Well done Brookvale High School!
Good with outstanding features says OFSTED
Brookvale High School, in Groby, “provides an outstanding curriculum for its students. A key focus is on language and international learning in line with the school’s specialism.” The school which caters for 640 students between the ages of 11 and 14 was given a “good” rating overall, with “outstanding” for leadership and management, curriculum, care, guidance and support, attendance, equal opportunities and workplace skills. Inspectors reported, “Teaching is good overall with much that is outstanding.” “The quality of care, guidance and support is outstanding. Students state that staff are “there for them” and that staff are willing to give up time whenever they need any help.” To improve further, the inspectors recommended the school shares good practice in classroom assessment in order to increase the proportion of outstanding teaching and learning. In the letter from the lead inspector to the students themselves, the students were told: “We were very impressed with how smart you looked in your uniform and how well you worked together in lessons. We agree with you that you go to a good and rapidly improving school.”
Your Recycling & Refuse Guide
Planning changes delay Bloor’s decision
In July the Communities and Local Government Secretary announced that Regional Strategies were being revoked with immediate effect. Councils would have the freedom to prepare their local plans without having to follow top-down targets from “regional quangos and bureaucrats.” But it was not as straight forward as he first thought and has led to a delay in the publication of the Inspector’s decision over the Bloor’s housing application. Turn to page 16 for the full story.
Loads of Spring College Courses to choose from!
Pudsey Bear visits Martinshaw school!
Groby Community College - in conjunction with other local venues - is offering a selection of stimulating college courses this Spring. Among the courses on offer are: Astronomy, Winter Cookery, First Steps in Computing, Cake Decorating, Tai Chi, Watercolour Painting, Pottery, Guitar Playing, Jewellery Making, Digital Animation Using Flash, and several language courses. Courses start in late January/early February so now is the time to think about enrolling. The full list of courses is on page 11 of this issue of Spotlight.
See page 3 for more
Next issue out on 12th February • Article/Advert Deadline: 3rd February
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Murder at Groby Village Hall! Groby Players’ next production is to be staged on March 10th /11th /12th in the Village Hall Groby. The play is entitled ‘Death By Fatal Murder’ by Peter Gordon and once again features a group of mismatched characters assembled in Bagshot House!. Another mysterious death brings the inept and clumsy Inspector Pratt, the amiable Constable Thomkins, and the interfering Miss Maple all together again to seek out the murderer. As usual chaos reigns supreme! This is an hilarious murder mystery spoof! Tickets, priced £6.00, will be on sale in the Village Hall, Groby every Saturday in February between 10am -12noon. or Tel. 0116 2877373. Tel/Text 07790 861033 or email dot@dhollins.freeserve.co.uk.
Jottings
News in Brief with Norman Griffiths
Groby War Memorial Fund reopens Detailed plans have now been published of the proposed Groby War Memorial to be financed by a fund set up by Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club in conjunction with the Ratby Branch of The Royal British Legion.
History on your doorstep
Anglo Saxons and the East Midlands Starting Thursday 20 January 2011
Dot Hollins
Poker Thurdays
Join the fun on February 3rd at Loughborough Town Hall’s fortnightly ‘Texas Hold’em’ poker evenings. Doors open at 6.45pm for play at 7.15pm in the Balcony Cafe. No tickets required – just turn up! Admission: £10 (which includes you rfirst poker chips). For over 18’s only (ID may be required). Finish time 11pm. www.loughboroughtownhall. co.uk (Box Office No. for shows is 01509 231 914.)
Artist’s impression of the War memorial, courtesy of D & M Haynes Ltd and (c) P J Hagan, Club Secretary 4th Nov 2010
Now that the design has been agreed estimates for the slate and stone masonry which will be used in the memorial are being sought. The fund, which raised money locally through an appeal and was closed after a fund raising event in 2008, has been re-opened to ensure there is no shortfall. Donations may be made through Barclays Bank on Ratby Road and there is also the possibility of further fund raising events at the Club. Local Architect David Haynes, whose sketch of the proposed memorial is shown, offered his assistance and expertise as Project Manager including the preparation and submission of a planning application. Further information can be found on the club website at http://grobyclub.co.uk/warmemorialfund.aspx
Of all the people I know, you’re one of them.
Groby Village Hall, Leicester Road 10 to 11.30 am, 10 meetings To enrol or for further information phone 01509 268 636 Email: srogers@wea.org.uk
Workers’ Educational Association
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
Contact Mike or Susan on 01530-244069 Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.
Local pupils raise £800 for Children in Need
MARTINSHAW Primary School has sent £800 to “Children in Need” The money was raised by the children bringing in their loose change and pocket money. £85 was raised from the purchase of licences by all members of the school, which allowed them to wear casual clothes for the day, and a further £230 came from Martinshaw’s famous ‘Muffin’ sale, all freshly baked by several members of staff. A colouring competition was arranged and judged, as always,by our recently retired Bursar Mrs Ginny Staps. We were very fortunate that Pudsey Bear happened to be in the area and was able to present a miniature copy of himself to the two winners, Rosie from year 2 and Sophie from year 3. All in all a great day for all members of the school.
Owen Lawrence
Composed and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.
Have Your Say About Local Green Space
Leicestershire has some fantastic green spaces. If you feel strongly about green space in your local area, we want to hear from you! The Coalition Government is thinking about creating a new designation to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities. We want to start now, by finding out your views about the green spaces that are important to you. Which areas are particularly important to you and why? Which areas need protection? You can take part by attending your local Community Forum. Your views will be critical in developing future policies and proposals. Please note the next Markfield, Ratby, Groby, Stanton under Bardon, Bagworth and Thornton Community Forum (MRG) will be on Thursday, 10th February 2011 at 18:30 at Groby Community College, Ratby Road, Groby, Leicestershire, LE6 0GE. For details of Community Forums in your area, please visit www. leicestershireforums.org or contact Sabrina Malik on 0116 305 5951 or by e-mail on sabrina.malik@leics.gov.uk
‘Meditation’ and ‘Buddhism Plain & Simple’ Courses If you are interested in short courses in meditation and/or finding out more about Buddhism - and can get to Stanton under Bardon – then this information could be useful for you. Suryacitta Malcolm Smith is starting new 6 week courses (daytime and evening sessions) on Thursday 25th March. He can be reached through his website www.happy-buddha.co.uk or by phone 0791 059 8951.
NEXT ISSUE OUT Saturday 12th February
Advert Deadline:
Thursday 3rd February
TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069
Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Ad rates: page 18 When I was born, I was so surprised, I didn’t talk for a year and a half.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Baby Jesus’ Star Arrival
Crime Figures for Dec 2010 The following incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during December 2010. Description
Groby
Field Head
House Burglaries Actual: Marston Drive, Garendon Way, Beaumont Green Attempted: None
3 Actual 0 Attempted
0
Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Slate Pit Lane Attempted: None
1 Actual 0 Attempted
0
Theft of Motor Vehicle: Lena Drive
1
0
Theft from Motor Vehicle: Chestnut Walk, Markfield Road
2
0
Damage to Motor Vehicle: None
0
0
Non-Domestic Assaults
2
0
Anti Social Behaviour Incidents
2
0
Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars
15
0
TOTAL (Actual)
26
0
TOTAL (Attempted)
0
0
Theft: 4 / Damage: 0 / Other: 11
Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk
Sophie and Reece who played the roles of Mary and Joseph are shown holding baby Luca who shone as baby Jesus at the family Christmas service led by children and young people at the United Reformed Church. It was Luca’s first Christmas as he is only five months old and had come along to the service with his mum and dad. There was a gasp of appreciation from the congregation when he made his entrance, smiling, gurgling and enjoying every minute of the star performance. The Young Church lead the service throughout including narrating, playing other nativity characters, the prayers and helping to provide the music. One of the Young Church leaders said: “The whole story of the nativity is about searching – from Mary and Joseph searching for accommodation to the shepherds and the Kings, but the search for a real baby for the role of Jesus wasn’t necessary as he was right here in the church fellowship all the time.
Information supplied by Martin Cartwright Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: neighbourhoodwatch@appliancehome.co.uk In An Emergency dial 999. Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222. Groby NHW Calendar of Events 2011 Groby Village Hall, New room to the rear of the main hall Thursday 10th March 2011 at 7.30pm Thursday 9th June 2011 at 7.30pm Thursday 8th September 2011 at 7.30pm Thursday 8th December 2011 at 7.30pm
Glenfield Millennium Green News The remains of the snow that covered the Millennium Green before Christmas gave the Carols on the Green a more seasonal feel. The cold, frosty weather didn’t deter about 60 people from turning out for this annual event. The singing was lively and the warm fruit punch and mince pies were appreciated afterwards. A collection was made for the Glenfield Project, a local charity which is based on Station Road in the village. This project provides residential short breaks for children and young people with severe learning disabilities and complex health care needs. A cheque for £45 was given to the project to support their valuable work. As the New Year begins the Trustees are already planning events to take place during the year and thinking of fresh ideas to raise money to keep the Green in good order. We rely on your support and are always willing to listen to new ideas. Please come to our Annual General Meeting on Thursday February17th at Park House on Stamford Street in Glenfield. The short business meeting will be followed by light refreshments, and then we welcome your ideas and comments about the Millennium Green and how to move forward into the new decade. The meeting begins at 7.30pm and should finish no later than 9.00pm. If you are not able to come to the meeting and have ideas for fund-raising, or other uses of the Green you can phone 0116 2991868 or 0116 2879705 and talk to one of the Trustees. We are still collecting used postage stamps. We can pick these up if you let us know on either of the phone numbers given, or they can be delivered to 2 Glen Park Avenue or 11 Glendale Avenue. Thanks to everyone who has contributed stamps so far.
