Feb 2019 Groby Spotlight

Parish Poll Update

Community Hub consultation meeting at Groby Club on 5th March FOLLOWING the 2017 Parish Poll a proposal for an ambitious new Groby Community Hub at the Klondyke, has been submitted to the Borough Council for consideration.

A public consultation meeting will be held at 7.15pm at Groby Club on Tuesday 5th March 2019.

It’s a chance to find out what’s happened since the Poll, hear more about the Community Hub proposal, or volunteer to join the project team.

For further information, or if you would like to get involved, contact Martin Cartwright (0116 287 4500) or Peter Batty (0116 291 2284).

Joe Matthews Selected For National Finals BROOKVALE Groby Year 7 student Joe Matthews has come first in the Year 7 secondary schools cross country league, having come first in 2 out of 4 races, running for Brookvale Groby.

He has been selected for the Leicester Cross Country team at the National Finals on 23rd March at Prestwold Hall!

Joe also runs for Desford Flyers. Recently, as well as running the secondary schools race for Brookvale Groby on Saturday morning, a couple of hours later he raced in the last race of the season for the North Midlands Cross Country League, coming 6th to finish 3rd overall in the league for the under 13’s.

WELL DONE JOE! GOOD LUCK FOR THE NATIONAL FINALS!

On the Beach DO YOU enjoy singing? Have you been to a Groby Sings concert and found yourself singing along and wishing you could take part?

Well, why not make it one of your New Year resolutions to do just that?

After the triumph of Groby Sings From the Rooftops before Christmas and the announcement that our choir, Groby Sings, is now a registered charity, we’re looking forward to another year of friendship and music-making in our community.

Our first get-together of 2019 will be on Monday 25th February at The Groby Club when we will be looking towards the summer and singing songs from South Pacific, well-known numbers by artists such as the Beach Boys and various seaside hits.

Our summer concert weekend, Groby Sings On the Beach, will be 29th and 30th June.

Groby Sings is a non-profit making and fully inclusive choir. Anyone from 7 to 107 is welcome to join. You don’t need to be a brilliant singer, just come along and enjoy singing for fun, knowing that you will be in good company and warmly welcomed. Please encourage your children and grandchildren to join too. They will really enjoy themselves and enrich the sound so much.

There’s cake too!

Groby Players

Laughs, thrills and a twist - Spygame has it all!

GROBY PLAYERS’ next production is a Comedy/Thriller entitled ‘Spygame’, by Bettine Manktelow. (Samuel French Ltd) The plot is centred around some prospective contestants for a TV reality show, who gather in a country house, aiming to win a large cash prize, but they must survive the ultimate Spygame!

There is the inevitable twist at the end, just to keep you guessing!

The play is on March 28th, 29th & 30th, in the Village Hall, Groby, at 7.30pm.

It’s ‘cafe style’ seating, so bring your own refreshments. Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets, priced at £7, are available from 0116 287 7373, or tel/text 07790 861033, or email dottieh743@gmail.com Tickets will also be on sale in the Village Hall, Groby, every Saturday morning in March, between 10am-12 noon.

Taking part in our twice-yearly concerts is also great fun but entirely optional. There is an added bonus of a delicious cake break during each singing session and the Club has excellent facilities, including a wheelchair ramp and comfortable chairs, and drinks, including tea and coffee, are available to go with your (free) cake.

The choir meets on Mondays from February to June and September to November, 1.15-3.00pm or 8.00-9.30pm for adults and 3.40-4.40pm, i.e. after school, for our children and young singers from age 7 upwards. Contact us via our website www.grobysings.org if you want to know about parking, afternoon childcare or any other queries.

Why not come along and give it a try, you’ll be so glad you did!

Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490.

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 16TH MARCH - ARTICLES & ADVERT DEADLINE: 1st MARCH

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Older People In Groby Make Glass Suncatchers For The First Time OLDER PEOPLE in Leicester tried their hand at making Suncatchers from fused glass for the first time recently at the Greys of Groby Group held at Groby Community Centre.

Local glass artist, Sarah Luke, was on hand to provide instruction, expert guidance and support to members of the Greys of Groby group who brought their own personality and creativity to the project, decorating with a variety of coloured glass and designs.

Staying active and social have been proven to be important to keeping fit and well in older age and this event was part of First Time for Everything, a programme designed by Royal Voluntary Service and Prudential to give older people in Leicestershire (and across the UK) an opportunity to try something new for free in their local community.

Research[1] by Royal Voluntary Service last year found that two thirds (65 per cent) of people aged 60 and over wanted to try a new activity, but three in ten (29 per cent) felt there weren’t enough local opportunities to do so.

Keen to address this, the charity joined forces with Prudential to launch the First Time for Everything programme.

Rachel Gray, Royal Voluntary Service activity co-ordinator for Leicestershire, says: “It’s been wonderful to see so many local people enjoying our First Time for Everything activities. Thanks to funding from Prudential, we have lots more

exciting events coming up and hope that even more older people, their carers and families will come along. It’s never too late to try something for the first time.”

Jillian Lobban, Director of Regulatory and Legacy Projects, said: “The First Time for Everything programme has had a significant impact in the communities where it’s already run. We want to help create experiences that

enhance the lives of older people and at the same time help address the epidemic of loneliness in the UK, particularly amongst the elderly. We’re therefore delighted to be supporting Royal Voluntary Service. We hope that even more older people will enjoy trying First Time for Everything activities in 2018.”

Royal Voluntary Service relies on support from local volunteers to help run First Time for Everything events and other social activities and is looking for more volunteers to join its friendly, dedicated team.

Rachel Gray says: “For anyone with a few hours to spare, volunteering is a great way to get involved in the local community. Our volunteers are a wonderful bunch of people – many are aged 60 and over - and they really enjoy the buzz they get from helping others.”

For more information about Prudential First Time for Everything activities and other services for older people in Leicestershire, and to find out more about local volunteering opportunities, contact Royal Voluntary Service on 07795 450602, email rachel. gray@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or visit https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ get-help/social-activities/social-events

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Thanks and Quizzing WE WOULD like to say a great big thank you to everyone who supported out fundraising activites in 2018 and especially in the last couple of months of the year.

Our Christmas fund raising came to over £2000 this year and will enable us to give support to LOROS, Rainbows and our Community Library over the coming months.

Sales of the Rotary Calendar on behalf of Bradgate Park have also gone well and provided much needed support for this very special place in our area (the park is maintained and run as a Charitable Trust so appreciates all local fundraising). Thanks to all who sponsored or supported this project by buying calendars.

Of course we haven’t stopped our efforts to keep the charity pot growing and so our next event is due on Monday the 25th February when we are organising a Fun Charity Quiz Evening at The Stamford Arms from 7.00pm onwards. It is just £25 for a table for 4 ( including pizza and chips) or £35 for a table for 6.

Why not come along and keep the brain cells warm this winter!

You will need to book your table in advance at The Stamford Arms.

WISE WORDS: I am not and never will be perfect. I am not always as honest, respectful, responsible, fair or as kind as I should be. All I can do is what I should do: strive every day, with every decision to be the best person I can be. I don’t expect to be perfect but I know I can be better.

Michael Josephson

One in four frogs is a leap frog.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The mystery of The Rookery culvert and a glimpse of bygone Groby ICY CONDITIONS on the Groby Club car park were caused by an off site water leak which drained into a mystery culvert under The Rookery and had Severn Trent engineers baffled for a time. It resulted in the temporary closure of the vehicular entrance.

The leaking mains water which has caused a problem for Groby Club wasn’t as spectacular as the big leaks under pressure that we see on the television from time to time, but it nevertheless created a safety hazard during the freezing weather. The water, which froze to an icy sheet over part of the car park, was more of a steady dribble rather than a torrent and appeared to be entering the car park from under the war memorial in the corner. It left the club with a bill for road salt to help prevent the formation of ice.

Trial holes quickly filled with water and a slate lined culvert eventually found under the memorial could be seen to extend south beneath the car park wall and under The Rookery. Declining the offer of a water diviner the engineers brought in reinforcements with ‘more up to date technology’ and eventually discovered the source on The Rookery. The repair was further delayed when the team was called away to a more serious leak.

Groby slate seems to have been offered cheaply for ducts and linings up to the end of the 19th century, but the question of the exact age and purpose of the culvert remains a mystery. On balance, despite it’s relatively large size, it was probably some form of land drain, though alternative explanations would be welcome. Whatever the purpose it does provide a glimpse of bygone Groby : with a reliance on well water a potable water supply in the village may have been a problem.

Although polluting drinking water became a criminal offence in 1847, and in 1848 the Public Health Act was passed, Groby Granite Quarry ledgers indicate that the occupants of the ‘old Ratby Road houses’ circa 1890 were drinking polluted water and numerous tests were carried out. In 1901 a contaminated water supply in Co-operative yard and ten cottages was reported at what is now the present Fir Tree Lane Corner.

Crane Ley Farm, which was opposite Wilson’s shop seems to be a likely source of early water as so many animals would have needed a drink, which may have contributed to the pollution.

When did mains water come to Groby?

THORNTON Reservoir was built in 1847, and from 1899 water was being supplied to Leicestershire from reservoirs in the upper reaches of the River Derwent.

But what progress was made in installing mains outside the city is unclear, as is the date that mains water came to Groby.

Some information is a matter of public record, for example the quarry ledger stated that water was not laid to Groby at September 1899, the time of writing.

In 1909 the Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association provided the Groby facility which now stands outside the Village Hall. The Groby Granite

Company was active in providing dwellings in the village, and in 1901 Market Bosworth Rural District Council(MBRDC) told the company that water must be laid on to cottages (4 had just been built) and furthermore MBRDC would do the work themselves and charge accordingly if the company defaulted. But how was this water provided?

In 1897 Victoria Cottages on Ratby Road were built with the inclusion of a system to harvest rainwater from the roof, and store it underground in the gardens.

Could this have been a response to the drought of the previous year? It seems that 1896 was a scorcher across the world. The drought that devastated eastern Australia from 1895-1903 was the result of three closely following El Niño events. A 24-day heatwave killed 437 people in Australia in January 1896. In the same year Eastern North America experienced a 10-day heat wave that killed about 1,500 people in August.

Europe also experienced a heatwave in 1896 and Groby appears to have suffered as a result. Men on Lord Stamford’s estate had put in a clay puddle by the Groby Pool flood gate and cut off water from the pool.

Groby Granite couldn’t use its washing machine and the Victoria Stone company was getting by on just half work. Things were very serious by 31st July 1896.

Victoria Stone had run out of water for slab making and steam supplies, but the Groby Granite Office put the problems down to the summer drought. Victoria stone wrote to Groby Granite asking for guidance in getting an alternative water supply and Groby Granite said they would make all efforts to supply water. But it is obvious that by 20th August 1896 no water flows.

The Stamford estate was slow to put the Groby Pool water back online and Groby Granite managed to find enough surface water in their quarries to continue work. However, by September Groby Granite men were interfering with the Groby Pool sluice trying to improve the water flow and the Stamford estate manager wanted to know why this is happening.

Extending water mains to rural areas was not always economic, so a system of guaranteeing income for the supplier was introduced. Any annual shortfall of income below a certain threshold would have to be made good. There are still households with no mains water or sewage disposal, but thankfully in 2019 water and sanitation is so much easier. We just turn on the tap or flush the toilet.

And thanks to local historian David Ramsey for all the historical information which has enabled this brief peek at Victorian village life. If you have any information which can explain the mystery culvert please let the Spotlight know.

Norman Griffiths

I like having conversations with kids. Grown ups never ask me what my third favorite reptile is.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby Book Club THE NEXT meeting of Groby Book Club will be on Thursday 21st February, when Lisa Drakeford, Groby’s very own local author will be coming to give a talk.

