February 2018 spotlight online

TO CONTACT GROBY SPOTLIGHT: TELEPHONE: 01530 244069 OR EMAIL: INFO@GROBYSPOTLIGHT.CO.UK

Brookvale Groby Learning Jamboree Adventure Update Campus Students Visit Iceland!

HI EVERYONE, hope 2018 is going well.

In the middle of December I met up with the rest of the Leicestershire Scouts, Guides and Explorers that will be joining me for the 24th World Scout Jamboree. We played a number of team building games which helped me get to know lots of the other people who were going. We also have two weekend camps planned for later in the year.

I`ve started fundraising and have come up with a range of ideas for events and activities so hopefully in the next few weeks I should have some dates for your diary; please watch out for more information.

We plan on being at the village street fair in June and we`ll also be fundraising at Woodlands Garden Centre on the 21st of April.

Finally, in the last issue of the Spotlight I put in the wrong email address! It`s actually scoutjam2019@ gmail.com - please email me if you have any questions, thoughts or information.

Thank you!

Helen Chick

Groby Community Meadow NEWS Annual General Meeting: 6th March

FORTY Year 8/9 students and 5 members of staff had a fantastic adventure in January by visiting ICELAND! Iceland offered the opportunity for students to study glaciers, hot springs and geysers, volcanoes, lava flows, ash deserts, mighty rivers, thundering waterfalls and stunning coastlines.

This trip supported our Year 8 units on ‘Tectonic Hazards’ and ‘Renewable Energy’ and any student considering taking geography for GCSE.

GROBY CIC Community Meadow are holding our AGM at the Parish Council Offices on Tuesday the 6th of March at 7pm.

All shareholders and anyone interested in supporting our meadow is most welcome to attend, we are looking for villagers to invest time and funds into preserving the meadow, for the benefit of the village.

With two bridges to build and the meadow to maintain, any help keeping our meadow open will be most gratefully received.

Students studied hot springs, geysers and lava flows!

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 17TH MARCH 2018 - ARTICLES & ADVERT DEADLINE: 3RD MARCH 2018

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Letter Broken glass in Groby

THERE SEEMS to be an extraordinary amount of broken glass in Groby village of late.

Can we please make a plea for people who drop / break glass on the streets (accidentally - but unfortunately it seems that this may also be on purpose) to spare a thought for the animals.

Our dog has now had to undergo surgery on two separate occasions to have glass removed from his paws, which is a cause for significant distress for him and us.

This may also be of concern for children falling over, bike wheels etc.

Name & Address Supplied

Greg Davies becomes Patron of LOROS NATIONAL TV superstar and comedian Greg Davies has been appointed as a Patron of LOROS, following such an inspiring visit to the Hospice, he decided to mention it throughout his nationwide tour.

Best known for his roles in The Inbetweeners, Kuckoo, Man Down and the host of Task Master, Greg has been mentioning LOROS in his comedy tour, after his visit to the Hospice had such an impact on him.

Keen to support the Hospice further, Greg has now been appointed as one of the Hospice’s Patrons, which he says he is “delighted” about.

“My visit to LOROS totally changed my perception of what a Hospice is and does,” he said.

“The positive and uplifting atmosphere created by the staff confided my expectations.

“I am delighted to become one of their Patrons.”

Following such a positive experience of LOROS, Greg has mentioned his visit to the Hospice throughout his tour, up and down the country.

In his penultimate show on Sunday, at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall, he spoke of how, when invited to visit a Hospice during his time in the city, while he accepted the invitation, he admits he was sceptical about the visit, to say the least.

He goes on to explain that while the Hospice was full of people with terminal illnesses, he was amazed to discover that actually, everyone at LOROS was very much alive.

Greg was so impressed with LOROS, he held a bucket collection at the end of his three Leicester-based shows, raising more than £2,000 for the Hospice.

LOROS CEO John Knight said: “We are constantly trying to dispel the myths surrounding Hospice care, so it is great to hear that Greg’s perception of what LOROS is completely changed the moment he stepped through our doors.

“Furthermore, I was extremely pleased and proud of the organisation to hear that Greg wanted to continue supporting LOROS and become a Patron of the Hospice, following such a successful visit.

“Everyone at LOROS, would like to welcome Greg as a Patron and we look forward to not only strengthening our relationship with him in the future.”

I finally realized my parents favoured my twin brother when they asked me to blow up balloons for his surprise birthday party.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Nottingham Building Society Branch of the Year!

THE GROBY team at The Nottingham Building Society and Harrison Murray have won an award for Branch of the year 2017.

Janet and Paresh - who are pictured in the photo above - have said that they are very proud to achieve the award.

Janet said: “It’s amazing to be awarded Branch of the year out of the 67 branches The Nottingham currently has.”

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2018 (International and Interdenominational) “All God’s Creation is Very Good!”

Written by the women of Suriname in South America

The interdenominational movement of the Women’s World Day of Prayer invites everyone to attend one of over 5,000 services being held on FRIDAY 2ND MARCH with the title ‘All God’s Creation is Very Good!’

Starting in Samoa as the sun rises, and ending as the sun sets off the coast of American Samoa, we will join an estimated 3 million people around the world that day in a service which has been translated into more than 95 languages and 1000 dialects reminding us of our responsibilities in caring for the world we live in. The women of Suriname ask us to pray for conservation and the protection of wildlife, through an awareness of pollution, misuse and abuse, as well as for the particular needs of their country.

This is a day of prayer, not just for women, but for everyone who cares about our world and those who live in it.

The Groby service, organised jointly by St Philip & St James Church and Groby United Reform Church will take place at St Philip & St James Church, Markfield Road, Groby, at 7pm on Friday 2nd March 2018.

ALL ARE WELCOME. Refreshments will be served from 7pm, service at 7.30pm For further information contact Gill Tyler on ahandgtyler@virginmedia.com If you are unable to attend the evening service in Groby, there will also be a service at Ratby Methodist Church on Station Road in the afternoon of 2nd March, commencing at 2pm.

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Nest-based webcam gives bird’s eye view of Leicester Peregrines PEOPLE can follow the daily lives of a pair of wild peregrine falcons in Leicester city centre thanks to a new nest box webcam.

The camera has been fitted into a purpose-built nest at Leicester Cathedral to record the activities and nesting habits of the resident peregrine couple.

A live feed can now be watched online as part the Leicester Peregrine Project website at www.leicesterperegrines.org.uk/streaming The project is run by Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS) and Leicester City Council and aims to promote the presence of peregrines within the city environment and help ensure their conservation.

Peregrine sightings have been recorded in Leicester for the past 30 years, with more regular sightings over the last decade. Nest boxes have been installed across the city, in locations known to be favoured by the peregrines.

The Leicester Cathedral nest box was installed in April 2016. Its location, high on the cathedral’s 60metre spire, provides an ideal urban alternative to the high, steep cliffs the falcons use in the wild.

The live feed has shown the pair of peregrines – a female and a male – visiting the nest box regularly over the past fortnight.

Richard Kelly, nature conservation officer at Leicester City Council, said: “Leicester Cathedral is proving to be a perfect nesting location for the city’s peregrines.

“The webcam provides a bird’s eye view of the daily activities from inside the nest box. It’s provided a really interesting new way to observe this beautiful bird.

“There’s a really good chance that visitors to the webpage will see the female peregrine. She’s been braving the chilly winds and putting in regular stints on the ledge of the nest box, often preening for hours at a time.”

To find about more about the Leicester Peregrine Project, visit www. leicesterperegrines.org.uk or follow the Twitter feed at twitter.com/ leicsperegrines

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit

Redgate Rabbits Report

WE HAVE some lovely rabbits (and a guinea pig) at the moment: some to look at - i.e. the really big ones which are for specialist keepers - and some up for general re-homing.

They are currently comfortably housed in the outside cat runs.

(Don’t worry – no cats are outdoors at the moment!). You can just about see the bunnies in amongst heaps of hay and straw!

But if you can’t have a rabbit as a pet, and would still like to help us, we would be very, very grateful for donations of rabbit food and treats. Rabbits and ‘Guineas’ also love vegetables and native British herbs such as Parsley, Borage and Mint. And as rabbits are very inquisitive and playful, they would love some more toys please!

Please refer to websites such as the following for food ideas for rabbits: https://rabbit.org/ suggested-vegetables-and-fruitsfor-a-rabbit-diet/ We would be extremely grateful for donations of the following for our feed-room at any time of year (and the goats, pigs and birds will help eat them too): Spinach, Spring Green, Beet Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Carrots, Watercress, Radish tops, leafy Fennel tops, Brussels sprouts, Mange Tout peas, uncooked fruits and of course lots of Dandelions!

Looking forward to seeing you; we are open every day: 11am – 3.30pm.

Thank you! www.redgatefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk Tel: 01530 243 925 Email: redgate@mail.org

The 12 month wait for Ratby Road post box repair THIS TIME last year the damage to the post box opposite Ratby Road allotments was brought to the attention of Royal Mail, as with no collection time plate some users thought it had been abandoned.

“Unfortunately the box plate has been vandalised and we have requested a new time plate for the box, which should be fitted soon,” responded a Royal Mail spokeswoman. The postbox is still in operation and is emptied by the local postwoman on a daily basis.”

By July 2017 there was no change and Royal Mail was asked for a progress report. A response was promised within a week, but as nothing was heard the matter was raised again August 22nd.

This was not even acknowledged.

With rust taking hold a final attempt to find out what was going on was made at the start of this month. In response a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We apologise to customers for the delay in fitting the new plate. The box is still in operation and is emptied daily. A new plate has recently been ordered and will be fitted soon.” The box is emptied at around 9.30 am.

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The 80s were a simpler time when you could playfully push anyone fully dressed into a pool.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

February Small Ads Pick Up A Bargain!

• Gold coloured CARRIAGE CLOCK made by The London Clock co.

Dimensions 12 cms high, 9 cms wide and 6.5 cms deep. Excellent condition.

Price: £10.00 • Brass CEILING LIGHT FITTING with three branches holding translucent, ridged and scalloped glass shades. Very good condition.

Price: £20.00.

Tel: 0116 287 7870 (Groby) • White WASHING MACHINE. LG Direct Drive. Good working order and condition. Price: £85 ono.

• Ladies Size 10/12: Raspberry POLO PIQUE with Short Sleeves @ £10 Brand New still in bag • Ladies Size 10/12: Striped Mauve POLO PIQUE with Short Sleeves @ £10 - Brand New still in bag • Ladies Size Small: Pink/Navy Embroidered Leisure Suit @ £10 Brand New still in bag.

Tel: 0116 287 8987 or 07999 768 521.

(Groby) • Frameless Vintage ART DECO MIRROR with bevelled glass and chain - size 49cm x 76cm (19ins x 30 ins) excellent condition - £40 • Large quality BELGIAN PATTERNED RUG -size 133cm x 193 cm (52 ins x 76 ins) mixed colours but mainly beige and blue - excellent condition - £25 • Complete bound 1933 set of CHARLES DICKENS WORKS, illustrated and in excellent condition.

16 volumes - Greycaine Book Company - £15 Tel: 01530 242318 (Markfield) The following items are for sale as separates or complete.

All in working order and can try before you buy. Offers invited.

• Hitachi DIRECT- TURNTABLE Model HT-505.

• Technics Stereo DOUBLE CASSETTE DECK RS-TR232.

• Hitachi AM/FM STEREO TUNER FT4500L. • Hitachi Stereo AMPLIFIER hA-3800 • Technics COMPACT DISC PLAYER SL-P222A. • Large VINYL RECORDS for sale.

Tel: 07939 587035, Text is best for me as hearing isn’t too good.

• TOURING KIT for Kawasaki versys 650 (2010-14).

- 1 PLXR450 Quick Release Pannier Rack £75 ono - 1 Pair of Monorack Arms for Rear Rack £30 ono All in good condition.

Tel: Alan on 0116 232 2541 or 07715 056674 (Groby) • Glass top metal frame COFFEE TABLE, (Dunelm), excellent condition.

Price: £30 • GARDEN GAZEB - metal frame, Approximately 6ft (hardly used) Price: £10 Tel: 07547 901657 (Groby) • Sapphire 2 DISABLED SCOOTER cost £2,000. Very good condition.

