VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR - SEE NOTICE ON PAGE 6
Football returns to Stamford Memorial Park
Budget savings keep Council Tax rise to 4.3p a week BUDGET savings of just under £1 million have enabled the Borough Council to keep the boroughwide average Band D Council Tax increase for 2010/11 at 2 per cent.
Report from Scott Upton Groby Juniors Under 8’s team played the first organised game of football on Stamford Memorial Park for over 6 years on Sunday 7th February. Previously unbeaten, and top of their league, the team was expected to mark the Club’s return with a home win against Mowbray Jaguars. Mowbray, however, turned out to be the party-poopers and inflicted the first ever defeat on the Under 8’s with a deserved 1-0 victory as Groby failed to rise to the occasion. It was a very different story however, on Sunday 14th February, which saw Groby Juniors Under 7’s team play host to local rivals Ratby Rovers on the new pitch. Ratby are widely acknowledged to be one of the best teams in Leicestershire at this age group, however they were not expected to beat Groby’s Under 7’s starlets who have won every game they have ever played. Not only do Groby Under 7‘s have a reputation Continued on page 2
Haiti Appeal Event: Mar 20th
There will be a Coffee Morning and Table Top Sale in aid of the Haiti Appeal held at Groby Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 20th of March. If you would like to book a table contact Jean Angrave on 0784 733 5476. Admission 50p/Table £5.
This annual increase of £2.22 per household (or just 4.3 pence a week) means the council will stay as the lowest Council Tax paying district in Leicestershire and the 10th lowest in England and Wales. The council, like many private and public sector organisations has, during the economic downturn, experienced severe financial pressures. Reductions in central government support, a reduction in income and an increase in costs, have meant that the council has had to look very closely at the services it provides and the funding that is allocated to each of them. This work started in January 2008 as officers and councillors worked together to produce a Medium Term Financial Strategy for the council. This process also included consultation with the people of the borough, through the council’s Citizens’ Panel and the Borough Bulletin, to identify those services that are most important to the people who live in Hinckley and Bosworth. Continued on page 12
See Questionnaire on page 10
Have Your Say On Groby’s Christmas Lights This Christmas just past, Groby Parish Council trialled a new, improved Christmas lighting display in the village.
The response from villagers was very favourable, and Groby Parish Council is now inviting a wider response from local residents to enable it to plan for future years. YOU CAN HELP - by completing and returning the Parish Council questionnaire on page 10 of this issue of Spotlight. Please spend a few minutes filling in the form, and return it to the Parish Council Office - or respond by email to: parishclerk@groby.com Whatever your views - the Parish Council is keen to hear from you. Please help your Council make an informed decision on future allocation of funds.
Next issue out on 10th April • Article/Advert Deadline: 27th March
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Mid-March 2010 Issue - Delivered on 13th-14th March 2010 By Our Dedicated Team of Deliverers
Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
Tel: 01530-244069 Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Website: www.GrobySpotlight.co.uk
3,500 copies distributed to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON Saturday 10th April Advert Deadline: Saturday 27th March ADVERT RATES: PAGE 12
Football returns Continued from page 1 for being the best side in the County, they have invitations to play the Leicester City and Nottingham Forest Academy teams. This occasion saw them showcasing themselves to numerous representatives from professional football clubs and onlookers on the sidelines. Groby enhanced their reputation by beating Ratby 8-1. Despite all the recent rain and bad weather, the playing surface at Stamford Memorial Park has been fantastic for all the games played on it so far. Everyone that has attended the games have been delighted by the surroundings, and the children have relished playing on such a good surface. It has also been great to see so many from the community taking a welcome respite to observe and support our local children. The only concern which has unfortunately been raised by several parents is the amount of dog mess on the grass, so I would like to remind dog owners to please remove their mess, not only is this a nuisance to those attending the football but a serious hazard to the many young children who play on this area all of the time. Everyone connected with Groby Juniors Football Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of Groby Parish Council for their support and assistance in bringing football back to the park. If you would like to keep up to date with the local football teams results and latest news you can follow them on www.grobyjuniorsfc.co.uk.
Improve your social life ... at the Newtown Linford Dance Are you Divorced, Separated, a Widow or Widower wanting to improve your social life? How about joining our friendly social gathering on a Sunday evening at Newtown Linford Club on Main Street. We chat and dance the night away to a wide variety of music in the function room at the rear of the club (which has its own bar) between 8pm - 11pm. We welcome new folk to join the happy crowd – any age welcome – the majority of us are 50 and over, and young at heart. We also organise other events – day trips and long weekends etc. The cost is £2 for the Sunday evening and after 3 visits – we invite you to apply for membership – this is just £4 per annum. If you would like to talk to one of the organisers first – then please call Mrs Godwin on 07969 207288.
The wheel of my grocery cart was making a horrible scraping sound as I rolled it through the supermarket. Nevertheless, when I finished my shopping and saw a cartless woman, I offered it up, explaining, “It makes an awful noise, but it works.” “That’s okay,” she said, taking it. “I have a husband at home like that.” True story: a Sunday School teacher recently asked her pupils ‘Does anyone know any of the miracles that Jesus performed?’ One youngster put his hand up and said ‘Yes, he cured people who had leopards.’
My parents were soooooo poor, they got married for the rice.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Whatever happened to...? This month Norman Griffiths finds out why the new 50 bus service was withdrawn It’s not often that bus services to Groby are improved and so the introduction of a new service last year from Leicester to Coalville was something to be welcomed. In the morning and late afternoon the new 50 service became a 50A and took a useful detour past Groby Community college. The service also took a new route through part of Coalville. But after it’s debut in a blast of publicity the new service quietly disappeared after passenger numbers failed to meet expectations. The operators feel they were not given a proper opportunity to establish the new route. “In July 2009 we endeavoured to provide a service from Coalville into Leicester through a route that we believed needed improving, said Wayne Smith, General manager at Veolia’s local base at Hugglescote. “On some portions of our route there was an existing service but on other portions we were on new territory. It soon became obvious that existing operators within the area made a decision to defend their existing routes by registering a service that mirrored ours and ran it a few minutes before our own. We have no desire at this moment in time to start what can only be described as a bus war so after due consideration we decided to cancel the service.” The firm informed passengers of the withdrawal of the service through the drivers and also put notices on their buses. They also informed Leicestershire County Council with whom they had an agreement to carry scholars. “We were disappointed that we were not given the opportunity to develop this service,” added Wayne. “We are also aware that the increased services by these other operators were indeed reduced again following our withdrawal. We would like to go on record to thank the passengers that travelled with us during our 6 months on our Service 50 and hope that they appreciate the commercial reason as to why we needed to withdraw.” Veolia Transport Uk Limited acquired Paul James Coaches at Hugglescote three years ago. Veolia still operates a number of services throughout Leicestershire and the rest of the UK from 21 depots. The Veolia Transport group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the global Veolia Environnement, that has a total of 274,000 employees and a turnover of €32.6 billion. The company has interests in the transport, water, energy and environmental services industries.
The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
GROBY PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH OF GROBY PARISH WARD OF GROBY NOTICE is hereby given that a vacancy exists in the Office of Parish Councillor for the Groby Ward of the Parish of Groby. The vacancy will be filled by election if any ten Local Government electors for the said Ward submit a written request to that effect in the manner prescribed below and if no such request is made the vacancy may be filled by the Parish Council by co-option. Any request for an election to fill the vacancy must be in writing and must reach: The Returning Officer, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 1BZ, not later than Monday 22nd March 2010.
BIKE RIDE in aid of Cancer Research There will be a sponsored Bike Ride in aid of Cancer Research on Saturday May 8th 2010.
We are going from Leicester to Skegness. Anyone who wishes to help be a Marshall or do the ride – please feel free to Email me : diane.dowell71@ btinternet.com or phone 0774 891 5829. All contributions welcome. Also if your company wishes to sponsor one of our riders – please contact me. There will also be a Charity DISCO and RAFFLE on Saturday 26th June 2010 with great raffle prizes. All Welcome. Tickets will include a buffet. Please call me for more information.
