Mid-June 2021 Herald Magazine

MID-JUNE 2021

Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth Get snapping or filming!

Summer at last!

Churches Together in Markfield - at Hill Hole

THORNTON OPEN GARDENS – ONLINE

Organised by Friends of St Peter’s, Thornton.

YOU HAVE just a few days left to take photos of your Thornton or Merry Lees garden and be part of the village video for us all to enjoy.

To take part please note the following • Use your phone or camera to take photos, a video or a combination.

• Please take them in landscape, rather than portrait if possible.

• Videos should aim to be up to one minute in length. Longer videos (absolute max of 3 minutes please) can be sent in but it is possible that I may need to edit them down to one minute, depending on response.

• If sending only photos, please send a maximum of 12 • You may appear in your photo/video if you wish but the aim is to show the beauty and diversity of the gardens.

• I will not attach any precise addresses or surnames, but would ideally like to use first names of those whose gardens they are, and the road you live in. Please let me know which you would prefer and make clear if you wish to be totally anonymous.

• Maximum individual e-mail size 15MB please • For multiple photos or for videos, please e-mail me first so we can arrange how they can be sent to me; or share with me on Onedrive, Dropbox or some other cloud method!

• To Contact me or send your photos, send to: thornton.opengardens@outlook.com • All videos and photos must be received by 20th June Last year’s video has been watched over 1500 times!

Virtual Open Gardens 2021 will be available to view on Youtube in early July, and this year we aim to have a Justgiving link for those who would like to make a donation.

Lis Muller

A Brew About You in Bagworth

I’VE TEAMED UP with the Thornton and Bagworth Response Team and we are putting on a coffee morning.

It’s called ‘A Brew About You’and takes place every Tuesday from 10.30-11.30am at the Bagworth Community Centre. It is open to everyone and the aim is to have a bit of a mental health check in. After all of this lockdown, we’ve not been able to socialise so it’s a stepping stone back to normality. It’s a space to talk about any worries you might have or just a general chit chat. We also offer a FREE drink!

Bizzle Bourner

St Michaels Church, Markfield Methodist, Coalville Catholic Church and Markfield Congregational Church continue to work well together arranging joint services and other activities.

To celebrate Whit Sunday 23rd May Pentecost, ten of us made our way to the top of Hill Hole to focus and pray for Markfield. We were provided with hot dogs by Rev. Joy Langford.

Sadly Rev Joy will be leaving the Congregational Church in August to take up a post with the Methodist Circuit leading 3 churches in Leicester.

As restrictions are hopefully lifted in June we look forward to restarting our once a month joint services. Please feel free to join us.

Churches details are found within the Herald.

Workshops in Nature Summer Workshops in the setting of our beautiful and local National Forest

I’M REALLY HAPPY to introduce this series of workshops in nature for anyone in North West Leicestershire living with a condition which limits quality or length of life.

We are delighted to partner with the National Forest, and with Wild Minds to offer 3 free workshops in the beautiful location of Feanedock, to reconnect people with nature and to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.

For those who have been shielding, or worried about venturing out over this last year, we hope to offer a safe space to enjoy the beauty of our local surroundings and feel more confident about getting back out.

For more details or to register your interest in any of the dates, please contact: Liz Waters – Lead in Community Engagement at Hospice Hope Tel: 07591 952 027 Email: natureworkshops@hospicehope.org.uk

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THE BIG CON

By Tony Sales

Fraudster, swindler, conman, chancer, trickster, loveable rogue, the Southerner with more front than Southend - call him what you will. Tony Sales knew how to make money.

From emptying fruit machines to cloning credit cards, the man from Greenwich made a mint. And boy did he splash the cash. Fast cars, holidays in sun-kissed millionaires’ playgrounds, mixing with the great and the good.

Then came the internet - the gamechanger. Data became the new currency, and how he exploited it, stealing identities and splurging hundreds of thousands on the latest must-have goods.

Sales never fails. Or so he thought.

Tony bit off more than he could chew, and ended up having to swallow a twelve-month stretch in 2010 for passport forgery. It would prove to be a life-changing sentence.

Now he has done a Frank Abagnale Jr. and gone from poacher to gamekeeper, helping global finance giants stave off prolific cyber crooks like his former self.Only through the eyes of a criminal can you anticipate their next move. This is the incredible true story of King Con: how he stole a fortune, lost it all, and turned his life around.

News from Markfield WI

MAY WAS our Resolutions evening. There was only one resolution this year which was to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer with the public and with the medical profession.

We watched a video presentation produced by Target Ovarian Cancer which outlined both the symptoms and the difficulties of diagnosis - the symptoms can be vague and are easily mis-diagnosed as other problems.

We all voted in favour of the resolution which will go forward to the National WI and, if passed, will go on to become a national campaign.

We feel that the WI is well placed to further this campaign prompting a discussion of ovarian cancer with women and giving support to other organisations working in this area.

Following the video and discussion we were entertained by local lady Hilary Ayling. She recited the poem ‘When I am old I shall wear purple’ and, although obviously none of us is old, we found purple items in our wardrobes to wear at the meeting.

We were also pleased to welcome Methodist Minister Judith Lincoln to our meeting as part of her wish to get to know the wider community. We hope that she enjoyed the evening and will feel free to join us on other occasions We have continued to have gettogethers in groups of six, luckily we are now able to meet indoors as there has been a shortage of garden weather. We are also continuing with our various hobbies; one member has produced some very impressive tatting and Jane has shared a photo of her first baby loofah.

At our June meeting Polly Morgans of Flowers from the Farm will be talking about growing and arranging British flowers and will be giving a demonstration. As ever visitors are welcome.

Lynda Owen

What happens when you look at your smartphone LOOKING AT your smartphone, or touching it, makes other people want to do the same to their smartphones.

A recent study at the university of Pisa calls it ‘human mimicry’, when people unintentionally change their physical behaviour to match those of people nearby.

The study found it happened to people in social settings that included work, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, waiting rooms, social parties, social meals, public parks and family environments. Try it yourself, and see what happens to people near you a few minutes later….

If my kids knew there was a light in the oven, they’d leave that one on too.

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

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.

I

THINK IT is undoubtedly true that when it comes to pomp and pageantry Britain leads the world, never more so than when Her Majesty reads the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.

Even with this year’s ceremony pared back due to Covid there really was something special in watching our Head of State undertake this centuries old tradition. I’m sure like almost every other MP I entered my name in the ballot to attend this year’s speech, unfortunately on this occasion it wasn’t picked out.

Watching on television from my office, I’m sure just like you, I was blown away by Her Majesty. To think of the trials and tribulations she has been through over the past year and to have so recently lost her husband of more than 70 years didn’t it show remarkable strength and fortitude for her to turn up and ‘get on with the day job’?

What a remarkable woman she is and a role model to us all.

Professionalism and duty personified. Of course, it’s very clear the Her Majesty’s life has been driven by the very notion of duty: in her case duty to her country and to her people.

In a sense isn’t duty something which drives us all?

It struck me that the Prime Minister and Government – and indeed every MP no matter their party – are all very much aware of their duty to rebuild our nation after the pandemic.

The Prime Minister has described it as ‘building back better’ but no matter our personal politics we are all conscious about the need to learn the lessons of the past year and grow once more.

It struck me that the list of bills in the Queen’s speech are all very much about duty to our nation too – to preserve our best and grab our opportunities.

Whether it is the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to provide a lifetime skills guarantee; a Health and Care Bill which will allows patients to receive more tailored and preventative care closer to home; or a new plan for immigration to establish a fairer immigration system the Government is seeking to improve the lives of every Briton from cradle to grave.

A quote often attributed to Henry Ford is “If you do what you have always done, you’ll get what you have always got.” Whether Ford ever did say those words will remain unknown for ever, but it doesn’t minimise their importance which, I think, also speaks to a sense of duty.

Don’t forget to send us your news.

Thanks!

We all have a duty to learn from our mistakes and our successes, not doing so is wrong. So I was pleased when the Prime Minister announced earlier this month that a full public inquiry will be held to learns lessons from the pandemic.

Like any public inquiry it will take time to take evidence and report on such a broad remit, but we have to acknowledge that this is necessary if we are committed to it being truly meaningful.

Of course duty isn’t just for our queen and politicians, we all have a role to play as we ‘build back better’. Please do whatever you can to support your community in

the coming months. By working together we will fulfil our duty to deliver a bright future for all of us.

Warm regards

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

South Charnwood High School ‘encouraging excellence, valuing people’ Headteacher: Andrew Morris Deputy Headteachers: Simon Andrews, Abigail Lear Assistant Headteacher: Kathryn Juszkiewicz Business Manager: Alistair Keates

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My cat just swatted my dog in the face for yawning loudly, and it was then I knew they were married.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Application deadline is 25th June

Environment grants available for community groups

COMMUNITY groups and organisations have just a couple of weeks left to apply for the latest round of SHIRE Environment Grants of up to £3,000.

The scheme, run by Leicestershire County Council, aims to help new projects that minimise household waste, reduce carbon emissions or improve biodiversity.

The SHIRE grants project is already making a difference with several projects benefitting from the previous round of grant aid.

South Kilworth Parish Council ran one of the projects which benefited.

Their bird box scheme saw a total of 94 RSPB birdboxes placed around private houses, the church and the school in time for the 2021 breeding season. The boxes were a mix of designs for Blue Tits, Great Tits, Sparrows, Nuthatch, Robin, Wrens, Pied Wagtails, Spotted Flycatchers and Swifts.