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen all at once.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Silent night it wasn’t! The carol Silent Night may have gained 2nd place in The People’s Choice with nearly 70 votes, but the title certainly did not reflect the enthusiastic singing emanating from the Stamford Arms car park during Carols around the Tree in the lead up to Christmas. The people’s top choice was Away in a Manger with over 80 votes and was chosen by the Groby Nursery Schools, the Community College, Brookvale and Pricegate. With thanks to the Parish Council, the Stamford Arms and Churches Together in Groby who made the event possible. And last but not least, the folk of Groby for participating in the voting … and the carol singing!
Fun but healthy way to start 2011 THOSE looking for a fun way to make a healthy start to 2011 in Leicestershire could try a new sport that is quickly growing in popularity. Starting this month, the Enderby Dodgeball Club are working with the Blaby District Councils Active Together team to organise new Beginner Dodgeball Sessions in the Enderby area. The Enderby sessions started on 4th January and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30pm to 10.30pm at the Enderby Leisure Centre. First session is free! Sessions are for those aged 16 and above with male and females welcome no experience required. Further information is available from Simon Moody on (07743) 098544 or by email at: enderbydodgeball@googlemail.com
I went to a general store today. They wouldn’t let me buy anything specific.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Garden Bird Watching: December
What an awful winter this has been for our feathered friends but first of all I will start in November.
By the time you had received your November issue of the Spotlight most of the Goldfinches had left my garden, the remaining half dozen stayed for a few more weeks and now I occasionally see two on the feeder. I did hope their departure would herald the arrival of the Redpolls and by mid-December the first one arrived and now five more. I am hoping the numbers will increase during January. As predicted the Blackbirds have arrived from the continent and to date the most seen at one time is eight. They really love the sultanas and it is hard to keep up with their appetites. I continue to have the House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Robins, Starlings and Chaffinches. The Coal Tits where numerous in November but along with other members of the Tit family I have very few visiting the nuts and fat cakes available for them. I understand from research that the Greenfinch numbers have continued to decline and this has been born out in watching birds in my garden. I only saw two Greenfinches this autumn and they have not returned during this cold weather, I do hope some of you are having better luck. During this cold spell I have added to the seed dried meal worms and Atora Shredded Suet for extra protein and fat. Having water available has been a challenge but I have found two plant pot saucers being filled alternatively works quite well. I find it a miracle that the birds survive at all in this cold weather and each day is wonderful as I first hear their chirrups and then see them fly in to feed. Wishing you all the best for this New Year.
Margaret Purves
I always win. Except when I lose, but then I just don’t count it.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Parish Council Clerk to leave The Clerk to Groby Parish Council has resigned and will shortly take up a similar post at Ashby Town Council.
New dog grooming business opens in Groby
FOR SALE GIRLS BIKE 12” silver/pink, vgc. Price: £15, FIRE PLACE black, cast iron. Price: £50 ono, BEDROOM FURNITURE solid pine, 3 door wardrobe with shelved area, 2x3 draw bedside cabinets & 6 draw unit with ‘split’ top draw, gc. Price: £220 ono. (Sold seperately from £30, can deliver), ROOF BARS Thule Aero for Mondeo 01 Reg 07. Price: £70. T: 0780 946 6725. (Groby)
The Parish Council has advertised the post and following interviews has appointed a new Clerk.
Free book on Selling Local businessman Don Westacott has written a book aimed at salespeople, which will be of interest to entrepreneurs in any industry. The book “The Master Skills in Selling” is now on sale at Amazon but Don is making it available as a FREE download to Spotlight readers. The book covers such topics as customer relations training, presentation skills and dealing with stress in business. To download the book, go to the following link: http://s332087174. websitehome.co.uk/form/
Spotlight Small Ads
A brand new dog grooming and pets’ supplies business has opened in Groby. Animal Magic opened its doors on 4th January 2011 and is already attracting a lot of interest from local pet owners. Julie and Deb cater for all breeds of dog, and offer full grooming or just a bath service. Julie has worked with dogs on and off for 22 years, and before opening the shop she ran a mobile dog grooming business in the local area. As well as the dog grooming side, the shop sells a wide range of pet foods (for large and small animals) plus treats, toys, accessories, shampoos and medical products. Animal Magic is situated in the shopping parade at 13 Lawnwood Road, Groby, next door to Classic Cuts Hairdressers.
Markfield Miners’ Welfare to be auctioned The Former Miners’ Welfare & Institute property in Main Street, Markfield will be offered for sale BY AUCTION at The Field Head Hotel, Markfield on Tuesday 8th February 2011 at 6.30pm prompt.
The property has detailed planning consent for demolition of the existing buildings and erection of three dwellings. Price Guide: £100,000-£120,000. For more information, contact the selling agents Newton Fallowell on 01530 832283.
The trouble with life is there’s no background music.
GARDEN TABLE & 4 Chairs, square, white plastic. Price: £20, GREENHOUSE - buyer to dismantle. Price: Offers, PAMPERS New baby stage 3, 2 boxes of 54x2 Midi (ordered too many). Price: £10 per box. T: 0796 217 6408. (Groby)
WANTED WANTED: A rowing exercise machine preferably one that folds up. Tel: 0116 2878 323.
Advertise your items for sale FREE.
Send us the details, cost of item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication). Max FOUR items, please. Max price asked: £300. See page 3 for Spotlight contact details.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Jottings
News in Brief with Norman Griffiths
0116 2879715 / 07814224630
New recycling service launched this month A new recycling and refuse collection service, which has been re-designed around the wishes of its residents, was launched in January by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. The new service responds to residents’ requests for fewer containers, more flexibility and less sorting. Not only that, but it will also save the council up to £250,000 a year by allowing the council to use more efficient vehicles, travelling fewer miles. As well as this, residents will be able to recycle tetrapak cartons and household batteries at the kerbside for the first time and paper and cardboard can now be recycled in one container, making it easier than ever to recycle more. Plus, residents can choose the recycling container that best meets their needs. Chief Officer for Business Development and Street Scene at the Borough Council, Mike Brymer explained: “We asked residents what they wanted from their recycling service and most agreed they wanted to do less sorting and have fewer containers. When we asked what sort of container they would prefer for their recycling, there was a difference of opinion, due to the amount of space people have for storing containers and the quantity of materials they recycle. We’ve responded to this feedback by coming up with a system that offers residents a choice of recycling container to best suit their household’s needs.”
Rent a recycling wheelie bin Most households will receive a large blue bag, but residents can also opt for a blue box with a lid or alternatively residents can choose to rent a recycling wheelie bin from the council for £15 per year if they prefer. A number of new style blue bags have already been delivered to households to start using immediately, but all residents can still take part in the new system by putting their recycling out in their orange plastic sacks until all of the new style containers are delivered. Residents are reminded that for safety reasons, glass must continue to be presented in the blue box. The service improvements are in part possible thanks to a new fleet lease contract that has enabled the council to replace the previous seven-year old collection vehicles. Now that more mixed materials can be collected using more efficient vehicles travelling fewer miles, the council’s refuse and recycling collection costs will be reduced by up to £250,000 per year. To avoid any confusion amongst residents about what types of materials are being collected the council has gone a step further and colour coded the collection vehicles according to their load; so green trucks collect green waste; blue trucks collect recycling and white is for refuse. As part of these changes the day of collection for some residents may change. Residents are asked to check their recycling and refuse collection calendars for more details. More details about the service can also be found in the calendar leaflet and also on the council’s website: www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/waste .
An accent makes a difference when planning a ceilidh With all the cold weather of the last few months the long sunny days of June may seem a long way off. But when you are planning a major village event time passes much faster than you think, so an early start to planning is essential. Somewhere in Groby a group of local residents are finalising their plans for such a major event on June 25th – a street fair and ceilidh. Wikipedia defines ceilidh as “ a public key cryptosystem based on the discrete logarithm problem in algebraic torus” so it wouldn’t be unreasonable for you to conclude that it is unlikely to be a fun day. Luckily the organisers have not even considered this option but have gone for the ceilidh with an accent over the ‘e’ which seems to change the meaning completely. You’ve five months to rummage around in the wardrobe and find your dancing shoes. The ceilidh will be an outdoor event on Markfield Road with a caller to help the newcomer but if you want to brush up on your dance steps you can find help on the internet. One site to look at is http://www.scottishdance.net/ceilidh/dances.html. With loads of activities and the potential for up to 80 stalls the fair will result in a one day closure of part of Markfield Road and the diversion of the through Arriva service to Coalville, though the Leicester bound service should be unaffected. This is clearly going to be a day for your diary so keep an eye on the Spotlight for more information.
