Mid-January 2021 HERALD magazine

MID-JANUARY 2021

Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth Charity Link Sleepover

Sleep outside and raise money for charity LOCAL CHARITY Charity Link is looking for brave people in Markfield and throughout Leicestershire to experience a little hardship for a night to help ensure that vulnerable people are warm, safe and fed.

For the 2021 Sleepover event Charity Link is asking you to spend the night (or a couple of hours if you prefer) sleeping out at home – so you can choose to take part in a tent, in your shed, or go without the usual comforts and spend the night on the lounge floor. Any sponsorship raised will help to buy essentials such as beds and bedding and grants for heating for those most in need throughout Leicestershire. Your support will help people who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and also the wider community who are experiencing hardship, including those impacted by family breakdown, domestic violence, illness and disability and families simply struggling to make ends meet. Every £10 raised will help to provide £50 worth of essential items so your support really will make a difference. Details at charity-link.org/sleepover or call 0116 222 2200

Rachel Markham

Young motorcycle racer Joe Woodward goes from strength to strength A TALENTED young motorcycle racer from Thornton is making a name for himself in the sport. After spending his childhood watching his father race Post-Classic Motorcycles, Joe Woodward, at the age of 13, acquired his first race bike, a CR50 framed 140 Pit Bike and entered the final race of the season in the British Mini Bikes (BMB) Championship and has continued to race with them for the past 4 seasons. At the start of 2019 Joe acquired his ACU Novice licence and raced a Kawasaki ZXR400 and a Honda MT125 at various circuits throughout the UK. The highlights of his first season was running in the top 4 in the Post Classic 750 races at the Bob McIntyre Memorial races at East Fortune and winning all of the 125 races at the Donington Classic Festival, where he also won the Gerald Davidson Trophy and the Commentators “Rider of the Meeting” award. With BMB he raced in both the 140 and 160 Adult classes, achieving top 10 results and finishing third overall in the 2019/20 winter series championship. For the shortened 2020 season, he continued to develop with BMB, achieving some top 5 finishes (out of approx. 70 racers). Using his Father’s Post-Classic 250 he won the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s Championship, finishing every race in the top 2. At the age of 17 he became the Club’s youngest ever Champion. For the 2021 season, he has a brand new Symoto 140 Pit Bike, to compete in as many BMB rounds as feasible, but his main effort will concentrate on being competitive in the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s Production class on a Honda VFR400 NC21. If possible he could also compete in the Club’s new for 2021 Formula 400 class on a Kawasaki ZXR400. Joe has also been sponsored a Suzuki SV650 Mini-Twin to compete whenever he has the opportunity, but this is severely affected by funding/support/opportunity, the main issue being the expensive entry fees to compete. If any individuals or businesses with a love of motorsport and/or motorcycles would like to get involved in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Symon Woodward

Email: symon@taylorwoodward.com

Letter

Please don’t leave your broken bottles on Altar Stones Playing Fields

I CAN WELL understand that Covid has raised various problems in the social lives many people and for some it’s a challenge not being able to go to usual places to socialise and have a drink. I can also understand why for some getting together outside to socialise is a good idea. I’d even go as far as to say I understand why they might use football dugouts to shelter during the bad weather. But what I can’t understand is why after using these facilities people would simply discard the bottles – some broken bottles at that – at the side of a pitch where people exercise, where dogs walk, and where the local community play football. I would simply ask if you do use the dugouts (for purposes that they are not intended for) then please make sure you fully clean up after yourself. Don’t throw beer bottles into the middle of the pitch and please do not leave the mess that we’ve witnessed over the last few weeks

John Goodwin

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

News from Markfield WI

FOR OUR DECEMBER meeting we held a festive quiz on zoom and as we were unable to get together husbands and other household members were invited to join in.

0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way. • Qualified Funeral Directors • Floral Tributes arranged • Hearse, Limousines and alternatives available • Monumental Service • Car parking available

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There were five rounds each on a different Christmas theme; there was a team prize for wearing festive headgear and people were very inventive with one member’s husband sporting a hat complete with Partridge. Looking back at the WI over the last year I think we can be very proud of ourselves. We have mastered the technology of zoom to continue our meetings and this has also enabled us to have excellent speakers who otherwise live too far away or would be too expensive to have in our Church Hall. Not all of our members have the technology and we have kept in touch with all members with a delivery of a card, tea bags and chocolate in the Spring and with our garden meet-ups in group of six when permitted, Fran has also kept us up to date with one another with a regular Newsletter. This Christmas each member received a Christmas card, handmade by a member, along with chocolates and a small woodwork Christmas tree made by Croftway Crafts run by a member and her husband - there is a lot of talent out there. We will continue to go forward in the New Year with our first three meetings booked on zoom. For our first meeting on 20 January we are looking forward to having our own member Ming Tang talk about her work with the NHS on why data matters in managing the Covid 19 pandemic in the NHS. And if this didn’t make her sound busy enough she found time to make a pig and piglets in brioche! We would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and if this is the year that you decide to join the WI we would love to have you, just request a link to our meeting and come and meet us.

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Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com

Why is it called alcoholics anonymous when the first thing you do is stand up and announce your name?

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The Herald Message from Dr Luke Evans MP PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth. Contact Mike Wilkinson with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries. Printed by Norwood Press in Ellistown. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Herald Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. The Herald cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. The Herald reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © The Herald. None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from The Herald.

IF YOU SIT watching television on New Year’s Eve presenters will often tell you that the start of a new year is a time of new beginnings. For the most part of course that simply isn’t true. New Year is undoubtedly the time that our calendar ticks over but life is much more complex than that; bad things don’t simply end at midnight on the 31 December and good things don’t kick in a minute or so later. Nothing should make us more aware of that reality than the journey we have been on with Covid-19. Real hope didn’t arrive on New Years Day but weeks before with the approval of the Pfizer vaccine which many in this constituency received before Christmas. That hope was multiplied exponentially days before the new year as the homegrown, and easier to administer, Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved by regulators too. It isn’t the passing of the seasons which bring hope but the astonishing work of scientists who have dedicated their lives over the past year to providing it. It’s very clear though that we are not out of the woods just yet and it seems that in the depths of winter the adage of the darkest hour coming before the dawn is very much a reality. Mutations to the virus mean that it is transmitting amongst us far easier than it has in the past, the pressures that brings along with the normal ones of winter means our NHS is under strain. Everyone of us must play our part in remaining steadfast and diligently following the regrettable but necessary restrictions that the Government has imposed. No, New Year isn’t a new start but rather a stepping stone on a journey which with patience and forbearance will in due course come to an end. Whilst we acknowledge that Covid-19 has been an important aspect of that collective journey in the past year we must also be aware that much else has been achieved, not because of the virus but despite it. At the end of December I voted for the United Kingdom to enter into a future trading arrangement with the European Union. After four and a half long years Brexit is over and we can all collectively work to deliver a brighter future for the UK facing outwards into the world. Locally I’ve helped secure funding for the Ivanhoe Line and improvements to the A5; I’ve worked on improving broadband infrastructure for residents and our planning regime too; I’ve continually lobbied education ministers and helped realise a number of capital projects for local schools. New year patently isn’t a time of new beginnings, but it is a useful one to stop and take stock. I hope that we can all continue on our journey and collectively we will see these dark winter days become much brighter in the not too distant future. Happy New Year to all of you.

Dr Luke Evans MP Member of Parliament for Bosworth House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA w: drlukeevans.org.uk t: constituency: 01455 635741 parliament: 0207 219 4250 m: 07920 619812 twitter: @drlukeevans Instagram: drlukeevans

Pandemic dreams THE PANDEMIC is affecting our dreams. More people are reporting nightmares which relate to ‘contamination’ and ‘cleanness’. A recent study has found that the more anxious a person is in their waking life, the more vivid will be their dream images. The findings, published in the journal PLUS One, explain that “Pandemic dreams show a higher proportion of anger and sadness words; these features seem to be associated with mental suffering linked to social isolation.”

My ambition is to marry a rich woman who is too proud to let her husband work.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

The first man to get stopped for speeding… IT WAS 125 years ago, on 28th January 1896, that Walter Arnold of Kent became the first person in the world to be convicted of speeding. The speed limit was 2mph at the time, and a man carrying a red flag had to walk in front of the vehicle. But one day Mr Arnold took off at 8mph, without a flag bearer. He was chased by a policeman on a bicycle for five miles, arrested, and fined one shilling. Mr Arnold was four times over the rather modest 2mph limit in the streets of Paddock Wood, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. To achieve this feat today, a driver in most towns or cities would have to be travelling at over 100mph, which is probably a bit excessive. The speed limit was changed later that same year to 14mph, but there is no record of Mr Arnold getting his money back. Nor is there any evidence that he was endangering life and limb, which used to be the criterion: the 1832 Stage Carriage Act introduced the offence of endangering someone’s safety by “furious driving”. Just over 100 years later, the road safety charity Brake reports that male motorists are more than three times as likely as women to having driven at more than 100mph, because ‘boy racers’ believe they have more talent than the average driver. Police have caught one driver doing 120mph in a 20mph zone, another doing 152mph in a 30mph zone, and one doing an astonishing 180mph on a motorway. As Edmund King, AA president, points out: “Generally men have riskier attitudes towards driving than their female counterparts.”

