January 2014 herald magazine

Happy New Year!

Andrex Snow Women Gatecrash the Thornton WI Christmas Party!

We in Thornton WI have been “Walking in the Air” recently, with the aid of a few toilet rolls and a great deal of technical skill!

I honestly can’t say who these WI members are, so they remain incognito!

Their photo’s were taken

by Marina Briers at our Christmas Party in December, but we hope that they are not a portent of weather to come in January! We wish you a very happy New Year from all our members.

Muriel Walker

Stanton Carol Singing raised over £250 for LOROS THANK YOU to all the residents of Stanton under Bardon who supported the Carol Singers on Monday evening 16th December 2013, when they were singing and collecting for LOROS Hospice in Leicester.

We raised a grand total of £269.58 for the cause. Thank you to all those who joined us - about 35 people altogether - some coming and going throughout the evening.

Wishing you the Very Best for the Festive Season and Best Wishes for 2014.

Gail Massey

JANUARY 2014

Local Slimming World Consultants get taken out

by Paddy McGuinness!

It definitely wasn’t a case of ‘no likey, no lighty’ when a group of Slimming World Consultants met comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness at an annual awards ceremony.

The team, who run weekly Slimming World groups in Groby & Markfield, were delighted to get a chance to cuddle up to Paddy when he co-hosted the Slimming World Awards with the organisation’s chair and founder Margaret MilesBramwell OBE. Bolton-born Paddy, who shot to fame in Channel 4 comedy Phoenix Nights alongside school friend Peter Kay before becoming a popular stand-up comedian and TV presenter on shows including ITV1’s Take Me Out, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

He added: “I have to admit the most I knew Slimming World Consultants meet comedian about Slimming World and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness: Michelle before the awards was Johnson, Estelle Burton, Hazel Hickson. a gag in Peter’s routine that refers to Slimming World as being a £1 cheaper than its competitors!

“Jokes aside, I was genuinely amazed to hear about what a difference Slimming World makes to people’s lives. At the ceremony I met lots of people who’d lost incredible amounts of weight and it had totally changed CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 ...>

Too much Christmas pud?

If you need to shed a couple of pounds that you have acquired over Christmas, what better way to do it than in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere.

Come along to the Social Dance at Bagworth Working Men’s Club on Saturday 18th January at 8pm. It will cost a couple of pounds to get in, and tickets can be bought on the door.

As well as a mixture of dances, there will also be a bingo session and a raffle. Dance to Ken’s Music and don’t be afraid to ask for requests.

Everyone who attends these dances enjoys the occasion. Put the date in your diary so that you don’t miss it!

Ken Hill

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Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group

It’s panto time - and some tickets are still available!

We’re almost ready..... oh yes we are!

As I write, just a couple of weeks remain before we really gear into action at MTTG for our Pantomime! “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”, written and directed by Muriel Walker, will be stage from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th January at Thornton Community Centre at 7.30 p.m., with a Saturday Matinee at 3.00 p.m. on 18th January. We have, happily for us, sold out the Friday and Saturday performances BUT THERE ARE STILL TICKETS FOR THE MONDAY TO THURSDAY PERFORMANCES. I have been asked many times why our Group can’t fit in another weekend of performances as we have had to disappoint many people who would like to bring young children to see us. We regret that this just isn’t possible for a variety of reasons – the availability of the Centre and the work commitments of some members of cast being just two of them. However, it’s perhaps worth ringing to put your name on our waiting lists, just in case any tickets become available at the last minute.

IF you haven’t yet booked tickets and are free in the earlier part of Pantomime week, then I do urge you to come and see us. This pantomime promises to be lively and entertaining, with music to suit all tastes and lots of humour to make you laugh. We have a chorus of little dancers who recently won the Gold Medal for the Song & Dance Junior Troupe in the prestigious Birmingham Stage Dance Festival, and we have a Pied Piper who actually plays the pipe!

The story of Hamelin’s Piper, is a legend which has its roots in the 14th Century and concerns the disappearance of the town’s children. Maybe they fell victims to plague, or maybe they were lured away in the ill-fated Children’s Crusade. A less dramatic theory is that they simply left with their families to colonise the area now known as Transylvania! In the 16th Century, the legend of the Pied Piper materialised and found its way into the story books.

You may be familiar with the Grimm version, or with that of Robert Browning. Our version is- well, shall we saydifferent – with the addition of characters it has been a pleasure to invent!

Please try to come to see us – we promise you that the visit will be worthwhile! Last year we won the Pantomime Alliance Trophy for the Pantomime of the Year, and we hope that we are maintaining that standard. MTTG is an amazing team of individuals who value each other’s contributions and who work well together towards a common aim. This year, we have the biggest cast we’ve ever had for a Pantomime, which brings its own challenges on a small stage. (Especially when the writer asks for a king-sized bed!) We have laughed our way through rehearsals ands hope that our happiness spreads through our audiences.

Tickets (£5 & £4 Concessions) can either be obtained from “Norm’s”, Thornton’s Corner Store on the corner of Church Lane, or on 01455 822148.

If you haven’t been to one of our productions, then speak to someone who has and I’m sure that they will convince you to come!

It’s a great mystery to us why we have people regularly coming across the county to see us, yet not so many from our local villages! WE ARE YOUR LOCAL DRAMA GROUP – so please support us! We will make you very welcome.

Muriel Walker

Markfield Library Book & DVD Sale!

Head over to Markfield library and bag yourself a bargain!

Our sale includes both adult and children’s stock and will be held from Saturday 8th February – Friday 28th February. Stock up your book shelves with popular authors and recent best sellers and check out our ex-rental DVDs and talking books too.

All items are very reasonably priced - don’t miss our bargain book sale!

For more information call the library on: 0116 3053642.

I was going to quit all my bad habits for the new year, but then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter.

Three reasons to be cheerful ...

Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald on the Main St and three to the rear of the old store.

The redevelopment of the store has caused some disruption on the Main Street as many of the construction workers on the site have used the lax parking enforcement in the village to their advantage leaving little space for shoppers. The site manager has worked to try and alleviate the problem but I would particularly like to thank the owners of the Fusion restaurant who have allowed workers on the site to use their car park during the day, helping to minimise any disruption.

The new store will be around a third bigger with an enhanced range of goods and services available. Importantly when the new car park is ready we will have much better access for people and I hope less problem parking on the street.

Also during the next year we will see the hopeful completion of a new community centre in Stanton. This has been a long term aspiration of many in the village and various local people have been involved in the project over time.

I write this having just returned to work following a nice break over the Christmas period.

My immediate thoughts are where did the time go? One minute I was looking forward to two weeks off work and the next I am back at work making my regular commute to London on what is apparently known as blue Monday. Supposedly it is the most miserable day of the year as many workers return to work following a holiday break.

This got me thinking about the year ahead and three things that will be in store for Markfield, Stanton and Field Head.

An immediate positive will be the opening of the new Coop store in Markfield. Work has been progressing nicely behind the metal gates and I am informed that we can expect an opening around the 21st January. This will only be the first phase of this redevelopment and once the new store is open work will proceed on the next three stages. These stages will see the knocking down of the original store, creation of the car park and the building of the 6 new houses, three

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It has taken on many guises with a number of options considered, however the major issue has always been how the funding could be secured at around a £ ¼ million minimum. The community needs and deserves a first class facility like the one that will be provided in the middle of the village and in reality using the housing development on the allotment site was the only way it could be delivered and paid for.

My regret as I have stated on many occasions, was how the village was let down by the government’s planning inspectorate after being pro-active in identifying a preferred site for housing development to take place and ignoring this to allow the David Wilson appeal. We still do not know the outcome of the latest planning appeal but I just hope common sense and decency prevails.

Finally 2014 will see the 100th year remembrance of the beginning of the First World War. This dreadful conflict saw the loss of many lives including those in the midst of our community. I have written before about how different communities set about remembering those who lost their lives during the conflict. In Markfield the decision was taken to remember the dead by creating a community hall in partnership with the Miners welfare organisation of the day. This became the Institute and was a venue for the enjoyment and participation of residents for many years to follow. More recently the Institute, which needed huge additional investment closed and was sold for redevelopment. This created a potential opportunity to consider a more formal memorial in the village and has led to considerable debate. Leading this debate was the local history society who conducted research into the war dead and secured initial funding to create a new public memorial. The issue has not been without controversy

not least on the positioning of a new memorial, but I am pleased to report that consensus has been reached with various parties and it will be placed outside the boundary wall of the Parish Church facing the top Green. The siting of the memorial in this position will allow a members of the public to congregate at the appropriate time to remember our war dead and to lay wreaths. This would be an open event to all in our community to participate in and share with communities up and down the country. More discussion is required to work out the details of this but I hope we can make such an event a big success and a fitting tribute, not just this year but in years to come.

Funding is still being sought but it is nice to note that some will come from the last remaining monies from the Institute - a fitting end to the grand role played over many years by the building.

So there you have it, on the day which is supposedly the most miserable of the year to come, things really can only get better.

Wishing everyone all the very best for the coming year.

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There’s no excuse for laziness.. but if you find one, let me know.

An interesting year ahead for members of Markfield WI Markfield WI are now looking forward to a new year with what we think will be an interesting programme of meetings and I am sure there will be some other events along the way.

Our programme is now confirmed and a copy is given below. If any of the meetings appeal to you please come along as a visitor, we’d love to see you and one meeting may encourage you to join us on a regular basis.

We finished the year off with a workshop led by Sarah from Quorn who demonstrated making a table decoration for Christmas using a variety of foliage, flowers, berries and candles. Members then had a go at making their own arrangement and soon the room was filled with chat, laughter and greenery all over the floor. The end results were lovely and a good time was had by all.