Concessionary bus passes An elderly reader is concerned about whether he will have to re-apply for a bus pass in a few months time as his current card has an expiry date of April 2011. The good news is that if there are no special circumstances a new pass will be in the post before the current one expires. “If the person concerned has qualified for the scheme due to severe difficulty in walking (including as a holder of a Blue Badge or the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance) or due to being likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds, it will be necessary for him or her to re-prove eligibility but not re-submit a photograph,” explained a spokesperson for the County Council. “Those who have qualified through other types of disability or through age will receive a new pass automatically.”
Proposed parking restrictions There has been a limited feedback to the County Council as a result of the initial informal consultation with Groby residents directly affected by the suggested restrictions. Nevertheless the responses are welcomed and are proving useful. “We have received eleven responses so far,” said a spokesman for the Council. “Although the consultation period was for 28 days, which ended on the 1st January 2011, we have extended this to allow for the Christmas/New Year period and give extra time for responses in case of people being away on holiday,”. “There is useful feedback being provided and as is normal with proposals of this nature, the comments could provide the basis for a revised scheme. We will be reporting the outcome of the consultation, together with our recommendations, to the Parish Council as soon as is practical. If a revised scheme is approved, we will take this to another formal consultation in line with the Traffic Regulation Order procedure. Residents will have this further opportunity to make comments before a final decision is made as to whether a scheme will be advertised and eventually implemented. “If people do have comments or concerns they should write these in letter form and send then to the Environment and Transport Department, Leicestershire County Council, Southern Area, Coventry Road, Croft, Leicestershire LE9 3GP,” he added.
If a person told you they were a pathological liar, would you believe them?
Spring Courses available at Local Venues
Your first steps to a new life in the New Year 2011 Course Description
Location Description
Start Date
End Date
Cost
Day
First Aid for Parents and Carers
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
26-Jan-11
09-Mar-11
£61.20
Weds
First Aid - Emergency First Aid at Work
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
02-Feb-11
16-Feb-11
£46.00
Weds
Family History - Workshop
Glenfield Library
28-Jan-11
08-Apr-11
£77.00
Friday
Astronomy - Find Your Way Around the Night Sky
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
19-Jan-11
30-Mar-11
£77.00
Weds
Computer Workshop (ITQ) - ECDL/CLAiT
Glenfield Park House
07-Feb-11
20-Jun-11
£135.00
Monday
First Steps In Computing
Glenfield Park House
07-Feb-11
20-Jun-11
£77.50
Monday
Computer Workshop (ITQ) - ECDL/CLAiT - Using Microsoft Office 2007
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
09-Feb-11
15-Jun-11
£135.00
Weds
CLAiT Certificate - Tutor Led (ITQ) - Using Microsoft Office 2007
Newbold Verdon Library
08-Feb-11
21-Jun-11
£145.00
Tues
Digital Animation Using Flash - Level 2
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
25-Jan-11
22-Mar-11
£72.00
Tues
Computer Confidence - Improve Your Skills
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
28-Mar-11
16-May-11
£37.50
Monday
Cooking - Winter Cookery
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
17-Jan-11
14-Feb-11
£38.50
Monday
Sugarcraft and Cake Decorating
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
05-Feb-11
05-Feb-11
£23.50
Saturday
Pilates Based Body Conditioning - Mixed Ability
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
08-Feb-11
21-Jun-11
£72.19
Tues
Tai Chi - Beginners
Kirby Muxloe Village Hall
02-Feb-11
11-May-11
£57.75
Weds
Pilates Based Body Conditioning - Mixed Ability
Groby Village Hall
02-Feb-11
15-Jun-11
£72.19
Weds
Pilates Based Body Conditioning - Mixed Ability
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
08-Feb-11
21-Jun-11
£57.75
Monday
Tai Chi - Beginners
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
24-Jan-11
09-May-11
£57.75
Monday
Watercolour Painting - Beginners Level
Kirby Muxloe Village Hall
31-Jan-11
13-Jun-11
£115.50
Monday
Watercolour Painting - Mixed Level
Kirby Muxloe Village Hall
07-Feb-11
20-Jun-11
£115.50
Monday
Pottery - Mixed Level
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
02-Feb-11
06-Jul-11
£115.50
Weds
Guitar - Improvers Level
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
02-Feb-11
08-Jun-11
£115.50
Weds
Guitar - Mixed Level
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
26-Jan-11
06-Apr-11
£77.00
Weds
Glass One Day Workshop - Kiln Fused
Groby Village Hall
04-Feb-11
04-Feb-11
£19.25
Friday
Jewellery Making - with Wire and Beads - Beginners Level
Groby Village Hall
26-Jan-11
06-Apr-11
£77.00
Thurs
Spanish Beginners - Part 2
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
09-Feb-11
04-May-11
£65.00
Weds
Italian Beginners - Part 2
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
09-Feb-11
04-May-11
£65.00
Weds
French Beginners - Part 2
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
09-Feb-11
04-May-11
£65.00
Weds
British Sign Language - Start to Sign
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
31-Jan-11
28-Mar-11
£52.00
Monday
Spanish Language Toolkit for Holidays
GROBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
05-Mar-11
02-Apr-11
£32.50
Saturday
English for Life
Newbold Verdon Library
04-Feb-11
10-Jun-11
FOC
FOC
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New project – Skills 4 Jobs Who is it for? • People who live in the County • Aged 19+ • Not in paid employment • Individuals under threat of redundancy
TEL 0800 988 0308
To enrol or further further details please telephone the Adult Learning Department at Groby Community College on 0116 2874725 or Freephone 0800 988 0308 Or visit our website at: www.leics.gov.uk/golearn
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Jottings
News in Brief with Norman Griffiths
Localism Bill published
Martinshaw Choir entertains The Greys
There is sure to be something in the Localism Bill to give Groby Parish Council food for thought. The Bill, laid before Parliament on December 13th, contains a radical package of reforms that will devolve greater power and freedoms to councils and neighbourhoods. You can read more about the bill’s provisions on www.grobyonline.tk.
What do you think of it so far? If the question related to the comments of Bob Neill MP about the refuse collection performance of local authorities during the snow and icy roads this winter there can only be one word as far as the Leader of the Borough Council is concerned. Rubbish.
On Tuesday 7th December Martinshaw Primary School Choir visited the Community Centre on Forest Rise Groby, the home of ‘The Grey’s of Groby/Age Concern’. They entertained the members to a programme of favourite Christmas carols mixed we some more contemporary songs, much to the enthusiastic enjoyment of all those present. The School choir, which anyone at the school apart from Foundation Year can join whether they be a nightingale or a frog, is made up of KS1 children aged 5 to 7 years and KS2 children aged 7 to 11 years. They practise regularly outside normal school hours under the direction of Mrs Steph Ong and Mrs Catherine Ward Betty Kirby, chair of ‘The Greys’ said afterwards how much her members had enjoyed the programme, how much the young people obviously enjoyed representing their school in this way and that she hoped that they would be able to perform for them again in the near future.
Owen (Lol) Lawrence
Markfield, Ratby & Groby Community Forum
The next Markfield, Ratby, Groby (MRG) Community Forum will take place on Thursday, 10th February 2011 at 6.30pm at Groby Community College, Ratby Road, Groby, Leicestershire, LE6 0GE. Community Forums are a new way of making sure the services you receive meet the needs locally. Community Forum membership includes Parish, District and County Councillors, local voluntary sector representatives and members of the public. Community Forums are held 2-4 times per year and will provide villagers with an opportunity to raise questions and hear about the services you receive and any changes coming up that will affect the local area. For further information please call 0116 305 5951 or e-mail sabrina.malik@leics.gov.uk
Bob Neil, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Department for Communities and Local Government, said he understands the combination of severe snow and the festive break created a “major headache” for many councils, but said there is widespread public concern over the disruption to rubbish collections. The Liberal Democrat leader of the Council, Stuart Bray, clearly wasn’t happy that all councils should be tarred with the same proverbial brush and decided to write to Bob and tell him that it seemed as if he hadn’t checked his facts. “To shoot from the hip in the way you have and to publicise this so widely has caused significant and unnecessary damage to the reputation of councils, all of whom have worked extremely hard to ensure effective refuse collection services in the most difficult of circumstances,” he said. “During the period of severe weather, our collection teams worked well beyond their normal hours and altered their working arrangements (for example collecting bins on foot, where vehicular access/egress was not possible) to ensure that our residents had their waste collected.” “I hope this puts the record straight, at least as far as Hinckley and Bosworth is concerned. We welcome the language of ‘localism’; the trust from central government to make that a reality would be very much appreciated.” Although there is no information on how well the collection service performed in Groby there is no doubt that although road conditions were particularly difficult in places the team seem to have managed to collect on days when residents thought they would probably be missed.