Snibston Colliery Park opens following £3m regeneration scheme

Planning Apps Residential development of 283 dwellings (Class C3) including provision of public open space, associated infrastructure and engineering works and demolition of Vine Cottage - at land Off London Road, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9UY One dwelling (resubmission of 19/00117/FUL) (part retrospective) - at 5 The Crofts, 163A Main Street, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9UW Demolition of dwelling and outbuildings - at Vine Cottage, Captains Lane, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9UY

THE SNIBSTON Colliery Park has officially reopened following an ambitious £3m regeneration scheme carried out by Leicestershire County Council.

First floor extension at side of house - at 110 Main Street, Thornton, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1AG

Building work for the project started in February 2020, incorporating a range of developments that reconnect the heritage of the site with the local community.

Single storey detached annexe at rear of house - at 71 Main Street, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9UT

By opening up access to the area around the colliery buildings visitors can learn more about the story of Coalville. There’s also a host of new features including the Colliery Café, Snibston Heritage Trail, a play area and Grange Nature Reserve. Working closely with Snibston Heritage Trust and North West Leicestershire District Council, care has been taken at every stage on the site to respect its rich ecology and mining history. Important artefacts have been preserved and a new home has also been found for the old railway track, which is now being cared for by Great Central Railway. Outdoor activities are an important feature of the development including a new play area, a cycleway connecting Coalville town centre to the Colliery Park and a 4km mountain bike trail (opening Spring 2021) which, it’s anticipated, will attract cyclists from across the UK.

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Erection of a three bedroomed detached dwelling - at rear Of 75 Main Street, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AH Two storey front and side extension - at 4 Laundon Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YZ Demolition of existing buildings, refurbishment of an existing building and erection of workshop buildings (Use Class B2)with ancillary offices and welfare floorspace, parking together and new access - at Unit 2 Midland Distribution Centre, Markfield Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0FS Single storey extension at front and side of house - at 5 Oakmeadow Way, Groby, Leicester LE6 0YN

My car has a petrol-saving feature for winter driving - it won’t start.

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Plan Set to Improve Local Football Facilities HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH Borough Council has been involved in a two year project making plans which will help to improve community football facilities across England. ‘The Local Football Facility Plans’ have been completed for the first time following a partnership of local clubs, schools, councils, the Football Foundation and Football Association. The aim of the Plans are to invest and build football facilities at community level and the benefits of the facilities set out go far beyond the pitch. They aim to transform communities and change lives for the better. It will mean people will have the opportunity to play the national game and both physical and mental health can be improved, communities can grow stronger and young people become more empowered. The Football Foundation said: “It’s been a real team effort and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s local knowledge and expertise”. Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is now working with local partners to implement the plan, which can be found on the Football Foundation’s website: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/local-plans Executive Member for Leisure, Councillor Keith Nichols said: “This is an exciting plan to help improve existing facilities and build new targeted facilities in the borough. Putting this plan together has been a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone involved. I look forward to seeing the Local Football Facility Plan develop and improve football facilities across Hinckley and Bosworth over the coming years.”

NEW Physiotherapy Service in Markfield Here to help you get you back to what you love doing! • 13 years experience in NHS and Private Practice. • HCPC and Chartered Physiotherapist. • CSP registered. • Rehabilitation, Sports Massage , Acupuncture. • Full PPE • Zoom available if required.

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My wife and I already have five kids, but we’re going to keep on trying until we get one we like.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

MARKFIELD COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWS

Restrictions mean we cannot re-open yet

WE ARE SORRY to say that as we are now in Tier 4 the library was not allowed to re-open on Saturday 2 January 2021. At the current time we do not know when we will be able to re-open. Any books out on loan will now have a return date of 1st February 2021 and this will be reviewed if and when Government Guidance changes. Please keep a look out for posters at the library and on our website if there are any changes. We have left the library in the temporary care of Markfield Day Nursery to continue to run the Before and After School Club who we are delighted to be able to work with to ensure that this valuable service is available to parents and never more so needed at this time. It is tight squeeze at times, but we always manage to exist alongside each other, and we thank Amy, her staff and particularly Dianne and Nicki for working as a team with us. We all work hard to ensure a COVID safe environment for everyone. We must also thank Leicestershire County Council for allowing us to be flexible around this arrangement during COVID. Finally, thank you to our local Co-op, another community relationship we really value and not just because of the delicious mince pies and sweets they sent down to the library pre-Christmas!

Margaret Bowler

Chair – Markfield Community Library

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E WELCOME BACK reader CHARLOTTE GRANSDEN with a timely reminder about the digital borrowbox facility available as a member of the library. If you are not currently a member, it is quick and easy to join online. Borrowbox can then be accessed using a smartphone, tablet, MAC or PC. It’s that time of year when we all think about what the year ahead will bring. With the news of us going into Tier 4 I wanted to talk to you about the fabulous borrowbox service from the library. Free to all members of the library, there are thousands of books and audiobooks to get you through these uncertain times. There is something for everyone, but the below are some audiobooks I have loved recently! The first audiobook is channel kindness. Collected by the born this way foundation, whose mission is to support young people and their mental health, this collection of stories and essays showcases some fantastic stories of bravery and kindness from all around the world. This book really does fill you with hope, even when some of the stories may make you cry. I wish I had read this book as a teen, as I think it would have helped me through those turbulent years. This audiobook has such a message of kindness and acceptance for all. While we are on the subject of hope, another book I have loved is Genki Kawamuras If cats disappeared from the world. Translated from Japanese by Eric Selland this short novel follows a protagonist who makes a deal with the devil, to add days to his life. However, in order to add a day to his life, something has to disappear from the world. As we go through the book, we discover which things he is happy to let go of, and which things really make a difference. It makes you question things about life and what’s important to you. Last but not least is a bit of a wildcard. I read this book years ago and thought it is a really good fictional deep dive into the dark side of diet culture and guerilla feminism. We follow our main character who is a fat woman, living in a society where her worth is determined by her weight. As she finds her people, things get scary and we go on a bit of an adventure! Those are my picks for this month! If you are on Instagram why not follow me over on @ booksandbargains_ where I talk about books daily! Please keep yourself and your families safe by staying at home where possible and let me know which books you have been loving!

Goody Bags for those spending Christmas alone

A great big Thank You! THE CHRISTMAS DAY ALONE meal in Anstey couldn’t take place this year for obvious reasons and I put an appeal in the local magazines as we wanted to be able to do goody bags to be able to take to folks who will be on their own. WELL! Folks of Anstey, surrounding villages, companies and my colleagues you have done us all proud. Not only have we been able to deliver to all the Christmas Day folks, but have been able to provide for the local good neighbour schemes as well and in total have made up well over 140 bags/parcels! Many thanks to ... NATIONWIDE who have done an awesome job yet again, being a drop off point (I am just so sorry there is nothing anyone can do to stop them from having to close – awesome team of people). NEXT – who donated all the wonderful presents again LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE colleagues CHARNWOOD BREWERY CENTRAL ENGLAND CO-OP GTS SECURITY, Anstey PLADIS (formerly Jacobs) Wigston QD BARGAIN STORES - Anstey SAINSBURYS – LFE TESCO, Fosse Road North Many thanks also to the COACH AND HORSES at Field Head, who are very kindly providing Christmas Day meals for lots of our folks who will still be on their own on Christmas Day as well. It’s wonderful that even though there is nothing we can do to be with everyone, a meal can still be provided, so thankyou for your generosity Thanks one and all and all the best for hopefully a better 2021!

Kerry Sharpe & The Christmas Day Alone Team

Charlotte Gransden I used to dress off the peg, but now my neighbours take their washing in at night.

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Membership renewal news from Groby Ex-servicemen’s Social Club IT IS A DELIGHT that many members have called and emailed about membership renewals for 2021. The Management Committee of the Club have voted to keep the price exactly the same as 2020. We hope that you appreciate the decision of which the Committee think is the best thing to do in supporting the Club. There will be the below options to enable you to renew your Memberships for 2021: 1. Post an envelope through the door on your daily exercise (if able) with your name and address on with the correct money inside, do not include your club case or card as it isn’t needed. Cheques are welcome. 2. Post your correct money in an envelope to the Club and have a note inside with your name and address on. Cheques are welcome. Also, please if you have an email address include in the envelope as we are collating a database to send updates. We will be extending the deadline date to the end of April 2021. If anyone would like to become a Member of the CIU, please wait until we open our doors for you to purchase. Membership renewal fees are: • Life Members: Membership Numbers 1-100 £0.00 (£3.50 if you have a CIU Pass Card) • Life Members (25 Years) £4.00 (£7.50 if you have a CIU Pass Card) • Club Members: £8.00 • CIU Affiliated Members: £11.50 If you would like to become a new member then this can be done when we are back open. Please help us and pass on the message to anyone you know and check our Facebook page if you can for regular updates. We thank you for your support and understanding during this pandemic and we hope you are all staying safe and we cannot wait to see you soon.