Lisa has already written two books, The Baby and The Crash, and her speciality is writing for young adults. If you feel you would be interested in listening to Lisa please come along and join us on 21st February in the village hall.

The book club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month in The Waldron Room in the Village Hall between 2.00pm and 3.30pm.

It’s £2.00 each meeting, which includes tea/coffee and cake. We do have very lively discussions covering many literary genres and after you have heard Lisa speak you may wish to continue to come to Book Club meetings.

The following gives an idea of the books we will be reading and discussing this year: • March 21st - To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee • April 18th - The Librarian by Sally Vickers • May 16th - Remarkable Creatures

by Tracey Chevalier • June 20th - The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffers and Annie Barrows • July 18th - A Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain We do not meet in August but begin again in September. Please do come and join us.

Further enquiries and information from Linda Boyd email: linda.boyd1@icloud.com

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Behind every angry woman is a man who has absolutely no idea what he did wrong.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

BOOK: Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World

By Rutger Bregman FROM A universal basic income to a 15-hour workweek, from a world without borders to a world without poverty – it’s time to return to utopian thinking.

Rutger Bregman takes us on a journey through history, beyond the traditional left-right divides, as he introduces ideas whose time has come.

Utopia for Realists is one of those rare books that takes you by surprise and challenges what you think you know. In the words of leading social theorist Zygmunt Bauman, it is “brilliant, truly enlightening, and eminently readable.”

Latest news from Groby Allotment Society SO, WHAT’S been happening on the allotments lately?

Not a lot on my plot, as that cold wind has put me off doing much and due to the recent spell of cold weather, the ground has been too hard to do much anyway. The only good thing about the cold and ice is that the weeds don’t grow too fast either!

I have been thinking of what to grow and how to grow it this year though and I am tempted to try to grow a bit more by the ‘no-dig’ method. I need to plant out some onion and garlic sets this month, if the ground defrosts a bit, and so need to decide where to put them. I’ve also been thinking of putting down a black membrane cover over the area where I will plant my potatoes to help to warm up the soil and allow for earlier planting in April. I do love new potatoes!

Paperwork!

We will have had our AGM (9th February) by the time you read this, and so this last month has been quite a busy one for the Allotment Committee, not on our plots, but preparing for a new Allotment Society year.

We send out the AGM notices and rent renewal letters, hand-delivering them, as well as sorting out the financial accounts and making sure they all balance for the end of year report.

We also turn our attention to the priorities for the year ahead; which areas require attention for maintenance; what new services should we strive to provide for our members this coming year? We are hoping that we will get some ideas from members at the AGM that the new committee can work on.

What does the weather hold for us this year?

Who knows what this year will throw at us, regarding the weather? It certainly had us all on our toes last year!

I have read that from this February there is likely to be another El Niño event. This natural event last occurred in 2016 and helped make 2016 the hottest year ever. It occurs naturally every few years and is due to abnormally high sea temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Meteorologists are not forecasting this year’s El Niño to be as powerful as the 2016 event, but it is likely to cause droughts and floods and high temperatures across the globe, so what will the effect be on our allotment gardens?

At least by growing our own food, we can try to manage the weather effects to some extent and not have to cope with the ever-increasing vegetable prices. The new seed catalogues are full of new disease-resistant varieties of vegetable seeds to help us all get a better harvest from our crops this year, so this should help with the vagaries of the weather.

Carol Lincoln

Building & Maintenance - Private & Commercial

GETTING READY FOR WINTER Make sure your home is protected from the elements this winter

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Spoiler alert! The milk has been in the fridge for three weeks.

January to June 2019

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk JANUARY FEBRUARY

Letter

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

Hall, Stamford St. Use Glenfield Bible Scout An Unnecessary Restriction on the of Our Park ?

Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)

I WAS Talks puzzled to see ‘no cycling’ signs had been erected in Marina Park and wondered who ordered them and what The Holy Feb 03 The Truth the Devil the rationale was forabout this instruction.

Scriptures... are

to make The signs are placed just after ‘pump cycleDoes track’iteffectivelyable limiting “Crucified with the Christ” – What wise 10 pump track to the Marina Drive entrance for usersthee access Feb to the who dounto Mean? salvation not want to walk the length of the park wheeling their bike. The effect of through faith the signs be created to push the our world youngfor people onto some of Groby’s busier Febseem 17 to God a purpose which is in Christ roads. This is particularly the case for those coming from the new estates at Jesus.. the topFeb of the 24 village.

The Inspiration of the Bible 2 Timothy 3:15 For our very young children, the signs, if interpreted literally, take away goodwww.lifes-big-questions.org safe places to learn how to ride theirwww.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield bikes at a time when we are seeking to encourage safe physical exercise.

Christadelphians For myself and cycling Glenfield families, it means a significant increase in road cycling in order to get to relative safety of the Burroughs and the countryside at the far side of Ratby.

MARCH Will these signs be effective? Can we really imagine our 14 year olds who Faith by track hearing, and hearing Word their of God might use thecometh cycle pump walking through the by parkthe wheeling bikes? I doubt it.

St.has Glenfield Bible Given this situationScout one hasHall, to askStamford why this rule been introduced. I understand that particularly older park users may find inconsiderate use of Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing) Talks bikes disturbing. Unfortunately the cyclists who ride without consideration for others are those most likely to ignore the signs.

The Holy Aprnotable 07 I’m a Good Person - Why do Iwhere Need God? Scriptures... are It is also that there are several places pedestrians and cycles able to make are intentionally allowed to share space on foot /cycleways in this area. wise unto Apr 14 This would not be the case if theretowas either God’s Invitation Youany significant net risk tothee salvation pedestrians or cyclists.

Why Christians meet to Share Bread and faith Apr 21 The net outcome of this new restriction is therefore an increasethrough in traffic Wine which is in Christ risk to those who follow it, with no compensating benefit.

Jesus..

I would ask28those who instigated this (at least prima facie) unnecessary Apr The Man who Died with Jesus 2 Timothy 3:15 restriction on our park to reconsider it, and, unless there are balanced and evidenced based reasons justifying the change, to withdraw it. www.lifes-big-questions.org www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

Bible Talks

Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)

Mar 03 What the Bible says about Grace Mar 10 Jesus - a Man or a Myth?

Mar 17 Parables of the Kingdom of God Mar 24 How the Meek will Inherit the Earth Mar 31 Where do the dinosaurs fit in? www.lifes-big-questions.org

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

Bible Talks

Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)

The Holy Scriptures... are able to make May 12 The Good Shepherd thee wise unto salvation through faith May 19 The Joy of Baptism which is in Christ Jesus..

May 26 The Good News about the Kingdom of God 2 Timothy 3:15

May 05 What is it to be Jesus’ Disciple?

www.lifes-big-questions.org

JUNE

Jun 30 Bible Teaching on the Man of Sin www.lifes-big-questions.org

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

Bible Talks

Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)

Jun 23 The Politics of the Kingdom of God

www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield

Glenfield Christadelphians

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God

Jun 16 The Challenge of Evil

www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield

APRIL

MAY

Jun 02 The Bible's Great Courtroom Drama The Important Promise God made to Jun 09 Abraham

The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus..

2 Timothy 3:15

Glenfield Christadelphians

Peter Griggs Glenfield Christadelphians

Bible Talks

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The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus..

2 Timothy 3:15

www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield

Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)

Jul 07

Jesus' Teaching About Money

Jul 14

The Resurrection Of Christ - What it means To You

Jul 21

Bible Teaching about the Earth's Future

Jul 28

What the Bible says about Resurrection

www.lifes-big-questions.org

The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus..

2 Timothy 3:15

www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield

Glenfield Christadelphians

Glenfield Christadelphians

Queries to Glenn Smith 30 Lichfield Drive, Blaby, Leics, LE8 4AS Tel 0116 2773200 glennsmith99@gmail.com

Invoice to Peter Forbes 16 Mountfields Drive, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3JE Tel. 07808 066957 peterlforbes@tiscali.co.uk

I changed my password to “incorrect”. So whenever I forget what it is the computer will say “Your password is incorrect”.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Old Highway Land Planning Application 18/01038/REM Leicester Road, Groby.

I HAVE been made aware that this planning application is due to be heard by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday 19th February.

Residents are concerned above the levels on the site and the possible overlooking of surrounding properties. There are also flooding concerns. I have already met with the flooding Authority with a local resident who is a retired Highways manager. I have also met with the planning officer Jenny Brader with two local residents who are concerned about the levels of the proposed new houses. I have contacted Rob Parkinson, the Director of Planning, and asked him to extend the 10 days additional consultation. He declined saying officers had written to all residents who had responded during the original consultation and residents could submit objections up to the date of the meeting but I would suggest residents submit them up to the 18th February.

I am also seeking further clarification with Highways over the Flooding concerns. I have also arranged a further site meeting with the developer and a local resident who is a retired Civil Engineer who worked for Leicestershire Highways for over 30 years. This again is to discuss the proposed levels of the new development. I want to make sure that residents are given all

the relevant information as levels remain a concern. You can send your comments and objections by email to: Jenny.Brader@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk You can also write in to: Jenny Brader, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire. LE10 0FR.

‘County Lines’ LEICESTERSHIRE Police are currently running a campaign to raise awareness of County Lines.

The term County Lines describes gangs and organized criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into other areas of the country, often small towns, using dedicated mobile phone lines or another form of ‘deal line’ which can be a person. They are likely to exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.

Cuckooing is a form of county lines crime in which drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to criminally exploit them as a base for drug dealing.

Things to look out for: • Signs of Drug use • Decline in a neighbour’s wellbeing • Increase in people or vehicles visiting a property • There is an increase of AntiSocial Behaviour More info and advice: leics.police. uk/cuckooing Provide information & report non-urgent crime: leics. police.uk/reportonline

What’s wrong with having time?

A POPULAR way to ‘show off’ these days seems to be telling people on Facebook that you are too busy to accept their invitation to whatever.

This lets everyone know that you are in more demand than they are, and that they would be lucky to get five minutes with you. You are a busy person! Busy, busy busy!

Why do we feel under constant pressure to cram more and more activities into our lives, and then to keep everything going at a frenzied pace? Why do we have to live like hamsters on a wheel? If ever we slow down, or falter, there is always that little voice in our head which accuses us of being idle - or inadequate.

We admire people who seem to endlessly juggle family, work, hobbies, sports and whatever else in their lives. But why? Why is it so good to never have time to stop and think and just BE? Why is risking burn-out and complete exhaustion something to be admired?

Why not try and discern what is really worthwhile in your life. There is no need to charge from one thing to another, hoping to find some meaning in it all. Remember, at the end of the day, the hamster gets nowhere.

Friday Cook & Chat GROBY Community Kitchen/Cook and Chat is back every Friday morning between 10am x 12 noon at Groby Community Centre.

Jenny has worked with Borough Council officers, and she has managed to rearrange the day for Groby’s Community Kitchen sessions.

It was disappointing that she only had just 3 parish councillors turn up on the first week. This is an excellent facility which she hopes to expand to craft and chat morning.

Please come along and give it your support as we don’t want to lose it.

Remember these sessions are all FREE and available to all sections of the community young and old.

So come along every Friday to Groby Community Centre, Forest Rise, Groby between 10am and 12 noon during term time. If you are at a loose end, come along and enjoy other people’s company. All the ingredients are provided free as is the tea and coffee. If you do not want to cook, please come along and have a chat and a cuppa and support this Community Project. On a special note Jenny would also like

to say a special thank you to Shaun Sterland of Catering Support Services. Shaun is a resident of Groby who kindly donated 10 large chopping boards to the project.