Ombudsman to investigate alleged maladministration? Two planning decisions taken by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have been criticised by Groby Parish Council. The Parish Council believes there has been maladministration and is considering taking the cases to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Conservation Area consultation ends The consultation period for the review by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council of the Groby Conservation Area has now ended. It was launched with a one day exhibition at the Village Hall on November 29th and followed by a smaller exhibition for two weeks at Groby library. If you missed the exhibition you can still read the documents and see the supporting photographs on the Borough Council website, including many photographs of Groby properties with observations regarding their importance to the Conservation Area. There’s a direct link to the page on www.grobyonline.tk Around 60 people visited the exhibition at the Village Hall. “We have received 21 written responses to the Conservation Area consultation,” said Barry Whirrity the Conservation Officer. “We are currently working on the Hinckley Hollycroft Park Conservation Area appraisal and will take them both to Planning Committee for adoption in February/March 2011.”
Some people are on the edge. Some people are over it. I’m hang-gliding.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Gardening Society News A splendid end to the Year
• How do you decide whom to marry? You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the crisps and dip coming. - Alan, age 10 No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. - Kirsten, age 10
Our meeting on the 9th December lived up to all expectations. The evening was conveniently divided into parts. The main event was our wonderful faith supper for which, year after year, members produce a bewildering variety of goodies to eat and this year’s offerings were no exception. Pork pies, savoury sandwiches, quiches, mince pies, cakes, trifles and homebaked fruit pies were amongst the selections. It is astonishing to witness the smooth coming-together of the various parts of the evening. Without any real master plan, the tables are erected and decorated, food and drink put in place and various festive hats and accoutrements magically produced. This year, a background of Christmas carols added to the occasion. Needless to say; not much remained to be taken home! However, prior to our refreshments we were well entertained by John Tearne. John hails from Coventry and is a very accomplished deliverer of monologues. Apart from his amazing memory for some quite lengthy works, he brought numerous costumes and musical instruments to enhance his performance. He also interspersed his act with snippets of historical information about the development of monologues and some of their more famous exponents. One revolved around a certain H. Vernon Watson. Coming from a rural background near Peterborough, Watson showed a leaning towards things theatrical and it was evident that he had a rare talent for mimicry. In 1911, he turned professional, using his real name, doing impressions of the leading comedians of the day. Then, when Frank Tinney, the American blackfaced comedian, came to the UK, Watson added an impression of him to his repertoire. He noticed that this impression gained him great applause, and when Tinney returned to the United States, Watson gave thought to a different style of act based on a black-faced personality.Opportunity for this came about in the early 1930s in Leeds, which boasted two variety theatres, run by two rival organisations. The Depression was beginning to bite, and on hearing that the rival theatre had lost its comic, he determined to double his income by doing both shows (four performances a night), travelling between the two
Romance, love, marriage and all that stuff - the way children see it ...
• How can a stranger tell if two people are married? You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. - Derrick, age 8
Groby Gardening Society members enjoying lots of goodies at their faith supper theatres by taxi, disguising himself by blacking up. Watson had the black-face study ready, but was stuck for a name. Then inspiration came to his aid. The scene dock doors backstage were partly open and the two halves read “No Smo” & “king”. That was it. From then on, the character would be Nosmo King. Nosmo King became a huge star and a household name when his speciality became long comic monologues. The stage act of Nosmo King & Hubert developed when his son Jack Watson joined him as straight man straight from school. The end came for Nosmo King early in 1952 when Watson died in his sleep in his Chelsea flat.
Forthcoming events
February 10th “Bees and the Gardener” On this evening, Simon Morgan is not only going to share his passion and reasons for his bee keeping, but is going to demonstrate the use of honey in cooking (with tasters!) and he will have samples of his honey for sale. March 10th “Spring in the garden” We always welcome new members and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. Telephone 0116 2877870 or email alvar3@talktalk.net
Alvar Johnson
A cowboy walks into a German car showroom and says ‘Audi’.
• What do you think your mum and dad have in common? Both don’t want any more kids. Lori, age 8 • What do most people do on a date? Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say, if you listen long enough. Lynnette, age 8 (isn’t she a treasure) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. - Martin, age 10 • Is it better to be single or married? I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out. - Theodore, age 8 It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. - Anita, age 9 • How would you make a marriage work? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. - Ricky, age 10 (smart fellow)
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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LETTER I expect by now most of your readers will have received and perhaps even possibly read the Winter Edition of the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Bulletin which claims that it is a ‘Borough to be proud of’? What becomes increasingly obvious as one turns the pages is that apart from page 16 ‘Rural Affairs’ which mentions Barlestone & Bagworth, the Borough is a desert where people are allowed to live in order to maintain the “one horse town” Hinckley in the style to which it thinks it should be kept! Now consider Groby and you should do because you live there and I’m not too certain that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council gives much attention to this. Many years ago there was a County wide survey which showed that Groby had the largest number of two car families per head of population; from a quick look round Groby I can well imagine that we now have the largest number of three & four car families per head of population in the County. You may well wonder why I mention this and the reason why I do is because this means that Groby is a wealthy area and wealth means taxation and Civil Servants love taxation; so apart from Income Tax, we pay Council Tax, granted the majority of the Council tax we pay goes to the County Council, the Police and the Fire Service but what portion of the iniquitous Council tax we pay to H&BBC benefits Groby & Fieldhead, need I say any more? Now may I return to the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Bulletin and remind you of the enormous sums of money being showered on Hinckley by a Council made up of predominantly Urban Councillors who think the villages in the Borough are an inexhaustible source of finance to finance their follies? Groby has a massive car parking problem, and although the Parish Council is attempting to alleviate this, most of the roads in the centre of the village are full of parked cars during the day. Are they owned by people who work there? Not on your life, the majority of cars clogging up the village are those belonging to commuters who litter-up the village with their cars before catching a bus to County Hall or Leicester. So what do the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council do to deal this problem? Their answer is that they are set to allow a development (in a neighbouring village to Groby) to overload our roads even whilst denying Groby the payments the developer has to make for infrastructure improvements; could one even toy with the idea that H&BBC Officers would realise the problem and suggest to the Councillors that perhaps Groby needs more parking before a minimum of 360 extra cars are funnelled on to Groby roads?
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John F. Collins In his younger days our golden retriever Catcher often ran away when he had the chance. The vet’s surgery was about a mile down the road, and Catcher would usually go there. The nursing staff knew him and would call me to come pick him up. One day I called the vet to make an appointment for Catcher’s yearly vaccine. “Will you bring him,” asked the receptionist, “or will he come on his own?”
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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The Knight that made a Pickle of planning Norman Griffiths hears why the Bloor’s decision is delayed
W
hen the Coalition Government took office the electorate had to quickly adapt to a new concept -Localism. Things were about to change and a Knight in Shining Armour was about to ride a white stallion slashing red tape with his sword and giving power back to the electorate. As the Knight approached it turned out to be none other than Eric Pickles, Communities and Local Government Secretary. In July he told the Local Government Association that “in the past fifty days instead of writing guidance, I’ve been shredding it. Instead of creating legislation, I’ve been dumping it.” True to his word a statement in Parliament revoked Regional Strategies with immediate effect. Councils would have the freedom to prepare their local plans without having to follow top-down targets from regional quangos and bureaucrats that prescribe exactly what, where and when to build. “ I promised to get rid of them and today I’m revoking regional plans with immediate effect - hammering another nail in the coffin of unwanted and an unaccountable regional bureaucracy,” he added.
Enter the carrot The stick was about to be replaced by the carrot. “We will introduce powerful new incentives for local people so they support the construction of new homes in the right places and receive direct rewards from the proceeds of growth to improve their local area,” he explained. Or to put it another way electors may not want a new housing estate on their doorstep but everyone has their price, so there will be financial incentives to accept development.
Not everyone is happy with the dropping of targets and the new approach, not least house builders. But they may have drawn comfort from decisions by Planning Inspectors to overturn the refusal of planning permission in cases such as Jelson Ltd in Markfield.. Planning permission was granted in September 2010 shortly before the Bloor’s appeal was considered.
Deja Vu for David Tredinnick The Jelsons decision resulted in an exchange in the House of Commons on October 21st in which Grant Shapps, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, said that under the new system the Coalition were “asking voters what they want and putting a local plan in place that reflects the local population’s wishes, not what the Minister wants here in Whitehall, as happened under the old regional spatial strategies.” This brought a response from David Tredinnick, who at one time represented Groby and on this occasion seems to have confused the village with Markfield. He asked “Is my Hon. Friend aware that his guidance seems to be being ignored by the Planning Inspectorate, which is insisting on making the five-year housing supply paramount in its decisions, causing great concern in Burbage and Groby in my constituency as representations are made and ignored?” Grant Shapps raised the sword that he had clearly borrowed from Eric and responded “It is enormously important that the Planning Inspectorate notices that there has been a change of Government and therefore changes in policy. If it is not entirely certain we will have the Localism Bill next month and I hope that that will clarify the matter once and for all.”
He was unaware that something was about to happen which would make everyone grateful that at least no lives were lost when Eric the Knight shredded the red tape with his sword.