Club Officers and Committee

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My dog’s so lazy that he can’t be bothered to bark. He just waits for another dog to bark, then nods.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Jelson housing proposal is the least bad option Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald SO READERS, it’s 2021, and while wishing everyone a Happy New Year, the most important thing for me to say is, please stay safe, protect yourself and help protect others, and if you need help please don’t be afraid to ask. Who would have thought that this time last year COVID was but one of many distant concerns, although it challenges were beginning to become very real in those countries that were in the first wave of this virus. Across our community people would have been making plans for 2020, whether they were holidays, significant events like weddings or school events such as exams. It could have been a big birthday or anniversary. Mostly all these plans had to be changed, cancelled or put on hold. None of us had could have foreseen the changes that have occurred since. They are the stuff that in the future people will review, documentaries and films will be made about and hopefully lessons learned, although I do wonder. Interesting to think I watched a documentary on Netflix about the 1918 Spanish Flu and the simple fact that the second wave of that Flu was far more deadly than the first. Just as we are witnessing today, this second wave is far more prevalent and although perhaps not any more deadly it is has clearly progressed further into the population and that goes for Markfield, Stanton and Field Head. The difference today is that science is more advanced and this has allowed for the rapid development of effective vaccines to combat the illness that can come when infected. While preventing yourself getting infected is still the best measure to stay healthy, the rollout of vaccination is clearly going to bring about much needed respite and hope that the end is at last in sight. I have had several residents contact me in the past few weeks specifically about the vaccination programme. I understand the levels of anxiety especially with the virus so much more prevalent than in the first wave. I have only limited knowledge about the plans afoot, but I do know that the distribution programme and the identification of priorities is managed nationally. At a local level it is the CCG (clinical commissioning group) who appear to be making the decisions on locations for vaccination centres and the roll out into our

community. I suspect that more locations will come on stream in a short while, but for the moment, for those in the highest priority group letters have already gone out or are going out inviting them to a vaccination centre in Measham. I have questioned this with the Leicestershire CCG and contacted them directly to ask why Measham is suitable for residents of this community especially as many of them will be over 80 and Covid restrictions make it hard to give family lifts to places. I do hope common sense prevails and that the powers that be in our health service administration recognise this and work hard to make the vaccination as easily available as practically possible as vaccines become available. I hope that by the time of the February Herald article we are celebrating a significant success story in getting most of those in vulnerable categories vaccinated and that residents will be able to go somewhere very local to have that vaccine administered.

COVID: let’s try and learn the lessons this time so future generations don’t need to go through this again. In saying that though, one of the things that is clear throughout this crisis is that brash promises made by politicians about the levels of testing, the wonders of track and trace and the effectiveness of the Tier arrangements have been shown to almost always disappoint. Yes we need some hope but let’s be realistic, false hope can often be more disappointing. Let’s acknowledge that getting this vaccine out to millions of people every week is going to be hard to achieve in the suggested time frames, but we will get there. And when we do let’s not forget to try and learn the lessons this time so future generations don’t need to go through this again.

THE PLANNING application for the proposed Jelson housing application was made at the end of last year as I predicted in last month’s Herald.

It is pretty much as predicted although lots of detail is still to be agreed. I have made my position very clear to the Borough Council in my written comments. I have been clear throughout this that I cannot support such a development, but I am also too aware of the forces reigned against us and that this housing application represents the least bad option for our community. We really have no choice but to accept housing and the figures we need to provide for are increasing not decreasing, so the sooner we can progress the work done by the village neighbourhood planning group, the more resilience we will have to rebuff the speculative developers who are looking to bring other applications forward. Anybody who tells you a different story is simply being convenient with the truth or doesn’t know the full story. In acknowledging that this is I believe the least bad option going forward, I have made it very clear that I will be pushing hard for the maximum community benefit that can be achieved through such a scheme. When developers seek to bring forward such schemes an agreement is made to provide for necessary mitigations to alleviate the likely problems that might arise. This is a complex beast and many of the mitigations are based on complex formulas which are the basis for arriving at what contribution are necessary. Some developers do go further and will work with local communities to deliver improvements. This is what I shall be seeking to do. My comments to HBBC Planning are as follows: I accept fully the position the Borough Council finds itself in and that the drive by central government to smooth the passage for housing development puts huge pressure on planning authorities to allocate land for housing development on a scale I have not witnessed before. As a result, I have worked hard with and supported the Markfield neighbourhood planning group and am pleased that the Markfield plan is at an advanced stage. It has given a clear direction for where development should take place to accommodate the housing number requirements for Markfield and this application sits broadly in that envelope. I fully support the work of the neighbourhood planning group and so accept that the location for this proposed development 20/01283/FUL is the preferred option site and that all

other non-related sites should be rejected. This site is I understand the most favourable site on planning policy grounds for housing development in the Markfield location. It has also undergone extensive public consultation and debate on the basis this is the land to be allocated and other land should be protected. I am pleased that access will not be permitted via Croftway but by a new service road from London Road. I presume this will meet highway safety standards. (We also need to be clear about all construction traffic on and off the site and residential amenity should be protected on this matter.) I would ask that all existing hedgerows and mature trees are retained in the detailed design work accepting that a portion of the hedge to allow access will be removed. The previous development by Jelson unnecessarily removed the entire length of the mature hedgerow which was environmentally damaging. If the application is to be recommended by HBBC it should be recognised that such a scale of development will place pressure on local services and infrastructure. For that reason, I would suggest the following mitigations are delivered via the S106 agreement negotiations ( not in order of priority): 1. A sizeable financial contribution is required for both South Charnwood High School and Mercenfeld Primary School. 2. A sizeable financial contribution is also required for the GP surgery 3. A new sports (football) pitch is required for the community (shortage on provision) 4. A site for a suitable new cemetery is required as the existing provision has limited capacity

I was making coffee today. I pushed down the plunger and the cafe in the next street blew up.

For Advertising Rates & Publication Dates , visit: www.markfieldherald.co.uk 5. We will need to increase capacity at the Community Centre car park to accommodate more volume (the car park also helps serve the school and GP surgery) and an improved access into the car park is also required. 6. The development of an improved cross country access to South Charnwood High School using the existing rights of way is needed to ensure a safe walking/ cycling route to the High School and better linking it to the community. 7. A 30mph speed limit on the length of London Road is required 8. The opening of the London Road access to Mercenfeld Primary School will support parents walking their children to school. A drop off/pick up lay-by would also be welcomed. 9. An improved and safer pedestrian crossing on London Road is required. 10. All social housing units secured via S106 should be conditioned legally that they are offered first to local people on the waiting list, as per the previous Jelson development. 11. Contributions should be made to support the existing open spaces in Markfield both formal and informal recreation such as the community park in the centre of the village and Hill Hole nature reserve and allotments (which are in the ownership of HBBC). 12. Contributions should be made to the upkeep of existing facilities such as the Community Centre and Jubilee playing field pavilion. 13. The open spaces in the proposed development should be of high quality as should the children’s play equipment and residents consulted on design matters. 14. The roads and sewers must be built to an adoptable standard and every effort made to ensure they are adopted quickly after completion. 15. The land on the corner of London Road and Ratby Lane should be offered to the Parish Council to protect the integrity of what will be a new settlement boundary. 16. Noise control measures should be put in place to manage the highway noise from the M1. 17. EV charging points should be a feature of the new housing design on the estate. While I do not expect all of these mitigations to be agreed to, I will be pushing for them because they are all important and represent the best legacy we can derive from this scale of development. I will keep you updated on progress on these matters as I have always sought to do via the Herald.

Matthew

New measures to protect children online THE GOVERNMENT is to give the communications regulator Ofcom new powers to protect children and adults when they are using the internet. An Online Harms Bill will be introduced later this year, with the intention of allowing Ofcom to block access to online services that fail to properly protect children and other users. Giants like Facebook and Instagram could also be fined large sums if they fail to take proper action against posts that were legal but still harmful. That would include pornography accessible to children, bullying, and disinformation, such as fake claims about vaccinations. The Digital Secretary, Oliver Dowden, says that the legislation should be in force by 2022. He said: “A 13-year-old should no longer be able to access pornographic images on Twitter; YouTube will not be allowed to recommend videos promoting terrorist ideologies; and anti-Semitic hate crimes will need to be removed without delay.”

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The challenge to some over-60s LAST YEAR saw a steep rise in redundances among the over-60s, and a lack of proficiency with digital work tools such as Zoom helped contribute to the problem. The number of workers over 60 who were made redundant increased from 8,000 between April and June to 31,000 between July and September – twice the percentage increase of any other groups. According to research by Rest Less, a jobs site for older people, older workers are less likely to receive workplace training than their younger counterparts, and once made redundant are significantly more likely to find themselves in long-term unemployment. “Contrary to popular belief, most 60-somethings are not revelling in their goldplated final salary pensions – a long lost preserve of their parents’ generation.”

Before starting your lawn mower, always count your toes and choose the ones you’d most like to keep.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk • Tel: 01455 824733 Web: www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt FIRSTLY, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year - after the challenges of 2020 we go into the New Year with a sense of hope and optimism!

Community Pub Scheme IN DECEMBER it was a real pleasure to hand out the first of Leicestershire County Council’s rural pub grants to The Bluebell Inn in the Division.

Hampers to those in need of a little help over the Christmas period. I am sure that we all agree that Helen has done a sterling job (voluntarily!) during 2020 to help our communities through the crisis. I would also like to thank the local businessman of Midland Lift Services in Bagworth for his generous donation that made this initiative possible! THANK YOU!