Diane Dowell
Memorial Testing at Groby Village Cemetery During March and April Groby Parish Council will undertake safety testing of the memorials in the village cemetery. The Parish Council has a legal duty to ensure that its burial grounds are safe places to work and visit. Managing memorial safety, therefore, is an essential part of controlling the risks to health and safety. The Council has adopted a “Policy for the Management of Memorials”. This is available on the Council’s website or from the Clerk. In recent years the safety of memorials has become a focus of much attention and debate. Given the number of memorials and the number of visitors to burial grounds in any one year, the risk of any injury is extremely low. Action to manage risk s in burial grounds, therefore, needs to be sensible, proportionate and undertaken in a sensitive way. The Council will carry out a safety inspection on all memorials in the village cemetery every five years. All memorial safety inspections will be carried out by suitably trained persons. A record of all memorial inspections and the results of these inspections will be kept by the Council. A letter will be sent to the last known contact address of the memorial owner. For each memorial inspected a risk assessment will be completed. This assessment will be used to calculate the risk associated with the memorial and whether or not further action to control that risk is required. The inspection will include both a visual check and a hand test. Mechanical force measuring equipment will not be routinely used to test the stability of memorials. Such equipment will only be used if the safety of a memorial is under dispute. If a memorial is found to require maintenance every effort will be made to contact the memorial owner to undertake repairs. If there is no response the Council will take the necessary steps to permanently make safe the memorial. If you would like further information please contact the Clerk of the Council: Jack Fargher, Groby Parish Council, PO Box 1, Village Hall, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0ZF Tel. 0116 2876 985 - e-mail: parishclerk@groby.com Website: www.groby.com.
Money can’t buy everything... but then again neither can no money.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Supporting Rainbows Hospice
An evening of Jazz, Harmonies and Songs from the Shows One of the UK’s leading 4-part harmony groups, ‘The Grand Central Chorus’, based in our area but widely travelled and with an international reputation, is once again bringing together an evening of top quality musical entertainment at Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough at 7.30pm on Sat. 24th April.
Repeating the highly successful format of its two previous sell-out shows in 2006 and 2008, the chorus’s guests will be the new line-up of the Loughborough Endowed Schools’ ‘Big Band’, featuring its popular jazz and swing music. Also returning, to delight with its exuberant and varied performances of show songs, will be Shepshed’s ‘ACT One’ youth musical theatre group, which has just finished a successful run of its production of ‘Les Miserables’. Hosts for the evening, multi-award winning ‘The Grand Central Chorus’, and British Championship quartet semi-finalists ‘Retro’, will serve up a feast of songs in 4-part harmony. Under its talented director, Loughborough’s Zac Booles, ‘Grand Central’ draws its membership from across the East Midlands and beyond, with a fair sprinkling of men from in and around the Charnwood area. This evening’s show will be an excellent ‘dry run’ for its appearance at the British Chorus Championship competition, to be held in Harrogate at the end of May. The show will be compered by well known BBC Radio Leicester presenter Dave Andrews, a strong supporter and advocate of the Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough, which will benefit from proceeds of the evening. Tickets for what promises to be an outstanding evening of entertainment are £8, including interval refreshments. These, and further details about ‘Grand Central Chorus’, can be obtained from 01530 243912 or 01509 646506; On www.grand.central.chorus.com; or e-mail: peter@tovey8679. fsnet.co.uk. Ample parking will be available close by.
Bradgate Twinning Association COME TO OUR TRAMPS’ SUPPER and BEETLE DRIVE 10th April. 7.30 - 10.30 at St Mary’s Church Rooms, Anstey Adults £7.50 Accompanied Children £5.00 • Bar • Raffle Tickets from 0116 2213786. Dress Appropriately!
Credit cards are VERY dangerous. Every time I try to use one somebody starts chasing me with scissors
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Secrets of a press photographer Margaret Gamble’s report from Groby’s branch of the Women’s Institute Our speaker this month was a national press photographer Deborah Brady. Her first job was with the “Today” newspaper, her first assignment being to accompany the paper’s photographer to London Airport to snap Michael Jackson arriving. Deborah was to photograph the star’s fans and learn how things were done. She was posted in the viewing gallery and gaily snapped away as she had been told. All at once the fans began screaming. Pushing her way to the front she saw Michael Jackson dressed in his “soldier’s uniform” leaving a car at an unexpected site. Deborah then took a careless snap and returned to the fans reactions. On arriving back at the office the Editor was fuming. The assigned photographer along with all the other national papers, hadn’t managed to get a single photo of the star. No one, that is, except for Deborah’s casual shot. After that she was never without work. During her talk I kept thinking who she reminded me of. It was Pam Ayres and apparently she is often mistaken for her. Deborah covered all kinds of events, anything that was newsworthy. On one occasion, unfortunately it was not the kind of good luck she wanted; she was first to arrive at the East Midlands Airport disaster as she happened to be nearby. It was horrific and still marvels that thanks to the good piloting of the crew they managed to avoid Kegworth. Standing on the other side of the motorway actually in the tracks where the plane began to come down, she was able to film all the horrors of the incident. Deborah had to photograph both serious and silly things. A little boy trapped in a cat flap for instance. The Fire Service had already got him out when the Press arrived so Mum pushed the little lad back in the trap for them to snap. The secret of this photograph we were told was that
Useful tips from employees to their managers We came across these useful tips from employees to their managers. Do they strike a chord with anyone? 1.
she got down to the boy’s level. Always Deborah said go to the level if possible of the subject. Another one was a lady who found the largest spider in England but was terrified of them. She persuaded her, (it was dead) to tape it to her hand and hold it against her face to get the idea of size. It seems it took some doing to calm down the lady. After ten years she gave up this work, went to College and obtained a B.Sc. and now works in a countryside environment. She also lectures on photography at our own Denman College. The biggest laugh of the evening was when we volunteered Julie, our President but also a keen photographer, to be her model demonstrating her equipment. Firstly she loaded Julie with three cameras, one with a small lens, another with a medium one and thirdly with one which looked a yard long. Then Julie was plied with her travel equipment bag, a large pole type object on which to attached a long view lens and a pair of aluminium household step ladders. All these had to be carried to cover all events. There is nothing worse apparently than being in a crowd of “snappers” and unable to see over, hence the need for a ladder. A very entertaining
and enjoyable evening albeit Julie was unable to move for a time afterwards. Never thought muscles were needed in photography but apparently you have to be fighting fit to hold your own with the Press. We hold our Committee Meetings in different members homes each month. Husbands either go out (who knows where) or like mine stays in the kitchen with the dogs. It’s all very low key, we do the business but always finish up having a great social evening. Things do go wrong occasionally though, such as the member who was the host forgetting we were coming. Arriving and knocking on the door only for it to be opened after a while by a lady, who was not exactly dressed for the occasion and had a very vacant look on her face. She had forgotten due to the fact that she had a new fireplace and carpet and was in the middle of decorating. We still had a great evening sitting on dust sheets surrounded by ladders etc. We WI ladies can cope with anything. Everyone is looking forward to our next meeting on the l8th March, Mr. Tom Philips is talking on chocolate. We assume he will bring samples but I will let you know next month.
Margaret Gamble
Never give me work in the morning. Always wait until 4pm and then bring it to me. The challenge of a deadline is refreshing. 2. If it is a rush job, run in and interrupt me every 10 minutes to enquire how I am doing. That helps. Or even better, hover behind me advising me at every keystroke. 3. Always leave without telling anyone where you are going. It gives me a chance to be creative when someone asks where you are. 4. If you give me more than one job, don’t tell me which has priority - I’m psychic! 5. Do your best to keep me late. I adore this office and really have nowhere to go and nothing to do. I have no life beyond work. 6. If a job I do pleases you, keep it a secret, because if it gets out it might mean promotion or a pay rise for me! 7. If you don’t like my work, tell everyone. I like my name to be popular in conversation. I was born to be whipped. 8. If you have special instructions for a job, don’t write them down. In fact, save them until the job is almost done. No use confusing me with useful information. 9. Never introduce me to people who are with you. I have no right to know anything.. In the corporate food chain I am plankton. When you refer to them later, my shrewd deductions will identify them. 10. Tell me all your little problems. No one else has any and it is nice to know someone less fortunate. I especially like the one about the bonus cheque your received.
There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives.