Footpath: Sacheverell way Groby to the Ivanhoe Trail Glenfield I HAVE been contacted by numerous residents regarding this footpath.

I have continued to chase its progress and I have updated residents when I received it. I was hoping it would be open by now.

However this path will be owned privately - not by the County Council. Please see the update that I have received from Highways in relation to my request for a date when residents can expect to see the footpath open: With regard to the opening, when I last corresponded with the developer’s liaison officer their time table was for the entrance works on Sacheverell Way to re-start on 4th February and that they would take approximately 3 weeks. Their target is to fully open the route in early March.

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Had a row with my boss at lunchtime. One of the perks of working near a boating lake.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

( Tel: 0116 239 4336

Mobile: 07808 585825

Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com This path was made a planning condition when the developers were given planning permission for the Optimus Point development in Glenfield.

This Department supported the provision of the path as an important pedestrian/cyclist link to Groby but it became clear in the pre-development negotiations that the developers did not wish to provide a 3 metre wide full construction tarmacadamed cycle path to L.C.C. Highways Design Guide (adoptable) standards, nor construct the same type of path and dedicate it as a public bridleway.

It was therefore decided between the planners and developers that a gravel path would be constructed to be provided as a permissive path to a lower specification. I presume it was considered that a link such as this, constructed to the developers own standards, for the public to use was better than no link at all, which I think is a fair point.

I was at one point asked to sign off the condition in terms of its construction specifications but given that the County Council would have no future maintenance responsibility for the route and it was not going to be built to an L.C.C. design standard I declined to do so. I felt it more appropriate for an officer from the district council to do this in their capacity as the Planning Authority.

I was concerned at the time, and am now too, that because this route looks to all the world like a public path, that the public will presume it is the County Council’s responsibility to provide and maintain, and to take enforcement action to keep open. In effect the Authority has no jurisdiction on such permissive paths. I regret members of the public will regularly contact yourself or this office directly for information, to report defects or complain about encroachments at least in the medium term.

On the bright side I understand that notices will eventually be erected at either end of the path explaining that the route is a permissive path managed privately by a landscape management company. This should help direct the public to the appropriate body.

Microsoft Email Scam PLEASE beware of some email scams purporting to be from Microsoft.

Just take a look at the email address at the top that should set alarm bells ringing. Microsoft do not send these emails out.

HM Revenue and Customs Alert ACTION FRAUD has experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public purporting to be from HMRC. The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other legal proceedings such as repossession of belongings to settle the balance but can avoid this by arranging for payment to be made immediately by method such as bank transfer or by iTunes gift cards.

If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, bailiffs or in cases where the victim appears to be of overseas origin; deportation.

Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact.

It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.

What you need to do ALWAYS question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information.

Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.

Listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. No genuine organisation will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using iTunes Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher.

Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.

Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, report this as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud.

Finally I want to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea

Always Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea

Tel 0116 239 4336 Mobile 07808 585825 Email: ozzy.o’shea@leics. gov.uk or ozzyoshea@ hotmail.com

I’ve decided to sell all my chiropractic magazines. I have loads of back issues.

9

10

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Old A50 housing development

Concerns about overlooking, noise, flooding and traffic remain

IF YOU have an interest in the planned housing development on the old A50 at the rear of Leicester Road be sure to read Ozzy O’Sheas County Council report in this edition of the Spotlight.

Although the developer seems to have tried to mitigate some of the problems that have been raised regarding the design and layout, local residents still have a number of concerns, but only a few days left to bring them to the attention of the Borough Council. Two properties in particular have been identified as potentially overlooking existing properties on Bluebell Drive & Daisy Close, and it has been suggested that perhaps bungalows may be more suitable on those 2 plots.

The development cannot proceed without the felling of trees on the site which currently provide a baffle and reduces the noise impact of the traffic on the A50.

It is believed that the new properties will have the benefit of noise reducing triple glazing, but existing homes across the village could be exposed to increased noise.

Trees and shrubs help to absorb moisture from the ground and it is thought that their removal could exacerbate a flooding problem that many consider unresolved.

The traffic implications of the new homes, not considered significant by the County Council who sold the land for development, have been raised by residents. It’s not just the volume which concerns those who have difficulty driving out of their homes during peak periods, it’s the safety of everyone having to use the Bluebell roundabout. During construction there is also the fear that mud may be carried by lorries from the site on to local roads, and residents have been advised to work with the site manager to ensure that such problems are minimised.

The decision to permit the development has already been made, but anyone who wishes their further comments to be considered by the Borough Council is advised to submit them by Monday February 18, ahead of the meeting on the following day. Details of the email and postal addresses are included in Ozzy O’Shea’s report.

Norman Griffiths

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Josh Iyalla: English ITF Sparring Champion!

BROOKVALE Groby Year 13 student Josh Iyalla is the current English International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF) sparring Champion!

Following on from the ITF England National Training and Selection Process, the ITF of England, has selected Josh to represent, as part of the English National Team, at the forthcoming European Championships in Italy this April.

Josh has been selected for both ‘Individual Sparring 69kg’ and the ‘Team Sparring’ events.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Award for Oaktree Lettings OAKTREE Lettings & Management, based in Glenfield, have won a Gold Award for Lettings (LE3) from the British Property Awards.

They said “Oaktree Lettings performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels” Oaktree Lettings & Management have now been shortlisted for a number of national awards which will be announced later this year.

Louise Rogers & Marianne Tomblin, directors of Oaktree Lettings, are naturally very pleased to have been recognised for this award.

“We are very proud of our team. We continually strive to provide a friendly, efficient and professional service for all our Landlords and Tenants and to have this recognised by an awards provider which starts the process by mystery shopping against a set of 25 criteria, shows how hard our team continually work” says Louise.

Marianne said: “Working in an industry which is being continually challenged with many changes to legislation over 2018 and more to come in 2019, we have taken the opportunity to make positive changes

to our business model and changed our referencing and management processes to make the whole system more streamlined.

“We are regularly attending legal workshops to update our knowledge and skills set to ensure our Landlords and Tenants are well protected and making sure we are always offering the best advice in all situations.

“For example, we recently completely changed the type of Tenancy Agreement used, to give our landlords and tenants the best protection in the current market and we will continue to make these sorts of investments into our services offered.

“Offering a comprehensive service for both Let Only and Full Management Landlords with Rent & Legal protection provided as standard under the management service at a very competitive 10%+VAT. “We are sure as the year unfolds and the tenant fee ban comes into force, many landlords will be looking to make sure they are receiving the best service at the best price. We feel we can deliver in both areas and would be happy to talk to new landlords interested in what we can do for them. ”

11

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12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

A delayed healthcare check up may have serious consequences

AS PATIENTS we’ve all been encouraged to take control of our own health. Whether it’s sensible eating, drinking responsibly, not smoking or taking exercise, these are largely things we can control.

There are times, however, when we are referred to a health care specialist for further investigation if some problem has been identified.

If we need treatment it may be that we undertake a medical procedure which deals with the issue. Or we may be identified as having a long term condition which needs medication or regular monitoring. Often it means that this aspect of our health care passes from us and our GP to a local hospital. We become part of a group who have periodic check ups.

At one time your next appointment date may have been allocated by the hospital clinic nurse, so when you left you could plan ahead for such things as holidays or family commitments. But now you might have to wait for an appointment letter, and if that date isn’t convenient you probably wait a little longer. A half yearly appointment can extend to seven months or even more.

This isn’t only frustrating for you. The healthcare professionals who treat you are also frustrated that there are more patients than appointments.

They want to give the best treatment to those in their care and their frustration is shared by the administrative staff who have to try and juggle the booking schedules and handle calls from anxious patients. It isn’t the wish to give good care that is in short supply, it’s inadequate resources and a lack of clinical capacity.

Report on eye health There’s probably no clinical area within the NHS which would claim to have all the resources they need, but last June one speciality was the subject of a Parliamentary report. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eye Health and Visual Impairment said : “The current system is failing patients on a grand scale. Services are delaying and cancelling timecritical appointments, resulting in some patients not receiving sight saving treatment and care when they need it. As a result people are experiencing avoidable sight loss, fear, loss of independence and impaired well-being.”

Sarah Lambert, Head of Social Change at Royal National Institute of Blind People(RNIB), said: “Nobody should lose their eyesight from a treatable condition simply because their local eye clinic is too busy – but we know that this happens all too often. We are now urging the Government to make Nobody should lose sure that it takes the issue of capacity their eyesight from in eye care seriously as it develops its a treatable condition delivery plans for the new NHS Long Term Plan” simply because their The total cost of sight loss to the local eye clinic is too UK economy, estimated to be £22 busy – but we know billion in 2008, had risen to around that this happens all £28 billion in 2013. A British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit too often. survey found that up to 22 people per Royal National Institute month were experiencing permanent of Blind People and severe visual loss due to health service initiated delays. There were almost 7.6 million ophthalmology appointments in 2016/17 in England – an increase of 16 per cent over five years. Ophthalmology has the second highest outpatient attendance of any speciality. The number of people in the UK that will be affected by sight loss is projected to increase by over 10 per cent by 2020 and by over 40 per cent by 2030.

The APPG inquiry received evidence from 557 patients and 112 organisations including clinicians, eye care departments, and NHS England.

It focused on services for conditions which have effective treatments, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. These conditions, if not treated appropriately, can lead to a person becoming blind or partially sighted.

Just over half of patients told the inquiry that they had experienced at least one hospital appointment or treatment being delayed. They also expressed concerns about long waiting times and problems securing appointments.

The report says “avoidable sight loss is causing devastation to individuals and costing the health and social care system billions. The situation is fixable if action is taken immediately to deal with current demand and plan for future need.”

The inquiry found the current and future eye care needs of the population are not being adequately planned for or addressed. It made recommendations urging action on eye health.

So how does this affect my doctor?

Conditions such as avoidable sight loss can have an impact on your health in other ways, and may result in you calling your doctor. A loss of independence may result in less exercise, avoidable falls or less social contact with family or friends. Otherwise harmless household activities such as cooking or making a cup of tea could result in burns and scalds.

What should I do if my check-up is delayed?

Figures released in 2009 revealed that, in a survey of 135 patients with glaucoma who experienced cancellations or delays to their follow up appointments, 44 resulted in partial loss of eyesight, including 13 patients who went completely blind in one or both eyes. In some cases, patient appointments had been delayed by as much as 18 months. In 2012 one hospital reported that 44 per cent of glaucoma follow-up appointments were delayed by over one month. Whilst this may not be an issue for patients with a stable condition, delay could be critical for those classed as high risk.

Following a study at three hospital trusts the RNIB published a paper in 2014 about reducing unnecessary sight loss in glaucoma patients through decreasing the number of delayed follow up appointments.

One ofwho the conclusions wasthroat that patients The man invented lozenges need to know when they should next be seen and what to do if their appointment is severely delayed, if they are worried about their eyesight or they notice any changes to vision or feel of their eyes.

Ensure that your consultant tells you when he wants to see you again – ask the question if you are not told. If the clinic does not give you an appointment for your next visit as you leave you should note on your calendar or diary which month your consultant wants to see you. If no appointment letter arrives by the month your appointment is due then it’s time to take the initiative and call the booking office.

Other conditions The advice is the same if you have one of the many other conditions which require periodic monitoring to detect any deterioration. Know when the next appointment is due and if there are delays get on the phone.

Norman Griffiths Editor’s note : This article is an independent contribution and has not been submitted on behalf of the Groby Surgery Patients Group.