The types of projects that could benefit from funding include initiatives to reduce household waste or greenhouse gas emissions within communities, the development of local green spaces or habitats which increase biodiversity, or increase knowledge around these issues.

Other projects which have benefited from the fund include Cotesbach Parish Council’s improvements to their village pond to improve biodiversity, Melton’s 103 The Eye who are running a radio recycling and repair scheme and the Loughborough Wellbeing Centre who are running textile reuse and upcycling sessions.

To be eligible for the grant, projects must be located in Leicestershire (not including Leicester or Rutland). A simplified application process is also available for smaller grants of up to £300. The application deadline is June 25, 2021. For further information and how to apply, visit: www. leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/grants/environment-grant.htmlOpens another website in new window or email environmentgrant@leics.gov.uk or call the SHIRE Environment Grants Team on 0116 305 7005.

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Despite watching several YouTube instructional videos, the appendectomy was unsuccessful.

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Some very sad news Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald

Malcolm Goldring

I MENTIONED in my April article that my brother-in-law had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and that he was poorly, but we were unclear about possible treatment options and palliative care.

Sadly Malcolm’s health continued to deteriorate fairly rapidly and he passed away on May 12th at home in Markfield with my sister at his bedside. His death was far too sudden to fully comprehend and a Covid restricted funeral was held on the 2nd June which paid tribute to his life in the best way possible, with lots of music and considered reflection. Malcolm had his own Wikipedia entry due to his acclaimed artistry and this has been updated to reflect his death. He will be greatly missed.

Malcolm Goldring FRSA (1949-2021) is an English conductor and musical director. Malcolm Goldring studied the oboe at the Royal College of Music.

He also graduated from Durham University in 1972 with a PGCE. In 1975 he founded the Midland Festival Chorus and was Musical Director of the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir from 1988 to 1995. He was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 1990, which allowed him to tour the United States and Canada studying the development of youth and children’s choirs. On his return he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He has conducted most of the major British orchestras, including the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, English Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Swan. In 2014 he conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a concert marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. Malcolm died after a short illness on 12 May 2021.

Development off Hill Lane, Markfield

AS EXPECTED, a Planning application for 75 houses off Hill Lane in Markfield has now been submitted by developers and will appear from the Council in due course.

I am opposed to this application and as I will be for the other applications currently awaiting determination by the Borough. I mentioned last year that Markfield has felt under siege by developers who want to ‘build, build, build’ and making various unsubstantiated claims. It was reported again last month that the number of planning permissions granted for housing units yet to be actually constructed

stands at well over 1 million.

Many of us were aware of the coming storm which is exactly why we set about building our defences in the form of the Markfield Neighbourhood Plan (MNP). This plan is now nearing the end of its journey, through the considerable bureaucracy which must be followed. It has just completed its independent examination and will soon be put to you in the form of a local referendum. This plan gathers strength in the planning process each stage it completes and so I hope it will have enough strength to kill off the speculative applications we are now witnessing. Timing is everything and 6 months later this plan would have been of little value as it wouldn’t have been able to influence these applications. So far the only application that has been determined was the Jelson application which was the MNP allocation site and could accommodate the projected housing allocations upto 2039. As it was the MNP would not have been strong enough to resist the Jelson application at the time the application needed determining hence the course of action taken.

It is not too late to object to the application for 75 house off Hill Lane and I would encourage everyone to do so. I would recommend that objections are based on the following key points; • Markfield has a neighbourhood plan (MNP) which has now been subject to independent examination and agreed. The MNP should now be given a high degree of weight in the planning process and has been worked on by the community for over 3 years with considerable resources deployed.

• The MNP takes a positive approach to development by adopting the housing needs projection from the Burbage NP enquiry and this ensures it is future proofed and takes account of any likely increases in housing numbers with the development of the Borough Local Plan.

The site put forward by the MNP accommodates 282 dwellings (now with consent with a developer).

• It therefore meets all the key requirements to ensure Markfield is meeting the Governments housing delivery plans. As a result no other site should be consented.

• Because of the MNP and the development site within it, the planning balance should tilt in favour of protecting the present application site from development as it is in the open countryside and outside the settlement boundary.

• The development would cause considerable harm to the local vista especially as it sits adjacent to the Hill Hole nature reserve which affords views across Leicestershire and is visited by thousands of people every year.

• Highway concerns are evident with the junction from Hill Lane/ Ashby Rd the subject of a number of RTA’s and no footpath exists on Hill Lane for pedestrians.

• With consent already in place for 282 dwellings a further 75 will increase yet further the pressure on local services without sufficient financial contributions to mitigate this.

• With the MNP in place any judgment should recognise that a 3 year land supply only is required to tilt the balance away from protecting the open countryside and preventing development outside the settlement boundary.

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

Sage and Pancetta Roast Chicken

Marketing Manager appointment further strengthens Pall-Ex team

Give classic roast chicken a tasty makeover with a handful of fresh sage and some delicious smoky flavoured Italian bacon called pancetta. Look out for thin rashers of pancetta in the deli section of your supermarket or buy it freshly sliced from an Italian deli. Serve with roasted baby new potatoes and lightly steamed vegetables for a wonderful summer Sunday lunch.

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Place the chicken in a foil-lined roasting tin. Smear half of the softened butter over the chicken breast, legs and wings and scatter over half the sage leaves.

Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover the chicken loosely with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour 10 minutes. Uncover and baste the chicken with any juices twice during cooking.

Serves: 4 Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes • • • • • • • • •

1.3kg oven-ready chicken (preferably free range) 55g butter, softened Approx. 20 fresh sage leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 85g smoked pancetta slices 115g fresh white breadcrumbs 1 medium egg, beaten Fresh sage leaves, to garnish Tip To make light gravy to serve with the roast chicken, drain off any excess fat from the roasting tin then heat the pan juices until sizzling. Add a splash of dry white wine or sherry then stir in a little plain flour and 1 tsp wholegrain mustard. Cook for 1 minute then gradually pour in 400ml hot chicken or vegetable stock and slowly bring to the boil, stirring all the time. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until just thickened. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.

2. Meanwhile, melt the rest of the butter in a frying pan, add the chopped onion and fry gently for 5 minutes. Chop half the pancetta and add to the pan, frying for a further 5 minutes until the onion is softened and golden. Remove from the heat. Finely chop the rest of the sage and add to the pan with the breadcrumbs and some seasoning.

3. Leave to cool then stir in the beaten egg.

Press the stuffing mixture into a greased 18cm round shallow cake tin.

4. Uncover the chicken and top with the rest of the pancetta slices. Return to the oven and roast, uncovered, for a further 25-35 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through – the juices should run clear with no sign of pinkness when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced. Cook the stuffing in the oven at the same time until set and pale golden.

5. Remove the chicken from the oven, cover and leave to rest for 10-15 minutes. Cut the stuffing into wedges and serve on a platter with the roast chicken, garnished with the fresh sage leaves.

PALL-EX GROUP has welcomed a new Marketing Manager to the team as it continues to deliver sector leading marketing solutions for its stakeholders.

Sian Morley joined the team in April, bringing with her 18 years of experience in the marketing industry.

This experience includes stints working in digital marketing agencies, supporting bluechip clients such as Amex and Continental Tyres and her expertise in this field means the team will continue to deliver the best possible marketing solutions for Pall-Ex Group and its shareholder membership.

The Group’s unique structure means that Sian is responsible for the marketing of Pall-Ex (UK) Ltd, Fortec Distribution Network, the UK membership of both networks and the brand’s international portfolio.

Luckily, former roles included a Project Manager position with Daily Mail Group, so the wide range of responsibilities is a challenge Sian is well equipped to take on.

Talking about her new role and what she hopes to bring to Pall-Ex Group, Sian comments: “This is my first role within logistics and there has been a lot to learn since my first day at the start of April.

“My time with agencies and working with big name companies has given me the tools I need to support the team and help our members achieve growth.”

After what has been a challenging period for the logistics industry, which has seen a large increase in pallet volumes, Sian will be looking to deliver new initiatives to achieve excellence.

She explains: “The focus of this next year will be on promoting Pall-Ex Group’s brand across various channels and growing our International portfolio.”

Birthday cake is the only food you can blow on and spit on and still everybody rushes to get a piece.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

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New project for autistic people LEICESTERSHIRE County Council and Leicester City Council have joined together to encourage autistic people, their families, and carers to share their experiences of being diagnosed with the condition and receiving support.

The Every Voice Counts initiative is asking residents to share their personal experience of health and social care services from the day of their diagnosis through to their ongoing support.

Their experiences will help to improve the care which autistic people receive in the county and city.

To gather people’s views, the councils are hosting virtual focus groups and one-to-one discussions throughout June, with the sessions chaired by an autistic person.

Christine Radford, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “This new project seeks to break down the barriers and boundaries which may exist between professionals, communities and the people who use our services and their carers so that we can work together better and create really positive changes to the services we offer.

“The project will provide a platform for autistic people, and their families and carers to share their experiences and be at the heart of making sure the right services and support are available for everyone in Leicester and Leicestershire in the future.”

There are other ways to get involved, such as by sharing artwork, poems, or short stories.

Cllr Sarah Russell, Leicester’s deputy city mayor for social care and anti-poverty, said: “We want the Every Voice Counts project to become a catalyst for real and meaningful engagement with autistic people who use our services. It’s really important that they, their families and their carers have their voices heard.