,
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff
Fairtrade prize draw at Groby supermarkets As February drew to a perishing close, Fairtrade Fortnight got into swing…
To mark the occasion teams from Groby United Reformed Church spent a day in Budgens Supermarket and the Co-operative Village Store talking to customers and urging them to swap one everyday item in their shopping basket for a Fairtrade one to make a huge difference to the lives of farmers in the developing world. The latest figures show demand for Fairtrade products is up by 12% in a year and with this in mind Groby folk were given the chance at the Co-op to win a basket of Fairtrade FAIR ENOUGH: Dave Berry receiving his prize from goodies. The Winner Nic Sullivan, Co-op Store Supervisor was Mr Dave Berry of Woodlands Drive, Groby who correctly guessed the number of Fairtrade items in the basket. A total of 147 people took part in the competition and there were 12 correct answers with Mr Berry’s being the first to be pulled out of the hat. Congratulations Dave, enjoy your goodies!
Good news is just life’s way of keeping you off balance.
Royal Visit LOROS is thrilled to announce that HRH The Duchess of Gloucester will “officially” open the new ward extension, the Willow Wing, on Wednesday 17th March.
On arrival at LOROS, Her Royal Highness will receive a tour of the Hospice, in particular the new wing comprising 11 new en-suite patient rooms, before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion. Invitees to the opening include The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leicester, the Chief Executive of Leicester City Council, the LOROS Board of Trustees and the four Patrons, namely Martin Johnson, Alan Birchenall, Mark Selby and Ali Mauchlen. In addition, invitations have been extended to some of the major supporters who so generously gave donations so that this wonderful new wing could provide such enhanced care and additional privacy to terminally-ill patients from across Leicestershire and Rutland. Jennifer, Lady Gretton, who is President of LOROS, said “I will be delighted to welcome The Duchess of Gloucester to LOROS so that she can see at first hand the superb services we provide for 2,500 patients and their families each year. Staff and Volunteers are looking forward to meeting Her Royal Highness. Everyone at LOROS is so grateful for the wonderful support that has been received from businesses and the community so that our dream of increasing the number of single patient rooms from 8 to 19 has become a reality”.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT There’s always lots happening at your local pubs and clubs: Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287-1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk NOTICE TO MEMBERS New Members Welcome Fri 12 Mar: CARL STEVENS Sat 13 Mar: ALIVE&KICKING Sun 14 Mar: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 19 Mar: BILLY MAXWELL Sat 20 Mar: ROB MARTIN Sun 21 Mar: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 26 Mar: GABBY JORDON Sat 27 Mar: D.V.8 Sun 28 Mar: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 2 April: PETE BERRY Sat 3 April: DOUBLE TROUBLE Sun 4 April: SHAUN & JAMIE + EASTER BONNET PARADE Fri 9 April: NEIL TIMOTHY Sat 10 April: ECHO 12 Sun 11 April: Super Sunday ‘50’ The Stamford Arms Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 5616. Sat 13 Mar: 80’s DISCO Sun 14 Mar: MOJO HAND (Rhythm&Blues JAZZ) Sat 20 Mar: FOXWOOD (To Be Confirmed) Sat 27 Mar: WELLARD WILLY Sat 10 April: VINYL Throwbacks KARAOKE ~ Every Wed OPEN MIC ~Every Thurs JAZZ ~ Every Sun 3-6pm QUIZ – General Knowledge + Find the Joker ~ EVERY Sun QUIZ – Music ~ EVERY Tues The Brant Inn Leicester Road, Groby LE6 0DU T: 0116 287 2703 Fri 26 Mar: KARAOKE (King of the Road) Fri 2 April: ALAN JONES Fri 9 April: KARAOKE (Classic) Old Thatched Inn, Stanton. T: 01530 242460 Wed 17 Mar: FUN QUIZ (St. Patrick’s Day) 8pm
The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 TRIBUTE Nights All £2 Entry after 7pm. (Fri 12 Mar: MADONNA) Fri 19 Mar: ELTON JOHN Fri 2 April: GLAMMA MIA Fri 16 April: BRYAN ADAMS Every 2nd Tues: QUIZ Nite The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sat 20 March - (’King of the Road’) Sundays: QUIZ Night Skittle Alley/Room for Hire The Plough Inn Burroughs Road, RATBY. T: 0116 239 2103 EVERY Tues ~ QUIZ Sat 20 Mar: IRISH FOLK Sat 3 April: 70’s DISCO www.ploughinnratby.co.uk Classics SPECIAL Events The Manor House Barn, Donington le Heath. Sat 20 Mar: JAZZ EVENING Ticket £30 (Includes Dinner) Sat 27 Mar: MEDIEVAL Banquet (Includes Entertainment) £30 Booking Essential T: 01520 817214 www.classics1485.co.uk The Charnwood Arms Beveridge Lane, Bardon. T: 01530 813644 Every MON Night:POKER TOURNAMENT FREE ~ Starts 7pm. TRIBUTE NIGHT £10 a Ticket Includes Supper & Disco Fri 26 Mar: BEATLES
Send your local entertainment news and we’ll include it in our FREE Listing - you can’t say fairer than that!
THANKS! The Reverend Louise Corke of Groby has asked us to include the following note: “Churches Together In Groby wish to acknowledge with thanks the contribution of tree lights and funding for Ratby Band made by the Parish Council towards Carols Around the Tree.”
ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICES
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
As part of our aftercare service, we now offer a monthly Bereavement Aftercare & Support Group, which has been set up to provide a FREE support service, not just to our clients, but to ANY bereaved person, irrespective of their age, creed, religion and length of bereavement. The group meets on the 1st Saturday of every month (2nd Sat in April due to Easter)) in the catering suite at Anstey & District Funeral Services between 10am and 12noon.
Next date: Sat 10th April 2010 ARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can’t it get us out?
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
• FREE Quotes • Boiler Replacements • Full Central Heating Systems • Up to 5 Year Guarantee • Senior Citizen Discount • Over 25 Years Experience www.ukgasservices.co.uk 13 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicestershire LE6 0DQ
5663
0116 287 8000
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Council Tax From front page This helped councillors and officers to decide how the council’s budgets should be allocated. It also enabled the council to identify efficiency savings, temporarily using its balances and reserves to keep the increase in Council Tax to a minimum. This will help to ensure that the council continues to deliver the high quality services which have been praised by the Audit Commission, which rated the council as an ‘Excellent’ authority. The overall increase in Band D council tax for residents in Leicestershire will be £34.26 per annum, an increase of 2.4%. This is made up as follows: Authority: County Council 2010/11 Tax: £1,063 2009/10: £1,037.07 Tax Increase: 2.5% Authority: Fire & Rescue 2010/11 Tax: £53.38 2009/10: £51.82 Tax Increase: 3.0% Authority: Leics Police 2010/11 Tax: £169.63 2009/10: £165.21 Tax Increase: 2.7% Authority: Borough Council (Incl Special Expenses) 2010/11 Tax: £112.35 2009/10: £110.13 Tax Increase: 2.0% Authority: Parish Councils 2010/11 Tax: £38.24 2009/10: £38.11 Tax Increase: 0.3%
Total Council Tax: 2010/11 Tax: £1,436.60 2009/10: £1,402.34 Tax Increase: 2.4%
Website Design Course starting at Groby Community College on Wed 14th April 2010 7.00pm – 9.00 pm £84 for 12 weeks
(Note: The element in control of the Borough Council is only 7.8 per cent of the total amount of council tax at average Band D charged to each household in the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth.)
This course will help you to create a small website, set up a website folder structure, create links, include text and images and view your finished website. It will also help you to learn more about your hobby or leisure activity and gain industry standard skills to improve your career. Please telephone the Adult Learning Dept at Groby Community College on 0116 2874725 or the Freephone Enrolment line 0800 988 0308
The table below shows the indicative cash increase and levels of council tax for the Leicestershire districts at average Band D.
Hinckley & Bosworth Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £2.22 Band D (per annum): £112.35
Useful Computer Tips
Charnwood Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £2.34 Band D (per annum): £125.22
If you use a computer, then you may be interested in the following useful tips: WORD
Blaby Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £3.27 Band D (per annum): £137.78
Just Typed a whole sentence with Caps Lock on? Fix it easily ...
Harborough Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £4.13 Band D (per annum): £169.78
No matter how good a typist you are, there will be times when you’ve accidentally left the Caps Lock on. This means that you’ll end up with a lot of text in upper case when you didn’t want it. But don’t panic. Simply select the text you want to change and press and hold the Shift key, and then press F3. Each time you press the F3 key the text case switches between title case, upper case and lower case.