Had a row with my boss at lunchtime. One of the perks of working near a boating lake.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

13

Message from Groby’s MP, Ed Argar AS READERS of the Groby Spotlight will know, ‘the Klondyke’ site off Newtown Linford Lane has long been an area of concern for local residents.

Learned Optimism How to change your mind and your life

by Martin E P Seligman Martin E.P. Seligman draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to demonstrate how optimism enhances the quality of life, and how anyone can learn to practice it.

It is, all too often, used as a dumping ground and unfortunately the nearby Groby Pool Car Park area is regularly blighted by anti-social behaviour. Since my election as Groby’s MP in 2015, I have been active with local councillors and residents in trying to find a way to tackle these problems.

Following the 2017 Parish Poll which sent a clear message from residents to HBBC, Groby Parish Council and residents set up the Parish Poll Steering Group which has brought together Councillors and residents, irrespective of party politics, with a shared vision for ‘the Klondyke’. Elsewhere in the Spotlight, you might have read about the recent meeting hosted by the Steering Group which brought together Parish Councillors, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Councillors, our county Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, community representatives and myself as Groby’s MP. It was a really positive meeting, with valuable insight and contributions from everyone who attended. The meeting focused not only on what we can do to address the immediate problems at the site, but how we could seize the opportunity to provide enhanced facilities for the village with a ‘community hub’ along with sports pitches, providing space for sports and recreation, as well as a place for people and groups to meet in the future. The proposal for a community hub as suggested by the Parish Council is clearly an interesting one and attracted support.

It is early days, but I was encouraged by the positive response and willingness to fully engage by HBBC who were represented at the highest level by Chief Executive, Bill Cullen and Leader of the Borough Council, Cllr Mike Hall. I hope that they will work with the steering group to consider the ‘community hub’ suggestion in an open-minded and constructive way.

In parallel to this, to help address shorter-term issues, last autumn I wrote directly to the Environment Agency and to the Council following reports of waste/hardcore dumping at the site to press for action to be taken to prevent any waste disposal at ‘the Klondyke’ in future. In my latest correspondence with the Environment Agency at the end of last year, I was encouraged that they were fully aware of the issues and reaffirmed to me their commitment to investigate and take necessary steps where any waste offences are shown to have taken place in the future.

I look forward to continuing to work with local Councillors and community representatives in 2019 to ensure that we can address the issues at ‘the Klondyke’, whilst also seeking to transform the wider area into something the village can be proud of.

As ever, if you feel that I can be of any assistance to you as your MP, or if you want to invite me to a community event, please do feel to get in touch with me by emailing edward.argar.mp@parliament.uk or by writing to me at: Edward Argar MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.”

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter

Groby Surgery is still accepting new patients HAVE YOU recently moved to Groby and not had time to register with a local doctor’s surgery? Or are you one of those super-fit folk who reach retirement, never been ill, never missed a day off work, so think they don’t need to be registered?

EARAXXX- 08/2018

If you drive a car you’ll have motor insurance, and most people who go on holiday take out travel insurance. While they’re away they know that their home insurance is in place to help deal with anything unexpected.

They are all valuable safety nets, protecting us when things go wrong.

The good news about looking after your health is that there’s no annual premium to pay, as you’ve already paid for the National Health Service through taxation. So it makes sense to sign up with a General Practitioner.

Don’t wait until you are unwell – the last thing you feel like doing when you’re ill is form filling and sorting out an appropriate form of photo identification like a passport or driving licence. Registering ensures you can get medical treatment quickly and, depending on your circumstances, could be a great help to family and friends who help out if you become sick.

Groby Surgery is still taking new patients, so if you live in the catchment area you won’t have to go any further than Rookery Lane which, in case you are unfamiliar with the area, is off Ratby Road opposite the Stamford Arms car park.

There’s only one sign to the surgery, on the wall of the Nottingham Building Society, though it is hoped that further signs can be provided in the near future. Medical treatment is available from the date of registration.

Please contact reception for further information, either by calling in at 26 Rookery Lane, LE6 0GL or ringing 0116 231 3331. The Surgery website can be found at www.thegrobysurgery.nhs.uk.

If you decide to register eligibility can be quickly confirmed from your address, but you’ll need to provide proof by way of a recent utility bill as well as the photo ID. You will need to complete a registration form and

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The only directional sign to Groby surgery a health questionnaire which will provide useful information until your medical records arrive from your previous doctor, if you have one.

Some new patients are offered a health check to ensure that any required tests are up to date and that there is an accurate note of any repeat medication you may be taking. You can book this appointment with the practice nurse when you register and will be asked to bring a urine sample to that appointment.

News from the Surgery • The Care Quality Commission revisited the surgery in January and confirmed that the progress that resulted in a ‘Good’ rating last year has been maintained.

• More GP appointments being offered under the extended hours programme at early and late clinics at Coalville, Loughborough and Hinckley. Call reception if you want further details.

• Third party ordering of drugs and appliances has been stopped from Feb 1st. Only a few patients are affected and these have been contacted by the Practice Manager.

• Congratulations to Noelle Smith, who has now been appointed Practice Manager.

• Street signage to the Surgery is still under consideration. As mentioned above there is currently only one sign, at the Ratby Road end of Rookery Lane. (SEE PHOTO ABOVE) • Patients Group Chair. Mrs Rose Goldberg has taken over the role of Chair of the Group for 2019. Thanks go to Ernie Broadhurst, who felt the time was right for him to stand down and who continues to serve as a member, for his valuable contribution as Chair since the formation of the Group in 2015.

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I went into a library and asked, “Do you have any books on shelving?” The librarian said, “Yes all of them”.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

15

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On how to edit a church magazine The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren So, your vicar has appointed you to be the magazine editor; I wonder what you have done to offend him.

I appointed our magazine editor 20 years ago, after her dog dug up my rose bed. Sadly, she seems unaware that I gave it to her as a penance and has been happily carrying on ever since. She has even developed a nasty persistence when it comes to chasing me for a vicar’s letter every month.

Becoming editor has brought out the tyrant in her.

I applaud your hope that your magazine will be a great force for good in the community, but I fear you may be disappointed. You will hardly believe this, but many readers of our magazine seem to ignore my pastoral letter altogether, and instead scan the adverts for plumbers and undertakers – and even for both - if there has been a major burst in their pipes.

In any case, here are some editorial tips to bear in mind: if you want to keep any piece of church information confidential, then publish it in your magazine. On the other hand, if you accidentally transpose the names of the ladies responsible for the altar pedestal and lectern on the flower rota, it will be spotted within seconds of publication. And you will not be easily forgiven.

Staffing rotas can be helpful, so that people know who to blame when anything goes wrong. Reports of meetings of monthly groups are also welcome, because not everyone who goes to these meetings can stay awake the whole time, and thus a report informs them about the bits they slept through.

Always include a list of contact details for all the church officers, but don’t worry if you mix up their various phone numbers. In fact, it can help get people talking to each other, because in order to reach the PCC Secretary, they will have had to phone most of the other PCC members first.

My final piece of advice is to omit any deadline for submission for the following month. A deadline is like a red rag to a bull, and simply incites people to break it. Whereas if you have them a bit worried that they may be left out, they will get you the copy in good time.

I wish you many happy hours reading badly written copy, fending off fearful poems, and stalking your own vicar, in vain hopes of getting his clergy letter.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

To advertise in Groby Spotlight, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

16

Shuttlewood Clarke Volunteers celebrated at the Chairman’s reception

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VOLUNTEERS from across Leicestershire were recognised on Saturday 26th January by the Chairman of the County Council for their work to help others in their communities.

Ozzy O’Shea, the 44th chairman of Leicestershire county council, asked a number of community groups and organisations to nominate their outstanding volunteers to receive an invitation to his Reception at Beaumanor Hall.

Helen Baxter Activities Coordinator at Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation said ‘We are thrilled our volunteers were represented and joined other attendees from charities such as Age UK, Samaritans and Hospice Hope to name a few. She added ‘As a registered charity we rely heavily on the generous support and enthusiasm of our fabulous volunteering team – we are so grateful for the time and energy they give’ Speaking on his decision to host the celebration Mr O’Shea said, “I wanted to use my role as Chairman and this annual event to recognise and personally thank the volunteers of Leicestershire.

I’ve got a new job drilling holes for water. It’s well boring.

Ozzy O’Shea – Chairman of Leicestershire County Council with Alan Ayris – Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation volunteer These people dedicate their own time and resources to make their communities better and help those in need.”

Geoff Holland who has been volunteering at Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation for five and a half years said “I was delighted to be chosen as one of our representatives at this thoroughly enjoyable occasion held at such a beautiful venue. It made you realise the sterling work done by so many volunteers across the county and it was nice to be appreciated in such a generous and warm-hearted way. I didn’t need to eat for the rest of the day!”

For more information regarding the Foundation and the varied volunteering opportunities – Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator on 01530 244914 or visit the website www.shuttlewood-clarke.org.

Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is a registered charity - Supporting the elderly, adults with disabilities and young people through wellbeing activities, outdoor education and inspiring support services.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Always believe in your soul ...

Brookvale students at Young Voices

ON MONDAY 21st January, 36 eager KS3 students from Brookvale Groby Learning Campus travelled to the Resorts World Arena, to take part in the famous Young Voices Concert Series.

Over the course of this year the students have learnt a number of songs that we would be singing with 5,000 other young performers from across the Midlands. The concert itself was absolutely amazing, the students sang beautifully and the special guests were extra special, in particular the famous Tony Hadley.

Mrs Jordan even managed to get a photo of the man himself - see left!

TONY HADLEY, former lead singer of Spandau Ballet, was the headline special guest for Young Voices 2019 at the Resorts World Arena

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Juniors still a key player in new Klondyke proposal AT THE KLONDYKE Working Party Group meeting in January John Caswell and Paul Chick, who represented The Groby Juniors Football Club, outlined the challenges the Club faces and their vision for the future.

Twelve months ago the proposal for the Klondyke on Newtown Linford Lane was that it should be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the site, with the owners being given financial compensation in accordance with current legislation. The land would then be leased to Groby Juniors for development as a recreational asset with football pitches, changing rooms, and a club house that would provide recreational space for other village organisations and activities.

During the course of 2018 it became increasingly clear that the development project would probably be too demanding for the Club to deliver alone. A rethink was needed and at the meeting a new proposal for the creation of a Community Hub was unveiled by the Working Party. It's a project that would be led by the Parish Council but still have Groby Juniors’ needs at its heart, providing more extensive community facilities than originally envisaged, including perhaps a bowling green.

Full details of the proposal will be available on the Parish Council website.

At the Working party meeting John and Paul didn't just talk about why the Club supports the initiative. They spoke enthusiastically about what they do and the philosophy of the club which has been established for many years and is well thought of in the football community.

Groby Juniors was formed in 2003, initially with 10 all male teams. It now has 7 girls teams and 16 boys teams. There's also an Academy focusing on fun and games for players too young for a team. These youngsters are supported by 29 Football Association qualified coaches and 42 adult volunteers. The club also runs 2 tournaments a year for teams from the county and also attracts teams from outside of the county. It runs a Girls only tournament which is held in high regard.

Groby Juniors now has 7 girls teams and 16 boys teams.

The club is organised on an amateur basis, and arranges for all coaches to attain the necessary coaching levels set out by the FA, for children to enjoy their football in a fun and safe environment. The philosophy is to enjoy, develop and succeed. The focus is on development of the player’s skill, physical, psychological and emotional growth, as well as focusing on a high level of team work.

An equal opportunities attitude means that no matter what the child's skill level there is a place for them within the club, no-one is turned away. The club's ethos of focusing on ‘kids enjoying football’ has resulted in an increase in player numbers and a bi-product is that the club has teams that play at different skill levels within each age range. Not all clubs work this way, some are more focused on winning and encourage players to look for pastures new if they do not meet their minimum standard.