Just a minute, Eric In August Cala Homes filed an application with the High Court seeking permission to challenge the the decision by the Communities Secretary to revoke the strategies with immediate effect. When the decision was given in December Eric the Knight was demounted, albeit temporarily. The High Court ruled that Eric Pickles acted unlawfully in unilaterally revoking the system of Regional Strategies in England and as a result this now depends on the enactment of the Localism Bill later this year. He is not the First Secretary of State to act beyond his legal powers and will no doubt not be the last. But the man in the street must be entitled to wonder why, with the number of legal experts in the Civil Service and the Commons, this flaw in the Coalition’s battle plan wasn’t mentioned to him before he mounted the white stallion.
Bloor’s decision delayed Meanwhile the people of Groby wait to hear whether or not the Planning Inspector will allow Bloor’s Homes to build on land next to the cemetery despite a clear manifestation of Localism, widespread opposition. The Parish Council has been told that the decision has been delayed because of the Inspector is having to take account of changes in Government policy and this has slowed the decision process . In November the Government’s Chief Planner indicated to local authorities and the Planning Inspectorate that regard to the intended abolition
of the regional strategies in the Localism Bill should be a material consideration in planning decisions. Eric Pickles perhaps thought that this clarified the position as the Localism Bill passes through Parliament, commenting that the High Court judgement “changes very little.” But Cala Homes saw things rather differently and mounted a second challenge in the High Court seeking a judicial review of this advice that planning authorities and inspectors should have regard to something which might become law tomorrow when deciding planning applications today.
Yet another challenge Cala Homes maintained that the statement and November advice “are unlawful, being a transparent attempt to thwart the application of the law as it stands and the judgement of the court.” The hearing of the claim is scheduled to take place as the Spotlight is being printed and it is hoped that the new judgement will clarify matters. In the meantime life becomes more complicated for planners and planning inspectors as not only have they been asked by the Government to take account of the fact that there is legislation coming which may change the law, they must also consider whether this second challenge affects the significance and weight they give to the fact that the law may change. Complicated? The nails that Eric the Knight hammered into “the coffin of unwanted and an unaccountable regional bureaucracy” seem to be popping out as planners struggle to make the right decisions.
Targets gone but not forgotten? Targets may have gone (soon if not yet) but this need not amount to
I phoned the local ramblers’ club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069 much. A survey of 34 East Midlands Councils found that nearly half of local authorities are keeping the Regional Strategies targets for housebuilding or using them until they decide a new figure, with a further 32 per cent undecided. Hinckley and Bosworth is one of the Councils keeping the current targets for housing “as they are within our Core Strategy and are evidence based,” said a spokesperson for the Borough Council.
From Groby’s Local Policeman PC
918 Ned Kelly
The Importance of Being Vigilant
The five year land supply issue
Dear Residents of Groby,
The guidance given last June for the need to have a 5 year supply is critical for local communities opposing new development. Where it cannot be demonstrated that there is a five year supply of deliverable sites applications for housing should be considered favourably, and this could mean those outside settlement boundaries.
We the police at times rely on you the public to help with being our eyes and ears. Without you the public being vigilant, crimes or incidents may go undetected or missed. I cannot stress the importance in reporting any suspicious activity you may witness.
I am aware that just recently in the village there were two incidents where members of the public have assisted in the apprehension of some well known criminals. This in turn has resulted in quite a few Core Crimes being detected in the village. The first incident involved residents from the village contacting Leicestershire Constabulary during the early hours of one morning to report two suspicious males in and around the village centre. This resulted in police mobiles being dispatched to the area and two males quickly being apprehended in possession of stolen property. Both males have later pleaded guilty to numerous offences at court.
New Neighbourhood Plans The Localism Bill will introduce a new right for communities to shape their local areas. Early indications are that Neighbourhood Plans will enable communities to permit development – in full or in outline – without the need for planning applications. Reforms will streamline decision-making and remove barriers to development. But Groby residents may feel this is the opposite of what they want, which is the ability to stop development which would otherwise be approved. They want less development, not more. Whether or not this will be part of the package remains to be seen.
Well known burglar arrested
The second incident involved an off duty police officer spotting two suspicious males coming over a garden wall of a resident’s property. The off duty police officer gave chase and caught one of the males in question. As the male was being spoken to, he ran for a second time. It was at this point that the off duty police officer spotted a resident stood nearby that he recognised. The officer called out to that resident for assistance and following a short foot chase the male was quickly detained by the member of the public. This resulted in a well known burglar being arrested for attempting to break into the property where he was seen to have come from. The second male with him was arrested a few days later and both were waiting a court appearance for numerous offences. Without the above help from you the public, the three well known criminals would more than likely still have been at large to commit further crime. We the police as a rule do not encourage you the public to actually tackle criminals, but sometimes there are people out there that are confident in their ability and assist us the police. We the police will always be grateful to you the members of public who assist us with our every day policing.
Confusion The Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF), an independent housing research charity which carried out the survey of local authorities, found that “one of the major findings of the research was the level of confusion that exists at a local level. Some local authorities responding to the research were struggling to understand the nature and scope of their new responsibilities.” It may be that this uncertainty extends way beyond local authorities. If the politicians, planners and industry professionals are struggling to get to grips with the sweeping changes there seems little hope for the general public to understand just what is going on. The Department for Communities and Local Government has been asked to clarify issues raised in this article but has not replied. You can read more about the varied provisions of the Localism Bill on www.grobyonline.tk.
Norman Griffiths
.
Anyone with information about any crime or incident can contact me on 0116 2222222 and quote my collar number 0918 or you can call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.
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Speedway returns
Speedway is returning to Leicester after an absence of almost twenty-eight years. A new stadium is being built on Beaumont Park in Beaumont Leys and is near to completion in readiness for the start of the season which begins in April and ends in late October. The stadium will have seating for over four hundred spectators and on the opposite side of the track a covered stand will run the length of the back straight. The team will be known as the Leicester Lions and they will race their home fixtures on Saturday evenings. The Lions have entered the British Premier League which consists of fourteen clubs with tracks as far away as Plymouth, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The sport was one of the top spectator attractions in the city until the closure and demolition of the Blackbird Road stadium in the early eighties. Since then the Lions have been homeless, but now speedway will once again be part and parcel of Leicestershire’s sporting calendar. The team consists of seven riders and has taken on a cosmopolitan feel about it with riders from Great Britain, Australia, Denmark and Russia making up the side. Sergey Darkin, who has twice been crowned the individual champion of Russia, was the first to agree terms to join Leicester. He flew into Heathrow airport last month to sign his contract at a Supporters’ Club Christmas Party and received a warm welcome from fans.
Alan Jones
Leicester Speedway Ltd
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Sometimes I stare at a photograph of me and miss myself.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Christmas Trees Past, Present and Future •
“Some amazing decorations”
•
“Really clever”
•
“Where do they get the ideas?”
St. Philip and St. James twinkled with Christmas trees of nostalgia, remembering, reality and hope in December. The theme for the fourth Christmas Tree Festival was ‘Christmas Past, Present and Future’ and there were some brilliant interpretations, creatively translated into decorations. Who would have thought you could make an angel with just two handprints? Or decorations out of bits of pipe? The favourite tree was won by Mrs. Bell’s Nursery, and the most interesting tree by the St. Philip and St James Bellringers. Talking of which, visitors were treated to the unmistakeable tones and harmony of handbells ringing out our favourite carols. On the Saturday, the village hall also buzzed with creative activity as folk tried their hand at making decorations, in amongst the refreshments, activities, stalls and the ubiquitous Father Christmas! And on the Tuesday the church resounded with the fun and song of the Christmas Cracker concert. Thank you to everyone who contributed and visited – we hope it set the scene for your other Christmas celebrations.
Revd. Louise Corke
Thought for the Month Where you belong Put yourself where you belong. Go with what you know is right for you. Whatever you most love to do is what you will do best. Places where you love to be, and people you love to be around, will bring out your highest level of effectiveness. Put yourself in those places and get yourself around those people as much as you can. Be where you belong and you’ll be your very best. When something feels right, that means it is right for you. Pay attention to your authentic feelings, and follow where they lead. It’s not frivolous or selfish to do what you love. When you’re doing what you love, you’re able to give the best of who you are. Be the way you want to be, feel the way you like to feel and do the things you wish to do. Get yourself where you truly belong, and live your own special greatness.
Ralph Marston
Copyright 2011 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. Used by permission. Originally published in “The Daily Motivator” at www.dailymotivator.com
Ratby Village Society is looking ahead Ratby Village Society is looking ahead to Saturday 13th August 2011. This is the date set for the Annual Show to be held in the Church Rooms on Church Lane, Ratby. Together with Ratby’s Allotment Group, we are looking forward to holding a really great Annual Show, and we would like all the amateur gardeners, fruit and vegetable growers, flower growers and arrangers, cake bakers, preserve makers, wine makers, handicraft enthusiasts, poetry writers, as well as exhibitors under 16 years of age, to have a go and enter the various classes and enjoy the day with us. We are most grateful to the highly supportive local business people and private individuals who have generously and enthusiastically pledged trophies for the various classes in the show. Please look out for further details, including the schedule of classes, to be published soon. There is no charge for the entering of exhibits to the show.
