how to tackle any concerns or where to get help and support from.

There will be five courses being held in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. The courses are of three hours duration so you need to be committed to coming along but at the end of the day you will be better equipped to save a life. The courses are free although any donation would be appreciated and are open to any resident aged over 18 and to those who work in the voluntary sector. Places are limited to 50 people so, if you are interested, please book in advance. Dates of courses will be published in the next edition of the Spotlight.

This project has been funded by the Markfield, Ratby and Groby Community Forum and people from these areas are most welcome to join in.

My petrol tank just went from zero to £60 in under a minute.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Bradgate Lions Club News We are members of the world’s foremost service organisation, LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL who have over 1.4 million members worldwide, in more than 44,000 clubs in 192 countries and geographic areas.

Regardless of what language they speak, religion they practice or politics they espouse, all Lions are dedicated to seeking out and helping those in need.

Since 1917, when the first Lions club was formed, local Lions clubs have offered people just like you the opportunity to give something back to their communities, and although we cannot claim to go back that far, Bradgate Lions Club, who were founded in 1989, have helped Internationally, nationally and locally in projects to help deserving causes, and have so far raised and donated over £160.000 towards famine and disaster relief, national Cancer Charities, Children’s Charities and many local causes such as Hospices etc; We have also assisted in tree planting projects, provided transport to local groups, and undertaken gardening assistance.

We are now looking to increase our membership in order to be able to continue with our work in the district, which covers a vast area, stretching from Desford and Leicester Forest East in the South, across to Newtown Linford and Copt Oak in the North, and from Kirby Muxloe and Glenfield in the East over to Markfield and Thornton in the West.

Our Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday evening of each month at 7.00PM, the first for a short business meeting, and second for a social get together, anyone who is interested in finding out about Bradgate Lions should ring Roger on 01530 242912 or Jill on 01455 822008, both of whom would be pleased to help, and could invite you to attend one of our meetings to find out more.

On February 22nd. we are staging “A Night at the Races” at Botcheston Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30PM for a 7.30 start. This will be a full night or fun and entertainment, tickets are £7.00 and include a Ploughman’s Supper. There is a licensed bar and there will be a raffle.

We also have planned a night of 50’s &60’s music, with “Sounds like Swing”. Live music from a local 5 piece band to Dance to, or just listen to favourites and requests. To be held at Newtown Linford Village Hall on April 26th. Further details to be announce later.

Roger Gamble

Elizabeth Woodville School News

New Curriculum Theme Starts with a Bang!

This term our Creative Curriculum theme is called ‘Seconds from Disaster.’

The new topic began with an exciting whole school science day. Children thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to dress up as mad scientists for the day, wearing over-sized white shirts (borrowed no doubt from dads and granddads), glasses and even crazy hair for that added finishing touch!

The highlight of the day was a special assembly led by Mrs Cartledge and Mrs Cowling, illustrating forces in action. The children were able to observe some incredible sights including: • Water which stays in a bucket, even when it is upside down! (The trick is, always keep it moving!)

• How to keep a ball in the air using just the air! (With help from a powerful hair dryer!)

• What happens when you light the end of a plastic bottle with a little methane and oxygen? (It goes further than you might expect!)

Following the assembly, all classes moved around the school taking part in a wide range of exciting activities. Highlights included, children shooting off their own rocket using a pneumatic launcher, experimenting with grippy and slippy surfaces and making helicopter spinners to stay in the air as long as possible!

It was an amazing day and children were definitely inspired to use their scientific knowledge!

Two Councils, Double the Ideas!

Our new School Council have already had a busy start to the year and have continued their partnership with the School Council from Frisby Primary in Melton.

Together the children have decided to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Look out for fundraising activities later this year.

Furthermore, the children hold special ‘Class Council’ sessions to ask children across the school to come up with ideas for a whole school project.

Recent examples have been the development of the Ball Park, as well as a waited service for puddings in the dining hall. This year the School Council will be adding to the range of playground games and activities available, we all look forward to seeing the new equipment in action!

LETTER Dear Spotlight,

Please feature our great big thank you to a very kind lady.

On a cloudy January Saturday afternoon my little six-year old son, Tom decided to accompany me on my jog around Groby village. We only completed half of the circuit when the heavens opened with very strong winds and fierce, sharp, icy hailstones.

Poor Tom was nearly blown away!

Suddenly a car pulled up next to us offering a lift home!

I can’t thank the kindness of the driver enough who piled us both into her car, managed to fit Tom’s bicycle in and delivered us safely home. As I don’t have any details of this lovely lady this is my only way of trying to get our thanks to her, hoping that she reads the Spotlight! Thank you.

Indila Simandi

Tom was nearly blown away!

My life has been a “rags to slightly better rags” story.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Here comes Anstey!

With the prospect of more than 90 Ratby parish homes being built on our doorstep next to Groby cemetery if Bloors win planning permission, residents may turn their eyes elsewhere to enjoy views of open countryside.

But on the other side of the parish this view from the bridge over the A46 near the Sacheverell roundabout shows that Anstey is encroaching over the horizon. But every cloud has a silver lining. The builders say in their promotional material that “as you’d expect in such a picturesque location, Davidsons has gone to great lengths to ensure the beautiful homes at Anstey enhance the local landscape.”

The Mallard Oak The oak tree on the footpath at Mallard Avenue has had a reprieve, though it may only be temporary.

The Borough and County Councils had no record of a Tree Protection Order on the oak. Although still able to stand up for itself it couldn’t point out the mistake so had to rely on the advocacy of a local resident who was able to produce documentary evidence. The tree is to be inspected and the death sentence reviewed. If it has to go then the Parish Council has proposals to replace it for the benefit of future generations.

Update on a local feline character

Frankie the lairy cat has mellowed Frankie, a sturdy, scruffy black tomcat, came into my life over five years ago, frequently slipping through the cat-flap to gobble up my cats’ food.

An article in the Spotlight quickly identified him – he had run away from home when his original owners rather tactlessly bought a dog. They would willingly have taken him back – if they could have caught him - but neither they nor I could get within feet of him. Frankie was clearly here to stay, especially when his first family left the country.

Three years ago he appeared in the garden sporting a smart red collar and I assumed he had found a new home, although his regular raids on my cats’ bowls continued. Then, some months later, he turned himself in. I found him fast asleep in my cat Chrissie’s basket, clearly in trouble and intuitively trusting me to help him. I locked the cat flap, shut him in the back lobby, put on thick gloves and cautiously lured him out of the basket with a bowl of scrumptious Mog-o-Munch.

At first I thought the vivid flash of red across his shoulder was a dreadful injury, then I realised that it was the collar. In his attempts to rid himself of it, he had got one leg through and it was biting cruelly into his flesh. A quick snip with a pair of scissors set him free, minus quite a lot of matted fur.

Flushed with success, I applied anti- flea treatment and even brushed his coat. I’ve never been able to get anywhere near him since – until now.

Chrissie died this summer, aged fourteen, peacefully on my lap. Her brother Davie is still going strong, but perhaps Frankie sensed a vacancy.

Increasingly he would spend nights in the kitchen, whisking away through the cat-flap as I came downstairs. Once or twice I got close enough to stroke him as he ate, eventually being rewarded with a rather rusty purr.

Then I was invited to Uruguay for Christmas. I left my friend David in charge of the house and the remaining cat. David loves cats. Cats love turkey, and there was quite a lot left over from my family’s early Christmas party here. Inevitably, I returned to find Frankie in occupation.

He has turned into a complete old softy – rolling over to have his tummy tickled, devoted to David. Frankie has requisitioned the small sofa and sleeps downstairs, for the present. It can only be a matter of time before he joins the rest of us in my bed.

Oh, well, I can always move into the spare room…

Lindy Hardcastle

Housing Needs Survey The Parish Council has decided that with the Bloors Judicial Review not yet resolved it would be premature to move ahead on this issue at the moment.

If the Bloors site is developed the position may change as the builder will be required to provide affordable housing as a requirement of the planning consent. The Parish Council has been told that the Judge responsible for deciding the outcome of the review has been delayed by his involvement in a lengthy and complex trial at Exeter County Court.

Seeing the doctor - for loneliness Up to 10 patients a day visit each GP surgery because they are simply lonely. And nearly half of doctors say they are not confident that they can help their condition.

Those are the findings of a recent survey carried out for the Campaign to End Loneliness.

“Far too many people are feeling so lonely - and are at a loss about what to do about it - that they end up going to see their doctor,” says director Kate Jopling. She is calling for a more co-ordinated public health response that targets resources to help support lonely people. Figures suggest that almost three million people over 65 are lonely.

I have so much to do that I’m going to bed.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Lady Jane Grey Dentures At Home Academy success Emergency Mobile at Basketball tournament !

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On Friday January 31st the Lady Jane Grey basketball team set off to Hinckley to take part in the HAPSA Bosworth and Hinckley area tournament.

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The team comprised of Year 6 children. Twenty one teams took part in the event and LJG were drawn into Pool A. During the group matches LJG remained unbeaten winning every game and drawing one match. The team played fantastic throughout the matches and topped the table through some excellent play from all the squad.