Bardon Hill Quarry Community Fund IN DECEMBER it was a pleasure to chair the Bardon Hill Community Fund and approve grants of over £20,000 to community groups in and around the area. In particular I was pleased that the committee approved a grant of over £2,500 to Bagworth & Thornton Parish for picnic tables and a nature interpretation board at Thornton Meadow. This scheme will enable residents of all ages to learn more about local wildlife, fauna and flora; as well as biodiversity and the environment. I am really proud of the environmental projects that the Community Fund has supported during the past 3 years; and would really encourage residents/ groups with similar initiatives to contact either myself or Aggregate Industries (kirsten.hannafordhill@aggregate.com) ahead of the next meeting in March.

Planning IN DECEMBER the much-anticipated Jelson Application for Markfield was formally received and opened for public consultation (Ref: 20/01283/FUL).

This new initiative (believed to be the first in the Country) is designed to support struggling rural pubs by offering a one-off payment of £1,000 to pubs unable to open their doors over the festive period. Hospitality has been dealt a big blow during the pandemic. And the impact is even more acute when you consider the lifeline pubs can provide within communities. These remain tough times, but it is important that where possible the County Council continues to support our communities and small businesses. Further information on this scheme can be found: https://www. leicestershire.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/supporting-businesses/ support-for-community-pubs

Thank you to a Good Samaritan

Whilst the decision on this application will be made by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, I have had numerous conversations and correspondence with local residents on the potential Highways impact that this development may have should it be approved. As such I have held discussions with LCC Highways about these concerns to ensure that they are considered as part of the County Council’s formal response in the statutory consultation process. If you would like to contact me about this, quite understandably, controversial application then do drop me an email and I will ensure that your concerns are investigated by the Highways department.

County Council Budget Consultation THE COUNTY Council’s latest four-year budget plan has been published – which you can comment until 17 January 2021 to priorities@leics.gov.uk (although you can contact me directly with your own thoughts at any time!) I am encouraging residents, businesses, parish councils and partner organisations to give their views on the latest four-year budget proposals by completing a short survey: https://surveys.leics.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=160797481026 By planning ahead, we’ve saved over £220m since 2010, but a surge in demand for social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, combined with inflation, is driving up costs by £115m. The four-year plan sets out the need for £92m of savings but also £59m of growth to cover underlying cost pressures, especially for services to support vulnerable. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty about future funding for local government.

Get in touch IF YOU require help with any local matters, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Best wishes,

Peter On 23rd December it was a real pleasure to join Helen Crouch (Coronavirus Response) to help deliver Christmas

(County Councillor for Markfield, Desford, Bagworth, Thornton, Botcheston, and Stanton under Bardon) E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt

Apparently, if you go to the movies alone, you’re considered a loner and a bit weird. So I took my cat with me.

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What happened to your New Year’s resolution? IF YOU ARE already struggling to keep it, here is something that might help you.

Mountains make you feel better THE NATURAL environment can make a real impact on your mood. Mountains can leave you feeling more optimistic, while the ocean can help boost your inspiration.

A recent study at Goldsmiths University of London found that water is most effective at increasing positive emotions, such as happiness and inspiration. Woodlands can help you forget your worries, and fields and meadows can enhance your energy levels. Psychologists advise that it is useless to say you are going to quit anything. Instead, make your resolution to change into something positive. For example, instead of “I will give up sweets,” say “I will eat fruit twice a day.” It seems that people with an ‘approach goal’ score greater success than those who see themselves quitting something they still like. As one Swedish doctor explained: “You cannot erase a behaviour, but you can replace it with something else.” The most popular resolutions regard physical health, weight loss and change of eating habits. The research was done at Stockholm University.

Rising demand for leggings THE POPULARITY of leggings soared last year. They became the must-have fashion garment to see out Covid-19. John Lewis reported sales of leggings and loungewear had increased by 1,303 per cent. Sweaty Betty was selling a pair of Power Leggings (£75) every 90 seconds. Julia Straus, CEO of the brand, explained: “Good quality leggings transform the way you feel.” Even Lucas Hugh, the retailer that made the £175 leggings Jennifer Lawrence wore in The Hunger Games, saw a 100 per cent increase in sales last year, despite shutting down its King’s Road boutique. Leggings are “a nesting thing”, according to Anjhe Mules, the co-founder of the brand.

In our relationship, I bring home the bacon and my girlfriend carries the rest of the shopping.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

More Bagworth Memories WHERE DO I start with my many wonderful memories of Bagworth? Because many I have. Bagworth School, although now gone, was where I started at four years old (some 56 years ago). The headmaster was a Mr. Bowring. One teacher I was scared of was called Polly Hounam, and one of the dinner ladies was Nellie Prime. I have a photo of my class taken in the playground with Mr. Bowring, with Mr. Bowring conducting the singing and Polly Hounam on the piano. Here are some of the names of my classmates. Martin Clamp, David Farmer, Graham Mugglestone, Reg Murby, Graham Kirk, Hazel Woodward, Susan Clamp, Ann Collett, Joyce Woodward, Linda Smith, Pam Gough, Jean Webster, Marilyn Marshall, Rosemary Smith, Roger Haywood and David Measom. I spent many Saturday nights at Bagworth Club. I sang on the stage there. George Ward was the entertainment secretary. I also sang at the Miners’ Welfare Institute (now called the Community Centre) at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. I sang a song called The Golden Coach. Across the road was the local paper shop owned by Mr. Whitmore. I remember my mam sending me to the Coop with a ten shilling note for the shopping and collecting the divi. There was also a bicycle shop owned by Mrs. Samuels. We always looked forward to the fair coming to Barlestone Road. Then we would go to Mrs. Webster’s fish and chip shop, she was the lady who was brutally murdered. My dad, Alex, was an Undermanager at Desford Pit. He used to walk from Desford Pit up to Bagworth to meet me off the last Midland Red bus at 9.30 p.m. I was married at Bagworth Church in 1964, so we’ll have our Ruby Wedding in March 2004. We also used to go to the Barrel Inn run by Mrs. Priddle. And there was the Plough, but we didn’t go there much. There was a big farmhouse on Main Street, and I think it was owned by Mrs. Harvey. Then there was a hairdressers shop across the road, I think someone called Bateman kept it, Reggie Bateman. I went to Ibstock School on the Brown’s Blue bus, and remember the very severe winters when we went sledging down the pit hill by the canteen at Desford Pit. Our house was the first one next to the phone box, outside Desford Pit yard. We had wonderful times then, people cared and we all knew each other. We had great Bonfire Night’s and made toffee apples and put our potatoes in the embers of the bonfire. New Year’s Eve was wonderful, as we all used to go to each other’s houses for parties that lasted all night. I always remember, nearly opposite the school, there was a little brick building where they used to keep the trolley that the coffins were once carried on: (the bier house).

More recent memories

BAGWORTH County Primary School was situated between Church Hill and School Hill in front of the churchyard. It consisted of two double-roomed mobiles, a mobile toilet block in the play­ground between the two mobiles, and a mobile for the kitchen. Well, I say kitchen; the food came from Market Bosworth and was just loaded onto heated trolleys at Bagworth. You knew it was dinnertime when you heard trolley wheels rolling down the ramp to the side door of the mobile. At dinnertime the tables were set up in Mr Fearnehough’s office at the side of the mobile. Each table had 3 big chairs and 5 smaller chairs. Older juniors used the bigger chairs and served the food to everyone around the table. It made you feel quite grown up. Every morning Lorna and Karen Marriott, Leigh Price and myself walked up to school, yes walked! Mrs Taylor would see everyone over the road at the bottom of Church Hill and we’d call in to the Barrel Pub owned by Johnny Riley for our supply of 1p and 2p sweets to see us through until break time. At break time Lorna and I used to run the tuck shop selling various sweets and crisps sited in the corridor between the 2 rooms. Mr Fearnehough was headmaster and taught the juniors and Mrs Sell taught the infants. Mrs Reed was school secretary and Mrs Watkins used to come in and help with the cooking and making things. We had turns at cookery and the week before it was your turn you had to pick a recipe and write down all the things you needed to bring from home. There were usually 3 people at a time for cooking. It was quite exciting when your name got to the top of the list.

For sports and sports days we’d troop down to the field behind the Working Mens’ Club which at that time was always used by the school for sports and sponsored walks. Once a week we’d go by bus to the swimming baths at Coalville which were opposite the Technical College. A block of old folks flats are there now. On the way we’d sing songs, which always ended up being silly, on the back row of the bus. At school we also had a National Savings Bank, which was run each week by Christopher Clamp, Leigh Price, Lorna Marriott and myself, as we were the oldest. We were in charge of taking everyone’s savings and recording them on savings account cards and making sure everything tallied at the end of the session. Every year for Halloween Mr Fearnehough would dress up as a witch and scare everyone. For bonfire night Mr Fearnehough would tell the story of the gunpowder plot and use a paper Houses of Parliament and a trail of gunpow­der. In his version Parliament always got blown up not once but twice which we found quite amusing. He would show us all the fireworks he had and explain what they did. The bonfire would be built on the site where the old primary school used to stand and some of the juniors would be allowed to help build it. Near Christmas we’d have a pantomime, which took some organising. The costumes and sets had to be made and lines had to be rehearsed and learnt. Before the performance we had a full dress rehearsal in front of the local OAP’s which always went down well. We always did a popular fairytale but with added jokes and ad libs that Mr Fearnehough had written into the scripts. Also at Christmas we had a party. The infants always had a present hidden somewhere which they had to find, but the juniors had to win their presents. So, the earlier you won, the more choice of presents you had. In later years, after Battram School was demolished, their school moved to Bagworth and was sited on the ground where we had our bonfire, which did­n’t go down too well with us. They also had a double-roomed mobile and another large mobile came which we all used as a dinner hall and a better place for activities and, of course, our pantomimes. Just before I left Primary School in 1980 plans had started being made for the new site for a school in Nailstone, now Dove Bank. Bagworth Primary School is long gone now, but the memories are still alive in all the old pupils who at­tended the school.

