March 2013 Herald

March 2013

Friends of Chernobyl’s Children

Families & helpers needed for children’s respite holidays Since 1995, Friends of Chernobyl’s Children have been bringing needy youngsters to the UK for 4week respite holidays from the difficult conditions they endure in their homeland of Belarus.

This new service gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescriptions through to the pharmacy of your choice.

Markfield Medical Centre is one of the first surgeries to be able to offer this service in Leicestershire.

Practice manager Angela Patton and Masons Chemists Pharmacy Manager, Mark Benoit answer your questions about the new service.

The West Leicestershire group of the charity is based in Markfield and we brought our first group of 10 children to the county in September 2009. With the help and support of a small but dedicated team of volunteers, and the generosity of local people, the charity places the children with volunteer host families and provides a 4-week activity program that gives the kids not only the chance to play, learn and laugh but also to make lasting friendships and enjoy experiences that they would never have the opportunity to discover at home.

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 ....>

Easter Lunch at WOW 135 Main Street, Stanton

Thursday 14th March from 12 noon

Your Questions Answered The new NHS Electronic Prescription Service has come to Markfield Medical Centre.

Nationally, we help around 600 children each year and over the years, we have provided a lifeline for thousands of struggling families affected by the Chernobyl disaster through our Family Hosting Program.

Please join us for an

NHS Electronic Prescription Service comes to Markfield Medical Centre

Table Top Sale at THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE Saturday 9th March 10.30-1pm RAFFLE • TOMBOLA REFRESHMENTS 01530 230265 to book a table Proceeds to centre funds

Q- What is different about this service?

The new service means that instead of printing off a paper prescription, the doctors can send your prescription electronically direct to the pharmacy of your choice. The service will ultimately help cut down on paperwork in the NHS and mean that repeat prescriptions can be handled more efficiently.

Q- How do I know where my prescription is going?

In order to receive your prescriptions electronically, you will need to nominate a pharmacy to receive them. You can find out more about nomination by picking up a form in either the pharmacy or the surgery. You can change your nomination at any time if you change your mind about where you want your prescriptions to be sent but you will need to do this before your next prescription is due or it may get sent to the wrong place.

Q- Is the service right for me?

The electronic prescription service works best for patients who have stable conditions and who collect medicines from the same place most of the time. If you are not sure if the service is right for you ask in the surgery or ask in your pharmacy and they can help you decide if you are suitable or not.

Q- Is my information safe?

The service is secure and the only people who will be able to see information about you on your prescription are those who see that information on a paper prescription at the moment.

Q- Do I have to sign up for this service?

No. The service is there for those that will benefit from it, perhaps by saving them time or making sure their prescriptions get sent through to the pharmacy of their choice. If you don’t want to change how you get your medicines at the moment then you don’t have to and you will still receive the same service from your surgery and pharmacy that you have always received.

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Boxers don’t have sex before a fight. Do you know why that is? They don’t fancy each other.

LETTER

The Herald PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT

Cats being deliberately injured in Bagworth?

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.

This issue of The Herald is being delivered over the weekend of 9th & 10th March 2013 by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Sarah Jane, Maureen, John, Libby, Sam, Lydia, Jordan, Ian, Ann, Gill, Janet, Sandra, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Lauren, Daisy, Heather, Margaret, Matthew, Alexander, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

I live on Jackson Road in Bagworth.

Urgent!

Scout Leader required for Scout Troop Do you want Scouts to continue in Markfield?

The Markfield Scout Troop is without a full time Leader.

Dave and Rob will continue as assistant Leaders but are unable to commit every Monday evening.

Can you fill the gap?

Could you give a couple of hours a week to keep Scouts in Markfield?

Please volunteer NOW!

Contact: Dave Morris 01530-243804 or email: dave@1stmarkfield-scouts.co.uk

Cross Hills Easter Sunday puppet performance Following the favourable reception of our first puppet performance at Christmas called “Bethlehemian Rhapsody” we’ve been requested to do another performance on Easter Sunday.

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So in our Easter Sunday Service at Cross Hills Baptist Church the “Cross Hills Puppeteers” will be performing an Easter Song (or two!). It will hopefully provide a little entertainment with some old favourite puppets as well as a few new ones sharing the Easter message.

We look forward to seeing you there!

In February, my neighbour’s cat was found badly injured with an injury that looked like he had been impaled on something going through most of his body, from his shoulder down to his rear end. He died a few days later. He was only about 18 months old.

The following week another of their cats - a 10 month old kitten - has also been injured in the same manner. These injuries look like some kind of spike was used.

I have over the last 3 years heard on several occasions a boy running past my house calling to his friends that he has found a black cat and that his mother does not like black cats and he was going to kill it.

I didn’t know who he was or where he lived or I would have called the police at the time.

A few months ago a friend and I also observed a group of approximately 10 boys all about 10 years old in the street one night going towards the side of a house where there was a cat. They saw us and backed off.

The police and RSPCA are aware and I have contacted the local vets to let them know what is happening If anybody has had a cat die from this kind of injury please let the police or the RSPCA know,.

This has to be stopped.

Name and address supplied

Visit the Glenfield U3A Craft Fair Why not have a day out, buy some presents, buy a coffee and cake and help support two local charities at the same time.

The Glenfield U3A Craft fair takes place on Easter Saturday 30th March at St Peter’s Church Centre, Church Road, Glenfield LE3 8DP - between 10am and 3pm.

There will be over 25 stalls, offering a wide variety of unique, quality handcrafted goods and gifts from birdfeeders to textiles, bath bombs to jewellery, cupcakes to preserves. It’s £1 admission.

For more information, visit the Glenfield U3A website at: www.u3asites.org.uk/glenfield

I did a sponsored walk, once. In the end I managed to raise so much money, I could afford a taxi.

January 2013 Crime Figures - none available. There was no police presence at the meeting.

The Parish Council was disappointed that again there was no police presence at the meeting.

Until recently the parish Council had a good partnership with the local police authority via the local beat officers using the Community Office at the Community Centre and good attendance at the parish meetings. Whilst the Parish Council appreciated the fact that operational duties must take priority on occasions, the members felt that the recent poor attendance at the Parish Meetings was further enforcing the view that community consultation was now perceived as a rather low priority.

The clerk would write to Sir Clive Loader; the new police and crime commissioner War Memorial: Resolved: The Parish Council, Parochial Church Council and Markfield History Group agreed that the War Memorial would be erected on The Upper Green. Markfield History Group would cover the costs of the plaque, names would be included on the memorial and in addition “And of all those who later died as a result of their service or who have fallen in subsequent conflicts.” The Miners’ Welfare Institute war memorial would also be remembered on the plaque. Mr T Lockley would assist the Markfield Local History Group with the final design of the war memorial for the plaque to be mounted on.

Markfield Local History Group would continue to seek funding for the project.

Protection of highways trees within the grass verge on Neville Drive: A quotation to install bollards onto the verges had been obtained.

British Cycling – BMX Race Track at Jubilee Playing Fields: Mr M Lay explained that if the above scheme was not going ahead as proposed the parish council wished to pursue the proposal to plant a Free Woods Scheme at the

Extracts from Markfield Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on Tuesday 5th February 2013. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration. site. Mr Sprason stated that he had no objection to this and that he would contact Mr A Brettle to find out if the BMX track was still a viable option.

Miners’ Welfare Institute: A display board was being designed to incorporate an historical walk through the village.

Jelson development, Land off London Road, Markfield: Mr Lay had seen the newly revised plans and had noted that there was now no pond near the children’s play area, the design of the balancing pond had changed. All of the social housing had now been placed in one area and given a communal car park, which in the Parish Council’s opinion had never worked in Markfield.

Borough Council budget proposals: Mr Lay stated that from April 2013, all councils must implement Government policy changes to Council Tax Benefits and replace the national Council Tax Benefit with a new local Council Tax Support scheme. This meant that Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council would receive 11.5% less from the Government for council tax benefit payments and this would rise to around 15% in subsequent years. The Borough Council intended to freeze Council Tax for the next financial year but it was uncertain about future years.

He stated that the funding impact on parish councils was unclear at this time but it seemed highly likely that Parish Councils would have their annual precepts capped.

New Homes Bonus: Mr Lay stated that the scheme was only in place for six years therefore

it seemed highly unlikely that Markfield would benefit financially from the scheme as any proposed developments would not be built in time.

It was agreed that because of both items above the Parish Council should look into some form of income generation for future years.

Future financial impact of decreased precept income from April 2014: The Parish Council was already beginning to look at ways of generating income from any of its assets to offset a future decrease in annual precept.

It was also agreed that both the Markfield Community Centre and Jubilee Playing Fields Committee should look into ways of increasing their income and making efficiency savings to reduce their expenditure to help to decrease their financial reliance upon the Parish Council.

It was not envisaged by the Parish Council that either facility would become self-financing nor did the

parish council intend to withdraw funding from either site.

Illegal horses and illegal Installation of water supply to Raunscliffe Field: The owners had removed the horses in compliance with the eviction notice served by GRC Bailiffs. The bailiffs had also written to inform the owner that should any horse or other animal be found on the land without prior written agreement, the parish council would instruct removal without prior notice.

The cost incurred was £700.00 exc. VAT Midland Quarry Products had kindly donated a 4-5 tonne rock.

This would be delivered and installed to block the entrance gate by a local haulier. The Parish Council would need to pay for the delivery charges which would be £200 approximately.

Leics Repeater Group would replace the lock and chain.

The clerk had also spoken to Natalie Cossa from Leics & Rutland Wildlife Trust, who had agreed to include the field during her regular inspections of their land, Blacksmiths Field.

The clerk had also discussed with her, the possibility of grazing Long Horn Cattle on the field but the site would have to be secured from the highways.

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Thornton’s Club gets a much-needed makeover The Club in Thornton has some new committee members and they are all working hard to give the club a much needed refurbishment.

They have also had several offers of help from generous club regulars, and local people, with building work, woodwork, plumbing and heating, floor laying, plastering, clearing, upholstery, cleaning and painting, also offers of free furniture, paint etc.

Their grand re-opening weekend takes place on Sat 9th March and Sunday 10th March.

Dances at Bagworth WMC On Friday 10th May at 8.00 pm at the Bagworth Working Men’s Club there will be a charity modern and sequence dance, called ‘Memories’.

This dance is in memory of friends and club members who have supported the club over the years. All money raised will go to charity. The charity will be announced nearer the date. Tickets cost £2.50 and can be bought on the door. There will also be a raffle and bingo at this event. This is always a good night which is enjoyed by everyone. Information: 01530 230467.

If you cannot wait until then, there are social dances at the Bagworth Working Men’s Club on Saturday 9th March and 20th April. Both begin at 8 pm and the tickets for both of these cost £1.50. They also include a raffle and a short bingo session.

Ken Hill

You know you’re working class when your TV is bigger than your book case.

Some interesting facts about your Council Tax bill Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald So we are fast approaching the moment when the dreaded council tax bill drops through the letter box.