November also saw us enjoying what has become our annual Quiz evening at Coalville Rugby Club. A good evening was had by all with a stimulating quiz provided by Pete Johnson and excellent Ploughman’s Supper put together by the committee. Lovely cheese and ham provided

by Clark’s Little Deli in Markfield! Many requests to ‘put us down for next year’ were heard.

December saw us enjoying ‘Murder by Candlelight’ which should have been led by Janet Courtney but unfortunately she was unwell. However a gentleman, who turned out to be Pat, her husband, appeared at the door asking if we were expecting a speaker. We indicated that we were but that it was a lady. ‘Tough’ he said, ‘you’ve got me’!! He was, nevertheless, very good and we had an enjoyable time attempting to solve a murder which had several turns and twists and inaccuracies for us to investigate.

Our first meeting after Christmas is Wed, Jan 15th and the speaker is an image consultant, Linda Lonsdale who is addressing the thorny subject of What to Wear. Our programme is then as follows.

• 19th Feb: Bill Devitt: The Orient Express – Reputation, Renovation and a Ride on the Train • 19th Mar: Matthew Morris: The King under the Car Park • 16th April: Tim Thornton: Antique and Collectible Jewellery • 21st May: WI Resolutions Evening followed by supper • 18th June: Visit to the Century Theatre, Coalville for a guided tour and refreshments • 16th July: Birthday meal venue TBA • 20th Aug: Christine Robinson: Glimpses of Chatsworth • 17th Sept: Maggie Rampley: Camis, Corsets, Swimsuits and Smiles • 15th Oct: AGM • 19th Nov: Mike Kennedy: WW1 • 17th Dec: John Martin: The Life and Works of Agatha Christie Already we have a planned and booked evening at Kilworth House Theatre to see South Pacific and we are contributing to the Methodist Church Flower Festival in June. I am sure there will be other events through the year but they are not quite formulated yet. I am sure that the London Trip will be happening, we just have to find some interesting events to attend.

The Knit and Natter group have also been busy over the past months as we have been knitting a variety of things to sell at the Copt Oak Church Craft Fair which was held in November. The ladies produced a wonderful range of things including many small Christmas tree decorations, cushions, tea cosies, children’s hats, bootees and scarves and much more. The sale itself was a success and we also sold at the Scout’s Christmas Fair and to our own members thus raising a useful amount of money to help pay for speakers in the coming year. Well done everyone.

We shall be looking for a new project for January so if anyone has suggestions for charity knitting let us know. We also enjoyed a lunch out in December where a lot of chatting was done but no knitting! Please note that this group is open to anyone who enjoys knitting or crocheting, not just WI members, and we are happy to teach any beginners who wish to learn to knit or crochet. We meet at the Bull’s Head on Forest Road, Markfield on the first Wednesday in the month, 7 -9pm. You will be made very welcome and there is always much laughter and chat as well has knitting!

For further information on WI or Knit and Natter please contact Fran Johnson 01530 243350 Jane Barrington 01530 243285

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

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

Tuesday 18th February - AGM and supper celebrating our 40th anniversary.

Tuesday 18th March Egyptology’, the architecture and mythology together with exhibits - a talk by Susan Tebby.

Tuesday 15th April ‘Technology of the English Country House’, a talk by Wendy Freer.

Saturday 12th April - THE ‘GREAT OUTDOORS’ - 10am - 4pm at Ratby Sports Ground, Desford Lane, Ratby. LEG OLE. Free parking. A gathering of clubs, groups and local businesses involved in outdoor pursuits and activities. Watch the displays/ demonstrations taking place and perhaps discover a new interest or challenge in life. Visit ratbvvillaoe@ aol.com Two local charities - LOROS and the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Leicester will benefit from monies raised at the event.

“I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then I’m gonna put pins into all the locations that I’ve travelled to.

But first, I’m gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map so that it will not fall off the wall.”

It’s so sad when a magician needs to sneeze, but can’t get his hankie out quick enough because it’s several miles long.

LETTER

Community Safety Consultation HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL are holding a community consultation period to help feed into the new 3-year Community Safety Strategy and supporting priority plans that need to be in place from 1st April 2014. The consultation period is running between 20/12/2013-20/1/2014.

Friends of St Peter’s Christmas Concert report

The survey is already uploaded to complete online on the Hinckley and Bosworth Council website at the following page: https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/onlineform?afname=HByjvKPxUdJ

22 years ago next month the World Wide Web was born ... David Winter reflects on its impact.

The Way I See It: Surfing the Web - 22 years after it first began I suppose all of us, even if reluctantly, are familiar with the strange code ‘www’ - the prelude to a domain name for the internet.

Tap it in, and at once you are somewhere else - a shop, a charity, a government organisation, a vet or a dancing school. I don’t suppose anyone knows how many of those strange ‘www’ names there are, but I think we’d be in the realms of Abraham’s ‘stars in the sky’ or ‘grains of sand on the sea-shore’.

The letters stand, of course, for ‘world wide web’, and February is the 22nd anniversary of its birth, the brain-child of a British computer expert, Tim Berners-Lee. It may seem to have been around forever, but in fact it’s a mere whippersnapper. The next time you fume at the endless advice on the phone to ‘go to our web-site’, think of Mr Berners-Lee and you’ll know who to blame!

In fact, the world wide web is now an inescapable part of life for most people all over the world, and even those who aren’t on the internet are aware how dependent so much of modern life is on its working. Via the keys on an ordinary computer, or even the buttons on a Smart-phone, people can have access to an unlimited source of information, advice and resources.

Increasingly people choose to shop online (or to cheat a bit, see it in the shop, and then go online to buy it at a discount!). It is a source of facts and information, from train times to the names of medieval monarchs.

In one sense we are drowning in a sea of information, all there at our fingertips (literally) but daunting in its volume. “No”, we sometimes feel like screaming, “I don’t want to ‘go to our web-site’, I just want to talk to a human being.”

I used to wonder, as a child, how God could possibly cope with everybody’s prayers - millions of us, presumably, all trying to get through to him at once. How could I think of my little request making its way through this vast traffic jam to the Eternal Ear? Well, ‘www’ offers hope! If Mr Berners-Lee could work out a way to do it, surely it’s not beyond the Creator of the universe?

The Friends of St. Peter’s, Thornton would like to start the year by saying a huge thank you to all the musicians and singers who took part in the FOSP Christmas Concert on Sunday 1st December, and who raised so much money (£550) to be shared between two charities – the Friends in helping to preserve and enhance St. Peter’s church, and also for the work of the Theodora Children’s Trust which provide games, activities and entertainment for children in hospital.

Thornton’s Christmas celebrations were well and truly launched in a ‘full-to-bursting’ St. Peter’s church - 120 adults and 40 children – with a packed festive programme. In the first half, we enjoyed the beautiful music of the Beaufort Wind Quintet (part of the Bardi Orchestra) led

by Christine Taylor. They played selections of spirited polkas, romantic waltzes and much-loved traditional carols for our delight – it really made you want to dance, but in the packed pews we had to be content with tapping our feet and swaying!

After a 30-minute interval when mulled wine, home-made cakes and coffee were enjoyed, ‘Thornton regulars’ Natalie Nightingale, Dan Beniston and Adrian Dobson sang songs from the London shows and Walt Disney films, including Phantom of the Opera, les Miserables, West Side Story, Mulan and a new cartoon version of Aϊda. We hadn’t heard Dan sing before, so it was a wonderful treat to hear him sing “Maria” – absolute magic. And Adrian’s voice was as warm and engaging as ever: his Nessum Dorma was magnificent. As Natalie herself said –“how could anyone follow that?”.

Each half concluded with lovely singing by the Thornton school choir – incredibly professional sounds for such young children. Every song they sang was a joy to listen to. Our most sincere thanks to these talented children and to their teacher Mrs Sue Quinn.

Prizes were then presented to local junior artists Lewis and Jake, winners of the Christmas drawing competition. Jake came first in the “Design a Christmas Stamp” category, and Lewis for his lovely design of a stained glass window with a Christmas theme. Councillor Ozzie O’Shea concluded the afternoon entertainment when he presented thank-you gifts to Natalie, Christine, Sue and the children as a mark of our deep appreciation and gratitude. It is marvellous how so many people come forward to give their time and talent at Christmas–time.

And as Natalie said at the end of the evening “See you all again this time next year!”.

Jo Leadbetter - Friends of St Peter’s

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Included in the programme are some very well known pieces of music; the most popular of these being the Haydn Trumpet concerto in Eb. Rebecca Robertson is to be the guest soloist for this performance.

Rebecca graduated with Honours from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2010 before spending two years at the Conservatoire regionale Rayonneent de Jean Philippe Rameau at Dijon. She has also been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for 4 years. Her guest spot with the Loughborough Orchestra completes a circle of trumpet playing!

Rebecca’s father was one of the first pupils of Trevor Lax, conductor of the Loughborough Orchestra.

The evening also includes the “Prelude to Hänsel and Gretel” by Humperdinck and “Night on a Bald Mountain” by Mussorgsky, arranged by Rimsky – Korsakov. This spooky piece featured in the Disney film “Fantasia”, giving it a much wider audience.

The final orchestral piece is Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, with its memorable melodies. Parts of the Symphony have been used for a variety of different musical uses including film music and advertising for Australian TV, besides inspiring other themes and songs.

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support course coming to Leicester People caring for someone with dementia are being offered the chance to learn more about the condition and how it affects the individual with the return of a series of courses being run by Alzheimer’s Society in Leicester from 23rd January 2014.

‘CRISP’ (Carer Information and Support Programme) aims to help carers understand more about the condition and its symptoms, including the sort of behaviours that people may display which can at times be challenging.

By understanding more about dementia the courses help people to cope better with caring for the individual.

Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Advisor says:‘Relatives of people with dementia often say that it can be really frustrating when someone doesn’t want to change their clothes, have a shower or sleep at night, especially if the person doesn’t accept that there is anything wrong with them.