Having won their pool, the LJG team qualified for the final. In the final they played Richmond Primary school and through some outstanding play the LJG team won the final 9-4!

By winning the final, the LJG team have now qualified for the Summer Games and will represent the Hinckley and Bosworth area.

Well done to – Luke Jackson, Dalia Watson, Hollie Gamble, Jacob Fairhirst, Jay Mistry, Ella Furnival, Raif Huntley, Sophie Moore and Ruby Huntley.

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The recipe said “Set the oven to 180 degrees,” so I did, but now I can’t open it because the door faces the wall.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

BMX day in July If you are a keen BMX rider or just someone who would like to know more you should look out for details of a BMX day down at the local track in July.

Parks transport rethink The Parish Council hasn’t yet decided whether to invest in an in-house transport solution for the parks and ground maintenance activities in the village.

Members had looked at the possibility of acquiring a small, low cost, pick up truck or perhaps a trailer, but now another alternative has been proposed. More costings are to be done and will include consideration of a 3 year lease of a used Ford Transit pick up with 17,000 miles on the clock.

The options will be reviewed in March.

Pay Pal The Parish Council faces the same problems as other organisations when wanting to get the best deals for residents or when it finds that there seems to be no alternative to buying online.

The solution may be a Pay Pal account, and so the Parish Clerk has been asked to check whether the regulations would allow this as an option.

Two for the price of one

Spotlight Small Ads • Canon printer (Pixma 4600) ink cartridges -2 black (CLI 521BK) and 1 yellow(CLI 521Y) For sale at £10.00.

Tel: 0116 - 287 7870 • Round Banbury Drop Leaf wooden dining table, with 4 matching wooden chairs, in good condition.

Dimensions of table: Diameter: 108cm x 108cm - Height: 76cm Dimensions of chairs: Width: 44cm, Depth: 44cm, Height: 89cm Price: £80.00 O.N.O Tel: 01530 249757 • Tommee Tippee Electric steriliser - used, good condition Price: £5.00 • Baby bath - beige with teddy bear motif, good condition incs top and tail bowl if required - excellent condition.

Price: £6.00 Tel: 07985 533417 • In The Night Garden Iggle Piggle 10” Bike. Price: £10.00 • Mountfield RV40 1500cc petrol mower - hardly used. Price: £85.00 • Coolzone cz51518 fridge freezer.

Price: £50.00 • Ladies bike - Townsend Harlequin.

Price: £20.00 Tel 01530 244394 or 07858 030316 • Teak square PATIO TABLE with TWO CHAIRS (folding) - heavy duty, regularly oiled. Price: £45.00.

Buyer to collect. Tel: 01530 243574

• Zanussi DISHWASHER - excellent condition. Price: £40.00 • Roger Black TREADMILL - one year old, electric - Price: £80.00 • Roger Black CROSS TRAINER - Price: £70.00 • AEROBIC TRAINER CYCLE Price: £25.00 Tel: 0116 287 6256 • Four Britax CAR SEATS - 0 to 4 years.

Priced from £15.00 to £25.00 • TRAVEL COT - Price: £20.00 • PLAY MATS - Price: £7.00 each • FIRST STEPS WALKER Price: £15.00 • Mothercare COT BED/ Mama & Papas Sleep Safe MATTRESS, never marked, washable cover.

Price: £70.00 • Mamas & Papas high spec HIGH CHAIR, adjustable height, removable tray - Price: £45.00 Tel: 07974 213612

If you have any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Our postal address is Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk

If your favourite local website is www.groby.org.uk you can now keep up to date with the local news without leaving the site.

Just follow the link to the Community pages then click on Latest Village News. You’ll be able to read all the news and articles on GrobyOnline.tk without having to leave Groby.org.uk. And just like the Spotlight they’re free.

Neighbourly co-operation Instead of reporting the acrimonious relationship between the Village Hall Committee and the Parish Council over the issue of car park maintenance costs, it’s good to hear of a compromise over grant applications to the Parish Community Initiative Fund.

Since 2005, the fund has awarded over £745,000 to local parishes and voluntary groups. These grants fund a wide variety of projects such as play areas, community buildings, new pathways, heritage trails, and sports facilities in the Borough area..

The Parish Council had intended to apply for a grant of £10,000 towards the cost of the Multi Use Games Area on Quarry Park. Last month it reported that it had paid the 25% deposit of £29,636.70. The Village Hall Committee has to fund work needed on the external pointing of the building and also planned to make an application, but for the lower amount of £5000. The limit for any one parish is £10,000 so both cannot be satisfied in full. At the February Parish Council meeting members agreed to reduce the Council application to £5000 in the hope that both parties would be successful.

World Book Day takes place on 6th March Would you like to encourage the children you know to appreciate books? Then why not invite them to join in the national celebrations of World Book Day, which takes place next month, on 6th March.

World Book Day was launched 17 years ago and aims to encourage a celebrations of authors, illustrators, books, and reading. World Book Day sends schools packs of Book Tokens (more than 14 million this year; or one for nearly every child aged under 18 in the country!) and age-ranged World Book Day Resource Packs. Children can then take their voucher to a local bookseller and use it to pick one of eight (new and free) books. Or, they can use it to get £1 off any book or audio book costing more than £2.99 at a participating bookshop.

For more details of how to get involved, please visit: www.worldbookday.com.

You say you want to bring me back to reality. You’re assuming I’ve been there before.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Police News for Groby The next beat surgery will be held on at 11am on Thursday 20th February 2014 at Groby Library.

It will be held by PCSO Ed Green, everyone is welcome to come along, it is a good opportunity to talk to a member of the beat team and express any concerns you may have.

Over the past month there have been a number of sheds and vehicles that have been broken into in the village.

I would urge people to stay vigilant and report all suspicious incidents to the police on 101.

PC 4675 Katie Harris Market Bosworth, Tel: 01162 486140

LETTERS

Parking on Crane-Ley Road #1 Why when the Council decided to put white lines on Chapel Hill did they not realise this would only shift the problem of G E Sensing parking further along to Crane-Ley Road, which the residents have had to suffer since.

We have had blockages on the top bend and emergency vehicles, large lorries and refuse collection vehicles, have had to back up and approach Crane-Ley Road from the other end. Also School buses have also had problems on many occasions also with the picking up of children.

My neighbour has had a vehicle parked right in front of a special extended parking area which has blocked his exit most days. We appreciate that there are quite a number employed at G E Sensing and we are grateful for that employment in this day and age, but it is time that a large company like this, should arrange for all their employees to be given the facility to park on their own premises and eliminate all the complaints the writer has heard in the last few months.

If the company does not arrange an alternative parking facility, white lines will probably have to be placed along the whole of Crane-Ley Road, which would only throw the problem elsewhere in the village. Can the company explain why this problem continues to occur with no solution in hand.

All residents of Crane-Ley Road endorse this complaint and please let’s have something resolved in the near future.

Resident of Crane-Ley Road

Parking on Crane-Ley Road #2 I am a resident of Crane-ley Rd.,Groby and have been for many years.

I am aware that there have been issues concerning parked cars in this road and that measures (lines drawn on road) have been made to rectify concerns of residents and road users,mainly regarding safety issues.

In my opinion this problem still exists.

Cars are now being double parked and parked on the corner further up the hill ,forcing drivers to negotiate the bend on the other side of the road which is a blind corner.

An accident is waiting to happen, especially when icy conditions prevail.

I have seen the rubbish lorry and a school bus having to reverse on this stretch of road and I wonder how a fire engine would master the situation.

Whilst I appreciate that car owners pay road tax and can choose their spot I do wonder about the consideration given to others when these choices are made.

I understand that new measures are reviewed after six months and I am looking forward to further steps being taken to improve this hazardous situation.

Are there any spaces within the village which could be purchased to build a permanent car park?

Thank you for your attention.

A Concerned Resident The problem with the world are the intelligent people are full of doubts while the stupid people are full of confidence.

10

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Leicestershire County Council need your input

Home to school transport policy consultation What is the council consulting on?

The home to school transport policy for mainstream schools.

Why is the council consulting?

• The council is consulting because it needs to make changes to the current policy.

• The Government has encouraged schools to become academies. This means that schools are allowed to set their own new catchment areas for admission of pupils and to change the age range of pupils that they admit.

• The traditional link between eligibility for free transport and the pupil’s catchment area school is broken by this change.

Tell the council how this might affect you • Online: www.leics.gov.uk/school_college_transport • By post: For a printed copy of the consultation and general queries or comments phone 0116 305 0002 or email transportassessments@leics.gov.uk What does the current policy say?

• Schools in Leicestershire have two stages of secondary education (covering 11-16 years of age) up to GCSE level, with high schools for 10 /11-14 year olds and upper schools for 15-16 year olds.

• Transport and catchment areas have developed over time to take account of traditional boundaries and school capacity. This was to ensure that high and upper schools had enough students to fill the school. In practice, this meant that pupils were transported to schools with space and not necessarily their nearest school.