Melton Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £5.03 Band D (per annum): £178.61
WINDOWS
North West Leics Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £0.32 Band D (per annum): £180.35
Find obscure type characters
Oadby & Wigston Cash increase in Revised Band D (per annum): £2.01 Band D (per annum): £202.60
Council Leader Stuart Bray said: “Hinckley & Bosworth remains the lowest Council Tax paying district in the county and one of the lowest in the country. I am pleased that, due to sound financial management and planning, the council is not making savage cuts to front line services or making compulsory redundancies unlike many councils across the area.”
If you need to type a character that’s not on the keyboard, such as an accented ‘e’, you can find it in the Character Map. This is located in Accessories in earlier versions of Windows, or if you’re using Windows 7, click on Start and then key in Character Map into the ‘Search programs and files’ slot. The Character Map will appear. Find the character you want, double click on it, and press the Copy button. Go back to the document you’re working on, leftclick to position the cursor in the right place, right-click and select paste. The character should appear.
If YOU know any simple tips which you’d like to share with Spotlight readers, send your tip to us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk and we’ll include it in a future issue.
Advertising Rates Advert Size
Dimensions
Colour Mono
Twelfth Page
95mm wide x 41mm high
£28.00
£18.00
Sixth Page
95mm wide x 87mm high
£50.00
£36.00
Quarter Page
95mm wide x 132mm high
£65.00
£45.00
Half Page
194mm wide x 132mm high £120.00 £80.00
Full Page (A4)
194mm wide x 268mm high £190.00 £140.00
For more info, call 01530 244069 or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Indecision is the key to flexibility.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Chattabox Goes Outer Space! February half term once again resounded with the shouts and songs of a gleeful Chattabox, with approximately 80 children attending each morning at Martinshaw school for a fun time. Each day the children enjoyed the antics of Captain Comet and Captain Stargazer, who introduced the children to drama, a bible story, crafts, games and some thoughtful chat time. It wasn’t only the children who had a great week. There were over 50 helpers and leaders who worked with the groups and behind the scenes to make the week so successful. The event was run by Extend, on behalf of the Churches Together In Groby.
I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Bradgate Lions Club News
Since our Christmas fund raising efforts we enjoyed a short break. We then resumed our fundraising with a very successful “Race Night” at Markfield Court Community Centre on 23rd January and raised £532.00 for “Help our Hero’s”. We are now concentrating our efforts on our Easter fund raising. These start by going out with our float and “Easter Bunny” around the streets of Anstey during week commencing 15th March, and the following week we will be going around Groby, assisted by the local Scouts group. We will also be holding a day long collection at Glenfield Co-operative Superstore on Saturday 27th March. This is to raise funds for County Air Ambulance. Alongside these bucket collections we will be hold our Easter egg prize draws in over twenty local pubs and retail outlets. If you would like more information about Bradgate Lions Club and their activities, please ring Roger on 01530 242912. He will be please to help.
Lion Roger Gamble, President, Bradgate Lions Club
Thought for the Month No day is wasted Living with purpose and clear focus helps you to understand the value of being meaningfully focused. And aimlessly wandering with no clear focus can also help you to appreciate the power of a positive purpose.
Fantastic events at Snibston
Calling all science lovers! Snibston is eagerly awaiting this year’s National Science and Engineering Week and has a fantastic line-up of activities to suit science lovers everywhere!
National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten-day programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK and is aimed at people of all ages. This year, NSEW takes place between 12th and 21st March with the theme of ‘Earth’. The sessions will start with ‘Materials Rock’, a talk by Dr Sandie Dann from the Department of Chemistry at Loughborough University on 12th March. This is an evening performance starting at 7.30pm. On Saturday 13th March, Dr Klaus Neumann, also of Loughborough University, will invite you to discover fascinating facts about the world around us through experiments and debate. This session is particularly suitable for families with school-aged children and is free. 2-3pm. Grace Deeks, Conservation Manager, Leicestershire County Council will talk about the Hemington Timbers Project on Tuesday 16th March. Grace has played a major part in the sugar-based preservation of these medieval bridge timbers which are currently undergoing a drying-out process at Snibston.7.30pm.
Either way, life leads you surely, steadily toward your purpose. Whether you experience the pain of losing touch with that purpose, or the joy of living in harmony with it, you grow in understanding and appreciation. No day, no experience, no encounter is really wasted. Through the ups and downs, in the good times and in times of despair, you feel more intensely the longing to express who you truly are. The beauty of this day is not in its particulars. The beauty is that you can take it all in, whatever and however it may be, and add it to the substance of your being. Whatever comes along, be thankful for the opportunity to pass through it. Whatever is, go with it and grow with it. Your purpose cannot help but become stronger, as each moment passes. Feel that strength, and live it more fully, more authentically, day after day.
Copyright 2010 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. Used by permission. Originally published in “The Daily Motivator” at www.dailymotivator.com
On Wednesday 17th March, Professor Peter Watkins from the University of Birmingham will talk about the challenges of experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and our current understanding of the smallest particles. Again, this is an evening performance starting at 7.30pm. In keeping with Snibston’s heritage, Professor Paul Younger from the University of Newcastle will deliver a provocative lecture on how coal exploitation probably represents the world’s best chance of a genuinely low carbon future. Thursday 18th March, 7.30pm. Tales of the Chemically Unexpected by Professor Ray Jones will intrigue visitors on Friday 19th March at 7.30pm, whilst Caroline Kirk of Loughborough University will bring the lectures to a close on Saturday at 11am, with her talk Probing Minerals with X-ray Vision which takes a close look at the structures and properties of minerals. Free. Each evening lecture, to be held at Snibston, costs just £3.50 but eager science fanatics can grab a deal by booking all 5 for only £12.50 - a saving of 25%. All sessions must be pre-booked. The final science show of the week, Mad Science, is aimed at children from 5 years and is a spectacular science stage show presented by a specialist ‘mad scientist’. Captivating, highly interactive, entertaining and educational, the show will investigate what makes the earth unique in comparison with all other planets, and what makes this planet able to support life as we know it. 3pm, Tickets £5 by pre-booking.
People wanting to know more about National Science and Engineering Week events at Snibston can contact Alison Clague on 0116 305 3429. Those wishing to book a session should contact the Sales and Enquiries Team on 01530 278444. I got a new shadow. I had to get rid of the other one... It wasn’t doing what I was doing.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Two goes into one We have held our AGM at the Village Hall during February for well over 25 years.
This year following the necessary business we adjourned to allow time for a ‘Special General Meeting.’ This was to allow time to discuss the protocol, which forms part of our twenty-five year lease of the allotments. We understood that when the lease was drawn up between Groby Allotment Society and the Parish Council in 2007 all was buttoned up and finished, alas no. Apparently as we were later informed there was an oversight within the corridors of power - the ‘Parish Office’ and the document was not presented before the full Council. So an amended document was presented before us to consider, this required fine-tuning before returning to the Council. After many months we were finally able to present the document to our members. The hall was full to capacity, tea and biscuits before the meeting was provided to lubricate those who wished to speak. After discussion the protocol received a 100% show of hands. This allowed us to return to complete the AGM with any other business. There are changes to our committee, Paul Fossy who has for many years supervised the running of Orchard Close Allotments has stepped down, his place being taken by Kate Gregg who we welcome and look forward to working with. As a thank you for all the hours he has devoted to the Society, Paul was presented with a book token. Birds are Paul’s second interest and with his dog Max are often to be seen down by the Pool with his telescope. Max is also very knowledgeable where birds are concerned, you ask him
Allotment Society News From John Thornton
which we hope will be very soon we can run the allotments to the benefit to all the members and also the villagers who enjoy the walk across the Chapel footpath from whom we receive favourable comments. Unfortunately the footpath is under the auspices of the County Council. It is classed as a country footpath and as so, its condition is considered acceptable. However the fencing to both sides will be our responsibility.
Lime The Kitchen Garden magazine, which is freely available monthly at newsagents, often gives sound advice on allotment gardening.
sometime! Our youngest allotment member George Rushin made the presentation. We are very pleased to have George, he is presently studying at the Groby College and is a very enthusiastic gardener. He is very welcome. Molly Matson has also stepped down from the committee after many years service. She was presented with a bowl of daffodils. However Molly has always made herself available when work is required so retirement may be difficult. Our raffle has always provided lighthearted banter, which is a pleasant end to our serious business. Members are very generous in donating the prizes and buying tickets. This all helps our funds. When the protocol is signed
George Rushin making our presentation to Paul Fossey. This must be one of the few times you see Paul without his dog.