It is the same time every year with local authorities throughout the land setting their budget for the new financial year. It is possible that you may have already had the bill before you read this but if not I thought I would present a few interesting facts about this year’s bill.

The first thing to note is that once again for the Borough it will be a very difficult year, with core funding from central government reduced by 7.25% for the coming period.

This amounts to a cash reduction of some £389,360. Core funding refers to the two main streams of income the Borough Council receives from government to provide statutory services. The two elements are the revenue support grant (RSG) and the non-domestic rates (NNDR) the latter which is collected by local authorities and handed to government, where it is pooled and returned back in the form of a grant.

The Borough Council receives other sources of income from the government, but these are often one-offs or time-limited. The Council received a grant of just over £100,000 (an additional 1%) this year in reward for its decision to freeze council tax for the coming year, although this itself was down from the 2.5% in the previous year.

The decision to freeze the council tax had to be made, knowing as

we did, that any increase above 1.99% would trigger a borough wide referendum which itself would cost in the region of £115,000. So unless a big increase was proposed (which would probably be rejected) it was simply not worth doing. It is generally recognised by members from all parties that we are now beginning to store up real trouble for ourselves and that severe cuts to services will be required if the freeze continues.

I have written before about how Councils put fees up to partly compensate for the loss of income from freezing council tax. The rise in fees can in places be substantial, and yet little outside focus is given here. It is the same with new fees which are created, often to provide services which had previously been included within the council tax.

The total of the fee increases and the newly created fees are often greater, than someone would have seen through a moderate council tax increase. Always be wary of those who trumpet freezing council tax. Council tax accounts for around a third of the income the Borough Council receives.

With the start of the government’s welfare reforms kicking in from April, transitional funding has also been provided to cushion the start of the new council tax benefit regime, which has further reduced the levels of income the council will receive. This transitional relief has been worth £544,000 (some of which has been passed onto Parish Councils who also suffer) for the coming year which should offset the loss of income. However

going forward it is unlikely that this funding will be available again, so the council will lose this money from 2014. The introduction of the new council tax regime is itself going to be controversial in the coming year and undoubtedly will lead to a big rise in non-payment of council tax with people being chased through the courts (at great cost) similar to how it was in the days of the poll tax.

The final tranche of income the council will receive for the coming year is in the form of new homes bonus. This incentive payment from the government, is payable for each new home that is completed. This bonus has proved controversial. It was funding that was taken from local councils and it was supposed to be passed through to local communities that accept housing and to help them adjust and provide improved local services. It is very unclear if this has ever happened. Still at around a million pounds, it is a sizeable sum of money. It is now looking like the future of this funding stream is very doubtful and its withdrawal could present major problems if confirmed.

Alongside the Borough Council freezing the council tax for 2013 the County Council have also done likewise. The County Council element is by far the biggest of the billing authorities. In summary for an average band D (which is not the average property in the Borough as most houses are in the cheaper Band C category) property, the tax breaks down into the following annual amounts:

I’ve owned 3 Golden Retrievers and not once has one of them brought me any gold.

Young people urged to consider career options Young people are being urged to think about what path to take after their GCSEs following a change in the law.

• Leicestershire County Council - £1063 • Combined Fire Authority - £58.38 • Police Authority £173.88 • Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council - £95.96 On top of this amount goes the Parish Precept, which varies from community to community. The range in Hinckley and Bosworth this year will go from around £30 per annum in Twycross to just over £104 in Bagworth and Thornton.

Markfield will come in at £63 and Stanton £49. Parish Councils will likely lose around 10% of their income next year as transitional funding is withdrawn leaving a great degree of uncertainty within Parish Councils.

Markfield has increased its precept this year to accommodate this projected loss of income and also to support the development of a new purpose built skate-park which will provide an excellent facility for young people. The work on this new park is due to start in the next few weeks. This is a good reminder that almost all of the Parish Precept collected is re-invested back into the community.

Leicestershire County Council is encouraging 16-year-olds to consider The decision to increase their options now that they have the age young people are to stay in education or training for required to stay in education or longer. training has been made by the From 2013, young people must stay government. in education or training until the end It doesn’t mean young people of the academic year in which they must stay in school - there are turn 17, and until their 18th birthday a wide range of post-16 options from 2015. available to young people after In Leicestershire, 92 per cent of year 11 including: young people already choose to • Going into the sixth form to remain in education or training after study AS/A levels, GCSEs year 11 - this is one of the highest rates in the country.

• Going to further education Eighteen-year-old Poppie college to study AS/A Simmonds, who is a UK Youth levels, GCSEs, vocational Parliament rep for the Blaby area, and foundation courses said: “There are so many educational • Apprenticeships or work and training opportunities available based learning with a to 16 year olds that young people training provider often do not know about.

• Studying part-time for an “It is really important that young accredited qualification if people consider this choice carefully you are employed (or selfto give them the best head start to employed) their future.”

• Volunteering (for 20 hours Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County a week or more) with partCouncil cabinet member for children time training and young people, said: “Helping young people get a foot on the career ladder is a priority and especially important during tough economic times.

“Making the right choice is essential and careers advice and guidance is available to young people through their school or college. We’re encouraging all young people to talk to their form tutor or ask for an interview with their careers co-ordinator who can provide more information on courses available and sources of finance.”

Following a change in legislation, responsibility for careers advice for 1416 year olds has shifted from the council to schools. The council provides advice to 16-19 year olds through careers guidance company Prospects.

The County Council supports Leicestershire’s seven UK Youth Parliament reps, who find out the concerns and needs of other young people and shine a spotlight on these views.

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Cooper vs Clay Tommy Cooper: I was in the ring once with Cassius Clay, and I got him worried.

Henry Cooper: Oh, really?

Tommy Cooper: He thought he’d killed me.

I’m good friends with 25 letters of the alphabet … I don’t know why.

Thornton St.Peter’s Church Spot I write this after the second snow of our dark and wet winter, and, as the deep purple cloth hanging on the front of the altar at St Peter’s reminds us, we are in the 40 days of self denial of Lent.

All for the sake of £1 In these days of inflation and rising prices it’s refreshing to hear of something right here on your doorstep that has stayed the same price for more than 16 years.

Playing the LOROS Lottery has cost the same, just £1 per entry, ever since it started and continues to offer members a weekly chance of winning cash prizes safe in the knowledge that their £1 is going towards a local charity that helps local people during what may be their final days, even hours.

The LOROS Lottery offers the chance to win up to £7,500 with the added benefit of knowing that you are helping a local charity thrown in for free! With 4 payment methods it couldn’t be easier to join in the fun, a telephone call is all it takes to get on board whether you are playing yourself or setting up a syndicate for family, friends or colleagues.

LOROS charges no fees for its services, which are available to all local people on the basis of medical need, regardless of race or creed.

In order to do this £4million needs to be raised this year from voluntary contributions and joining the LOROS Lottery is the easiest way to do your bit. There’s no need to check numbers or claim prizes, winners cheques are posted direct to the lucky winners each week.

You don’t even have to pick your number, it will be chosen at random and posted to you, it’s that easy!

Please support your local hospice and join in the fun today, LOROS really needs your support. Who knows, like thousands of members over the last 16 years, it could soon be you winning up to £7,500, all for the cost of £1.

For more information or to join the LOROS Lottery just call the friendly lottery team on 0116 2318430 or email lottery@loros.co.uk today.

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Yet it is not all doom and gloom, for I have heard a robin singing as he establishes his territory, (it reminds me of the old Valentine jingle - Valentine’s day when birds choose their mates; I’ll choose you, if I’m not too late!), and we are well on the way to Holy Week and Easter.

But before that we have St David and St Patrick to remember, with the Community Centre Table Top Sale lodged nicely in between on March 9th.

I commend this to you, not least because I have some good quality Easter cards to sell there, at greatly reduced prices (of course!).

At St Peter’s we gratefully acknowledge receipt of a cheque of £9,500 from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport towards the cost of the installation of our new heating system. Our architect tells me that it already has had a beneficial effect of drying out the damp walls. We can now go ahead with repairing the plaster above the choir, and in the vestry.

The long-awaited handrail will be in place by Easter, and visitors and churchgoers will have noticed our ever increasing display of snowdrops and daffodils in the old churchyard.

All these things work together to lift our spirits as the days lengthen, and as Easter beckons with its promise of new life.

Martin Foster Churchwarden

Italian charity dinner in support of the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation’s Ulverscroft Education Centre The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is pleased to announce that Livios’s restaurant in Shepshed will be hosting an Italian Charity dinner in support of the Ulverscroft Education Centre project.

The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation plans to develop a new Education Centre for the elderly, adults with disabilities and young people in the community. Alan Norman Chief Executive of the Foundation said ‘the construction of this fantastic new facility will open many doors to a wide range of people in need, giving endless opportunities to expand the Foundation’s provision of support, care and friendship’ He added ‘arts, crafts, education and wellbeing have been an integral part of the Foundation’s work for many years and as demand for the Foundations services continues to increase we continue to adapt and develop the opportunities and services that we have to offer’.

Tickets for this fundraising event cost £36; this price includes a three course meal with wine served during the meal. £12 from the cost of each ticket and the proceeds from the auction and raffle will be donated to the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation - enabling this wonderful charity to expand and develop their valuable and inspirational work.

The Italian Charity Dinner will take place on Friday March 22nd at 7.30pm at Livio’s Italian Restaurant, 31 Hall Croft, Shepshed, Leicester LE12 9AN. For Tickets and more information about this fantastic Italian fundraising event please contact the admin team on 01530 244914 or email admin@ shuttlewood-clarke.org

The Friends of Chernobyl’s Children From page 1 There are many children in Belarus affected by the Chernobyl disaster who dream of a place on our Family Hosting Program and we have a permanent waiting list of youngsters hoping to get the chance to come to the UK for what is quite simply, a life-changing experience. We hope to be able to offer a place to some of these children commencing summer 2014 and we would be interested to hear from local families who would be willing to get involved with the charity this summer, with a view to hosting a child in their own home next year.

In addition to host families, we are also seeking the following volunteers:• Trustees and volunteers who can help us with the day-today running of the charity throughout the year.

• Volunteers, minibus and car drivers to assist us in running a 4-week programme of activities for a group of approx. 15 children in August 2013.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with a charity where you can make a real difference. For more information, please contact our Volunteers Coordinator, Rachel Taylor on 07896 817037 e-mail info@thepasteboard.co.uk or contact our Group Coordinator, John Buckby on 01455 285799 e-mail john.evolution@btinternet. com. For more information about the charity, visit the West Leicestershire page of our national website at www. focc.org.uk.

Markfield Sunday Club Markfield Sunday Club is a joint venture between St Michaels’ Parish Church and Markfield Congregational Church.

It is held on Sunday mornings at 10.15am in the Congregational Church hall. Markfield Congregational Church now attends some of these meetings throughout the year to share time and worship with our young people.

