Welcome new use for former Barclay’s branch
THE FORMER Barclay’s bank branch on the corner of Ratby Road and Fir Tree lane has a new occupier at last. The branch never re-opened after structural damage was caused by a ram raid and theft of the hole in the wall cash machine. After standing idle for some time, and speculation that it would become a takeaway or a Bargain Booze outlet, residents will be pleased to hear that it will shortly re-open as a a clinic providing treatments for sports injuries, physiotherapy and aromatherapy. As the Spotlight went to the printers some internal alterations had been made to the premises but more work is needed before an opening date can be set. The premises will be trading as The Natural Elements under the guidance of the Principal Ms Annie Rea, a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, who has over 20 years experience in musculo-skeletal physiotherapy. Looking back over those 20 tears Annie thinks that one of the highlights was getting a client back to horse-riding after 25 year lay-off and allowing her to go on a ranching holiday to USA.
Norman Griffiths
Groby Sings REHEARSALS for the next Groby Sings event: Rock & Royal - start from 20th February at Groby Club. Songs from The King & I, Queen and Elvis will be featured. Performances take place on 1st & 2nd July. For more information, see page 29.
LETTER
Heather’s Charity Hair Chop!
THE LAST TIME I wrote to the Spotlight was in November 2016. I had decided to cut my long hair to donate to The Little Princess Trust, who make real hair wigs for child cancer sufferers. I also wanted to raise enough money to fund the making of a wig, which is £500.
On the 3rd of Dec, me and my family went to Georges salon on Allandale rd for a very special hair appointment. I was very excited but nervous at the same time. My brother JJ said I was nervcited!!! I met Sophie who was going to cut my hair. She was lovely and made me feel chilled. She put my hair into 4 plaits and when I was ready and mum was filming Sophie started to cut!! I was very quiet when it was being done, each plaid being cut slowly until they were all in my lap. It was weird to see my long hair like that, but I knew that it was going to make a poorly child happy and feel a little bit normal again. A big smile came across my face. Then the pampering began, Sophie washed my hair and gave me a head massage, while a beautician painted my nails as a treat from mum and dad, they were so proud of me. While Sophie was restyling my hair I had a lemonade and a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. Everyone made a fuss of me in the salon and I felt like a real life princess. Once Sophie had finished I stared at myself in the big posh mirrors at my new haircut, another big smile came across my face. I loved it! Over the rest of December I watched the donations grow and grow. My school Lady Jane Grey has been brilliant. I was allowed to collect donations at the Christmas fayre,I was chosen to take part in talk the talk and spoke in front of a large audience at Groby College, and thanks to an amazing idea of Jake Marston in yr 6 we raised £126.62 on the last day of school. Everyone was allowed to wear something Christmassy instead of uniform but they had to donate 50p each to The Little Princess Trust. At this point I had raised £500 on my just giving web page and had £438 of cash donations. I had enough money for one wig and nearly enough for two. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 ...>
NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 18th March - Advert/Articles needed by 4th March