Molly proudly showing her flowers to the camera.
The February edition tells us about the use of lime on our plots. There is more to lime than one may imagine I quote: Slaked lime ‘garden lime’ is very fine and highly soluble. Its effect is quickly spent and it is not ideal for growing. Ground limestone is much better and will last up to three years in the soil, releasing calcium slowly. Its strongest effect will be in the second year. Dolomite lime is ground dolomite rock and contains five years’ worth of magnesium as well as calcium. It has all the benefits of limestone and more. Gypsum is useful for producing calcium where low ph is needed, as it does not regulate the acidity. Lime-hating plants do still need some calcium and gypsum is a safe source. So, you choose - but Dolomite seems the best for us. And spring is almost with us and those lovely sunlit evenings when the plots are buzzing with activity, I can’t wait.
Don’t be irreplaceable, if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
February 2010 crime figures for Groby and Field Head
The following incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during February 2010. Description
Groby
Field Head
House Burglaries Actual: None Attempted: None
0 Actual 0 Attempted
0
Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Bradgate Hill, Woodbank Road, Anstey Lane Attempted: None.
3 Actual 0 Attempted
0
Theft of Motor Vehicle: Lena Drive
1
0
Theft from Motor Vehicle: Stamford Drive
1
0
Damage to Motor Vehicle: Farr Wood Close
1
0
Non-Domestic Assaults
4
1
Robbery: None
0
0
Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars
13
0
TOTAL (Actual)
23
1
TOTAL (Attempted)
0
0
Theft: 9 / Damage: 1 / Other: 3
Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk Information supplied by Martin Cartwright - Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch - Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: neighbourhoodwatch@appliancehome.co.uk In An Emergency dial 999. Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222. CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555111 Next Meeting: Thursday 10th June 2010 at 7.30pm Venue: Groby Village Hall, New room to the rear of the main hall.
Three Interesting Day Trips Paul James Coaches have a wide range of interesting Day Trips by coach available. Just to mention a few: •
Malvern Spring Gardening Show on May 9th. Cost £31, • •
Chelsea Flower Show May 28th. Cost £62, Thriller/London Theatre August 7th. Cost £55.
T: 01530 832399 or www.pauljamescoaches.co.uk
Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing.
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Gardening Ideas ... From Jed Brignal If you would like to add to your garden an intoxicatingly fragrant shrub, then invest in ‘Sarcococca Hookeriana’. I have just purchased one which is in bloom now (early March) and the fragrance filled the car on the way home. It is an evergreen, suckering shrub which grows to a height of 150cm (5 feet) and has a spread of 200cm according to the BBC ‘Plant Finder’ website. The powerful fragrance compensates for the small size of the flowers, which bloom from December through to March. At the same time I bought a Dwarf Iris - ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ - it is so delicate and reminds me of an Orchid. The same website suggests that we put some sharp grit around the soil to prevent rain causing unwelcome splashing of the creamy white bloom with its distinctive blue veining. Although these are two unusual plants and you may not see them at your local Garden Centre or Nursery – may I suggest that you ask them to try and get them for you in the first instance - before perhaps buying online?
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
MARCH Water nuisance happenings
from the past • 150 years ago: 27 Mar 1860 - The corkscrew was patented by M.L. Byrn of New York, USA. • 125 years ago: 26 Mar 1885 - The Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company of Rochester, New York, began commercial production of the first photographic film. This would replace the single-use photographic plates that had been used until that time. • 100 years ago: 28 Mar 1910 - The first successful take-off of a seaplane from water, at Martinque, France, piloted by its inventor, Henri Fabre. • 80 years ago: 13 Mar 1930 - The discovery of the dwarf planet Pluto by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh was announced to the public. (Discovered 18th February). • 75 years ago: 21 Mar 1935 Persia was renamed Iran. • 60 years ago: 8 Mar 1950 - British car manufacturer Rover unveiled and road-tested the first car to be powered by a gas turbine engine. • 50 years ago: 22 Mar 1960 - The first laser was patented by American physicists Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes. • 40 years ago: 6 Mar 1970 - The British Government announced an indefinite ban on the importation of domestic pets, due to the spread of rabies in Europe. • 15 years ago: 1 Mar 1995 Internet search company Yahoo! was founded.
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Norman Griffiths discovers why the water went off last month
Sales of bottled water must have peaked on the morning of Friday 26th February when householders found that their taps were empty. Although nearby Groby Fish Bar were fortunate in not being badly affected they did at one point have to use bottled water for hand washing to maintain hygiene standards. The water to 426 properties went off without warning at 10.30am when operatives working on the gas main project on Leicester Road damaged the water main. The supply was restored by 2.50pm. “We’re sorry for the disruption that this caused to people in Groby,” said Andrew Marsh of Severn Trent Water, “ but in this When the water supply was restored case we clearly had no control over the cause, and worked as householders may have discovered that quickly as possible to get our customers back on supply.” something that looked more like gravy than water came out of their taps. “In terms of discoloured water following mains bursts, this usually only comes in the first few seconds of The burst wasn’t good news for the M1 Corridor Gas the restored supply being used again,” Andrew Alliance who were working hard to restore confidence in Marsh explained, “and in any case should settle their operation in the village. “The M1 Corridor gas alliance out if left to stand on the side or in the fridge for would like to apologise to the residents for the inconvenience a minute or so. It is not harmful to health and we caused after a water pipe was damaged on Friday 26th can result from rust particles disturbed when February, whilst carrying out the gas pipe replacement project the main is flushed through, or ‘cloudiness’ in the area,” said a spokesperson. “After the damage was following an airlock in the system while the caused to the water pipe, we worked closely with Seven Trent supply was interrupted.” Water who carried out the repair as quickly as possible. An Any household supplied by one of the older investigation was carried out immediately and lessons have mains may have found that they received much been learnt and procedures implemented to ensure this does more than a few rust particles and they had to not happen again.” She went onto thank the residents of run the supply for some time before it returned Groby for their patience over the past year, adding that the to normal. These particles can play havoc with project is part of a national programme to replace all iron ball cock valves and the ceramic discs found in pipes with polyethylene plastic pipes to ensure a continued most modern taps. safe and reliable gas supply to customers for the future.
Water turned brown
Gas Alliance apologises
Difference Between Men and Women Nicknames If Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose. If Mike, Charlie, Bob and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
Eating out When the bill arrives, Mike, Charlie, Bob and John will each throw in £20, even though it’s only for £32.50. None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
Bathrooms A man has six items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Holiday Inn. The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
Dressing up A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
Offspring Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
The reason most people play golf is to wear clothes they would not be caught dead in otherwise.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
There’ll always be an England...but there may not always be a Groby Village Hall Colin Mitchell tells Norman Griffiths about the problem facing the Village Hall You may enjoy an occasional visit to the Village Hall to watch a Groby players production or to the Annual Village Show. You may visit weekly for one of the many functions such as the Thursday morning coffee session or take your child to one of the nursery or toddler groups. Or you may have attended a birthday party or wedding reception there. Because things always run like clockwork there is something you don’t think about, in fact it seems to be invisible. But without it the ‘For Sale’ sign might have to go up outside. You’ve probably guessed what it is that you don’t see – it’s management. The fact that it appears to be invisible is a credit to the volunteers who have a wide range of responsibilities including arranging the bookings, sorting out maintenance problems, planning improvements, and getting the bills paid to keep the lights on and the bailiffs out. Groby without it’s Village Hall would be a village with a problem. And a Village Hall without it’s volunteers might not exist. Some readers will wonder why the Village Hall needs volunteers. Isn’t this what we pay our Council Tax for? It seems this is a common misunderstanding. “The Hall has been in existence for community use since 1986, and is a self supporting charity, run by volunteers, independent of Groby Parish Council or any local authority,” said Colin Mitchell. “Although assistance is received through grants for capital projects
from time to time the income we need to run the hall is generated by letting it out to local user groups. This income is used to maintain the Hall which is very well supported by these groups and also individual bookings.” The problem with being an invisible volunteer is that people forget you’re there. They even take you for granted. And this means that the Village Hall has a problem shared with other organisations in the village. In the business world it would be called succession management, ensuring that when key individuals leave there is someone waiting to take their place. Sadly it doesn’t often work this way in the world of the volunteer. Those with families have busy lives and may feel they can’t spare the time and the lives of the retired are often so full you’ll hear the comment “I don’t know how I had time to go to work.” But some do make the time available and they usually discover something they didn’t realise – that volunteering and delivering a service that helps hold a community together and give it a sense of identity can be incredibly rewarding. The Village Hall committee needs new members to ensure the continuity of the services that it provides. This small team of local residents meets once a month to decide on what aspects of maintenance is required and discuss any other problems. Over the last ten years, over £200k has been spent on improvements to the Hall, including upgrading toilet and kitchen facilities, installing
air conditioning and a new roof, new floors and equipment and work to comply with various new regulations. “Unfortunately, most of the members have been involved for many years and will not be able to carry on indefinitely,” Colin pointed out. “Without the support of new members of the committee, it is likely that the Hall may have to close or be taken over by another body, whoever that may be and this is not assured. When an institution ticks over without any problems, it is taken for granted that someone will carry it on. We need new members who would be willing to give a few hours a month to get involved and ensure that this much used facility can carry on being successful. The Village Hall belongs to the people of Groby and we need their support to ensure that it doesn’t just ‘fade away.” The involvement isn’t onerous.