“We want to involve as many people as we can in this, to make sure we all learn from the experiences of autistic people when they access health, education, housing, leisure, and social care services.

“People can share their experiences with us so that we can feed back to other specialist groups.”

If you would like to get involved or sign up to a discussion group, contact autism officer Ester Vickers on 0116 454 4243 or email: ester.vickers@ leicester.gov.uk

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THE HERALD • MID-JUNE 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 THIS IS MY first article since last month’s local elections and I wanted to start by thanking the residents of Markfield, Desford & Thornton Division for re-electing me as your County Councillor.

I have enjoyed the last four years working alongside the parish councils, community groups and voluntary organisations; and I pledge to continue working diligent for all the residents of the area however, so you voted.

Following the Council’s Annual General Meeting it is huge honour to have been appointed to the Cabinet of Leicestershire County Council, where I will be the Lead on ‘Covid Recovery & Ways of Working’ Reforms.

The Council’s vision is to be a modern, effective, and productive organisation that people are proud to work for; by creating the right culture, right technology, and right space to better support service delivery.

But what does this mean…

Workplaces: Fewer, but more effectively utilised; and that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Technology: IT infrastructure optimised to support more efficient delivery of services as we keep pace with technological change.

The way we work: Creating a flexible, but smarter culture. There is no such thing as ‘9-5’ anymore and local Councils need to reform to reflect the pace of the modern world.

People: Promoting a confident, capable, and engaging workforce. Afterall people are the most important part to delivering high quality public services.

Development Matters

SINCE THE election I have met with Ross Hills, the newly elected County Councillor for Mallory, and I am confident that we have a shared vision for residents of the area.

In particular we are keen to support each other with several issues, in particular that of planning and development – a function performed by the Borough Council. A grave concern of mine being a meeting HBBCs Scrutiny Commission on 20th May at which the Borough Council outline barriers for it missing the Housing Delivery Test: “3.9 Areas that have been identified as barriers to housing delivery are: • Lack of a new Local Plan with a new portfolio of housing allocations; • Enhanced engagement with Neighbourhood Development Planning Groups; • Delays to the delivery of the SUEs; • Planning application determination timeframes; • Section 106 timeframes; and • Statutory stakeholder engagement.”

The full report can be viewed: https://moderngov. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/documents/s15394/ Housing%20delivery%20test%20report.pdf Writing “Enough is Enough” on a leaflet simply will not do.

As I made clear during the election campaign it is vital that the Local Planning Authority (Hinckley & Bosworth) addresses these issues at pace to ensure that our villages are protected from yet more speculative applications.

120X Bus Service

DURING THE MONTH I was frustrated to read that Paul Winson buses (a commercially operated route, i.e. not one of the existing County Council funded services) decided terminate its Loughborough service.

I do know that many local residents, particularly older ones, relied on this service for their shopping/medical trips into Loughborough. As such I have had conversations with the company to see if this service can be reinstated. It would appear that a key hurdle for them is the fact that bus companies only receive approximately 35% of the cost of a ticket where customers use their “free bus passes”; this in turn affects the financial viability of the route.

This was news to me and clearly something beyond my own ‘powers’ as County Councillor; but I will be taking this up further to try to find a solution to this problem.

Once again, I would like to thank residents for your support and if I can be of assistance with any local issues please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes,

Peter (County Councillor) E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt

How come, no matter what colour bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white?

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

11

Slim down TWO OUT of three adults in the UK are now overweight.

That means that the Government has made tackling obesity as the ‘priority’ for recovering from the pandemic.

(80 per cent of our health problems are caused by unhealthy lifestyles.)

Boris Johnson recently announced an Office for Health Promotion (OHP) to boost our activity and to slim our waistlines. Experts say that the Covid-19 death toll has been fuelled by the obesity epidemic.

Why your dog may be in danger DOG THEFTS across the UK soared last year.

The problem is now so serious that the government is to set up a pet theft taskforce to fight the organised crime gangs involved.

The taskforce will include officials from the Environment Department (Defra), the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the police. There will also be input from animal welfare experts.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said: “Having callous thieves steal a much-loved pet is heartbreaking for families, and is a cruel crime.” Stealing a pet is already a criminal offence, with the offender facing up to seven years in prison.

The police strongly advise pet owners never to leave their pet unattended in public, to vary their walking routines, and to take basic security steps at home, such as checking locks on doors and garden gates.

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I own seven pairs of khaki pants in case anyone wants to start a gang.

12

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

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

The Centre’s Gradual Re-Opening AT LAST, we have got rid of the soggy, cold and rather bleak month of May. The sun is out and the weather is warming up nicely.

The vaccination programme is going fantastically well and there is hope that life will get back to normal in the summer. The only concern is the rising spread of the new COVID variant which may delay the next stage of the Governments Step 4 road map to recovery due on the 21st June. So, please, please keep your guard up and stay safe.

On the 17th May the Centre reopened to accommodate indoor adult sport, exercise and other very limited and socially distanced indoor activities.

Despite the continued restrictions it is great to see the Centre being used again with people enjoying their activities.

Markfield Covid 19 Good Neighbours Scheme AT THE LAST count we have 101 LOCAL people registered as volunteers on our Markfield Scheme.

They have done literally hundreds of deeds of kindness helping and supporting people in the village and beyond throughout the pandemic. Not everyone was called upon to help out BUT it was so reassuring to know that there are so many people out there who could be called on to help out when needed. Things have calmed down a bit now but the scheme is still here to help and support you if you need it. Please remember that “IT’S STILL OKAY TO ASK” and if you need any help, support of advice just ring us on 07885 243033 and we will do our level best to help.

Mayflower Club WE HAVE previously mentioned the invaluable voluntary work that one of our members, Carole Kemp has done over the various lock downs helping us to keep the Mayflower Club going even on a virtual basis.

She has kept in touch with members, passed on vital information and helped organise virtual club sessions with quizzes, competition and much, much more. Her support is much appreciated by members and indeed ourselves. In recognition of all she has done, Carole has been nominated for a Hinckley and Bosworth Making a Difference Award. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this year’s presentation event will be held on the 3rd June by means of ZOOM. Carole is quite pleased about this as she would hate to have to go on stage for a public presentation and perhaps even have to make a speech! Well done Carole you deserve this recognition.

• On Monday 17th May the Centre opened its doors for a session of the Mayflower Friendship Club. Because of social distancing members could not play cards or their normal game of dominoes.

They had to settle for a distanced beetle drive.

But they had fun and a chance to have a natter over a cuppa.

The main Mayflower Club restarted on Wednesday 19th May. It was heart-warming to see them all back again meeting up with old friends and clearly enjoying being back out and about. I have to be honest that, at the start of the pandemic we were really worried that we would lose some of them to this dreadful virus and we were so

pleased that thank goodness none of them succumbed. We will never know but, perhaps it was ALL our persistent nagging, advice and information sharing that saw them through. To celebrate our return each member was given a plant pot containing a number of mystery seeds or bulbs to nurture and grow. We are not telling them what they are until, hopefully, they grow. We started back with a socially distanced prize bingo with Carol resuming her place as the resident bingo caller.

On the 26th May we held a Beetle Drive with each member having their own “quarantined” dice to play with. Can you recognize the overall winner even with her face mask on?

If circumstances allow, we are now planning other events including a Pirates of the Caribbean Battle and fancy-dress competition and one of our members Gabriella has knitted a special pirate as a prize.

Other sessions will include a celebration of the Queen’s Official Birthday, a mock Wimbledon session and much more.

If you would like to join in, please come along on Monday and Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm. The cost is only £1.50p per session and you also get a cuppa and biscuits. Please remember to bring your face mask and sanitise your hands when you come into the Centre.

New At The Centre • NEW YOGA CLASS Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 8pm.

• NEW SENIOR KEEP FIT CLASS Thursday evenings from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Summer Holidays SUMMER FUTSAL/FOOTBALL COACHING COURSES • 26 July to 30 July • 2 August to 6 August • 16 August to 20 August The courses are open to all youngsters aged 5 to 11 years.

MINI BIKERS SUMMER COURSES Helping your child to learn to cycle courses will take place at the Centre as follows: 12 July, 13 July, 14 July, 15th and 16th July.

For children aged 3 to 10 years.

National Blood Service THE NEXT sessions will take place on the following Wednesdays 14th July, 29th September and 3rd November 2021.

You can book your blood donation appointment on line so please book your place with the National Blood Service and “Do something amazing” by donating your much needed blood.

Ron and Dawn Grantham

I was going to do something today, but I haven’t finished doing nothing yesterday.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

13

Volunteers are needed to visit children in care

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council is marking Volunteers’ Week with a fresh appeal for independent visitors for children in care.

For some children in care, their only adult influences are professionals, such as foster carers, social workers or teachers. An independent visitor can be a role model and friend outside this network.

The scheme offers a flexible way for people to support children in care and make a positive difference by spending a few hours each month with them, providing friendship and support.

Independent visitors might take a young person to the cinema, to play football at the park or another activity. These simple actions offer consistency and fun for vulnerable young people, as well as being rewarding for volunteers.

Sallyanne and Richard have been independent visitors for seven years.

They said: “It feels good to make a difference to someone else, however small a part of her life we are.

“We see how her trust and confidence has grown since we’ve been taking her out, and we love making her laugh. She really makes us laugh too.”