I’m puzzled when they say Jesus was a carpenter, because I’ve got all their records and I don’t remember him singing on any of them.

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Want to feel better? Cuddle your pet IF YOU THINK you feel better after cuddling your dog or cat, there is a good reason: you really do feel better. After only three minutes of cuddling your pet, your levels of oxytocin, the ‘love’ hormone, increase, according to a recent study from Australia’s Monash University. And just five minutes of cuddling will also raise your levels of the two wellbeing and happiness hormones, endorphin and dopamine. So says a recent report in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. In her recent book, Your Pet, Your Pill, vet Margit Gabriele Muller says that caressing a dog or other pet provides exactly the same health benefits as skin-on-skin contact with another human. The hormones that are released “are the same as when you’re breastfeeding or cuddling a partner.” Furthermore, a study at Liverpool University last year found that dog owners are four times more likely to be fit than other people.

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Call for community groups to apply for grant funding COMMUNITY groups in Hinckley and the parishes of Hinckley and Bosworth are being encouraged to apply for their share of the Borough Council’s Parish Community Initiative Fund and Hinckley Community Initiative Fund. This year a total of £162,000 has been made available to support community projects, throughout the Borough. Grants are available for up to 50 per cent of the total project cost. These grants fund a wide variety of projects such as play areas, community building improvements, new pathways, heritage trails, and sports facilities, and this year the council is giving high priority to any schemes that help to improve the environment. Grants for 2021/22 will be provided on the following basis: •

Projects must be within the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth

•

Maximum of £12,000 per project

•

Maximum of 50 per cent of total project costs funded

•

All works must be completed within the financial year

•

Projects must demonstrate that they meet the council’s corporate aims and that they are of community benefit. Councillor Martin Cartwright, the Executive Member responsible for Rural Communities and Environment at the Borough Council, said: “As in previous years I would like to see these grants spread as widely as possible across the 24 parishes in Hinckley and Bosworth and a variety of different schemes, with special emphasis on the smaller organisations, charity groups as well as parish councils. As the Borough Council has declared a Climate Emergency additional points will be awarded in the scoring process for those schemes that address climate change or improvements to the environment. The dates for submission of applications has changed slightly from previous years so please pay attention to the scheme closing dates.” Applications are invited from now until the closing date of 12th February 2021. Application packs will automatically be sent to parish and town councils. Further copies are available by contacting the Green Spaces team on 01455 255707 or by emailing greenspaces@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

The birds and bees HERE IS SOME good news: all new major roads will have wildflowerfriendly verges that could boost our numbers of birds and bees. Highway England has said that vibrant road verges will be created as standard on new roads over 300 miles in England, using low nutrient soils which will be seeded with wildflowers or left to grow naturally. A staggering 97 per cent of our meadows have been destroyed since the Thirties, due to modern agriculture. This means that the 238,000 hectares of road verges across the UK could become a vital habitat for pollinators. The Government has pledged to build 4,000 miles of new road by 2025.

My uncle is such a noisy eater that when he started on his soup in the restaurant, four couples got up to dance.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

• OTTOMAN/FOOTSTOOL in pristine condition with removable castors - Silver-Grey velour - hinged lid offering lots of easily accessible storage space - Shop price £330 Ideal for lounge or bedroom - Size - W 93 cm - D 57 cm- H 41cm. (36 x 22 x 16 inches) Price: £60.00 • TABLECLOTH - John Lewis - New in original package - pretty white damask - Cost £50 - size - 108 x 320 cm. Price: £20.00 • Placemats - New with original labels - John Lewis - Cost £5 each -colour champagne - set of 8. Price: £20.00 • LEATHER TOTE BAG - Cost £100s - Very soft supple tan leather as new. Price: £35.00. Tel: 01530 242318 (Markfield) • Sony SOUND BAR HT-CT390 + Sub Woofer. Cost £250. Will Accept £100.Hardly Used, AS NEW. Full Instructions + Quick Start-up Guide. Tel: 07756 799402 (Groby) • GOODMANS Freeview + DIGITAL TV RECORDER. Price: £20.00. Tel: 0116 347 8360 (Groby) • Gatsby solid oak SIDEBOARD, 3 drawers in centre and cupboard either side W52” D18” H32”. Price: £250.00. • Two beige leather TWO SEATER SETTEES excellent condition. Price: £100.00 each (will sell separately.) • Benjamin Roberts Ivory WEDDING GOWN Size 14 (beautiful beaded skirt and train) plus long veil. Price: £250.00 • Six 8” Franklin Mint Lilliput Lane PLATES, cottage scenes (boxed) Price: £5.00 each. Tel: 07547 901657 (Groby) • Bootmaster MOBILITY SCOOTER - excellent condition. Dismantles for easy transport. Purchased new at £1,195 and used for less than 12 months. Price includes front basket, seat bag, 2 sets of keys and manual. Price: £500.00 Tel: 0116 287 5585 (Groby) • LEGXERCISE - unwanted gift. Price: £25.00 Tel: 01530 245482.

HERALD

Small Ads • Paw Patrol TODDLER BED with mattress. Blue and red, 145 cm long, 74 cm wide, 66.5 cm to top of headboard. Suitable up to 4 years or 23 kgs. £45.00. Made up but sadly not used. Can deliver locally if required. Tel: 01530 230893 (Bagworth) • One WHEELCHAIR - FREE - buyer must collect. • Four TEDDY BEARS, various sizes and makes. Two at £15.00 each and two at £17.00 each or £64.00 for the four. • Selection of JIGSAWS - ranging from 1,000 pieces down to 100 pieces. Prices from £1.00 to £6.00 each. • Portable PUZZLE BOARD - £8.00 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 243493 (Markfield) • Cast iron traditional round PUB TABLE, Angel of Mons design, recently professionaly repainted black as per original colour. Original hardwood top in very good condition, make an ideal table for a conservatory. Probably made early 20th century, just after WWI as it has the word Victory on its joint plates. Price: £120.00. Tel: 01530 243043 (Markfield) • Totes pillowslip genuine suede grey LADIES SLIPPERS size 7 (NEW with packaging) Price: £10.00 • Denby Monsoon Lucille Gold large ROUND PLATTER (pale cream serving plate with pearlised leaf design around edge) Price: £10.00 • Dune brown high heeled WEDGE BOOTS, lace up and fur design, like new, size 6 ladies Price: £10.00 • Ladies Marc New York WINTER COAT, dark olive/brown, size 10, VERY warm, like new, long length, zip up with fur hood Price: £20.00 • Monopoly EXPRESS GAME (like new - think its unused) Price: £5.00 • Chrome TOWEL RING (new in box) Price: £3.00

• Wii games £8 each • Scrabble Trickster BOARD GAME NEW unused Price: £15.00 Tel: 07753 198340.

Contacts By Mark Watson

• Evergreen GARDEN SPREADER. Price: £10.00. • Panasonic BREAD MAKER. Price: £25.00. • Celestron nature BINOCULARS 8 x 42 with carry case. Price: £50.00. Tel: 07512 963016 (Groby) • GOLF CLUBS with FULL SIZE BAG - Hippo Plus carbon graphite shaft irons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P Howson Detonator graphite shaft woods 1½, 3 - Hippo bag, no cover, a little dusty. Price: £15.00 the lot. • CROSS PENS – both brand new, never used. Competition prizes. May be viewed prior to purchase: - CROSS CENTURY II 10 CARAT ROLLED GOLD FOUNTAIN PEN - Solid 18 carat gold nib (medium). Presented in a luxury gift box. Comes with two black Cross standard size ink cartridges Cross lifetime mechanical guarantee. Cross rrp is £240, Amazon selling for £200. Will accept £120 or vno. - CROSS YEAR OF THE MONKEY PLATINUM PLATED BALLPOINT PEN - Beautiful monkey design etched into the barrel. Finished off with 23 carat gold plate. Swivel-action propel/repel action. Medium point. Presented in a stylish gift box with an acrylic pen rest. Cross lifetime mechanical guarantee. Was on sale at John Lewis for £210. Will accept £120.00 or vno. Tel: 07902 459298 (Markfield) • ROOF RACK plus 2 BIKE RACKS to suit most cars particularly Fords. Price: £50.00 Tel: 0116 287 2730 (Groby) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Herald, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum 8 items please. Our postal address is: Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

JAMES CHILTERN boards the 23:50 sleeper train from London to Edinburgh with two pork pies, six beers and a packet of chocolate digestives. At 23:55 he sends a message to all 158 people in his contacts, telling them that he plans to end his life in the morning. He then switches his phone to flight mode. He’s said goodbye. To him, it’s the end of his story – and time to crack open the biscuits. But across the world, 158 phones are lighting up with a notification. Phones belonging to his mum. His sister. His ex-best friend. The woman who broke his heart. People he’s lost touch with. People he barely knows. And for them, the message is only the beginning of the journey. Funny and wise, tender and deeply moving, Contacts is a beautiful story about the weight of loneliness, the importance of kindness – and how it’s never too late to reach out.