A meeting is held monthly which normally lasts a couple of hours and committee members can also be called on to occasionally be available either in an emergency or when work is being carried out on the premises and to answer queries and problems from users of the premises. If you think you could help, why not have a chat with one of the committee members. The monthly meeting is usually held at the Village Hall on the first Thursday of every month but the March meeting will be on 17th March. Contact either Diane Brown, Booking Secretary on 0116 2872064 or Colin Mitchell, Treasurer on 0116 2876472 for more information or come along to a meeting so that you can see for yourself and you would be made welcome. Before you turn the page just imagine Groby without its Village Hall.
“Without the support of new members of the committee, it is likely that the Hall may have to close or be taken over by another body.” Colin Mitchell
Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Gardening Society NEWS On February 11th, we welcomed Steve Pole to our meeting as guest speaker. Steve’s background has been as a lecturer at Brooksby College and his talk was entitled “Grow it. Pick it. Eat it”.
His topic covered several aspects of vegetable growing, including some interesting historical details. Although many of our current favourites were grown two or three hundred years ago, many members would have fondly remembered the typical kitchen gardens of the forties and fifties. How many gardeners had their early interest aroused whilst helping Dad or Granddad around the vegetable plot? Steve covered technical aspects of growing your own food, including conditions such as pH of the soil and the importance of correct nutrients. He also emphasised the value of raised bed and container growing as either a means to combat some frailty or a lack of available space. He brought several novel, foldable containers which are now available at garden centres. The signing up process has started for our trips and if members cannot attend one of the next few meetings a quick phone call to Alvar would reserve places. Our trip to The Malvern Spring Show (May 7th), should have a few places available to non-members. If any readers would like to join us and take advantage of a hassle-free outing, they also should give Alvar a ring. Details of our overnight trip in July (9th & 10th) have now been finalised. On our second day (after the first day’s visit to the Hampton Court Flower Show), we are going to visit one of the jewels in the National Trust’s crown: Waddesdon Manor. We shall finish the day by calling at Oxford for a short sight seeing opportunity. April 8th May 7th May 13th May 15th
“An English Country Garden” Val Williams Trip to the Malvern Spring Show “Plants for Shady places” Des Martin Plant sale at The Village Hall
If you feel like becoming involved and sharing in our activities, we always welcome new members and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 0116 287 7870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net
Alvar Johnson
Don’t Forget to Send Us Your News Write to Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
NOW - read the magazine in page-flip style online at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk
Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
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National Trust Leicester Association
What’s On at De Montfort Hall?
A regular annual event at Calke Abbey is “Lambing Time” and this year the lambing marquee and pens will be erected between 20th March and 10th April. Visitors will be able to get close to the lambs and to talk to the estate wardens who look after the rare breed flock of Portland sheep. Also at Calke Abbey, and at most other NT properties, over the Easter weekend there will be an Easter Egg Trail. The event is sponsored by Cadbury’s who have donated 300,000 chocolate eggs. We have no idea if this event will take place next year following the take over of Cadbury by the food giant Kraft! A little further afield, “Capability” Brown’s first major commission, Croome Park, near Worcester, is now open to the public. Even though the NT has owned the park since 1996 this is the first time in 60 years that both the house and grounds have been open. A current interesting feature in the house is the original stucco plasterwork which was embellished by one time tenants, the Hare Krishna sect. The NT Leicester Association has a meeting on Tuesday 13th April. Following a very brief AGM there will be an illustrated talk on the continuing work on all East Midlands NT properties by Samantha Humphries from Regional Office. The meeting will be held at the Premier Inn, Braunstone Lane East, Leicester at 7.30pm, admission is members £2 and visitors £4. Also in April the Association will commence its programme of summer outings to heritage destinations. For information on the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations call, 0116 222 9133.
A trio of performances that may appeal to you - from many fine ones held at De Montfort Hall - are:
Would you like to play Billiards in the Billiard Room of a stately home – well now you can. A billiard table has been installed in the Billiard Room at Sudbury Hall (pictured, below right) near Burton Upon Trent and visitors are welcome to use it.
Alan Tyler, Chairman, NT Leicester Association
An International Coffee Concert on Sunday 2nd May at 11 am. Ticket Cost: £15 which includes coffee & a programme, Daniel O’Donnell on Sunday 25 April at 7.30pm. Ticket: £34.50. Derren Brown ‘Enigma’ on Saturday 26th June at 7.30pm. Ticket Cost: £28/£30 EXTRA DATE added due to public demand (both Derren’s March events have sold out) Please note this performance is not suitable for children under 12 years old. The Box office is open Mon-Sat 10am–6pm (8pm on performance days), Sunday 6-8pm for evening performances or 1 hour before a matinee. T: 0116 233 3111 or book online at www.demontforthall.co.uk What is the difference between Bird Flu and Swine Flu? For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment.
I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Win funds for a local project
‘Lose Weight’ Campaign for Groby
New data reveals that the average person in Leicestershire is clinically overweight and bordering on obese, with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 28.9. (BMI 18.5-25 is healthy weight, BMI 25 to 30 is overweight and BMI 30+ is obese). Hazel Hickson has written to inform us that Leicestershire Slimming World has launched its ‘Let’s Beat It Together’ campaign to give extra incentive to slimmers. “By making people aware of the obesity risks and giving them practical, realistic solutions and effective support to make small changes towards a healthier, happier lifestyle, we’re hoping to make a real difference,” said Hazel. UK organisation Slimming World has pledged to give the group with the highest average weight loss £1,000 for a community project of their choice.
If you would like to take part in GROBY’S 12 week programme contact Hazel on 0116 287 9272 for more information.
Letter from Uncle Eustace On how to run your notice board The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Your decision to place a notice board outside your church seems a good one – and its design in blue plastic with luminous red detachable letters seems entirely in keeping with the aesthetics of your building. Make sure that it is lockable, however, as an innocent notice saying “all are welcome” may be modified by a devotee of anagrams to say something far less polite by the following day. We recently replaced ours, which had disappeared shortly before last bonfire night. That the Scouts’ bonfire had a board which closely resembled our old one in its centre was, I am sure, complete coincidence. The Venture Scouts’ collective smirk during the following week’s Parade Service did give one pause for thought, and the Cubs’ collapse into helpless laughter at the chorus “So light up the fire and let the flames burn” only increased suspicion. On reflection, you may not have been wise to use your notice board to tell everyone your holiday dates. Certainly various local burglars were tripping over each other inside the vicarage while you were away. However, the note the last one left, saying that next time he broke in, he would bring you something, since you had so little left, was quite touching. Inevitably, now that your church has a notice board, there will be open warfare over who is allowed to display notices on it. Will the Slimmers’ Club be seen as biblical? Why is the Ladies Guild notice twice as large as all the others? And do remember what while everyone will want space to display their notices, no one will ever remove them once the event is over. Plaintive announcements of Christmas parties in April or of Summer Fetes in November only serve to take people down memory lane. Here’s the best way to manage a notice board: create that panacea for all problems: a sub-committee. These poor people only ever exist in order to get the clergy out of tight corners and to make sure that matters are discussed at such inordinate length that every issue eventually dies a natural death. And if even that fails, you could have a quiet word with our Scouts before next year’s bonfire night. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
From Groby’s Local Policeman PC
918 Ned Kelly
‘No Cold Calling Zone’ Dear Residents of Groby During 2010 I will be looking at setting up what is called a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ in an area of Groby that I have identified as being a vulnerable area. What is the purpose of ‘No Cold Calling Zones’? It is to discourage cold callers from specific residential areas, usually a street or small cluster of houses. The introduction of the scheme provides householders with the opportunity to collectively discourage the often unwelcome practice of cold calling. All the residents of the identified area must agree to have a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ before it can be fully implemented. The zone will be visibly identified by overt signs and each participant displaying a sticker on their door. They are also given information on how to deal with cold callers at the door should the signs be ignored and advice about some security products they may wish to use. The ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ are designed to discourage rogue traders who, for example, tell householders that work needs doing on their property and then charge exorbitant prices or who try to trick their way into the house to commit a burglary. The scheme is run in conjunction with Leicestershire County Council. Anyone with information about any crime or incident can contact me on 0116 222 2222 and quote my collar number 0918 or you can call Crime Stoppers free on 0800 555 111.