At these meetings we have used microscopes to look at salt grains, made photographs with light-sensitive paper and looked at different forms of communication using British sign language, morse code and semaphor.

Garry Cartlidge and his helpers run the sessions. Garry puts such a lot of hard work into making these sessions so interesting and we all come away having learnt something each time. Sunday Club is always looking for new members so please come along and join in the fun.

The recipe said “Set the oven to 180 degrees,” so I did, but now I can’t open it because the door faces the wall.

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Travel for

50p

‘Travel for 50p’ vouchers valid from 25th March - 20th April 2013 Available from local libraries, service shops or by calling the helpline on 0116 305 0002, emailing stg@leics.gov.uk or visiting www.leics.gov.uk/transport_promotions

Please send me (tick as applicable) Service 3 - Loughborough Service 8 - Loughborough - Grantham Service 13 - Loughborough Service 27 - Loughborough - Thurmaston Service 40 - Circleline Leicester Service 120 - Coalville - Leicester

MH0313

(only provide this if you are happy to receive information via email)

Please tick here if you would like to receive further information and offers from Leicestershire County Council If you have opted to receive information from us, your details can be removed at any time on request. Your data will not be disclosed to any organisation not associated with LCC except where law requires us to release that information. If you are just requesting a pocket timetable, your information will be used for delivery and marketing monitoring purposes only. Once this has concluded, any personal information will be destroyed.

Postal address: Sustainable Travel Group, Environment & Transport, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8RJ

Trying to get tickets to see an Elvis tribute band, but when I phone it keeps saying press 1 for the money 2 for the show...

10

Friends of St.Peter’s Thornton Open Gardens Thornton’s Open Gardens this year will be held over the weekend of the 8th/9th June, provisionally 1pm to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks to those villagers who have already offered to open their gardens either on the Saturday or the Sunday, or both days, but we want to make it an event to remember so we need as many gardens as possible throughout the village. It still seems like the middle of the winter but this event is only 3 months away so if you live in Thornton and you would be willing to open your garden on the Saturday or the Sunday, or both days, please get in touch with John on 01530 230610 or Phil on 01530 230385. You won’t be asked to attend any meetings; we’ll come to you, and we’ll provide the poster to display at the front of your property for visitors to know that you’re opening your garden.

If you haven’t opened before, you’ll enjoy it, it’s a social event, a great opportunity to meet your fellow villagers and you’ll be surprised how far some of the visitors to your garden will have come.

So if you enjoy your garden, would you consider sharing that enjoyment with other like-minded people at some time over the weekend of 8th/9th June?

Peter Shaw

(Publicity) 01530 230372 Email: peter.shaw975@btinternet.com

CAFÉ 4 U at

WOW

135 Main St. Stanton Under Bardon

Sunday 31st March from

9.30am for Easter

Breakfast Celebrate with us.

A church service with a difference

To Advertise Call 01530 244069 or Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Herald Advertising Rates Reach 4,000 Local Homes • FREE Advert Design Advert Size

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A doctor gave a man six months to live. The man couldn’t pay his bill, so he gave him another six months.

11

LETTER

Easter Sunday Weekend: Full of Activities!

Bagworth Residents Association opposes application for chicken processing plant

Race Night: Fri 29th March Poker Night: Sat 30th March Easter Egg Hunt: Sun 31st March

You may be aware of the application for a chicken processing plant in the centre of Bagworth which is due to commence production on 21st March 2013.

The village had been left in the dark about this application with nearby residents (within 100 yards) only being informed in the past few weeks.

The inherent issues of processing, cooking and packing poultry create unpleasant odours along with the issues of noise with outdoor blast chillers and the highways issues of articulated vehicles manoeuvring within the centre of a small village.

There has been a huge amount of support from the residents against this development; the general feeling is this is not a suitable industry to be placed into the centre of a small village.

The Bagworth residents association are petitioning Hinckley and Bosworth council with the residents views in the form of a letter which has been distributed throughout the whole community and surrounding areas. This will not just affect Bagworth!

Don’t let Bagworth be a dumping ground for Hinckley and Bosworth Council! Objections may be made on the Hinckley and Bosworth website – ref 13/00041/FUL

Richard Kibble

Chairman – Bagworth Residents Association

Dragons say, ‘I’m In’ to Students’ Pitch

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

Wednesday is

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

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

With personal service to your table

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

Our Lady’s Convent School (OLCS), Loughborough was one of four Schools recently invited to participate in a special ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition.

The event was launched by renowned entrepreneur Hilary Devey and Leicestershire County Council. Hilary is best known for her company PallEx and her involvement in the Dragon’s Den television programme.

The event, held at the Ellistown Pall-Ex hub, was designed to promote Leicestershire County Council’s Star Travel Scheme which encourages families and school children to take more environmentally friendly and safe ‘school run’ journeys thereby reducing the number of car journeys. Each team developed an idea to promote and encourage students to take healthier and more environmentally friendly journeys to get to and from school by walking, cycling or scooting.

The team from OLCS comprised Katie Harris and Alicia Wood and the girls presented their idea to the ‘Dragons’ whereby every child in the School should be issued with a pedometer and then rewarded for their different levels of activity achieved. The judging panel was comprised of representatives from Pall-Ex and Leicestershire County Council who were faced with the difficult task of evaluating each school’s proposal. Katie and Alicia were delighted when their pitch was successful and they received a grant of £500 from Leicestershire County Council to help them implement their programme at the School.

Katie Harris said, ‘I’ve really enjoyed this, it was a great opportunity to take part in and to meet the managers at Pall-Ex. Alicia Wood added, “We practised a lot and I think we were as ready as we could be to give our presentation.

The whole class co-operated to help with preparing the presentation and all the presentations from the different schools were really good.”

If the Mayans have taught us anything, it is that if you don’t finish something, it’s not the end of the world.

12

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area

Lent Course This year’s Lent Course, following the life of Jesus, has been very well attended and is being led by the Rev. David Butcher each Saturday morning ending on 16th March.

Coffee, etc is available from 9.30am and the course starts at 10am, lasting about an hour. Each week’s presentation includes music and visuals, poetry and discussion, as well as explanations and the chance to ask questions.

We’ll be pleased to see anyone who may be interested in joining us.

Easter Services and Puppet Performance We welcome you to our Mothering Sunday and Easter Services - full details of the dates and times are in the Church Service Information section in this magazine.

As usual, the empty dark cross that is inside the church during Holy Week will, during our Easter Sunday service, be decorated with fresh colourful flowers brought along by members of the congregation. It will then be put outside the church as a symbol of the joy of the resurrection of Jesus on that special Easter Sunday over 2,000 years ago.

Puppet Performance: Following the favourable reception of our first puppet performance at Christmas called “Bethlehemian Rhapsody” we’ve been requested to do another performance on Easter Sunday. So in our Easter Sunday Service the “Cross Hills Puppeteers” will be performing an Easter Song (or two!). It will hopefully provide a little entertainment with some old favourite puppets as well as a few new ones sharing the Easter message. We look forward to seeing you there!

Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday 23rd March Especially for families, but everyone is welcome to join in.

For details please see the poster on page 24, visit Facebook or contact Bekki Holmes on 01530 231901 or at r.holmes.314@btinternet.com

2013 Awesome Holiday Club Don’t forget to put this year’s dates in your diary - Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August.

We are well known as a very friendly church and we serve tea and coffee after our services giving the opportunity for friendship and fellowship together. We are always here for the community’s spiritual needs and our Pastor’s and Parish Nurse’s contact details are below.

Contact Numbers Pastor: Secretary: Treasurer: Parish Nurse:

Garry Kelly: 07816 616189 Lynda Kelly: 07910 440243 Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Glynis Straw

Treasurer - on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

Went to the zoo and the only animal there was a dog. It was a Shi Tzu.

13

New book from Markfield author Di Lockley The words ‘Such Tender Years’ were taken from a letter within a Certificate, for a three year old boy, at the time of his admission to a lunatic asylum, as a ‘person of unsound mind’.

The research covers the admission of over a hundred under fourteen year olds, to Lunatic Asylums in Leicestershire many decades ago, where they were very much minors and in the minority. Over twenty youngsters were aged six years and under. Just one 9 year old girl was admitted from Shaw Lane, Markfield.

The book covers the reasons for admission, in the days of ‘open fires’ and ‘open roads’. Those with quite maladaptive behaviours ran onto railway lines, tore clothes and bedding to shreds, put younger siblings in extreme danger or disrupted whole communities at any hour of the day. Others had strange thoughts or actions, often being unable to sustain their early careers in various fields of employment.

The still extant medical records outline the detailed diagnosis, both clinical and mental, which took place at the time of entry. Line after line of individual case book entries gave clear insights into the various patterns of treatment. Warm relationships with both staff and fellow patients helped to make the new environment, a form of home from home. Everything was generally done to ensure that time within the walls was as well spent as possible.

Many grew up and grew old as a patient, but the young mentally ill fortunately experienced similar cure patterns to adults and were able to return cured or markedly relieved to their former lifestyles. Ultimately, as asylum inmates the young patients may have had access to better leisure and occupational experiences in the laundries, gardens, farms or various workshops, than their peers on the outside. They were locked into excellent care, warmth, clean dry clothes (many were incontinent) regular nutritious meals, 24-hour medical care, broad entertainment programmes (both inside and out), occupational experience and finally a safe independence.

Email: dtlockley@tiscali.co.uk Book available from Amazon - University of Leicester Book Shop – Record Office for Leicestershire Leicester & Rutland – Or directly from me at my address.

My wife started horse riding to try and lose weight. It worked. The horse lost 30lbs in thirty days.

14

NEWS from Markfield Community Skate Park Update As I write this article we are expecting the site manager for GRAVITY to visit the Centre to inspect the site of the new skate park before construction work starts.

great place to live and one that we should all be proud of. It would be nice to include all the successes that groups and individuals have achieved over the past three years so, don’t be shy and let us know. You can send me a brief outline on our new email address: markfieldcommunitycentre@ hotmail.co.uk. As entries need to be in by mid April we haven’t much time left to collate all the good news stories and enter. Your responses would be greatly appreciated.

Markfield “Night at the Proms” I

There has been a delay as GRAVITY have experienced weather related problems at other sites but expect to start work on our site very soon. In the mean time we are expecting the imminent delivery of 3 new BMX bikes, three scooters and three sets of helmet and pads safety equipment funded through the BIG lottery that we intend hiring out to members of our BMX/Scooters club once the new site is up and running. So, fingers crossed, things are moving forward very positively.

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day As mentioned in the previous edition of the Herald we are planning a RED NOSE event to support this year’s Comic Relief.

Our event will be on the evening of Saturday 16th March and will feature a comedy cash prize quiz, fancy dress competition and a hilarious indoor obstacle race. If you have any zany ideas for raising funds for comic relief or even for your own favourite charity you would be most welcome to join in. We can provide you with sponsorship forms and other Comic Relief materials. Just give us a call and we will be only to willing to help.

am really pleased to tell you that once again Ratby Band will be performing at the Centre on Saturday 27th April helping to raise funds for Christian Aid.