Price: £500 • Electric TREADMILL Price: £40 Tel: 01530 244546 (Markfield)

• Mahogany veneer DOUBLE CD CABINET, 80cm high by 65cm wide by 24cm deep. Holds 160+ CDs. V.G.C. Price: £25 • Mahogany veneer SINGLE CD CABINET, 80cm high by 35cm wide by 24cm deep. Holds 80+ CDs. V.G.C. Price: £20 • Mahogany veneer HI FI UNIT, 1m high by 50cm wide by 44cm deep. V.G.C. Price £25 • Mahogany veneer NEST OF 3 TABLES, largest table 55cm high by 55cm wide by 42cm deep. V.G.C. Price: £10 OR £60 for the lot. Can deliver.

Tel: 07546 427771 (Groby) • HIGH CHAIR - converts to low chair and table. Light oak.

Price: £25 • Teak VINYL RECORDS CUPBOARD, 48cm by 46cm by 56cm high. On castors.

Price: £10 • Glass FISH TANK (30cm by 20cm) plus gravel.

Price: FREE Tel: 0116 231 2109 (Groby) • Two CIRCULAR BAMBOO CHAIRS with cushions.

• One small BAMBOO TABLE with glass top.

FREE to a good home!

Tel: 01530 245328 (Stanton-underBardon) • KENWOOD MIXER - excellent condition, contains dough hook, balloon whisk & cake mixer Price: £30 o.n.o.

Tel: 0116 222 3848 (Groby)

Phew, did it!

We helped pack Christmas Shoeboxes

IT WAS a real hands on life lesson for our smallest helpers; explaining why we are buying small gifts to fill shoeboxes, and why we should care for others less fortunate than ourselves. Out of the organised chaos on the Sunday morning 68 gift filled boxes were completed.

Groby United Reformed Church knows that a small shoebox sent with love can have a big impact. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal. The congregation raised over £300 and packed 68 shoeboxes. Thanks especially to the Groby Knitting Group who provided a lovely collection of hats, scarves, bags and puppets.

• Partner 12 FARFISA ORGAN - bass pedals, built-in speaker.

Price: £150 • 5-piece PREMIER DRUM KIT Price: £350 Tel: 07972 198802 • Morphy Richards compact BREAD MAKER. Little used. Good condition.

Price: £25 Tel: 0116 287 5988 (Groby) • Indesit FRIDGE/FREEZER - good condition.

Price: £50 • FLOOR LAMP - cream shade, black iron stand, with glass COFFEE TABLE. Price: £10 Tel: 01530 231928 (Bagworth) • Mothercare FOLDING COT with bedding, lie-back baby chair and play mat. Free to good home.

Tel: 0116 287 6119.(Groby)

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

Maximum EIGHT items please.

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

A pear a day will also keep the doctor away if you throw it hard enough.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Cat and Swan Latest News From Lindy Hardcastle I SPENT a few days in Skipton at the end of January looking after my granddaughters.

I was lovely to see Ava, the little cat we evacuated to Yorkshire to rescue her from her bullying brother Olaf.

She is blissfully happy and clearly adores the girls. She spends all her time with them, joining in their play.

When they go to school she settles herself down on Holly’s bed until they come home.

Olaf is still top cat here, intimidating and occasionally attacking Peter who is twice his size and a complete wuss. Peter seems to have lapsed into premature middle age and spends most of his days asleep. We still don’t know where his night time perambulations take him. If he’s not back by mid-morning we go and look for him and he comes bounding down the jitty, delighted to see us but apparently unable to find his way home. We are still struggling with toilet training but his literacy skills are developing. He seems to have stuck at “The Cat Sat on the Mat”. His mat of choice is a prickly doormat in the cold back lobby. He often crouches there with the martyred look of a cat prepared to sacrifice comfort for duty.

• I HAVE BEEN PAYING frequent visits to the ugly duckling at Groby Pool. I call him Simon and he calls me food lady. The resident adult swans and their baby continue to peck at him but it’s more posturing than a serious attempt to injure.

I shall miss him when he leaves in the spring – I assume he will fly off when he is a fully fledged swan. We have another avian visitor – a solitary fieldfare has taken up residence on the green outside our house. Fieldfares come down from northern Europe in large flocks in the winter. This one has discovered a cache of fallen apples under the tree and has decided that there’s no point in exerting himself any further. He’s in fieldfare heaven but I do worry about his ability to find his way home on his own.

I don’t have a bad handwriting, I have my own font.

LOST

A bunch of keys in the Leicester Road area of Groby.

Includes house and car keys.

Has a leather fob with a gold letter ‘G’ on it.

If found, please ring 0116 287 1532.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Weight Restriction Ratby Lane, Field Head WITH REGARD to last month’s article, I am pleased to report to residents that the 7.5T weight restriction and legal order is now in force.

The traffic signs have also been installed at both entrances to Ratby Lane. I have been informed that the odd lorry has failed to comply with the order. Residents can make a complaint with the registration details of the offending vehicle to the police on 101.

Anti Social Behaviour in Groby I HAVE had further meetings with the police and Community Safety Manager from the Borough Council and representatives of Groby Parish Council to discuss the ongoing ASB problems in Groby.

I am pleased to say incidents have considerably gone down during January. I will continue to work with the police and the Council to reduce ASB and I would ask residents to report incidents of crime and ASB to the police on 101.

Two Consultations I WOULD also like to bring the following two County Council consultation documents to residents’ attention.

• CONSULTATION on the Leicester and Leicestershire Consultation Draft Strategic Growth Plan Give your views on how the county should grow in the future The draft Strategic Growth Plan puts forward proposals for the new housing and transport improvements that would be needed to attract jobs and investment to Leicester and Leicestershire from now until 2050.

It will also be used to support bids for Government funding to deliver the infrastructure needed to support growth.

It’s being developed by a partnership formed by Leicester City and Leicestershire County councils, the seven local borough and district authorities and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

The plan estimates that Leicester and Leicestershire needs 96,580 new homes and 367-423 hectares of employment land from 20112031. Some of these homes have

already been built or have planning permission.

Beyond 2031, the plan identifies the need for a further 90,500 dwellings and additional employment land, which is why further land needs to be unlocked.

Local Plans will deal with the detailed allocation of which sites will be brought forward.

The Consultation Draft Strategic Growth Plan, the summary leaflet, and the evidence commissioned to inform the Plan can be seen on the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan website http://www.llstrategicgrowthplan. org.uk/ Or you can call us on 0116 305 8234 The Consultation runs until 5th April 2018

• EARLY HELP Review Consultation The County Council is carrying out the following consultation.

We’re proposing to merge a range of ‘early help’ and prevention support into one, new-style service - and want to hear your views.

We’re proposing to bring together four services: Children’s Centres, Supporting Leicestershire Families (SLF), Youth Offending Service (YOS) and Information, Support and Assessment teams into a Family Wellbeing Service.

The services tackle problems at an early stage and by preventing problems growing, help to reduce the need for the police or social care to get involved.

The new service would: • Support vulnerable children aged 0-19 and their families • Run from 15 buildings across the county – a reduction of 25, including 24 children’s centres – and include support delivered in people’s homes and other community venues.

• Reduce costs by £3.8m. This is made up £1.5m of council budget reductions and £2.3m from the council, partners and the Government, which might not be able to continue if Government funding for the Troubled Families Programme is ended.

The Consultation runs from the 22nd January until 22nd April 2018.

You can read the online information document and complete the survey at the following address https://www. leicestershire.gov.uk/earlyhelp Paper copies are available by calling 0116 305 3416

increase in the number of calls to members of the public by fraudsters requesting payments for a “phantom” debt.

The fraud involves being coldcalled by someone purporting to be a debt collector, bailiff or other type of enforcement agent. The fraudster may claim to be working under instruction of a court, business or other body and suggest they are recovering funds for a non-existent debt.

The fraudsters are requesting payment, sometimes by bank transfer and if refused, they threaten to visit homes or workplaces in order to recover the supposed debt that is owed.

In some cases, the victim is also threatened with arrest. From the reports Action Fraud has received, this type of fraud is presently occurring throughout the UK. It is important to recognise that there are key differences between the various entities who seek to settle debts or outstanding fees in England and Wales. These differences range from the type of debt they will enforce to the legal powers they possess. To learn more, please take a look at some of the helpful information and links on the Step Change Debt Charity website; https://www.stepchange.org/debtinfo/debt-collection/bailiffs-anddebt-collectors-differences.aspx Protect Yourself • Make vigorous checks if you ever get a cold call. Bailiffs for example, should always be able to provide you with a case number and warrant number, along with their name and the court they are calling from; make a note of all details provided to you.

• If you receive a visit from a bailiff, they must always identify themselves as a Court Bailiff at the earliest possible opportunity. Ask to see their identity card which they

Ozzy O’shea

must carry to prove who they are, this card shows their photograph and identity number. They will also carry the physical warrant showing the debt and endorsed with a court seal.

• If you work for a business and receive a call or visit, be sure to speak with your manager or business owner first. Never pay the debts yourself on behalf of the business you work for; some fraudsters have suggested employees make payment suggesting they can then be reimbursed by their employer when in reality the debt is non-existent.

•Exercise caution believing someone is genuine because you’ve found something on the internet; fraudsters could easily create fake online profiles to make you believe them.

• Double check with the court, company or public body they claim to work for to confirm whether the call is legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the caller could still be on the line and you could potentially speak to the fraudster(s) to confirm the non-existent debt. Also be sure to independently search for a telephone number to call; never use a number provided by the caller without carrying out your own research.

Phantom Debt Fraud ACTION FRAUD has recently experienced an

When people go underwater in movies, I like to hold my breath and see if I would have survived in that situation.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Tel: 0116 239 4336

Mobile: 07808 585825

• Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call. Take five and listen to your instincts.

• If you know you have a debt, keep in regular contact with your creditor and be sure to establish the debt type at the earliest opportunity if you are not aware. This will help you to understand who might be in contact with you regarding any repayments or arrears.

You can report suspicious calls like these to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfaud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Finally I would like 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 2394336 Mobile 07808585825 Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

LATE NEWS

Former Highway Land Leicester Road, Groby Update I HAVE been contacted by local residents asking what was happening to the site as builders have been seen on site doing some work.

I can confirm that Westleigh Homes have shown an interest in purchasing the land and have been given a 24 hour permit to carry out some tests.

I wish to confirm that no contracts have been exchanged at this time.

I will update residents as soon as I have the information.

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The nice thing about being single is I’m always there when I need me.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

B

ELOW is a joint statement on behalf of Cllr O’shea, Cllr Hollick and myself as Chairman Cllr Martin Cartwright with regards the outcome of the latest Parish Poll Klondyke steering group meeting held on 26th January 2018 at Groby Parish Council offices.

Attended by: Klondyke Steering Group Chairman Cllr Martin Cartwright, (HBBC Borough Councillor), Cllr Ozzy O’Shea (County Councillor, Cllr Mike Hall (Leader Borough Council), Cllr Kevin Morrell (Deputy Leader Borough Council), Cllr Matthew Lay (Scrutiny Chairman Borough Council), Cllr David Bill (Deputy Leader Liberal Democrats Borough Council), HBBC Officers Bill Cullen, Rob Parkinson, Gemma Dennis, Mike Rice, HBBC Appointed barrister Killian Garvey, Groby Parish Council Chairman Brian Rigby, Cllr Peter Batty, Cllr Pete Smith secretary and steering Group Secretary Alixe Taylor, Community Representation Steve Brown, George West, Groby Juniors Chairman John Casswell, Spotlight Norman Griffiths.

Apologies: MP Mr. Ed Argar, Cllr Ted Hollick (Borough Council), Leroy Watts (Groby Juniors Football Club)

Site Meeting Thank you to everyone that attended a muddy, cold site meeting. Sadly, whilst we were unable to gain access to most of the site as Chairman I was becoming increasingly concerned that Mr. Garvey especially had not physically been on site and whilst the pictures we have are comprehensive nothing really substitutes seeing it for your self in person.