The council is particularly looking for more men to volunteer.

Independent visitor David, said: “We get on well and he seems to enjoy our time together. He positively engages with me and the activities we do. I enjoy seeing him happy and it gives me satisfaction too.”

Councillor Deborah Taylor, the county council’s cabinet member for children and families, said “All kinds of people can be brilliant independent visitors. Our children in care come from lots of different backgrounds and we’re looking for people from all walks of life with different experiences and interests to connect with them and build meaningful friendships.

“If you feel you could offer support, fun and friendship to a child and create memories for both of you, we’d love to tell you more about becoming an independent visitor.”

Whilst independent visiting is a volunteer role, expenses are paid for days out and activities.

If you would like to be an independent visitor, or have any questions, contact the Fostering Team on 0116 305 05 05 or email fostering@leics.gov.uk For more information about different ways to foster, visit www. fosteringleicestershire.com

Summer has arrived!

Enjoy a Meal, a Drink and a Stroll to the Reservoir!

BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR FOOD

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

WEDNESDAY is

“STEAK NIGHT” 2 Steaks, With Hand-Cut Chips, Peas, Tomato, Mushrooms & Two Glasses of House Wine - £19.95

Traditional Sunday Lunch 1 Course - £9.95 2 Courses - £12.95 3 Courses - £15.95

With personal service to your table

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

I recently added squats to my workouts by moving the beer to the bottom shelf of the fridge.

14

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

HERALD SMALL ADS

Pro Fitness Folding Treadmill for sale, non-motorised.

Price: £30.00 Tel: 07901 513603 (Groby) Slumberland 2 Drawer Double Divan Base With a Sensaform Mattress.Excellent condition, used only for family visits once a year, bedroom required for a different purpose.

Price £50.00 Tel: 0116 231 2395 (Groby) Monitor and stand,boxed.TFT LCD, 19inch slim line grey Price: £10.00 Tel: 0116 287 3270 (Groby)

• Ikea display cabinet - H:2.1m X W:1.03m X D:0.4m . Price: £80.00.

• Ikea black standard lamp.

Price: £5.00.

• Rubber ladder mat, still packaged. Price: £10.00.

• Welsh Dresser base H:0.825m X W:1.38 X D:0.42, Price: £10.00.

• Laminated light wood tv base unit and matching display unit.

Price: £20.00 • Bathroom black metal shelving unit, 3 glass shelves. Price: £15.00 Tel: 0116 287 5342 (Groby) • Dining Table - oval shaped polished table, 5 ft long x 3 ft wide, extendable plus 6 chairs.

V.g.c. Price: £50.00.

Tel: 07593 450117 (Groby) • Hardback Books: Trace Your Family Tree, History of War, Cold War, Autobiography of Terry Wogan, Biography of Fred Dibnah.

Price: £2.00 each.

Tel: 07565 219995 (Markfield) • Aquarium 30cm x 35cm x 60cm, plus stand/cabinet, both white. To include heater, thermostat, filter and coloured gravel. Cost over £300. Price: £30.00. Can deliver.

Tel: 0116 231 4304 • Only Fools & Horses: A-Z, Peckham Archives hardback books & Christmas 96 Trilogy Box Set on VHS. Price: £10.00 - will split.

• Disney Ladybird hardback books: approx. 25. Price: £20 o.n.o - will split.

• Dear Fatty by Dawn French, hardback. Price: £1.50.

All excellent condition.

Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield)

• Premier 5-piece drum kit in grey/silver. Used professionally, looked after but has a few marks.

Stored in drum bags, cymbals are almost new, with stands and bass pedal. Seat & sticks included.

Great kit. Offers around £200. Tel: 07972 198802 (Markfield) • Yamaha Electronic Keyboard, PSR E423. Boxed, very good condition, will suit beginner to Grade 5. Lots of voices, rhythms & effects. See Yamaha website.

Price: £160 o.n.o. Tel: 07951 991408 (Markfield) • Hardwood 3 seater garden Bench, light oak, h 37”, w 54”, d 25”. The bench is in good condition and is designed to be dismantled for transport. Price £55.00 • Slow Cooker Russell Hobbs, little used. Price: £10.00 • Specialist jigsaws, 1,000 piece Pomegranate, etc - Price: £4 each.

Tel: 07763 110929 or 01530 242318 (Markfield) • Elite Traveller Mobility Scooter LX. Excellent condition.

Dismantles for easy transport.

Used four times, complete with front basket, cover & manual.

Price £350.00 o.n.o.

Tel: 07929 042824 (Bagworth) • For sale: Garrett Ground Hog metal detector - any reasonable offer considered, working order.

Tel: 01530 242025 (Markfield) • Kampa Rally Air 260 caravan awning. Nearly new (used 3 times).Price: £550.00 • Kampa Gale 12 volt Air Pump.

Price: £35.00 • Aqua roll water carrier. Price: £20.00 Tel: 0116 287 5955 or mobile: 07962 373983 (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).

Cattle grazing at the Altar Stones nature reserve

AS PART OF the management of the Altar Stones nature reserve, we graze the reserve between June and October.

Unfortunately due to grazing issues and the pandemic, we have not been able to graze the reserve in the last two years. However, we hope to resume grazing this summer. Grazing ensures that the grass does not become too thick which prevents flowers such as heath bedstraw and harebells to flower, and in the autumn a thinner sward allows many colourful wax cap fungi to emerge.

For some regulars, they will be used to seeing the long horn cattle grazing the Altar Stones nature reserve. However for new visitors and new dog owners, coming across the cattle may be a little daunting. If you have a new dog and therefore do not know how it will react around cattle or own a dog who you know is lively around cattle, then please either keep your dog on a lead or avoid walking on the nature reserve when the cows are present. Signs will be on the gates when the cattle are present. Long horn cattle are large, and as the name suggests have long horns, but are docile and tend to keep themselves to themselves.

We plan to put them on in mid-June and how long they remain depends on grass growth throughout the summer.

In the meantime, please could dog owners carry on or start picking up after their dogs and use the bins at the reserve entrances, don’t throw the bags into the bushes and brambles please. If your children walk the dog without an adult, please remind them to pick up after their dog.

Dog faeces can carry a parasite which leads to a disease called Neosporosis. This can result in cows aborting their calves. If the calves are born alive, 90% of them will carry the parasite and pass it onto their own offspring causing them to abort their calves. Neosporisis is a long term disease, with no cure, which can cause infected cows to be culled so that the disease is not spread through the herd.

Although we will not be using cows which are currently pregnant to graze the Altar Stones nature reserve, the long-term nature of this disease could affect our conservation herd. Please pick up after your dog and dispose of the bag and contents in the many bins provided at the entrances to the nature reserve.

If anyone has any questions, or would like to be involved in checking the cows when they are on the nature reserve, please get in touch with me at ncossa@lrwt.org.uk. Thank you.

Nathalie Cossa

Conservation Officer, Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

My mate was told by his doctor to do something that gets him out of the pub, so he took up smoking.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

15

National Trust Leicester Association RATBY LANE MARKFIELD

THE NATIONAL TRUST is well known for its conservation of historic buildings and their contents and also for the conservation and enhancement of woodland and areas of open countryside. However in the last two years it has also become involved in a completely different project to help tackle climate change.

In January 2020 an adult pair of Eurasian beavers were released into a 2.7 hectare fenced area of unmanaged woodland on the Holnicote Estate on the edge of Exmoor. They will help with flood management and to improve biodiversity. As natures engineers they are a natural solution in making the landscape more resilient to climate change. The beavers were relocated, under licence, from the River Tay in Scotland.

The dams the beavers create will slow the flow and hold the water which in dry periods will reduce the impact of drought. They will also help to lessen flash-flooding downstream, reducing erosion and improve water quality by holding silt and pollutants.

Just over a year later, in March 2021, two more beavers were released on the edge of the South Downs into a 15 hectare secure area. Hundreds of years ago beavers were an important part of the UK ecosystem, but they became extinct in Britain in the 16th century as they were hunted for their fur, meat and scent glands.

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The Lead ranger for the South Downs said that as nature’s water engineers the beavers will help bring back many natural processes that have been missing from the local environment for many years. The creation of dams will create new and wild-life rich wetlands, ponds, rivulets and boggy areas that will benefit a wide range of wild life. These will include frogs, toads, dragonflies, damselflies and wildflowers leading to a return of various bird and bat species.

Both pairs of beavers are being closely monitored by NT staff and researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Birmingham and the University of Exeter.

The National Trust Leicester Association meetings are currently suspended but a full programme of meetings and lecture lunches, with speakers, has now been published to commence in September. The Association also continues to issue its monthly email Newsheet and its triannual printed Newsletter to members. Please check the Association web site, at its new web address – www.leicesternt.com - for further details.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association

Phil Durham

01530 231928 Mob: 07535 182402 290 Station Road BAGWORTH LE67 1BN

LAWN MOWING AND GARDENING SERVICES THROUGHOUT LEICESTERSHIRE

For a free quote, call Dan Hardy on 07598 200 185 or visit www.leicesterlawnmowing.com www.facebook.com/leicesterlawnmowing As a painter, I’m proud to say some of my work is on show in the National Gallery. I did the skirting boards.

16

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

Markfield Congregational Church renovations update THE WORK is moving forward on the renovation of the Church Hall on Main Street opposite the car park.

The Hall was built in 1852 and we are very proud to think that by 2022 the building will be 170 years old and still being used as a place of worship and community activities.