‘Understanding how the person is trying to make sense of the world, and how they feel about the losses they are experiencing, can help relatives to be more patient and cope better. This, in turn, helps the person with dementia to be more content.

‘The courses will also help people to better understand the changes that occur as dementia progresses and there will be the opportunity for carers to discuss the difficulties they face and what tactics work for them.’

The next four week course starts on January 23rd and will run from 12 til 2.30pm at the Coalville Community Resource Centre (Room 5A), Comet Way, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3FS. The course is free and there is free car parking and refreshments will be provided. For further information or to book a place please call 0116 231 1111 or email leicestershireandrutland@alzheimers.org.uk

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County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason

Food banks: facing the truth that hunger afflicts thousands

It is true that over the last three years both the Trussell Trust who run food banks and Fareshare who collect and distribute food that otherwise would have gone to landfill, have seen a massive increase in people accessing their services.

They see this as an ethical, safe and positive way of ensuring good quality food finds its way to the mouths of those in need rather than remote landfill sites. Fareshare say they play a pivotal role in the waste strategies of suppliers by reducing the expensive business of waste removal whilst helping protect the environment. The evidence is clear as locally during December Fareshare Leicester distributed 47 tonnes of food which equates to 1.1 million meals. So if I hadn’t been reading the papers, I would have assumed it represented everything the coalition Government admire.

As at every food bank, volunteers who are overwhelmingly churchgoers run them and organise charitable donations from the public and food distribution businesses.

The Rt. Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester is quoted as saying: “The gap between rich and poor in the UK is now wider than in most Western countries, the poorest families struggle to cope. Fareshare Leicester offers vulnerable people practical support and hope.”

What could be closer to Edmund Burke’s vision of the best of England that David Cameron says inspired his “big society”? You will remember that in his philippic

against the French revolution, Burke said his contemporaries should reject its dangerously grandiose ambitions, and learn that “to love the little platoons we belong to in society is the first principle (the germ, as it was) of public affections”. Yet when confronted with displays of public affection – not in 1790 but in 2013 – the government turns its big guns on the little platoons.

It would have been easy for the government to say that it was concerned that so many had become so desperate. This was Britain, minsters might have argued, not some sun-beaten African kleptocracy. Regardless of politics, it was a matter of common decency and national pride that Britain should not be a land where hundreds of thousands cannot afford to eat. The government might not have meant every word or indeed any word. But it would have been in its self-interest to emit a few soothing expressions of concern, and offer a few tweaks to an inhumanely inefficient benefits system, if only to allay public concern about the rotten state of the nation.

Iain Duncan Smith the welfare minister refused to face Parliament as the Commons debated food banks on 18 December. He pushed forward his deputy, one Esther McVey, a former “TV personality”.

All she could say was that hunger was Labour’s fault for wrecking the economy. She gave no hint that her government had been in power for three years during which the number attending food banks had risen from 41,000 in 2010 to more than 500,000. Her remedy was for

the coalition to help more people into work. If she had bothered talking to the Trussell Trust, it would have told her that low-paid work is no answer. Its 1,000 or so distribution points serve working families, who have no money left for food once they have paid for housing and fuel bills.

But then no one in power wants to talk to the trust. The trusts director Chris Mould wrote to the Minister asking if they could discuss cheap ways of reducing hunger. In other words, a Christian charity, which was turning the “big society” from waffle into a practical reality, was making a civil request. The minister response was negative reported as saying that the charity’s claims to be “non-partisan” were a sham, he said. The Trussell Trust was filled with “scaremongering” media whores, desperate to keep their names in the papers.

Ministers will not confess to making a mistake for fear of damaging their careers. But it is not only their reputations but an entire world view that is at stake.

They cannot admit that a real fear of hunger afflicts hundreds of thousands. Hence, Lord Freud, the government’s adviser on welfare reform, had to explain away food banks by saying: “There is an almost infinite demand for a free good.”

My work as a volunteer shows me that our leaders’ ignorance has become what could be viewed as a deliberate refusal to face a social crisis. Of course, all volunteers help working families and students as well as the unemployed and pensioners. Everyone apart from ministers knows about in-work poverty.

David Sprason As preposterous is the Governments notion that the services are filled with freeloaders.

Service users get nothing unless a charity or public agency has assessed your need and given you a voucher. The evidence is clear and we are all fully aware that without food our health fails and we become sick. The organisations are at pains to make sure that those in food poverty – for hundreds of thousands of families in food poverty is what Britain now has – receive a balanced diet.

Most of all, it is the volunteers who were a living reproof to a coalition that can cannot correct its errors. They not only distribute food but collect it. They stand outside supermarkets all day asking strangers to buy the tinned food they need or hand out leaflets in the streets or plead with businesses to help. I know that volunteers manning the food banks say to me it is because hunger in modern Britain was a sign of a country that is perceived as falling apart. All I can say as one the many Fareshare volunteers is that I am gobsmacked that people are going hungry. I’m ashamed.

The coalition can call such attitudes political if it wants – in the broadest sense they are. But they are also patriotic, neighbourly, charitable and kind. They come from people who represent a Britain the politicians once claimed a kinship with, and now cannot bring its self to talk to. www.fareshare.org.uk

Transform a teenager’s life this new year A new call is being made to find foster carers who can transform the lives of teenagers in care.

Leicestershire County Council wants to find an extra 40 foster carers and is particularly keen to recruit 10 who can offer loving and stable homes to 13-19-yearolds.

There are nine teenagers in care currently looking for new families where they can feel safe and be supported to become independent

adults.

They include 17-year-old Mat. He has faced enormous challenges, enjoys cooking and with guidance, is hoping he could pursue this as a career.

Hayley, who is 15, will be sitting her GCSEs next year and wants to be able to study and relax, knowing that she is safe and cared for.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Fostering a teenager can be

challenging but your time and patience will help them to flourish and is an extremely rewarding experience.

“If you can set clear boundaries and have a spare bedroom, you could help to turn around a teenager’s life around.

“We will provide you with training and support to enable you to make a real difference to the lives of young people - if you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d encourage you to get in touch and find out more.”

Fostering can involve caring for a teenager for a few days, offering respite to mums and dads or providing a longer term home - specialist training and support will be offered. It takes between four and six months for new foster carers to be approved.

Anyone can be considered for fostering, whatever their circumstances - whether they are retired, married or single, gay or straight - to find out more, please visit www.spaceforachild.com or call 0116 305 0505.

My favorite exercise is a combination of a lunge and a crunch. It’s called lunch.

10

Want to live longer? Eat nuts.

This sounds unlikely, but is true: eating an ounce of nuts each day may reduce your risk of dying from a variety of illnesses, ranging from heart disease to cancer.

People who eat nuts tend also to be slimmer, are less likely to smoke, and are more likely to have healthy habits such as exercising, taking vitamin supplements and eating fruit and vegetables.

The research was based on a study of nearly 120,000 men and women in the USA. It found that as little as a handful of nuts a day are linked to a 20 per cent lower likelihood of dying from any cause in the following three decades.

Nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, high-quality protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Researchers were not able to determine which types of nuts are the healthiest, but that peanuts, which are in fact a type of bean, have a similar effect on health as the walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans and pistachios.

Council clears over Fun but 170 tonnes of leaves healthy A REMARKABLE 174 tonnes of autumn leaves have been removed from Hinckley & Bosworth’s roads and footpaths since October by the Borough Council’s mechanical sweeping team.

This statistic, which is the equivalent in weight to 35 fully grown elephants, is even more remarkable considering the council has only two full time mechanical sweepers in operation.

The council’s Clean Neighbourhoods Officer, Luke Clements, said: “The removal of leaves is a priority at this time of year to help prevent the risk of drain blockage. There is also a health and safety concern as wet and compacted leaves can be a skid or slip hazard to vehicles and pedestrians respectively.

“In addition, if the leaves remained on the ground, it would lead to a build-up of detritus at the kerbside, reducing the effectiveness of the kerb.”

Deputy Council Leader David Bill added: “Keeping the streets clean is one of the top priorities for any council and I have long thought that our team does this superbly. Their work is much appreciated.”

In the new year the mechanical sweepers will revert to their standard cycle where they aim to sweep every kerbside in the borough over a 12 week period.

way to start 2014!

THOSE looking for a fun way to make a healthy start to 2014 in The Blaby District could try a new sport that is quickly growing in popularity.

In its 5th Birthday Year, the Enderby Dodgeball Club are on the look out for both new male and female players for 2014.

The Enderby Dodgeball session will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30pm to 10.30pm at the Enderby Leisure Centre on Mill Lane.

Sessions are for those aged 15 and above the club age range is 15-40 plus. New members do not require any experience as all rules are taught on the night. All new members receive a welcome pack on their first session.

Further information is available from Simon Moody on (07743) 098544 or by email at: enderbydodgeball@googlemail. com and website www. enderbydodgeball.co.uk

I can do a fairly good impression of someone who cares about your problem.

11

Watson's Electrical All Domestic Work undertaken From a Fuse to Full Rewire

Contact Rob on 01530 231770 / 07896 532975

rob@rewireme.co.uk www.rewireme.co.uk

Words on the Street

Authors @ Leicestershire Libraries An exciting NEW programme of author events is being launched this spring in libraries across Leicestershire.

Be inspired by bestselling authors and catch debut authors at the start of their careers, meet like-minded people, enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine and buy your own personal copies of books for signing on the night.

Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment!