Klondyke Steering Group Meeting During recent months I am reliably informed by officers that some clearance work has taken place on the McDonagh’s site (which is the subject of a court order) of which I welcome and was hoping to see for myself yesterday. Sadly this couldn’t be viewed but I am sure officers will share what information they have on this with me as ward member.

Klondyke Steering Group Meeting: The outcome of the meeting is split into two sections the first being progress of the CPO process - the main item of business - and the second, Enforcement issues.

CPO Process The Borough Council as resolved at the August 31st 2017 meeting have sought barrister’s advice from Killian Garvey who was present to answer questions and clarify any points of concern.

Separately to this Groby Parish Council have also sought barrister’s advice from a different barrister and although I only saw this late Thursday evening on the 25th January I am informed that a summary of that advice will be made available to the steering group members in due course.

This summary talked about is not included in this update.

Whilst concern was raised by members of the public who felt that the councils were pulling in different advice and therefore directions it must be stressed that they are perfectly entitled to do so.

It was also said there was little support from the Borough Council which Cllr Morrell pointed out was not evident in the support

by the number of senior officers and members present at this and the other steering group meetings (please see attendances above for clarification).

That said it leaves me with little doubt that everyone would like to see an end to the Klondyke issues and for me it is better for people to air their concerns rather than let them fester.

It was resolved that: Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Scrutiny Cllr Lay would add the historical element of the issue to the March 2018 Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council scrutiny meeting (date to be advised) with a report to be presented to the committee by officers and at least myself and possibly one other from the Klondyke steering group being able to address the committee in respect of the historical issues.

I welcome this and would hope that at least I and one other could attend especially as I am entitled to as ward member in any case.

The committee would then not close the issue but appoint a task and finish group to overview the progress going forward but not to debate the steering group’s business.

Cllr Hall as leader of the Borough Council proposed the steering group makes a decision if it wished to support one of two potential CPO reasons. These are, but in no particular order: 1. CPO the site for recreation use that being sports and recreational purposes (proper planning purpose) with the clearance of the site and a community building including football pitches etc for Groby Juniors football club.

2. CPO the site for planting of woodland to protect the green

I guess we’ll never find out who let the dogs out.

wedge which may or may not extend the Groby Pool beauty spot by providing a visitor center.

Summary: planting of woodland option.

No CPO process would ever be successful without clear direction on what the CPO was being progressed for. It is impossible to follow both options so a clear choice must be made now and adhered to, whatever the outcome.

Cllr Hall tasked the steering group members to consider which of the two options was the route that the steering group would like the borough council to continue on.

In either case this will not be the sole resolve of the borough council but that the borough council and other partners such as Groby Parish Council and for example in item 1 Groby Juniors would also have a large role to play if we were to be successful.

In short it was therefore agreed that the borough council once it was clear which option the Klondyke steering group wished to choose that they would then support the process.

Enforcement Residents expressed concern that proper enforcement was not being completed because the CPO process was underway.

I can as ward member absolutely clarify that this is not the case and whilst enforcement issues should have been resolved in the past there is nothing to suggest that they are not being done so as a result of the CPO process.

Whilst enforcement is a separate issue entirely and the two should not be mixed or confused it was reassuring to everyone there to have it confirmed that the ongoing outstanding enforcement issues were still live and being progressed.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

26th January 2018 Furthermore if any of the enforcement issues came to light these would also be progressed irrespective of anything else. I thank officers that reassurance.

Finally Thank you to Mr. Gravey for attending and giving clear and concise answers to the entire question posed of him.

This is an emotional issue with strong feelings and opinions on all sides. I again thank you for being present, listening to everyone’s questions, views and concerns whilst not talking over each other resulting in a positive use of your and my time in trying to get a solution to the issue we all share the view of that as a site if the proper planning purpose can be returned to would be of benefit to all but those that have turned it into the blot on the landscape it is today.

Cllr Martin Cartwright

Klondyke Steering Group Chairman Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Groby Ward

No Speedwatch for Groby THE LATEST attempt to form a Groby team of Speedwatch volunteers to increase awareness of the risks of speeding has not been successful.

Although fully supported by Groby Parish Council a minimum number of volunteers is needed to make the scheme viable and there were insufficient enquiries from residents wishing to play an active role at locations across the village. At the January Parish Council meeting thanks were extended to those who had offered to help.

Tim Lenton recalls some brilliant nonsense…

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

THE FIRST episode of Douglas Adams’ science fiction comedy series The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 8 March 1978 – 40 years ago.

Described by one commentator as “Dr Who meets Monty Python”, it was actually much better than that, mixing brilliant off-the-wall thinking with hilarious characterisation and situations. The radio series eventually evolved into a five-book “trilogy”, a TV series and a film.

Adams himself died of a heart attack in 2001 before the film appeared, but his achievements in his field have probably never quite been equalled.

The adventure opens with the destruction of Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass, and there is plenty in it to upset Christians of a sensitive nature, reflecting as it does a universe not very close to anything depicted in the Bible, or indeed anywhere else. But although Adams described himself as a “radical atheist”, it was hard to view his work as anything but brilliant nonsense.

A memorial service was held for him on 17th September 2001 at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. It was the first church service broadcast live on the web by the BBC.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter

The two not-so-secret weapons to help beat flu

LOCAL RESIDENT Carol was unlucky enough to pick up influenza just after Christmas. If you think that the press and television have overstated the effects of flu just read what she says about her personal experience of this debilitating illness.

“I was on the ferry home from a really lovely Christmas with my son and his family when I started to feel quite unwell,” she explained.

“I started to ache all over and developed a nasty headache. It was a night sailing but I felt so ill that I couldn’t sleep that night, I also felt really hot and feverish, and although I am usually someone who is up and about and always doing something, when we got home I went straight to bed and stayed there for five days. The first couple of days I didn’t even eat anything, I ached so much it was all I could do to lift my head off the pillow to sip some water occasionally. After that week out of it, the aching and high temperature disappeared but it has left me with a cough and feeling really weak and I am exhausted if I try and do much at all. Even walking upstairs is an effort and although it is now four weeks since I first took ill with the flu, it is still making itself felt!”

Carol is now making a full recovery but as she said the after effects of flu can hang on for weeks.

There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t contract flu as it is nimble and can change from year to year, outsmarting your body’s natural defences. More than one variation can be circulating in the community and forecasting which three to include in the annual vaccine always turns out to be a bit of a lottery. Nevertheless vaccination is the first not-so-secret weapon we can use.

You may think that now that February is here the risk is reducing, but the vaccine is available free of charge for those • aged 65 or over on 31st March 2018

• who are pregnant, regardless of the stage of pregnancy . There’s strong evidence to suggest pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu.

• adults and children with a serious long-term health condition • who are main carers for someone who is elderly or disabled ( speak to your GP about having a flu jab along with the person you care for).

If you have avoided flu so far this winter just read Carol’s story again and decide whether you want to do all you can to avoid the misery she experienced. Groby Surgery still has the vaccine available so if you want to check your entitlement or book an appointment ring 0116 2313331.

The not-so-secret weapon number two THE VACCINATION provides protection once flu is in your system, but notso-secret weapon number

two is designed to stop it getting inside and creating its havoc.

There’s no rocket science involved here, just the common sense your mother taught you. And if some historians are right it’s the same secret that meant that in the 14th century fewer Jews died from the Black Death than non-Jews : hand washing.

Good hand hygiene is the main way to protect yourself from infection and passing on the virus to loved ones. Hand washing with warm water and soap is the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent the spread of germs and infections. Studies show it lowers the transmission of flu, colds and diarrhoea, both at work and home. If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s important that you make sure that your children are taught how to wash their hands properly, particularly if they’re around grandparents or friends and relatives that are ill.

Hand washing is important not

The Mother of Science Fiction

S

CIENCE FICTION is well-loved, not just in books (though check the stacked shelves of that category in your bookshop) but in films and on television.

‘Star Wars’, for instance, is almost a religion, with millions of followers.

Sci-fi, as it is known, sets out to use a ‘scientific possibility’ as a fictional tool. It may destroy the world, or (as a scientific saviour usually demonstrates) bring in a new dawn of hope.

We assume science fiction is a modern phenomenon, but this month we are reminded otherwise. On March 11th 1818 a young writer, Mary Shelley, published her first book, Frankenstein, generally judged to be the earliest science fiction novel. It was the story of a scientist who, in the course of some daring experiments, found that he had created a monster, a grotesque being with some human abilities. The clever scientist Frankenstein had opened Pandora’s box.

The book had arisen out of a competition between three established writers and one novice, Mary Shelley, to write a ‘fantasy’ novel. Shelley’s Frankenstein won the competition and was published, but the author was not named. Such was its success, however, that when it was reprinted three years later Mary Shelley’s name was on it. It was some time before anyone else made a similar impact with a science-fantasy novel – probably not until H G Wells and The Time Machine, 80 years later.

But the word was out. A story to chill the blood and arouse unspeakable fears could win an admiring audience. Perhaps a philosopher or psychiatrist can explain why, but the evidence is there in the bookshops and the viewing figures.

only in preventing colds and flu but it also helps to limit exposure to other unpleasant infections such as norovirus, which is also prevalent in winter. To clamp down on germs, everyone is urged to use a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes, and then throw away the tissue. Finally, kill the germs by washing hands properly for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. Make sure to use soap. These simple measures can make a big difference and will help protect you, your family and those around you.

People who are suffering from an illness such as colds and flu are also asked to try to avoid visiting relatives in hospital where possible, to help prevent infection on the wards. Patients in hospital are more susceptible to bugs and infections, and they can spread fast. Anyone with even a heavy cold should try to avoid visiting where possible, and when you do visit, please wash your hands properly and use a tissue when you sneeze.

What has the Black death have to do with hand washing? It’s said that Christians believed their mortality rate from the Black Death was at least twice that of Jews and this belief led to their persecution. However, it is argued that Jewish law compelled one to wash hands many times throughout the day and one could not eat food without washing hands. At least once a week, a Jew bathed for the Sabbath. It’s believed that the sanitary conditions in the Jewish neighbourhood, primitive as it may be by today’s standards, was always far superior to the general sanitary conditions.

If all this is true then washing your hands may not just protect you from flu. You may also survive the winter without contracting the Black Death.

Norman Griffiths for Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group

I accidentally took an extra step when I reached the top of the stairs and now I’m in a marching band.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

13

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the perils of ladies cleaning the church The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren I MUST begin with a confession. I know it is wrong of me, but last Wednesday I coveted your modern, purpose-built, user-friendly worship centre.

Your concrete cube may have all the aesthetic charm of a suburban bus shelter, but it is clean, bright and does not have the propensity for sheltering dead animals in dark corners.

March at St. James the Least brings an annual event I dread: the Boon Day. There is a certain irony in the ladies of the parish – who without exception employ dailies to do all their domestic cleaning and dusting – getting together to wash, polish and scrape 12 monthsworth of accumulated dirt from the church interior.

Having very obviously put in hours of thought about correct dress – not looking as if they’re set for drinks at the golf club, but equally not giving the impression that wielding a mop and bucket comes naturally to them – they arrive equipped with the Cartier equivalents of bleach and dusters. I am slightly surprised

Admiral Wetherspoon’s wife knows which end of a brush should be held.

Miss Pemberton’s over-enthusiastic use of bleach for cleaning the sanctuary floor in the Lady Chapel makes one feel one is entering a public lavatory rather than a house of God. Books, service sheets and collection plates have all been so efficiently tidied away that it will take months before anyone can find anything. Lost coins are placed in the collection box, long-forgotten gloves and scarves put out for the next jumble sale, and dead pigeons and mice placed on the compost heap.

Just as archaeologists date various layers of a dig from the artefacts they recover, the ladies cleaning the choir stalls have determined precisely when the tenors changed from spearmint to peppermint chews during the sermon, as they

shovelled through 52 Sundaysworth of lost mints.

Our great moment of crisis came when Lady Dawes decided to clean the statue of St. James the Least, standing in his niche above the high altar. An eight foot, 50 year-old step ladder and an 18 stone seventy year-old dowager are not an ideal combination. St. James had stood on his plinth, unmolested, for the best part of 500 years, two fingers held in a sign of blessing. Until last Wednesday.