I slept through the alarm this morning. Luckily it was only a small fire.

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COMING UP IN FEBRUARY Virtual workshop to National Nestbox Week BIRDS are short of nesting holes, and no wonder: support groups OUR gardens, parks and woodland are much neater than they to be, and modern homes offer few crannies for nest seeking grants used building. A ‘VIRTUAL’ workshop is being held on Wednesday, 20 January to encourage community groups and organisations to apply for a SHIRE environment grant. Grants of up to £3,000 are being offered by Leicestershire County Council to help reduce household waste across the county, and the workshop is open to anyone who would like to know more. The workshop is a fantastic opportunity for residents to gain an insight into how SHIRE environment grants could benefit their group, the local community and the wider reduction of household waste across the county. Councillor Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for action on climate change, said: “There will be an opportunity to hear about some of the projects previously supported, how potential projects could contribute to some of the campaigns already supported by the council and, of course, the chance to ask our team any questions.” Examples of projects, which have previously received funding, include fixers’ groups in Hinckley and Market Harborough, which help residents repair broken household items and a series of waste reduction workshops run at Fearon Hall in Loughborough. During the one-hour session, the team will give an overview of the scale of household waste in Leicestershire and share ideas about the type of projects that could be supported, as well as guidance for the application process. Projects must be located in Leicestershire (not including Leicester City or Rutland) and should help reduce household waste. A simplified application process is also available for smaller grants of up to £300. The virtual workshop will take place at 10am on Wednesday, 20 January. Interested groups and organisations can sign up at: https:// surveys.leics.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s. asp?k=160743887310 Further information about the SHIRE Environment Grant can be found online: https://www. leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/ grants/environment-grant.html The application deadline for the current round of funding is Friday, 26 February 2021.

National Nestbox Week, which is celebrated from 14th February each year, aims to encourage us to put up more nestboxes, and to consider planting shrubs or trees with fruit that birds eat. These can make all the difference to birds struggling to survive, especially blue tits, great tits, house sparrows, robins and starlings. The British Trust for Ornithologiy (BTO) offers a variety of ideas for building and placing nestboxes. Go to: https://www.nestboxweek.com

Before the crowbar was invented, most crows drank at home.

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THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

By the Revd Dr Herbert McGonigle.

Do your days rush by at a HECTIC PACE?

H

AVE YOU EVER stopped to think that your mobile phone and emails have not given you more time? Just more things to do in the same amount of time.

We leave our messages in one place while we take our bodies elsewhere. Instead of doing one thing after another, we shoot out a variety of tasks, and then swoop down on them later, needing to deal with them all at once. In a four-minute clip from a street scene from an old Orson Welles film and a similar clip from a more recent film, you will see an amazing difference. In the early film, the camera records ‘real time’ – people get out of their cars, walk across streets, wait for lights, speak to other people, enter a bank. In the more recent film, a similar sequence was reduced to a half a dozen quick cuts. Transition time was eliminated. Modern life teaches us that ‘down time’ is wasted. Time is money. So mobile phones, emails, etc, enable us to ‘waste’ less time. The tempo of cultural life picks up, the heartbeat of daily life races, and our own body rhythms respond with adrenaline, cramped muscles and heart attacks. To take time out for daily prayer, for a quiet walk that is not to the next meeting, for daydreaming or for Bible study becomes a cross-cultural act. Following Christ, waiting on Him, is a countercultural act. One lovely biblical phrase is ‘in the fullness of time, it came to pass’. This suggests four things: that time crests like a wave; that there is a right moment for things to happen; that it’s not ours to plan that moment, but to recognise it; and that we are not the primary agents of what happens in the world. So, feel free to accept God’s offer of rest when you are weary; receive each moment of your life as a gift from God’s hand; pray to discern what each new encounter you make requires of you, and freely entrust everything else to God’s care.

How to call the Police when you can’t talk THERE WILL be times when a domestic abuse victim needs urgent help and needs to call the Police but may be unable to speak, due to not wanting to alert the perpetrator to the call.

There is a way round this which the emergency services call the ‘silent solution’. When a person calls 999, an operator asks which service they require. If they do not answer, they are prompted to tap the handset, cough, or make a noise. If none of these happen, they are then given the option to press 55. Doing this will alert the operator that the person has made the call intentionally and needs help. A police spokesman said ‘Please do not think that just because you dial 999 that police will attend. We totally understand that sometimes people are unable or too afraid to talk, however it must be clear that we will not routinely attend a silent 999 call.’ The reason is that the emergency services don’t know whether the call was made by accident, perhaps after mis-dialling. It is hoped that by spreading awareness of the function, the emergency services will be able to act more efficiently and save lives.

Huge boost for communities from County Council AN EXTRA £600,000 is being invested into a popular fund set up to support Leicestershire communities during the pandemic – taking the total to over £2m. Leicestershire County Council’s Communities Fund was launched in March to ensure that community-based organisations could continue to carry out vital work, despite the impact coronavirus is having on their finances. To date, the fund has awarded over £1.5m to 220 projects across Leicestershire. Find out more about the fund and how to apply by visiting: www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/communities-fund-round-3 Projects which have already been supported include: independent foodbank in Coalville, Feed the Need Coalville, who was awarded £8,300 to help deliver daily food parcels to those in need, and The Bridge (East Midlands), a charity that provides early intervention and homeless prevention services to vulnerable people in Leicestershire, who received £9,100 to help them continue helping those in need. Round three will have an additional focus on supporting community groups who are providing a vital service to local people during the pandemic, including: • support for people who are described as clinically extremely vulnerable • the provision of welfare and associated support for vulnerable and disadvantaged people and families, including money/debt advice services; employment related support; food bank and associated food provisions; and access to other essential supplies and equipment • support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people affected by the pandemic, including projects which reduce isolation and loneliness. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 22ND JANUARY 2021.

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When Earl Tupper, inventor of Tupperware, died, his funeral was held up as they couldn’t find the right lid for his coffin.

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Letter from Uncle Eustace

17

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST WILFRID OF YORK 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB

On why our church NATIONAL does not need health or LOCKDOWN – safety... Churches are OPEN The Rectory St James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren I APPRECIATED your recent concern when you heard one of our parishioners had slipped on a gravestone. Your desire to help was entirely commendable, and I do know that sending your own church’s health and safety officer to give us some advice was kindly meant. But the 200-page report was not welcome. If we implemented even half of your officer’s suggestions, life would become unbearably safe. St James the Least of All has survived perfectly well for the last 600 years without gutter cleaning inspections, path degreasing and electrical safety certificates, so I think we may survive a little longer without them. As far as I am aware, the only disaster to hit us was when Cromwell’s soldiers stabled their horses in the nave – which I suspect a few of our oldest members still clearly remember. The shock the sidesmen sometimes get when switching on the lights occurs only occasionally, is relatively mild and soon over – and if it happens when preparing for the 8am Service, helps to wake them up. The weight of the Duke of Clumber’s marble sarcophagus is slowly detaching the south aisle from the rest of the church, but it is very slow – and the pews in that area are used only once a year when his relations visit from America to commemorate his death at Agincourt – which is probably just beyond remembrance of the oldest of our congregation. Leaks from the ceiling in the north aisle are solved with a row of buckets – and even you must concede that the fungi on the oak beams look really rather attractive when the sun catches them. The sapling growing out of the spire is certainly an issue – although it looks so attractive in Spring when in blossom. As for our fire extinguishers, they were serviced when my predecessor-but-two was in office, and I have the certificate to prove it. So, do thank your health and safety officer for all his work and tell him we will bear his recommendations in mind. Also tell him I was so sorry he slipped and broke his leg in our choir stalls while he was with us. But that bit of floor has been out of alignment since 1748, and it seems a shame to disturb it now. If only he had arrived encased in bubble wrap, it would never have happened. Perhaps you could put that on the agenda of your next health and safety meeting.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE states you can attend places of worship for a service. However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. You should maintain strict social distancing at all times. Even though the situation is worsening in our country, we are grateful that we can still open for Mass. We have strict safety measures in place to keep everyone safe and it is essential that the stewards’ instructions are followed in Church. St Wilfrid’s is open for weekend Masses – Saturday 6 pm and Sunday 10 am. Spaces at Mass are limited so it is important that you book a space in one of two ways: either by the Parish website: www. stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk or, if you do not have access to the internet, please ask a family member or neighbour to help or phone the presbytery – 01530 832098 - on Mondays from 12 noon to 2 pm. • Just a reminder, Fr. Gabriel is celebrating mass via Zoom app each weekday at 10am. Please feel free to join in. If you would like the code to join, please email susantompkin@yahoo.co.uk. • Fr Gabriel is available if a priest is needed. • Please let the Parish know if you, or anyone you know, needs help of any kind. Please call the presbytery and we will do what we can to help. Keep safe and well. Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor – 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@ gmail.com Parish Website: www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk School Details St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.stclares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle. leics.sch.uk Village Contact: Margaret on 01530 243292

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I find it so annoying when people get their sayings wrong. After all, it’s not rocket salad.