• Alison Moore introduces Kieran Devaney: Saturday 1 February, 6pm Oadby Library • Alison Weir: Friday 7 February, 7pm Oadby Library • Graeme Simsion: Saturday 8 February, 7pm Loughborough Library • Gervase Phinn Wednesday 12 February, 7pm Melton Library Wednesday 12 March, 7.30pm Hinckley Library • Lesley Pearse: Thursday 20 February, 7.30pm Loughborough Library • Alison Moore: Friday 28 February, 6pm Wigston Library • Leanda De Lisle: Saturday 1 March, 2pm Blaby Library • Lindsey Davis: Thursday 6 March, 7pm Loughborough Library • Marianne Whiting: Friday 7 March, 6.30pm Oadby Library Saturday 29 March, 2pm Glenfield Library • Stephen Booth Friday 14 March, 12noon Coalville Library Monday 24 March, 7pm Blaby Library • Lynda Page: Saturday 22 March, 2pm Glenfield Library • Christina James: Thursday 27 March, 6.30pm Oadby Library

Richard Farleigh – ex-Dragons’ Den star – appeals for EAST MIDLANDS to learn about fostering I am writing to you on behalf of the 500 children in the East Midlands who urgently need loving fostering homes.

With the country currently experiencing a shortage of 9,000 foster carers, I am encouraging your readers to learn more about fostering now, and give children a loving home.

After a difficult start in life I was fostered as a child. From my own experiences of growing up in foster care I know what difference a foster family can have on a child’s life, from offering love and support to helping them have a future to look forward to. I’ve gone on to have success in the financial sector and now invest in and assist start-up businesses across the world, though your readers may know me from Dragons’ Den. It’s why I’m supporting Action for Children’s Fostering Myth Busting Academy, and the charity’s drive to find loving foster parents for vulnerable children and young people who urgently need stable homes in the East Midlands.

Foster carers play a crucial role in society yet Action for Children found that one in ten people have misconceptions about what fostering is and why children and young people are placed in foster care. It also found that one in three people believe if you live in rented accommodation, are unemployed or are gay you can’t foster - all are untrue. It’s essential we correct these myths and encourage more people from the East Midlands to consider fostering.

I would urge your readers to visit Action for Children’s website at actionforchildren.org.uk to find out more about fostering. For people in the East Midlands this could be an important first step to opening up their home to a vulnerable child or young person in desperate need of help.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Farleigh Honesty is the best policy. Unless you want people to like you.

12

Garden Jottings Warning on with Ted Brown of Markfield

Holly Around Christmas time, when Holly may be in the house as decoration, you may consider planting your own bush, or indeed bushes. They are such good evergreens, adding structure to the winter garden.

All Holly flowers are either male or female, so if you want berries, take care in choosing a female plant.

Plant labels will indicate this, or check with the R.H.S. plant lists (under ILEX) in the plant finder or online.

Libraries should also stock the ‘Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs’ which gives quite extensive descriptions of individual varieties. So, you need a male to pollinate your female. In a built-up area, this is quite likely to happen naturally. A simple solution is to plant the variety ‘J C Vantol’which is mainly female, but always carries a few male flowers. I think this is the only variety to do so. ‘Vantol’ is also not too prickly. Most varieties are very spiny, so take care in positioning, particularly if young children are around. Consider always those varieties with silver - also golden - variegations, sometimes central on leaves, sometimes marginally. If perhaps your beautiful Holly never berries, it is possible to purchase artificial ones, almost indistinguishable from the natural ones!

Border Phlox These are the taller ones, mostly 2 to 3 feet high, but there are other varieties up to 4 or even 5 feet; very colourful and some extremely fragrant.

Being perennial too, they really should be a ‘must’ for all gardens. Varieties are legion, most of the better recent ones have been raised on the continent, particularly Germany and Holland, also France. By choosing varieties carefully, some which

flower early (June), some mid-season (July) and late (August into September), the flowering period is extensive. Presently, the R.H.S. is undertaking a 3year trial of varieties, and results will be published early in 2014. In the meantime, I list some current favourites: • ‘Starfire’ - My own top choice. Red flowers, dark foliage. 3 feet tall. Midseason.

• ‘Lilactime’ - Beautiful lilac blue. Late variety. 4 feet.

• ‘Danielle’ - Pure white. Early. 2½ feet.

• ‘Harlequin’ - Magenta colour with variegated foliage. Mid-season. 2½ feet.

• ‘Miss Pepper’ - Brilliant pink. Very fragrant. Midseason to late. About 4 feet.

There are hundreds of others. Most Border Phlox are listed under phlox paniculata. Check also phlox maculata, where two good ones are ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’. When growing them I had little trouble with disease, but they can suffer with both mildew and eel worm which distorts foliage.

To counter the latter, propagation is best by rootcuttings: 3” to 4” pieces laid flat in a seed tray. Cultivation is easy. Sun or part shade. Taller varieties need staking.

Although the weather has been quite unpleasant, the very earliest snowdrops and hellebores are already here to cheer us, with the bulk to follow later in January into February. Then, the earliest daffodils arrive. Names can be a little confusing. Narcissus ‘February Gold’ will wait until March to bloom. Reverting to hollies, never rely on male or female ones being the same sex as their names suggest. For example, ‘Silver Queen’ and ‘Golden Queen’ are both male, and ‘Silver Milkboy’ is female.

Good New Year wishes to all.

hot ashes

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH residents have been asked not to put hot ashes in their wheelie bins after an incident involving a refuse lorry in Sutton Cheney on Friday 27 December .

Hot ashes that had been put in a bin caused the load on the back of a Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council lorry to catch fire. The crew acted quickly and tipped the load on to the road and the fire service extinguished the fire quickly.

Fortunately, the incident occurred near the start of the round so the lorry was fairly empty. Damage to the vehicle was minimal and the vehicle continued with its round.

Residents have been asked by the council to make sure that ashes are stored in a metal bucket until fully cooled before being transferred into a black wheelie bin. Ideally the ashes should be bagged to prevent the small particles blowing back out of the vehicle as the bin is emptied.

WARNING: The consumption of beer may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

13 Thornton Wi January Meeting.

The Dirty Thirty!

History is all around us but I sometimes wonder whether we are in danger of forgetting our mining heritage.

I was talking to a young friend of recent acquaintance and our conversation revealed that she had no idea that the scenic landscape, ( beyond the railway line), which she so appreciates, once looked very different, and that the green, treed hills are, in fact, slag heaps!

It was an everyday sight, in my childhood, to see groups of weary miners, their faces black with coal dust, walking home along the Black Pad across the fields at the end of their day’s shift in the mines.

(The Black Pad joins the village street by the Malins’ house opposite The Club and traverses the fields to cross the brook at Merrylees). A smoky smell from the slag heaps hung permanently in the air.

Most of us will remember, or have some knowledge of, the miners’ strike of 1984-85 . It came to be called the “Great Strike”, with good reason. It was the largest, longest trade union struggle in Britain, (and the most farreaching in its consequences), since the 1926 General Strike.

For a whole year, some 170,000 miners, plus the women of the mining communities, battled against everything the government and the police threw at them.

So who were “The Dirty Thirty”?

They were the only thirty miners out of two thousand from the Leicestershire coalfield who struck against the pit closure programme.

They joined the year- long strike in spite of their right-wing branch leaders telling miners in the four pits in the county to work normally. They became renowned as “The Dirty Thirty” and travelled the world for the strike fund, making speeches and supporting the other 170,000 strikers in the industrial conflict.

On THURSDAY, 9th January, at the Community Centre at 7.30 p.m., historian David Bell will talk to us about ordinary men who became extraordinary because they had the courage of their convictions.

In reviewing David Bell’s book on the subject, Tony Benn, (who was a Member of Parliament for 50 years and a Cabinet Minister under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan,) wrote: “The story of the 1984-5 miners’ strike will be remembered in Labour history along with the Levellers, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and all those who have fought for workers’ rights. The socalled Dirty Thirty were immensely courageous Leicestershire miners who stood up for their beliefs in solidarity with the NUM against those who were planning to give way.”

In researching the topic, David Bell interviewed surviving miners and the Women’s Support Group to find out why they struck, and why they held out for so long. The story of the Dirty Thirty is one filled with courage, humour and the unbreakable will of those who dared to stand up and be counted!

For those of us who live in what was once a mining village, there can be fewer topics closer to home!

PLEASE FIND TIME TO COME ALONG TO LISTEN TO MR. BELL. We will make you very welcome. There is a visitor’s fee of £3.

Muriel Walker

LETTER Sponsored bike ride in support of Glenfield Hospital Children’s Heart Unit My name is Natalie Boulton and I’m a paramedic that lives in Markfield.

In June 2014 I plan to carry out a 40 mile sponsored cycle ride to raise money for KEEPTHEBEAT, who raise money for the children and families who may be affected by the possible closure of Glenfield Hospital Paediatric Heart Surgery.

I’m riding from Glenfield Hospital to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, which will be the nearest hospital to patients and families if the unit at Glenfield closes.

I have a facebook group (www.facebook.com/ keepthebeatcycleride) and my JustGiving page is www.justgiving. com/Natalie-Boulton.

Natalie

How to improve your creativity Would you like to be able to think more creatively?

Then – get moving. Scientists have discovered that regular exercise such as going for a walk or cycling really does improve creative thought. Now research by Lorenza Colzato, a cognitive psychologist, found that people who exercise four times a week are able to think more creatively than those who exercise less.

Prof Colzato said: “Anecdotal literature suggests that creative people sometimes use bodily movement to help overcome mental blocks and lack of inspiration. We think that physical movement is good for the ability to think flexibly, but only if the body is used to being active. Exercising on a regular basis may thus act as a cognitive enhancer, promoting creativity in inexpensive and healthy ways.”

The results were published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience.

NASA would be a lot more popular if once in a while they’d fight some Klingons.

14 Quality Handmade Ironwork 01530-243804

Made to order to your individual design

www.handmade-ironwork.co.uk

Local Development Scheme Gypsy & Traveller Update

Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

Most residents will recall that we alerted them about the plans the Liberal Democrat Administration at HBBC had to impose yet another 15 gypsy/traveller pitches on Bagworth.