At the other end of the scale some players move to Groby Juniors if they feel they have outgrown their existing club.

The club plans to expand over the next 5 years, but there needs to be a step change in the facilities available in order to realise the vision of 'football for everyone,' not just boys and girls.

“Currently we cannot offer disability football, veterans football or walking football,” John explained, adding that they also had difficulty in offering the facilities young people deserved once they reached their mid teens. “Small, sometimes poorly drained, pitches and inadequate changing facilities fall short of their expectations.”

As part of the plan to grow further, one area of particular focus is girls football. Currently opportunities are provided to play up to Under 18's whilst it is possible for boys football to run to Under 21's. The club would like to see the girls teams compete in open age football. In order to encourage players at the older age groups Groby Juniors wants to be able to offer midweek floodlit football as well as Saturday mornings with the Midlands Football Alliance.

Clubs in nearby villages are not as well advanced in the development of girls football, so there is a large catchment area waiting to be developed and plenty of grant funding available to help. This year's Girls Tournament, which attracts entrants from Solihull, Worcester, Luton, Manchester, Grimsby and beyond, is already half full.

Whilst the Brookvale Groby Learning Campus has served the club well, additional facilities are now required as football is played on all the space available on a Sunday morning, so much so that it is having to play at various other sites within Groby. The school changing facilities do not fulfil the FA requirements needed for the future plans.

Brookvale Groby Learning Campus at full capacity and in order to expand it is vital to find other areas to play on within the Groby area. The Klondyke, which is close to other suitable land that can be potentially leased, would enable the club to do that. It would also provide a place that could be called home which would give a real sense of identity.

With a marquee floodlit pitch and all weather training area it would inspire existing players as well as attracting new ones.

The search for a suitable site has gone on for years, but high land prices have blocked the club's aspirations. “Grants are only available for building costs,” John explained, “we cannot obtain grants to acquire land.”

Even though it might have to be tiered this site is believed to be the best option, and for the moment the ball is with the Borough Council who will have to consider the implications of the new proposal and the legal issues it raises.

Groby Juniors Football Club is an organisation which balances aspirations of winning with a philosophy that football is for everyone whatever their skill, gender, age or disability.

And when Paul Chick says “It's about putting smiles on faces,” that's something most would agree is worthy of support.

Norman Griffiths

I saw Michael J Fox in the florists this morning. He had his Back to the Fuschias.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

19

Fancy helping out by the waterside?

The Baldwin Trust needs 15 volunteers FOLLOWING the launch of a nationwide fund raising campaign during November 2017, The Baldwin Trust, a local waterways based community charity, now has a different problem to solve!

The Trust was set up in 1983 to help patients of the Baldwin Ward at the former Leicester Frith Hospital by giving them therapeutic trips on the tranquil waters of the local river and canal system.

The Trust is a Charity crewed entirely by volunteers to provide enjoyable days out for people of all ages and physical abilities. The boats are fitted with ramps and lifts for easy access for wheelchairs and other mobility issues. They are also very happy to arrange trips for family and community groups wishing to have a great day on the water.

Set the task of securing funds to replace both of its 30+ year old narrow boats; the funding team and volunteers have been successful in raising adequate funds to order the first of the new 68 foot long narrow boats. Construction will start in February and completion is expected during July 2019.

Having transported nearly 2,000 members of our community on the canals and rivers of Leicestershire during 2018, the volunteers have been surprised and delighted by the level of support to acquire the first new boat but now find that the Trust needs more volunteers and experienced skippers to man the increased fleet of three boats by August this year! They never expected this to happen so quickly!( They also need money for the second boat!).

They have recruited 15 new volunteers during the last 6 months but need at least 15 more to meet the growing demand from disadvantaged people of all ages to enjoy a day on the river!

Can you help? Are you interested in using your spare time to help those less able than you? If you enjoy the outdoors and time by the waterside or may have some sailing experience, working with this Trust could be just right for you!

The Trust operates 2 boats which are moored at Pillings marina and Thurmaston marina. each boat has a skipper and 2 crew. They have 4,5,6,and 7 hour trips, and operate from Easter to the end of October. In general terms most volunteers work one day a week, or when they can spare the time.

You can visit the web site for the Trust at www.baldwintrust.co.uk and fill out the volunteer application form and return it to the Trust or you can write to: The Secretary, 52, Johnson Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 3AS with your details.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Letter Shortage of dog poo bags?

I HAVE been wondering if it is Brexit looming that the local area has run out of dog poo bags.

Once again, it is hard to walk on a pavement without coming into contact with a mess....whats going on?

Thanks to the responsible dog owners for picking up after their dogs.

Would the irresponsible folks please pick up your dogs mess and bin it. I don’t want it all over my shoes thank you very much.

From a former dog owner who always did the right thing even in the fields.

Z.White, Markfield Road,

Groby

Groby Village Society Thursday February 28 “Victorian Music Hall on Film” Bob Massey Thursday March 28 Annual General Meeting To be held at the Library

Meetings held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. unless stated otherwise For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- pcastell42@gmail.com Non Members are Welcome

Friendly Workplace Netball Competition BUSINESS and Workplaces across Leicester-Shire & Rutland are invited to take part in a Workplace Competition ‘Friendly’ Female Netball!

Run at Soar Valley Netball Centre, this competition will follow the traditional 7-a-side game with the main objective being to pass the ball between your team whilst keeping within your allocated court area. Get ready to shoot and score (past your defenders of course!).

This competition is suitable for all ages and abilities. This competition is open to female players only.

Please ensure that all team members come in suitable clothing and footwear to play Netball and that you bring plenty of drinks. Arrival is from 5.30 pm, with the competition starting promptly at 6.00 pm.

The competition will be delivered by qualified Netball coaches and umpires, with an emphasis on fun. Rules will be sent prior to the event; however instruction and practice will be available on the day.

Bookings are made on a first come, first served basis.

Two teams are permitted per workplace - additional teams may be requested. This is to ensure that a variety of workplaces can take part.

Additional players: It is possible to bring up to 2 extra players on the night as substitutes (bringing your team to 9 players). Payment (additional £4.00 per additional player) and names will need to be provided on arrival.

Contact Bryany Cornish by email: b.cornish@lrsport.org or by phone: 01509 564874.

Help a toad to cross the road

Friends of Charnwood Forest Monday 18th February 7:30pm.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Talk by Colonel Robert Martin, “ The History of the Martin Family”.

An insight into the history of this local family and it’s close ties to the Charnwood Forest Area.

Monday 18th March. 7:30.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall AGM followed by a talk be Peter Tyldesley, “Colourful Characters of Bradgate Park” Come along and hear a little more about the association and listen to a fabulous talk by Peter, the Director of the Bradgate Park Trust. Who are these Colourful Characters who inhabit or have inhabited our beloved Bradgate? Come along and find out more about our wonderful Charnwood Forest.

Monday 15th April. 7:30 Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Talk by Roy Mitchell, “The History of the Stoneywell Gardens.”

Everyone is very welcome to join us.

A nominal charge of £3, payable on the door for non-members.

NEXT MONTH common toads all over the country will be on the move, heading back to the breeding ponds where they themselves were spawned.

Sadly, many will never make it, because of busy roads.

If you like toads, you can help them by joining the Toads on Roads project. It keeps a sharp eye out for ‘migratory crossings’ on certain roads. It helps the toads to cross safely, by coordinating local Toad Patrols who will actively help the toads get across the road, and also putting up road warning signs for motorists.

Toads on Roads has been running for more than 20 years, and saved thousands of toads. If you would like to know more, become a Toad Patroller, or register a toad crossing, please go to: https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads

Our Mission Statement To work towards the preservation of the countryside and local environment of Charnwood Forest Regional Park for the benefit of those who live within it, and for those who visit, and for future generations.

We aim to be an effective,informative,and influential voluntary organisation.

For more information, and on line application, see www.focf.org.uk

Don’t forget to send us your news!

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Breaking news: Optimist drowns in bath half full.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Seventeen acts showcased

The free night of music that most readers missed THERE WAS a great midweek night of entertainment at Groby Club last month, but it was one which most locals missed.

It wasn’t the usual weekend formula of bingo and music, as the concert room had been handed over for the day to a booking agency. In the evening they put together a showcase of 17 acts that can be booked through their office. Each act had around 10 minutes to make their pitch for bookings.

Someone has to take a decision on which acts to book, and although some members turned out for an evening of live entertainment most of the audience was made up of those who are responsible for booking artists for clubs, pubs and even holiday camps. They travelled from the north, the south and everywhere in between to see what artistes were available, and the agency presented a selection of the tribute acts on their books.

Amongst the soloists and duos there was something for every taste, covering every pop era from Elvis,through Tamla Motown, Reggae, Cher, George Michael, Lady Gaga, right up to date with Ed Sheeran and Rag and Bone Man. Vocal groups were not so plentiful, but the 5 piece Spice World were taking on the challenge of the upcoming Spice Girls revival. Find four male singers, one with a great falsetto voice and you’ve a ready made tribute to the Four Seasons. The West End Jerseys blended nostalgia, harmonies and choreography in equal measure. There was even something for those who first love is percussion, with Uvbeatz delivering a combination of co-ordinated drumming, music and comedy that would be equally at home in a Street Theatre Festival.

A wide range of entertainers and styles, and an evening with something for everyone.

• The number of social clubs available for young entertainers to learn their trade has reduced considerably over the last 20 years. The editor of the Spotlight has found a video from 1981 when television presenter John Mitchell took a look at the changing club scene in Leicester. His report can be viewed online – just Google atv 1981 clubs and it will be the first item on the results page.

Norman Griffiths

How many friends should you have?

HAVE YOU ever stepped back and reviewed the friendships in your life?

According to the anthropologist Dr Robin Dunbar of University College London, the maximum number of relationships we can have peaks at about 150, known as Dunbar’s Number.

He then divides this into: five close friends, 15 good friends, 50 general acquaintances, and the remaining 130 as people we relate to in a friendly fashion.

Our five close friends are the ones to whom we can say anything, who have seen us at our worst, and on whom we can call on anytime, night or day, in a crisis. If you know five such people, you are blessed indeed!

Our 15 good friends are the ones we may not see for months, but we can pick up the friendship again at any time, without any effort.

Our 50 general acquaintances are the people whose company we also enjoy. We may not make any specific regular efforts to see them, but when we do see them, we are glad.

How does a friendship start? There is a standard formula needed for all of them: some initial ‘spark’ of empathy, plus proximity to the person, plus time to spend with that person.

How much time does it take to turn an acquaintance into a friend?

According to Jeffrey Hall, associate professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, it takes 50 hours to turn an acquaintance into a casual friend. If that goes well, then at 90 hours you begin to carve out time to see each other on purpose. By 200 hours, you are close friends, see each other often, and support each other emotionally.

I keep dreaming that Suggs is walking up my driveway. Is this the first sign of Madness ?

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Community Library News Good Reads DAVE ROBINSON one of our Librarian Trustees has put together this selection of good reads for you:

Volunteers at Beaumanor Hall THE CHAIRMAN of Leicestershire County Council Ozzy O’Shea hosted a reception at Beaumanor Hall on Saturday 26th January for volunteers who work in the county.

Several of the Trustees and volunteers from Groby Community Library were invited and attended. It was a great event and gave us the chance to meet a variety of other volunteers from different types of organisations across the county.

(L-R John Martin -Trustee, Sue Martin – Volunteer(GCL), Chairman LCC- Ozzy O’Shea, Christine Fowler –Trustee(GCL), Janet Harrison-Trustee(GCL).