Rural Community Council Village and Community Achievement Awards 2013

Our regular and ever popular Soccer School will be available at the Centre over the Easter School holidays and you can book your child’s place via the Centre to avoid disappointment.

As previously mentioned we, along with the Parish Council, intend entering Markfield into this year’s Rural Community Council Village and Community Achievement Awards.

This year’s awards are designed to “show off the best village or community and to reward volunteers”. Compared to other villages Markfield is truly a

Previous performances have been fantastic and if you like a good old rousing and foot stomping sing along to a fantasia of traditional Proms Band music – this is the one for you. I can promise you an amazing and enjoyable evening. So, get your union flags and hats out and book your tickets via the Centre.

Easter Holiday Soccer School

I always thought by 2013 we would have flying cars. Instead, we have blankets with sleeves.

15

& Sports Centre Dates for Your Diary • • • • • • •

16th March 27th April 2nd May 8th May 11th May 30th June 21st August

Comic Relief Brass band Concert County Council Elections National Blood Service Cancer Research Auction Leicestershire Kidney Association Fun Day National Blood Service

Centre’s Website I have finally cracked how to put photographs onto the Centre’s web site.

Now you will be able to see photographs of events and what is going on at the Centre by logging onto the website and visiting our picture gallery.

Just visit www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com. We have also set up a new email address markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk to make it easier for you to make bookings, seek information or simply to contact us.

Book Your Special Offer 2013 Don’t forget that we are offering free room hire for bar functions as a BIG thank you to all our customers, users, friends and supporters.

This will save you a lot of money if you want to hold a special event, family occasion or party. For further details please contact the Centre.

For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST, ring us on 01530 242240 or email at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk Visit our website at www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com to see our facilities, latest news and information about the Centre.

Ron Grantham

County Council News

Tax freeze & budget set

Plans to freeze Council Tax for 12 months and save £79 million over four years have been agreed by Leicestershire County Council.

The 20th February full council meeting agreed to: • Find £79 million of savings and extra income over four years • Use a Government grant to freeze the county council’s share of Council Tax next year, at a band D rate of £1,063 • Stage further consultation next year to look at the shape and future of the council Byron Rhodes, the council’s deputy leader and resources spokesman, said Leicestershire was facing a difficult situation of continued reductions in Government funding - but he was confident the county council would continue to manage its finances well.

Don’t stop fidgeting!

Fidgeting could help prolong your life.

Watching television or working on computers for hours on end can actually shorten your lifespan and raise the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke.

Experts advise that we break up our ‘sitting time’ throughout the day by walking around to stretch our legs, or bounce on our heels, or stand and sway and wiggle our hips (though perhaps not all at once, in the middle of the office!). Try and get more than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a week. So advises medical experts from the NHS, who recommend you move about every half hour or so.

I thought growing my own lettuce would be difficult but it was quite easy in the end. It’s not rocket science.

16 County Council NEWS

Get your project idea ready for Big Society Grant Fund 2013-2014!

The Big Society Grant fund for 2012 - 13 has unfortunately now been closed due to the remaining budget having been awarded at the latest grant Panel meeting on Feb 8th.

Therefore, there will be no Panel meeting in March and Leicestershire County Council are unable to accept any new applications for the 2012 - 13 grant at this time.

The council does, however, expect a Big Society Grant for 2013 - 14 to run from the 1st April when it will be open to applications once again.

Please visit www.leics.gov.uk/bigsociety to keep up date on the status of the Big Society Grants.

Anyone with a project idea is welcome to contact the team and discuss their proposals in advance. They can then give advice ahead of the grant scheme opening in order to help you be best placed to submit an application.

‘Helping communities to help themselves’ Following the success of the ‘Big Society’ Grant Fund in 2011-12, Leicestershire County Council is pleased to announce a continuation of the Grants scheme in 2012-13.

The Big Society Grant Fund (totalling £340,000) is intended to support grassroots, community and voluntary organisations to develop ideas, projects and initiatives which will help to make the Big Society a reality at a local level.

The ‘Big Society’ Grant will make funds (maximum £15,000) available for projects which: • Enable communities to identify and meet their own needs – “helping them to help themselves” • Provide the best local solutions to tackle local problems • Demonstrate local community commitment and involvement • Create active and empowered citizens Projects which also meet the following key Leicestershire Together and Leicestershire County Council strategic priorities will be strongly considered for funding: • An ageing population (including vulnerability and mental health) • Troubled Families • Unhealthy lifestyles • Economic Growth (including worklessness/unemployment)

A junior football team’s coach used the same opening speech every year: ‘We have to act as sportsmen at all times. There will be no yelling at the referees or other players and no being poor losers. is that understood?’

At that point, the kids would nod, then the coach would add, ‘Good.

Now please go home and explain all that to your parents.’

TRADERS - Book a stall at this very popular local event!

Redgate Farm Annual Open Day And Dog Show Redgate Farm

The staff and volunteers of Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary are delighted to announce the date of this year’s Annual Open Day and Dog Show, which will take place at the Sanctuary, located between Markfield and Coalville.

It is: SUNDAY 11th AUGUST approx 10:00am – 3:45pm

Please contact the Sanctuary if you would like to: • have a sales stall • run sideshows, games and activities of interest to children of all ages!

• help with food and refreshments • have space for a charity information table • volunteer to be a general helper on the day.

Contact us on telephone 01530 230 455.

As many of you will know, this is a very popular event and our average attendance is 800 – 900 people through the gates. Please help us make it even more successful than usual this year. It is a lovely, ‘typically British’ day out.

Please spread the word!

The cost is £10 per six-foot table in one of the craft marquees (usually 6 – 8 stalls per marquee).

Animal Sanctuary If you would like to bring along your own small table and have space for Charity information purposes – that would of course be free of charge

Jo Leadbetter

My shoelaces keep falling out. Why can’t they just get along?

17

Free adult cycle courses 2013 launch

Holy Week and Easter

Free adult cycle courses kick off in Leicestershire this month.

Since they began two years ago the courses, which are run by Leicestershire County Council, have boosted the skills and confidence of more than 500 cyclists They will be held in 25 locations across the county this year, including Loughborough, Melton, Coalville, Market Harborough, Hinckley and Oadby.

They will also be held for the first time in new locations including Barwell, Ibstock, Queniborough, Asfordby and Enderby.

Equipment, including helmets and bicycles, will be available to borrow (subject to availability and a refundable deposit).

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We have had a fantastic response from people who have taken up these courses and boosted their confidence and skills in cycling both on and off road.”

The courses are aimed at people who had never ridden a bike before

Good Friday 29th March 2-3pm at St Michael’s, MF

Special services across the Benefice Experience the old story in a new way this Holy Week and Easter

An hour reflecting on the story of Good Friday and Easter, with hymns, readings, prayers and silence.

Tenebrae

An opportunity to listen to the Passion narratives from the Bible in the context of Evening Prayer.

Tuesday 26th March 7.30 pm St Peter’s, Copt Oak

or have not cycled since childhood, as well as for those who can ride and want to build on their skills and confidence.

Upcoming courses include: • Glenfield, from 10am to noon on Saturdays starting on March 16 • Glen Parva, from 12.45pm to 2.45pm on Wednesdays starting on April 3 • Watermead Country Park (Syston) from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesdays starting on April 3 • Hinckley, from 6pm to 8pm on Mondays, starting on April 8 More information and a booking form is available at: www.leics. gov.uk/cyclecourses Alternatively call 0116 305 8307 or email: choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk

Meditations

‘Tenebrae’ means shadow; lighted candles are extinguished in this ancient reminder of the Passion of Jesus from the shadow of the Betrayal to the darkness of the Cross through Bible readings, hymns and silences.

Fish and Chip Supper and Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday 28th March 6.30pm at St Mary's, Stanton An evening of fellowship over supper, followed by sharing together in an informal service of Holy Communion.

Family Stations of the Cross

Good Friday 29th March 10am at St Peter’s, Thornton Share in recalling the story of Good Friday and Easter in a journey round the church with pictures, songs, readings and prayers. About 30-40 minutes followed drinks and Hot Cross Buns.

Suitable for all ages.

7.30pm at St Mary’s, Stanton under Bardon

Easter Day Services Sunrise Service

Easter Day, Sunday 31st March 6.30am at Hill Hole, Markfield Greet with joy the day when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection; with singing of Easter hymns and sharing the Easter acclamation Alleluia, Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed, alleluia!

Other Easter Day Services 9.00am Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton 10.30am Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Markfield 10.30am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Stanton u B 6.00pm Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Copt Oak

a Churches Together in Markfield initiative

Trinity Methodist Church 6-7pm Wednesdays 13th March, 17th April, 15th May

My girlfriend thinks I have a gambling addiction. She hasn’t said anything, but I bet that’s what she’s thinking.

18

Cultural Week At Dove Bank Primary The children at Dove Bank Primary School have been enjoying investigating different cultures from around the world.

Our youngest children have been finding out about the Aboriginal culture which has included investigating the climate and wildlife of Australia. They created some super aboriginal artwork and also made their own didgeridoos.

The Key Stage 1 children found about what life is like in Japan including traditional dress. They made very attractive fans, artwork and tried their hand at origami!

Children in Years 3 and 4 enjoyed their topic on Mexico finding out about their celebrations as well as making and tasting their food. They made some very realistic and colourful masks used in their festivals. Our oldest children created some lovely artwork similar to that used in the Traveller culture on their wagons and narrowboats. The end of the project culminated in an exhibition of their work which was open every day for parents and visitors to view, they left some very encouraging comments. I feel it is so important that our children have some kind of experience of the huge variety of different cultures in our world in order to make them well-informed future adults.

If you would like to look around the school please contact the Headteacher – Mr. Bob Owen on 01530 262371 or Email – headteacher@dovebank.leics.sch.uk or visit the website at www.dovebank.leics.sch.uk

Who’s afraid of road rage?

Nearly a half of all drivers fear becoming the victim of road rage – and a third of us fully expect to encounter aggressive, intimidating behaviour on the roads.

Meanwhile, 41 per cent of us admit that we might well become that angry driver, in certain circumstances. 15 per cent of us even admit to having leapt from our cars to confront another motorist.

And a staggering 70 per cent of us admit that we are more aggressive when behind the wheel than at any other time.

The study, by Continental Tyres, also found that the triggers for aggression are: getting a blast on the horn from another driver, ‘tailgating’, and when the driver in front of us brakes hard. We also hate undertaking, being flashed at by another’s headlights, and having offensive hand gestures aimed at us.

As one expert explained, being in a car prevents us from seeing the normal cues to other peoples’ intentions. So if when on foot we make a mistake, a smile and quick ‘sorry’ do the trick. In a car, we are left uncertain as to whether the action was a mistake, or intentionally rude. “You can choose not to let it rile you and instead deal with the situation in a positive way, such as concentrating on driving safely yourself, and realising that everyone makes mistakes.”

THORNTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE’S NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 14TH MARCH - 7.30 p.m. at THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Orient Express Restoration & Reputation ~ A Talk By Bill Devitt ~ To step aboard the legendary Orient Express, it’s said, was to enter a more gracious, elegant age of travel and romance.

On June 5, 1883 the first ‘Express d’Orient’ left Paris for Vienna. A work of art in itself and a true Art Deco icon, the legendary train offered a journey unlike any other in a sequence of unforgettable moment as it rolled through sublime scenery to some of the continent’s most alluring cities.

The route and rolling stock of the Orient Express changed many times. Several routes in the past concurrently used the Orient Express name, or slight variants thereof. Although the original Orient Express was simply a normal international railway service, the name has become synonymous with intrigue and luxury travel.

The 1930s saw the zenith of Orient Express services, with three parallel services running: the Orient Express, the Simplon Orient Express, and also the Arlberg Orient Express, which ran via Zurich and Innsbruck to Budapest, with sleeper cars running onwards from there to Bucharest and Athens. During this time, the Orient Express acquired its reputation for comfort and luxury, carrying sleeping-cars with permanent service and restaurant cars known for the quality of their cuisine. Royalty, nobles, diplomats and business people gave it their patronage.

The glamour and rich history of the train have frequently lent themselves to the plots of books , films and TV series. Murder on the Orient Express (1934) by Agatha Christie is one of the best known stories related to the Orient Express.

Here are a few other examples: • The 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon spent the

better part of an episode on the train.

• In the British soap opera EastEnders, in 1986, characters Den and Angie Watts spent their honeymoon on the train. It was also where it was revealed that Angie was lying about her illness, preceding the ultimate storyline in Christmas 1986.

• In Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love (1963): James Bond’s fight with a rival spy is set aboard the train • In Graham Greene’s Travels with My Aunt (1972): Henry Pulling accompanies his aunt, Augusta Bertram, on a trip from London to Turkey.

The two board the Orient Express in Paris; the train takes them to Turkey (though they disembark briefly at the Milan stop).

• In Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker: whilst Dracula escapes from England to Varna by sea, the cabal sworn to destroy him travels to Paris and takes the Orient Express, arriving in Varna ahead of him.

There are many more examples.

On 14 December 2009, the

James Bond (left) enjoyed an eventful Orient Express journey in From Russia with Love (1963) Orient Express ceased to operate and the route disappeared from European railway timetables, reportedly a “victim of high-speed trains and cut-rate airlines .”

We look forward to Mr Devitt’s insight into the train’s journey through the intervening years since then and of the restoration work undertaken . A very knowledgeable enthusiast, he will be sure to have interesting anecdotes to share with us.

There will be refreshments and an EASTER RAFFLE. The MEMBERS’ COMPETITION is for an ART DECO ITEM WHY NOT COME ALONG TO OUR MEETING? YOU WILL BE MADE VERY WELCOME. There is a Visitors’ Fee of £3.

Muriel Walker

My Ultra Sensitive toothpaste doesn’t like it when I use other toothpastes.

19

Extracts from Stanton under Bardon Parish Council Minutes The following topics were among the items discussed at the meeting of Stanton-under-Bardon Parish Council, held on Tuesday 5th February 2013 at The Youth Club, Stanton under Bardon.

Please note that this information is based upon the unapproved minutes, and may be subject to alteration or correction.

Police Comments PCSO Polly Cotton came to the meeting and introduced herself to the Parish Council as she is the new PCSO for the area. No Crime to report. She was informed about the parking on the pavements at the top of the village.

County Councillor’s Report There will be traffic disruption the A511 at the Field Head Roundabout down to the A46 Roundabout which should commence in March. It will be closed overnight and at Weekends for re-surfacing and gap filling. The completion date is expected to be mid June.

The Council asked David if he could speak to the Borough Councillors with regard to some planning issues with the village hall and the windows.

Questions To The Chair A Query was raised with regard to the Broadband available in the village. Mrs Briggs confirmed that the meeting was on the 11/02/13 which she would be attending.

Precept/Budget The Precept was set for £10,775.00.

This included money to be set aside for a new Parish Council notice Board outside the shop, a Laminator for the Clerk and Bus Shelter Roof Repairs.

Bottom Allotments Letters have been sent out to bottom allotment holders asking what size allotment they wish to have. It was proposed that only 1 shed is given per Allotment Holder not per plot. A contract must be signed and a token payment to be made to secure Allotment.

Bus Shelter Roof Repairs Quote Received from Jarvis for £1231.93 + VAT for a Decra Roof.

This was accepted. Mrs Briggs to reply to Jarvis confirming this.

It was suggested that Mrs Briggs contact the Church to see if they would like the spare tiles for the Church.

Solar panels for Village Hall It was suggested that the Parish Council consider having Solar Panels on the roof of the new village hall as this would increase the Parish’s Green print and would also provide free electricity. LCC have grants available for this Mrs Briggs to contact LCC.

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My grandfather played the trombone in bed. It upset Gran - chipped paint off her guitar.

20

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason May County Council Elections This will be the last report I write until the result of the County Council elections are known in May. If you continue to put your faith in me and I am re-elected then I will promise to continue to submit a monthly report keeping you updated on what’s going on at Leicestershire County Council.

It has been a challenging four years with central Governments continuing with their various austerity programs hitting local government hardest with cuts in funding grants. It has also been challenging to get funding support from the County Council for local projects and services. I am pleased to be able to say that during these austere times, the council tax has been frozen for the last 3 years which is really helping hard pressed families.

I have despite this been able to support and bring in some important projects into the area with close on £8.5 million of funding coming in to our community. We have delivered three major projects in the last four years these being two children’s centres one in Desford and the other in Bagworth. The much needed new extension to the Bagworth Community Centre and the success in securing the Big Lottery funding to complete the project. I was happy to successfully support a number of local groups with funding applications from the County Council Shire and Big Society grant schemes.

All our schools now have 20mph speed safety zones in place and are converting to academy schools with the long overdue age range changes which I believe will help them go from strength to strength. Delivered three adventure play areas in Bagworth, Desford and Thornton, two multi use games areas in Stanton under Bardon and Thornton. I was pleased to have been able to support the young folk of Markfield with fund raising for the new skate park.

Highway issues have been addressed with new parking restrictions in Desford and Markfield, number plate recognition cameras used across the area, traffic calming measures in Desford and Bagworth and vehicle activated signs introduced in Newtown Unthank, Desford and soon for Field Head. We have managed to maintain our bus services including the Loughborough shopper bus and the important Markfield surgery Medibus. I have managed to support residents in the fight against HGV’s from Crown Crest being diverted through the area, secured Thornton Reservoir from inappropriate development and identified it as an important leisure area of the Charnwood Forest Regional Park. We have dealt with unauthorised traveller sites by working with the multi agency traveller unit to evict the perpetrators.

I did not get everything I would have liked and was disappointed that I failed to convince my Conservative colleagues to introduce a minimum footpath width on school walking routes. This resulted in a number of parents losing out on free school transport. It was disappointing that we have failed to convince the inspectors, planners and on occasions the planning committee at Hinckley & Bosworth not to place unsustainable and inappropriate development in our villages. These excesses include Stanton under Bardon, Markfield and Desford and to make matters worse, we have had imposed on us inappropriate traveller sites in Bagworth and Copt Oak. We continue to get development imposed on the area with very little or any real consultation ‘PicaChic’ in Bagworth being the latest shambles.

So on reflection we have managed to have more wins than losses over the last four years. But there is still a great deal to do so that we maintain the services we have while continuing to argue for the council tax to be maintained at its current level with no increases. I want to thank all those many residents who have contacted me and those who have supported me over the last four years. If I addressed your issue and there were many then great if I failed then sorry but I did my best. I would also like to thank the Parish Councils who once again have been a pleasure to work with in delivering some great local projects.

I will be standing in the May elections and if successful I will continue to do everything I can to represent this fantastic community for another four years.

Temporary Road Closure of Bradgate Hill, Groby Leicestershire County Council has granted the temporary closure of the above road.

The closure is required between the roundabout at the north end of Bradgate Hill to the junction with Wallace Drive and will take place over 2 weekends.

This road will be closed in a southerly direction on the 16th & 17th March 2013.

• This road will be closed in a northerly direction on the 23rd & 24th March 2013.

• This will enable Leicestershire County Council contractors to safely carry out carriageway resurfacing and maintenance works.

During the closure the alternative route will be via:- Launde Road, Ratby Lane, Markfield; Markfield Road, Groby Road, Ratby; Sacheverell Way, Leicester Road, Groby and vice versa.

LETTER

Stanton needs fast broadband There are many advantages of living in Stanton-under-Bardon, but fast Broadband certainly isn’t one of them.

If you have an internet connection in Stanton, you are probably receiving a download speed of around 0.5Mb. In large towns and cities the average speed is 1520Mb. You may not be particularly bothered about this but have you noticed that if you want to watch a TV programme again, it is only available on BBC iPlayer or ITV CatchUp? Both also have more information about the programmes that YOU like. Fast broadband is the only way to receive such services uninterrupted. Nowadays many important and everyday activities such as ordering prescriptions from the doctor, ensuring you have the cheapest fuel supplier, etc., are being carried out via the internet. Another important point is that, irrespective of how slow your Broadband speed is, you are paying the same subscription as someone with the fastest Broadband link. Just because your ISP offers fast Broadband does not imply that the infrastructure is in place to deliver it. It’s a bit like paying for a Ferrari but only getting a Morris Minor!

BT and Virgin, who are the main companies upgrading the system with fibre optic cables, look for a payback on their investment of around 13 years. Stanton can never achieve this. Leicestershire County Council have realised that many rural villages will be disadvantaged and have earmarked £4 million and raised further substantial funding from various places, including Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, to rollout fast Broadband to the areas that BT/Virgin do not consider to be worthwhile. Stanton needs to be on the waiting list – and as high up it as possible!

Stanton will shortly have a significant increase in its population when two new housing projects are completed and more people will be using Broadband; our connection response will get even worse. It is important that we do not get left behind whilst other areas receive this funding.

If you are interested in forming a Broadband Action Group, please email me on stantonbroadbandactiongroup@ gmail.com and let’s try to improve our chances of getting funding soon!

Mary Briggs A billy goat used to look after me as a baby - we couldn’t afford a nanny.

21

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

Lots of Easter activities including RACE NIGHT on Fri 29th March, POKER NIGHT on Sat 30th March and EASTER EGG HUNT on Easter Sunday 31st March.

Open All Day on Easter Monday.