• The current policy (www.leics.gov.uk/mainstream_ policy_2013_-14_update_july_2013_v1. 0_final.doc) says that free transport is offered to: - primary school pupils who attend the catchment area school for their home address (or other nearer school) and the distance is more than two miles and - secondary school pupils who attend the catchment area school for their home address (or other nearer school) and the distance is more than three miles.

What is happening to make the council consider a change in the policy?

• Some academies have already changed their catchment areas – a decision made independently from the council.

• So me schools and academies have changed already, or are considering a change, to an 11-16 age range.

• These changes to age ranges mean the catchment area is also changed, resulting in a number of transport eligibility areas overlapping.

What are the changes the council is proposing?

• The council is proposing that free transport for pupils over the statutory walking distances (two miles for primary age and three miles for secondary age) is given only to the nearest school (or educational placement) with available spaces to the pupil’s home address.

• The nearest school is measured by the shortest road distance over these walking distances.

Why is the council proposing these changes?

• Providing transport over the statutory distance to the nearest school is the legal minimum the Government require the council to provide.

• This means that the transport provided is fair for everyone. This doesn’t prevent parents from choosing a different school for their child but it does mean that transport will not be free (over statutory walking distances) if the school chosen is not the nearest.

What is the likely impact?

• Free transport to primary schools is likely to be largely unchanged. But the secondary school that pupils traditionally move on to may not be the nearest school – so free transport eligibility may change.

• Where an upper school changes its age range from 1418 to 11-18, the younger pupils at the school would be entitled to free transport only if the school is the nearest to their home address and more than three miles away.

• There are extended rights for low income families – see the frequently asked questions on the website What about 16+ transport?

Transport for those aged 16+ is discretionary. The proposals, similar to those above, are: • To continue to offer transport on a discretionary basis at a charge of £425 to either the nearest school or to the nearest post 16 Further Education college.

• To withdraw a “choice”. For example, the policy currently allows a student to travel to the school or college offering their chosen course. In future, we would not transport to a school/college that is further away because the course is not available at the nearest school/college.

• There will still be a charge for those who are eligible to post 16 transport assistance (unless they are from a low income family – see the frequently asked questions on page 4).

What are the proposed transitional arrangements?

The council is proposing that any change to the policy will only affect pupils entering into primary education or transferring to a secondary school in September 2015.

If you have a child who is already part way through their education and they currently have transport this will continue until they reach a transfer point where they would have to leave or move to a new school because of their age. Eligibility for free transport would be reassessed at this point – as it is currently.

For 16+ students who have been eligible for assistance under the old policy, the proposal is that they will retain their eligibility providing they stay on the same course i.e. if they change course, start a new course or their personal circumstances change (move address for example) then they will be reassessed under the new policy.

How do I respond to the consultation?

Your views are important in helping the council understand what effect the changes being proposed might have on you. Please submit your views by 12th March 2014. Respond to the consultation by filling in the questionnaire. This can be accessed online at www.leics.gov.uk/school_college_transport By post: For a printed copy of the consultation and general queries or comments phone 0116 305 0002 or email: transportassessments@leics.gov.uk

An onion just told me a joke. I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

11

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Library Services Proposals These are only proposals at the present time.

The time table of events is as follows: • The proposed budget for 2014/2015 goes to Full Council on the 19th February.

• Cabinet will discuss this item on the 5th March and then give permission to consult.

• Public Consultations will take place between April and the end of June.

• The results of the consultation will go to cabinet on the 12th September.

So what is the county council’s offer on libraries?

The County Council is proposing to make savings of £800,000 and we will take into account any changes in behaviour such as a lot of people now accessing books online.

The County expect to continue to run our town libraries but they will explore community-running of our smaller libraries - such as Groby - and possible co-location with other organisations, such as parish councils. The County may have to close libraries if we can’t find partners. Smaller libraries are already not the best used and we’ve reflected that by reducing opening hours.

What will be the terms of conditions, will groups have to buy books etc?

The County are still working on the detail but the broad proposal is for the County Council to offer professional support from its libraries service on a tapering basis to help develop the understanding needed. We have been following the work of other local authorities who have been more advanced in this to learn lessons from them. We also have a significant volunteer network working with the service

already and we hope that we can encourage greater involvement from those experienced volunteers to help.

I am very passionate about the Library Service and will do anything to protect it for the community that I serve. I personally believe that the Library service is such an important part of our community, as it serves some of the most vulnerable people in our community. I will be petitioning to keep our service through the scrutiny process. However Groby Library has been identified as one of those to be transferred to Community Management, should the proposals be passed by the Councils Full Cabinet in March.

My objective is to try and make sure that Groby library remains open, but to achieve this option Groby Parish Council would have to seriously consider taking responsibility for managing and running this facility with assistance from the library service and local volunteers. I would be only too pleased to offer my services to work with the Parish Council to achieve this as I am doing with Ratby Parish Council. I am pleased to say that Groby Parish Council has set up a liaison group and I will be working with them looking at the proposals.

Update Planning Application Ref: 13/01029/COU Gypsy Caravan Site Proposals Wallace Drive Groby Councillor Peter Batty and I met with Nic Thomas the Head of Planning at HBBC and Bill Cullen the deputy Chief Executive to discuss the above proposals on the 5th February.

We both feel that the discussions were positive. We presented our

evidence Nic Thomas thanked us for our assistance in bringing new evidence forward on behalf of residents. We also requested Hinckley and Bosworth’s Borough Councils recently appointed Highway specialist carry out his own investigations after presenting our own evidence. Planning officers will now look into this evidence and as result have indicated to us that the application will now be put back to the 1st April Planning Committee meeting. We will keep residents updated.

Arriva 28 Bus Service in Groby I held a meeting at County Hall on Monday 3rd February with managers from Arriva and officers from our Highways Department.

I called this meeting after the 26 Bus had been stopped travelling around the Martinshaw Lane and Stephenson’s Way Estate allegedly due to timetabling issues across the route. I wanted a face to face meeting as I had been assured

by Arriva before Christmas that both the 26 and 28 routes were remaining around this area of Groby. My main concern was the continued running of the 28 Bus service around this part of Groby as this is a commercial route and not funded by the County Council.

There were concerns raised about parking on the junctions and along Stephenson’s Way which officers have taken on board and upon my request they are now looking at taking urgent action.

The meeting was positive and I have been personally assured the 28 Bus route is secure and they have no plans to alter its routing.

I have a meeting on Monday 10th February with GE Sensing and Officers from County Hall. At least they are starting to recognise parking is an issue after they met

with the Parish Council the other week.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and to remind you that I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 239 4336 or 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail. com

I’ve completely lost my will to live. Sorry, did I say “live”? I meant “work”.

12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Have your say on new housing Time flies. It’s five years since Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council asked us to comment on its assessment of which sites in the parish were most suitable for housing developments.

On 17th February it launches a new six week consultation on the same subject, details of which can be downloaded from the Council’s website.

National planning policy requires planing authorities to carry out a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) to identify future sources of land for housing. Landowners have been able to submit land for consideration but the assessment which is undertaken does not mean that planning permission will be given, just which sites are suitable, available and achievable for housing development.

Three sites have already been identified as probably meeting the modest housing development needs of the village to 2026, so there is no need for panic in the streets. Some of the sites included in the documents have already been developed, but a look at the plan shows sites put forward right around the Groby settlement boundary. The assessment of each site considers the potential number of houses and timescales as well as environmental constraints, access and limitations imposed by planning policy. It concludes with an opinion on whether or not the site is developable. If you think that on balance there is probably no need for you to take a look and register any concerns just remember that constraints can sometimes be overcome and that Government has shown that planning policy is no longer written on tablets of stone. It can be made as flexible as it needs to be to meet the objectives of the day.

The Borough Council is encouraging residents to review the documents even if they commented in the 2009 consultation. “The comments submitted to the preferred option consultation in 2009 will be submitted to the Inspectorate for consideration through the Examination in Public but the document has changed since that consultation so it is advised that members of the public review the document and submit any comments they may have,” a spokesperson said. “Also this round of consultation allows members of the public to express whether they wish to participate within the Examination in Public which wasn’t an option within the previous consultation in 2009. Guidance notes will be available on the website during the consultation period.”

The consultation will last for six weeks. The consultation page is not yet online at the time of printing. The documents are there, however, and can be found by typing shlaa into the search box on HBBC website or following the link from www.grobyonline.tk.

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My older sister is tired of me calling her the beta release.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby sporting stars

Daughter follows in Mother’s footsteps Nicki & Rachel Nealon took top honours at the North Midlands Cross Country League in January.

Following the final race In the 4 event series, Nicki, representing Huncote Harriers, took the overall Ladies League Title, a feat She last achieved in 1994!

Whilst Rachel, running for Wreake Runners, took the League Title in the Under 11 Girls at her first venture into the League.

Rachel along with twins Roman & Lucca Watson-Quilter and William Robinson also took the team title in the Under 11 Mixed Event.

Brother Chris, finished 8th Overall in the Under 13 Boys, but was part of the winning Team for this age group with Morgan Enoux, Charlie McGlinchy and George Robinson.

Nicki Nealon splashes her way to the title

The Greys of Groby

We’ve had lots of fun already this year!

Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun and I can’t believe how much fun it has been on Tuesday mornings so far this year.

The Greys Drop-in-Coffee Mornings in January began with Nikki honing and toning us with her chair aerobics closely followed by AgeUK guiding us through the British Heart Foundation’s booklet about reducing our blood cholesterol (Fight for Every Heartbeat -bhf org.uk) A couple of times a year we have a Wednesday visit to Ulverscroft Manor, run by the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation - the charity provides a superb day out with lunch for prebooked groups (01530 244914). Founded by the late David A Clarke the Foundation provides guidance and a listening ear to those who require information on a wide range of support and disability issues.

You may remember I mentioned a proposed visit to us by the manager of Lakeland - this was an excellent presentation of products including cookery demonstrations and steam cleaning part of the floor.

Forthcoming bookings include Flower Arranging and Making Quilts For Injured Servicemen.

If you are unable to commit to every Tuesday please try to come to our visiting Demonstrator sessions.

For further details of The Greys of Groby events contact our Chairperson Ellen Whitelegg on 0116 2875609 or come to the Community Centre, Forest Rise any Tuesday morning from 10 - 11.30.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

13

Field Head island gets a new road safety sign A SMART electronic ‘Adverse Camber’ warning sign has been installed at the Field Head landfill site traffic island.

The new sign is triggered when large vehicles approach the island, and an image of an overturning lorry is flashed up above the words ‘SLOW DOWN’.

In recent years, several heavy goods vehicles have overturned as they exited this traffic island, due to the slight adverse camber of the road. On each of these occasions, the A50 had to be closed for several hours while the lorries and their cargoes were recovered from the carriageway.

This new sign could prove to be a very cost-effective solution to what was becoming a very expensive problem.

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Jean I’m all for gaining an hour on the weekend, but why can’t we lose the hour at 2 PM on a Monday?

14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Not All News Travels Fast Norman Griffiths finds that sometimes it takes months to get around

Imagine this. You are in a long term relationship and decide the time has come to pop the question.

Off you go to buy the ring and you think about how you will play this.

In the movies it often seems to be after a nice shared evening out with a meal and a bottle of wine. If it’s good enough for screenwriters it’s good enough for you. But when to go and where? Well Valentines Day must be appropriate and why not that nice pub where your sister had her wedding reception.

This is looking good. You get out your smartphone and check the menu on their web page. Not particularly romantic, but your partner is a vegetarian and is sure to enjoy the Crispy Samosas served with a yoghurt and mint dip followed by the Courgette, Brie and Almond Crumble with a bottle of the house white. Could be better but money’s a bit tight after buying the ring. No need to book, the pub isn’t as busy as it used to be.

So the day comes and you pick her up, telling her your destination is a surprise. You wonder whether she’ll guess as you turn into the road, but you can’t see the pub sign. Your foot goes very sharply on the brake. Not only can’t you see the sign, you can’t see the pub. Just a metal gate and a heap of rubble. She is not impressed. “I’ve heard of a pub with no beer,” she says, “but a pub with no building is a new one on me.”

You are puzzled as the website clearly said “The Brant Inn will still be open for the foreseeable future. We are still taking bookings for parties and weddings. Please note the Brant Inn will not be shutting any time soon.”

But there is no doubt the Brant Inn has gone.

Not a far fetched story You may think that this could never happen but one family did turn up in December for a meal and were amazed to find that it had closed. As the Spotlight went to the printers both the pub website and the pub’s page on the Everards website came top in a ‘Brant Inn’ Google search, and neither mentions its demise. Although Everards have been asked twice to confirm the dates of closure and demolition there has been no response, but it seems it ceased trading around October last year.

Despite the expressed wish of the tenants to continue trading it was clear that it’s days were numbered when Everards applied for permission to redevelop the site for housing and invested large sums of money to refurbish the Stamford Arms. It’s best days were past.

“The fixed costs, rates, utilities and staffing, associated with operating such large premises are very significant,” explained the company at the time.

“The property is under invested but in order to bring it up to a modern day standard and fit for purpose would require considerable investment, estimated at in excess of £300,000. The location of the site, the nature of its existing layout and the fact that it was conceived for another era make such investment unviable for both landlord and tenant.”

And it’s that other era that many residents will remember with fondness.

Just a pile of brick rubble remains ...

Before the arrival of the A46 Western bypass and the A50 interchange the Brant would have had the feel of a country pub, but now the brewery said the location is not ideal, away from the centre of the village. With no main road frontage, and tucked away behind the properties on Overdale Avenue, it was not visible or easily accessible to travelling customers, so the opportunity for passing trade was minimal.

The internal layout of the Brant Inn did not suit current design criteria for public houses, and structural elements within the property would have made it difficult to alter. The property was considered generally dated and had large ancillary areas which resulted in higher running costs than the average public house. That had a detrimental impact on the viability of the business, argued Everards. And with regard to the hotel side of the business they considered the bedroom accommodation dated and lacking the numbers to make it commercially sustainable.

In a rather unscientific mini- survey it seems that those who knew of the closure and demolition last autumn were likely to be regular customers or neighbours. If you were neither you may well have been unaware that this local landmark had gone. At least local residents have been spared the problems of an empty, boarded up, vandalised building.

Do you want to let the passing of the Brant go unmarked?

Or do you have happy memories of visiting the hotel for a special occasion or walking down for a drink on a warm summer evening? Are there photographs you could share with other readers? Did you receive a proposal of marriage at the Brant? Do you recall the fire? What about the jazz and other music at the Brant?

You can get in touch with us at info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Arguing with my wife is like getting arrested. Anything you can can and will be used against you.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Village Society

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Thursday February 27

Fire Safety with a Smile Mr Bill Wells

Thursday March 27

A.G.M.

Thursday April 24

Samuel Deacon World Famous Clockmaker Born Ratby 1748 Mr John Thornton Thursday May 22

Malaysia and my Chinese Family Mrs Sally Leong

Thursday June 26 Bess of Hardwick’ Mrs Sally Henshaw Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

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

Newtown Linford Gardening Club Bulletin Which of these four alternatives are essential for seeds to germinate? a) Air warmth light b) Light moisture warmth c)

Moisture warmth air

d) Air moisture light This was just one of the questions which taxed our brains at our January meeting when Mick Eaton from the Leicester Parks Department ran a gardener’s quiz to open our new year. We all found the questions very hard until we got the answers and realised that we did know a lot more than we first thought and a bit more imagination would have earned us higher scores!

What a strange winter we are having! At the time of writing we have had no snow and precious few frosts. The ground is sodden and plants have their roots in water which can’t be doing them any good. There is nothing we can do but wait and see what happens. Does it mean, however, we will be plagued by pests not killed off by the usual cold weather or is Mother Nature lulling us with a false sense of security before hitting us with a really long cold spell like she did in 1963?

Dr Andrew Ward will talk to us about ‘Delightful Daisies’ on February 25th and our March meeting is about healthy eating aspects of fruit and vegetables. Our speaker, David Thornton is long-time secretary of the National Vegetable Society. We are very pleased to be able to attract speakers of renown whose expertise brings them national recognition and we look forward to bumper attendance.

We have welcomed a large number of new members this year and will be pleased if others want to join us. If you are interested in our activities just contact the secretary (tel. 01530 242452 or e-mail: 01530242452@talktalk. net, or come to one of our meetings to see how you like it before making a commitment (£2 for visitors). Alternatively give us a ring and ask for a copy of our programme for the coming year and we will be pleased to send one to you.

PS The answer is (c)

Anne and David Couling

If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it.

Thanks!

15

Closures to be aware of ...

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF: RATBY LANE, LEICESTER FOREST EAST. Leicestershire County Council has granted the temporary closure of Ratby Lane, Leicester Forest East.

This road will be closed in an easterly direction from opposite number 20 to the junction with Hinckley Road.

This is to allow contractors to safely replace a gas main in the carriageway.

The closure will take place commencing the17th February 2014 for up to 4 weeks.

The alternative route for vehicles affected will be via:Wembley Road, Scudamore Road, New Parks Way, and Hinckley Road

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF: IVANHOE TRAIL BRIDLEWAY R115, FOOTPATH R116 (PART) & FOOTPATH R118 (PART) IN GLENFIELD & RATBY.

Leicestershire County Council has granted the temporary closure of the above public rights of way.

These Public Rights Of Way will be closed from the 10th February 2014 for 4 months.

This will enable to Leicestershire County Council Highways to safely carry out resurfacing and improvement works to the Bridleway.

Footpath R40 will have the access to Barrow Lane kept open during these works.

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16

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

National Trust Leicester Association Towards the end of 2013 Calke Abbey won the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Leicestershire Tourism Awards, even though it’s in Derbyshire!

Not resting on its laurels Calke continues to develop and two new rooms will open to the public this year.

During 2013 the Calke property team moved out of their offices in the house to newly renovated space in the old cattle sheds. The two rooms vacated had had many guises, from the Harper-Crew family study in the 1700’s to NT meeting rooms, temporary staff accommodation and offices from 1985 when the Trust acquired Calke Abbey.

