March 2013 Groby Spotlight

Whatever happened to the GROBY quarry proposals? Norman Griffiths finds out on page 18.

Local girl Amber is set to donate her hair for charity!

My 9 year old daughter Amber King, has been growing her hair long for nearly a year only to have it cut off later on this month.

She isn’t growing it because she wants really long hair but because she is planning a selfless act, by donating her hair to help other children.

Amber watched a programme last year outlining how children have to cope living with cancer. She thought it was terrible how these precious children are not only suffering but also how they can lose their confidence due to hair loss from the cancer treatments.

So we searched on the internet to find out if Amber could donate her hair to help children with cancer and we finally found the Little Princess Trust. The Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides real-hair wigs free of charge to children who are affected by hair loss through cancer.

Not only will Amber be donating over a foot of her own hair to the Trust, she would also like to raise £350 in sponsorship money to donate too. £350 is the average cost needed to make a realhair wig for the children suffering with cancer.

Amber has been amazed by how generous people have been and she has raised nearly £150 towards her £350 target. If any Spotlight readers would like more information on what Amber is doing or would like to help Amber in achieving her target, please feel free to contact me or you can donate via Ambers Just Giving page online at www.justgiving.com/AmberJKing Amber’s haircut will be taking place on Friday 22nd March.

Mandy Cooper

News from the Parish Council This issue of the Spotlight includes a two-page newsletter from Groby Parish Council on pages 16 & 17.

It is hoped that this will become a regular quarterly feature.

Linda to exhibit her work at Ulverscroft Grange Linda Pitcher, an artist from Groby, will be holding an exhibition of her work in oil and acrylic during the month of April at the Ulverscroft Grange, Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft, Nr. Markfield LE67 9QB. A percentage of the sales will go towards The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation (www.shuttlewood-clarke. org) . Linda is a self taught artist and is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) and the Leicester Soceity of Artists (LSA). You can view her work online at www.lindapitcher.co.uk.

• Linda is also setting up a 10 week structured course in acrylic painting starting Monday 8th April (10.00 am to 12 noon) in the Village Hall for beginners/intermediates. The course will provide step by step instructions and demonstrations on composition, how to draw, tone, colour mixing and finally painting still life. For more information, please phone Linda on 0116 2871832 or email lpitcher04@yahoo.co.uk

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Brookvale High School plays host again to West Gate Special School Brookvale has been delighted to play host, once again, to a group of students from West Gate Special School.

On this occasion, a class of 10 was divided in half, with 5 students coming to us alternative weeks (for 4 weeks) to cook with 3 Brookvale staff volunteers, 2 of their own teaching staff and several of Brookvale’s own students.

The children made a selection of chocolate chip and fruit cookies on the first session, with cheese straws being on the menu for the second session. With help from Brookvale students, the West Gate children really got ‘stuck in’ with mixing, rolling, assembling, baking and of course (most importantly of all) tasting the fruits of their labours!

It has always given us a great sense pleasure and fulfilment to see the children from West Gate enjoying being part of a main stream school (albeit for a short time) whilst observing our own students assisting them where they can and forming relationships with children whose needs may be very different from their own.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Budgens of Groby for their donation of various ingredients which we used for these cooking sessions.

We look forward to working with the West Gate students and their staff members again in the very near future.

Elaine Freeman

Groby Juniors have added three Girls’ Teams Groby Juniors F.C has developed over the last 5 years and now helps over 200 youngsters, both boys and girls play organised football from its base at Groby Community College.

We are an FA Standard Chartered Club run totally by a group of volunteers.

Teams currently range from U17s down to U8s playing regularly on a Sunday morning or afternoon. This season we have the added enjoyment of having 3 new girls football teams (U9s-U10s and U11s) training and playing under the Groby Juniors banner. This is a massive boost for both the football club and the local community as it now means that girls living within the Groby Parish and are interested in playing football, now have a local team rather than having to travel to play for another team.

The 4 members of the Committee work extremely hard to make sure all of this runs as well as possible and the support of the coaches (all of whom are CRB checked and hold a current Coaching Badge) and all the volunteers helps make Groby Juniors a fantastic club to bring your children to if they are interested in playing football .

Although the club offer their full support to any ‘would-be’ managers and assistants we are finding it difficult to get enough volunteers to come forward and manage our existing teams so if anyone out there is interested, maybe you’re an ex-player yourself or just someone who loves the game or if your child is interested in joining the club please feel free to contact in the first instance Mark Bond at markbond07@btinternet.com. Or visit our website www.GrobyJuniorsFC.co.uk (come on dads , Groby is full of exfootballers) As important ,is that if you would like to join Groby Juniors as a volunteer to help organise social activities etc or would be interested in taking on a team to manage then please use the contact details above.

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.

Dog Control Order: Clarification from council As a result of correspondence from a Spotlight reader, we contacted the Parish Council to request clarification of the Dog Control Order being implemented at Beacon Field and the path alongside. The Parish Council has replied as follows: “The Parish Council took on board comments from several local residents with regards to not being able to walk their dogs to and from the area to gain access to the Mineral Line etc even though they were responsible dog owners and picked up after their dogs.

“Having taken advice from H&BBC legal department, the Parish Council, as landowner, have varied their permission for access to the path and signs will be erected to state that you can use this path subject to dogs being kept on leads at all times.

“The Dog Control Order Beacon Field 2012 stands as is with dogs excluded from Beacon field which will be marked with a knee level fence.”

Groby WI Programme 2013 •

March 21st: Canine Partners - Malcolm Wells

•

April 18th: Church View Nursery - Helen Osborne

•

May 16th: Resolutions - Breast Care Presentation

•

June 20th: Birthday - 60th Birthday Dinner at Beaumanor Hall

•

July 18th: Librarian To The Rich & Famous At Royal Ascot - Penny Hodgson

•

August 15th: Laughter Yoga Leader - Marlies Flintham

•

September 19th: Introduction To Herbs - Lynne Jan-Watson

•

October 17th: Helping Hedgehogs - Colleen Powel

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Tubular Bells ‘For Two’ is coming to De Mont

Following sell out seasons at the Sydney Fringe Festival, the New Zealand International Arts Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Tubular Bells ‘for Two’ will make its London debut at the Union Chapel exactly 40 years to the day of the original album release, and then will tour throughout the UK, arriving at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Thursday 23rd May. In Tubular Bells ‘for Two’ two multi-talented musicians recreate the album live onstage, in real time in a spectacle for the eyes and ears.

Rather than simply mimicking Mike Oldfield’s multi-tracked arrangements, the show captures the soul and emotional journey of this remarkable folk-rock epic.