This number is made up by an extra 6 pitches at Costalot, an extra 2 pitches at Station Terrace and an extra 7 (YES, AN EXTRA SEVEN!) at Finney’s old site on Heath Road.

Following a public meeting in Bagworth, when it was revealed that the owner of the Station Terrace site may have purchased additional adjacent land to add even more pitches, we have been hard at work trying to convince the Liberal Democrat Councillors - who have already adopted these proposals as an evidence base - and planning officers to review this alarming decision. We are continuing to strongly challenge it, as we are firmly of the belief that the approach to identifying at least some of these pitches has been fundamentally flawed and not consistent with the position taken and assurances given to residents by the Borough Council’s Chief Executive in 2009.

Planning officers are now requesting information on possible further sites anywhere in the Borough. We hope that common sense will prevail and that the ruling administration will accept there is a need to rethink their plans. We will continue to fight these unfair proposals on behalf of Bagworth residents but we will need your full support. We want to take this opportunity to thank residents who have supported us so far in challenging this unfair assessment.

We will circulate updates when the site allocation documents are due to come out for public consultation; we understand this will be around April time but we will give residents as much notice as we can.

Planning Application For Stable/Cattle Shed Heath Road Bagworth The land at the top of Heath road is subject yet again to another planning application for a huge stable/cattle shed.

This application has previously been refused by both the Borough Council’s planning committee and a planning inspector at appeal. Although Leicestershire County Councils Highways department have withdrawn their objection, planning officers have recommended refusal under their Delegated Powers which we both support.

Neighbourhood Takes Charge initiative in Thornton Further work has been done around the St Peters Drive Estate with refuse skips and refuse trucks arriving before Christmas for residents to dump

The boss just put me in charge of obeying him.

unwanted household items.

The police have also executed drug warrants after receiving complaints from residents. The matter is now in the hands of the CPS if they decide to bring charges residents could have their Council tenancy cancelled if found guilty.

Speeding on Thornton Lane We have been in touch with the police and the County Council’s Highways department after receiving complaints about speeding from residents.

Local residents are in fear of exiting their drives due to the speed of passing traffic. We have requested the police mobile speed cameras monitor this.

Finally ...

Owing to technical difficulties, We were unable to send in our report to the Herald prior to Christmas so we would like to take this opportunity to say we hope all residents had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Chris & Ozzy Working for you.

15

Queen’s Head Bungee Day raises over £1,500 for Cancer Charity

Are you an

Ultimate Dealer?

IWC Media are are producing a new series called ‘Ultimate Dealers’ for channel 4. They will be filming the show in the first few months of 2014.

The Queens Head Markfield held a BUNGEE Day on Our logo – an overview Friday 1st November for Macmillan Cancer Support raising a grand total of £1524.33.

It’s so much more Macmillan Cancer Support – Brand identity guidelines – October 2011

than just our name in

Headlinefund font, The pub played host toMacmillan a major raising event for Macmillan Cancer it’s a statement about who we are and what we stand Support Charity Leicester. for. It’s everything we are; simple, straightforward Known as “Bungee” this sport and honest. involves leaping from a high platform tied to elastic ropes. The “intrepid” jumpers are a brave crowd who have achieved sponsorship for the charity hoping to add to their coffers on this important fund raising day.

Jan Pelley, the landlady at the Queens Head at Markfield for the past fifteen years, said,”These are local people from Markfield and the surrounding area and they are my regulars at the Queens Head and I’m very proud of them”.

A full barbecue started proceedings together with a raffle again sponsored locally prizes include: a Horse Riding Lesson, T Shirt, Ferrero Rocher, £10.00 voucher, Chocolate Pizza, Case of Beer, Cut n Blow Dry, Bottle of Wine, Teddy Bear, £20.00 voucher, Thorntons Chocolate collection, £25.00 Firework voucher, £30.00 bet with the local bookies, Garden Clock and a series of other prizes.

The Jumpers were: Steve Goodman Sian Lissaman Robin Hewitt Anthony Shelton Joe Ramsey and Chrissie Harty.

Our Sponsors are: The Field Head Hotel, The Copt Oak Inn, Ma’s Kitchen, Markfield Equestrian Centre, Brewsters Cafe, Londis, The Markfield Inn, JMC, Town and Country, Jan Pelley (Landlady Queens Head Markfield), Mr Dave Illingsworth, MrMick Poli, Mr Mark Beddar and Lisa.

When you use our logo, you’re showing that you’re a part of the team.

The team includes everyone from specialists (eg nurses, doctors, benefits advisors), to anyone supporting people living with cancer (eg fundraisers, volunteers, campaigners, corporate partners). The team is not at Macmillan, or part of Macmillan, it is Macmillan.

This is who we are.

It is what makes us special.

7

In each episode of the programme we will follow pairs of competing second hand goods dealers over the course of a week as they buy items from general auctions and sell them on through a variety of means. The items can be literally anything from washing machines to phones; golf clubs to LP’s – whatever takes their fancy in the sale within their £500 budget. The challenge is simply to make more profit than the competing dealer.

Currently they are searching for dealers to take part in the show.

Do you think you’re an Ultimate Dealer that could give others a run for their money. Could you buy at auction and sell at a profit?

If so they’d like to hear from you.

You don’t necessarily need to be a full time professional trader, but they should have some serious experience in the used goods market and be passionate and enthusiastic about buying and selling. You also don’t have to be antique specialists as they are looking at people who trade in a wide variety of items and you definitely don’t have to have done TV before.

If you’re interested in finding out more, email ultimatedealers@iwcmedia. co.uk or call on 0141 353 8406 and ask to speak to one of the Ultimate Dealers Team. Dealers will be chosen solely at the discretion of IWC media and any dealer featuring in the programme will be paid an appearance fee.

Download it from: be.macmillan.org.uk/logo

Paul Gowers

All mothers have intuition. Great mothers have radar.

16

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

See advert on page 21. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 11th Jan: Rock Band Sat 18th Jan: Rock Covers Band Sat 1st Feb: Mojo Hand Band Sat 8th Feb: Mighty Gyrators Band Sky Sports In Both Rooms, Bingo Every Tuesday Evening, Bar Snacks Mon Wed Fri, No Membership Required. www.facebook.com/ thethorntonclub The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

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

SOCIAL DANCE on Saturday 18th January.

Kiddies Playtime Every Saturday between 12 noon and 1.30pm. FREE! Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month - and RAFFLE - with excellent prizes.

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

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

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

Fri 31st Jan 2014: Comedy Night Thursday 6th Feb: Ladies Shopping Event

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

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc.

POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Next two are on Saturday 18th January and Saturday 1st February with ‘King of the Road’.

See advert on page 19.

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Sat 11th Jan: Chris Robin - Quality Male Solo Sun 12th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 17th Jan: Vinnie Deane -Quality Male Guitarist And Singer Sat 18th Jan: Angelz - Very Good Female Vocalists Sun 19th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 24th Jan: Tyler Jon Excellent Male Vocalist Sat 25th Jan: Voodoo Katz - Quality 3 piece Band Sun 26th Jan: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 31st Jan: Craig Mcgann - Very Good Male Vocalist Sat 1st Feb: Shaun E.b Brilliant One Man Tribute To UB40 Sun 2nd Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 7th Feb: T.b.a.

Sat 8th Feb: Electrax Excellent Male Duo Sun 9th Feb: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

Trading Standards

Warning about “copycat” websites for renewing official documents

Trading Standards officers are warning consumers not to fall victim to “copycat” websites when renewing their passports, driving licences or European health insurance cards.

Leicestershire County Council is issuing advice after receiving more than 180 complaints in the last year from residents who feel they have been ‘fooled’ into paying for free services.

Fees can range from £20 for a European health insurance Card, which is actually free from the NHS, to £90 to update an address on a driving licence, which is also free from the DVLA. Most people will use search engines when they want to update their passports, driving licences or European health insurance cards and many understandably assume that the first few sites that appear in the results are the sites they need to use.

They then click onto these and soon find themselves paying for a service which is available free - or isn’t even available online.

Pam Posnett, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “ People can easily be ‘fooled’ as these web sites work by charging a fee for forwarding consumers’ details onto the correct authority, or for ‘processing’ the application by posting you the information for you to apply directly.”

David Bull, Head of the County Council’s Trading Standards Service, added: “It is very easy to end up on one of these third party websites.

“If you read the website details they do tell you that they are not the official site and they are charging for a service which is available free elsewhere.

However, we are receiving regular complaints from residents who feel they have been mislead by these websites.

“If you need to apply or update your details for any of these documents,you should do so via www.gov.uk which will direct you to the correct websites.”

For more advice from Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/scams_info

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

Twitter is the only place where you’re thrilled when a complete stranger starts following you.

17

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area Carol Concert with Marwood Brass Band, 21st December Our Saturday evening Carol Concert was well attended and everyone enjoyed the traditional Christmas story with familiar Bible readings and carols, accompanied by the band.

We were pleased this year to discover that the original founder of the Marwood Brass Band was at the concert and he was given a warm welcome. Our surprise guest, Father Christmas, called in to visit with his little helper, Daniel, and handed out sweets from his Christmas sack then mince pies, tea and coffee followed. The offering that was taken during the service raised £105, half of which went to the Hinckley Homeless Project and the other half to support Marwood Band.

Christmas Family Service and Children’s presentation, 22nd December It is always a pleasure at Christmas to watch the children and young people of our Sunday Club bring their performances to this Family Service and this year was no exception.

The younger children presented a Nativity and the older ones a topical and thought provoking short play about questions of faith, skilfully written by one of our church members. The “Cross Hills Puppeteers” had been practising again and were in their usual top form singing a joyful and jazzy version of “Gloria”. Our thanks go

to Ruth Holmes, one of our Sunday Club leaders, and her helpers for their hard work in yet again producing such a colourful and excellent performance.