We want to see the building used throughout the week not just on Sundays.

We would welcome offers of help as we move forward in the future.

We would like to show films and have coffee mornings to bring people together.

We will be letting the building out to other user groups offering a welcoming venue.

Once the building is completed we will have an open day/coffee morning to encourage lots of you to see the new hall. Hopefully this could be by mid-July .

We are trying to find a new name for the hall. Lots of villagers will remember the place as their Sunday School.

For more information please ring Angela Berry 01530 242578 07971 254165.

Spot The the Difference Spot Difference

Twitter marks its 15th birthday IT WAS 15 years ago, on 15th July 2006, that Twitter, the American micro-blogging social network, was launched.

The first tweet – or short message – had been sent internally in March that year and was recently sold for over £2 million.

The service was originally known as twttr (by analogy with the photo site flickr) because the domain name twitter.com was already in use.

But this was eventually purchased. Jack Dorsey, the originator, said that the word twitter meant “a short burst of inconsequential information”, which he regarded as perfect for what they were intending.

The messages – tweets – were originally limited to 140 characters, but the limit was doubled in late 2017. Audio and visual tweets have now been introduced, which are normally limited to 140 seconds. There are reckoned to be more than 330 million monthly active users, but the vast majority of tweets are sent by a small minority.

Many churches use Twitter to reach members who cannot attend, using #hashtags to link with them. The Church of England, not surprisingly, has provided guidance for this.

Can your child swim the length of a pool?

BEFORE THE pandemic, about a quarter of children could not swim the curriculum stipulated length when they left primary school.

But now it is feared that by 2025, this could rise to three in five of all primary school children.

The figure comes from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Swimming and Swim England. With pools closed during lockdown and pupils not able to have face-to-face swimming lessons, fewer and fewer of them can swim at 25 metres competently, use a range of strokes effectively, or perform safe self-rescue in different situations.

The APPG says it will raise the issue with the Department for Education ‘as a matter of urgency’.

Such a waste ...

Can you spot the 10 differences in the cartoons above?

Answers on page 25

Have you noticed how the top and bottom biscuits in the packet are always broken?

I don’t know why they bother putting them in.

I hate it when I gain 10 pounds for a role then realise I’m not even an actor.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

17

Cook’s Farm Shop & Country Supplies Markfield Lane, Newtown Linford, Leics. LE6 0AB

Telephone: 01530 242214

FENCING SUPPLIES

Treated Fencing Posts, Rails, Poles, Sleepers, Gate Posts, Gates, Gate Fittings & Hardware.

Feather-Edge Boards, Gravel Boards, Garden Fencing & Wire.

Promote your business here every month Be in front of thousands of local readers as they find out more about their community

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR PETS, BIRDS, HORSES & POULTRY

We stock a large range of Animal Feeds, Bedding, Health Supplements & Remedies.

Give Your Plants a Boost!

GET YOUR PREMIUM COMPOST NOW! Vermin Control

RAT BAITS & BAIT STATIONS Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk or call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069

WHEELBARROWS

Most with puncture-proof wheels

GRASS RING MATS for on-grass parking, wet ground & muddy gateways

Visit our website at www.cooksfarmshop.co.uk Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-1pm

I met my wife at an arthritis support group ... you know, when two people just click?

18

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

HOW TO OPT OUT

Choices available to you in the new GP data collection

A government proposal to require an ‘Opt Out’ to the sharing of your GP medical data doesn’t appear to have been widely publicised, so the Spotlight is including details about it from the website www.medconfidential.org The deadline to get your form to your GP practice is 23rd June 2021.

IF YOU LIVE IN England and want to stop your GP data leaving your GP practice for purposes other than your direct care, you can do so by filling in and giving or posting the form in step 1 to your GP.

Dissent from secondary use of GP patient identifiable data Dear GP, I am writing to give notice that I refuse consent for my identifiable information / and the identifiable information of those for whom I am responsible [delete as appropriate] to be transferred from your practice systems for any purpose other than my medical care.

Please take whatever steps necessary to ensure my / our confidential personal information is not uploaded and record my dissent by whatever means possible.

This includes adding the ‘Dissent from secondary use of GP patient identifiable data’ 1) PROTECT YOUR GP DATA: fill code (Read v2: 9Nu0, CTV3: XaZ89 or SNOMED CT: 827241000000103) to my / our records. in and give this ‘Type 1’ form to your I am aware of the implications of this request, understand it will not affect the care that I / GP practice – this form allows you to we receive, and I will notify you should I change my mind. include details for your children and Yours sincerely, dependants as well. This is the most Signature ____________________________________ Date ___________________ urgent step; the deadline to get your form to your GP practice is 23 June Information to help identify my records [please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS] 2021, according to NHS Digital.

Title _______ Surname / Family name _________________________________________ You can download and print the form Forename(s) _________________________________________________________________ by visiting the www.medconfidential. org website (click on the tab ‘How to Address _________________________________________________________________ opt out’). _________________________________________________________________ If you don’t have access to a working Postcode _________________________ printer, you can ask the NHS Digital Contact Centre to post you the forms Date of birth _________________________ you need. Their phone number is 0300 NHS number (if known) _____________________________________ 303 5678 and they are open Monday Space for additional patient details overleaf to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

Or, if you prefer, you can e-mail NHS Digital says GP practices are required to action this opt-out, see: http://bit.ly/NHSDigital-Type1-opt-out printer@medConfidential.org with More copies of this letter can be downloaded from www.medconfidential.org/how-to-opt-out your postal address and we will post you copies of the paper forms, for free, no questions asked. If you don’t have e-mail, you can text your address to us on 07980 210 746.

We will, of course, only use your details to send you the forms you want and will delete them as soon as we have done that. (medConfidential is registered with the ICO to process personal data in this way.)

Information courtesy of www.medconfidential.org

Church notices that didn’t quite come out right ...

•

The preacher for Sunday next will be found hanging on the notice board in the porch.

•

The minister is going on holiday next Saturday. Could all missionary boxes be handed into the vicarage

by Friday evening, at the latest.

•

Ladies, when you have emptied the teapot, please stand upside down in the sink.

•

There will be a procession in the grounds of the monastery next Sunday afternoon. If it rains in the afternoon, the procession will take place in the morning.

Please take my money HAVE YOU ever tried to use cash in a shop, and been refused? That happened to more than a third of us last year.

But now, in response to widespread protest, supermarkets and high street shops have promised that they will continue to accept cash. Aldi, Asda, Co-op, John Lewis, Lloyds Pharmacy and Waitrose have all joined a pledge organised by the consumer group Which? to protect customers’ choice.

Which? is now asking the government to set out when it will introduce laws protecting access to cash, which the Treasury promised in March 2020. A treasury spokesman said: “We remain committed to further legislation to protect cash.”

Don’t forget: Tell them you saw their advert here!

Our fabulous advertisers make your magazine possible - please use them if you can

I went to China and bought a pair of shoes. I looked on the sole and it said ‘Made around the corner’.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

19

Lofty Ideas Converting your loft can be the ideal way to gain extra space without the expense and hassle of moving house.

Dark, pokey and inaccessible, lofts can often be, literally, a waste of space, useful for a bit of dusty, long-term storage and nothing else. Turn that space into one or two useful rooms and – ta da! – not only might you have added real value to your property, but you have extra living space that could make all the difference to happy family life.

The simplest loft conversion might just involve strengthening and boarding out the floor, adding a light and sticking in a pull-down loft ladder – giving you a good-sized storage area that’s accessible on a regular basis, at a cost of probably only a couple of thousand pounds.

Bear in mind, however, that Building Regulations may apply to even a simple conversion – see more at www.planningportal.gov.uk. Such a basic project may be a good idea in practical, everyday terms, but if it’s added value you’re after you’ll have to be more ambitious, say the experts, and put in at least one ‘real’ room.

To maximise your return, the conversion has to be designed properly from the very beginning.

You should have a proper lobby area when you come up the stairs, there should be sufficient head clearance, it should be properly insulated and ideally you should have a dormer window rather than a Velux. It’s also important to think about how a loft conversion affects the house as a whole, as they can make them top heavy, with too many bedrooms and, in comparison, too few reception rooms. Check out other properties nearby that have been similarly extended, to see what has been done and what they’re worth.

Can you sleep?

A word about space planning. If you have room, adding a bathroom to a loft conversion makes sense both practically and financially, and shouldn’t cost any more than adding a new bathroom anywhere else in the house – in other words, anything from around £3,000 for a plain fit-out. Costs will be minimised if you place the bathroom above one on the floor below, keeping plumbing work simple. However, don’t compromise on the rest of the design just to keep the new bathroom above another. If it really doesn’t work and needs to be moved, the extra cost will be worth it in terms of having proper, usable space.

Finally, if overall head height is an issue in your potential loft conversion, don’t try to get away with cramped, uncomfortable rooms. Lowering the ceilings of the rooms below is often a possibility and may not be as expensive as you would imagine. It can make all the difference to the success of a project.

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IN THE WEST, insomnia is thought to affect between 10 and 30 per cent of adults at any one time, according to the Economic and Social Research Council.

The group also says that a tenth of British adults regularly take some kind of sleeping tablet, with its accompanying risk of addiction.

Now The Sleep Charity, which campaigns to improve sleep support, warns that: “While prescription drugs can help with short-term insomnia, and help to break a cycle of poor sleep, they don’t tackle the root problem.