Amongst the vast collection of instruments onstage are keyboards, umpteen guitars, bass, mandolin, glockenspiel and loop pedals and of course tubular bells and in order to recreate the seamless transitions the performers have to leap between guitars and pianos and drums (sometimes all three at once), recording and overdubbing loops live on the spot.

Tubular Bells’ for Two’ started as an idea conjured up over a bottle of wine by old school friends Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts in their hometown of the Blue Mountains in NSW, Australia.

• Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells was released on 25th May 1973 by newly formed Virgin Records (“It’s still one of the most influential records in modern music.”

Richard Branson 2012). Despite many people in the music industry considering the work ‘unmarketable’ the album reached No.1 in charts around the world, selling in excess of 15 million copies - much of its early success lay in the support from John Peel: “It’s called Tubular Bells. I’ve never heard anything like it in my life” he said on playing the album in its entirety on Radio 1. The music was famously used for the soundtrack for the horror movie The Exorcist and is now enjoying a revival in popularity kicked started by its use in the 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony. Visit tHe website at: www.tubularbellsfortwo.co.uk TOUR DATE: Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7.30pm, LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall, 0116 233 3111, demontforthall.co.uk

Bradgate Flower Club News

April flower arranging demonstration On Wednesday 3 April, Bradgate Flower Club celebrates the long-awaited arrival of Spring with Gill Mills from Stapleford.

Gill’s arrangements will reflect ‘A New Lease of Life’. The demonstration will be held in Newtown Linford Village Hall (LE6 0AE). We meet at 7.30 and visitors are welcome - a charge of £5 is made. Details from Lilian Coleman on 0116 236 3191.

Gill has recently led four workshops for Bradgate Flower Club members and other keen arrangers to extend their range of skills and approach to contemporary design. These were additional to the Club’s 2013 programme of monthly meetings which started with two excellent guests - Beverley Artis, a recently qualified demonstrator, in February and Jan Travis in March.

Geraldine Abbott

Loros hospice boosted by donation 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 life-limiting 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.”

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Sings!

Singing in a choir is one of the best things we can do. It brings us together with other people, and it makes us feel better about ourselves.

When we sing, we release endorphins into our body, which is good not just for our mental well-being, but also for our physical health. It’s no wonder that, all over the world, communities gather to sing together. Gareth Malone has done it on TV and here in Groby, we have a chance to do the same.

My name is Helen Hayes, and I’m a professional choir teacher. After Easter, I’ll be leading a community project called Groby Sings. We’ll be rehearsing at Groby Club during April, May and June, leading up to a performance at Groby College on Friday 28 June. The songs that we’ll be singing are from ‘Oliver’ (Food, Glorious Food; I’d Do Anything; etc.) and ‘Les Miserables’ (I Dreamed a Dream, Do You Hear the People Sing, etc.).

I want to involve as many people as possible - from 7 to 97 (or older!).

There will be two adult choirs, on Monday afternoons and on Monday evenings, and a choir of children and young people, on Friday afternoons (after school or college). The big message is: ALL ARE WELCOME! It doesn’t matter whether you think you can sing or not. The fact is, we can all

sing - we just might not be a Pavarotti or Jessie J. You could be thinking one of the following things: • “I’ve got to look after young children during the day” • “I’m too old.”

• “I can’t get there.”

The answers to these are • “There will be people to look after your children.”

• “No one is too old to sing.”

• “We’ll come and get you.”

So you can do it, if you want to.

The first rehearsal is on Friday 12th April at 3.45pm (children), Monday15th April at 1.15pm or Monday 15th April at 8pm and it’s completely FREE to take part. All rehearsals are at Groby Social Club.

I want this project to reach out to as many people as possible. If you know someone who this could really help – someone who needs a break from caring from someone, someone who is lonely or bereaved, or someone who just needs something to lift their spirits – please let them know about it and encourage them to take part or contact me and I’ll encourage them!

So don’t waste any time, contact me, Helen Hayes, on 0786 796 3328 or at helen_hayes@btinternet.com and get involved. This is going to be an amazing experience, so don’t miss out!

See you after Easter!

New species of sock tree?

There is a new species of tree in Martinshaw Wood.

Actually one of my dogs found the first one a couple of years ago. I found him just looking at it and was probably wondering whether to do the usual dog thing on it. After a lot of research we discovered it to be a Quercus Sockius. It has bright, colourful dangly leaves, some very variegated, others quite plain.

Blow me just recently I discovered a new one. This one is obviously a younger tree and its leaves are extremely bright and varied. The Woodland Trust is gradually thinning out the wood leaving just deciduous trees but are they introducing a new variety, Quercus Sockius?

I should be most interested to learn more about this new species, it is quite a talking point amongst fellow dog walkers, we wonder who is the most puzzled, dogs or their owners.

Margaret Gamble

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Gardening Society News February meeting

At thE February meeting, member Graham Jackson took us through a year in his garden at Markfield Road.

He told us how the discovery of a small hoard of coins inside the wall of his home (together with a mummified cat and a 300 year old shoe!) led to its name of Penny Cottage. He recounted stories of how previous residents had relied on water from the well and how a visitor had revealed that during the 1940s she had lived in the house as an evacuee from Birmingham. This lady remembered the white peony still growing today in the garden over seventy years later.

Graham showed us pictures of plants throughout the four seasonsfrom the colours of winter shrubs and early bulbs through to the borders of mixed perennials. Plants were grown in shady corners, in crevices in walls, in hanging baskets and containers. He explained that gardens didn’t have problem areas; they only had planting opportunities.

Many of the plants at Penny Cottage had personal connections, originating as gifts or swops from friends, as bargain purchases at the Gardening Society’s annual plant sale (May 18th this year!), as cuttings “borrowed” from others or as mementoes brought back from holidays.

Collecting Plants

The British have developed a reputation for being avid plant hunters.

The desire to seek out new species and adopt them in British gardens has been a feature of our horticultural scene for many years, even before the days of the empire

Time for Jesus ‘Time for Jesus’ is a moving musical passion play being presented on Sunday 24th March at 3.00pm in Groby United Reformed Church, Chapel Hill.

and its colonies. Some countries have now become a little tired of plant-thirsty Brits collecting their wild flowers and, in some cases, making a fortune out of them. One such country has developed a particularly clever way in dealing with this problem. The Lebanon is one such country. The Lebanese get European nurserymen to travel around and spot interesting plants, often from the window of a chauffeur-driven car. These plants are then registered in Lebanon, micropropagated and exported, thus providing lebanon, rather than Britain, with a healthy income.