See ad on page 11. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Re-Opening Weekend Celebrations on Sat 9th And Sun 10th Mar Sat 9th Mar: The Dirty Water Band - Old And New Rock Covers With Acoustic Spot Sun 10th Mar: Afternoon ReOpening Party With The Del Sharrons 50’s + 60’s - at 4.30pm Sat 16th Mar: The Retro Rockets Fri 22nd Mar: Children’s End Of Term Easter Disco/Party Sat 23rd Mar: The Mighty Gyrators Sat 30th Mar: Punk And Disorderly - Thornton’s Very Own Punk Band Fri 5th April: Rockin Robins Rock N Roll Evening We Also Have Bingo Every Tuesday Evening All Welcome. facebook.com/The Club Thornton The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm.

Fri 8th March: ‘TRIBUTE TO DUSTY SPRINGFIELD & CO.’ Sun 17th March: WEDDING FAYRE - 11am-3pm Fri 29th March: ‘70s DIVA PARTY TRIBUTE ’ Fri 12th April: ‘ABBA TRIBUTE’ See ad on page 30.

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN Sat 16th March: MIA & THE MOON EASTER SUNDAY NIGHT - 31st March: KARAOKE with KING OF THE ROAD Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

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

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each -

last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

Sat 23rd Feb: ANDY SUMMERS - 60s favourites Sat 9th March: SEQUENCE DANCE - with Bingo and Raffle - £1.50 entrance.

Tues 26th March: AGM at 7pm Sat 30th March: STEVE COOPER - singer.

AIR PISTOL SPEED SHOOTING - 1st Tuesday of each month - £2 on the door - winner takes all. Bring your own pistol or use ours.

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

The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 16th March and 30th March with ‘King of the Road’.

See ad on page 13.

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

Sat 23rd March: F4C (Fishing for Compliments) - Sounds of the Sixties, Music & Quiz Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Friday 8th March: Cats Eyes Excellent Male/female Duo Saturday 9th March: T.b.a.

Sunday 10th March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 15th March: Reverb Quality Male Duo Saturday 16th March: T.b.a.

Sunday 17th March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 22nd March: Michael Jones - Very Good Soloist Saturday 23rd March: T.b.a Sunday 24th March: Super Sunday’50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 29th March: Chrissy - One Of Our Local Favourites Saturday 30th March: Broken Toys - Brilliant 4 Piece Band Sunday 31st March: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 5th April: Steve Howe Good Male Vocalist Saturday 6th April: Limited Edition - A Local Trio Sunday 7th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Friday 12th April: T.b.a.

Saturday 13th April: Total Eclipse - Male/female Duo Sunday 14th April: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

New “City Deals” could boost growth

DEALS that could see Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council being given more financial and planning powers to help boost growth in the area have been given the green light for negotiations with the Government.

This follows the Government’s announcement that it will open detailed talks with 20 local authority partnerships across the country, with a view to giving them new powers to help their areas to grow.

Hinckley & Bosworth has been included in two of these “City Deal” partnerships - Leicester and Leicestershire and Coventry and Warwickshire.

If the talks are successful and City Deals are agreed, the government will devolve financial and planning powers to let the partnerships take charge of their own destinies – from autonomy over how to spend their training and skills budgets, to creating local investment funds to build roads and unlock developments.

Leicester and Leicestershire want to use a City Deal to accelerate the growth of key sectors in the economy (notably manufacturing and logistics) and to encourage greater commercialisation of research emanating from the three universities in the area (Loughborough, Leicester and De Montfort).

Welcoming the news, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader and lead on this Deal, Stuart Bray, said: “I welcome the new freedoms that City Deals will bring us. Hopefully the Deals will secure further growth, jobs and investment in the area.”

Markfield Congregational Church Celebrate 50 years of Worship in their Church Building On the 18th May 1963, a service of dedication was held at Markfield Congregational Church to celebrate the move from our old church building (now our church hall) to our new Church.

A re-dedication service will be held on Saturday 18th May 2013 to commemorate fifty years in the building. This service will take the same form as the original service, so we will meet in the Church Hall at 2.30pm and will move in procession to the Church for the service to commence at 2.45pm.

We would very much like to see anyone who has any links to our church over the last fifty years, whether it be baptism, Sunday School, marriage etc.

Please come along and help us celebrate this significant event.

They say you should test your fire alarm once a month. I try but it’s costing me a fortune in houses.

22

New Book Releases Life After Life

Letter from Uncle Eustace

Beware when the choirs meet

by Kate Atkinson

The Rectory

What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?

During a snowstorm in England in 1910, a baby is born and dies before she can take her first breath.

During a snowstorm in England in 1910, the same baby is born and lives to tell the tale.

What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to?

Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives through the turbulent events of the last century again and again. With wit and compassion, Kate Atkinson finds warmth even in life’s bleakest moments, and shows an extraordinary ability to evoke the past. Here she is at her most profound and inventive, in a novel that celebrates the best and worst of ourselves.

St. James the Least

Six Years

By Harlan Coben Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for... but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life - a time he has never gotten over - is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart - and who lied to him - soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on carefully constructed fiction.

Bedsit Disco Queen: How I grew up and tried to be a pop star

My dear Nephew Darren You agonised recently over your ecumenical service: who should be invited? Who should preach? What about the order of service? If you had attended our recent combined churches’ choir festival, your own dilemmas would have seemed a little less acute.

At the pre-meeting, there was heated discussion about whether those choirs who normally wore robes would be comfortable standing among those who didn’t. The more aesthetically sensitive worried whether St. Agatha’s pea green cassocks may clash with our red ones. Intending to be helpful, but phrasing it rather badly, someone suggested that the normally robed choirs should wear nothing. Colonel Wainwright was a little too quick to chuckle.

I began to wonder if a prize was to be awarded to the person who raised the greatest number of concerns: Should the choirs stay separate? Would the tenors be next to the altos or the basses? Where would extra seating be placed? Would the heating be on for the rehearsal? Then came what you would call the ‘elephant in the room’: of all the choirmasters, who would conduct and who play the organ?

Tension mounted, and expressions grew grim. But before the committee started to dig trenches in my carpet and position howitzers under the desk, I briefly left the room, turned off all the electricity and claimed we’d had a power cut. This is a useful device for truculent committees; sadly, it can be used only rarely.

Come the day, an uneasy truce lasted while everyone adopted the traditional solution to disagreement within congregations, and did exactly what they wanted. Some were robed, some were not, some choirs congealed in their own huddles, while others joyfully sat next to people from other churches – mainly so they could point out their neighbour’s wrong notes. Some sang in the right key, some sang in the wrong key, some sang what sounded like quite different songs altogether.

The service ended with one choir thinking that the organist had played too loudly, while another choir thought that the conductor wasn’t up to much.

Everyone agreed afterwards that we must do it again, while firmly stating that if their own choirmaster didn’t conduct next year, they wouldn’t be there.

Thankfully, one fundamental thing on the day united them: they all said that our church was too cold.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Bagworth Diary Dates

By Tracey Thorn I was only sixteen when I bought an electric guitar and joined a band. A year later, I formed an all-girl band called the Marine Girls and played gigs, and signed to an indie label, and started releasing records.

Then, for eighteen years, between 1982 and 2000, I was one half of the group Everything But the Girl. In that time, we released nine albums and sold nine million records. We went on countless tours, had hit singles and flop singles, were reviewed and interviewed to within an inch of our lives. I’ve been in the charts, out of them, back in. I’ve seen myself described as an indie darling, a middle-of-the-road nobody and a disco diva. I haven’t always fitted in, you see, and that’s made me face up to the realities of a pop career - there are thrills and wonders to be experienced, yes, but also moments of doubt, mistakes, violent lifestyle changes from luxury to squalor and back again, sometimes within minutes.

The Bagworth Forward Group is organising a Spring Bingo on Monday 15th April at 7.30 pm in the Bagworth Community Centre.

We are a group of volunteers and all of the money that we raise is used to enhance the life of the village, for example the daffodils and the plants and planters that you see around the village. This is a prize bingo so please support us and hopefully you will win some excellent prizes. There will also be a raffle and refreshments. Admission is free. Contact 01530 230347.

In addition, the Guthlaxton Band from Guthlaxton College, Wigston will be again playing in the Community Centre on April 25 at 7.30 pm.

People who have attended this event over the years have always been very positive about the evening and have been heard to say that it is one of the best events held at the Centre. Why not come and see if you agree.

People who take part in the Performing Arts at the College have gone on to become famous. Who knows, in years to come you might be able to say of a famous person, ‘I saw them perform at Bagworth, can you believe that?’

Tickets cost: Adults £5, Children £2.50. Contact 01530 230347 or Austin@ bagworth.freeserve.co.uk.

Bob Austin

I don’t necessarily agree with everything I say.

23

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01530 244 552 Freephone: 0800 0111 222

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Freephone: 0800 0111 222

24

a

Churches Together in Markfield initiative

... is an opportunity to relax, find peace within ourselves and 'reflect' on our place in the world. It will offer creative suggestions for reading, thinking and exploring prayer.

Trinity Methodist Church - 6-7pm Wednesdays 16th January, 13th February, 13th March, 17th April, 15th May Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.

Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

“Still Friday” 2013 “Still Friday” encompasses Taizé and Iona Style Services and will also include the occasional Compline or other variations.

Each evening will include simple reflective worship songs, silence, prayer, readings and responses and last up to an hour.

All are welcome. Come along and enjoy the peace.

18th January 15th February 17th May 21st June 20th September 18th October No service in December

15th March 19th April 19th July 16th August 15th November

All services on Fridays, 8.00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels’ Church

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25

Prep work to begin for A50/A46 junction improvement scheme Preparation work ahead of a £1.6m scheme to reduce congestion at a busy junction has begun.

Leicestershire County Council is removing a number of trees and hedges around the A50 near its junction with the A46 at Glenfield.

This clearance work, which is being carried out before the bird breeding and nesting season, will make way for the main highway works due to take place in the summer.

These will signalise the roundabout and add additional lanes on the A50 approaching the roundabout from both directions, which will improve overall traffic flow and safety thorough this junction.

The scheme is park of a package of highway improvements linked to a housing and office development proposed by Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, off Kirby Road / Ratby Lane, Glenfield.

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The junction of the A50 and the A46 becomes very congested during peak times and sometimes traffic ends up backing up as vehicles wait to access the roundabout.

“We are pleased to be able to carry out this work which will ultimately improve traffic flow and ease congestion at the site.”

David Ward, Planning Director for Wilson Bowden Developments Limited, said: ”Wilson Bowden Developments are pleased to see this preparatory work taking place for these important highway works.

“The intended works will see an improved junction delivered here which will benefit all highway users on this part of the county’s road network.

“Development on our site in Glenfield, known as Optimus Point, begins soon, so it’s great to be working in partnership with the County Council and the LLEP to get the highway works underway early-on in the process.”

Subject to finalising legal agreements, the scheme is being brought forward by an estimated three years, thanks to money from the Growing Places Fund, a central government fund intended to unlock new infrastructure and boost the local economy by accelerating new developments.

The fund, which is administered locally by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), is effectively a loan that can be used for the delivery of new infrastructure earlier than planning triggers - and developers’ cash flow - normally allow.