For Lady D’s last flourish, removing the cobwebs from St. James’ head, caused her to lose her balance. She grasped for something for support, failed, and hit the floor still holding one of our saint’s two fingers. He now stands – admittedly very clean – but with only one finger raised to the congregation in a far from saintly gesture. A little judicious application of glue will be

necessary before he makes his true intentions clear.

And so we now live in a state of uninhabitable order and hygiene.

Within a month, the skills of mice and men should hopefully return us to our preferred ambience for Christian worship.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Street Fair : Could helping cut your risk of memory loss and dementia?

STAYING physically and mentally active as you grow older is generally considered to reduce the risk of developing dementia, and another study has been published that seems to support this hypothesis.

Verbal memory - which declines naturally with age - deteriorated 38 per cent faster once volunteers had retired, according to a report published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, which concluded that retirement accelerates the decline in verbal memory function. The study tracked 3,400 retired civil servants. Researchers warned that the lack of regular stimulation takes a heavy toll on cognitive function and speeds up memory loss and dementia, the “use it or lose it” theory once again.

The study found that even high-ranking civil servants with mentally demanding jobs saw brain capacity plummet once they retired, suggesting that a busy and high-flying career offers no protection against cognitive decline unless pensioners keep physically and mentally active. Volunteers underwent regular memory tests over a 30-year period covering the final part of their careers and the early years of their retirement, and these included tests on reasoning and verbal fluency in addition to checks on verbal memory and the ability to recall words. This research from University College London and Kings College London suggests giving up work could be a major catalyst for the incurable illness in some people.

activities. Here are some of the jobs that need doing and if you volunteer for one you can select your own job title, within reason.

• Barrier superintendent. Markfield Road will be closed and barriers put in place to control vehicle movements, so this needs organising and implementing.

• Admission controller. It’s a paid for event so it’s critical that entry gates are staffed all day to maximise income, usually by a team of volunteers that do an hour or so.

• Raffle ticket sales executive. Most organisations fall back on raffles as it’s the way local businesses like to support events, but it needs organising and tickets need selling.

• Marketing manager. This is all about selling the event not just to local residents but also to local businesses who may wish to help.

In addition to these key organisational roles there is always a place for those who can’t commit long term but just want to help for an hour or more on the day.

If you are interested you’ll make new friends and contacts and if you are there on the day you’ll see people on Markfield Road that you may not have seen for years.

So Groby Street Fair could be just the tonic for staying physically and mentally fit.

It seems to confirm the findings of a French study that found that, after excluding workers who had dementia diagnosed within the 5 years following retirement, there was evidence of a significant decrease in the risk of developing dementia associated with older age at retirement. The results indicate the potential importance of maintaining high levels of cognitive and social stimulation throughout work and retiree life and suggested that retiring later could be good for mental health.

Surprisingly the Government doesn’t seem to have the used the statistics to support the progressive raising of the age of retirement.

So if you have retired and are enjoying any winter sunshine sitting in the garden in your overcoat, scarf and gloves, or watching daytime television, perhaps it’s time to consider alternatives. Many of our local voluntary organisations are kept afloat by active older people and all would welcome new helpers with open arms.

GROBY STREET FAIR is one of them, especially this year when some of those who have played key roles since the first event have had to step down, though not because of memory loss. It is now an established event and this year will be held on a warm sunny Sunday in mid June.

With just four months to go a critical decision will have to be made about whether it is going to be viable, as there are still key roles that need to be filled. As it is a one-off event it’s a different type of commitment to, say, helping with the library, the Scouts or some of the weekly church

YOU CAN EMAIL grobystreetfair@ virginmedia.com or ring Christine on 0116 287 6724 if you want to know more or arrange to attend the next meeting on Monday 26th February at 7.30pm.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

News from Lady Jane Grey School Message from the Headteacher Tuesday 9th January saw the return of the children to Lady Jane Grey to begin an exciting and busy Spring term. Some of the highlights so far have been the continuation of Schulz Coaching running our after school sports clubs, as well as having Abel & Cole visit us to introduce their healthy range of fruit and vegetables.

In addition, we have had music tutors giving us a taste of different musical instruments and – most excitingly of all – had a day to celebrate “Harry Potter” (more details below). A brilliant start to the new year.

Mr FitzGerald Music lessons LAST MONTH LJG was awarded a Bronze Music Quality Mark by the Leicestershire Music Service (LSMS). To enrich our curriculum further, we invited LSMS in to provide taster sessions to the children on the piano, violin and flute. The children thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity and many have subsequently signed up for lessons.

Harry Potter Day THURSDAY 1ST FEBRUARY saw the children, and staff, embrace their inner wizard to take part in Harry Potter day. The children dressed up in costumes, or wore House colours, and took part in fun and practical activities, as well as enjoying a snack & milkshake. There was also a raffle, with prizes donated by Primark.

Abel & Cole WE’VE TEAMED up with Abel & Cole, the organic home delivery company, to help us raise funds for our school and get everyone to eat food as it should be. Abel & Cole visited the school on Wednesday 24th January to introduce themselves and answer any questions parents/carers had – whilst handing out some delicious organic apples!

Groby Gardening Society News Annual General Meeting THIS WAS held on 11th January and the committee was extremely grateful for the tremendous support they received in the form of a large presence of members.

After the usual reading of minutes from the last A.G.M., the chairman’s report on the 2017 programme was presented. It had been a very successful year in terms of the speaker programme we had organised by Helen and Beverley, the three day trip to Hull and the other day and evening visits.

Liz, Carol, Pam and Sylvia undertook the organisation of the 2018 programme of speakers and a later item showed what a success they had made of it.

Eric presented the accounts which were duly, unanimously accepted. Alvar gave a brief outline of the trips and visits planned for this year, shown later in this article. A brief mention of the show was made by Jane and this highlighted that another enjoyable cycle of gardening delights is about to begin. It was a pleasure to hear that our charity raising events during 2017 realised £432 to be split between “The Sound Café” and “The Air Ambulance”. Members voted that next year the charities to benefit will be The Salvation Army and The Air Ambulance.

The officers for 2018 will remain the same, although changes will occur in 2019.

These are:- Chair (Helen Box), secretary (Roy Cockett), treasurer (Eric Atherton) and the committee members are the above plus Cicely Cockett, Kay Blick, Jane Marston, Beverley

Shooter, Liz Emmerson and Jayne Rayne.

Trips and visits 2018 • The Malvern Spring Show: Sunday May 13th details later • Three day trip to Llandudno area: Wed-ThurFri 25th, 26th, 27th July. There is a brief synopsis of the focus of the three day trip available at meetings • Waterperry Gardens: Wednesday September 12th - see pic right.

Next Meeting • March 8th: “Plants for their place” - Sally Cunningham If you like the sound of what we get up to, why not come along to a meeting and try us out. You will be most welcome.

Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill.

Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Eric Atherton. (Tel. No. 0116 287 6637) or Email: e.atherton637@btinternet.com

Alvar Johnson

I always put in a full eight hours at work. Spread out over the course of the week.

15

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Beware tough laws on using phones as satnavs in cars IT IS NOW nearly a year (April 2017) since the Law clamped down on motorists who use their phones at the wheel. But many drivers may not realise that the laws also extend to using mobile phones as satnavs.

Brookvale Groby Learning Campus

‘Top of the Bench’ Chemistry Competition

Although it is not illegal to use a navigation app, drivers face prosecution if they touch the handset for any reason, while they are at the wheel, even if the vehicle is not moving. The maximum penalty has doubled, to a £200 fine and six points, or even disqualification.

Pete Williams, road safety spokesman for the RAC, says: ‘More has to be done to educate drivers that any use of a hand-held phone at the wheel is both illegal and presents both a mental and physical distraction that could ultimately cause a crash and the loss of life.’

In 2015 there were 22 deaths on the roads, simply due to drivers using handheld phones.

Letter

The Groby Cafe Idea THE PLEA in Spotlight for a cafe in Groby has not been forgotten.

The newly built Heritage Centre in Mountsorrel has incorporated an excellent cafe with a normal dining area plus sofas where you can sit and have a coffee.

Such a building in Groby, which has a long and interesting heritage, would delight residents and surprise other lesser local villages.

A study is underway and there is hope for interest to continue.

Eric H, Groby

W

ELL DONE to the team of students from Brookvale Groby Learning Campus who won the Leicestershire heat on Wednesday 13th December!

‘Top of the Bench’ is a national competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Teams of 4 are invited to take part but must consist of 2 Year 9 students, 1 Year 10 student and 1 Year 11 student. Twelve schools took part in the local heat.

After winning the Leicestershire heat our team progressed to the regional final which was on Saturday 20th January 2018 at Derby University. This round consisted of another written task and also a practical challenge which took around 1 hour. Both were completed as part of a team again.

40 teams took part in the elimination rounds to the regional final of which Brookvale Groby Learning Campus came 10th!

The students involved Oliver Swann (Year 9), Ava Morton (Year 9) Charu Patel (Year 10) and Tim Cowling (Year 11) pictured above, said that they enjoyed taking part in the competition. I want to thank the students for representing the campus in their own time and also to their parents for their support. Also thank you to Miss Hawke for going to the regional final on Saturday.

Miss Scott, Teacher of Science

When I grow up, I’m going to make my kids watch the movie “2012” and tell them I survived that.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Village Society

~ Preservation • Conservation • Communal Interests ~ Programme 2018 February 22

Bradshaws and an Early Railway Tour Robert Mee

March 22

A.G.M.

April 26

Victorian Optical Toys

May 24

Bob Massey

More Made in Leicester

Brian Johnson

June 28

Calke Gardens-The Changing Seasons Celia Sanger

July 26

Eat My Weeds

Alison Coates

August 23

Reflections in Rhyme

Delia Bennett

September 27

Bitter is the Wind Tonight

Sandy Leong

October 25

Leicestershire Ghosts & Legends

David Bell

November 22

Fools and Horses

Ann Featherstone

December

No Meeting

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

The venue may have to be altered for some meetings.

For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842. e-mail:- pcastell42@gmail.com Non Members are Welcome

When two plus one = loneliness

BECOMING a parent is a wonderful thing, but it does bring enormous changes to your life.

17

Canon David Winter considers the difference between Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday

THE WAY I SEE IT:

Mothers and Mothering

T

HE AMERICAN invention, “Mother’s Day”, will be celebrated on Sunday 11th March, though the cards, boxes of chocolates and reservations for deliveries of flowers will be in the shops long before.

It’s a very nice idea, as most of us love our mothers dearly and welcome a chance to celebrate their importance in our lives.

I say “American invention”, because long before Mother’s Day there was a Christian event, marked nowadays in the Church Calendar, with the title ‘Mothering Sunday’. It’s still widely observed in churches on the fourth Sunday of Lent, and yes, that’s 11th March, too.

The difference between them is subtle but profound. ‘Mother’s Day’ is about who she is, particularly in our lives. ‘Mothering Sunday’, as its rather awkward name implies, is about a quality which we recognise in mothers but can be present elsewhere – to ‘mother’ someone.

We have all needed mothering, from time to time, and not simply when we were tiny and helpless, literally dependent on our mothers for our sustenance and survival. During the years of the last War I was ‘mothered’ by my grandmother. Sometimes a friend acts in this role for us, when we feel lonely or helpless. ‘Mothering’ means caring deeply, sustaining, supporting, whatever the cost.

That is why God, whom we usually call ‘Father’, is sometimes spoken of in the Bible as ‘mothering’ us, gathering us in His arms of love, even feeding us like a mother. On ‘Mothering Sunday’ we celebrate so much more than our own beloved mums. We celebrate the whole glorious notion of care, compassion and nurture. And of that care, very often our own mothers are the very best examples.

A new baby can take up so much time that it seems that half of all new mothers and fathers admit to feeling lonely, cut off from their friends and colleagues, and even family.

Recent research by Action for Children and Mumsnet found that ‘having a baby changes your life in many ways, not all of them as joyful as you might expect.’ And so, a new twitter campaign, #startswithhello is encouraging people to offer a ‘hello’ coffee or playdate to new parents in their neighbourhood.