One such plant-spotter is Bob Brown who claims this job is the most exciting he has held. From trips such as those described, Bob has found many plants that fill his own nursery beds. One of his favourite plant groups is the monocots, the autumn- flowering bulbs. He loves them for their extraordinary show when other plants are beginning to retire for winter. From his large collection,

also has a soft spot for a climber from Mexico that has edible tuber roots. This also has intensely sweet, violet-scented flowers that cover this self-clinging climber from early summer until the first frosts. Bob’s nursery was founded in 1991 and his plant encyclopedia gives details about 10,000 plants and is updated several times a year.

Do we know this Bob? Probably not, but his nursery is our first stop on our June 21st day outing.

Outings

The signing lists were made available at the February meeting for our trips to The Cotswolds (coupled with Coughton Court) and the two day event in Yorkshire.

The number of names already gathered looks promising and, hopefully, with a similar response at the March meeting, we could reach our target numbers for both trips. Anyone unable to attend this next meeting, but who would like to reserve a place on one or both of the trips could telephone Alvar directly.

Forthcoming events

his favourite is gargantuan crinum yemense (above), a native of the Saudi Arabian desert, which also survives winters outside in deepest Worcestershire. This Shrek-like plant towers above Bob and is much sought after for the larger garden. Bob specialises in plants that are too tall for garden-centre Dutch trolley crates, but are perfect for niche nurseries such as his. He

THE LIFE & MISSION CHOIR present the Easter Musical

Music & Lyrics — PAUL DAY It is sung by a great choir of all Script—REVD REVD JOHN ALAN COX ages, brought together from different SUNDAY 24 MARCH 3:00PM churches across North West London.

GROBY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH It tells the story of the last week of www.lmchoir.org (020) 8205 0462 Jesus’ life. Full of excitement and emotion, the musical takes you on a journey from Palm Sunday to the ADMISSION FREE .

Resurrection and highlights the importance of the events of just one week. A week that has since influenced two thousand years.

The musical takes in traditional choral styles as well as barbershop, gospel and even some Latin American influences – all mixed together to create a dramatic and moving version of the Easter Story. th

This lively musical tells the Easter story through songs and music, sung by a great choir of all ages, brought together from different churches across North West London. “.......the words were beautiful and the whole musical gave a very powerful message.”

Featuring original soloists from the 2000 production, an enthusiastic choir, band and conducted by the composer.

• April 11th: “Food from the Hedgerows” by Lynn Tann-Watson • May 9th: “Auriculas and Astrantias” by Bob Taylor Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson.

(Tel. No. 0116 287 7870) or Email alvar3@talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

Texting is tops Sending a text message now seems to be the most popular way for adults to communicate with each other on a daily basis.

Mobile phone conversations dropped last year after a long period of growth.

But textmessaging has continued to increase. On average, we each send 200 texts a month, according a recent Ofcom’s Communications Market Report.

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Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head.

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies.

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It started off with 139 Under 10’s teams entering into the Leicestershire & Rutland FA County Cup in the hope of immortality and the chance of a lifetime to play in the final at the King Power Stadium.

Seven knock-out rounds later and there are just two teams left... Harborough Town Rascals and our very own Groby Juniors Spartans.

Although Groby haven’t won anything yet, just by getting to the final is a fantastic achievement for this remarkable team, and the boys are all excited about the prospect. They won through to the final by defeating Lutterworth 6-0 in the quarter finals and then by winning the Semi Final 7-0 away at nearby rivals Ratby Rovers.

The final is set to be played on Tuesday 7th May. Kick Off is 17:30 and everyone is welcome to come along and support us - the more the merrier!

Commiserations go out to Groby Juniors u11’s, u13’s (9v9) and u16’s who all did fantastic to reach the semi finals of their respective County Cups only to suffer defeat when so near to getting to the final.

New home – no place to put anything?

Do you find it hard to cram everything you own into your house? You are not alone. A recent survey has found that new homes are simply too small.

A study of living space by the Royal Institute of British Architects has discovered people going to “extreme” and “absurd” lengths to fit themselves into their houses. Many homes lack enough storage space for even the essentials: bins, household appliances, and food. In one bizarre case, a person stored their vacuum cleaner at a relative’s house, 20 minutes away by car. Another family stored some of their food in the boot of their car, because their kitchen was simply too small. Another family stored their dog and dog bed in their car whenever friends came over, for the same reason.

RIBA’s report, The Way We Live Now: What People Need and Expect from their Homes found “just how cramped and poorly planned much of our housing is today, and the extraordinary lengths people go to cope.”

I could be a morning person. If morning happened around noon.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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)

What use are men in gardens?

When it comes to the garden, women tend to decide what to plant, and where to put it, while their menfolk are happy to help out with the heavy lifting.

Women also tend to choose the garden furniture, and 40 per cent of them claim to have a better knowledge, and better taste, in plants. Men often agree, saying “they don’t do colour”, and value their partner’s confidence in choosing.

Bunny Guinness, the garden designer and Daily Telegraph writer, said that things are slowly changing, as men gain in confidence by following TV programmes on gardening, and women gain in strength by using the better designed garden machines. The survey, by Arthritis Research UK, also found that nine in 10 couples rarely argue about the garden, except over how much to spend on it.

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£1m boost for businesses

Small and medium sized businesses are set for a £1 million boost when the county council launches a new fund next month (April).

Leicestershire County Council is investing £1 million from the council’s reserves, to set up a loan fund for small businesses which are struggling to obtain capital elsewhere.

Blake Pain, cabinet member for economic development, said: Small businesses are the lifeblood of Leicestershire’s economy but we are aware many of them are struggling to raise finance.

This will give businesses a much needed shot in the arm – by helping them now, we can help Leicestershire’s economy to bounce back.”

This year’s Leicestershire business survey showed that a third of companies were concerned about cash flow and access to finance – and 55 per cent of small firms were using credit cards to raise funds.

The county council is proposing to offer loans up to £25,000 for firms employing fewer than 50 people, including those in market towns and rural areas.

It is intended to be a short-term support scheme, until the economy starts to recover. Detailed proposals will go to the cabinet on April 9th.

The proposed fund is an example of help that could be delivered through the council’s economic growth priorities, which are:

TABLE TOP SALE Rummage sale 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening of every month AT GROBY CLUB Leicester Road Groby Leicester LE6 0DJ Set up 5.30pm Doors open to the public at 6.30pm till 9.00pm Table £5.00 (Must be booked in advance) Admission Free (for a limited period) Started March 5th To book a table and for further information call:Sandy 0116 250741 or 07799 771080 Kay (eves & weekends) 0116 221 52472 or 07500 112877 I don’t like work, even when someone else does it.