Chair of the LLEP, Andrew Bacon, said: “This is an important 62 hectare development which will deliver one million square feet of employment space, creating around 2,000 jobs and 250 homes.

“The LLEP is very pleased we are able to support delivery by providing a loan investment of £1.6m to accelerate development and thereby create capacity for much needed new jobs within the local economy.”

Plans outlining the highways proposals will be put on exhibition in the spring.

What are your goals?

“I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14 Scripture tells us that if we want the higher calling of God in Christ Jesus, then we should press on toward the ‘goal’, which in turn means we will receive the prize. This inspired scripture shows an understanding of our nature, which has the capacity to achieve far more then we thought possible, as long as we have set it as a goal.

Think of the times in your life when you have set your mind on achieving something. It may have started as a child, when you saw something you wanted, and you did not rest until you got it. Perhaps it was the pursuit of some academic qualification. Or it could have been in your relationships, where you set your heart upon someone and pursued them until you had fulfilled the goal of engagement and marriage. Perhaps, like many ‘driven’, ambitious people, you set your sights on the career you wanted, and the progression you craved within it. In some cases this may even have overtaken you and become an overwhelming focus of your life.

Whichever example rings true with you, one thing is certain: all achievements begin with setting a goal or challenge for yourself. The joy when you achieve something is deep and satisfying. Having a specific goal helps you to sort the essentials from the non-essentials in your life. No one wants to look back on their lives and realise they have wasted the years achieving nothing much at all.

What would you like to look back on your life and be proud you had achieved?

Write it down now (they never seem to happen until you have committed them to paper), and set it as a goal to achieve. You will be so glad you did.

Local author wins county children’s book prize A Leicester-born author has appropriately been chosen as the winner of the Leicestershire Children’s Book Prize for 2012.

The author who came out on tops is Anne Fine, most renowned for Madame Doubtfire, which was made into a hit movie, Mrs Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams.

Anne’s book, Bill’s New Frock, was voted the winner by children between the ages of seven and nine throughout the county. It tells the story of a young boy, Bill Simpson, who wakes up one morning to find he is a girl.

Anne Fine said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won the award. I was born in Leicester, so it’s a place very dear to my heart.

“It’s a really special thrill for me to know that so many children who live in the city and the county are now busily reading mine.”

Anne will receive the book prize at St Edward’s C of E Primary School in Castle Donington on March 15.

Second place went to Little Manfred by Michael Morpurgo and third place went to The Boy with Lightning Feet by Sally Gardner.

I hate people who say ‘Age is just a number’ — Age is clearly a word.

26

Small Ads

New access thanks to parish fund

• CHEMICAL TOILET suitable for caravan.

• Two ring GAS HOB suitable for camping • Quantity of old sheet music • Quantity of WW2 magazines No reasonable offer refused.

Tel: 01530 242366 • Pine bathroom wall cabinet, with glass mirror doors.

Price: £5.00 Tel: 07843 728345 • Ladies walking boots size 4, new and never worn.

Price: £10.00 Tel: 01530 244394.

Just email or post brief details of any unwanted household items you’re selling, together with the price, your contact number and postal address (not for publication) and we’ll include your small ad in the magazine for FREE. How is this possible?

Contact details are on page 3.

Celebration of new entrance at Elohim Church Barlestone’s Elohim Church Hub is now fully accessible to disabled people thanks to the addition of a brand new, wheelchair friendly entrance.

The new entrance, which was part funded through the Borough Council’s Parish & Community Initiative Fund, was officially opened this month.

Councillor Bill Crooks (ward member for Barlestone, Nailstone & Osbaston and Executive Member for Rural Affairs at the Borough Council) said: “The Elohim Church provides a brilliant service to Barlestone and the surrounding villages. The hub caters for youngsters, elderly and the general public. They run youth activities and afternoon teas amongst other events. On Saturday when we visited they had organised a lunch for the elderly and they have just set up a Dementia Centre, one of only two in the borough.”

The Parish & Community Initiative Fund aims to enable people who live in the parishes to improve local facilities and the quality of life in their communities. A total of £93,278 was awarded to 28 schemes last year including £4,375 to Elohim Church Hub. Since 2005 the Fund has awarded over £580,000 for 118 schemes to local parishes and voluntary organisations.

Lynne Eveson, Pastor at Elohim Church Hub said: ”The new entrance has been welcomed by hub users giving ease of access for all, from mums with pushchairs through to the older age groups and others with mobility difficulties. We are delighted to be able to partner with the borough in delivering community initiatives which impact on lives and quality of life for local residents.

The Parish Initiative Fund is a great vehicle for delivering finances to facilitate local schemes right at the heart of community life. Our thanks to the Borough Council for their support and strategic investment in strengthening communities.”

Markfield WI: Next Few Events March 20th: Margaret Hudson - The Tiller Girls April 17th: Penny Hodgson - A skeleton in the cupboard: Family History Research May 15th: Resolutions Evening followed by a Take and Share supper June 19th: Ian Rogerson Smile Please, Say Cheese

Markfield HomeMakers Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm.

Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436

Wednesday 13th March: Jackie Strong ~ The Blue Cross Britain’s Pet Charity

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27

After much deliberation, we have decided to carry our audiences along on waves of laughter and to stage a farce for our Spring production.

The words “farce” and “Cooney” have almost become synonymous as Ray Cooney is today recognised theatrically and publicly as ‘THE KING OF FARCE’ . He is considered to be worthy successor as an author to the great Ben Travers, and as a director/actor to Brian Rix. He began his theatrical career as a boy actor and served his apprenticeship playing with various repertory companies before graduating to Brian Rix’s company at the Whitehall Theatre in 1956, appearing in Dry Rot and Simple Spymen.

It was during this period he began his writing career that, so far, has produced twenty-two plays which have earned him an international reputation as the finest living writer of this form of theatre.

His stage farces/comedies have not only graced the stages of Englishspeaking countries for more than forty years, but have been staged worldwide and translated into more than forty f oreign languages including Chinese, Japanese and Russian! Television broadcasts in English and foreign languages have also been widespread.

As I write, the film “Run for your Wife”, (which has been adapted for the big screen from Cooney’s farce of the same name), is enjoying its world premiere at The Odeon, Leicester Square, London. It stars Danny Dyer, Denise Van Outen, Neil Morrissey and Sarah Harding with cameo appearances from a long list of celebrated actors. The stage version ran for nine years in London’s West End and is it longest-running comedy.

Ray Cooney’s knack, he says, is writing comedies that look as if everyone is making it up as they go along. An amazing fact is that he stands alongside William Shakespeare as the only other

English playwright to have had a production staged in a major city, somewhere on the global map, every week for the past 53 years!

MTTG has very fond memories of the Cooney farces we have staged and of the laughter they brought to us!

We have enjoyed producing NOT NOW DARLING, MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM (both co-written with John Chapman), CHASE ME COMRADE, OUT OF ORDER and FUNNY MONEY . They were all first performed in the West End, where Ray created and played the lead roles.

In May, we are going to stage FUNNY MONEY for the second time. Nick Woods, who directed

it first time around in 1998, is in the director’s chair again . “I absolutely love Cooney farces”, she says. “It’s such a delight to hear the audience’s laughter, and for the cast to work together to achieve that end.”

We all agree that it’s as much fun to be in those farcical situations created

by Cooney, as to watch them evolve on stage!

There are very many Cooney fans:Dame Judi Dench ‘I used to go and watch my husband, Michael Williams, in Ray’s plays, such as Two Into One and Out of Order. There is no better feeling than seeing an audience rolling around with laughter and Ray has always had that effect on people.’

Prunella Scales.’ Ray’s ability is to get us to laugh at ourselves.’

Russ Abbot, ‘I was in Ray’s Caught in the Net, which was the sequel to Run for Your Wife. It’s only when you are performing his plays, night after night, that you appreciate the detail and why it takes two years to complete each project.’

June Whitfield, ‘Having worked with Benny Hill, Frankie Howerd and Terry Scott and, more recently, Jennifer Saunders (in Absolutely Fabulous), I know that you can’t be funny without good writing. That is what Ray always serves up.’

The play will run from Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th May, at 7.30 p.m. nightly at THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE. Tickets are priced at £5 Adults and £4 concessions. They are available at “Norm’s”, the Corner Store in Thornton or on 01455 822148.

We were so busy in January with “Dick Whittington”, that we failed to notice that it was our 150th production! We do hope that you and your friends and families will be with us for our 151st!

MURIEL WALKER

Town prepares for Farmers’ Market Festival THE annual Farmers’ Market Festival will be returning to Hinckley town centre in March.

It will take place on Thursday 21 March from 9am until 3pm and will showcase the food and other goods provided by local producers in and around the Hinckley and Bosworth area.

There will also be other activities taking place at the festival including wool spinning, live farm animals and a potential tractor.

Leader of the Borough Council, Councillor Stuart Bray urged people to go along and support the Festival.

He said: “With the national attention being given to food production right now, this gives people the perfect opportunity to buy good quality local produce. I urge people to go along and support this Festival as well as our local traders in the town centre as a whole.”

There will also be free children’s craft activities in the United Reformed Church from 9am to 12noon - all are welcome.

The event is free to all and complements the monthly farmers’ market that happens every third Thursday of the month.

I want my children to be independent headstrong people. Just not while I’m raising them.

28 Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 10 March 10.30 am Mothering Day Service at St Michael’s Parish Church Sunday 17 March 10.15am Morning Worship Sunday 24 March 10.30am Palm Sunday Walk, starting from Trinity Methodist Church Friday 29 March 7.00pm Good Friday Service Sunday 31 March EASTER DAY 10.15am Morning Worship Sunday 7 April 10.15am Morning Worship followed

by Communion Sunday 14 April 10.15am Morning Worship

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton Sunday 10th March Mothering Sunday 10.30am Morning Service with the Lord’s Supper Sunday 17th March 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 24th March Palm Sunday 10.30am Morning Service Good Friday 29th March Cross Hills is part of the Barton Fabis Group of churches and Good Friday Communion for the Group this year is at 7.30pm at Barton in the Beans Baptist Church Easter Sunday 31st March 10.30am Family Service with The Cross Hills Puppeteers

Church Services Thursday 28th March Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Evening Ecumenical Communion Service Sunday 31st March Easter Sunday 9.00am Breakfast and Meditation.

Everyone welcome to join us 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service Sunday 7th April 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 14th April Local Preaches Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Café Church Service Sunday 21st April 10.30am Churches Together United Service at Parish Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Sunday 24th March - Palm Sunday 10.30am Churches Together Palm Sunday Walk - Start and finish at Methodist Church 4.00pm Circuit Missions Service at Trinity, Narborough Rd. Leics.