The children of the Sunday Club were as usual presented with their annual Christmas prizes of Christian books and Bible stories.

Donations to Hinckley Homeless Project and Charity Christmas Card A special collection was taken during our Christmas Day service, which raised £87.50, and this was put together with the £52.50 from the Carol Service.

We are pleased to be able to continue to support the Hinckley Homeless Project at Lawrence House with their work with homeless young people and families in the area and a total of £140 was taken to them this year.

Also, some of our church family again decided to donate to a

charity Christmas card instead of writing individual cards. This raised £25 which has been sent to the one of the suggested charities, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).

The Cross Hills Church family would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2014.

We look forward to welcoming you to our services during 2014.

The Church Service Information section in this magazine shows the times of our services.

Contact Numbers Pastor - Garry Kelly: 07816 616189 Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 01455 457802 or 07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Glynis Straw Treasurer – on behalf of the Cross Hills church family

If procrastination was an Olympic sport, I’d compete in it later.

18 HAMLIN’S PLUMBING SERVICES All Types of Plumbing Work Undertaken

The difference between men and women ...

Because he is a man, when he locks his keys in the car he will fiddle with a wire long after hypothermia has set in.

No job too small Call Mick on 01530 245155 or 07813 065538 Qualified Local Plumber with Years of Experience

Could YOU be a presenter?

BT Sport Search For A New Young FA Cup Presenter BT Sport has launched a search for youth sports TV presenting talent, unveiling its BT Sport Young FA Cup Presenter of the Year competition.

Live now on btsport.com, the competition will present the winner with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being part of BT Sport’s live FA Cup Final TV coverage on May 17. On FA Cup Final day from London’s Wembley stadium, the winner will film a segment for BT Sport’s broadcast of that match alongside BT Sport’s lead football anchor Jake Humphrey. He or she will also get to bring their family or friends to the big occasion and watch the match courtesy of BT Sport. Runners-up prizes include FA Cup semi-final tickets and football shirts signed by the BT Sport presenting team.

To enter, contestants - open to UK residents aged 13 to 16 years old - simply need to shoot and record an original, one minute, single-camera-shot of themselves presenting a news report around the 2013/14 FA Cup. Entries can be shot using a smartphone or professional camera but cannot include additional footage, interviews, music or graphics and should feature only the individual entering the competition.

Contestants then simply need to upload the video to their a YouTube or Vimeo account and send the URL to BT Sport as part of the entry form submission on the BT Sport website.

Humphrey, who will help identify the winner as a judge, said: “BT Sport is thoroughly enjoying covering the FA Cup, the world’s oldest and greatest domestic football competition. We want to celebrate the tournament by unearthing future talent and great stories, by giving youth an opportunity to join in with BT Sport. This could be a great moment for one lucky girl or boy - I cannot wait to view the entries and present with that winner on FA Cup Final day.”

Grant Best, BT Sport’s senior executive channel producer, who will judge entries alongside Jake and the BT Sport team, added: “Watch the FA Cup with us on BT Sport and send us your entry based on the stories and dramas that this year’s FA Cup competition will present. We’re looking for bright, engaging and captivating young talent as we celebrate the magic of the FA Cup this season. Pay close attention to all of the terms and conditions on the btsport.com website to make sure you are available on certain dates. You will also need your parent or guardian’s permission to enter, and, you might need a Child Performance Licence from your local council to take up the prize, so do plenty of research!”

Entries remain open until midnight on 17 February, after which a final four shortlist will be drawn up and those shortlisted contacted on 20 February before 5pm. The final four will then attend a special judging morning at BT Sport’s state-of-the-art studios at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 3 April, where they will receive top tips on TV presenting from Jake and the BT Sport team, before recording a non-live, short piece to camera on the BT Sport TV set. The competition is open to UK residents aged 13 to 16 years old who have parental/guardian permission to enter, with full terms and conditions available at btsport.com/youngpresenter.

Because he is a man, when the car isn’t running very well, he will pop the bonnet and stare at the engine as if he knows what he is looking at. If another man shows up, one of them will say to the other, “I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Because he is a man, when he catches a cold, he needs someone to bring him soup and take care of him while he lies in bed and moans. Because she is a woman, she never gets as sick as he does, so for her, colds are not a problem.

Because he is a man, he can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the shop, like milk or bread. He cannot be expected to find exotic items like ‘cumin’ or ‘tofu’. For all he knows, these are the same thing.

Because he is a man, when one of the appliances stops working, he will insist on taking it apart, even though he’ll have to pay a repair person to put it back together.

Because he is a man, he must hold the television remote control in his hand while he watches TV. If the thing has been misplaced, he may miss a whole show looking for it (though one time he was able to survive by holding a calculator).

Because he is a man, he does not think you are both that lost, and no, he does not think you should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger? How on earth could he know where you are going?

Because he is a man, whatever you get your mother for Mothering Sunday is okay; he does not need to see it. And don’t forget to pick up something for his mother, too.

Because he is a man, you don’t have to ask him if he liked the movie. Chances are, if you’re crying at the end of it, he didn’t.

Because he is a man, he thinks what you’re wearing is fine. He thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine.

With the belt or without it - looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can’t you just come out with him now?

Never ask for directions from a starfish.

19 Apply by 15th January

School place closing date looming

Parents with young children are encouraged to make a new year’s resolution to apply on time for a school place.

Leicestershire County Council is reminding people that if their child is four before 1st September 2014, they need to apply for infant or primary places by 15th January.

Parents of youngsters moving from infant to junior school also need to send in their choices by the same date.

Starting school is not automatic and all parents need to apply. The transfer process is the same for a local authority school or a recently-converted academy.

Late applicants will have the lowest priority and may not be offered a place at any of their preferred schools, or even their catchment area school.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for the children and young people’s service, said: “It is very important that all parents apply on time to give their children the best possible chance of being offered a place at their preferred school.

“If parents are late and there are a lot of requests, even if they live next door to the school, they are unlikely to get a place for their child.

“Applying online is easy, cost-effective and secure and by reducing stationery and postage costs, it also saves the council money.”

Online applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt and be able to view the decision on 16th April, 2014. Parents can also apply by post if they wish.

To find out more, go to: www.leics.gov.uk/admissions or e-mail admissions@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 6684.

How long do you have to work at KFC before they make you a colonel?

20 Memories calendar with advice for older and vulnerable people A free calendar combining vintage photographs and health messages for older and vulnerable people is now available.

Leicestershire Memories” features lots of useful well-being advice as well as home safety tips, including important contacts and details of trustworthy organisations which offer help and support, such as police and trading standards officers.

The calendar has been produced by the Home Safety Action Group, which is supported by several organisations, including Leicestershire County Council.

Dave Houseman, the county council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, said: Each month features messages with timely reminders, such as checking smoke alarms, and we urge people to pick up a copy. Also if you know anyone who is an older and vulnerable person, take one for them and show that you care.”

The calendar also features a fascinating selection of old photographs and memorabilia of Leicestershire people, including wedding images and 1950s adverts.

The calendars are available at all Leicestershire libraries or from County Hall until stocks last. They have also been delivered to all ICare meals-on-wheels customers, including people who attend lunch clubs.

The FRIENDS OF ST.PETER’S Charity ‘Friends of St. Peter’s’ is a charity which was setup in 1995 to help with the expenses involved in maintaining, improving and beautifying Thornton’s lovely medieval village church of St. Peter which is a ‘Grade 1 Listed building’.

You’re perhaps now thinking ‘It’s a charity, they’re after some money ... but what if I said you could receive more from the charity than you give in subscriptions ... interested ?..... please read on.

Here are some questions you might want to ask: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Relationships are hard. It’s like a full time job, and we should treat it like one.

If your boyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave you, they should give you two weeks’ notice.

There should be severance pay, and before they leave you, they should have to find you a temp.

Good deed of the day becomes a thing of the past When did you last do someone a good turn?

Probably not today – or yesterday, or the day before that.... it seems that nine in 10 of us admit that we regularly go through a day without performing an act of kindness towards anyone.

In fact, almost a quarter of the population admit they could not even remember the last time they went out of their way to help someone. A third of us say that we never even consider helping an older person.

The survey, by the charity Friends of the Elderly, aims to persuade people to perform acts of kindness that they might never have considered before, for older people in particular.

7.

What does the charity do ?......the charity raises funds by putting on events mainly in Thornton and then the trustees decide which projects are considered to be of the highest priority.

What has it achieved so far ?......the charity has helped with the cost of repairs to the church’s leaking roof, the cost of repairs to the church’s heating, the provision of cushions for all the pews, 50 new hymn books were provided (plus 10 donated by a parishioner who is also a ‘Friends of St. Peter’s’ member), a de-humidifier was provided to counter the damp in the church, the charity provided the funds for the whole project of laying-on a water supply to the church enabling a toilet and kitchen facility to be installed, a hand-rail has been installed the whole length of the church path from the dovecote to the church door, and last but not least, a brand new heating system has been installed in St. Peter’s.

What does it hope to achieve in the future ?.....the charity’s next major project is to help with the cost of the plastering and decorating in St. Peter’s, the feasibility of providing wheel-chair access and assistance with the cost of repairs to the church organ.

Who runs the charity ?....the charity is run by a group of volunteer trustees (at present 12) who are elected at the AGM. What does it cost to join ?…..for an individual membership the annual cost is £2.50, family membership (2 people) £5.00. These subscriptions have never increased.