•Tackling worklessness •Employment land and buildings •Distribution and logistics •Capital availability •Enterprise growth Other council schemes to support employment and businesses include: •Wheels to work, which lends motor scooters to young people, so they can access work and training •Grants and advice for village shops, to help them become more viable •Grant support for rural business growth and developing Social Enterprises in the county •Investing in the expansion of superfast broadband across the county, which, it is estimated, will boost the economy by £92 million •Focussing more than half our spending (£174 million) with small and medium sized firms •Working with the Leicester and Leicestershire enterprise Partnership (LLEP), Leicester City Council and district councils to improve the availability of development sites Larger firms are able to bid for cash from the Government’s regional growth fund, administered by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

LETTER Parking problems not always Druck’s fault In reply to Mr Barton’s letter, why are all the parking issues blamed on Druck?

There are many employees who work at Druck and there are not enough parking places on site for everyone.

There are part time workers and shift workers and many have left by 3pm, hence the empty spaces.

Any car that has road tax, Mot and insurance is allowed to park on a road. Many cars are also parked by drivers who then catch a bus into town. So please don’t always assume it’s all Druck.

Druck employee (By Email)

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

11

Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Sacheverell Way lighting Groby Parish Council, when consulted by Leicestershire County Council in 2010, strongly objected to any permanent switch off of the lights along Sacheverell Way and requested that consideration be given to alternate columns being illuminated. It seems that the Parish Council was under the impression that the switch off after midnight was the option being considered. The council was not even informed that the decision to permanently switch them off had been reached until February 2011.

The latest development is that the streets lights which have not been illuminated over the past 3 years are to be removed completely. A spokesperson for the Parish Council has confirmed that members still object and believe that such a decision is reckless and irresponsible bearing in mind the number of accidents that have occurred along Sacheverell Way, two of which incurred fatalities.

“The Parish Council cannot stress the amount of footfall this road has during the evening period,” explained the spokesperson, “and in the interests of residents, pedestrians and motorists, Leicestershire County Council needs to revisit the area in the evening periods to conduct a further Risk Assessment and see the potential hazards that their decision to switch off the lights on Sacheverell Way has instigated.”

The council has also questioned the cost of removing the lights and making the area good again, given that the switch off was part of a cost saving exercise. The latest news has also led to a petition to turn some lights back on.

How well are you sleeping?

One reader has reported disturbed nights, and it’s not the result of a snoring partner. The problem seems to be an apparent increase in night flights over the village. The controversial switching of the incoming flightpath to the longer and more gently descending flight path over the east of Leicestershire allowed Groby to escape the extra noise which the boom in budget airlines created. The roar of outgoing jets is still particularly noticeable at night because the East Midlands airport is such an important freight hub, but air traffic control says that there have been no changes to flight paths. However they acknowledge that when the weather was bad last month there may have been ‘the odd plane’ using an alternative flight path.

Let the Spotlight know if you have noticed any changes or lost any sleep.

FENCING

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The 2013 Groby Street Fair The organising committee has decided that, despite the hard work involved and the crippling cost of closing Markfield Road for a day, they will bring us another Street Fair in 2013. The event will probably take place in late September. With six months to go there’s time for you to reflect on the two successful fairs already held and let them know what aspects of the street fair you liked best, and what you weren’t too keen on. All feedback will be welcome, so email your comments to contact@ grobyonline.tk and they’ll be passed on.

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.

I knew I was going bald when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face.

12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Spotlight Small Ads • 50 Paperback romance novels Price: £2 each or all 50 for £60.

Tel: 07944 560925 • Toyota SL3304 Overlocker, boxed, as new Price: £70.

Singer Talent 3323 sewing machine, hardly used.

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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 is encouraging 16-year-olds to The decision to increase consider their options now that the age young people are they have to stay in education or required to stay in education or training for longer. training has been made by the From 2013, young people must government. stay in education or training until It doesn’t mean young people the end of the academic year in must stay in school - there are which they turn 17, and until their a wide range of post-16 options 18th birthday 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 study AS/A levels, GCSEs after year 11 - this is one of the highest rates in the country.

• Going to further education college to study AS/A Eighteen-year-old Poppie levels, GCSEs, vocational Simmonds, who is a UK and foundation courses Youth Parliament rep for the Blaby area, said: “There are so • Apprenticeships or work many educational and training based learning with a opportunities available to 16 year training provider olds that young people often do • Studying part-time for an not know about. accredited qualification if “It is really important that young you are employed (or selfpeople consider this choice employed) carefully to give them the best • Volunteering (for 20 hours head start to their future.” a week or more) with partIvan Ould, Leicestershire time training County Council cabinet member for children 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.

My grandad said he always used to leave his back door open in the old days, which was probably why his submarine sank.

I don’t necessarily agree with everything I say.

• Cannon 60 cm Dual Fuel slot-in cooker, Gas Hob with glass lid, Double electric ovens & grill.

Price: £125.

Tel: 01530 243174 • Canon S500 printer in good condition. With all colours and black replacement cartridges.

Price £20.

Tel: 0116 287 3195 • MICROWAVE OVEN, Panasonic Turbo Bake, with full cooking instructions.

FREE Tel: 0116 287 5654 Trading Standards Advice Sellers of second hand electrical goods are responsible for ensuring the goods meet legal safety requirements and sellers may be liable to pay compensation if they sell unsafe goods and they cause injury or damage. If the equipment you are selling complies with an acceptable standard - for example, a British/European Standard - it will normally meet safety requirements.

If you sell second hand electrical goods which are unsafe or incorrectly labelled and you haven’t taken reasonable precautions to avoid this, you may be prosecuted.

Advertise Your Unwanted Household Items For Sale Free To Spotlight Readers!

Send us the details in writing - BY POST OR EMAIL - with the cost of the item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication).

Max price: £300.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Birding Lunch 1st-5th April 2013

Spend one hour watching the birds where you work A Song Thrush outside the supermarket? A Brambling in the bike shed? A Peregrine on a pylon? What will you see on your Birding Lunch?

This April, Bird Watching magazine is asking us all to spend at least one lunch hour away from our desks, discovering the wildlife on our doorstep.

Birding Lunch has been launched to encourage us all to appreciate the simple pleasures of watching the wildlife all around us – in areas we’d possibly never have considered hotspots for nature.

Whether you work in a busy city centre, in the countryside or on an industrial estate, there are birds all around us – especially during early April, when migrating birds could turn up anywhere.

Bird Watching columnist and One Show regular David Lindo, known as The Urban Birder, knows this more than anyone.