Jane Rayne
Ratby Village Society.
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Start off every day with a smile and get it over with.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Village groups reminded about grants COMMUNITY groups in parishes across the Borough are being reminded to apply for their share of the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund before applications close early next month.
The council is allocating £100,000 to the fund next year (2011/12), so there will be plenty of financial help available for village schemes. The fund has no minimum bid, but each parish can be awarded up to £12,000. Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive member responsible for Rural Affairs, said: “This fund has helped many schemes secure the match-funding needed to get their great ideas off the ground and turned into reality. It enables people who live in the parishes to improve local facilities and improve life in these communities. “I would urge community groups to contact the council to find out more about the grants and to get whatever help they need in making their applications.” Community groups in any of the Hinckley and Bosworth parishes can apply for help with schemes that improve children’s play areas or parks and open spaces or improve community facilities. The site of the scheme must be open to the public most of the time and the grant will cover up to 55% of the total cost of the scheme. Application forms can be obtained by calling the Borough Council on 01455 255977 and the closing date for applications is 4 February 2011.
Anything is possible if you don’t know what you’re talking about.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Always include your children when baking cookies.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Chernobyl disaster 25th anniversary – local charity appeals for help
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Changes at BBC Radio Leicester
In 1986 the world’s worst nuclear disaster occurred at the Chernobyl plant in northern Ukraine releasing 190 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste into the atmosphere. 80% of this radioactive material fell onto the population of Belarus. The effects of the explosion were horrific, wide spread and long lasting and 25 years on, exacerbated by ongoing leakage from the crumbling reactor, the people of Belarus continue to suffer from the legacy of Chernobyl. Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leics) are a local branch of a registered national charity that was founded in 1994. The charity devotes its energies to raising funds to bring disadvantaged children from Belarus to the UK for a four week recuperative holiday each year. By extensive fundraising, the charity meets the full cost of these visits and provides essential healthcare and medicines for each child. The charity is run completely by volunteers who give their time and talents freely, thus ensuring that all money raised directly benefits the children The children aged 7-13 are placed with local volunteer families who provide a friendly, stable home, nourishing food and lots of loving care. The charity organises a daily programme of activities for the children during weekdays which means that even working families can host a child. We provide two interpreters on 24hr call who travel with the children and accompany them each day at our Markfield day centre and on organised activities and excursions. Following a successful initial visit in the summer of 2009 and another in 2010, FOCC (West Leics) is now appealing for families, individuals
Fun at the Snow Dome and corporate sponsors who can help us make a real difference to the lives of more of these deprived children. We are seeking local families who would be prepared to host a child in their home for one month in August/September 2011 and volunteers who could assist us in running our programme of activities or help driving our minibus during the children’s visit. We are also appealing to companies and organisations that could assist us with fundraising or
provide corporate sponsorship. If you would like to get involved or learn more about the charity, a public presentation by the charity founder and Director, Olwyn Keogh M.B.E. will be held at the Congregational Church Hall, Main Street, Markfield at 7.30pm on Monday 28th February. For more information please contact our local Group Coordinator John Buckby on 01455 285799 email john.evolution@btinternet.com or visit our website at www.focc.org.uk
January 2011 saw Jim Davis (above) take over as mid-morning presenter from Tony Wadsworth at BBC Radio Leicester. Jim, who previously presented the station’s afternoon show, is on from 9am to 12 noon. From 8th January, Tony Wadsworth began hosting the Saturday and Sunday 9am-12 noon slot. BBC Radio Leicester has also announced a new weekday evening schedule. Monday to Fridays will see Richard Spurr on air from 7pm. Sunday to Thursday from 10pm will be hosted by Amanda Bowman with Dean Jackson on Fridays. From 5pm on Sundays, Dulcie Dixon will present a new programme for the African and Caribbean community. Kamlesh Purohit will cover Bollywood and the Asian community from 20:00. Lastly, Herdle White will be on air Saturday nights from 22:00.
Several women in the church prayer group were visiting an elderly friend who was ill. After awhile, they rose to leave and told her; “We’ll do what we can to help. We promise to keep you in our prayers.” “Thank you,” she said. “But, really, I can do my own praying. The thing I can’t do is the dishes in the sink in the kitchen....”
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Groby Allotment During the severe cold weather over Christmas I have been taking photographs on the plots to feature in these articles. However I think we have seen enough of the snow and freezing conditions, so let’s think of the coming spring. When the ground softens we can get a spade into the ground so those lucky enough to still have parsnips will certainly have the starch content turned to sugar, so the frost does have its benefits. I thought the autumn planted useful source of manganese plus broad beans would have suffered other nutrients, which help to keep with the intense cold, some planted the blood in order. So get planting. well before mine looked very Asparagus is a crop that is rapidly healthy before the severe frosts. gaining popularity on the plots. Mine much smaller and under It’s not easy to get established fleece I thought had no chance. but when it does it seems very The snow has now gone and successful. It can be spring planted surprise, surprise they look as if from crowns, which look like large nothing had happened, even my spiders and following the correct small ones seem to have survived. instructions you should be able to Tough little chaps. Their botanical cut the crops in about two years term is ‘Vicia Faba’ a species of time. The cropping window is very edible vetch and within the same short lasting about six weeks from family is: tick, bell, horse, field late April to mid June. The British beans etc. The young tops can be climate is most suited to producing eaten like spinach and the small a full flavoured, sweet flavoured tender pods can be cooked without crop. ‘The weather has got to be podding. However you will not good for something!’ However, it find young pods on the market has a drawback for some people, stalls, as they sell by weight so big urine. A smell of the worst kind, be is best. They can be sown from late warned but we know that urine is Autumn until June by choosing the beneficial on compost heaps so all right seed. is not lost, and it may keep the fox Now looking forward to the away. spring: Leeks can be sown from late As with all good things there February in trays and placed on a is another drawback, ‘asparagus warm windowsill, these intriguing Beetle’ but if the ferns are removed seedlings look like fine grass but and burned when there is no emerge like a bent finger which moisture left in the stalks and the later opens out. Doing so they don’t bed kept clean then you stand a damage their delicate tip. They are chance of success. hardy plants and can be left in the While the snow has been on ground until required, I say with the ground we have taken the caution, and usually survive the opportunity to reassess plot areas, frosts. so if you have spotted mystery They are a very healthy vegetable tracks left in the snow, which look to eat regularly, offering protection like a unicycle has been riding over against prostate, colon, and your plot it’s the track left by our stomach cancer. They are also a wheel-measuring device. The plots
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After experiencing what they think are a series of ‘break-ins’, a family sets up security cameras around their home, only to realise that the events unfolding before them are more sinister than they seem.
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Due Date (15)
Takers (12)
Paranormal Activity 2 (15)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) must get to LA in five days to be at the birth of his firstborn. He is about to fly home from Atlanta when his luggage and wallet are sent to LA without him, and he is put on the ‘no-fly’ list. Desperate to get home, Peter is forced to accept the offer of Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) to hitch a ride with him cross country. Peter is about to go on the most terrifying and agonising journey of his life.
Starring: Idris Elba, Matt Dillon A Los Angeles detective races to bust a group of notorious thieves before they can carry out a 20-million-dollar heist in this crime thriller from director/co-screenwriter John Luessenhop and writing partner Avery Duff. Their heists are planned to perfection, and they never leave behind a shred of evidence. But when greed gets the best of the gang and they agree to one last job, one seasoned detective (Matt Dillon) vows to put them behind bars for good.
If it wasn’t for muscle spasms, I wouldn’t get any exercise at all.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Society News
A successful asparagus bed on our allotments tended by the grower have not been recalculated now for at least forty years; boundaries or pathways have moved and plots divided. We realised some time ago when we started allocating plots for the Parish Council that the ground plan left a little to be desired, this was before taking on the 25 year lease to gain full control. Now we set and collect the rents so to be fair a recalculation is required. This will take place throughout the coming year and we will set a rent based upon a square metre price. We have started inserting posts marking plot boundaries and they will carry a number, which will help our inspection teams identify plots.
They are 2ins square and 2ft high, and to last are treated against rot, so must not be removed. We are slowly working towards the high standard recommended by the National Society of Allotment and Leisure gardeners. I will end on a sad note. Brussels have been stolen from at least two plots on the Ratby Road site before Xmas. Police have been notified and we are sure they will be vigilant as we all must be, so keep an eye open.
John Thornton
Family Walks from Ratby Ratby Village Society is very pleased to have been awarded a grant from the “Big Lottery Fund” to finance the production of their booklet of five walks entitled “Family Walks from Ratby”, due to be published in the New Year by local company Norwood Press of Ellistown. The walks have been planned with each member of the family in mind and vary in length from ½ mile to 8 miles, taking in Ratby and the surrounding countryside. It is beautifully illustrated in full colour with pictures painted especially for the booklet by local artists, and students from Julia Kent’s art class in Ratby. The initial batch of booklets will be distributed to participating medical centres and surgeries within the Hinckley and Bosworth district, where it can be offered by GP’s to those patients who they feel will benefit from the improvements to health and well-being associated with walking. The original pictures from the booklet will be exhibited at Ratby’s fifth Annual Art Exhibition and Craft Fair, to be held over two days, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November 2011 in the Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby.