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I’ll clean my house when the last kid has moved out.

Message from Groby Parish Council Chairman Brian Rigby THIS HAS been a very challenging year for our Parish and its Parish Council; we have seen a reduction in budgets across the board and as a result services being reduced.

The council has ever-increasing costs maintaining the presentation of the village, its parks and cemetery.

We have a new Clerk in Alixe Taylor, experienced in the role for over fourteen years. It’s never easy taking on a new office and developing a team but experience is the key here and over the last twelve months the office is now well set to move our village forward.

It is very important that we have a connection with our residents; this has proven to be one of the key successes this year.

We still have one vacancy on the Parish Council which we hope to fill; if you feel that you have the passion to get involved and make a difference there I honestly believe there is no better way.

I would like to welcome Michelle Measures, Denis Sleath and Geoff Baker onto the Council and to say ‘thank you’ to Jacqualyn Batty and Leigh Quilter for the service and commitment they have given during their time served on the Council.

The council is now more structured in all we do rather than being reactionary which often creates higher costs. One of the biggest issues this year being trees, hedges and grass cutting, the presentation of our village is important to all councillors on the council.

One of our major projects was to enhance our village last summer with our summer hanging baskets which proved to be a major success with over sixty baskets in full bloom. Many residents have spoken to me personally regarding the presentation, colour and more importantly ‘what a difference’ it made to the centre of our village. I must say it’s great to receive some positive feedback for a project I personally supported.

Our Parish Poll – The Klondyke A PARISH POLL allows for a ballot of local government electors in the parish to be called on any question arising at a parish meeting.

This year we held a Parish Poll regarding the Klondyke. This matter has been on the headlines for many a year and whilst many actions and monies have been spent on trying to resolve residents’ concerns it was at our Parish AGM that a group of residents requested a Parish Poll.

We had an amazing turnout with four questions being asked with a resounding YES on all four questions. Answering that in no uncertain terms you the residents want this issue resolved.

This has resulted in two aspects, the enforcements teams from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have been focused to challenge all that requires action. The Parish Council are working closely with the enforcement team to ensure that their focus remains a priority.

Two meetings have been completed with the leaders of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to ensure that we have a way forward with the Klondyke. This is not going to be easy but it is now a project which the Parish Council will focus on with two clear plans set aside for the improvement of this area.

As such the Parish Poll has given a mandate that Hinckley and Bosworth undertakes its responsibilities in relation to the Klondyke. The Parish council has raised the precept for one year only so that it has the funds to take any action that is required. This cost to each household will be approximately twenty pence per week; these monies being ring fenced into maintaining the overwhelming results of the Parish Poll in that the Klondyke be resolved to resident’s requirements.

This increase will be removed next year from the precept.

The actual precept will not increase - this being for the fourth year in succession; this has been achieved by maintaining a stronghold on this year’s costs. Moving forward a clear strategy of the requirements has been undertaken, thus ensuring that we work smartly rather that reactively, having a core vision for the future and maximising grants made available through our partners at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Community CREATING a community is important to me as Chairman this year has seen the development of our Christmas Fair in conjunction with GE Electronics, our Village Hall and our Bradgate Rotary Club with over fifty stalls, clowns, Santa, elves, music, dancers and three local children switching on our Christmas lights.

I would personally like to say thank you to the small amount of residents organising our Street Fair. It is back on again this year and we know we can build on everything that has been achieved before. Our local Church St Philip & St James is organising a Barn Dance and the Stamford Arms will again organise our Wheel Barrow Race which proved to be a massive hit last year.

This year fireworks night proved to be amazing and now might have to move due the amount of people attending, and we are working with the CIC field team to see if this can enhance what has always proved to be a massive hit for the village.

We have utilised grants and funding this year and have a welcome addition to our Queen Elizabeth Park of a children’s play area; this maintains the council’s commitment to this Field in Trust area understanding that activity and play is important to health and wellbeing for all ages. This year we hope to upgrade our Marina Park equipment maximising grants afforded to us.

We have received many concerns regarding trees and hedges, this is a growing problem. We have now completed our required survey and have organised a project to work through our Priority One works, we have a new contractor with set ring-fenced budgets ensuring the maintenance is structured and cost effective. The summer has not been constructive for grass cutting, with hot days followed by inclement weather which has been a challenge, and many times our cutting was either delayed or cancelled.

Our parks committee have been asked to focus on this particularly this year.

Anti Social behaviour has been on an increase with damage to our play equipment, allotments and the CIC field. This has been challenged with our local policing partners which has had a varied response. This has resulted in our council setting up anti social behaviour meeting with all the necessary bodies. Actions have been taken and we will continue to monitor any ASB with our local policing partners.

Please be aware though that in all cases please report this through the 101 number as this is the reporting manner in which policing and the focus of policing is addressed.

A positive year ahead ALL IN ALL the Parish Council sees a positive year ahead.

We have projects planned with the scouts, and the library has plans for its new coffee shop. We have a working commitment with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to work through the Klondyke, we have great partnerships with many of our societies and groups with a understanding to work together ensuring communication is the key.

We have plenty to do to push through our neighbourhood plan with many residents involved and budgets are being ring fenced for our cemetery extension; taking this in part we are looking for some to help with design and project management of this project; if you have any skills or know of anyone that would like to help with this long-term project please would you forward any details to the Parish Office.

Brian Rigby

Chairman, Groby Parish Council

Groby Parish Council, Council Offices, Village Hall, Leicester Road Groby Leicester LE6 0DQ Telephone: 0116 287 6985 Email: parishclerk@groby.com

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Want to be creative? Have a cup of tea!

TEA-DRINKERS have always known that almost anything is possible, with a cup of tea in your hand, and now it seems that the scientists are catching up with them.

For there seems to be proof that a simple cup of tea can spark an instant burst of your brainpower and creativity, enhancing your mood and cognitive ability.

Yet, although tea contains both caffeine and theanine, both of which increase attentiveness and alertness, these do not usually take effect as quickly as the simple act of drinking tea seems to do. Thus, researchers suspect that simply drinking the tea works to enhance your mood.

Tests found that drinking tea helped people in both divergent thinking (the process of coming up with a number of new ideas around a central theme), and also with creativity. This must make tea the go-to drink for writers, artists and musicians, and indeed anyone looking for inspiration. So - go put the kettle on!

The study appeared in the journal Food Quality and Preference.

What do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals? Phillipe Phillope.

So what if I don’t know what Armageddon means? It’s not the end of the world.

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Groby WI NEWS USUALLY I FIND more than enough to write about but this January has been very quiet, even so we have managed a few outings.

We held our New Year’s Committee meeting at, where else, a pub (quite a posh one though) in Leicester. In between courses, and gossip of course, we got through quite a lot of business.

Our 2018 programme sounds quite exciting. We shall have a go at making a pork pie in Melton, take a canal trip with lunch, of course, in a hostelry and have plenty of theatre and cinema trips. Outings to Althorp House, Crich Transport Museum, Ladies Day at Newmarket and Highclere Castle to name just a few.

We also try and keep fit with plenty of walks, varying from local to Derbyshire (not too strenuous ones), occasional lunch time meals and skittles.

A few ladies made their way to the cinema to see the PT Barnum musical, The Greatest Showman to which they gave mixed reviews, afterwards of course followed by the compulsory meal, so much for our New Year’s resolutions.

Meetings will be very varied ranging from Tai Chi, a Lakeland representative, antiques and finding out how to become a professional gatecrasher. There are others, of course, too many to mention.

Our January meeting was three ladies from Boots No. 7 beauty team. They, of course, all looked very glamorous, lovely skins etc but we can’t all have their looks,

yours truly especially.

Still it was great to see our ladies being ‘made over’. We could partake in a hand or neck massage or a facial. The hall smelled beautiful, so did the ladies. Personally I didn’t have a go, my old skin needs mortar to fill up the cracks! At the end there was a raffle of some No. 7 products, I actually won some nice smellies.

Fran was presented with a flowery plant, she has come off the Committee after years of hard work, a big thank you Fran from all your WI pals.

I would like also to give praise to the many ladies who are on the Committee and those who are willing to do their share without officially having an office. We have ladies who hold needlework sessions, lead walks, organise trips to the cinema to name just a few goings on. This makes our group very varied and it means there is something for everyone.

We welcome ladies who wish to find out more about us and our meetings. Please don’t think you

are obliged to join immediately, just come along and have a taster.

There is a nominal small fee to pay but I am sure you will get your money’s worth.

Our February meeting is on Thursday, 15th February when Ali Groschi, a local lady from Ratby, will let us know what Smartsy Fused Glass is all about. The following month on 15th March, (beware the ides of March – you know what happened to Julius Caesar!), we will be more fortunate than him, when we have Neil Thomas from ‘Lakeland’ talk to us about this great firm.

Do come along to the Village Hall at 7.30p.m.

Margaret

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Doing yoga got me out of the habit of biting my fingernails. Now I bite my toenails.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Community Library News Update New Café Building Work WE’RE PLEASED to announce that building work to develop the Library Café will be starting in the next month.

Thanks to the Parish Council for the initial funding of this new and much needed amenity.

The work is going to be done by UK GAS, a local firm who are based in the village. This shows the commitment from the Library Trustees to use a local firm that is well known and has a good reputation in our community.

UK GAS are similarly pleased to be working with us on this community project The building of the café does however mean that the Library will need to close for 3- 4 weeks. Specific dates will be advertised shortly. Also, we advise that you take enough books to last you for the closed period. The usual lending dates will be extended to allow for this and ensure you do not incur fines.

We realise this will be an inconvenience for our users, but hope you will appreciate the benefit when we re–open with a brand-new café.

Working with UK Gas will create a space that is good for coffee, tea, cake, talking, reading and meeting others.

By building the café we are aiming to make the Groby Community Library the GO TO PLACE in Groby Village.

Name of the Café THIS IS where we need your help. What shall we call the Café?

We have some suggestions and the Trustees would you like to invite you to come into the Library and VOTE for your favourite. We have several to choose from.

Volunteers for the Café THANKS TO everyone who has already volunteered to help in the Café.

However, we need more of you to help. Duties will not be difficult. Training will be provided. We want you to smile at customers, make coffee and tea, load and empty the dishwasher.

If you want to help please email us at volunteers@ grobylibrary.co.uk or call into the Library to complete a form to give us your details.

Royal Horticultural Show (RHS) at Chatsworth - Friday 8th June 2018 DO YOU love flowers? Consider yourself a gardener? Have an allotment? In love with Monty Don or Carol Klein?

Any of these apply to you? Then we have the Day Out for you. Come and join in the RHS experience at Chatsworth. It is a marvellous day out, lots to do, see and buy. I went last year and can thoroughly recommend it. I was overwhelmed at the variety of flowers, shrubs on display, not to mention the spectacular Show Gardens.

Cost: £40.00 per person including coach fare and entrance to the RHS show.

The coach will leave and return from the Groby Community Library.

How to Book: There is a signup sheet in the Library, we will require your name and a contact number.

Please be aware that full payment will be required when you book.

Dr. Janet Harrison, Groby Community Library Trustee

To Advertise in the Spotlight, contact Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

I love what you’ve done with your hair. How do you get it to come out of the nostrils like that?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

21

Martinshaw Lane homes under construction and Hinckley gets 68 new affordable homes CONSTRUCTION of the small housing development for older people is now well advanced at the site off Martinshaw Lane.

The funding of the homes has proved controversial as the Parish Council understood this to be a fully funded scheme. The land has been owned and left undeveloped by the council for decades. When the Borough Council eventually put together a development plan for the scheme it no longer met the the eligibility criteria for funding from the Homes and Communities Agency under the Affordable Homes Programme.

Other funding options had to be considered so that the project could still be delivered and as a result the council allocated a £365,000 payment made by Jelsons in respect of their Brant development to Martinshaw Lane.

Jelsons said they had been unable properties and the Nottingham to find any housing agency that Community Housing Association would purchase the affordable will own and manage 21 rental homes it was required to build properties, as well as managing the at the Brant from them, so they 17 shared ownership properties. were allowed to make a lump sum Cllr Peter Wallace, Executive payment instead. This resulted Member for Housing and in the loss of up to 11 affordable Community Safety at the Borough homes promised for Groby.