David says: “Over the years, I have made many discoveries whilst indulging in lunchtime urban birding strolls. Whilst munching on my sandwiches I have had surprise encounters with singing Black Redstarts, watched garrulous flocks of berry gobbling Waxwings and very recently, witnessed inner London’s first ever Bearded Tits in Hyde Park.

“Talking a walk at lunchtime is not just about seeing unusual birds. It just great to find that there is a wealth of birdlife to be seen just outside of our workplaces. Just look up!”

Taking part in Birding Lunch couldn’t be simpler. Download the poster from birdwatching.co.uk/birdinglunch and put it up at your workplace, school or community centre. Then, on at least one lunchtime from 1-5 April, spend an hour exploring your neighbourhood and recording what birds you see, then complete the results form on our website.

If you’re an experienced birdwatcher, why not lead a birding walk from your workplace, to spread the word and show your colleagues what they’re missing.

Visit www.Birdwatching.co.uk/birdinglunch

13

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.”

Today I was taking the mickey out of a bloke who had a ridiculous wig on. He had the last laugh, though. He sentenced me to five years.

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14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Jottings

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News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

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Bloors and traffic volumes at Martinshaw school Bloors are to go to the High Court to contest the decision of the Planning Inspector to uphold the refusal of planning permission for their land next to Groby cemetery. If they are successful the prospect of expansion at Martinshaw school becomes likely again with a corresponding increase in traffic volumes.

Even with existing traffic levels the Parish Council is concerned about the safety of pupils, particularly immediately outside the school. When the road markings were discussed by the Council at it’s January meeting Cllr Ted Hollick asked if double yellow lines could be laid as the police had indicated that the current markings were unenforceable. When members heard the response from the County Council they were not impressed. Cllr Batty suggested that Police Community Support Officers could be utilised outside Martinshaw Primary School to educate those parents who see no problem in parking on zig zag lines outside the school gates.

Chairman Cllr. Coley proposed that the Clerk also send a copy of the reply from County Council to the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors at Martinshaw Primary School indicating that more needs to be done to educate parents.

The latest Borough Bulletin says that HBBC has joined with the RNIB, Leicestershire Constabulary to encourage people to be more considerate when parking. The initiative includes school visits and encouraging pupils to design posters to deter inconsiderate parking and pass the message onto their parents. The police and council will also carry out spot checks outside schools where pavement parking creates problems. But how will they prioritise which schools to visit?

Thanks to Ned Groby Parish Council decided to send a letter to PC ‘Ned’ Kelly thanking him for his work and support in Groby. He is considered to have played a critical role in the control and reduction of anti-social behaviour in the village over the last few years. Although PC Kelly will continue to cover Groby as part of the police response team a new lead officer, Katie Harris, has been appointed for the village.

Mad teenagers Are the teenagers you know prone to anger?

It seems that one in 12 teenagers may suffer from uncontrollable bursts of anger that can even lead to violence. Now researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that many teenagers meet the criteria for a condition called intermittent explosive disorder. The condition is diagnosed once a person has had three episodes of impulsive and ‘grossly out of proportion’ aggressiveness. It was felt that such teenagers need professional help with anger management.

Rural Community Council News

Book now for RCC Rural Action Seminar 2013 This year’s RCC Rural Action Seminar is confirmed to take place at County Hall from 5:15pm till 8:00pm on Tuesday 16th April.

The annual event, which is open to Parish Councils, Village Hall Committees, Community Groups, businesses and individuals from across Leicestershire and Rutland, will provide a varied insight into local projects, new initiatives, support services, and funding opportunities.

Doors will open at 5:15pm with an opportunity to network, enjoy a buffet, and browse a market place of displays and information stalls from local projects, services, and funders provided until presentations commence at 6:30pm. Speakers currently confirmed for the evening include Pub is the Hub & The White Horse Pub (Seagrave), The Plunkett Foundation, as well as representatives from a range of local community based projects and initiatives.

Attendance is free of charge and with limited spaces available it is advisable to book early to ensure your place.

Places can be booked online at www.ruralcc.org.uk/event-bookings , via e-mail - ruraladvice@ruralcc.org.uk, or by calling the RCC Rural Action Team on 0116 2662905.

If your organisation or group is interested in providing a display or information stall at the event, please contact the Rural Action Team via the e-mail or telephone number detailed above.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

15

The Class of ‘61

The second part of the nostalgic journey taken by John Hughes and Phil Symons Last month we introduced you to The Class of ‘61 and printed the reminiscences of John Hughes and Phil Symons as they retraced their childhood days as friends in Groby. Sadly their appeal for contact from any of their classmates has resulted in a resounding silence. Have they all moved away? If their parents or other family members are still in Groby have they passed on the word? It’s not too late, they can still be contacted at jandm.hughes@btinternet.com.

Last month they were reunited with their teacher, Mrs Brewer, and revisited the old school, now a family residence, and the post office. Moving on we now pick up on the next stage of their day of nostalgia. Norman Griffiths

Stopping briefly outside the Working Men’s Club, the meeting place on Saturday lunchtimes for us Groby footballers before away games, we pass the chippy, the old blacksmiths where the old Smithy had let us watch him shoeing the horses on our way home from school, and Chaplin’s the family butcher.

Remember that goal?

We had considered going down to the field on the road to Groby Pool, where we had once played in our first proper team, the Groby under 10’s, managed by the great and enthusiastic Scot Jock Fallon. But as the old changing room (shed) and pitch are long since gone, we move on. A good time though to recall the various teams that we had played for together over the years. Apart from representing Groby at both Junior and Senior (then aged about 18 or 19) levels, we had also notched up hundreds of games for school teams at the Grammar School in Coalville and later at Markfield and Whitwick Compass. Football played a major part of life back then and having played for many seasons at Rolls Royce on both Saturdays and Sundays, and a very cosmopolitan team, River Road Rangers, during my time living in the USA, I ended up playing my last couple of seasons for Groby again. Those games played up at the Community College were a real treat especially as we would always end up ‘refreshing’ ourselves at today’s next stop – The ‘Stanny’.

A Double Diamond works wonders The Stamford Arms Pub, in the village centre, is where I sampled my first ever pint, Double Diamond if memory serves (though only just, as the barmaid that day was a near neighbour of ours and threatened to ‘tell my mum’. I am not sure why, I must have been a “couple days” shy of my eighteenth birthday). It was well over twenty years ago since my last visit, but as John and I sat down to enjoy our liquid lunch, it was like I had never been away. Main topic of conversation?

Football of course, and football to us, now the boots are well and truly hung up, means Leicester City.