Jane Rayne
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
On why our church does not need health or safety... The Rectory St. James the Least
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Groby Village Society Preservation • Conservation • Communal Interests
Programme for 2011
My dear Nephew Darren The disasters you inflict on church life are made the worse because they are so well meaning. I appreciated your concern when you heard one of our parishioners had slipped on a gravestone. Your desire to help was entirely commendable; sending your own church’s health and safety officer to give us some advice was kindlymeant. But the thousand page report was not welcome. If we implemented your officer’s suggestions, life would become unbearably safe. St. James the Least has survived perfectly well for the last 600 years without gutter cleaning inspections, path degreasing and electrical safety certificates, so I think we may survive a little longer without them. As far as I am aware, the only disaster to hit us was when Cromwell’s soldiers stabled their horses in the nave – which I suspect a few of our oldest members still clearly remember. The shock the sidesmen sometimes get when switching on the lights occurs only occasionally, is relatively mild and soon over – and if it happens when preparing for the 8am Service, helps to wake them up. The fact that the weight of Duke of Clumber’s marble sarcophagus is slowly detaching the south aisle from the rest of the church is very slow – and the pews in that area are used only once a year when his relations visit from America to commemorate his death at Agincourt – which is probably just beyond remembrance of the oldest of our congregation. Leaks from the ceiling in the north aisle are solved with the row of buckets – and even you must concede that the fungi on the oak beams look really rather attractive when the sun catches them. The sapling growing out of the spire is certainly an issue – although it looks so attractive in Spring when in blossom. As for our fire extinguishers, they were serviced when my predecessor-but-two was in office, and I have the certificate to prove it. Do thank your health and safety officer for all his work and tell him we will bear his recommendations in mind. Also tell him I was so sorry he slipped and broke his leg as he was entering your own church last Sunday. If only he had been encased in bubble wrap, it would never have happened. Perhaps you could put that on the agenda of your next health and safety meeting.
Your loving uncle, Eustace
Design a Poster to Celebrate Compost! Homemade compost is great for the garden and diverts tonnes of food waste from landfill. Now Garden Organic is calling for people to put their passion for compost on paper for its poster competition to urge more of us to make our own for International Compost Awareness Week Saturday 1 – 7 May 2011. The competition is open to everyone, children and adults as well as schools and colleges. The Garden Organic ‘Celebrate Compost’ poster competition will raise awareness and celebrate everything there is to know about the lovely, crumbly brown stuff. To enter please obtain an entry form from fflp@gardenorganic.org.uk, from the Garden Organic website: www.gardenorganic.org.uk, or write to ‘Celebrate Compost’ Competition’, Ryton Gardens, Wolston Lane, Warwickshire, CV8
3LG. Closing date for entries is 28 February 2011. The winner will be announced on the Garden Organic website on Monday 21 of March 2011.
Thursday January 27 My Favourite Things Members are invited to bring an object or collection of interest Thursday February 24 The Secret Life of the Honey Bee & Their Keepers Mr. Graham Law Thursday March 24: A.G.M. Thursday April 28 Eggstravaganza Mrs. Elizabeth Riding Thursday May 26 Images of Madagascar Miss Pat North Thursday June 23 William Morris & England’s Silk Road Mr. David Ray Thursday July 28 Wills & Their Use in Family History Mr. Trevor Parr Thursday August 25 The Gunpowder Plot Mrs. Sally Henshaw Thursday September 22 Joseph Roberts A Grocer of Distinction Mr. Brian Johnson Thursday October 27 Down the Garden Path Mr. David Bell Thursday November 24 Island Life - Teaching on a South Pacific Island Mrs. Sophie Hadfield-Hill Thursday December 22 A Tudor Christmas Mrs. Alison Coates Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome
Don’t hate yourself in the morning. Sleep until noon.
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National Trust Leicester Association NEWS The National Trust Leicester Association is a “club” for the 40,000 National Trust members in Leicestershire and Rutland. The association aims to widen members’ knowledge of the Trust and its properties to enable them to make the most of their visits and also to keep members informed of the very latest developments at local properties and in the Trust generally. We also encourage our members to publicise the Trust, act as volunteers and help us raise funds for small projects at local properties. We organise a series of 14 talks and our popular lecture lunches over the winter period and six coach outings to heritage sites during the summer. Our programme also includes “one off ” events such as our recent visit to the Norman & Underwood factory to see examples of their restoration work on cathedrals and heritage buildings. New members are always welcome and visitors are also welcome at all of our meetings. The grounds at Belton House near Grantham will be open at weekends during February for the extensive display of snowdrops and the tearoom will also be open for refreshment after your stroll. As usual these days a number of NT properties are opening for the season on 19th February which happens to be the Leicestershire half term week, they are, Canons Ashby (Sat – Wed), Kedleston Hall (Sat – Wed), Sudbury Hall & the Museum of Childhood (Sat/Sun & Wed - Sun) and Ilam Park & Longshaw Estate, Derbyshire, visitor centre and tearooms (daily). Also Calke Abbey has Half-term Fundays in the Stable block on 19/20, 22/23 & 26/27 Feb. The NT Leicester Association has a meeting on Wednesday 26th January when Fiona Ure will talk about Best Remedies - Kill or Cure Medicines from the Past. The meeting is at the St John the Baptist Parish Centre, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester at 2.30pm. An evening meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th February at the Premier Inn, Braunstone Lane East, Leicester at 7.30. Stuart Crow, NT Operations Manager for Lincolnshire, will present an illustrated talk, The Story of Tattershall Castle (NT). Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2 and visitors £4. For more information on the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service call, 0116 2229133.
Alan Tyler, Chairman
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Last issue’s winners Last issue’s first prize winner was G.C.HASTIE of Mickleden Green, Whitwick. You win a Sunday Lunch for Two and a Bottle of House Wine at The Plough Inn, Ratby The winner of the second prize - a £10 DVD Hire Voucher to spend at Glenfield MovieZone - was JOSEPHINE CHILDS of Poplars Close, Groby. Congratulations! Your vouchers will be with you within 21 days.
Do you think sheep know when you’re pulling the wool over their eyes?
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Rare birds spotted at Watermead Country Park People have been flocking to Watermead Country Park to catch a glimpse of visiting rare birds. Three Bitterns attracted increased numbers of wildlife lovers recently to the northern end of the park, which is managed by Leicestershire County Council. The birds, which are protected by law and have been recognised as an endangered species by the RSPB, can be spotted from the beauty spot’s Crake hide. It is the largest number of Bitterns Watermead has recorded in one go, which are thought to have travelled from northerly climes during the cold snap. Leicestershire County Council country park ranger Charles Shaw said: “The Crake hide has been very busy, with people coming along to catch a glimpse of the Bitterns. “We have had people visit from as far a field as Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire to see the birds, which live in the reedbed and are notoriously very shy. “We have done a lot of work to improve the habitat for these birds and feel privileged they have come here to Watermead.” Thanks to its many lakes and its reedbeds, Watermead has become a winter wonderland for a number of wildfowl and birds. Over the next month or so birds that can be seen include Bittern, Curlew, Reed Buntings, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Water Rails and Nuthatch. Large flocks of Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons and flocks of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long Tailed Tits are also expected, along with Bearded Tits (the first pair of these seen on the park for many years were spotted just before Christmas). The park has a number of bird hides for people who are interested in spotting our feathered friends and, on February 6, members of the public can join County Council country park rangers for a winter wader walk. Prices are £6 adults and £5 concessions – call 0116 305 5434 for times and further information. For more on Watermead Country Park visit: www.leics.gov.uk/watermead
Curve theatre project for over-55s ‘Glory Days’ is Curves’ new exciting project specifically for people over 55. It will be an opportunity to meet new, like-minded people and develop new creative skills from fine art to singing, drama to play reading and more besides. ‘Glory Days’ members will also be offered discounts in the Café and receive special offers on tickets for shows at Curve. The programme will be launched in March. If you would like further information please contact Joe Mee on 0116 242 3563 or email j.mee@curvetheatre.co.uk (Perhaps local residents who are interested in going to the theatre could get together and form a group to share outings for the ‘Glory Days’ project, or theatre outings in general.)