Adult • Josephine Cox • James Patterson • Gail Honeyman • David Baldacci • Danielle Steel

A Woman’s Fortune Texas Ranger Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine The Fallen Past Perfect

Children • David Walliams • Jeff Kinney • Jacqueline Wilson • David Walliams • Andy Griffiths

The Ice Monster The Meltdown My Mum Tracy Beaker The World’s Worst Children 3 The 104-Storey Treehouse

Give as you live

Annual General Meeting WE SHALL be holding our AGM on Tuesday 19th March 7.30pm in the Library.

Everybody is welcome, please come along if you’re interested. We are recruiting new Trustees, if you think you could fill this role please contact us by coming into the Library and leaving your details or email at us volunteers@grobylibrary.co.uk

Thank You AT THE AGM Janet Bishop our current Chair of Trustees will be standing down.

Janet was one of the original members of the Groby Community Library Group. She has worked tirelessly since 2015 to ensure the smooth take over and running of the Library from Leicestershire County Council. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Janet for all her hard work and commitment that she has given to Groby Community Library and wish her well in all that she does in the future.

Want to help us raise more money - just by shopping online? Well now you can with Give as you Live!

When you shop at over 4,000 top stores including Amazon, Expedia and John Lewis via Give as you Live, they’ll turn a percentage of your spend into free funds for our Library!

Simply sign up, search for the retailer and start shopping. It’s that simple.

Get started today!

Keep Reading.

Dr Janet Harrison

Vice Chair, Groby Community Library Trustees

Our pet mouse, Elvis, died last night. He was caught in a trap.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

23

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Churches Together in Groby for Justice I WOULD like to thank Groby United Reformed Church for inviting me to help with their annual Christmas Fairtrade stall. I have recently moved to Groby and it was lovely to meet members of this friendly village.

It is wonderful to see communities come together to support fair trade; a global movement that has been promoted by community groups worldwide through their efforts to buy and sell fairly traded products, by inviting speakers to events and promoting fair trade in their schools, churches and work places. I love the unity that comes from fair trade communities here in my home city working with communities in developing countries.

I became aware of the benefits of fair trade through studying our International system whilst completing a degree in Leadership and Management. I believe it can enable producers from developing countries break the poverty cycle through better trading conditions. It offers producers stable prices, a safe working environment and independence.

My studies motivated me to volunteer for a co-op social enterprise called JUST. This led to me successfully applying for a permanent position on the team. We sell a wide range of Fairtrade, ethical and sustainable products.

It is very rewarding to work with a team of likeminded individuals. At JUST we have the largest range of Fairtrade products in the midlands. We also provide education training activities, volunteer opportunities and a sale or return service for events and parties. Please look at our website for more information www.justfairtrade.com Fast approaching is Fairtrade Fortnight, Feb 25th10th March For two weeks each year companies and individuals celebrate and try to raise awareness of fair trade. There will be events in our local community. You can find more information by asking at your local church, you can look online at www.fairtrade.org.uk or come and visit the JUST team in Silver Street, Leicester.

Shona Armann

Remember the Scammell Scarab?

THE SCAMMELL SCARAB was a British 3-wheeled tractor unit produced by the truck manufacturer Scammell between 1948 and 1967.

It was the successor to the Scammell Mechanical Horse and production began in 1948. Its name is commonly believed to be derived from the rounded bonnet that resembled the elytra (wing covers) of a Scarab beetle, but the name really comes from a more conventional source. It was a portmanteau of Scammell and the Arab horse which the Mechanical Horse replaced in British Railways usage. It was extremely popular with British Railways and other companies which made deliveries within built-up areas. The Ministry of Defence also used the Scarab and trailers for predominantly internal transport on large military bases.

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Sports news:- Wheelchair athletes banned from the Paralympics after testing positive for WD40.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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

LE67 9ZT

Telephone

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

Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

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

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

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

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

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

All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

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

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 16th March 2019

DEADLINE: 1st March 2019

What’s been happening at Groby WI THREE coaches left WI House in Leicester this year, but only two WI members from Groby and their husbands went.

We had a two hour stop at Stratford-upon-Avon and arrived at Holme Lacy mid-afternoon.

Holme Lacy is the largest manor house in Herefordshire which was built around the 14th Century.

Thankfully it has changed a lot since then and is now a very comfortable hotel.

The next day was a visit to Tewkesbury. The Groby clan decided to visit Tewkesbury Abbey which was close to where the coaches parked. The Abbey dates from 75 AD and has a very interesting history, some examples being that in 1540 AD the Monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII, but the Abbey was bought from the king by the townsfolk for £453. The Abbey is prone to floods such as in 16??, during the big flood, the verger rowed down the isle to rescue altar pieces! It has an amazing gold lectern which is lovingly cared for, as the photo below shows.

Roy, Pat and Owen outside Gloucester Cathedral 5.00. We boarded our coach very early as the weather was too awful to wander around the town.

Thursday was an optional trip to Hereford. The Groby Clan decided to stay at the hotel to rest and enjoy the lovely gardens, especially as the sun was out.

We headed home on Friday, having a comfort stop at Warwick.

Another very good organised WI holiday.

Marilyn

Owen, Roy and Pat inside Tewkesbury Abbey

We had planned on visiting the John Moore museum that sits in a row of historic timber-framed buildings close to the Abbey, but unfortunately it only opens between April and October. Instead we had drinks and scones.

Wednesday’s visit was to Gloucester where we headed for the Cathedral. We had a lovely, very knowledgeable lady give us a guided tour. It was very tiring so we headed for the Cathedral’s tea room for drinks and a snack.

Incidentally, some of the Harry Potter scenes were filmed in the Cathedral’s Cloisters.

By the time we left the Cathedral it was raining. As we still had a few hours before the coaches left, we decided to walk to the Soldiers of Gloucester museum. It was shut, despite a sign outside saying it was open seven days a week, 10.00-

I wasn’t very close to my dad before he died, which was lucky, because he trod on a land mine.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

New Year Birdwatching ... with Lindy LIFE HASN’T been kind to me recently, but the constantly changing delights of Groby Pool and Bradgate Park always manage to raise my spirits. My camera is a constant companion on my walks and these photographs have all been taken in the last few weeks.

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Groby Gardening Society News THE JANUARY meeting was the society’s AGM. Both the Secretary (Roy Cockett) and Treasurer (Eric Atherton) have stepped down from the committee after many years of service. Jane Marston takes over as Secretary and Tina Hurst is the new Treasurer.

The accounts for 2018 were presented and accepted. One point of note is that last year’s hot summer resulted in fewer exhibitors at the Village Show, which this year made a loss. Hopefully the weather this year will be kinder, and encourage more people to take part. Proceeds from the monthly raffle held at the Society’s meetings will be split equally this year: 50% will be retained by the society to support the Village Show, and 50% donated towards the running costs of Groby Community Meadow on Newtown Linford Lane.

Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill, Groby. You’ll be sure of a warm welcome, along with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit!

On March 14th, Andrew Ward will be presenting a talk on “Woodland Gems”.

The Society’s first day trip of 2019 to see the Snowdrops at Easton Walled Garden near Grantham, including a visit to Gates’ Garden Centre at Cold Overton, will be on Saturday 23rd February 2019.

The little grey and white duck is my friend Geraldine. Her white plumage, yellow beak and orange feet suggest Aylesbury duck genes but I can’t account for her grey head and wings. She comes when I call, always the first bird out of the water, and often performs a curious vertical take- off in greeting before she settles down to gobble the seeds I bring her. One of my fellow daily visitors to the Pool (a human) thinks Geraldine is male, but I would swear that in a certain light I can see the ribbons of her bonnet fluttering in the breeze.

I was lucky enough to meet this lovely little green headed duck at the Pool at the end of January. He is an American Wood Duck (the females have much less colourful plumage). He was mingling happily with the Mallards and Geraldine. I assume he escaped from a bird sanctuary –he certainly seemed perfectly comfortable around me and gobbled up bird seed with great enthusiasm. When I went back next day he had gone.

Another astonishing piece of luck, on a beautiful January day, was to see a procession of seven young peacocks walking along a wall at Bradgate Park – two males, three females and two albinos. They hopped down onto a hill behind the wall – still clearly visible. Then Dad turned up in all his splendour and perched on top of an ivy-covered wall to keep watch over his family.

Keith Poole

Lindy Hardcastle

Imagine if Beyonce’s father had been Roy Castle.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Borough Councillors’ Report from Martin & Ted Parish Poll – Klondyke Steering Group Much has been said about the Klondyke in Groby over the years, some good, but mostly very bad.

What cannot be said however is that there was not a comprehensive commitment by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council members and officers and the other partner bodies to get together on January 18th 2019 in order to discuss, debate and attempt to move forward a resolution to the issues of the Klondyke in Groby.

Building on the success of the previous steering group meetings a delegation of people in a position of influence, trust and more importantly able to resolve the situation of the Klondyke met at Groby Parish Council on the above date.

Starting from a position whereby everyone was in total agreement that the activities and state of the land known as allotment gardens, the Klondyke was a blot on the landscape and did not fit the proper planning purpose designed for the area.

Furthermore, the antisocial behaviour and activities happening at Groby Pool car park was undesirable and despite repeated efforts from the Police and Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to rid Groby Pool car park of these issues, to date they have not been removed.

In respect of Groby Pool Car Park it was agreed that to design out the issues by the car park being used more for its proper intended purposes would resolve those issues and save many partner agencies resources as a result, resources that could be deployed to other issues affecting the Borough.

The steering group at a meeting held in January 2018 were tasked by the leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Cllr Mike Hall to produce a proposal for how they wished Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to proceed with the Klondyke issues.

The Chairman, Cllr Martin Cartwright presented the proposals which in brief are: For a community hub to be built on the Klondyke that would be a multi use building owned by Groby Parish Council for the community to use, a home for Groby Juniors football club including football pitches and a visitor centre including café for the adjacent Groby Pool tourist attraction and gateway to Bradgate Park with the main car parking taking place across the road at Groby Pool Car Park.

A comprehensive pack outlining

Martin Cartwright Call: 0116 2874500 Mobile: 07850 707050

E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write to: Maverick House 10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ

those details was given to everyone present with time allocated by the steering group Chairman for members to read and understand the proposals.

A question and answer session followed with presentations and representation from Groby Parish Council, Groby Juniors Football Club, Groby community representation, County Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, and the MP for Groby Mr. Edward Argar.

The meeting resolved: For Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council who would be responsible for completing the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the Klondyke site to look at those proposals and to produce an interim report back to steering group by 28th March 2019 which is the start of the next Borough Council election period.

Whilst it will not be easy to CPO the site, the resolve of the meeting agreed by everyone was that as undoubtably issues would present themselves, the default position should be as to how to resolve those issues and see the CPO process through to its conclusion rather than let the proposed CPO fall.

A very positive meeting with as said earlier impressive resources and commitment from all sides.

As Chairman, I would like to thank everyone that attended and the way in which they conducted themselves given the nature of the issues and feelings surrounding this issue in Groby.

If the Klondyke and surrounding area issues are to be resolved this requires everybody to be as committed as possible to making these proposals work.

The outcome of the next meeting is critical and without doubt will formulate the way forward to this most difficult of issues being the future of the Klondyke.