They really just mask symptoms.

With long-term insomnia, lifestyle changes usually need to happen, which is why cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is an effective treatment.”

Teeth-cleaning lessons SCHOOLS should teach younger children to brush their teeth properly. So says the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Dentists say that teeth-cleaning sessions would ensure that those pupils who skipped the routine at home would at least be less likely to suffer major dental problems.

As one dentist explained: “In a year that has seen visits to the dentist disrupted… it is even more important that we take steps to protect children’s teeth at home, and at school.”

The quickest way to make a red light turn green is to try to find something in the glove compartment.

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

Remembering Princess Diana

WITH THE pandemic having changed the working lives of so many, Leicestershire County Council is launching a scheme to help residents get back on track, with help available to those seeking paid work or training for a new role.

LADY DIANA SPENCER – later Princess of Wales – was born 60 years ago, on 1st July 1961 at Sandringham in Norfolk.

Twenty years later, on 29th July 1981, she married Prince Charles at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. She died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Diana was not an academic child, but concentrated on art, music and sport. She was widely admired for her beauty and style, and during her time as Princess of Wales achieved a great deal in her charity work, particularly in the unexpected areas of AIDS and landmines. Partly because of this she was believed to have strong Christian beliefs, but this is not something she spoke about, though a special episode of Songs of Praise on the BBC saw it as the motive for her charity work.

Her marriage to Charles suffered because of their obvious incompatibility and their affairs. They separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. Their two sons, William and Harry, suffered as a result and have reacted in markedly different ways.

Diana was the first Englishwoman for more than 300 years to marry the heir to the throne. She was also the first royal bride to have a paying job before her engagement.

Tim Lenton

New scheme launches to boost skills, training and employment

Work + is a free one-to-one service offering support, advice and information to people looking for secure paid employment the chance to learn new skills or to find out more about volunteering or becoming selfemployed.

Work + is open to everyone – from those who have never been employed to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, been furloughed or who are at risk of redundancy. It will also help college leavers, graduates and agency staff on zero hour or temporary contracts.

Qualified personal advisers will offer impartial and professional advice to people from all backgrounds and support people on a one-to-one basis.

Appointments will initially be offered online due to the pandemic but later in the year face to face meetings will be held in local libraries and adult learning centres.

Everyone who signs up to the scheme will have the opportunity to have a tailored work plan drawn up for them, including clear targets and steps to achieve their goal.

Help will be given with CV and letter writing skills, job searches, interview techniques and digital training, self-employment advice and business support.

The Work+ team will also work directly with employers who may be in the unfortunate position of making redundancies and want to support their staff to find new employment.

County council leader Nick Rushton said: “The pandemic has been a challenging time for businesses with many people finding themselves furloughed or out of work and we want to do all we can to help residents make a fresh start with a new job or retraining.

“Our Work+ scheme will be open to everyone from the long-term unemployed and those recently made redundant, to graduates and college leavers who are just starting out in the working world.

“I would urge anyone who is looking for support in seeking a new role to get in touch and see how Work+ can help you.”

To find out more or to register your interest contact the Work+ team on 0800 988 0308 or visit:www.work-plus.co.uk

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST WILFRID OF YORK

53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB St Wilfrid’s is open for weekend Masses – Saturday 6 pm and Sunday 10 am.

Places at Mass are limited and come online six days before the Mass you wish to attend. Please 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.

Sacrament of Reconciliation You can now book an appointment with Fr Gabriel to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation by calling the presbytery to arrange an appointment – 01530 832098.

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 Bishop Patrick’s invitation to complete a survey by 4th July on how Covid19 has affected you and your faith may be accessed via this link: https://www. dioceseofnottingham.uk/whatson/news/share-your-story-howhas-covid19-affected-you-andyour-faith

What will you miss about lockdown?

MORE THAN half of us admit that we will miss some aspects of the Covid-19 restrictions, especially spending more time at home with our family, and appreciating the quieter roads.

A recent study by King’s College London and Ipsos Mori found that around one third of us feel the past year has been similar or better than normal, while 54 per cent of us say that we will miss some of the changes.

Three in ten of us feel closer to our immediate family than we did before the pandemic, while just one in six of us say that we have grown further apart. One in five of us say that our finances are better because of the pandemic.

Overall, it seems that while the public would rather the pandemic hadn’t happened, that doesn’t mean it’s been all bad for everyone, or that people see it as deeply affecting their future lives.

Once in a while, someone amazing comes along ... and here I am.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

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Letter from Uncle Eustace

UNFAITHFUL

By Natalie Barelli

On why the clergy should avoid computers The Rectory St James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren Thank you for the kind offer of your old computer, but I do not want it. I know you find it a fundamental basic of daily life, but I do not, and I intend to keep things that way.

“Thank you,” I say sweetly when she tells me I’m lucky to have such a beautiful family.

But I want to tell her it’s not just luck. A family is like a fortress you have to defend all the time. You can’t relax because there’s always someone looking for a breach, always someone trying to get in.

Someone just like her…

When I arrive unannounced at my husband’s studio in need of a shoulder to cry on after hearing that my best student, Alex, has died, I see a pair of wine glasses drying by the sink and my deepest fear is confirmed: my husband is having an affair.

Most women would fall to their knees in tears and throw him out of the house–but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Instead, I go home and cook a healthy dinner for our children, walk the dog and unload the dishwasher without complaint. I will make him see that I’m still the woman he married; attractive, successful, the glue that holds our perfect family together. I need this marriage to work to protect a terrible secret of my own, something that would destroy everything I’ve already sacrificed so much for.

This is despite the fact that our diocesan office now takes it for granted that all of us clergy have a computer. Indeed, the diocesan secretary and I have had several awkward phone calls upon this very subject. He can’t believe that I really don’t have one, and suspects that I am simply hiding my email address from him so that he cannot send me the daily diocesan briefings, weekly questionnaires, and constant notification of all sorts of meetings and training days. But I remain firm: I have survived in ministry for nearly 50 years without a computer, and I don’t intend to change now. When he gets tetchy with me, I take the high moral ground and remind him that St Paul did not have a computer.

them. My money can be far more usefully spent on good claret.

Being without a computer also saves me much aggravation.

From what I can gather, most computer owners spend significant parts of their lives either trying to get their machine to do something that it refuses to do, or else getting help from someone in a remote part of the world who speaks a jargon only distantly related to English, who

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Supporting you in your home We are leaders in the community helping people to live at home indepenently. Our friendly and supportive staff have been providing assistance to our clients for over 25 years our staff have full references, an enhanced DBS and have completed extensive training.

At Bosworth Homecare we build and tailor packages of support to meet our client’s individual needs. Our support plans can be any combination of the many services we offer including, medication, personal care, assistance with domestic tasks and shopping. We also support our clients to hospital appointments, social activities and offer a befriending service.

The truth is, there are three people in my marriage, but only one of them is deadly…

My favourite part of grocery shopping is rushing home to look at the shopping list on my counter to see what I forgot to buy.

So I have decided that should I ever REALLY need to use a computer for something, I will visit our local primary school and get a six year-old to do the job for me, which they do with effortless efficiency, speed and accuracy.

Besides, it would not end with just a computer. Next, I would be obliged to get a printer and then ink cartridges and then maybe some sort of virus would attack me. As I have no idea about any of this, I might have to allow someone into the vicarage to sort it out, and even worse, I might even have to pay

But when the police arrive at my door asking questions about Alex’s death that I can’t answer, and threatening text messages start appearing on my phone, I know that someone close has been watching me very carefully.

I said to my wife: ‘Do you feel the excitement has gone out of our marriage?’

She said: ‘I’ll discuss it with you during the next commercial break.’

assures you that whatever you did, it would have been better if you hadn’t.

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Email · managementteam@givecare.co.uk | www.bosworthhomecare.co.uk Bosworth Homecare 7a Main Street Market Bosworth CV13 0JN

People like crowds. The bigger the crowd, more people show up. Small crowd, hardly anyone shows up.

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

Markfield Library News

WE REOPENED the library doors on 12 April, and it was so nice to welcome back so many well-known faces; both users and volunteers, along with around 100 new books.

We have been pleased to sign up several new users to the library.

Although we are still running on reduced hours it is hoped we will get back to more normal opening later in the summer (if all goes well), along with reintroducing the newspapers into the library and our seating facilities. Not everyone has felt safe enough to venture out and visit us yet, but we look forward to the day when they do, and a warm welcome will be waiting for them.

We are also very pleased that after half term the pupils will be back to library visits form Mercenfeld Primary School. We are able to offer them a private session on a Wednesday afternoon to ensure that the children and volunteers remain safe and well. We must thank Head Chris Chorlton and teaching staff member Lindsay Wetherill for making this happen.

We are also very grateful to our volunteer Margaret Beck for taking on extra hours to facilitate this and to other volunteers who will assist her.

FESTIVAL OF STORIES AUGUST 2021 In partnership with Leicestershire County Council‘s Participation Team and Dawn Grantham and staff at the Community Centre, we are taking part in the above Festival. In particular, SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY 19th AUGUST when we have initial plans for a Tree of Hearts in the library sensory garden. This is a craft event where each participant can make 2 hearts, one for our tree and one to take away. We also hope to have two sessions at the Community Centre (watch out for dates) with a bookbased treasure hunt and a session with the Mayflower Club around local history. We would really love the local community to support us and get involved.