I’m so miserable without you, it’s almost like you’re here.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby WI News from Margaret Gamble In the bleak mid winter went the intrepid ladies of Groby WI. Apart from one event, which incidentally was not of our making, all of our outings took place in spite of the extreme weather. We cancelled none of our events, all of which were very well attended. A visit to the theatre to see the old perennial “Hot Stuff ” by some of our ever young members resulted in what was described as a “brilliant night out”. This was the only outing in not too bad weather and the Show certainly warmed them up. Then we had the Leics. & Rutland Carol Service at All Nations on Frog Island. This is where members from all over come to see WI choirs, bell rings, entertaining performers etc and generally have a good sing song with Carols and Christmas songs. Approximately 300 members attended and to keep peckers up, everyone one had mince pies (homemade of course) and a cuppa. The Annual Christmas Tree Festival held in the Church for two days brought out many. Gone are the days when in Church everyone spoke very quietly. When I went, there was lots of chatter and banter and a lovely atmosphere made even better by the lovely Christmas trees. It is amazing that given there was a general theme, the trees were so varied. I must admit I have never seen so many rockets on top of the trees representing the future,
not a fairy in sight. Our tree was decorated by half a dozen members who handmade every decoration. In fact nearly all the trees had handmade decorations of some sort or another. Unfortunately we didn’t get placed but as we came second last year, we must let others have the honour. Actually, one WI event was cancelled. Each Christmas one Institute hosts the Bradgate Group Carol Service. This year was Anstey’s turn and they decided to cancel because of the weather, rather disappointing, still there is always next year. Saving, I think the best part of our seasonal entertainment to the last, was our own two great eating events. We try to include husbands just occasionally to give them an outing so they don’t feel too left out. So a crowd of us took ourselves off to Brooksby College for our Christmas Dinner. The venue is in a lovely setting and we had the large room to cater for our number. The food was excellent, and the place lovely and warm. I didn’t hear of anyone who hadn’t enjoyed it. At this point, I must praise the husbands, they behaved themselves impeccably, so if they are good boys through the year we may take them along again. Then we had our Christmas meeting Supper. Various members had decorated the tables beautifully. All the food was homemade and even though I say it myself it was delicious. After a rather hurried Jerusalem and essential business, we got down
to our party. After pulling crackers and a lovely social evening, we did our version of “Twelve Days of Christmas”, which turned out to be quite hilarious, didn’t know there could be so many hand signs for the various twelve days. We finished with a singalong and like Good King Wencelas went forth. Unfortunately the weather that night was a particularly hard frost, so much so I hard a job getting my car doors open when we left but along came our President, no messing about, and opened them just like that, a real wonder woman. Hopefully our programme will be out in the New Year but a quick look at the speakers we have are a couple of different cookery experts, a speaker on the Concordia Theatre, wet on wet painting (don’t know what that means but it sounds fun) and a lady speaking on corsets (even more fun).
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Are you grumpy yet? An infant laughs nearly 300 times a day. Teenagers laugh on average just six times a day. By our twenties we are down to four times a day. Our thirties are a bit better – at five times a day. But by the time we hit 50, our sense of humour is deserting us, and we laugh just three times a day, while the average 60 year old manages a good laugh just 2.5 times a day. It gets worse. According to the TV station Dave, who carried out the research, people over 50 are most like to complain and worry than younger people. They write more letters of complaint, argue with neighbours more, and spend time worrying about health and money. One of the researchers suggests: “It’s important to remember how good laugher is for you. It releases endorphins and a little laughter every day goes a long way to reducing stress.”
ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICES
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
As part of our aftercare service, we now offer a monthly Bereavement Aftercare & Support Group, which has been set up to provide a FREE support service, not just to our clients, but to ANY bereaved person, irrespective of their age, creed, religion and length of bereavement. The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month in the catering suite at Anstey & District Funeral Services between 10am and 12noon.
Next dates: Sat 19th February & Sat 19th March ARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548
Inaugural Green Light Festival 12th February 2011, 10am to 5pm Green Light is a one-day festival to celebrate and showcase sustainable living in Leicester. It is being organised by local volunteers from Transition Leicester, with support from Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and the help of De Montfort University. The festival will take place at the Queen’s Building, Mill Lane, De Montfort University Leicestershire LE2 7DR and it will run from 10am until 5pm. The focus of the festival is on learning together, offering inspiration and having fun. The event will feature the best of what is already happening in the Leicester area, and offer ideas for action that you can take at home, in business and in your local community. The festival will feature practical workshops, art and music, expert talks, local food, lots of useful information on going green and much more. Confirmations so far include: Peter Harper, Research Director at Zero Carbon Britain – speaking about strategies for carbon reduction Sir Peter Soulsby MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment – speaking about all matters environmental Ishi Khan-Jackson – running a Laughter Therapy workshop Visit www.greenlightfestival.org for an update.
Why don’t people who believe in reincarnation leave all their money to themselves?
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Churches Together in Groby
Alpha Course
Further details elsewhere in this magazine.
Fair Cuppa: an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. All tea/coffee is fair-trade Every Thursday, 10.00—11.30am.
Urban Saints During term time, held at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions. - for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites Sunday services: please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Mrs Norma Whittaker 287 6606 Children/Youth Worker Deb Goodhead 07730 596309
Groby couple sizzle in BBQ Championships A Groby couple have achieved notable success in several Barbecue Championships. Scott Lane and his wife Lyndsey are an American style ‘Low and Slow’ BBQ caterer and competition team. They set up early last year, mainly to see how they fared in competition. Scott says: “In our first competition in May we came third overall in the UK, and won 1st in Beef Brisket. “We bettered that achievement in June, at the British BBQ society competition in Tongham, Surrey, by coming 2nd overall, and coming 1st in Pork, 1st in dessert, and 2nd in Beef Brisket. “Our finals were held at the Rudgewick steam and country show in August. The winner of the series was to receive a chance to compete in the Jack Daniels World Championships in October in Lynchburg Tennessee. U.S.A. “We missed out by a few points to someone with over 25 years experience at this style of cooking, and were crowned U.K. Reserve Grand Champions. Again winning 1st in Pork, 2nd in Ribs, 2nd in Chicken, 2nd in Ready Steady Q, and 3rd in Dessert. “Following our success we were kindly asked by the winner to assist him in the World Championships in Tennessee. Although the team overall scored poorly we came 12th in the world in Pork and 46th in Chicken.” Scott and Lyndsey have now started a catering company – Miss Piggy’s, specialising in bbq parties and hog roasts. (See their ad on page 20)
Introduction to Emotional Education Course at Atlow Mill Atlow Mill in Derbyshire are holding a one-day ‘Introduction to Emotional Education’ Course on Saturday 5th February. It will start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm. A home-made light lunch is included in the cost of £45 per person. Booking essential. Please phone 01335 370494 or visit www.atlowmill.org for more information. The full address is Atlow Mill Centre, Hognaston, Derby, DE6 1PX.
I took a course in speed waiting. Now I can wait an hour in only ten minutes.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JANUARY 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069
Anstey & District Funeral Service
What’s On At Our Local Pubs & ClubSs Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk NOTICE TO MEMBERS New Members Welcome Fri 21 Jan: GARY DEE Sat 22 Jan: JENNA Sun 23 Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 28 Jan: LINZI HARDY Fri 29 Jan: KARMEL Sun 30 Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 4 Feb: BOB JAMES Sat 5 Feb: FULLY LOADED Sun 6 Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 11 Feb: LEE WAINWRIGHT Sat 12 Feb: SHAUN EB Sun 13 Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ BIG SCREEN SKY SPORTS (See Ad on P.24) The Stamford Arms Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 5616. (SUNDAYS are 3 ~ 6pm) Sat 22 Jan: FIRE & SKILL Sun 23 Jan: HAZARD Sat 29 Jan: WOODVILLE Sun 30 Jan: STEVE RAFFLES Sat 5 Feb: (Private party) Sun 6 Feb: ACEMEN Sat 12 Feb: STONEPARK (Valentine Special) Sun 13 Feb: WELLAND VALLEY STOMPERS KARAOKE ~ Every Wed OPEN MIC ~Every Thurs QUIZ – General Knowledge + Find the Joker ~ EVERY Sun QUIZ – Music ~ EVERY Tues
The Nag’s Head Station Road, Glenfield T: 0116 287 2794 Every THURS 9pm – QUIZ (General Knowledge) Free toEnter. Win Beer. SKY SPORTS (See AD on P.15) The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Various Tributes Fortnightly £2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 28 Jan: ABBA Quiz Nite: Every 2nd Tues Old Thatched Inn Stanton - under - Bardon T:01530 242 460 Wed 26 Jan: BURNS Night Fri 28 Jan: DREAM Trio (Local Talent) Every WED: - QUIZ Night 8.30pm.Cash prizes 50p per Entry. Pool Table.
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Independent Family-Run Funeral Directors
We take care of every detail, advise and help you every step of the way. • •
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Traditional hearse & fleet Horse drawn carriages, motorcycle hearse & alternatives available Memorial showroom Extensive car parking Private catering suite Private chapels of rest Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred
0116 234 0548 Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7AT
www.ansteyfunerals.com
The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 29 Jan & 12 Feb (’King of the Road’) Bagworth WMC Station Road, Bagworth T: 01530 230 205 Fri 4 Feb: DANCE – 8pm £2.50 (All profits to ‘Help for Heroes’)
Whats on in The Studio at CURVE? • ‘Gandi & Coconuts’ Tues 22 – Sat 26 Mar £8.50 - £16.50 • ‘Time for the Good Looking Boy’ Wed 30 Mar – Sat 2 April £8 - £12 • ‘Schrodinger’ Wed 11 – Sat 14 May £8.50 - £16.50 For more information, visit: www.curveonline.co.uk Ticket Office - tel: 0116 242 3595
I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face.