Those attending the meeting were

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

as follows: Cllr. Martin Cartwright: Chairman Parish Poll Klondyke steering group, Edward Argar: MP, Cllr. Peter Batty: GPC, Cllr. Ted Hollick: GPC & HBBC, Mr. Nick Hucthin: Architect for GPC, Mrs. Alixe Taylor: Clerk to GPC, Mr. Steve Brown: Groby community representation, Mr. George West: Groby community representation, Mr. Bill Cullen: Chief Executive HBBC, Mr. Rob Parkinson: Deputy Chief Executive HBBC, Ms. Gemma Dennis: Team Leader (Development Management) HBBC, Cllr. Mike Hall: Leader of HBBC,. Mr. John Caswell: Groby Juniors Football Club (GJFC). Mr. Paul Chick: GJFC. Mr. Norman Grittiths: Spotlight correspondent.

Part of the meeting was attended

by Cllr. Brian Rigby: Chairman Groby Parish Council (GPC) Cllr.

Ozzy O’Shea: County Councillor for Groby Further details can be found in the article written by Norman Griffiths on Groby Juniors which can be found elsewhere in this edition of the Spotlight.

Woman guilty of littering in Hinckley A CIGARETTE BUTT thrown out of a car window has cost a Hinckley woman a total of £630 after she was convicted of littering by a Magistrates Court.

Belinda Buttrick, of Bosworth Close, Hinckley did not appear at the Leicester Magistrates Court and so was convicted on Wednesday 19 September 2018 for the offence of littering.

The woman was fined £220 by the court. In addition to the fine, she was ordered to pay costs of £380 and a victim surcharge of £30.

The court was told that a council officer witnessed Mrs Buttrick throwing the cigarette end from her car window whilst her car was parked in a car park in Sword Drive, Hinckley on 21 February.

Mrs Buttrick subsequently admitted the offence and the Borough Council issued her with a fixed penalty notice of £80 which she failed to pay. The woman also failed to respond to any of the council’s letters warning her of legal action.

In a separate case A NUNEATON woman, Nikki Birdi, has been fined £440 by Leicester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 9 January 2019 after being found guilty of littering in Hinckley.

In addition to the fine, she was ordered to pay costs of £378.04 and a victim surcharge of £44.

The court was told that a Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Enforcement Officer issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to Birdi of Alexandra Street, who was witnessed throwing a cigarette end onto the floor within ASDA car park in Hinckley on 13 July 2018.

The FPN was not paid and a further two reminder letters were sent to Ms Birdi. As the FPN remained unpaid, the council prosecuted Birdi for the littering offence. Ms. Birdi did not attend the court hearing.

Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services at the Borough Council Cllr Mark Nickerson said: “We take littering, fly-tipping, dog fouling and graffiti offences very seriously. Our officers work hard to reduce the incidence of environmental crime and improve the cleanliness of neighbourhoods and this case should highlight to offenders that we will take action in such cases.

“It costs council tax payers a lot of money to clear up after those who don’t dispose of their litter responsibility. It only takes a couple of seconds to use a litter bin.”

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Local Plan Review Submission to the Local Plan Review: New Directions for Growth Consultation close at 5pm on Sunday 3 March 2019 For further information on the plan review please visit Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council web site www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ localplanreview or see the article on the front page of the January edition of the Spotlight.

I am Here To Help You Should you have any comments or problems you would like us to mention in our articles please get in touch.

Kind regards,

Cllr Martin Cartwright

I’ve been diagnosed with a chronic fear of giants. It’s called Feefiphobia.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Elizabeth Woodville School News Leicester Riders Basketball Tournament On the 18th January, our pupils had a dream start to our 2019 sporting calendar, participating in a Basketball tournament at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, home of the BBL champions Leicester Riders.

Our basketball team, who looked amazing in their brand-new basketball kit, demonstrated their incredible dribbling and shooting skills on the same court used for British Basketball League (BBL) games. The team played a total of 5 matches scoring over 25 baskets! We won 4 matches, losing only 1 match by a single basket. The pupils even got the chance to watch the Leicester Riders train, gathering a masterclass of tips and tricks from the professionals. We even got to meet Riders player Harrison Gamble, who took the time to share his coaching advice and to sign autographs. We are all very proud of our team, they showed wonderful teamwork giving encouragement to all of their teammates and thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic event.

Young Voices 2019 Children from Year 5 and 6 had an amazing day at the Birmingham Genting Arena for the Young Voices concert, joining a collaborative school choir of over 6,500 pupils which really raised the roof!

The pupils rehearsed songs during the afternoon and were entertained themselves by the amazing performers singing with them. This included 15year old Britain’s Got Talent 2016 finalist, Beau Dermott. She was joined by singer/songwriter Sharlene Hector and ‘one of pop music’s greatest vocalists,’ Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet, 80s Romantics). The evening performance gave our pupils the opportunity to perform to their parents, amongst an audience of thousands. This also included an inspirational finale, featuring songs from ‘The Greatest Showman.’ This was a truly unforgettable experience for pupils and staff alike.

Spring Term Curriculum News Iron Man – we can fix you!

In Year 3 in English, we have been reading The Iron Man. We have predicted what we thought would happen after the first chapter and have described the Iron Man’s appearance using our in-depth science knowledge to explain how we think he works. To become authors in the style of Ted Hughes, we examined the sentence types that the writer uses in the book and applied this to our own writing. This theme In Science we have answered the question ‘Can we make The Iron Man’s eyes light up to bring him back to life?’ We have managed to do this by wiring up a circuit with a cell, wires and a bulb. Some of us even managed to make the Iron Man’s eyes flash! We have also found out about conductors of electricity and insulators.

A ‘Giant’ visitor to Foundation!

This half term the Foundation children have been amazed as they have been visited by characters from the traditional tales they have been reading!

First, we had to help the Three Little Pigs make a house to keep out the Big Bad Wolf. To do this we carried out an experiment to test the strength of each house. We looked at the materials that they used to build their houses, with pupils then building the houses themselves using the real thing! A fan was used to represent the Big Bad Wolf to see how strong each material was. The children then analysed their findings and evaluated their work to help the pigs choose the best material to use!

Next, came a visit by the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, who made a terrible mess in our classroom whilst looking for his belongings that Jack took. The children turned into investigators and looked for clues to find out where the giant had gone and return his things to him. They even wrote him letters to tell him how they were feeling about having to tidy up the mess he had left!

Newbold Verdon Jazz Club ON FEBRUARY 1st New Orleans Heat returned to entertain us once again, they have been coming for many years and never fail to give us a great evening of traditional jazz.

The band line up was slightly different with a new banjo player, Ted Smith and as their regular drummer could not make it because of the weather, the popular ‘Baby’ Jools joined them on drums. The front line of Dave Vickers on trombone, Richard Church trumpet and Roger Bird on reeds also provided the vocals for many popular numbers.

Harry Slater on bass and the accomplished pianist Barry Grummett got feet tapping with his boogie woogie numbers. They pleased the audience by playing various requests including Careless Love, Dr Jazz and St Philips Street Breakdown, well executed by Roger Bird on clarinet.

Next month on March 1st we have Baby Jools Jazzaholics, a very popular band who will definitely give us a good night.

Do come along to Newbold Verdon Social Club and join us.

Doors open at 7.00pm with music from 8.00 – 10.30pm, admission £9.00, payable on the door. For more information ring Kelvin on 01455 822824 or Pauline on 01162 865496

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

By Gail Honeyman ELEANOR Oliphant leads a simple life.

She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Eleanor Oliphant is happy.

Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?

Data, a love story By Amy Webb

After yet another disastrous date, Amy Webb was preparing to cancel her JDate membership when epiphany struck: her standards weren’t too high, she just wasn’t approaching the process the right way.

Using her gift for data strategy, she found which keywords were digital-man magnets, analyzed photos, and then adjusted her (female) profile to make the most of that intel. Then dozens of men who actually met her own stringent requirements wanted to meet her.

Among them: her future husband, now the father of her child.

Did you hear about the nervous nurse who accidentally dropped a baby she was delivering? She was having a mid-wife crisis.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS Funny Radio STONEYWELL Cottage, the local National Trust property at Ulverscroft, reopened to the public at the beginning of February after its two month winter closure.

However the property did not sit unattended for those two months.

The cottage had a very thorough deep clean involving the whole of the fabric and all of the contents.

Any necessary repair work was undertaken and the walls had several coats of lime wash to keep the moisture in the 600mm thick solid external stone walls at bay.

Also, despite the cold weather, the 20 strong gardening team were busy in the 4 acre garden and the 11 acre woods. They have cleared up all the fallen leaves which together with pruning’s and unwanted bracken have been shredded and added to the flower beds as mulch.

A lot of attention has also been paid to the woodland. Come early spring the birds will be busy building nests and rearing chicks, then late spring will see the carpet of bluebells appear. So December and January were perfect times to complete the planned woodland work. This year the team have also concentrated their efforts into eradicating some of the invasive species and garden “escapees” that have moved from the flower beds to the woodland floor.

The most prevalent was variegated archangel, a beautiful plant which is unfortunately a ferocious creeper that had taken over some areas of the woodland.

Daffodils are another invasive species that should not be in the woods and this year these will

A CURRENT affairs parody and stupidly feasible visit to the 24-hour Hall of Opinion Mirrors. Because there are two stories to every story.

Stoneywell Cottage at Ulverscroft is open again after its winter closure be removed after flowering and transplanted back into the garden.

Coppicing of the hazel, cutting it right back to base, also continues.

In times past this would have been used for tool handles and fencing material. However the Trust will leave it where cut as a habitat for the invertebrates and birds found in the woods.

By the time you read this the bluebells may well be out and the daffodils, which cover about one third of the garden area, will be appearing. So check the weather forecast and visit Stoneywell to see the garden as well as visiting the cottage.

Due to the Planning Consent all visits still have to be pre booked either by phone on 01530 248048 or online at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/stoneywell Now that the cottage is in its fifth year of opening bookings can usually be made at only 24 hours notice.

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport

Online Training for Volunteers: £20 ARE YOU a volunteer in sport or physical activity who struggles to find the time attend key training workshops?

As part of our Workforce Education Programme we have smaller online training courses available specifically for people who work at a volunteer level in sport or physical activity, for just £20 for the whole package! The modules within the ‘Educare for Sport: Volunteers’ are designed to give you access to high-quality content, ensuring you know how to keep children and young people safe. The modules consist of:

• • • • • •

Safeguarding in sport Concussion Awareness Preventing Bullying in Sport Mental Well-Being in Sport and Physical Activity Equality & Diversity First Aid Essentials

You simply purchase the package and you’ll then receive a voucher code from us to access the courses and complete them in your own time!

Contact: Teresa Dalby by email: info@lrsport.org or by phone: 01509564888

• The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 27th February when Dr John Sutton will present a talk entitled “The Leicestershire regiment in WW1”. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester, at 2.30pm.

There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 12th March at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone, at 7.30pm. Carole Preston (NT) will present an illustrated talk entitled “The History of Baddesley Clinton and its Occupants” Admission to meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including refreshments.

For details of the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

Created by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris, the masterminds behind Philomena Cunk and the adult spoof Ladybird books, the show was piloted in September 2017 and sent off to Radio 4.

Twenty-eight minutes later, it was commissioned for its first series, which started going out in August 2018...

Carrie Quinlan (John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme), Justin Edwards (The Thick Of It), Melanie Hudson (I’m Alan Partridge), Samson Kayo (Famalam), Jess Robinson (The Imitation Game), Luke Sumner and Tony Way (Game of Thrones) star in the first episode - ‘Breakthrough’ - where a scientific breakthrough, a human rights scandal and Britain’s favourite fruit come under the idiot microscope of a team of talking heads, hosted by hostioneer Alexandra Palisades.

Also featuring the voice of Josh Berry.

Agendum - Series 1 - BBC Radio 4 Friday at 11.30am (Episodes available on BBC iplayer) WISE WORDS: The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I’ve found it!), but ‘That’s funny…’.