Following a public consultation last summer it was decided to return the first room to a faithful recreation to its “as found” condition in 1985 as a lobby for the adjoining study. The second room will become an exhibition space, which this year will showcase how the office was used by the National Trust as a planning office, where important decisions were made on how the house would operate. With access to all parts of the room visitors will be free to explore and delve deeper into copies of old planning documents and publicity material from the 1980’s. The Trust has also been able to return original items, never displayed before, to their place in the rooms including original oil paintings, prints and furniture.

The Parkland, Restaurant and Shop at Calke are open every day throughout the year and the House opens every Saturday to Wednesday from 22nd February, 12.30 – 5.00pm.

• The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 26th February at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester, at 2.30pm, when Dale Jackson will present a talk entitled The Superstitions of Calke Abbey.

• There will be an evening meeting on Tuesday 11th March when Ian Retson will present an illustrated talk on The Woodland Trust. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30pm.

Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments.

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

Alan Tyler, Chairman

love Quote “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.”

Thomas Merton

Don’t forget to send us your news!

Email items of local interest to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk or drop a line to: Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Lady Jane Grey

Cross Country Success for Hollie Talent and determination are words that are often linked with sport and during this cold and wet January Hollie Gamble, in Year 6 at Lady Jane Grey, showed that with the right mixture of both, great things can be achieved.

Hollie came late to running at the age of 9, whilst most of her competitors had been already hitting the tracks for 2 years.

However as an accomplished swimmer and champion rollerskater, Hollie had already a good sporting background. A solid first season in Year 5 culminated in highly respectable top ten finishes at the county level.

However this year things have really taken off for Hollie. She finished the County League first in the final race in a devastating performance of pace and endurance. She has also had a ‘Player of the Tournament’ in football; another sport in which she was again a latecomer to.

All of this has been topped in January when Hollie travelled to Cardiff for the British Athletics Cross Country Series. Hollie raced against children from all over the UK and led for all but the final 500m of a 3000m course and finished 3rd. and Hollie had a place on the medals podium! Just like in the Olympics!

Hollie is now training for the Midlands and English National Cross Country Championships. Her main aim though is to take part in the London Mini Marathon. She is training hard, as although she is 11 she will have to qualify in the under 13 category in the top six.

Hollie Gamble is surely a name to look out for in the future. Lady Jane Grey are very pleased for her success and proud of the fantastic role model she is for the whole school.

Very well done Hollie Gamble!

A bunch of my friends are coming over tonight to play on their phones.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

17

Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Daytime burglaries We have this image of the typical burglar as someone who only comes out at night, but increasingly it seems to be a daytime activity as well, with the items of interest no longer being large rather obvious items but easily concealed cash and jewellery.

One press report even suggested that some offenders carried “Cash for Gold” envelopes so that they could quickly dispose of incriminating evidence by dropping it into the nearest post box and waiting for the cash to arrive. In January a male was disturbed by an elderly lady in her kitchen, a frightening experience at any age. The police advice now seems to be to lock yourself in when at home to ensure that you lock burglars out.

Although only 3 incidents were recorded during January there were other crimes which because they are domestic in nature most people may put in the same league. Items were taken from three motor vehicles, a garage door was forced upwards, and outbuildings and sheds were also targeted.

The two burglaries in December were also daytime, in the early morning and late evening.

Enigmatic Ellis The appeal for information about painter Norman Ellis in last month’s Spotlight hasn’t brought forward anything new about the man who seemed to enjoy painting in Groby.

LETTER

No 26 bus route has ‘gone back 20 years’ I am writing in regards to the Spotlight edition January 2014 bus No. 26 We were aware that parking on Stephenson’s Way can be an issue but the residents here were not aware of any changes to our route .

It seems that residents on this side of groby do tend to “get left behind” and again are left with a bus route that has gone back 20 years!

I myself have a teenage daughter that uses this bus regularly and as such would like to know she is safe and not waiting around for buses in main roads so I do hope this will be resolved quickly and efficiently

Concerned Groby Parent

Except that is for a note from a reader who reports that he has an Ellis painting from 1953. “It is paint on board measuring 18 inches by 14 inches and signed Ellis,” he explained. “On the reverse is written in pencil ‘Snow scene-Groby. 1953 Jan’. The picture appears to be a view looking south from the old castle mound. The snowy field is the one Time Team excavated and the arched ruins are still visible today.”

Penalty charges - an average of about one a week When a resident sees someone from the Borough Council checking on the parking situation it is so rare that it becomes a topic of discussion, as many believe that there are no visits.

They have been seen from time to time and twenty three Penalty Charge Notices were issued in Groby between 1st September 2013 and 31st January 2014.

It doesn’t take much to make a woman happy. However, it takes even less to make her mad.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Murders Most Foul at Groby WI Caroline Roberts, a Blue Badge Guide for Leicester and Leics. came to enlighten us about ‘Murders Most Foul’.

To gain her qualification it involved much study and rigorous examinations; we think she passed with flying colours.

Richard III was the opening victim; he was found with no shroud, hands bound and feet missing. By the miracle of technology we are told he also suffered from ringworm. The skull had various wounds but the fatal blow was a stab wound to the back of the neck. His remains were excavated in the car park of the Social Services, much to the annoyance of the staff, who lost their prized parking facility and the dig was so secret that blinds had to be drawn on their office windows overlooking the site.

The Ministry of Justice in London had to be informed, also the Royal Coroner, the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The City of York contested our claim, so The Dean of Leicester had to meet the Dean of York.

Strange situation, the present Dean of York was previously the Dean of Leicester and both had to be given police protection as the opposing factions were likely to be violent. A powdered sliver of Richard’s bone was taken to the Sorbonne in Paris for more verification. Unfortunately for the bearer, the UK Customs were most suspicious of this closely guarded packet of white powder.

The controversy goes on; the Richard III Society would like him reinterred in a tomb, possibly placed in a special Chapel in the Cathedral, rather than buried beneath the floor. Ironically, this would mean he would be buried under a slab of York stone.

The Blue Boar Inn in Leicester was the scene of the murder of a Mrs. Clarke. She spent her last night on earth there as a guest. A maid paid the ultimate price of being burnt at the stake for this crime but her male accomplices were hanged. It was rumoured that a fortune in gold coins were later found in the bed the victim occupied. A picture of the pub later fetched £17,500 at auction. The landlord renamed his pub the White Boar Inn and new sign was erected. The building was later demolished but Mrs. Clarke’s ghost is said to haunt the premises since built for Donington’s, a local business.

Hannah Reeve was ‘carryingon’ with her toy-boy of 19 years.

She was anxious to be rid of her husband and achieved this by pushing him into Foxton Locks (above). The Judge donned the black cap and pronounced the death sentence. She pleaded for leniency due to pregnancy but was sent to the Infirmary for confirmation of this. Unfortunately for Hannah the result was negative.

The final twist in the tale was that the toy-boy later married her eldest daughter.

Colin Pitchfork was the man who raped and murdered two schoolgirls in the Narborough area of Leics. He was tried and acquitted and another man, I believe a Richard Auckland, was arrested.

The discovery of DNA by Alec Jeffreys at Leicester University set up a hunt for the killer when his DNA was identified with the crime.

Mass testing of males in the area was being carried out.

A woman overheard a colleague, Ian Kelly, boasting that he had given a sample posing as a friend of his, Colin Pitchfork. Pitchfork had persuaded Kelly to take the test as he claimed he had already given a sample for a friend who had a flashing conviction. Colin Pitchfork was the first person in the world to be convicted by this revolutionary method. No doubt about his guilt, hanging had by then been abolished so he was imprisoned. He is due to be released in 2016.

This month due to various reasons, we had to cancel our Committee meeting. Not to worry, we held an after Christmas one only this time it was in a local Restaurant. I must admit business was hardly touched on but the food certainly was. A lovely evening and a great laugh, who said Committee meetings were boring.

At our monthly meeting our annual Resolutions arose. This year was a particularly difficult one.

We had four to choose from, all deserve our help.

They were: 1. Increasing organ donation, 2. Campaign against female genital mutilation, 3. Provision of non-acute hospital beds and 4. Funding for women’s centres to cater for the specific needs of vulnerable women at risk of offending.

The first won by quite a majority so the WI Federation will be lobying the various MPs etc.

We also this month had our first Luncheon Club of the year. It was at a new venue and it was a great success, so much so that Diane booked us in for another one in a few weeks time, at least we will have a few weeks to get rid of the weight rise.

There is to be a coach trip on Saturday 5th April to Stratford Upon Avon. On arrival we shall have a “Behind the Scenes” tour of the RSC and then a few hours in the town itself. Anyone interested (open to all including husbands etc) please ring me on 0116 2878 323.

February’s meeting is one I am really looking forward to ... ‘Belly Dancing, Theory and Practice’.

Of course, as usual, it’s at the Village Hall on Thursday, 20th February at 7.30pm . So come along and have a really wobbly time.

Evelyn and Margaret

Table top sale for Coeliac UK A Charity Table Top Sale in aid of Coeliac UK is taking place on 5th April 2014 at Markfield Community Centre between 1pm-4pm.