Aged nine in September 1965, my Dad had taken us young lads, along with Mark ‘Chizzy’ Chiswell, to watch the Foxes take on Sunderland. A superb 4-1 victory and we were hooked. The days, and nights, spent in the Popular Side and on the wall behind the goal at the Spion Kop end are etched in the memory. Sinclair, Goodfellow, Dougan, Gibson and Stringfellow were not just the forward line that season, they were all on badges on my blue and white knitted bobble hat. What a treat to watch Banks, Shilton, Rodrigues, Sjoberg, Nish etc., lock horns with Best, Law and Charlton; Moore, Hurst and Peters; Greaves and Gilzean. And of course we

Phil remembers his first pint at the Stamford Arms had local hero Graham Cross. ‘Crossy’ would often join in our kick abouts in the field behind his house on Field Court Road. I was so impressed by his exploits for the City and County Cricket team that I wrote a letter detailing his versatility to Goal magazine. The signed photograph accompanying the article is still one of my most prized possessions.

The highs and lows back then?

Many, but 1969 probably held both in the space of a few days. I will never forget the euphoric explosion of joy when Allan ‘Sniffer’ Clarke scored the late winner at Hillsborough in the FA Cup Semi Final against West Bromwich. Or, for that matter, the utter dejection of being told that all the Final tickets were sold as Dad and I queued for hours outside Filbert Street. A double blow followed of course as City lost the final to Manchester City and were also relegated to Division Two. Just as I am about to lift the spirits and start spouting about the glory days of Martin O’Neill, John wisely suggests we drink up and move on.

Next month the sadness of memories of a friend lost to leukaemia at just 25 years of age are balanced by the happier times spent with the Scouts.

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

Parish Council Office Village Hall Leicester Road Groby Leicestershire, LE6 0DQ Opening Times Mondays 11.00am to 2.00pm Tuesday s 11.00am to 2.00pm Wednesdays 11.00am to 2.00pm Thursdays 12.30am to 3.30pm Fridays 10.00am to 12.30pm Outside these times by prior appointment Parish Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7.00 pm in the Council Chambers within the Village Hall.

Planning Committee meetings are held every two weeks, usually on a Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm.

Groby Parish Council strives to provide a full range of information and resources to benefit all members of the community and to this end we welcome your news and views. We aim to bring you information about what the Parish Council does and how it works. We hope this is just one way in which the Parish Council can improve how it communicates and consults with those living and working in the Parish of Groby.

Our aim is to build on what is already good about Groby Parish and make it an even better place in which to live and work. The message is very clear to all of us: public agencies, the voluntary and community sector and the public. We can only achieve this if we agree on the same future direction and actively work together to make it happen. We all know that nothing stands still and change is inevitable.

Groby Parish Council is encouraging as many people and organisations as possible to share in shaping and influencing that change for the good of everyone. The Parish Council needs you to contact them with details of your group, your organisation and your ideas so that we can all come together and set up partnership working and so build a strong and vibrant voluntary and community sector.

Whether you are an individual, a family, or part of an organisation or community group, this is all about you and for you. Working together we can overcome any of the challenges that lie ahead and build into our communities a better future.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING Thursday 9th May 2013 The Parish Council would like to invite all electors of the Parish of Groby to the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Thursday 9th May 2013 at 7.30 pm in the main hall in the Village Hall, Leicester Road, Groby. Items for discussion will include reports from the Chairman and Committees on the Council’s activities during 2012/13 and an outline of the proposed expenditure for 2013/14. Local organisations will also be invited to present details of their organisation.

Any elector present will be invited to ask any relevant question of the Parish Council.

Forthcoming Meetings March 20 Planning Committee April 3 Planning Committee 8 Full Council Meeting 15 Parks Committee 15 Finance Committee 17 Planning Committee May 1 Planning Committee 9 Annual Parish Meeting 15 Planning Committee 20 Annual Council Meeting 29 Planning Committee June 3 Full Council Meeting 12 Planning Committee 26 Planning Committee All meetings are Open to the Public.

th

Two new Parish Councillors: Following the Parish Council election on Thursday 7 February 2013 to fill two vacancies on the Council, we are pleased to welcome Cllr.

Catherine Thompson and Cllr. Leigh Quilter. Cllr. Quilter is 27 years old and has lived in the Parish all his life. He cares passionately about the village and wishes to help ensure it continues to be a pleasant place to live. Cllr. Thompson is a registered Nurse, presently carrying out research into dementia. She has two daughters, both at local schools. Being a resident in the village for over 12 years she is aware of local and community issues and concerns of parents.

“Garden of Remembrance” -Work has commenced on the new “Garden of Remembrance” at Groby Village Cemetery, where residents and non-residents of Groby can scatter ashes. Weather permitting it should be completed by Spring 2013. Memorials in the form of tree, shrub planting, benches and memorial plaques are available. Email parishclerk@groby.com for further details or visit www.groby.com.

Got a concern the Parish Council needs to know about? At the beginning of every Parish Council meeting, time is set aside for Public Participation. This is an opportunity for you to talk to us about any parish matter. The Parish Council may not be able to give you an answer straight away but your comments will be acted upon either by the Council or by signposting to another agency.

Review of Council Tax Base Each year the Council sets its “Precept” for the following financial year depending on its future plans and its current and anticipated commitments for the year ahead. It will then ask the Borough Council to include this as part of its Council Tax for the Parish.

A recent government review of the Council Tax base has left the Parish Council concerned that the new system changes over a hundred years of financial independence of parish councils who will no longer be in charge of their own destiny in setting their budgets and precept. For the first time ever parish councils will be reliant on a principal council for an element of their funding. The risk of the new system is that at best the Parish Council will receive 100% of grant due, or we may only receive a proportion, and at worst no grant at all. Depending on the scenario, the impact may mean that the Parish Council increases their precept or cuts back on service delivery.

In January 2013, the Parish Council’s Finance & General Purposes Committee held a meeting to discuss the figures received from the Borough Council following the Secretary of State’s prescribed changes in the Council Tax Base for 2013/14, and subsequently in light of the Committee’s recommendation, the full Council resolved to rd retain the overall budget as decided at the December 3 2012 Parish Council meeting with some slight re-calculations to allow for the changes and thus retain the same 4.6% reduction to the Groby Parish Council tax as previously resolved. (details of the 2013/14 budget can be found on the Council website) For the 2013/14 financial year the Precept has been set at £155,761 which would cost a Council tax payer living in a Band D property £61.13 per year.

Expenditure 2012/13 5.

4.

6.

1.

3.

2.

Groby Parish Council is made up of 16 unpaid members. They are supported by a full time employed Clerk, a part time Admin Assistant, the Cemetery Sexton, a Parks Keeper and two other part time Grounds Maintenance Operatives.