I know I’m paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Ideas4Writers - a great website for budding authors If you yearn to write stories, but you are lacking the inspiration to get started, then this website may be just what you need.
ideas4writers is run by a husband and wife partnership based in the Culm Valley in Devon. Dave Haslett has been writing since the age of 13 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience, having written novels, non-fiction books, short stories, reviews, articles, scripts and screenplays. He is a qualified computer specialist, programmer and trainer with over 20 years experience, and feels perfectly at home with his hands in the innards of a PC. He is also an experienced webmaster who designed and built one of the first intranets in the UK, long before such things were fashionable. He is the author of The Fastest Way to Write Your Book and The Fastest Way to Get Ideas and is available for talks and workshops in the UK. Kate Haslett is an avid reader and has been devouring books at a rate of knots since early childhood. She is an experienced proof-reader and office administrator, as well as a part-time librarian and busy housewife and mother. Both partners are members of Mensa. They have two daughters. ideas4writers began in November 2001, based on a quote by Whitbread Book of the Year winner, Philip Pullman. “Where do you get your ideas from?” Philip Pullman was asked by one interviewer. Tongue firmly in cheek, he replied: “I subscribe to www.ideas.r.us.com For £25 a month I get 30 ideas, new and unused, success guaranteed. You can get second-hand more cheaply, but they don’t come with a guarantee, and they wear out.” After several months of research, design and programming, a lot of hard work and some very late nights, we proudly launched ideas4writers.co.uk on 12 August 2002. At long last we are able to provide an answer to that eternal question asked of all writers: “Where do you get your ideas from?”
Anstey & District Funeral Service Independent Family-Run Funeral Directors
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If you can’t learn to do it well, learn to enjoy doing it badly.
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Calligraphy Exhibition Donington le Heath Manor House, Manor Road, LE67 2FW is hosting an exhibition of the latest beautiful and evocative works from Leicestershire Calligraphers. The exhibition will run from Good Friday April 2nd until Wed 30th June. T: 01530 831 259.
Dry Stone Walling Learn the traditional skill of dry stone walling on this one day course that will teach you the basics of repairing a wall or starting a new one. The course takes place at Beacon Hill Country Park on Saturday 27th March from 10am to 4pm. The cost per place is £30 and pre-booking is ESSENTIAL. T: 0116 305 8790.
Interested in Development Properties? Looking for a Building Plot? Selling land with Development Potential? You need Leicestershire Builder Magazine!
Ring 01530 244069 for a free sample.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Small Ads Share your memories of Cox’s ice cream van
MECCANO Motion System 20 (812yrs) Incomplete set. Price: Free.T: 0116 287 7757.
KEYBOARD Dell Quiet –key USB, black. Price: £20, MOUSE black Dell Optical, Scroll USB (2 buttons scroll) Price: £10. (Both Unopened/Surplus), Dell 15.5 inch MONITOR/ power cable/set up disc, perfect working order. Price: £25 o.n.o, Belkin digital INTERFACE CABLE, high bandwidth DB15 Male/DVI- Male LCD Monitor Replacement Cable. Opened but un-used. Price: £15, Belkin Hi-speed internet MODEM CABLE (2.1m), Opened but un-used. Price: £7. T: 01530 245007 HOSTESS TROLLEY Philips.vgc. Price: £45, Catering TEA POT, 3 Ltr, Swan, VGC. Price: £12, Copper HUNTING HORN 47”. Price: £6, Wall hanging BUTTERFLY TRAY 13”x20½”, wood surround with Tunbridge Ware inset. Price: £25. T: 0116 287 7264. BOYS BIKE 20” wheel, red g.c. Price: £20, CARAVAN Bailey Pageant Auvergne 2001, 5 berth, great condition ready to go, with porch awning, CRIS reg. CD/radio.Warm air & gas heating, alarm + extras. Price: £5,750 Dining Room TABLE Cherry wood + 4 chairs & 2 carvers, vgc. Price: £500 ono, WALL UNIT Cherry wood to match table, 3 door/drawers/drinks unit & glass display. Price: £400 ono, HI -FI CABINET with drawers & lift top for vinyls, Cherry wood, matches above. Price: £50, Pine corner WALL UNIT. Price: £10. T: 0116 287 8313. LAUNDRY STARCH, 700 gm Container x 3. Price: £5 each. T: 0116 222 3813. Advertise your items for sale FREE. Send us the details, cost of item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication). Max FOUR items, please. Max price asked: £300 Our address is: Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Snibston Discovery Museum is looking for people with memories of ‘Cocky’ Cox and his ice cream van to come forward and share their stories. Cox’s ice cream van was a popular sight around the streets of Leicester in days gone by. This photograph shows Cox’s van at New Parks Junior School Gala in 1960. Perhaps you were there and remember buying a wafer or lolly that day? If so, Snibston would love to hear from you. The museum is now home to Cox’s ice cream van which is on display in the Transport Gallery. The van is a battery electric vehicle made by Partridge Wilson & Co of Leicester in 1935. Mr Cox acquired the van in 1947 when it was modified for the ice cream business, and it was in use until the early 1970s. Whilst Snibston has information about the technical history of the vehicle, staff are keen to record personal memories about Cocky and his ice cream van. Tina Cox, one of Cocky’s two daughters, said: “We treasure this wonderful ice cream van because our parents worked hard to get it, and it represents some of our own family history – me and my sister, Roma, both learned to drive in it. The van is also important to people in Leicester, especially those in the New Parks estate. Lots of people will remember Cocky and his ice cream van, especially on those hot summer days.” All this additional information will help to improve the displays at Snibston, which include a recent renovation of the aircraft displays in the Transport Gallery. If you are one of the children in the photograph, or simply have some memories of Cox’s ice cream vans, please contact Alison Clague at Snibston on 0116 3053429 or email: Alison.Clague@leics.gov.uk
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The trouble with ignorance is that it picks up confidence as it goes along.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
WORDSEARCH COMPETITION 1st Prize: Win a Main Course for Two, plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel! 2nd Prize: Win A £10 DVD Hire Voucher to Spend at Glenfield Moviezone!
Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................
If you can spot the names of 12 Names of Shapes in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win a MAIN COURSE FOR TWO plus a BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE at the Fieldhead Hotel, Markfield Lane, Markfield - or a £10 DVD Hire Voucher to spend at Glenfield Moviezone (see ad on page 15). All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 SHAPES. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your marked entry forms to: SHAPELY, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Friday 2nd April 2010. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Meal at The Fieldhead Hotel and the sender of the second will win the Moviezone DVD hire voucher. Good luck!
Here are 12 Shapes you have to find: CIRCLE • CRESCENT • ELLIPSE • OCTAGON OVAL • PARALLELOGRAM • PENTAGON • RECTANGLE RHOMBUS • SQUARE • TRAPEZIUM • TRIANGLE
Try Tennis for FREE at Gynsill
Gynsill Tennis Club, in Gorse Hill Anstey is throwing its courts open on Saturday 10th April for FREE.
The day is open to all existing and potential players from juniors 7-18yrs and adults alike. This is a great chance for all to come and sample some active tennis fun, including the use of a ball machine and service speed gun. Club Coaches will be running a number of fun, action-packed introductory sessions for all standards from beginner to advanced. There will be friendly competitions and give-aways, including a raffle draw with one player winning 8 weeks coaching free of charge. Sessions will run in the following age groups. 10.00am - 11.15am - (7yrs - 10yrs) 11.15am - 12.30pm - (11yrs - 18yrs) 12.30 - 1.45pm - (adults) If you would like to come and join us on the day please contact Matt Clarridge, Head Coach - now at mattcgynsilltc@yahoo.co.uk or 07708 686693 or Club Chairman John Chapman 0116 233 3893 for more details.