What do I get in return ?.....as a member of the ‘Friends of St. Peter’s’ you would be entitled to a complimentary rate of admission – or other perk – at all our fund-raising events, by showing your membership card. This typically would be £1 off an admission charge or receiving a complimentary drink. So you see, it wouldn’t take long to get your subscription back, with interest. For example…if you had attended all the ‘Friends’ events of 2013 you would have received discounted admission and complimentary drinks to the value of £5.00; this is twice the cost of membership. You’ll also get the satisfaction that your £2.50 subscription is really doing some good…..nowadays £2.50 doesn’t buy much.

Who do I contact to register?....our secretary is Kathryn Shaw - tel: 01530-230372 or e-mail: kathryn.shaw136@btinternet.com Kathryn lives at 285, Main St. Thornton

Peter Shaw

Leicestershire County Council

Green Plaque Awards Scheme Leicestershire has a wealth of fascinating history and we are keen to celebrate some of the important people and places linked to the county.

That’s why we’re introducing our Green Plaque Awards Scheme and we want you to tell us which people, buildings and sites you think really deserve recognition.

And you’ll get the chance to vote for the winning schemes when the shortlist is announced in February 2014.

You can nominate war heroes, local heroes and famous people, philanthropists and entrepreneurs, places with cultural or heritage connections as well as buildings of historic or architectural importance.

Anyone nominated for a green plaque must have been dead for at least 20 years.

You can make your nomination – in not more than 500 words – by completing the online nomination form or by writing to: Green Plaques, Communities & Wellbeing, Room 500, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA

You can also pick up and drop off your form at any county library.

Forms will also be available from Tourist Information Centres throughout the county.

Nominations should include a recommendation about where the plaque could be located and if possible evidence of the agreement of the owner of the building or structure on which the plaque is to be mounted. We prefer to put the plaques on dwellings with strong associations with the person nominated.

The Selection Criteria gives details of how we will evaluate nominations.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 24 January 2014.

There are some things better left unsaid. That’s usually the stuff I blurt out first thing.

21

Students learn about the danger of drink and drugs

Happy New Year to All! Don’t forget to use your 20% Off Vouchers issued in December!

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street, Thornton Tel: 01530 230808 www.bricklayersarms.net

CHILDREN at Market Bosworth High School got a chance to learn about the effects of alcohol and drugs and the harm it can cause - thanks to a visit from the Borough Council’s Community Safety Team.

The team runs a Safety Crew Initiative, which delivers interactive awareness workshops in schools across Hinckley and Bosworth throughout the year. These workshops cover drugs and alcohol awareness, anti-social behaviour and hate crime awareness.

At Market Bosworth, the children were shown things such as pickled livers and other visual tools to emphasise the negative effects that alcohol and drugs can have on the body. They also got to wear beer goggles, which mimic the effects of being under the influence of alcohol such as slowed reaction time, confusion and visual distortion.

Mrs Anne Warner, the Head of Year 7 at Market Bosworth High School, said: “Our students

DANGERS OF DRINK: Students from Market Bosworth High School try the beer goggles, watched by Kim Butler, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer with the Borough Council. were enthused by the quality of workshops provided by the Safety Crew. They provided excellent sound advice on a number of issues including drugs, alcohol and antisocial behaviour.

“The information made the children think about the consequences of smoking and drugs and they all learnt lots of new things that will help them to make informed choices about keeping healthy and safe in the future”.

Councillor David Bill, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “It is really important that we teach the youngsters in our community about the risks and consequences of substance misuse.

We need to give them information and advice so that they are in a position to make informed decisions and fully understand what risks they are taking by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.”

Wednesday is

“STEAK NIGHT” 2 Steaks, With Hand-Cut Chips, Peas, Tomato, Mushrooms & Two Glasses of House Wine - £18.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £8.00 2 Courses - £10.00 3 Courses - £12.00

With personal service to your table

Home-Made Pie Night - Tuesdays - £5.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

It’s a ten minute walk from my house to the pub. Weirdly, it’s a two hour walk from the pub to my house.

22

Paddy McGuinness takes out the local Slimming World ladies!

Continued from page 1 their lives. Every single one of them told me that they couldn’t have done it without the support of their Slimming World group and their Consultant.

“Before I started working in comedy I was a fitness instructor so I know how important it is to look after yourself, but equally I know it’s not always easy to motivate yourself. So, having the help and support of someone to keep you on track and be there with advice when you need it really is invaluable.”

Slimming World Consultant Michelle Johnson said meeting Paddy at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, was the cherry on the top of a great year for Slimming World groups in Groby & Field: “Obviously the most important thing of all is that our members have lost weight and improved their health throughout 2013 and we’re so proud of all of the slimmers in the area – many of them have achieved their target weights and been able do things they never thought possible before slimming down, including doing more with their families, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or simply fitting in smaller-sized clothes. And they’re helping their entire family to eat more healthily too. But as well as seeing stonking success on the scales, we’ve had a lot of fun throughout the year too – we’ve held parties in group, raised money for charity and members have cheered each other on with every step of their weight loss journey. I can’t wait to see what 2014 holds for Slimming World and I’d love anyone who’s thinking about losing weight this January to join us.

“I truly believe that Slimming World is the best way for people to take control of their weight this New Year. Even if they’ve struggled to stick to slimming plans in the past, I know we can help them to make a change for life this time around – our members are proof of that. Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan isn’t a ‘diet’, we simply help our members to discover new healthy habits and a healthier way of eating that they can enjoy without ever feeling hungry or deprived. By making small easy changes to the way they shop, cook and eat and getting support to overcome the challenges they face along the way, they see a big difference on the scales, a big difference to the way they feel, and a big smile on their face!”

Freak out your neighbours. Name your wifi “MI5 Surveillance Van”.

23

“SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE” An Evening of Poetry & Prose with TIM GOODMAN on THURSDAY, 13th FEBRUARY 2014 AT THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 7.30 p.m.

If the ladies of Thornton WI are to be heard declaiming Shakespearean verse, or to be seen riffling through the pages of well-beloved but rather neglected poetry books, then it may be that it’s all in preparation for the February meeting when they will welcome a special guest speaker.

To read a list of Tim Goodman’s acting credits is, at the same time, to relive in the memory many hours when one was transported, by the skills of the actors, to different times and different places. How wonderful it must have been to don the mantle, as he has done, of characters as diverse as those of Errol Flynn, (‘A Mask for a Face’, Aldwych Theatre, West End), Jacob, (“Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, Bill Kenwright’s No 1 Tour) ,Sir George Lynn , (“Jane Eyre” ,BBC ),

Advertise in the Herald You know it makes sense!

The Herald is delivered to 4,000 local homes and businesses in Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton and Field Head 11 Times a Year.

Contact Mike on 01530 244069.

(Ad rates are on page 2)

Fyedka, (“Fiddler on the Roof ”,Her Majesty’s Theatre, West End), Major Duncan Heyward (“Last of the Mohicans” BBC), Field Marshall Sir Alan Brooke (“Fooling Hitler” Film), James Bamforth, (“Holmfirth Hollywood” TV Documentary/ Drama), Ronald Regan, (“Saving Ronald Reagan” TV Documentary Discovery Channel) and many more!

As much of an actor’s work concerns bringing characters to life, it isn’t a surprise to discover that Tim has won the Audioline ‘Earphone’ Awards for excellence as a narrator of audio books in 2008, 2009 and 2012.

To explain why these accolades are so well-deserved, I can do no better than let one of his many fans speak for him:“I’ve never met Tim Goodman.

I don’t know what he looks like. I don’t know what he does most of the time. I don’t know if that’s his real name or a professional nom de plume. I don’t even know which country he lives in; or if he’s alive.

But I do know he has given me hours of entertainment thanks to his

amazing abilities at narrating audio books. His voice brings characters, scenes and plots to life in a way that adds to the impact of the original author’s words just as an actor adds to the writing skills of a playwright.

Frequently barely mentioned in the packaging or online descriptions and rarely acknowledged for the skill they bring to the job, such narrators are the unsung heroes.

For me, the London-based Bryant and May detective series without Tim Goodman is like the Bryant and May series without Bryant or without London.

So here’s to Tim Goodman and his colleagues who are at the top of their profession and provide so much extra enjoyment to those of us who enjoy audio books.”

What a treat, not-to-be-missed, lies in store when Tim comes to spend an evening with us in Thornton!

Our Member’s Competition is for “A Poem That I Love”, and it will be judged by Tim. There will also be a BRING & BUY STALL .

How fast can a Bunny Run? On the morning of Sunday 6th April you can attempt a serious 10K or a fun 3K in the beautiful Beacon Country Park at Woodhouse Eaves.

Whether you run for the enjoyment of it or sponsored for charity, both runs are suitable for all abilities and are entirely off-road along woodland pathways and bridleways although only the 10K includes hill climbs. Everyone finishing gets a medal and there will be a host of prizes as well as the opportunity for a warm-down massage.

If you simply want to watch or to take the family, there will be hot food and drinks, a bouncy castle, an Egg Hunt and games for the children.

The event is organised every year by The Rotary Club of Loughborough Beacon and full details are available at www.beaconbunnyrun.org

Tim Goodman We warmly invite you to join us for this special treat on the Eve of Valentine’s Day! Visitor’s fee is £3 which includes refreshments.

Oh, and if you are wondering how we have managed to persuade Mr. Goodman to come to entertain us, then it MAY be because his own, very special leading lady is one of our members!

Muriel Walker (WI President)

Small Ad FREE FOR COLLECTION: Six clear glass Demi Johns.

Also, large piece of used Persian Carpet.

Tel: 01530 242558 SEND your Small Ads in writing to The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

I am only a couple more apps from never having to speak to my husband again.