Council said: “These new homes The Borough Council has had (in Hinckley) are a fantastic better luck down at Hinckley addition to HBBC’s stock of over where Westleigh Partnerships Ltd 3300 Council Houses, which are was given permission by Hinckley distributed across the Borough, & Bosworth Borough Council’s and later this year further new Planning Committee to build build properties will be completed 68 affordable homes in a mix of in Martinshaw Lane in Groby, in house types on the site of the both cases we have implemented a former Richard Roberts factory in housing lettings policy which gives Southfield Road, on behalf of the priority to local people, and I’m Borough Council and Nottingham very pleased to see our first tenants Community Housing Association have now moved in. I hope they (NCHA). The affordable housing enjoy living here and will soon feel development comprises a mix of 51 at home.” rented properties and 17 homes for But although applicants with a shared ownership. connection to Groby will be given The Borough Council will own priority for 100% of new build and manage 30 of the rental properties at Martinshaw Lane

Adverts for Glenfield C

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this is reduced to 50% of re-let way onto the housing ladder and properties, and this isholds subject the Key an affordable route into Theeven Bible to Eternal Lifehome to a review after just one year. It is ownership.” He added that he felt locally development will wants to see more people taking Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Biblethat this do nothing to help younger residents advantage of their Right-to-Buy Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing) Talks looking for affordable homes. so that their council house really does become their home, a view Council Leader Mike Hall For the Jan 7“Council that may not be shared by wages those in Creation, NotisEvolution added: housing an sin is death; housing need whoof believe that that essential part of the mix of housing the gift of helping some types available in -the Janthat 14 are Resurrection the ChristianRight Hopeto Buy, whilst but get onto the housing ladder, has God is eternal Borough, and I hope that we shall thethrough national soon more to meet Janbe21building Are We Good Enough to be contributed Christians?towardslife shortage of affordable homes. the expanding demand as the Jesus Christ as at 1st population our Lord.

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Who are God's Ministers? Housing Register figures April 2016 illustrateRomans the demand “Pressure on the housing market 6:23 for affordable homes locally, with 56 and problems with affordability www.lifes-big-questions.org www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield applicants stating they had a local for many people also means that connection to Groby. councils must take a different view Glenfield Christadelphians of council housing. We must view Norman Griffiths renting a council house as one

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Watch ice skating on Groby Pool in 1942 Norman Griffiths finds local films on the internet

PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT

Telephone

01530-244069

THE MEDIA Archive for Central England (MACE) is a specialist public film archive for the East and West Midlands.

It collects, preserves and documents moving images of the region as well as those filmed by people from the region, and aims to make film, video and digital materials as accessible as possible.

Based at the University of Lincoln MACE is an independent company and registered charity.

There are nine independent English regional film archives which work closely together and have links with the UK’s national film archives at the British Film Institute, the Imperial War Museum and the National Libraries of Wales and Scotland. MACE is also closely connected with the county record offices across the Midlands for whom they act as the specialist repository for moving images held on film, video and digital formats.

Mace holds a treasure trove of digitised material, though not all of it is available to view online. It’s easy to search the archive and if you can view a video online you’ll see a thumbnail photo.

A compilation of home movies from 1942 has a sequence of fun on the ice at Groby Pool in January.

The film starts with scenes of people ice skating on the frozen water. Dad seems very confident that he won’t go through the ice. There’s then a brief shot of the war memorial at Bradgate Park followed by scenes in the family garden including a boy riding a tricycle and preparations for a garden party. Next the family are seen walking up Beacon Hill near Loughborough which is followed by views of a windmill at Woodhouse Eaves; children in a playground at Wicksteed Park in Kettering and boys fishing at Abbey Park in Leicester.

The family are seen again at Bradgate Park, followed by scenes shot in the family garden showing two boys with an improvised swing made with a ladder, and then using a stirrup pump to demonstrate how to put out an incendiary device in the yard of the family business. This cuts to a winter scene of the boys in the garden building a snowman (in the image of Adolf Hitler - “It’s That Man Again”). The final section shows a model railway layout.

George Weston, who ran the Majestic Cinema at Ratby, was busy between 1937 and 1939 filming carnivals in Markfield. The carnivals

Groby & Field Head Spotlight

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. appear to be in aid of the Leicester Royal Infirmary. We see people standing outside shops and houses and in the streets in Markfield posing for the camera, children in costumes and prizes being awarded.

Mrs Plowman crowns Miss Dorothy Cooper Carnival Queen with flower girls in attendance.

There are colour shots of the parade including a marching brass band, decorated lorries and local people wearing costumes. In the 1939 sequence Bosworth Liberal MP Sir William Edge MP crowns Miss Rita Bown Carnival Queen, with shots of the crowning and a crowd of spectators, followed by scenes of the parade including more decorated floats.

Other short films include • a 1976 television report on rehearsals for the 1976 Newtown Linford pageant. You may be impressed with the colourful costumes that the villagers created; • County Hall being completed in 1967 and featuring in a short film; • from 1964 a short sequence showing the construction of the M1; • from 1965 footage of police staging a mock accident

somewhere on the motorway between Lutterworth and Markfield.

Searching for Leicester footage is more productive and includes a report on the reaction of shoppers to the opening of the country’s largest supermarket in 1961 at Lee Circle car park. It was opened by Sid James just in time for the Christmas trade. If you enjoy a wedding then you’ll want to see an amateur film of the wedding of Mr and Mrs Harry Willis at the Church of St John the Baptist, Knighton, on 3rd June 1944. A sea of ladies hats and a day of happiness after 5 years of war.

Back in 1920 you can watch a fund raising film and share a day of happiness with the children of Leicester as they go on holiday to Mablethorpe with the Leicester Poor Boys’ and Girls’ Summer Camp and Institute.

There are more films to watch but most of the archive isn’t online yet, so look out for those with thumbnail photos. They’re easy to find, just go to http://www.macearchive.org and enter your search term. And if any of the films bring back memories let the Spotlight know.

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: 17th MARCH 2018 DEADLINE: 3rd MARCH

Diet Day #1 - I removed all the fattening food from my house. It was delicious.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Brookvale Groby Learning Campus

Cross-Country Winners!

23

Have your say on school term and holiday dates RESIDENTS across Leicestershire are being given the opportunity to have their say on their preferred school term and holiday dates from Autumn 2019.

Leicestershire County Council has launched a consultation to capture the views of the public on three suggested options, one of which is to align with patterns in city schools.

The options are: • Retain the current Leicestershire pattern which includes an early Autumn half-term break and an early Spring half-term break; • A term time pattern based on Leicester City Council’s arrangements from Autumn 2019; • An alternative pattern, which includes a later Autumn half-term break from 2019 and a later Spring half-term break from 2020; The current term dates for our schools in the county end in Summer 2019 so, as a result, we’re required to consult on future term dates and I’m encouraging people to have their say. The feedback will enable us to determine if we maintain the current arrangements or align school terms with surrounding areas.

Person:Councillor Ivan Ould, county council cabinet member for children and families To ensure schools and parents have sufficient notice, the consultation on term-time patterns applies for 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22.

People can have their say at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/term-timeconsultation or to request a paper copy, call 0116 305 6324 or email admissions@leics.gov.uk The deadline for consultation submissions is 2 April 2018.

BROOKVALE Groby Learning Campus Intermediate Boys Cross-Country team won the Leicestershire Schools CrossCountry Relay event on Saturday 13th January at Rawlins Academy.

Lucca Watson-Quilter ran the first leg putting the team into a strong position. Ollie Barlow ran an excellent second leg to give Roman Watson-Quilter a healthy lead for the final leg. Roman brought the team home confidently to win the trophy that we last held in 2015.

All three boys pictured above with the winning trophy!

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Hey, if anyone knows how to fix some broken hinges, my door’s always open.

24

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Appeal on behalf of The Baldwin Trust

OUR CHARITY has been operating since 1983. We operate two 70-foot narrow boats on the canals and river system throughout Leicestershire. The Trust is completely manned by 45 volunteers.

We were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2010.The mission of our trust is to enhance the wellbeing for people of all ages, especially those living with disabilities, mental illness or social exclusion or isolation. The boat trips provided by the Trust can provide learning and recreational opportunities to disadvantaged or isolated people and their carers which will allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle or discover new experiences or gain skills. This in turn can improve the quality of their life opportunities.

Our two narrow boats are very old. St. Clare was built in 1988 and Dandelion (we think) in 1980.During the last 6 months, mechanical failures have resulted in the cancellation of approximately 35-day trips booked by our service users. This equates to over 400 individuals who were not able to enjoy a day in the fresh air, on the water and accordingly, they would have remained in their care homes or normal accommodation.

The condition of the boats will lead to more breakdowns and the replacement of one or more boats is the only option that we have.

The age of the boats is now meaning that spare parts are not readily available thus increasing the amount of non-operational activity and expense as alternatives have to be sought.

The beneficiaries of our work are varied but generally, they are all from within Leicestershire and Rutland or close by. We have served a variety of different organisations, mainly Care homes but also Autistic and Asperger’s organisation, “HITS” homeless teenagers, AGE UK, Women’s Institutes and a variety of centres for the physically and mentally disadvantaged including “Headway” and LCC Child Protection homes. By the end of October 2017, we will have expected to carry more than 1700 people from in and around Leicestershire and environs on

New local running group formed A NEW RUNNING group has just started up in the New Parks area.

Sparky’s Running Pals are an all abilities running group that meet up at 10am at the Car Park of New Parks Leisure Centre for a one hour trek around Western Park, New Parks, Glenfield and surrounding areas every Tuesday morning. All that is required is appropriate footwear, clothing and a ‘show willing’ attitude. The pace of the mid distances covered, is what members make it.

Individuals may want to run at talking pace or chose or more disciplined approach whether it is for general keep fit or a sports specific activity.

Everyone is welcome! If interested feel free to call Sparky on: 07414 701515 for more details or just turn up on the day.

Sparky’s Running Pals are also on Facebook.

Every Saturday morning 10.00am—12.30pm 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

160 trips. We hope that you can see that we do “make a difference” to people’s lives. At least 70% of our groups contain one or more wheelchair users.

Our volunteers are desperately trying to raise funds to place an order for a new boat.

Our project is called “Put a foot in the water for the Baldwin Trust”.

Even if we can raise the necessary funding in the next 3 months to place an order, we will not get our new boat until 2019. We have raised 50% of the required funds for the new boat and are applying for more grants and donations.

We are also implementing a major refurbishment programme for the two existing boats because, if we

fail to take action now, we believe that 2018 will see a continuing heavy drain on our valuable financial resources (due to repair costs), trying to keep our ageing boats operational thus, pushing the possibility of attaining our new boat further away from reality.

Our vision is to operate 4 boats in all providing services to between 4,000-5,000 clients throughout Leicestershire and the surrounding counties. Age Concern UK(Leicester), states in their latest survey that there are over 1 million “lonely” people in the UK and that 3.7 million people live alone! It is not hard to see that this problem will grow and our believe is that with early, low level interventions from active community projects, such as The Baldwin Trust, will lessen the impact on health and well-being of isolation and exclusion for many.

Submitted for and on behalf of The Baldwin Trust. Our registered charity number is 515488.

Alasdair Macintyre

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 Extend Children and Families Worker John Fryer 07540 957926 & Youth Worker Amelia Collins-Patel 07879 437110

I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an oriental chocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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News from Elizabeth Woodville Primary School

THIS HALF TERM classes across the school have been travelling back in time to learn about animal evolution as well as what life would have been like in Victorian Britain.

In true Elizabeth Woodville fashion our pupils have literally been transported back to these time periods by handling reptiles, visiting the zoo and being taught by a real Victorian School Master - bringing history to life!

Dinosaurs – Time to meet the relatives!

Year 1 and 2 were lucky enough to have some special visitors on Friday 12th January. To introduce our Dinosaur topic, we invited some of the closest living relatives of these extinct creatures into the school!

Pupils and staff were able to meet ‘up close’ reptiles such as a Tegu, a Blue-Tongued Skink, a Bearded Dragon and a Python.