Parish Councillors Cllr. Jacqualyn Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Sylvia Beck - 2876716 Cllr. Jim Coley – 3272606 (Chairman) Cllr. Richard Douglas. JP - 2877065 (V/Chairman) Cllr. Liz Emmerson - 2312111 Cllr. Rob Fraser - 01530 244175 Cllr. Daljit Ghai - 2872703 Cllr. Ted Hollick - 2875955 Cllr. Sandra Jones - 07977746108 Cllr. Helen Lindsay - 2314487 Cllr. Eileen Marvin - 2876799 Cllr. Norman McCausland - 2321165 Cllr. Leigh Quilter – 0772523033 Cllr. Catherine Thompson – 01530 249203 Cllr. Keith Yarwood – 2870252 Parish Clerk

1.

Admin

2.

Staff Costs

3.

Parks/Cem

4.

Insurance

5.

Election

6.

Risk Mgmt

Beverley Greenwood. MBA.BSC.AILCM 0116 2876985 parishclerk@groby.com

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Councillors Cllr. Peter Batty - 2912284 Cllr. Martin Cartwright – 2874500 Leicestershire County Councillor Cllr. Rob Fraser – 01530 244175

The chart shows where the Council spent your money during 2012/13

Member of Parliament Mr Stephen Dorrell - 2608609

Coming soon to the Parish Council website - We are currently updating our web site and in future would like to consider a page for young people to tell them about activities and up-and-coming events in and around Groby. Please contact the Parish Clerk (email: parishclerk@groby.com) if you would be interested in posting information on this page.

“Blog” page to record matters of interest or make general observations. It will be informal in nature and provide a good way of addressing issues that are of concern whether they are within or outside the scope of the parish council's responsibilities. It is also a good way of keeping up with matters arising between newsletters so please take an interest in the work of your local Parish Council.

We hope you will find the newsletter and our website interesting, informative, useful and easy to access. Whether you are a resident, newcomer or visitor to the parish, don't hesitate to contact us.

This newsletter is also available on the Parish Council website www.groby.com

18

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Whatever happened to the quarry proposals?

Norman Griffiths finds out more

Twenty years ago ARC, in consultation with the Groby Quarry Liaison Committee and a Working Party of the County Council, began to look at an alternative to the old quarrying permissions they held which would provide greater environmental safeguards for local people.

Two years later they submitted a planning application which proposed as an alternative to the existing quarrying permissions and offered what they considered a much more acceptable alternative with significantly reduced environmental impact. In July 1995 they staged a series of public information days at Groby Pool car park to provide information about their proposals. Many local residents attended but few will probably have retained the information they made available.

One local resident did, however, and has asked ‘whatever happened to the quarry proposals?’

The plan was to extract 13.5 million tonnes of stone from Groby Quarry and s 76.5 million tonnes of stone from land at BradgateLawnwood Quarry. Processing would be carried out in a belowground level plant located within the Groby Quarry hole. Stone from Bradgate-Lawnwood Quarry would be transported to Groby Quarry by conveyor through an underground tunnel connecting the two sites. Access to the A50 would be along an upgraded section of Newtown Linford Lane from a new Groby Quarry site access. For about the first 8 years of the project operations would be confined to Groby Quarry. A low-level plant site area would be prepared within the quarry hole and perimeter screening mounds constructed on the south east and south west sides of the Quarry. A new 3 million tonne a year processing plant would be constructed below surrounding ground level.

Provision would also be made for a temporary above ground stocking area.

Phase 1: Following the commissioning of the new processing plant the first 6 years production quarrying would take place in Groby Quarry. Towards the end of stone extraction from Groby Quarry development would commence in Bradgate-Lawnwood Quarry with the construction of

a permanent screening mound south of the present landfill site at Bradgate. A new stone extraction area would be established at Bradgate-Lawnwood Quarry and a 900 metre long underground tunnel constructed between BradgateLawnwood and Groby Quarries.

Twin conveyors would be installed in the tunnel to enable production quarrying to transfer to BradgateLawnwood Quarry.

Phase 2: During the first 2 years of production quarrying within Bradgate-Lawnwood Quarry overburden would be stripped and transported via the conveyor tunnel for disposal in the Groby Quarry hole to create a permanent below-ground level stocking area.

Stone would also be transported at the same time through the tunnel for processing at the Groby Quarry plant.

Phase 3: Stone extraction would proceed within BradgateLawnwood Quarry until exhaustion of the southern half of that area was approached. A second extraction operation would then be established in the northern part of the area with initial overburden taken from the northern area being placed in the exhausted southern end of the quarry. This point would be reached approximately 7 years from the start of production quarrying in Bradgate-Lawnwood Quarry.

Phase 4: Operations in the northern working area would involve both overburden stripping and stone extraction for about the first 4 years. Overburden would be hauled to the worked out southern end of the quarry for backfilling below ground level, while stone would be transported by conveyor to Groby Quarry for processing. Following completion of overburden stripping stone extraction would continue until the quarry reached its final depth.

It was expected that output would have increased from an initial 1.4 million tonnes per annum in 1999 to full production of 3 million tonnes by around 2006.

Access and Traffic A new improved site access to Groby Quarry would be constructed some 250 metres closer to the A50 than the present access onto Newtown Linford Lane. The new access would provide better visibility than the existing access and would include a right turning

Plan showing how the quarry sites would be linked lane to accommodate traffic turning into the site. The existing site access onto Newtown Linford Lane which is opposite Groby Pool would be closed.

It was also proposed to widen the existing road and footpath on Newtown Linford Lane between the new access and the A50 and provide road lighting. All finished quarry product would leave the site by this new access.

The existing access on the A50 at Field Head currently serving the Bradgate landfill site would be retained only as a service access for materials and equipment and personnel gaining access to the Bradgate Lawnwood Quarry.

Finished quarry products would not leave the site by this access.

The average total one way flow of lorries from the site was estimated at 561 per day or 1122 movements per day. It is anticipated that 67% of this traffic would be south bound for the Ml, via the A50 south of Newtown Linford Lane.

Why didn’t it happen?

Implementation of the new planning permission granted to ARC (now known as Hanson Quarry Products) was deferred due to the formation of Midland Quarry Products Limited (“MQP”) in 1996 as a joint venture Company between the Tarmac and ARC groups, and concentration of quarrying activities at Tarmac’s Cliffe Hill Quarry, now operated

by MQP. Since that time, the

only activities at Groby Quarry have been the asphalt plant and aggregate recycling operated

by MQP and the concrete plant operated by ARC/Hanson, although the quarrying planning permission remains.