WILD WORLD HEROES, SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2021 Wild World Heroes is a celebration of reading, nature and action for the environment.

Developed in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wild World Heroes will inspire children to stand up for the future of our planet.

The Challenge focuses on taking action for nature and tackling realworld environmental issues, from plastic pollution and deforestation to wildlife decline and nature

loss. Children taking part in the Challenge will be able to join six fictional characters - ‘wild heroes’ to help solve some of these threats, learning about the importance of the environment while helping to restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of ‘Wilderville’.

Wild World Heroes is brought to life with bespoke artwork by awardwinning children’s author and illustrator, Heath McKenzie.

The challenge starts for Leicestershire on Saturday 3rd July and runs to Saturday 5 September.

Ages: For 4 years – 12 years (including children who will be 4 by 31 August). A limited number of stickers will be supplied for under 4s.

All schools in Leicestershire will be sent invitations for all their pupils to join the challenge. These will be distributed centrally and sent direct to schools.

Look out for further details on our website, on our outside notice board and in the library.

READING WELL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS Finally, in mid-April I wrote about the campaign run through the Reading Agency to promote wellbeing through reading. We have since received the first batch of books aimed at Reading Well for Children and Young Adults. Here are two you may like to borrow for family members.

Sometimes I feel sad

By Tom Alexander This touching book helps explain to children that they are not alone in feeling this way and is especially useful to children who struggle to express their feelings.

Self Esteem and Being You

By Anita Naik Do you worry about what other people think of you?

Do you hate the way you look?

This guide will help you make friends with a very special person – YOU! It will give you tips on how to think positively about your friendships, your body and your life.

Margaret Bowler (Chair) Markfield Community Library

Recommendations from Charlotte I CAN’T BELIEVE we are almost half way through the year already! This month’s piece from me will probably be short and sweet, but as June is pride month, I wanted to share some LGBTQIA+ fiction I love!

I am a big believer that we should read from a diverse range of voices in order to learn about the world we live in and tolerate each other, there is space for everyone in our community. The following books are all Middle Grade and so therefore should be suitable for all ages (I enjoyed these at 30!) and hopefully can provide a platform for children to learn about different identities in a gentle way.

Benjamin Dean’s Me, My Dad And The End Of The Rainbow is a gorgeous tale! When Archie’s parents split up, he knows that there is something they are not telling him. When he finds a flyer, his dad has dropped, he and his friends decide to go on an adventure.

Meeting a diverse cast of characters along the way Archie goes on an adventure which will lead him to find out what pride means, and how he can show his dad that he is still loved.

Next up, is Meg Grehan’s The Deepest Breath. This lovely novel in verse follows Stevie. She has been best friends with Andrew for years and her mom always jokes they will get married. Stevie knows that won’t happen though. There is a girl at school who makes her tummy fizz when she thinks about her. She wants to find out if girls can marry girls but is too scared to ask and so she decides to find out from the library with the help of a librarian.

Last, but by no means least, is Lucy Powrie’s The Paper And Hearts Society! In the first in this trilogy, we meet Tilly who moves to a new town and school. On her first week there she finds a leaflet for the paper and hearts society, a club for book lovers! Along with the rest of the group she goes on a bookish adventure taking in some of the sights of Britain! In book 2, we follow Liv who is outraged when she finds out that due to a complaint her school library now requires parental permission for LGBTQIA+ books and so begins a campaign!

I hope you enjoy some of these books!

Charlotte

Sometimes I can’t tell if my son is a lot like me, or I’m a lot like a 4 year old.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Planning Apps New Detached House with Detached Garage - Land North Of Towan Oak, 170 Main Street, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9UX Erection of up to 75 dwellings and associated infrastructure and landscaping (Outline- Access only) at Land Off Hill Lane, Hill Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire.

Single storey rear extension measuring 4.27 metres in depth, 2.98 metres in height to the ridge, 2.98 metres in height to the eaves (roof lantern 3.45 metres in height) - at 2 The Elms, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9SZ Erection of Triple Garage - at The Retreat Farm, Whittington Lane, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AL Single storey rear extension measuring 6.00 metres in depth; 3.50 metres in height to the ridge; and 2.50 metres in height to the eaves - at 20 Janes Way, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9SW Erection of a drive-thru cafe (use Class E) including parking, access, landscaping and associated works (with all matters reserved) - at Unit 2, Midland Distribution Centre, Markfield Road, Groby, Leicestershire LE6 0FS Prior notification for 20 metre Phase 8 Monopole with wrapround cabinet at base and associated ancillary works - at Land West Of Stanton Lane, Stanton Under Bardon, Leicestershire Change of use of residential outbuilding to meditation centre - at 55 Highfields, Thornton, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1AE

A State of Fear

By Laura Dodsworth

THIS IS A book about fear.

Fear of a virus. Fear of death.

Fear of losing our jobs, our democracy, our human connections, our health and our minds.

It’s also about how the government weaponised our fear against us – supposedly in our best interests – until we were one of the most frightened countries in the world.

But why did the government deliberately frighten us? How has this affected us as individuals and as a country? Who is involved in the decision-making that affects our lives? How are behavioural science and nudge theory being used to subliminally manipulate us? How does the media leverage fear? What are the real risks to our wellbeing?

Ahead of any official inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Laura Dodsworth explores all these questions and more, in a nuanced and thoughtprovoking discussion of an extraordinary year in British life and politics.

With stories from members of the general public who were impacted by fear, anxiety and isolation, and revealing interviews with psychologists, politicians, scientists, lawyers, Whitehall advisers and journalists, A State of Fear calls for a more hopeful, transparent and effective democracy.

My favourite of all the gardens is definitely the beer.

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

Borough Councillor

Andy Furlong’s

UPDATE

Tel: 01530 231377 • Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

Surely we can do better than this?

SOME HERALD readers have described my column as a bit ‘Marmite’. Some of you don’t always like what I have to say because it’s too ‘political’. If you are one of those readers, you might want to turn over the page because this month’s column is unapologetically about politics and democracy.

Out and about locally, since my unsuccessful bid to become a County Councillor at the start of May, I have noticed three different reactions from people who know me. First, the apologetic smile, generally followed by: “Sorry about the result Andy, we voted for you”, or something similar.

Second, there was the sideways glance, followed by an apparent reluctance to make eye contact. I assume that this was the reaction of those who voted for another candidate. If you are one of those people, don’t worry.

There are no hard feelings. I’m pleased that you voted, and, of course, I will continue to do my best to represent you as your Borough Councillor.

The third reaction is the one that has interested me the most. A few people have greeted me with an apologetic smile and suggested that I switch parties to stand a better chance of winning. I’ll freely admit that I have been somewhat taken aback by this response. Having reflected on this over the last few weeks, I thought I’d use this column to talk about politics and democracy and to explain why I’m not the kind of person who will change their political socks to win an election.

Fairness, equality and justice I GOT INVOLVED in politics as a teenager for a simple reason.

The only way to ensure that wealth and opportunity are shared is to constantly press for fairness, equality, and justice in our communities. I also believe in democracy. It’s a way of holding those in power to account. If we don’t like what they’re doing, we can challenge them at the ballot box.

I’m a Labour member because the party stands for fairness, equality, and justice. It was founded to provide a voice for hard-working people and to help them prosper. I’m unashamedly a product of Labour policies – good healthcare, housing, and education were the foundations upon which I built a successful life for my family and me. That’s why, despite my party having made some questionable decisions recently, switching to another political party is unthinkable for me.

Is this what democracy looks like?

NOW, MOVING on to a bigger issue. Do we have a problem with the way that our democracy works?

Locally, people fall into two groups. Around four in ten are in the first group.

They participate actively in local democracy by voting in local elections. The second, much larger group of around six-in-ten of us, generally don’t. That’s what happened in May. Putting it another way. If the Herald reader walked down an ‘average street’ in their neighbourhood on Thursday 6 May, for every ten front doors they passed, two had Tory votes behind them, one had a Labour vote, and a fourth may have voted for one of the minor parties. But in six of those houses, no one voted at all.

Many of us hand over well over £1,000 a year to the County Council, that’s not a trivial sum of money, yet two-thirds of our neighbours didn’t vote. Are we surprised by this? Does it matter? Should we try to do something about it? Is local politics pointless?

Some would argue that there were exceptional circumstances this year. Still, I do feel uneasy that such a small number of voters are deciding the future of our communities.

COVID19 probably kept some voters at home. Even in a ‘normal year’ though, turnout at local elections is low. Two years ago, when Matthew Lay and I were elected as Borough Councillors, the figure was pretty much the same as this May. Most voters stayed home.

Does politics matter?

THE CONTROVERSY continues to rage about the possibility of more development in Markfield, Stanton, Thornton, Bagworth and elsewhere.

I couldn’t help noticing a front-page headline in the Times newspaper (Tuesday 25th May) proclaiming that the government wants to build 400,000 new homes on greenfield sites over the next five years. The Queen’s Speech includes a Bill that will strip local councillors like myself of the power to object to decisions on behalf of the people who elected us.

But hold on a moment.

Didn’t Mr Johnson stand for election back in December 2019 with a pledge to “build, build, build”? Bosworth voted heavily for the Conservatives, with a much higher turnout than at the recent local election. In which case, it could be argued that most voters around here are getting what they voted for. Nonetheless, it’s an inescapable fact that 25,000 people didn’t vote in the general election. So no party can claim the support of the majority in Bosworth, or in most parts of England for that matter.