We were all very brave – even Mrs Taylor held the python, much to the amusement of Class 2!

Investigating evolution at Twycross Zoo Class 3 and 4 visited Twycross Zoo this term to find out more about animal adaptation and evolution! The children loved seeing all the different animals and learning about why and how they are endangered.

At school, they are working on a factual leaflet to help inform others about endangered animals. Our favourite part of the trip was seeing the Chimpanzees, who enjoyed pulling funny faces at us all! The children were a credit to our school as their behaviour and attitudes were impeccable.

Into the ‘Blue Abyss’ Class 3 continued their topic with a day creating their very own submarines.

They had lots of recycled resources and had to design their vessel. We worked really well in our teams and our final products were amazing. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Xin nian kuai le! (Happy New Year – Mandarin) Foundation have enjoyed learning about Chinese New Year and writing their own stories inspired by the ancient story of the Great Race and the Chinese Zodiac. They have prepared, cooked and tasted traditional dishes in our Chinese restaurant – delicious! The class have also used their artistic skills to create concertina dragons and have devised their own original dragon dances, using dragon heads that they designed themselves.

Victorian School Master Our Year 5 and 6 pupils had a ‘real-life’ start to their study of life in Victorian Britain when we were visited by a Victorian School Master. Pupils were extremely surprised by how strict school life was for Victorian children. They had the opportunity to write on slates and use an ink pot and quill. Much of their learning was reciting things such as times tables and the Lord’s Prayer. The children were left aghast that if they were naughty they might have been put in a basket, hauled to the ceiling and left there all day!

Scientists of the future!

Our recent Science fair was an absolute blast! Upper Key Stage Two pupils were challenged to design an experiment that they could then share and display to the rest of the school and to parents and grandparents. We were amazed at the standard and variety of experiments from balloon cars to frozen Lego people to rainbow water and floating paperclips. The atmosphere was vibrant and was a super learning experience for all involved.

Young Voices 2018

Saturday 3rd March

Come on in and meet Fairtrade Laundon Way Coop Store 11.00am – 3.00pm

See the marquee, run by Churches Together in Groby.

Inside - free Hot Chocolate & Wine Tasting - A Family Treasure Hunt around the immediate area - A free Quiz and fabulous Hamper Prize. Craft Activities include Banana Monkeys and making Fairtrade Bunting.

Balloons: Stickers: Chocolate Sampling: And much more.

Come on in… and see what’s worth celebrating!!

‘There were times when my children didn’t have enough to eat. Thanks to Fairtrade, there’s a better future for my grandchildren.’ Florentina Beitia, Fairtrade banana producer, Coobana, Panama

On January 9th, a group of forty, extremely enthusiastic year 5 and 6 performers travelled to the Genting Arena in Birmingham to join a choir of over 6,000 children in the Young Voices concert. The pupils rehearsed songs from classical to pop during the afternoon and were entertained themselves by the amazing street dance group, Urban Strides as well as the artists Natalie Williams, Alfie Sheard and the acoustic group M4gnets. They were then given the opportunity to perform to their parents, amongst an audience of thousands. It was a truly memorable day for pupils and staff alike.

Attenborough Arts Centre On Friday 12th January, a group of children from years 3 and 4 visited the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester. We were invited by Ashmount School to join them for a variety of art workshop activities, learning from expert artists. We had great fun making dens out of gold foil and using it to play different games. After lunch, we had a look around the exhibition displaying the artwork that the students of Ashmount had created. We were inspired by so many different pieces of work, but we especially enjoyed recreating an abstract piece of artwork using multi-coloured tape. Our visiting year 3 and 4 artists are looking forward to sharing the techniques they have learnt with the whole school as we create an exhibition of our own in the next few weeks.

Oh my god, mega drama the other day: My dishwasher stopped working! Yup, his visa expired.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Borough Councillors’ Monthly Report Klondyke Steering Group A PARISH Poll Klondyke Steering Group meeting was held on Friday 26th January 2018. A joint Cllr statement on what was discussed and the outcome of what happens next is included elsewhere in this edition of the Spotlight.

Klondyke Planning Application 17/01002/FUL AN APPLICATION for the replacement of an existing dwelling with a new dwelling is most likely to be heard by the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council at its March 2018 planning committee meeting.

There is still time for residents to look at the documents online (Hinckley & Bosworth Borough council Web Site) and/or to make comments about it.

Whilst the consultation period online has ended if you write to Cllr Hollick or I or send a letter to the Borough Council up to and including the day before the decision is made your comments will still be taken into account.

Further information can also be found at: grobyklondyke.webs.com/ new-planning-application.

Martin Cartwright Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 078 50 70 70 50 E-mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write: Maverick House, 10 Pine Tree Avenue Groby, LE6 0EQ Extensive objections to this planning application have been made by from Midland Quarry Products and Leicestershire County Council Minerals department.

Borough Council Environment Improvement Programme THE BOROUGH Council’s Environmental Improvement Programme consists of small scale improvement schemes across the

Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@tesco.net Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY whole Borough. The schemes attract a considerable amount of match funding in providing built environmental benefits.

The projects can be stand alone; others contribute towards larger comprehensive schemes. Examples of the types of projects include restoration of churchyard tombs, repairs to walls and installation of heritage nameplates and lights. We are currently looking to identify potential projects for next years programme (2018 / 2019). As in previous years we are looking

to work with Parish Councils on projects, so if you have any project ideas please let us know.

It is important that the projects have a conservation/heritage relevance to be considered.

Please let us know of any potential projects, with as much information as possible including any quotes, by Friday 2nd March 2018.

My request is a simple one: I would like to see a Heritage Road Nameplate installed at the Junction of Leicester Road and Newtown Linford Lane in Groby.

My reason for this is most the village have great heritage nameplates but this location was missed.

Please consider this as you enter Groby from Newtown Linford Lane and more importantly the A50 towards Leicester in Groby from the slip road you approach the junction at the Chip shop and Groby Library.

As a driver or pedestrian you are faced with not knowing what road you are about to enter!

There is a heritage brick wall outside Groby Club I would like to see a Heritage Road nameplate to match the others in Groby that says “Leicester Road” installed at this location.

Cook’s Farm Shop & Country Supplies

Markfield Lane Newtown Linford Leics, LE6 0AB 01530 242214

Fertiliser – Compost – Seed Potatoes

Field & Garden Fencing – Wire Netting Barbed Wire – Weldmesh Rolls Fence Panels – Rails – Posts – Stakes Tree Stakes – Gate Posts Fencing Posts – Strainer Posts Sawn Rails – Half Round Rails Gate Fittings – Hinges Wooden and Galvanised Gates Ironmongery – Coach Screws - Nails Staples - Wheelbarrows – Brushes Buckets – Bins – Troughs Garden Netting – Stock Netting – Rabbit Netting – Plain Wire – Weld Mesh Electric Fencing (Large Stock)

www.cooksfarmshop.co.uk People say I’ve got no willpower but I’ve quit smoking loads of times.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

27

Allotment Times in Groby Martinshaw Development WHILST fortnightly meetings continue to take place with the residents affected by this development as Ward Member I have asked the Councils Scrutiny Commission to look into the procurement and delivery of the development. I hope a report and agenda item will be scheduled in due course.

New Police Commander A NEW inspector has taken over as commander of policing across the Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA).

Inspector Emma Maxwell brings 18 years’ policing experience to the new role after joining Leicestershire Police back in 2000.

Emma will take up the position of commander from Inspector Dan Eveleigh who was in post for three years. She hopes to continue the strong partnership links already established between local councils, partners and stakeholders.

Emma joined Leicestershire Police straight from Nottingham Trent University, where she spent the first eight years of her policing career working as a General Duty Officer in the Blaby and Hinckley area. Over the last nine years, she has spent time working on the Tactical Support Team and in neighbourhoods, custody and The Change Team. Most recently, Emma worked as a response inspector at Leicestershire Police Force Headquarters.

Emma said: “Having previously worked in the Hinckley and Blaby area makes the move to the NPA Commander role all the more meaningful.”

Part of Emma’s role will involve liaising with key stakeholders and members of the community, as well as ensuring her team are effectively deployed in areas of greater risk. She will split her time between both Hinckley and Braunstone throughout the week to establish these working relationships.

She continued: “I am privileged to take up this position at a Neighbourhood Policing Area that already has such strong partnership links. I feel it is important to continue to strengthen these links through open communication, transparency and trust.

“In these times when budgets are tight, it is vital for us to all work together to tackle those issues that affect us all. Your concerns are my concerns, so please take the time to contact myself or the Neighbourhood Team to make us aware of the issues and concerns facing you and your communities.”

Inspector Dan Eveleigh, said: “This has undoubtedly been my most fulfilling and rewarding role to date and I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past three years. I wish Emma all the best in her new role as NPA Commander here.”

To get in touch with Emma or the rest of the team, please visit: https://leics.police.uk/localpolicing We Are Here To Help You Should you have any comments or problems you would like us to mention in our articles please get in touch.

Martin Cartwright & Ted Hollick

Y

OU DON’T SEE many people tending their plots at this time of year.

There isn’t a lot of produce to pick at the moment and the lure of a cosy chair by the fire looking through various seed catalogues is much more appealing.

We have our Annual General Meeting of the Allotment Society next month and it started me thinking about how long allotments had been in existence. I was surprised to learn that allotments have had their own legislation dating back hundreds of years, even going back to Anglo-Saxon times. In the Middle Ages, almost everyone had several strips of land that they tended in the threefield system surrounding most villages to grow their own produce and in the nineteenth century land was given over to the “labouring poor” for the provision of food. So as a tenant, I am part of history going back a very long time (my children would wholeheartedly agree for different reasons!)

It’s the law!

Most of the laws used today about allotments are from 1908 (Small Holdings and Allotments Act), the Allotments Acts of 1922 and 1925 and the Allotments Act of 1950. The law sets out to define what an allotment is, how it should be used and the duties placed on local authorities and landlords of these sites. One example is that the produce grown or produced on the allotment must only be for the consumption of the tenant and their family, and not allowed to become a micro business.

Each tenant has to sign a tenancy agreement, which sets out the responsibilities of the tenant in keeping their plot in good order. Some of the details in the agreements derive from the legislation and others from the local landlords, usually parish or city councils. One tenancy agreement from 1846 from the parish of Husbands Bosworth stated that every tenant was expected to attend divine service on Sundays and that any tenant who dug potatoes or otherwise worked his land on Sunday had to immediately forfeit them! Things have definitely changed these days as Sunday is often the most popular day of the week on our allotments!!

Changing popularity There was a huge surge in allotment keeping during the last war as rationing took its toll and the Dig for Victory campaign gathered pace. In the 1970s there was another great surge in allotment keeping, with the three-day week and the popularity of self-sufficiency, characterised by ‘The Good Life’ on the television. Today there is renewed enthusiasm for allotments as some people wish to avoid the pesticides sprayed on commercial crops, or to simply enjoy being outdoors and growing their own food.

New varieties Although land which has been let as allotments for many years can harbour some soil inherited diseases which can ruin a crop, for example club-root, affecting cabbage, brussels and cauliflower roots, modern seed varieties have been bred to be resistant to many of these problems. Farmers get around the problem by crop rotation, not planting in the same field twice for five years, but this is more difficult on an allotment. If planting has been careful, plots can be clear of disease. Even if the plot is affected by club-root and you are not wanting to plant resistant varieties, applying lime to the soil will burn out the disease over time. So, with careful management of our plots, we can all achieve good results.

There is a great sense of achievement and fulfilment from eating the food you have grown yourself and there is absolutely nothing better in my mind than digging up some carrots, and eating them a short while later. The smell is divine as you carry them home and they really do taste very different!

If you are tempted to join us, we have only a short waiting list currently and we would gladly welcome you to our throng. Email grobyallotments@yahoo.com.

Carol Lincoln

The first time I met my wife, I knew she was a keeper. She was wearing massive gloves.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Latest News from Martinshaw School Enterprise Week Year 6: The head gives each class £30 which they must return after seven days having made a profit.