UKULELE CONCERT GIVEN BY THE COMBINED GROUPS FROM

BOLD UKULELE & GLENFIELD U3A

Supported by CORAH, a Ladies vocal ensemble, in aid of SOUNDCAFE LEICESTER*, a charity working with local people who are homeless, isolated or vulnerable 7.30 in St. Peter’s Church Hall Glenfield Friday 15th March, TICKETS £5 each (plus raffle) from Carol Knill 0770 929 4872 *charity no: 1162987

My mate’s a workaholic. Anyone mentions work and he gets drunk.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

What do Groby Scouts do?

Hi from Groby Scout Group!

We have a very active programme for the young people of Groby and someone recently said we really should tell the village about what we do, so here we go! We’ll try to give you regular updates written by the Scouts themselves as we go through the year.

Let’s start with Groby Scouting in numbers: - 110 young members. 6-18 years old. 42 youngsters on the waiting list (more volunteers needed).

4 sections – Beavers – Cubs – Scouts - Explorers. Run by 28 Adults of which 14 are fully trained section Leaders. 1 Scout HQ on Quarry Park by Martinshaw School.

The four sections have weekly meetings with fun, active, educational activities for the youngsters.

• THE BEAVERS (6 - 8 yrs) recently joined in with “Parliament week” and ran a “mock Houses of Parliament” (make up your own joke here) and Councillor Ozzy OShea visited to answer some probing questions that only 7 year olds could ask. They are planning their visit to the National Space Centre in Leicester with all the other Beavers in the County.

• THE CUBS (8 - 10½ yrs) have been learning how to work together in teams with team activities and have also been working towards their Book Lovers badges and they plan to complete their Swimming badge shortly.

• THE SCOUTS (10½ - 14 yrs) have been problem solving in teams, they have been learning about Car Maintenance. They have been learning how to light and maintain a camp fire and along with the Explorers and Cubs they have been to Laser Force in Leicester to run around in teams shooting each other with lasers.

• THE EXPLORERS (14 – 18 yrs) have completed a 3.5Km Urban Orienteering event run by the Leicestershire Orienteering Club. They have been Christmas shopping, Movie night, a debate night. The leaders organised a Chaos Room (A dark room full of obstacles and noise) at the HQ and the explorers had to navigate and carry out team tasks in the Chaos room. They recently cooked haggis and held a Burns night. They also spent a weekend volunteering their help at John’s Lee Wood Scout Campsite in Markfield helping to repair fences, replace posts and put up a canopy to help shelter campers..

The 4 sections of the Group all met up for Remembrance Sunday and also for Carols Around The Tree in the village.

There are 2 Group camps every year where all the sections get together and all do activities together and the older ones camp under canvas whilst the younger ones sleep (or not usually) in the buildings.

The Scouts and Explorers have a summer camp for a week.

Then there are National and International camps (or Jamborees as we call them) that are available. We have 30 youngsters going to “CHARNWOOD 2019” which is an International camp based locally in Heather where they get to camp with Scouts from the UK and around the world.

We also have 3 going to “EUROJAM 2020” Which is an International camp in Gdansk, Poland.

We also have an Explorer who has been selected to go to The 24th World Scout Jamboree which will be held in American National Scout Reserve in West Virginia in August this year.

Well that’s it for now, more info as our busy group carries out more activities.

Yours in Scouting

Groby Scout Group Our Grandmother was a very cultivated lady. She was born in a greenhouse.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Good Luck Wordsearch Forgot username or password?

Passcode/Create N

IF YOU can find 12 GOOD LUCK SYMBOLS in this issue’s Wordsearch puzzle, you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Solutions for Districts Free Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

Resources We Are Parents To go into the draw,What all youWe haveOffer to do is findWho - and mark a line through - Teachers the names of 12 GOOD LUCK SYMBOLS. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

W I S H I N G W E L L L O M Y P D

J N W W M C N W X B O R E H O X W

F O U R L E A F C L O V E R K H X

E D L M D E X N I G F I T B I N C

N P O U B C R H L F Q E X T E M A

R E I O B E M P B E L D E R N O G

E E C Y W E R Z T E X H H A O O E

S W V V S G M S C J E S E B B X C

H S F N V Y N A E A J O X B H W F

K Y I Y P R R I T V H J U I S N K

IMPORTANT: You must address your entry to: FINGERS CROSSED, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by F M U X B C X Saturday 9th March 2019. Remember to include your name and E N M I H C R address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the prize. Good luck!

H C N B F H H S E X G T I S O

T Q M L E F E C J N Z S W R R

Z R C R M S V I U S F F C K L

A R L U R C A B T O D O C Q X

L K L O E M I J F E T O H E V

V N H P K L E U V U N T H X Q

R A T S G N I T O O H S Y A K

Here are the 12 GOOD LUCK SYMBOLS you have to find:

ANKH • CHARM BRACELET • CHIMNEY SWEEP FOUR LEAF CLOVER • HORSESHOE • NUMBER SEVEN RABBITS FOOT • SHOOTING STAR • TOUCHING WOOD WHITE HEATHER • WISHBONE • WISHING WELL Name: .................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch Competition was:

Diane Tonge of Ulverscroft Drive, Groby

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

An Inconvenient Death ANKH CHARMBRACELET By Miles Goslett CHIMNEYSWEEP INFOURLEAFCLOVER MARCH 2003 British forces invaded Iraq after Tony Blair said HORSESHOE the country could deploy weapons NUMBERSEVEN ofRABBITSFOOT mass destruction at 45 minutes’ SHOOTINGSTAR notice.

ATOUCHINGWOOD few months later, government scientist Dr WHITEHEATHER David Kelly was unmasked by Blair’s officials asWISHBONE the assumed source of a BBC news report challenging this claim. Within days, Dr Kelly WISHINGWELL

was found dead in a wood near his home.

Blair immediately convened the controversial Hutton Inquiry, which concluded Dr Kelly committed suicide.

Created by Puzzlemaker Yet key questions remain: could Dr Kelly really have taken his life in the manner declared? And why did Blair’s government derail the coroner’s inquest into Dr Kelly’s death? In this meticulous account, award-winning journalist Miles Goslett shows why we should be sceptical of the official story of what happened in that desperate summer of 2003.

at DiscoveryEducation.com

What millennials look for in a job OLDER generations may seek job security, but millennials are putting work-life balance as their first priority when it comes to choosing work.

A recent survey by YouGov found that one third said work-life balance was the most important factor, followed by pay, the work culture, and the length of the commute. Long-term job security came last.

Young people expect to have between three to five jobs over their lifetime. Just six per cent wanted to stay with their present company for more than five years.

I’ve trained my dog to bring me a glass of red wine. It’s a Bordeaux collie.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEBRUARY 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Small Ads • TUMBLE DRYER - ‘White Knight’, 6kg load, sensory, reverse tumble.

Price: £45.00 Tel: 01530 245482 (Markfield)

• PHILIPPA GREGORY PLANTAGENET/TUDOR NOVELS in hardback and paperback.

Various titles: The White Queen, Three Sisters Three Queens, The Taming of the Queen, The Last Tudor.

All in excellent condition, read only once. Price: Hardbacks £3.00 / Paperbacks £2.00.

Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield) • SPELLBINDERS DIE-CUT MACHINE , hardly used, with dies and embossing folders, embellishments, plus everything for making your own cards. Includes plenty of envelopes and decoupage sheets.

For more information, contact Glen on 01530 244450 (Markfield).

• SET OF DRAKES PRIDE PROFESSIONAL BOWLS - size 3H. Price: £50.00 Tel: 01530 243802 (Markfield).

• THREE STEEL SASH CLAMPS 4ft long, professional quality.

Price: £30.00 Tel 01530 243142 (Markfield).

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

Maximum EIGHT items please.

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

Glenfield GP Practice takes on the Leicestershire Three Peaks Challenge!

Calling all Glenfield Surgery patients!

The Glenfield surgery have adopted Healing Little Hearts as their preferred charity this year and to raise funds, Dr Nainesh Chotai, one of the Practice partners, will be amongst those taking part in The Leicestershire Three Peaks Challenge. They are looking to help raise £6,000 for the charity and so are looking for sponsors or volunteers with their own sponsors to walk with them to help raise funds.

The event consists of walking to the top of the three highest peaks in Leicestershire, namely Beacon Hill, Bardon Hill and Old John in Bradgate Park, about 16.5 miles in total. It should take walkers from five and a half to six and a half hours in to complete the whole challenge and will take place on a Sunday in April. I hope they have booked the next day off!

The charity, Healing Little Hearts (HLH), was founded in 2007 by a consultant paediatrician at University Hospitals of Leicester. It raises funds to treat as many of the over one million children worldwide born each year with congenital heart disease as they can. Many of these children are born in countries which do not have access to corrective treatment, either because of a lack of resources or expertise or because the treatment is only available privately, the cost of which is out of reach of most of the children requiring this life-saving surgery.

The charity sends teams of medical professionals, who freely volunteer their time, to countries such as India, Africa, Malaysia and Mauritius to perform these operations. By having surgery, they can go on to have a normal life but currently only 10% of children are able to do so.

So, if you can sponsor Nainesh, you will be helping to make an enormous difference to many poorly children’s lives. Each trip means that twelve more children can be operated on. So please pick up a sponsor form at the surgery. If you wish to take part in the walk please email your details to glenfieldsurgeryppg@outlook.com

Glenfield Patient Participation Group While you are there, why not join the surgery’s Patient Participation Group?

The group is actively recruiting new members from Groby at the moment to help advise the surgery how to make a visit a better experience from a patient’s perspective. The group meets with surgery staff only once every couple of months and so the duties are not onerous but only by participating can we let the surgery staff know how best to make each appointment as helpful and pleasant as possible.

If you would like more information, please email your details to glenfieldsurgeryppg@outlook.com

Carol Lincoln

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The World Wide Web – 30 years on THE WORLD Wide Web was invented 30 years ago this month, on 12th March 1989,

by Tim Berners-Lee while he was working at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory.

His innovation – a global hypertext document system originally described by his superior as “vague but exciting” – was intended to help scientists share data across a then obscure platform called the Internet, but his decision to make the source code freely available meant it took on a life of its own and is now used by almost everyone with a computer.

He has never profited directly from his invention, but now spends much of his time trying to protect it from malign influences and is working on Solid, a project designed to provide “true data ownership as well as improved privacy”.

As a result of his original invention, Berners-Lee was named one of the 20th century’s most important figures by Time magazine, received the prestigious Turing Award for achievements in the computer sciences, and was honoured at the Olympics. He was also knighted by the Queen.

It’s good to share!

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

Ratby Methodist Church

Coffee Morning and Every Saturday morning 10.00am—12.30pm

Refreshments with Bacon Butties

Saturday 9th March 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Free Admission

Items can be brought on Friday 8th between 5.00 pm and 6.30 pm

All proceeds to

CATCH meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer 9.30-11.30am every Friday at Groby URC Chapel Hill

Fair Cuppa for FairTrade refreshments in fairly traded mugs.

Every Thursday 10.3012am at the Village Hall

Weekly in term time for children for 6’s to 14’s on Mon evenings, at 6.00pm or 7.45pm. We meet at the United Reformed Church on Chapel Hill.

Along with our work in schools, these are run by the two churches in Groby under the group name EXTEND.

For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James Rector – Rev Ed Bampton 01162396520 www.grobychurch.org.uk United Reformed Church Phil Holmes (Church Secretary) 0116 225 3335 www.grobyurc.com Youth, Children's & Families Colin Udall 07776 157511 colin.udall@ntlworld.com

My girlfriend said she’s dumped me because of my obsession with plants. So I asked, “Where’s this stemming from, petal?”

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