I suppose that choosing whether or not to participate is democracy, and to paraphrase Winston Churchill, democracy is the worse form of government - apart from all the others. Nonetheless, given that my grandfather’s generation fought to defend our right to elect our leaders, surely we can do better than this?

And finally

IF YOU didn’t vote back in May, I’d be interested to know why.

More importantly, I’d like to know what you think political parties should do to reconnect with voters, drive up participation in local elections and rebuild some faith in local politics. I don’t have any easy answers, but maybe you do. I’ve posted this article on my Councillor’s Facebook page, and I’d like to read your comments. Alternatively, contact me via the usual email address, or even better, strike up a conversation next time you see me out and about.

Andy Furlong

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

At the end of the day, life should ask us: ’Do you want to save the changes?’

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk

Cross Hills Baptist Church News I’VE NEVER been a gardener, I can’t stand weeding and am still more likely to pull up a flower and leave a weed, some of them look so pretty! But over the last year, I have really began to enjoy growing flowers and especially vegetables.

The one thing that it has taught me (still teaching me!) is patience. I want it all to grow quickly and plentifully. I can not wait to see the first shoots and watch it progress into its own beauty. It is an absolutely amazing process that needs nurturing and feeding.

This is how God is with us too. He loves and nurtures us. Some of us are hardier than others but God understands us and knows what is best. Just like I have to be patient with my garden, God has had to be super patient with me over the years (and still is!)

We continue to meet on zoom each week and the singing group continue their weekly practices. We hope to begin to open up the Church in June unless COVID restrictions change.

Please get in touch if you would like any more information on our future services or events.

Bekki Holmes and all of Cross Hills

Thank you

CHRISTIAN AID and Churches Together in Markfield (CTIM) are very grateful for all the donations received this year.

The counting of donations will take place in early June and the final total for Markfield Christian Aid Week will be published in the August edition of the Herald.

Christian Aid and Churches Together in Markfield would also like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude for all the hard work and effort by those who delivered the red envelopes throughout the village. With a special Thank You to the wonderful volunteers with the Good Neighbour Scheme along with the managers of Markfield Retirement Village whose help ensured that every street in the village was covered.

Markfield Churches – working together for our community Methodist-www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org or FB Parish Church – j22churches.org.uk or FB Congregational Church – FB Catholic Church - www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk

Did YOU find all 10 differences?

1. hat, 2. starfish, 3. bucket, 4. flake, 5. pattern on shorts, 6. cloud missing, 7. mouth changed, 8. toggle on shorts, 9. toe missing, 10. belly button

My wife is finally starting to accept me for who she wants me to be.

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

Great Uncle Bertie Farmer and others in Bagworth Another local history article kindly supplied by Bob Austin

I would like to say a big thank you to Garry who has provided a great deal of the information in this article.

Thanks to Ian for providing the remainder.

B

ERTIE FARMER was born in Ibstock in 1894, the eldest son of Elizabeth (nee Bayliss) and Alfred Farmer.

Alfred was a hewer at Bagworth colliery and the 1911 census has the family living at 103 Station Road in Bagworth with Bertie’s six younger siblings, George Henry, Alfred jnr., Percy, Arthur, David and Doris but Bertie was living a short walk away at Battram Road in Ellistown with his Uncle, George Bayliss, both of whom were employed at the nearby Ellistown colliery.

Military Service BERTIE volunteered on the 16th November 1914 and was transferred to the 1st/4th Leicesters on the 15th August 1915 in preparation for embarkation at Southampton on 19th August 1915.

They landed at Rouen on the 20th. Bertie joined a battalion which had been thoroughly bloodied in the Ypres Salient. After a short breather at the end of September 1915 they moved south with the rumours of a battle to come. Bertie’s was attached to the ‘No.9 Entrench Battalion,’ making use of his mining experience, on the 16th September 1915. He did not rejoin the 4th Leicesters until 15th October 1915, just a matter of days after the assault on the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

Bertie gained his first promotion to Lance Corporal on the 5th February 1916. From early February to early May in 1916 the 4th Leicesters were opposite Vimy Ridge before moving to Monchy au Bois and then the Gommecourt sector in preparation for the 1st of July assault. The 4th Leicesters were to remain in reserve that day, while other battalions in the 46th Division were to suffer badly. Bertie was out of the line for two weeks suffering with scabies in the summer of 1916. During the long year of 1917 the 4th Leicesters were to return to Gommecourt, move to Lens, then to St. Elei and finally to Cambrin. In that year Bertie was awarded a good conduct badge on 2nd January, and just over twelve months after being on the Somme he received 10 days leave on 13th August 1917. It was his last chance to go home.

Bertie was promoted to full Corporal on 7th November 1917, but sickness struck again. At Christmas he passed down the evacuation chain from field ambulance to a hospital on the coast at Wimereux. From there he went to Boulogne and no. 3 rest camp. Bertie rejoined the 4th Leicesters on 20th June 1918 where they were still in the same sector near Essars. The history mentions that there was a lot of patrolling and it was around this time that Bertie was killed in action on 16th August 1918, although no incident was recorded in the battalion’s war diary for that date.

Garry says he and his wife visited Bertie’s grave in France.

His grave is marked on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission plan.

‘We took some soil from a mole hill in Bagworth Church yard and sprinkled it at his headstone, I know this might be frowned upon but I wanted a little bit of Bagworth to be with him where he lies.’ Bertie’s name appears on the War Memorial in Bagworth Churchyard.

Fouquieres Churchyard Extension

Garry continues: George Lowe and his youngest brother Arthur Lowe were both Bagworth lads and served our country well.

George was a Metropolitan PC, later going on to be Detective and then on promotion to Detective Sergeant. We were assured by Arthur that George was one of the ‘Police Advisors’ on the iconic film ‘The Blue Lamp’.

(The film which introduced Dixon of Dock Green.) We know that George returned to Bagworth following retirement and there sadly lost his wife Emma. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting George but unfortunately only once and what an absolute gentleman.

My wife tells me that she met him lots of times as a young girl and that George would kiss her hand. Arthur had told us very fondly about the Cabaret and Troupe that George and Emma were in, George’s and Arthur’s surviving nephew, Michael Lowe, I believe may have some original scripts, I’ll talk to him about this.

Arthur was the youngest of 7 brothers and a sister. Two of the brothers were sadly lost overseas during WW2, none of the family shirked their duty. Arthur as a ‘boy’ served in the Home Guard in Bagworth until he could join the Royal Navy, I’m not sure if this was 1942. He served on a variety of vessels as a Signaller. He took part in the allied invasions in the Mediterranean and told us about the hand to hand fighting that he was in. What he had been through sounded absolutely horrific but I asked him more than once about the time he served and he said ‘he had the time of his life’. Arthur, like George was a gentleman, he had manners and was very well read. He didn’t suffer fools gladly, his head was screwed on and his family was everything.

LASTLY, I can tell you something from my past. My ‘Farmer family’ came from Bagworth and worked mainly in the coal mine.

I know one was an engine driver during the mid 1800s (I have his pocket watch), I have absolutely no idea where they came from, I suspect that they were following the work. My Granddad Alfred Farmer was Bertie’s brother.

He married Sarah Ann Barnes from Thornton and moved to her family home a Pinfold Cottage (where Thornton Community Centre stands now).

They had four sons, Eric being the eldest and my dad Dennis being the younger. Eric served in the Royal Navy during WW2 and Arthur (Lowe) told me that it was seeing Eric home on leave in his ‘suit’ made him decide upon the Royal Navy.

Eric took part in the well documented boarding of ‘Altmark’ in Jossing Fjord where the Royal Navy used the ‘Cutlass’ for just about the last time. The flag that Eric proudly holds in the photograph was torn from the Altmark as a prize and I have this flag in my possession.

Apparently it was a story worthy of the Leicester Mercury as they turned out to take the picture and write a piece. Eric was a great writer and penned a poem about the boarding and also a piece on the sinking of the ‘Bismark’. These can be viewed on the HMS Cossack website if you are interested. Eric was sadly lost in 1942 after an attack on HMS Cossack by a German U Boat.

I was prompted to reply to you after reading the piece about George and Emma in ‘Markfield Herald’ and was directed to you by the Editor. It was nice, it was informative, thank you.

Grave Reference IV B 14

What’s the point in making people like Paul McCartney and Elton John knights if they’re not going to joust?

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27

Dear Friends, I SUSPECT I’m not the only one reading this who loves music. It can bring great joy…and can speak to us at those sad and difficult times when words are just inadequate.

Following the death recently of much-loved Methodist Church member Malcolm Goldring, a song that has been on my mind a lot is Scottish band Runrig’s song “And we’ll sing”. It speaks of how partings can come too soon, and cruelly fast, and also talks of the “ties that bind forever” and “songs that last forever”.

Malcolm brought beautiful music to Markfield through our “Chapel Recitals”, in services and more- probably most movingly, on Easter Sunday this year, when already unwell. But he also brought great gifts of kindness, generosity of spirit and humility, and in his final weeks, his courage in the face of death made the Easter message of life amidst death, strength in weakness, especially poignant.

Malcolm’s family, the church family, and many in this village, up and down the country, round the world, mourn his death: our thoughts and prayers are especially with those who loved him most. But he has left with us “songs that last forever”, with his music, and in the way that knowing him has changed us for the better.

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

0116 234 0548 We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way.

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