18

THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Professor recommends boosting our Vitamin D levels

PROFESSOR Angus Dalgleish was interviewed on the Nick Ferrari show on LBC on 11th January 2021. According to the professor, several reports have noted the association between low Vitamin D3 levels and increased risk of death from COVID-19. He has lobbied that correcting the nation’s low Vitamin D3 levels would do more to save lives and the NHS. According to Professor Dalgleish, Finland is the only country to do this nationally and it has resulted in a very low death rate.

Support for community pubs LEICESTERSHIRE County Council recognise that rural pubs are at the heart of many Leicestershire communities - and as part of their commitment to helping businesses during these tough times, pubs struggling during the pandemic will have the opportunity to apply for a new fund. The County Council is offering a oneoff payment of £1,000 to support small village pubs which are unable to open their doors over the festive period. The funding criteria are set out below: • Pubs must be located in a Leicestershire village. • Pubs must be able to demonstrate how your pub provides a vital community role. • Pubs must derive less than 50% of its income from sales of food, a wet-pub by definition. • Pubs will need to self-certify that they meet all eligibility criteria and may need to provide accounting evidence. • Businesses also in receipt of other grants are also eligible to apply. • Be able to confirm that there have been no material changes to your business that would prevent you from receiving this grant (ie. your business is still operating and is not insolvent, in liquidation or in administration). Where applicable, you must still be the liable party for the business rates attached to your premises. By applying for this grant you consent to Leicestershire County Council processing, within its own organisation, central government and in accordance with the Data Protection Legislation any information that you have provided to them in order to process your claim successfully. If you require a paper copy of the application form please email communitypubs@leics.gov.uk

The Authenticity Project By Clare Pooley SIX STRANGERS with one thing in common: their lives aren’t always what they make them out to be. What would happen if they told the truth instead? Julian Jessop is tired of hiding the deep loneliness he feels. So he begins The Authenticity Project - a small green notebook containing the truth about his life. Leaving the notebook on a table in his friendly neighbourhood café, Julian never expects Monica, the owner, to track him down after finding it. Or that she’ll be inspired to write down her own story. Little do they realize that such small acts of honesty hold the power to impact all those who discover the notebook and change their lives completely.

Ravens are very clever! The Bookish Life of Nina Hill By Abbi Waxman Meet Nina Hill: A young woman supremely confident in her own. . . shell. Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, an excellent trivia team and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book. So when the father she never knew existed dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. And if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny and interested in getting to know her... It’s time for Nina to turn her own fresh page, and find out if real life can ever live up to fiction. . .

RAVENS have been found to be among the cleverest animals in the world. These largest members of the crow family can even score as high on intelligence tests as chimpanzees. Ravens can remember where food is hidden, can use tools to get at it, follow human faces with their eyes, and understand what people mean when they point. All in all, researchers praise their “general, sophisticated cognitive skills.” The study was carried out at Osnabruck University in Germany.

No matter how much you give a homeless person for tea, you never get that tea.

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19

The Revd Peter Crumpler, a Church of England priest in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director for the CofE, considers the New Year ahead.

Five things I’d like to see in 2021 I KEEP HEARING people say that 2020 was a ‘year like no other.’ Friends have been writing a special journal recording the year, so they can pass it on to their grandchildren. Others just want to leave 2020 behind and look to a happier new year. Both reactions are completely understandable. But I’ve been looking ahead to 2021 and thinking about the five top things I’d like to see in the year ahead. I wonder if you’ll agree with them or not? Maybe you could put together your own list. Let’s make sure the vaccines are distributed fairly and speedily. Those who need the vaccine most urgently should receive it first, with a fair system for ensuring everyone else can be vaccinated quickly and efficiently. We need to ensure that everyone receives the vaccine wherever they live in the world – from the poorest to the richest. Especially, in those parts of the world where there is war, and people are living as refugees. Let’s learn the lessons of the pandemic – not just going back to how life was, as quickly as possible. Many of us learnt to appreciate our family so very much more – especially when we could not be with them for months on end. We learnt lessons about how important our neighbours and local businesses are, how precious our NHS, medical researchers, care providers and other frontline workers are. Let’s not forget them. Let’s value nature. Those of us with gardens, or with parks or fields nearby, have been massively blessed. I’ve learnt to pay attention to birdsong, to the changing colours of the trees, and how unexpected plants have taken root in our garden. Pets have played a major part in helping us endure the lockdowns, especially for people who live alone. May we all learn to value the natural world on our doorsteps in the year ahead and beyond. Let’s bless technology. Without the use of the internet, meeting people ‘online’ or keeping in touch via email, Facetime or other technologies, 2020 would have been a whole lot tougher. Churches across the country moved their Sunday services online, and soon adapted to a different way of worshipping – not the same, but still helping us to worship together and see familiar faces. Let’s continue to give thanks for the science that made that contact possible in 2020. Let’s value our church family. Imperfect we may be, like any family. But the months without being physically able to worship with them, share communion with them, sing alongside them have been hard. I value so much how many churches have risen to the pandemic challenge and sought to serve their communities in all kinds of ways. May we take all this experience into 2021 and build upon it. Whatever 2021 holds for you and all those that you love, I pray that you may know the love of God in your life, and be able to pass it on to others.

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Mobile: 07494820600 - Telephone: 01530 231 631 Email: eandlmaintenanceltd@outlook.com Got really emotional this morning at the petrol station. Don’t know why, just started filling up.

20

THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Borough Councillor Andy Furlong’s Tel: 01530 231377 Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk HAPPY NEW Year everyone. Here’s hoping that it turns out to be a better one than 2020. The pessimistic announcement from 10 Downing Street in the first week of January was unwelcome, but not unexpected, given the way in which COVID-19 infection rates were tracking prior to Christmas. I have been watching the daily figures for our area with a growing sense of concern, and, whilst I am at risk of repeating myself, all I can do is urge all Herald readers to stick to the government’s ‘rules’ - whatever they are by the time you get to read this.

Poundstretcher planning appeal I WRITE THESE words during a break in the virtual appeal hearing that has come about because the borough refused to agree an extension to the HGV operating hours at the Poundstretcher site in Desford. Regular readers will know that this issue has been dragging on since 2019. The inquiry has been running for nearly seven hours. I fear that there may be several hours of discussion still to come. I’d hoped to write about the outcome in this column, but it seems unlikely that a decision will be made before this issue goes to press. Residents protest against Poundstretcher Nonetheless, you outside a Planning Committee meeting in 2019 can be assured that, along with representatives from Markfield Parish Council, I am doing everything possible to highlight the threat to the quality of life that will be a consequence of additional lorry movements. Residents living on, and near, Thornton Lane, Ratby Lane and Launde Road know only too well what it’s like to live on the route to and from the site. The decision will hinge on a range of planning technicalities. These include: what does the loss of amenity really mean for residents affected by Poundstretcher? (‘Amenity’ is the fancy word used by planners when they talk about our right to peace and quiet). Witnesses for Poundstretcher are quoting legislation that noise on a public highway isn’t a nuisance insofar as their planning application is concerned. Other arguments being used against Markfield residents include the assertion that you don’t live ‘nearby’ the site in question; one witness implied that it’s all in your head; whilst another interpreted guidance from the World Health Organisation to conclude that noise created before 11pm is not classified as a problem! It looks like the hearing is set to run into a second day and we are also going to be treated to the pleasure of a guided tour of the site for our trouble. I’ve taken some comfort that the appeal is being heard by a government inspector whose approach appears to be fair and rigorous. He’s giving everyone a hard time, including a poor, unfortunate Liberal councillor from Desford who received a stern ticking off for bringing politics into the discussion. I have managed to avoid a warning so far, but readers can rest assured that I will continue to stick up for the village until the bitter end and I will update you on the outcome next month.

Mercenfeld Primary School I AM CONTINUING to press the Academy Trust management at Mercenfeld Primary School over the matter of traffic congestion and public safety in Oakfield Avenue at school gate times. To date, I will confess that I’m not making much progress. One of my big worries around the ‘academisation’ of our schools is the loss of accountability to the local communities that they serve. The problems at Mercenfeld seem to confirm my fears and it is frustrating that the trust CEO, Mr. Gareth Nelmes, appears unwilling to respond to the very real concerns of responsible parents and the disruption that the school is causing to residents. On the upside I have had a productive conversation with the Chair of the Local Advisory Board, Mrs.Sally Collins. Sally is also chasing Mr. Nelmes, but sadly her power and influence is much reduced now that the school has become an Academy.

Anti-Social Behaviour ON A MORE positive note, following a steer from Markfield Parish Council, I contacted the Leicestershire Police to ask for greater attention to be placed on anti-social behaviour at the Jubilee Playing Fields off Altar Stones Lane. Initial feedback suggests that this is now happening, and police patrols are visiting the area more frequently. If readers are aware of any other hidey holes where people are causing trouble in Markfield, Field Head or Stanton Under Bardon please let me know.