If people are interested in holding a stall, the contact details are: Sam: Telephone: 01530 243237 or email: saml34f@yahoo.co.uk Both both new and second hand stalls are welcome.

The worst thing about having more money than sense is probably the fact I don’t have very much money.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

19

Obituary

Alan brings Groby almost to halt Alan Atkins was born at Markfield Road Groby in 1937 and, apart for his time in the Army, never left. A true Groby lad.

He met his wife Violet, a Groby girl, when she was 15 and he was 16 and they married in 1959, a life long commitment to each other.

Alan died on Sunday 26th January and his funeral took place on Saturday 1st February in Groby church, where he had been married and baptised.

So many people attended to say goodbye to this remarkable man that there were almost as many people outside as there were inside.

Alan was a true military man at heart, he served in the Far East for three years, based in Singapore with the Gurkha Signals and saw active service during the Communist Insurrection, before returning home to marry his sweetheart.

He became Secretary and one of the founder members of the Leicester branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Assoc.(NMBVA) and Leicester Combined Services. He was also an enthusiastic member of the County Veterans Forum under the Chairmanship of the Lord Lieutenant Lady Gretton.

As well as running his own business, in his spare time (what spare time you may ask) he carried out the Sexton’s duties at Groby Church.

Military Veterans from as far afield as Tyneside, Grantham, Suffolk and Coventry, as well as friends from Groby and further afield, attended the service. I took a phone call from a senior NMBVA member from Doncaster who said, “Alan wasn’t just known and admired locally, he was liked nationally”.

Rest in Peace, mate.

Owen Lawrence

Violet & Alan

Ratby Village Society UPDATE Cancellation Through lack of response from those exhibitors invited to attend, it is with regret that we have been forced to cancel the ‘Great Outdoors’ event, which had been due to take place on 12th April.

Meetings Meetings are held in Ratby Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby at 8pm on the third Tuesday monthly except July, August and December, when there are no meetings.

Admission: members £1.60, casual guests £2.50 including refreshments.

• 18th February: AGM • 18th March: Egyptology - Dr Susan Tebby • 15th April: Technology of the English Country House - a talk by Wendy Freer.

Annual Show The Annual Show will take place on Saturday 9th August 2014 at Ratby Sports Club, Desford Lane, Ratby.

The show is open to everyone - you don’t have to live in Ratby to enter.

Schedules will be available shortly.

Jane Rayne

love Quote “There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved: It is God’s finger on man’s shoulder.”

Charles Morgan

Council Approved

People say that age is just a state of mind. I say it’s more about the state of your body.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

20

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

T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 15th Feb: The Strachans - pop and rock covers band with female singer 1st time at The Thornton Sat 22nd Feb: Last Stand - rock covers band, formerly Midlife Crisis PLEASE NOTE that it’s time to renew memberships.

Sky Sports In Both Rooms, Bingo Every Tuesday Evening. www.facebook.com/ thethorntonclub

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Saturday 22nd Feb: MAMA DON’T ALLOW - R&B/Rock n Roll Saturday 8th March: WAYNE CURTIS - male vocalist All FREE Entry!

Garden & Pub Games etc.

POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Next is Saturday 15th February with ‘King of the Road’.

Saturday 8th March: KRISIS Saturday 22nd March: MICHAEL VICKERS

Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

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

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

Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

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

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Friday 14th Feb: Just Jacob Very Good Male Solo Saturday 15th Feb: Limozine Quality 3 Piece Band Sunday 16th Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 21st Feb: Lahna Raven Very Good Female Solo Saturday 22nd Feb: The Rapids Excellent Rock And Roll Band Sunday 23rd Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 28th Feb: Lee O’neil Well Worth Seeing Saturday 1st March: Lee Lard - Top Class Comedian With A Quality Female Vocalist Kelly Brazil Sunday 2nd March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 7th March: Michael Jones - Easy Listening From This Guy Saturday 8th March: T.b.a Sunday 9th March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

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

Friday 21st Feb: MADONNA v SHANIA TWAIN Fri 14th-Sun 16th Feb: VALENTINE’S DAY MEALS See advert on page 26.

Send your Local Live Entertainments and we’ll include a mention here FREE! Tremendous!

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 Sat 1st March: Jan’s 16 Year Anniversary Bash - with SELINA - female vocalist.

Pub Quiz - last Thursday of the month.

ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS

Unhealthy East Midlanders Are Still Shunning Veggies Veggie shy East Midlanders are still not meeting the 5-a-day message more than 10 years since the campaign was launched, a survey has revealed.

Only 8% of those surveyed were tucking into five or more portions of vegetables on an average day and 6% were eating no vegetables at all, the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) has discovered.

Nationally only 10% of those surveyed were tucking into five or more portions of vegetables a day and a shocking 6% were eating no vegetables at all.

BANT says that the results of the survey are extremely concerning as a healthy intake of vegetables should be closer to 7-a-day with just a couple of portions of fruit.

BANT Chair Miguel Toribio-Mateas said: “The message to eat more vegetables is a serious one. Research has shown a correlation between mortality rates and lower consumption of these types of foods.

“The consumption of vegetables is particularly important – they help our bodies to gain the nutrients we need to function. The idea that fruit and vegetables are interchangeable is no longer supported by current evidence, with vegetables being much more nutrient-dense than fruit, gram per gram.

Long term deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to all sorts of health problems. Fruit contains valuable nutrients, but it can be high in sugar, so we have to be careful how much fruit we eat, alas eight pieces of fruit and one vegetable portion a day would not be an ideal fruit/vegetable spread.

“Some people just need a bit of inspiration to help change their diets for the better, others need help navigating their way around medications and serious health conditions, but some simple changes could have a very positive impact on so many lives. Changing the way you eat in the long term can prevent debilitating health conditions in the future and save lives, and there is help out there,” he added.

BANT, which is the professional body for nutritional therapists and those working in nutritional science, commissioned the survey as part of its Diet for Life campaign – encouraging people to make changes to eat healthily for life and not just after Christmas.

Mr Toribio-Mateas added: “Healthy eating isn’t something we should be doing for a couple of weeks in January out of guilt to try to purge ourselves of the festive excess. We are encouraging people to try nutritional therapy to get themselves on the right track for 2014. Everyone is different and everyone has different health issues or needs. Nutritional therapy offers a personalised approach to health and nutrition – as well as some great advice on how to get those veggies into your diet every day, for life.”

To find your local Nutritional Therapist, go to www.bant.org.uk.

Uni researchers seek young pregnant women’s opinions Young pregnant women across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire are being asked to take part in a study exploring young people’s attitudes to breastfeeding.

Researchers at Loughborough University are looking for pregnant women aged 14 to 20 to share their thoughts on breastfeeding to help them understand how young mothers make decisions about how they feed their babies.

Informal discussions will be held in small groups, or participants can chat one-to-one with a researcher in person or on the phone. Any travel expenses will be covered and refreshments will be provided.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Katryna Kalawsky on 01509 228 775 or email K.E.A.Kalawsky@lboro.ac.uk

If my memory gets any worse I’ll be able to plan my own surprise party.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Lady Jane Grey Success at Boccia tournament!

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On why pews SHOULD be uncomfortable The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Visits from your parishioners are always welcome.

Recently, Hinckley and Bosworth School Sports Association Held the inaugural Boccia Tournament at Hinckley Leisure Centre. Lady Jane Grey Primary School were proud to send a team of first time players from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 to compete.

Boccia is a sport of precision similar to bowls. It is competed at national and international levels and although it was new to a lot of children they absolutely loved the tactics and drama in every game.

The team left on a chilly lunch time and arrived into the huge sports hall in Hinckley town centre.

Undaunted by the tournament conditions the school teams started the tournament with successive victories by the A team and competitive scores by the B team.

After lunch both LJG teams were merged for the grand final. As the final match started Lady Jane Grey played strongly in the first two games. However in the final game it was all or nothing in order to win the trophy. A magnificent throw by Reece Lowen from Year 3 assured victory as he landed right on the white jack.

Well done to the whole team !

I live in the hope that they may find ‘Onward Christian soldiers’ more theologically stimulating than their usual diet of ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam’ – but I did not expect them to return to you complaining because our pews are uncomfortable.

Pews are meant to be uncomfortable. The unshakeable belief of our congregation is that the more uncomfortable the pew, the holier the worship must be. By the same token, an 8am Service is more fervent than one at 11am, since it is much more socially inconvenient. If you add on enduring sub-zero temperatures and damp, then sainthood clearly beckons. Your people may be used to lolling in upholstered chairs in tropical temperatures, but I am sure such comfort places their souls in grave peril.

Our pews were built five hundred years ago when people were several inches shorter and many pounds lighter and so could accommodate themselves on them perfectly adequately. The fact that a twenty-first century body is in constant danger of sliding off the seat and requires knees to be folded somewhere near ears at least helps to keep minds focussed – apart for Colonel Wainwright, who still manages to sleep peacefully throughout Mattins every Sunday.