A very busy and exciting few days in Enterprise week, managing to give themselves over to a very interesting and informative NSPCA workshop. This was followed by a trip to Warning Zone Leicester learning the Life Skills and safeguarding techniques so necessary as they prepare to move to secondary school and eventual adulthood.

However still managing, entirely on their own, to come up with enough moneymaking schemes to give most people a headache, including the usual car washing, etc., but also this year a handwritten, edited and printed Comic.

Then back to good old SATS. Year 5: Had so many ideas for making money (Arfur Daly eat your heart out) that teacher, Mrs Tipton, had to limit them to just 6, which included ball skills,crazy cup raffle, guess the song, the snowman sings, guess where the Teddy Bear lives, decorated biscuits etc., etc.

Phew !!

Year 4: Penalty shoot out proved very popular along with a jumble sale and cake stall, which kept our budding entrepreneurs very busy.

Year 3: Made their own family recipe book by enlisting the help of their families and friends who each submitted a recipe. The production of the books was costed right down to the price of each sheet of paper. Profit margins were worked out and ideas were submitted for the illustrations for the front covers. The finished books looked not only amazing but also very professional which resulted in a very lucrative print run.

Year 2: Produced ‘slime pots with worms’ (don’t ask), along with green slime and Oreo mud. Yum! Yum! At 50p a time they just couldn’t make enough to keep up with demand. No accounting for taste, or should I just stick to my rusks soaked in warm milk, perhaps ?

Year 1: Created the complete cinema experience with home produced popcorn of various flavours, toffee was a particular favourite. Mind you it wouldn’t be a cinema experience without a cinema so Loony Toons was running with option to stay and watch it as you eat your popcorn.

All in all a very enjoyable week for all the students with many teaching and learning opportunities.

Martinshaw Lodge I SHOULD imagine that everyone is aware of the mindless vandalism suffered in the Early Years classroom area.

The school was overwhelmed by the generosity of the staff of Baker Hughs (Druck). Now they are doubly overwhelmed after parents of a student from Early Years suggested rebuilding the Wendy House.

Workmen, including a parent from HB Electrical Services, duly arrived and built what is now a bespoke Wendy House mansion, duly launched as ‘Martinshaw Lodge’.

The school will shortly be taking bookings for weekends away with wonderful views of the car park and KS1 playground. (Joking, of course, but maybe a good idea for next year’s Enterprise Week)

Owen Lawrence

Dogs may help prevent asthma IF YOU have a young family, here is a good reason to have a dog as well: recent research at Imperial College London has found that some young children are less likely to develop asthma and other allergies later in life if they have had a dog in their early childhood.

Scientists think it may be because dogs carry high levels of bacteria, which trigger the child’s immune system to kick in early, and thus develop protection which can last all their lives.

Get help when you urgently need it with the Street Safe Rescue App A Leicestershire woman has developed a mobile phone app to provide peace of mind for people who travel alone.

The Street Safe Rescue App - available from most app stores from 14th February - enables you to alert nearby users of the app if you need help when you’re out and about. The £2 app - which has been in development for the past six months by Annette Wilcox - notifies anyone with the app in the close vicinity that you urgently require help, and they can respond or decline.

If they respond, the app shows your location on their phone so that they can come to your assistance.

Annette had the idea for the app after hearing that someone had been attacked outside her home. If the victim could have quickly called for help, then the attack might have been preventable.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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Newtown Linford Gardening Club News

BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time pays a visit OUR GARDENING club was privileged to be invited by BBC Radio 4 to host a recording of that very popular programme ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ The village hall was packed to hear them make not just one, but two progammes which will be broadcast on February 16th and March 23rd.

The engineers began to set up their equipment at 2.00pm, the audience arrived at 5.30pm and the actual recording began at around 6.15pm.

In the chair was Eric Robson, whose dry wit and mellow tones kept the programmes running smoothly throughout the whole evening.

The three panellists were:Matt Biggs, who grew up locally and has relatives buried in Newtown Linford Cemetery. He made his name working at Kew for a number of years.

Matthew Wilson, who has been curator at both RHS Hyde Hall and RHS Harlow Carr and whose Chelsea garden won the people’s choice award.

Christine Walkden, who will be well-known to all gardeners from her regular television appearances and for her unique style of presentation.

The first programme was presented as being directly from Newtown Linford whereas the second one was announced as being from the County of Leicestershire.

Many of our members were selected to ask questions and we are all looking forward to hearing the final version of the programme on our radios.

This was a wonderful coup for our club and yet another example of the high quality of meetings which we strive to present.

On another matter entirely, our April Celebrity Evening with Bob Flowerdew is already a sell-out and the best anyone, who has not got a ticket, can do is to join a waiting list and hope for some returns.

Come and Sing

Songs of the Spirit Steps through time Sunday 18th March Rehearsals at Groby Club from 19th February Monday afternoon choir: 1.15pm - 3pm (Childcare facilities, lifts available) Monday evening choir: 8pm - 9.30pm Monday after-school children’s choir: 3.40pm - 4.40pm

Performances: Saturday 30th June at 7.00pm & Sunday 1st July at 3.00pm

3.30-5.15pm Groby Village Hall A singing workshop for all using harmony songs from around the world with Christian roots no singing experience necessary Led by local professional musician No booking required. £3.00 donation at the door.

Tea and cake included.

for more information contact Karen Silverwood 07739 555015

www.grobysings.org for more information

I was raised as an only child, which really annoyed my sister.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

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WINTER OLYMPICS Wordsearch

12/02/2018

Word Search Puzzle

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Passcode/Create New

IF YOU can find 12 WINTER OLYMPIC EVENTS 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 Main Course for Two, Solutions for Districts Free plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

Resources To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - 12 EVENTS WHICH TAKE PLACE IN

What We Offer

F Q L H G O J I N W N G W H F G O

D I Q D W N C I Q K N S E L R N R

S H G N D O I A C I M G F L E I Z

M K E U Y J Y P D H U A X N E T A

S X E C R A V R M L D K X T S A H

S Y A L O E A V L U Y U D P T K Z

H E Z Z E O S Y N U J B J V Y S G

Who We Are

Teachers

Parents

THE WINTER OLYMPICS.These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: APRES SKI, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 3rd March 2018. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the prize. Good luck!

C N K H S E G Q Y A

V T T B T V K I V S I Y J L D F

D C W L R O C A E M J K S E E B

A O R V T E N U T V M N S S E B

N R B V H B K J I I P D W K P I

V T M O L B J R Z Y N A U I S A

C J C C D R I C Q N P G B I P T

U K N N H G I E L S B O B N A H

E P X T L X C K U M V E Z G X L

U K Z C C U R L I N G O C B O O

L P I N E S K I I N G B E X P N

Here are the 12 WINTER OLYMPIC EVENTS you have to find:

ALPINE SKIING • BIATHLON • BOBSLEIGH • CURLING FIGURE SKATING • FREESTYLE SKIING • ICE HOCKEY • LUGE SKELETON • SKIJUMPING • SNOWBOARDING • SPEEDSKATING

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

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

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The first correct entry drawn out was from:

Joyce Abell of Leicester Road, Groby

Congratulations! We’ll post your voucher to you within the next 28 days.

What the teacher says and what ALPINESKIING BIATHLON the teacher means….

BOBSLEIGH IFCURLING YOU HAVE ever wondered what the teachers really FIGURESKATING think of your child, you may enjoy these snippets from real FREESTYLESKIING reports….and the thought behind them!

ICEHOCKEY James has a remarkable ability in gathering needed information from LUGE his classmates. (He was caught cheating on an exam.)

SKELETON • Karen is an endless fund of energy and viability. (Your hyperactive SKIJUMPING monster can’t stay put for five minutes.)

SNOWBOARDING • Fantastic imagination! (He’s one of the biggest liars I have ever met.)

SPEEDSKATING •

•

• • •

• •

Margie exhibits a relaxed attitude to school, indicating that high expectations don’t intimidate her. (The lazy thing hasn’t done one assignment all term.)

Sue is a real athlete, with superior hand-eye coordination.

(The little Created

by Puzzlemaker creep stung me with a rubber band from 15 feet away.)

Nick thrives on interaction with his peers. (Your son never shuts up.)

Nancy’s greatest asset is demonstrative public discussions. (Every time I give an assignment, she responds by sparking a classroom argument over it.)

John enjoys the thrill of engaging challenges with his peers. (He’s an incorrigible bully.)

Jane is an adventurous nature lover, who rarely misses opportunities to explore new territory. (Your daughter skipped class and nearly drowned trying to catch wriggly things in the school pond.)

at DiscoveryEducation.com

Beautiful THE ENGLISH test had only one question: ‘Write an essay on “The Most Beautiful Thing I Ever Saw.”’ One of the students finished his essay in less than a minute. It read in its entirety: “The most beautiful thing I ever saw was just too beautiful for words.” He got the only A in the class.

My girlfriend is absolutely beautiful. Body like a Greek statue – completely pale, no arms.

St

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-FEB 2018 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

READER SURVEY - your feedback is important PLEASE tell us which bits of the Spotlight you like best, which bits you don’t read, and suggestions for things we should be including.

With your help, we can make the magazine better!

Our contact details are on page 22 of this issue.

Thanks!

31

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First ever Kirk’s Dik-Dik (a small antelope) born at Twycross Zoo

TWYCROSS ZOO is delighted to announce the arrival of Pogo Junior, the latest addition to the zoo’s Kirk’s Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) family.

The young female, born earlier this month, is the first ever of this species to be born at Twycross Zoo, and is the first zoo baby of 2018.

She joins 2,780 other individual animals (counted during the zoo’s annual stocktake earlier this month, not including the ant colony!) already living at the Leicestershire zoo.

Kirk’s dik-dik are a small antelope species, originally from east Africa.

They are a fawn colour, which provides them with excellent camouflage in their natural habitat. In the wild, Kirk’s Dik-Diks occupy a wide variety of habitats, including dry scrublands, savannah woodlands and thickets, and grasslands. Dik-Diks are named after the ‘dik-dik’ call they make when startled; they move in a series of zig-zag leaps whilst making this call, aiming to confuse predators.

Junior, as she is known by the keepers at Twycross Zoo, is still very small, weighing less than 1 kilogram at present, though despite her small size, she is so far faring very well in her new surroundings.

Matyas Liptovszky, Head of Conservation and Research at Twycross Zoo says: “We are thrilled by the birth of Pogo Junior. Not only is she the first baby of this species to be born at Twycross Zoo, she is also very cute, so I fully encourage visitors to come along and catch a glimpse of her!”

Junior is the first offspring for mother Spring, born in Hannover Zoo and moved to Twycross Zoo in April 2017, and father Pogo, also born in Hannover Zoo and moved to Twycross Zoo in August 2012.

Liptovszky concludes: “Junior is doing very well and is responding to her family and surroundings just as we would expect her to in these early days, which is very encouraging.”

Visitors can now see Junior exploring her new surroundings under the watchful eye of her family. Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10.00 to 17.00 daily. For more information and to book tickets visit www. twycrosszoo.org or call 0844 474 1777.

Next LFE Film Evening LFE FILM Evenings on Thursday 1 March will feature “The Sense of an Ending”.

Tony Webster leads a reclusive and quiet existence until long buried secrets from his past force him to face the flawed recollections of his younger self, the truth about his first love and the devastating consequences of decisions made a lifetime ago.

Cast: Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Michelle Dockery Venue: the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, LFE. Cost: £5.

Doors open at 7.00pm; the film show starts at 7.30pm and runs for 1 hour 45 minutes.

On arrival a complimentary hot drink and biscuits are provided, as well as a free raffle prize of a double ticket to be used at any future showing.

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE according to Michelle Richmond

“Strive to be all good, but know that you are not. Try to enjoy every day, but know that you will not. Try to forgive others and yourself. Forget the bad stuff, remember the good. Eat cookies, but not too many. Challenge yourself to do more, to see more. Make plans, celebrate when they pan out, persevere when they don’t. Laugh when things are good, laugh when things are bad. Love with abandon, love selflessly. Life is simple, life is complex, life is short. Your only real currency is time—use it wisely.”

Michelle Richmond, author of The Marriage Pact

One in four frogs is a leap frog.