Last Issue’s TWO Winners Last issue’s first prize winner was CHRISTINE JARMAN of Markfield Road, Groby. You win a Sunday Lunch for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Plough Inn, Burroughs Road, Ratby. The winner of the second prize - a £10 DVD Hire Voucher to spend at Glenfield MovieZone - was Mrs. P. LAW of Link Rise, Markfield. Congratulations! Your vouchers will be with you within 21 days. The surprising thing about young fools is how many survive to become old fools.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Far Out Thoughts ... from Pensive Pete Ghosts, aliens, poltergeists - do they exist? Or are they the wild imaginings of deranged minds? Many people are convinced that we are being watched over - and maybe even guided - by other beings. When asked for evidence, they cannot supply any. But they nevertheless remain certain that their feelings are genuine. Some years ago, while studying trees, I wondered if trees could be aware of superior life forms, such as Man. I concluded that trees live their lives at too slow a pace to be able to detect Man’s existence, even though we climb on trees, trim their branches, and sometimes chop them down completely. To a tree, these occurrences are totally inexplicable. You can almost imagine the tree thinking, “Good grief, I’m sure I had a large branch on my north-east corner a minute ago. Where the heck did it go to?” Although this sounds flippant, it does demonstrate the difference in awareness experienced by two successful, highly advanced living things. What if Man isn’t the most advanced species on Earth. What if some higher form of life exists so superior to us that we are the equivalent of trees to them? Would we be aware of their existence? Or merely aware of the consequences of their existence? This thought remained dormant in my mind until I recently came across a book by Deepak Chopra. One section early in the book caught my eye. Deepak says: “In the animal kingdom, some nervous systems are much faster than ours and others much slower. A snail’s neurons pick up signals from the outside world so slowly, for example, that events any faster than three seconds would not be perceived. In other words, if a snail was looking at an apple, and I quickly reached in and snatched it away, the snail would not be able to detect my hand. It would “see” the apple disappear before its very eyes.” Ghosts, aliens, poltergeists - could they be the human equivalent of the snail’s vanishing apple?
RSPCA Quiz at Groby Club Do you enjoy quizzes? Are you also an animal lover?
If you answered ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’ to the above questions, then get yourself along to the Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Thursday 18th March 2010 where the RSPCA General Knowledge Quiz will be taking place. Maximum 5 people in a team - Entry: £4 per person. The winning teams share a prize pot of £100. There will also be prizes for runners-up. Bar table service throughout the night. Arrive 7.30pm - quiz starts at 8pm. To register your team, please call Steve on 0116 224 2432 or email: steve.sellars@rspcaleicester.org.uk All proceeds go to support the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre in Scudamore Road, Leicester.
FENCING
S G S
SHOOTER GARDENING SERVICES
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CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY
0116 2879715 / 07814224630 Of course there’s no reason for it, it’s just our policy.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
New Releases on DVD Alvin and The Chipmunks 2
The Men Who Stare at Goats A reporter, trying to lose himself in the romance of war after his marriage fails, gets more than he bargains for when he meets a Special Forces agent who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to end war as we know it. The founder of the unit has gone missing and the trail leads to another psychic soldier who has distorted the mission to serve his own ends. Stars George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey.
Pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville’s twentysomething nephew Toby (Levi). The boys must put aside music superstardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school’s music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes – Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.
Law Abiding Citizen
Sherlock Holmes After finally catching serial killer and occult ‘sorcerer’ Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree. Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner’s new fiancée and the dim-witted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic – and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler. Stars Robert Downey Jnr. and Jude Law.
Millennium Green News
Easter Egg Hunt-3rd April At the Annual General Meeting of Glenfield Millennium Green Trust the Chairman reported a good year for the Green with increased usage after the new Parish Council Sports facility was opened. Fund-raising events had been well attended and had made sure the Trust had achieved the target of three and a half thousand pounds needed to keep the Green in good order. The first event of this year is the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 3rd from 10.30am to 12.00 noon. The cost for each child to take part in the ‘Hunt’ is £1.50, and all who finish will win an Easter Egg. In addition they are entered into a draw for a bigger prize. Refreshments will be available and all adults (in the company of a child) are admitted free. Some areas of the Green are uneven so you are advised to wear suitable footwear and wrap yourselves up to keep warm as Easter is quite early this year. If you have supported the Plant Sale in the past please note that we are holding it earlier this year – May 22nd. More details nearer the time. We have had a brilliant response to our appeal for used postage stamps but could do with more! Contact 0116 2991868 for more details.
The plot focuses on a man who, ten years after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered, returns to extract justice from the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case against their killers. His vengeance threatens not only the man who allowed mercy to supersede justice, but also the system and the city that made it so.
St Trinian’s 2 The girls of St. Trinian’s are on the hunt for buried treasure after discovering Headmistress Miss Fritton is related to a famous pirate. Stars: Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and David Tennant.
Whitwick youngsters to get a new youth club A youth club for youngsters in Whitwick has been given the go-ahead at a planning committee meeting. A planning application was submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council for a single-storey building in Whitwick Park, North Street in October. The application was approved, with conditions, at a meeting in February. There has been a youth club in Whitwick for at least 30 years and meetings were formerly held in a building in Market Place in the village. Those premises were sold last year and the new site has been located with the help of the District council. I was in the express lane at the supermarket quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the checkout queue pushing a trolley piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward, looked into the trolley and asked sweetly, “So which six items would you like to buy?”
Leicester Lectures A new website has been created to promote local Holistic Lectures. It offers FREE promotion of Talks of an Alternative or Holistic Nature.
Visit: www.leicesterlectures.co.uk For a printed Newsletter write to:Leicester Lectures, P.O. Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT.
If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-MARCH 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069
Major development proposed in Glenfield About 2,500 jobs could be created and 250 homes built under plans for a new business park near Glenfield. Glenfield Park, which is being proposed by locally-based developer Wilson Bowden, would be sited next to homes off Elm Tree Avenue, Glenfield, and alongside Western Park golf course. The proposal includes: • A business park with a mix of offices and warehouses. • Up to 250 homes. • A “village centre” with play area and allotments. • Re-routing the village bus service to the site, as well as cycle routes and some shops The Government has told Blaby District Council to build 7,600 houses in the district and find 25 hectares for use by businesses by 2026.
Public Lecture by Bernadine Evaristo Bernadine Evaristo was born and raised in London to English and Nigerian parents.
She is the acclaimed author of two verse novels: ‘Lara’ a semiautobiographical tale of a mixed race family in London spanning 150 years, and ‘The Emperor’s Babe’, about a black girl growing up in Roman London, AD211. Bernadine will be reading from her work and answering questions from the audience on 26th March at 6pm in The University of Leicester - David Wilson Library Lecture Theatre. See Map on www2.le.ac.uk/maps
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Are you watching Coach Trip? Channel Four’s COACH TRIP has returned for its longest run yet, and it promises a feast of interesting on-bus human interaction.
If you’ve never seen the programme, it is a filmed coach trip around Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The coach has seven couples on board, plus the ever-present ‘star’ of the show, tour guide Brendan (pictured above). The coach stops at various cities and the couples are encouraged to participate in a variety of talks and activities, so there is an educational aspect to the programme. But this is a coach trip with a big difference. If you don’t like the passengers you’re travelling with, you get the chance every day to vote them off, and to give your reasons for doing so. This inevitably leads to the formation of little cliques - who vote tactically to get rid of couples they don’t like - and the reasons given at voting time are sometimes hilariously fake. The most common one is “We haven’t been able to chat much with you today.” Couples who are ejected from the coach are replaced immediately with new people, so the dynamic changes virtually constantly. After a week or so of this latest series, three pairs of youngsters have secretly set up an alliance to vote off the older couples, and at the time of writing, their plan is succeeding well. As a viewer, you are itching for the tide to turn, and for the conspirators to get their come-uppance ... and that’s what keeps you watching! Coach Trip is on Channel 4 at 5pm weekdays (repeated at 6pm on Channel 4+1)
If a man tells a woman she’s beautiful she’ll overlook most of his other lies.