24

This month’s Church Services Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 12 January 10.15 am Morning Worship Sunday 19 January 10.30 am United Service in St Michael’s Parish Church

Sunday 2nd February 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service

Thursday 13th February 6.00 - 7.30 pm “Reflection” at Trinity Methodist Church

Sunday 9th February 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Style Service

Sunday 16th February 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at the Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 26 January 10.15 am Morning Worship with Sunday Club in Church Hall

Sunday 16th February 10.30am United Churches Together Service at Congregational Church 6.00pm Evening Service

Sunday 2 February 10.15 am Morning Worship followed by Communion

Sunday 23rd February 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Sunday 9 February 10.15 am Morning Worship

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon

Sunday 19 January 10.30 am United Service in St Michael’s Parish Church Sunday 26 January 10.15 am Morning Worship with Sunday Club in Church Hall

Sunday 12th January 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 19th January 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 2 February 10.15 am Morning Worship followed by Communion

Sunday 26th January 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

Sunday 9 February 10.15 am Morning Worship

Sunday 2nd February 10.30 am Morning Service

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton

Sunday 9th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 12th January 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Sunday 19th January 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 16th February 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 23rd February 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield

Sunday 26th January 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 2nd February 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 9th February 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Sunday 16th February 10.30am Morning Service There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 12th January 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Style Service Sunday 19th January 10.30am United Churches Together Service at St Michael’s Parish Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service Sunday 26th January 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time

Friday 21st February 8.00 pm “Still Friday” Sunday 23rd February 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

St Peter’s Church, Thornton

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Sunday 12th January 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 12th January Meeting 10am

Sunday 19th January 10.30 am Holy Communion

Monday 13th January Coffee Morning 10am

Sunday 26th January 10.30 am Morning Service

Tues 14th January Singing Dementia Cafe At Shepshed Library 10-11am

Sunday 2nd February 10.30 am All Age Service Sunday 9th February 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 16th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

Fri 17th January Loughborough Library Singing Age 1011am, Coalville Library1.30-2.30pm

Sunday 23rd February 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 19th January Meeting 10am

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth

Monday 20th January Coffee Morning 10am

Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre

Tues 21st January Singing Cafe Shepshed Library

Sunday 2nd February 9.00 am Holy Communion

Wed 22nd January Midweek Meal Together

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak

Friday 24th January Singing Cafe Loughborough + Coalville Libraries

All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 12th January 9.15 am Holy Communion

Sunday 12th January 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Sunday 19th January 3.00 pm Praise Service

Friday 17th January 8.00 pm “Still Friday” Sunday 19th January 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 26th January 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Carol Service Sunday 2nd February 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 9th February 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Wed 15th January Prayer Meeting 7pm

Sunday 26th January 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 2nd February 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 9th February 9.15 am Holy Communion Sunday 16th February 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 23rd February 6.00 pm Holy Communion QUOTE: A good wife always forgives her husband when she’s wrong.

Milton Berle

Sunday 26th January Cafe 4u 4pm Monday 27th January Coffee Morning 10am Tues 28th January Singing Cafe Shepshed Library 10am Wed 29th January Bible Study 7pm Friday 31st January Singing Cafés At Loughborough + Coalville Libraries Sunday 2nd February Meeting 10am Monday 3rd February Coffee Morning 10am Tues 4th February Singing Cafe Shepshed Library

I like calling the Psychic Hotline and asking them what I’m wearing.

25

Extracts from Stanton Under Bardon Parish Council Minutes Please note that these extracts are taken from the unapproved minutes and therefore may be subject to alteration. The information is kindly supplied to the Herald by Stanton Parish Council.

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3rd December 2013 at The Youth Club, Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire at 7.00pm Community Police Comments 1 Theft from Motor Vehicle - Tools removed from unlocked van.

County Councillor’s Report Leicestershire County Council are currently carrying out a consultation on the home to School transport which would mean that buses would only be provided to the nearest school. Schools may put on further buses to more distanced areas themselves dependent on funding.

David Sprason has received complaints regarding the amount of mud on the road caused from the building sites in the village. This is being monitored by Highways and the Contractors are having the roads cleaned once a day which is the requirement.

Councillor Briggs raised her concerns regarding the Pot Holes in Main Street Extension as they are getting worse. David confirmed that this is covered by the HBBC. Clerk to write and HBBC and contact Matthew Lay for an update on this.

Questions to the Chair A concern was raised regarding the state of the footpath on the bottom allotments which has become very slippy and unsafe.

Councillor Bridges has been and looked at the footpath and said it is muddy but safe. Councillor Palmer has spoken to the contractors and asked them to put more stone down on the path to make it more useable.

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On when the vicar lands in hospital The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren HBBC Community Fund It was suggested The Council apply for funding for a new notice Board but it was decided that the Council should order a new one once Mr Harrison at the Post office has gave permission for a new one to be installed. An application will be made next year for funding for more notice boards when needed.

It was suggested that quotes be obtained for a new roundabout as part of the scheme instead.

Barbed Wire Fencing There is some Barbed Wire that needs removing on the Recreation ground. This was used as a boundary which is no longer needed now David Wilson have fenced the estate off. It will be removed in the Spring.

Bottom Allotment Holders With regard to the letter received from the Bottom Allotment Holders it was agreed that a meeting would be held in January to discuss the new Contracts with the Allotment Holders.

Village Hall Mrs Briggs requested that this be a standing item on the agenda and a copy of the Plans to be put on the notice Board so that parishioners can view them.

It was also agreed that another meeting be arranged with Roger Taylor from Headleys to look at setting up a charitable trust for the Village Hall as it is a very complicated area and professional advice is required to ensure that things are done right.

Thank you for visiting me in hospital – although next time, should you once again kindly bring me a bottle of orange juice, would you please empty it at home and re-fill it with gin and tonic.

While I know you had dashed from taking a primary school assembly, that still did not excuse you beginning your bedside prayer by telling me to sit up straight, close my eyes and put my hands together.

To fall on ice and break a leg was careless; to do so on the afternoon before a difficult church council meeting has been judged deliberate. After falling in the road and being unable to get up, it was remarkable how many parishioners formed a circle to watch; the magazine editor even had the cheek to take photos for the cover of next month’s magazine, although I did draw the line when she suggested I was dragged across the pavement to where the light was better.

As I lay there, immobile, discussion started about who should chair that evening’s meeting, whose responsibility it would be to arrange cover for that Sunday’s Services – someone even had the gall to wonder if I should be asked to pay for their help, since I was the one who chose to fall over.

I felt obliged to suggest it may be helpful if someone called an ambulance, which someone reluctantly did, while others sympathetically asked me if I never got mobile again, which nursing home I would like to be placed in.

I was tempted to suggest whether they should hold a collection to pay for having me put down. Miss X regarded it as her Christian duty to force a cup of sweet tea on me; I am sure her solution to news of an imminent nuclear strike, meteorite collision, or the arrival of bubonic plague, would be to put the kettle on.

As it happened, one of the ambulance men lives in the village and saw it as the perfect opportunity, while they were placing me on a stretcher, to ask how he went about booking a baptism and seemed mildly disappointed that I didn’t happen to have my diary to hand.

Now I have nowhere to hide for the next few weeks, people have realised they know where I am and that I can’t get away from them. There have therefore been endless visits and after a brief question about how I am, by which time it is obvious they have no interest in my answer, they launch into questions about the flower rota, who chooses the hymns in my absence and where to get Communion wine.

Should you visit again, would you please bring information about hospitals in another county – possibly even on another continent.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Everyone I told swore they wouldn’t tell anyone else.

ord Search Puzzle

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/c

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Old Measures Wordsearch Find the names of 12 IMPERIAL UNITS OF MEASURE in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a TASTY prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

Q G W S J G V Z Y M K U Q F T

V N E Y T U F L H I O H G H F

O O V V V O J N W A J H G O N

U L M V L T N O W H P I T P Y

N R J A B A S E N M E W E A A

ACRE CHAIN FATHOM FURLONG GILL GRAIN HUNDREDWEIGHT INCH OUNCE PERCH PINT STONE

C U H B N T L T T W A R C V F

E F A X F Z N J D B C H Z L I

W G R A I N H E S H L I R Z S

A O S N F H R T R F L A L G B

B D P I C D U J N Y D Q V Y W

D X Z N N L B P E I O J E V I

J V I U K I K G Q A P I J F E

M G H L L I G L X B M U A V R

F R N I A H C U V L G I Q X C

K U Z K X R M N T P S L I F A

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 IMPERIAL UNITS OF MEASURE. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: GOOD MEASURE, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 29th January 2014.

Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Pint Glass will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 IMPERIAL UNITS you have to find:

ACRE • CHAIN • FATHOM • FURLONG GILL • GRAIN • HUNDREDWEIGHT • INCH OUNCE • PERCH • PINT • STONE Name: ...................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last month’s Wordsearch Competition was: Mrs Eleanor Oxley of Ratby Lane, Markfield Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you soon.

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Organ Restoration Appeal The organ at St Peter’s - referred to by my predecessor at the console as ‘the old lady’ - is in need of a complete overhaul.

The Leicester Diocesan Organ Advisor describes the organ as ‘well constructed, sturdily built, tonally bright,’ and ’a fine mid-Victorian, historic instrument, which the church needs to take care of and appreciate’.

The organ was built in the late 19th century by Forster and Andrews of Hull, and was installed in St Peter’s in 1911. Hence, for over the entire 20th century the mission of the church in our village has been supported musically by it. In that time we have witnessed celebrations of great happiness, and have derived support in times of sadness, from this ‘King of instruments’. Little wonder then that a makeover is now necessary.

An Organ Restoration Fund has thus been launched - the plan being that, with your help, and supported by grant aid throughout 2014, the work can be done in the early weeks of 2015, before the wedding season begins.

Should you wish to contribute please send your cheque to me at: 210 Main Street Thornton, made out to ‘Thornton, Bagworth and Stanton under Bardon PCC’.

Many thanks, on behalf of St Peter’s Church.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Martin Foster One day I would like to hit the refresh button and actually feel refreshed.

27

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