Reasons to be cheerful A NEW YEAR brings new opportunities and challenges, but it’s also a chance to look back and see what lessons can be learned from the old one. I started this column with the observation that 2020 had been a rather grim affair. Few, if any readers will dispute this, but there have been things to celebrate both locally, nationally and internationally that are worth flagging. So here, in no particular order, are ten things that raised a smile over the last twelve months: • The arrival of not just one, but two, vaccines effective against COVID19 • Stopping several unwanted planning applications in their tracks, including the Bardon 3 industrial estate and the Spa Vale Shooting Ground on Broad Lane • Improved air quality in Leicestershire because of reduced traffic volumes • The Borough Council waking up to the threat of global warming and signing up to the climate emergency declaration • Captain Sir Tom Moore and Marcus Rashford • The fantastic volunteer efforts of the Markfield Good Neighbours and the Bagworth, Thornton and Stanton Coronavirus Response Team • Key workers everywhere; including teachers, refuse collectors, care home workers, cops, paramedics, shopworkers and Thumbs up for Sir Tom everyone involved in the NHS – the folk who really matter • Socially distanced dancing on Croftway on Markfield – I nearly fell off the sofa Jo! • The eradication of polio in Africa • Massive voter turnout in the US and the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

And finally A BIG THANK YOU to all those who have asked about my dear old mum. Both she, and the care Marcus Rashford tackles home where she lives, are holiday hunger now clear of COVID19 and she celebrated her 85th birthday at the start of the month. It may be some time before I get to see her in person, but thanks to the wonders of videoconferencing I can report that she looks fit, well, and happy. Best wishes for 2021…

Andy Furlong

Contact me on 01530 231377 or via andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

I’m learning to joust in the evenings. Well, it’s actually knight classes.

21

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Dear Friends, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I guess a lot of us were glad to say “Good riddance” to 2020, and started 2021 with hopes for better times. I wonder how many of us, though, soon felt demoralised as we entered lockdown yet again? One thing that has struck me since lockdown started, is how much humour I’ve seen on social media. Like the lady asking Alexa for the weather forecast, for Alexa to say back, “Where do you think you’re going?” Or the one where the doorknob tells you to get a grip, the fridge is cold and distant, the iron says all the wrinkles will be smoothed out…. Why do we do it? Is it to deny what’s happening? Or does it remind us that there is still joy and hope? When we share “funnies” with friends and family, it’s because we want to bring them happiness. And even when it seems there’s nothing to laugh at, we can probably all think of people who bring joy into our lives, by their warmth and enthusiasm, smiles and encouragement. I hope and pray that 2021 will be a time when we can be thankful to all who have brought joy, laughter and happiness to our lives. May we carry on encouraging each other, by sharing these gifts with others.

Judith Lincoln Minister, Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org FB Markfield Methodist Church

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22

THE HERALD • MID-JANUARY 2021 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community and Sports Centre News Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Happy New Year LET’S START off on a bright note and wish you all a Happy and healthy New Year. We have left the awful 2020 behind us and, despite the new variant of Corona Virus sweeping the country there is hope that, with the new vaccines being rolled out, there is a return to some form of normality in 2021. So, chins up, stay safe and best wishes from all at the Community Centre.

Covid 19 Closure DISAPPOINTINGLY we now find ourselves in the Tier 4 with the highest levels of restrictions that has once again forced the centre to close for the foreseeable future. Activities at the Centre are once again severely limited. We have kept the Centre COVID 19 secure and it remains available for emergency use and as a virtual hub for the village especially the Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme. Some good news is that the Hinckley and Bosworth VCS recognizing all the good work we have done has given us a grant which will help us survive financially for the next few months.

collecting prescriptions, delivering donations, hampers and food parcels as well as shopping and keeping in touch with lonely people. From all of the messages and cards that we have received the support provided by the scheme is so much appreciated by our community. Without the help and support of all our volunteers this would not have happened. Please remember that, if you need any help with shopping, collecting prescription, other problems or just someone to chat just give us a call on 07885 243033. IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP. If you would like to join our band of volunteers or need some help please contact us at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk or ring us on 07885 243033

MAYFLOWER CLUB Virtual Christmas Party

Christmas Cheer IT’S NOT BEEN all doom and gloom and the village has experienced and we have to be grateful for little bits of Christmas that has brought some smiles and cheer. From the Parish Council’s Christmas Tree and lights on The Green to all of the festive lights and decorations outside people’s houses and the visit of the Fire Service’s Father Christmas around the village which brought delight to many. We even had a bit of snow with several snowmen popping up on the Community Park. It was also lovely to see children on the park trying out their new bikes, scooters, prams and remote control model cars. We had been planning a Christmas Light trail around the village however, the rapid rise in infections made it unsafe to do so. The generosity of people over the Christmas period has been amazing and heart-warming. Below are just some of the acts of Christmas kindness by villagers during the Christmas period. Children from local nurseries made lovely Christmas cards that we put in Christmas hampers to bring a smile Dozens of toys were donated to the Toys on the Table appeal. We understand that 4,500 presents were wrapped and distributed not only in Markfield but throughout the County to ensure that every child got a present on Christmas Day. Anstey Church was unable to hold its annual “Don’t be alone at Christmas” gathering on Christmas Day. Instead Christmas hampers were made up from donations and distributed to potentially lonely people in Markfield and the surrounding villages. Staff at the Coach and Horses stepped up to the plate and cooked 30 Christmas dinners which were distributed to needy people by volunteers on Christmas Eve. Donations of food were received from our local Co-Op and Markfield Village Shop providing delicious Christmas puddings. Many thanks go to everyone involved in making this festive meal possible. Apart from the above we had an avalanche of items donated to make up Christmas parcels for villagers. We also had donations of baby clothes, baby equipment and even cooking apples for those that need them. A surprise item came from Markfield, Thornton and Bagworth Colts who made up Christmas Hampers and delivered them to people nominated in the village for their help and support in the village throughout the pandemic. They were much appreciated and we thank the Colts for this kind gesture. The Markfield Good neighbours Scheme has been supported throughout this pandemic by the local chemists, post office and Fusion restaurant for which we send our sincere thanks.

Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme DESPITE SOME of our volunteers or their family members coming down with the virus or having to self- isolate the Scheme has continued to do sterling work providing help and support in the village and beyond. Indeed the number of volunteers on our contacts list has even increased to 80+. Even in bad weather they have continued to help our community

BECAUSE of the latest restrictions we were unable to hold our annual Mayflower Club Christmas Party. Our members were so disappointed. Instead we held a virtual Party during the afternoon of Wednesday 16th December. Prior to the event we made up and delivered surprise virtual party boxes that contained hats, balloons, Christmas crackers, blowers, mince pies, Christmas puzzles and jokes and much more to give members a bit of party cheer. From the messages we received from our members they much appreciated the “party” and it brought them a lot of festive cheer in these difficult times. With the tremendous support of Carol Kemp we will continue to keep in touch with members and have virtual club meetings every Wednesday afternoon. With everything crossed we hope that sessions will return sometime in 2021. We miss you all and will let you know when we can resume.

A BIG THANK YOU THERE ARE NOT enough words to express all our heart felt thanks and appreciation to EVERYONE who has helped and supported Markfield throughout these terrible times. There are so many people to mention that it would take a complete edition of the Herald to mention. Every bit of help or support no matter how large or small has made a BIG difference in the village and has benefited so many. You ALL deserve recognition and a medal. Let’s get through this together and by staying safe we can. Once again thank you and Happy New Year to you all from all at the Community Centre and we are looking forward to a BIG community party once this is all over.

Ron and Dawn Grantham

I’ve put a marquee up in my garden, with funky music and flashing lights. Now is the winter of my disco tent.

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23

Letters

Open Letter to to our Local and County Councillors

Waste of public funds WHO IN their wildest dreams of grandeur contemplated that the resurfacing work in Croftway was a good use of public funds ? The cost of this adventure must be close to £10,000 given the manpower and heavy plant engaged in the work and for what gain? The road was perfectly serviceable as it was. As you walk around our village there are literally ‘hundreds’ of pothole repairs on our more used roads, not to mention the poor state of many of our pavements which are a Health and Safety hazard to our less able and elderly villagers. Who makes these decisions and where is the accountability? Far too much time is being spent looking into the future and not enough on the here and now . By Email

Thank you for a very kind deed! I’D LIKE TO use the services of The Herald to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Helen Crouch for helping me out recently.

I do quite a bit of walking locally, despite my advancing years, and Helen kindly provided me with a Hi-Vis jacket to make sure drivers can see me on these gloomy winter days. Thank you Helen - you are a star!

Deirdre Cook

Pie Night is now Wednesday Steak Night is now Thursday

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Home-Made Pie Night - Wednesday- FROM £6.95 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

Call Mike today on 01530 244069 or email your details to info@markfieldherald.co.uk

My favourite part of church is when they pass round the basket of free money.

START THE YEAR IN STYLE SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH

CHARNWOOD LIVING HIGH STREET SERVICE AT INTERNET PRICES NO SALE NO FEE

LANDLORDS ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING HIGH FEES?

CALL US NOW TO SEE HOW MUCH WE CAN SAVE YOU Charnwood Living Ltd - Terms & Conditions Apply

0116 243 0880

www.charnwoodliving.co.uk

17 The Nook | Anstey | Leicester | LE7 7AZ