I could point out that your chairs make kneeling almost impossible – although I suspect that posture is not encouraged in your church, as people would then be unable to read the words on your overhead projector or wave their arms about quite as easily during the hymns. While the majority of our congregation find the Anglican crouch perfectly adequate, you can see those who flop to their knees on hearing “let us pray” from the clouds of dust sent up from suddenly compressed hassocks, which were purchased to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Accession.

I may also point out that our box pews are very useful for modern times. Once a family is seated, with the door firmly shut, then any toddler is penned in and unable to use the aisles as a racing circuit. Medieval carpenters were clearly forward thinking people. Admittedly, box pew doors do tend to stick and few manage to look dignified while they wait for step ladders to be brought before they can climb out – although I do tell them that the extra hour gives plenty of time for silent prayer while the rest of us make our way home for lunch.

If only you would remove your chairs and substitute benches without backs, turn off all heating and replace carpets with slate slabs, I am sure your congregation’s religious zeal would soar.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

FENCING

S G S

SHOOTER GARDENING SERVICES

NEW & REPAIR WORK UNDERTAKEN ALL WOOD IS PRESSURE TREATED

CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY

0116 2879715 / 07814224630 I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.

21

Village & Community Achievement Awards 2014 Sponsored by Tarratt Jewellers & Melton Mowbray Building Society Here is an opportunity for you to show off the best of your village, to win recognition and reward your community.

The Rural Community Council (RCC) in their role of supporting and promoting rural communities in Leicestershire and Rutland invite entries for this year’s Achievement Awards The RCC Achievement Awards competition is open to all communities under 15,000 people.

You may enter one or both of the categories: Community (including Cleaner & Greener) and Community Halls.

Every village has an equal chance of winning; it doesn’t matter if this is your first time, or if you have entered in previous years. Just tell us what you are proud of, what you do for your community and how you look after everyone.

There is a £250 cash prize for the winner of each category Full competition details and entry forms can be downloaded from our website www.ruralcc.org.uk or contact us at Community House 133 Loughborough Road Leicester LE4 5LQ.

22

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Construction Centre launched at Groby Community College On 28 January 2014 a new Construction Centre funded by the David Wilson Foundation opened at Groby Community College.

The new centre is designed to help students develop basic construction skills in partnership with Leicester College where expert teaching and progression routes at post 16 will help support those students wishing to access construction apprenticeships.

The practical skills developed at the centre are further enhanced by high quality teaching in literacy and mathematics which will prepare students well for future qualifications and life long learning.

The new construction centre has been made possible by an £80,000 donation from the David Wilson Foundation. Teaching in the centre commenced at the start of January 2014 where students are developing skills in the three main trades – bricklaying, plumbing and carpentry – in a realistic working environment with all of the tools and equipment linked to each trade available to them.

From September 2014 the centre will provide access for up to 50 students each year. Vocationally based courses delivered by the centre include BTEC Construction courses, with students taught by staff from Leicester College. It is expected that the centre will be used by students across the campus at both KS3, 4 and 5.

Endorsing the new centre, David Wilson said: “A key aim of the David Wilson Foundation is to help young people acquire construction skills for their future. This new Construction Centre is the perfect example of that aspiration in action,

LAUNCH: David Wilson (3rd in from the right) pictured with staff and students involved in the new Construction Centre at Groby Community College giving young people an ideal introduction into the construction industry and the skills needed to succeed.”

Commenting on the future success of the centre, Ms Varnam, Groby Community College’s Curriculum Leader for Flexible Learning said: “The grant from the David Wilson Foundation has given the students who need it most on our campus an exciting opportunity to follow a programme in construction, which will play a part in significantly engaging those students who find it hardest to secure proper progression routes at college and long term employment.”

Not only will students develop knowledge and understanding as they work towards their qualifications, but they will also gain skills that will prove invaluable

in their future careers. We are so very grateful to The David Wilson Foundation in helping to make this Construction Centre a reality. This opportunity will help students to gain a real insight into the world of work and will help to provide them with relevant skills which will support them in securing long term jobs and a prosperous future.

David Wilson, CBE, DL established The David Wilson

• • •

Rural Community Council

Entries sought for Village Cricket Competition

Groby WI Programme

20th February Belly Dancing Theory & Practice 20th March Pudding Taste & Try 17th April ‘You can’t be serious!’

Tales of a Wimbledon Umpire 1988 – 2012

8th Page advert: 95 x 65mm

The Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland) is launching the Col Sir Andrew Martin Cricket Competition 2014.

The competition, sponsored by McDonalds, Hinckley, is seeking applications from village cricket teams in Leicestershire and Rutland.

If you would like to find out more about the competition and to receive an entry form please contact Tony Rogers through the RCC (Leicestershire and Rutland), 133 Loughborough Road, Leicester LE4 5LQ. The closing date for entries is Monday 14th April 2014.

Foundation to support young people through education.

Specifically the Foundation helps young people overcome barriers to succeed, develop skills in the construction industry and achieve their potential for a successful working life.

Robert Coles, Principal

Book a stall

Craft Fayre in Thornton Don’t miss the Craft Fayre at Thornton Community Centre, from 10am to 2.30pm on Saturday 15th March.

There will be loads of interesting stalls including Fascinators, Salt Dough Items, Jewellery, Cards, etc.

If you would like to book a stall, contact Iris Gleeson on 01530 230453.

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If you’re on the treadmill next to me, the answer is “Yes. We are racing.”

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

Are you a voluntary or community group seeking practical or professional help?

Leicestershire Cares is a charity which brings together local businesses and the community, for the benefit of both.

Our programmes of support for the voluntary and community sector include: Team Challenges We have teams of employee volunteers interested in completing one-day projects for organisations across Leicestershire. Team Challenges can be practical or strategic, and examples include: • Painting or decorating an area • Developing an outdoor/garden area • Organising an event or day trip Please note that we are unable to support requests involving construction or electrical work.

Leicestershire ProHelp Leicestershire ProHelp is a network of professional firms offering free professional advice and strategic support for one-off projects for the voluntary and community sector.

Member firms include solicitors, IT and communication consultants, PR and marketing consultants, accountants, architects, and surveyors who support a range of projects such as feasibility studies, business planning, structural surveys, marketing plans, legal and accountancy advice, etc.

Organisations seeking ProHelp support are asked to complete an application form providing information on the proposed project and their organisation. Leicestershire ProHelp members meet bi-monthly to review and take on new applications where possible.

For more information about Team Challenges or Leicestershire ProHelp please write to Katharine Lightbown at Leicestershire Cares, 42 Tower Street, Leicester LE1 6WT or email: katharine@leicestershirecares.co.uk or telephone: 0116 275 6469.

An Afternoon of Song for Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth Woodville On Wednesday 29th January 2014, Year 4 children from Lady Jane Grey Primary School and Elizabeth Woodville joined together to take part in an afternoon of singing.

The singing was organised and led by Soar Valley Music and focused upon collaboration and performance. The afternoon gave children the opportunity to meet each other and join in with singing a variety of songs.

Over the duration of ninety minutes, children were taught a selection of songs to warm up their voices, as well as the importance of maintaining rhythm, pitch and listening to each other.

Once the children had perfected two songs they performed them to an excited audience who were extremely impressed.

All children performed with enthusiasm, confidence and produced a magnificent sound. The opportunity to collaborate across schools has been a fantastic opportunity and is something that both schools are keen to maintain.

Well done to all the children who took part !

23

Young criminals must be punished, but education is the cure Doubling the time spent on schooling for young offenders will cut reoffending.

The “sky-high” rate of reoffending by young criminals must be reversed, the Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said as new plans were unveiled to rehabilitate young offenders through better education and training.

Nearly one in ten young offenders in custody are from the East Midlands and will benefit from new plans to transform the youth estate.

Almost three quarters of young offenders return to crime when they are released.

Currently, young offenders spend on average just 12 hours a week in education under new proposals this would be more than doubled to give young offenders much more time in the classroom to help them develop the skills they need to turn their back on crime.

Under the plans to transform youth custody, a pioneering Secure College will be built in the East Midlands. These Secure Colleges will provide young offenders strong discipline, while focusing squarely on rehabilitation and education. The establishment will have a head teacher or principal at the core of a leadership team made up of educational professionals and offender managers.

Justice Minister Jeremy Wright: “One in 10 young people in custody are from the East Midlands, and will benefit from the changes we are announcing today.

“Currently a youth custodial place costs an average of £100,000 - but despite this nearly three-quarters of young offenders who leave custody reoffend within a year; this is unacceptable.

“We need to tackle the root cause of youth offending.

This is why we are developing Secure Colleges, which will have education at the heart of detention. This will help equip young offenders with the necessary skills, qualifications and self-discipline that they need to turn their lives around”.

At any one time, there are about 1,000 young people in youth custody across Britain. Nearly three quarters of young offenders who leave custody reoffend within a year. In order to help them turn their backs on crime education, vocational training and work skills will become a central part of a young offender’s daily routine, giving them the tools they need to turn their lives around and increase their chances of getting a job after release.

The Government is also taking steps to improve the help given to young offenders when they leave custody so that more are encouraged to go into education, training or employment and fewer go on to reoffend.

Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons. Other times, we just hug.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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2070 (Glenfield) Squadron, Air Training Corps

New Junior Cadets arrive

A new intake of Junior Cadets has joined the 2070 (Glenfield) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

The cadets will now begin their First Class Cadet training which will consist of training in the following elements: ATC, RAF, Initial Expedition Training, Airmanship, History of Flight, Drill and Weapons Handling.

Once the Cadets have achieved the required standard in each of these disciplines they will prepare for a passing out parade where they will receive their First Class badge.

For more information visit www.2070sqn.co.uk

FS ATC M Parker

Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall.

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00

Coming soon!

Booking details will be in schools very soon!

Urban Saints is held during term time, at the URC chapel: there are games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions.

- for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s on Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites

Youth Worker Ruth O’Connell 07759 087804

Chattabox is a half term holiday club for primary school children in Groby.

Catch

meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer.

Catch meets every Friday in term time, 9.30-11.30am, at the URC. For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 0116 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 0116 232 1733 Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804

Every person has a story to tell, which is why I never talk to people.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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As promised Arriva has printed new timetables for the 26 service through Groby and the route map now shows that it travels straight down Ratby Road.

There may be some red faces in the organisation, however, as the Leicester departures page that has the times of the buses haven’t been updated and still says that the service turns on to Stephenson Way and Woodbank Road. Oops!

It seems that the inconvenience which some passengers on the Arriva 26 service are suffering since it was rerouted is for the common good. The service no longer runs along those side streets where the bus drivers had struggled to weave their way through the parked cars. Everyone was told last month by the company that the parking ‘was not the deciding factor in making this decision’ and ‘the service has suffered from punctuality issues along the length of its route including works along the A46/A50 junction.’

This puzzled residents as the route change took place almost a month after the new lights were switched on. And the bus gate ensured that the buses bypassed any congestion.

On top of it all this appears to be the only route change between Leicester and Coalville. Having gone to the expense of printing new timetables, albeit flawed, it’s reasonable to assume there’s no intention to make further route changes any time soon.

If you call in at the Arriva shop to pick up a new timetable you’ll find them in the slot with a sticker that informs you that the change has been made to improve the punctuality of the route. These issues have been put to Arriva but no acknowledgement or response has been received.

Passengers share the frustration that Arriva doesn’t communicate with them. They have seen for themselves the difficulties that the drivers are faced with and it is not surprising that they cannot keep to time. When asked which part of the route was the worst following the elimination of the Stephenson Way obstacle course one driver who was still running late replied “all of it.”

Another consultation Punctuality is an issue which Arriva has to take seriously as the company has the Traffic Commissioners keeping an eye on it and all other bus operators. Last year The Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain, Beverley Bell, published a consultation on draft statutory guidance and statutory directions covering local bus services.

The document sets out what traffic commissioners should expect from operators who run registered bus routes and revises the standards for reliable and punctual services.

The consultation, which closed on 13 November 2013, also proposed revisions to financial penalty levels where operators fail, without a reasonable excuse, to operate a local bus service or do not run it according to the timetable. The results of the consultation have not yet been published.

The Senior Traffic Commissioner (STC) says the registration of commercially run bus services is entirely a matter for the individual operators who run them and consequently they are free to register timetables in whatever manner they see fit. Operators are required to achieve reliability and punctuality and to keep those under review; it must be realistic and achievable and operators must ensure that the services are scheduled appropriately and kept under review.

Operators must run services in accordance with the registered particulars, or have a reasonable excuse where they do not. To meet this requirement the guidance says that traffic commissioners should expect operators to regularly review registered timetables as a result of the analysis of the records kept so as to ensure that the highest levels of punctuality and reliability can be attained for the service taking

account of traffic and operating conditions.

And in addition they should regularly review registered timetables in the light of predictable traffic and operating conditions.

Historically traffic commissioners have stated that it is expected that 95% of registered services must depart from timing points on time and that timetabled services (i.e. those with five buses or less per hour) punctuality is determined by comparing actual departure times with scheduled departure times. The STC proposes that for late running services the current window of lateness tolerance when determining if registered services run on time of up to 5 minutes late should be retained.

The proposed guidelines also say that there is evidence that some operational conditions including the lack of parking enforcement, can mean that in reality on some services it is unlikely that they will run within the window of tolerance of 5 minutes late. Commissioners will expect 100% of all services to arrive at the final destination point no more than 5 minutes late.

Timetables should reflect what is achievable The Senior Traffic Commissioner directs that decisions on whether to accept short-term difficulties as a reasonable excuse for failure must be based on the principle that it is for operators to construct their timetables to take account of known peaks of congestion etc. However the objective is to “achieve a timetable that can normally be met rather than one which rarely achieves its aspirations.” Operators are at liberty to vary their registrations to meet changing circumstances. “Where problems regularly exist operators should vary their registration to

reflect what is achievable and actually happening rather than retain an unworkable aspiration.” Traffic commissioners must consider the detailed circumstances of each route that is brought to their attention.

Passengers cannot be expected to be familiar with all the regulations that operators work under. But for the average passenger an interpretation of the guidance might be that if the road conditions are such that you cannot keep to your published timetable, and you cannot control the road conditions, then you have the option to change the timetable. This would seem to meet the requirement of the Commissioners that “Operators should be clear that the Senior Traffic Commissioner expects timetables to be realistic and based on an informed assessment of each route, including congestion.”

No-one underestimates the difficulty the bus drivers face and efforts continue to be made to resolve the parking issues, including discussions about a possible park and ride system for employees of GESensing (Druck).

So if you are elderly you may, following the change to the route and not to the timetable to take account of unavoidable delays, find it difficult to get to the stop on Ratby Road.

But remember that the sacrifice in convenience that you have made is for the common good and passengers from Coalville, Bagworth and Thornton will save a few minutes on their journey. The good news is that Groby’s County Councillor has been reassured that no route change will be made to the 28 service, so just hope that his continued efforts and those of the Parish Council will lead to a resolution of the parking situation and the return of your 26.

As a child, my mother cleaned my face with her spit. It was like I was raised by cats.

rd Search Puzzle

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Weather Wordsearch Find 12 terms associated with the Weather in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel.

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - 12 words or phrases that might be used during the weather forecast. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

N P V G H M F P J C F M P E V

A O U Y O E C T L A L O G V Z

W N I S H Y P O V X A N Y A U

A I X T J H U D P M S S D W W

T D N O A D J D J D H O B T K

D S O D B T R R R B F O Q A G

E V A U C A I I V M L N W E J

T K R C Z H Z P J E O L J H C

A S R Z R Z I G I V O E S S B

T I I R L E B L I C D U W M N

R L J E F U V P L K E J S P A

B I B X S J E O Q I G R N L D

A G N I N R A W E L A G P Z J

C V P K W A R M F R O N T B V

L L A F W O N S A F V O O A V

Send your entry to: BLACK OVER BILL’S MOTHER’S, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 5th March 2014. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s umbrella will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 WEATHER TERMS you have to find:

BLIZZARD • CLOUDBURST • DRIZZLE FLASHFLOOD • GALE WARNING • HEATWAVE MONSOON • OVERCAST • PRECIPITATION SNOWFALL • WARM FRONT • WIND CHILL Name: .................................................................................................

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

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

Every Wednesday Afternoon BLIZZARD CLOUDBURST DRIZZLE FLASHFLOOD GALEWARNING HEATWAVE MONSOON OVERCAST PRECIPITATION SNOWFALL WARMFRONT WINDCHILL

Markfield Mayflower Club Markfield Community Association (MCA) have secured some funding from the Hinckley and Bosworth Voluntary and Community Services Board to start a pilot project aimed at supporting the those elderly, vulnerable people and carers living in the village and surrounding villages and rural areas.

According to Carers UK there are about 6.5 million people caring for sick and elderly relatives in the UK and with ever dwindling financial resources is about time we looked at ways to provide information and support to help our ever growing elderly population and those that give up a lot of their time to care for them.

They are calling the project the Markfield Mayflower Club not only because the Centre is located in Mayflower Close but also in recognition of the human achievements of the those who set out on the Mayflower ship in August 1620 to seek a better life and religious freedom in the New World.

These pilgrims had to endure severe weather conditions, hardships and lack of resources and without banding together and supporting each other they would not have survived.

The new club will be available on every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm starting Wednesday 12th February. Entry is only 50p per person and includes light refreshments. The club is open to anyone aged over 50 as well as those who care for the elderly or the sick. MCA are already planning a programme of informative and fun inputs from various organisations that support people in the community.

On Wednesday 5th March Sandi Clarke will be giving a talk on coping with dementia. They are also in the planning stages of providing other useful talks such as the work of the Royal Voluntary Service, staying safe at home, healthy life style, preventing and surviving strokes as well as talks on local services and clubs available. But its not all “preaching” as the aim is to also provide arm chair fitness sessions as well as time for a good old social “natter” with a few indoor activities thrown in. So, if you are interested, just come along on Wednesday afternoons and join in.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

I’m tired of being the “just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse” example.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • FEBRUARY 2014 • Tel: 01530 244069

27

NEW

RANGES

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If trendy nightclubs have taught me anything, it’s that I really overpaid for Irish dance lessons.

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