Good Friday 29th March 2.00 pm “Hour at the Cross” - Good Friday Meditation Sunday 31st March Easter Day 6.30 am Easter Sunrise Service at Hill Hole 10.30 am Holy Communion

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon

Sunday 10th March - Special MotherING SUNDAY meeting at 10am Monday 11th March Coffee morning 10am Thursday 14th March Easter Lunch from 12noon Sunday 17th March Meeting at 10am

Wednesday 20th March Bible School 7pm

Sunday 17th March 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Special Easter Service

Sunday 24th March Palm Sunday 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield - Palm Sunday Walk 6.00 pm Evening Service

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Sunday 14th April 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper

Sunday 10th March Mothering Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Café Church Service

Sunday 17th March 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 7th April 10.30 am Holy Communion

Monday 18th March Coffee morning 10am

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield

Friday 15th March 8.00 pm “Still Friday” (Taizé/Iona style Service)

Sunday 28th April 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Sunday 7th April 10.30am Morning Service

There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section of this magazine..

Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Thursday 21st March Pure Gold 10am Sunday 24th March Special joint meeting with Friends of WOW at 10am, lunch served after meeting

Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am “Something Different” Service Sunday 17th March 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 24th March 10.30 am Holy Communion Maundy Thursday 28th March 6.30 pm Supper with Holy Communion Good Friday 29th March 7.30 pm Good Friday Meditation Easter Sunday 31st March 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 7th April 10.30 am Morning Service

St Peter’s Church, Thornton

Monday 25th March Coffee morning 10am

Mothering Sunday 10th March 10.30 am Holy Communion for Mothering Sunday

Sunday 31st March Easter morning CAFE 4U meeting, breakfast at 9.30am

Sunday 17th March 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 7th April meeting at 10am

Palm Sunday 24th March 10.30 am All Age Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield 10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time.

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

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 3rd March 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 7th April 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 10th March 9.15am Holy Communion Sunday 17th March 3.00pm Praise Service Palm Sunday 24th March 6.00pm Holy Communion Tuesday 27th March 7.30pm Tenebrae Easter Sunday 31st March 6.00pm Holy Communion Sunday 7th April 6.00pm Evening Prayer

Bardon Park Chapel The home of Bardon Park Christian Fellowship & The Bardon Park United Reformed Church.

Family Worship Service every Sunday morning at 10.30am. Everyone most welcome.

Monthly praise evenings are held on the 1st Saturday in each month and the third Monday in each month at 7.00pm.

Praise Meeting dates for February are Saturday 2nd and Monday 18th.

We invite you to join us for a lively time of praise, music, singing, sharing, sound bible teaching and healing prayers.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and fellowship after the meeting in the school rooms.

For more details contact: Richard on telephone 01530 242 526

The R.C. Parish of St Wilfrid of York 53 London Road, Coalville LE67 3JB Holy Thursday 28 March: Mass:7.30pm; Good Friday 29 March: Liturgy of the Day: 3pm Holy Saturday, 30 March: Easter Vigil Mass: 7.15pm Easter Sunday, 31 March: Mass: 10am.

Good Friday 29th March 10.00 am Family “Stations of the Cross” Easter Sunday 31st March 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 7th April 10.30 am Morning Service

I always mean what I say...I just don’t always mean to say it out loud.

29

Loros hospice boosted by donation from Santander Foundation LOROS has received a £1230 grant from the Santander Foundation’s Community Plus initiative.

The grant will help LOROS to continue providing palliative care and support to around 2,500 people each year within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Alex Gamble, corporate fundraiser at LOROS said: “Santander are such incredible supporters of LOROS and we are thrilled that they have been able to donate a further £1230 to help provide care and support to those with lifelimiting or terminal illnesses and their families”.

Alex Collins at Santander’s Leicester branch said: “Community Plus allows our staff and customers to nominate local charities that are most in need of assistance. We are delighted to be supporting LOROS and hope the donation makes a real difference to local people.”

Look What’s On At The Palace, Ibstock 57 High Street, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6LH • Tel: 01530 267303

~ Forthcoming Events ~ Friday, 8th March – Music Quiz Start Time: 7.45pm. Entry: On the Door - £5 per quiz sheet. Teams of 5 max. Trophy to the winners. Spot Prizes. No mobile communication devices allowed! For More details call Tel: 01530 267300.

Saturday, 16th March – Thingumajig Theatre Company present ‘Hullaba Lulu’. An eccentric couple travel their strange monochrome world in a quirky land-boat, until their lives are turned upside down by a new arrival -- the adorable and colourful Lulu. In her ever-changing forms, Lulu teaches the couple all about love, play and eventually, how to say goodbye. Entertaining, hilarious and poignant, the show features exquisite puppetry, live music and songs. West Yorkshire’s Thingumajig Theatre is fast becoming one of the UK’s most respected puppet companies. Its distinctive visual style is acclaimed by audiences both in this country and abroad. Hullaba Lulu is sure to captivate every audience with its engaging characters and spellbinding story. Running time: 60 minutes. Suitable for all ages 5 and up. Performance starts at 6.00pm.

Tickets: £8.00, concs £6.00, Combo ticket (1 Full & 2 concs) £16.00 From Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Friday, 22nd March - Film Night – ‘Skyfall’ (12A). Bond’s loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. Whilst MI6 comes

under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Films start at 7.30pm.

Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460.

Sunday, 24th March - Palace Indoor Car boot Sale from 9.00am – 1.00pm. Pick up a bargain! Admission 20p. For More details or to book a stall call Maureen on Tel 01530 452028.

Saturday, 6th April - The Everly Brothers and Friends Tribute Show returns to The Palace.

Fabulous tribute show to The Everly Brothers (pictured right) plus ‘special guest’ tributes.

Performance starts at 8pm. Ticket prices to be announced. Tickets will be available from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel 01530 260460.

Saturday, 13th April – A Murder Mystery Evening. “Who killed the Vicar?” Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm.

Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £5.00, including buffet supper, available from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460.

No, I don’t want to come to your cat’s birthday party...you freak. My dog’s getting married that weekend.

30

Radio Leicester Wordsearch

Subscriber L

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

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 Radio Leicester presenters.

D E A N J A C K S O N P M B E T N

T N A M W O B A D N A M A J B I L

H F I Q Z K T N E W U Z F P V H E

J O N A T H A N L A M P O N D O E

H Z S I W X H G Q Q F V H L I R T

M T O I V K G J O T S D E I D U J

AMANDABOWMAN BENJACKSON DAMIENSTJOHN DAVEANDREWS DEANJACKSON IANSTRINGER JIMDAVIS JONATHANLAMPON KAMLESHPUROHIT MONICAWINFIELD RUPALRAJANI TONYWADSWORTH

I X R R V L H P O W P I G A R P Z

I A E O Q A L A E V F W M N U H G

S N N Y W Q D R B N Y I X O P S B

D O T S D S D M I F E Z T S A E E

Y E G I T N D W I N I N N K L L P

L Y Z R A R A A S J J I C C R M O

I Q H E E C I T W P E S Z A A A V

S W V M I L J N J Y P L X J J K V

D A J N X O H V G E N H F N A O Y

D N O H H B H L I E Q O X E N A X

F M Z N W V Q E R V R U T B I B D

These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your entry to: RADIO GAGA,The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 27th March 2013.

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

Here are the 12 Presenters you have to find: AMANDA BOWMAN • BEN JACKSON • DAMIEN ST JOHN DAVE ANDREWS • DEAN JACKSON • IAN STRINGER JIM DAVIS • JONATHAN LAMPON • KAMLESH PUROHIT MONICA WINFIELD • RUPAL RAJANI • TONY WADSWORTH Name: ...................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Competition was IMPOSSIBLE! The wrong wordsearch grid was printed last month, so if you couldn’t find the answers, don’t be too hard on yourself - they weren’t there!

The person responsible for this catastrophic mistake has been sent to the naughty step. Thanks to everyone who pointed out my mistake!

Grand Central Chorus

A Fun(d) raising time Fundraising is at the forefront of the Chorus activities this year to support it in competing, as British Champions, in July at the International Barbershop Convention in Toronto, Canada.

An auction is being held on the 6th April, 2013, at the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band Hall, Salisbury Street, Long Eaton NG10 4BA. Viewing 12noon to 1pm when the auction commences. It ends at 5pm and tea and cakes will be available to sustain you. Come along and pick up a bargain, household goods and collectables are coming under the hammer.

The next concert is at 7.30pm on the 20th April, 2013 at the Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3NW. On the bill is the Chorus, their two quartets ‘Grand Dads’, the Chorus seniors and ‘Homespun’ featuring a Dad and his three sons, plus the very talented Act One Youth Musical Theatre Group from Shepshed. One other act is to be announced. Tickets £8 including interval refreshments on the door, from Peter on 01530243912 or via e-mail.

Draw tickets, with a first prize of £400, are being sold. If you would like some they will be available at the above events or contact us by e-mail.

Sponsorship is being sought from East Midland businesses. Nelson on 07967091202 is the man to call if interested or, again via e-mail.

If you are seeking an entertainment contact Peter on 01530 243822 or e-mail.

Any number of singers can be provided from four to forty. Fees are negotiable.

Quality is guaranteed.

See the website www.grandcentralchorus.com for up to date information. The e-mail address is publicity.gcc@gmail.com.

Rehearsals are at Harrington School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BJ at 7.15.pm every Wednesday. If you are a potential singer, sponsor, booker or just curious you will be welcome.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

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

Family Stations of the Cross

Good Friday 29th March 10am at St Peter’s, Thornton Share in recalling the story of Good Friday and Easter in a journey round the church with pictures, songs, readings and prayers. About 30-40 minutes followed drinks and Hot Cross Buns.

Suitable for all ages.

He is risen indeed, alleluia!

31

Other Easter Day Services 9.00am Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Thornton 10.30am Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Markfield 10.30am Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Stanton u B 6.00pm Holy Communion at St Peter’s, Copt Oak

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Churches Together in Markfield initiative

Trinity Methodist Church 6-7pm Wednesdays 13th March, 17th April, 15th May

If you enjoy reading The Herald, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

For all the family

Feb 1st –March 28th Monday –Friday 10am - 4.00pm

Ulverscroft Grange Gallery

Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Nr Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB

Monday 25th March Bagworth Community Centre 4.00-5.30pm

Children of all ages - get a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend or neighbour to bring you There will be lots of things to

Refreshments provided including chocolate, hot cross buns and fruit drinks Children must be accompanied by an adult Organised by Holy Rood Church and the Benefice of Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon and Copt Oak

Joint Exhibition

by Julian Price & Jenny Brooks Framed or Mounted Watercolours, Photographs, Canvases, Pen and Ink Work, and Cards.

Free Entry, Car Parking, Disabled Access, Toilets and Tea Room.

A Percentage of all sales goes towards to the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation. www.shuttlewood-clarke.org Artists Demonstrating on Thursdays, Feb 28th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and March 28th, From 11.00 -14.00 Contact Louise on 01530 244914

or email admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org or email julian.price70@ntlworld.com

Heat makes things expand. So, I’m not overweight, I’m just a little too warm.

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