This will change. “Groby Quarry is destined to become MQP’s main source of stone on exhaustion of Cliffe Hill Quarry which currently has reserves for – dependant on market conditions – 10 to 15 years,” explained a spokesperson.

“During that period, the permitted working scheme for Groby Quarry, and the nearby Bradgate Quarry, will be fully reviewed by MQP to accommodate modern quarrying techniques and processing plant etc. and to reflect current market requirements. There will be a significant handover period when both quarries are in production as Groby Quarry is developed to full capacity and operations at Cliffe Hill wind down, but the total output will continue to be constrained by market requirements.”

Any significant changes to the permitted scheme are likely to need planning permission, and the company intends that these changes will be the subject of full consultation with the residents of Groby, through the Groby Quarry Liaison Committee, Groby Parish Council and directly with local residents.

Even the best laid plans are subject to change or, as in this case, postponement to a future date.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Another great ‘Chattabox’ Holiday Week in Groby!

It’s snowing outside, and it’s ‘Chattabox’ in the jungle as over 100 children from Groby primary schools gathered each morning during the February half-term to have lots of fun together.

Organised by ‘Extend’ (the Youth and Children’s work of Groby Churches Together) the children cheered and shouted their encouragement to ‘Lost’ and ‘Found’ their expedition leaders for the week, and to characters in the Watt family drama whose daily adventures in the jungle were much enjoyed.

Songs, games and crafts all featured alongside stories that Jesus told, fun and creative Bible memory verses and prayers (and enough jungle rain to deafen everyone!) On the Friday evening parents were invited to experience some of the activities from the week.

The 63 leaders and helpers, drawn from St Philip and St James and the United Reformed Churches in Groby all had as much fun as the children. The Extend Governing Group would like to express their thanks to all of them.

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

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Turbine turbulence

The row over the granting of planning permission for the erection of the wind turbines shows no signs of abating as Cllr Peter Batty pursues his criticism of the Borough Council for dealing with the application under delegated powers to officers rather than referring it to members as he had requested and for other alleged shortcomings in the decision process.

The Planning Officer had to balance considerations such as the environmental benefits of wind energy with the visual impact of the turbines. After studying the ‘photomontages’ supplied by the applicant it was concluded that “all images, from near and far show that the turbines, against the existing landscape backdrop - which includes trees and rolling agricultural

The Rectory St. James the Least 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

fields are not visually prominent within the landscape.” Those who disagree find the turbines visually intrusive, and feel they dominate the landscape not only from Groby but also from other areas such as the eastern approach from Gorse Hill to the Anstey junction of the A46 by-pass, will take little comfort from the officer’s observation that “the site is screened to the west by the presence of Sheet Hedges Wood – a large, mature and well established woodland as well as by Groby Quarries to the south west of the site.” And the conclusion that “it is considered that given the location and scale of the turbines, combined with tree lined hedgerows and against the backdrop of existing landscape features that overall the turbines will not have an adverse effect on the overall character of the landscape, nor will it significantly

harm its quality or value,” will be equally unwelcome.

Although there was wide consultation with outside agencies, including English Heritage, and no substantive objection raised, another observation that “in summary, it is considered that the scheme would not result in an unacceptable impact upon local heritage assets and the historical landscape,” is also coming under scrutiny. Groby’s motte and bailey castle and manorial complex is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. In its listing the large motte at Groby is described as “a good survival incorporating a rare substantial internal Norman stone building. The associated manorial complex is one of the most extensive in Leicestershire with a core considered to date to the period of the Norman castle. It also has associations with an important Leicestershire family.”

Even as the debate goes on it seems that the whatever the outcome residents are unlikely to get up one morning and find them gone. Unless, as one Parish Councillor remarked, a high wind blows them over.

Letter from Uncle Eustace

Beware when the choirs meet 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

Stamford Arms refurbishment

Although the work has now started it’s still business as usual in the main bar until Monday 15th April, when the pub will then close. It re-opens on Monday 3rd June 2013 and will be needing staff for the new look Stamford. “We are recruiting for all positions at the moment, kitchen and bar,” said landlord Brian Rigby. “Anyone wishing to apply can contact me by emailing stamfordarms@icloud.com.”

BMX track

With the first signs that spring is not too far away comes reports that activity is picking up at the BMX track.

Although many youngsters have enjoyed riding the track there is still disappointment, however, that two years after it opened the community involvement, management and formation of a club anticipated when the investment was made has never been realised. The Parish Council is reviving its BMX working party and is to ask the contractors that built it to carry out an inspection. More information about BMX and links to other websites can be found at www. grobybmx.co.uk.

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

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby Allotments Society NEWS - from John Thornton Early March and a beautiful morning, a light breeze just enough to keep the wind generators turning, daffodils just showing yellow and snowdrops at their best, an idyllic English scene, what could be better? Activity on the plots is already gathering pace and with the dry weather for the last few days it has brought out the spring diggers who missed out with the winter dig. All will catch up though.

Our AGM in the Village Hall was very successful with 60 plus in attendance. The business was swiftly dealt with; we had a generous amount of raffle prizes which gave a lot of laughs. Allotment AGM’s should be serious affairs but inter-spaced with light hearted banter.

This year was a milestone for the Society as it was our 30th birthday.

Kathy our hard working Secretary was nominated on day one and has held the post ever since, so as a thank you a prepared basket of flowers was presented to her by Carol our newly elected Treasurer, with much appreciation from the floor. What a nice group of people allotment folk are.

With nearly 50% ladies now working plots a bucket in the shed is no longer good enough, so our fund raising sub-committee has been busy raising money to buy an allotment toilet. Much discussion has taken place to get to the bottom of this subject and to make sure all the ladies are comfortable with the one chosen!

Here the fun starts, do we need planning permission? To say ‘yes or no’ HBBC needs a full application submitting, the cost £80. We submit one, the site plan is the wrong scale, the enlarged location plan not edged in red, and north not shown, although it was. And to cap it all they lost the cheque. Remember this little toilet unit is smaller than most allotment Our newly elected Treasurer Carol York presents flowers to sheds; pile driving for the footings has not been raised in conversation by Secretary Kathy Griffiths, as an appreciation of her service to Hinckley Bosworth yet, nor a dual carriageway leading up to it. However with help from the Parish Office the correct scale location plans were the Groby Allotment Society over 30 years. obtained and the fee this time sent by card, they still cannot find the original cheque. We may invite a member of the planning team to perform the official opening.

This is the time of the year when we pay our plot rents so by now we shall know how many plots will be vacant for new tenants. We are aware of a number being vacated but Jamie is waiting to see the full picture before contacting people on the waiting list. If you are it could be your turn.

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

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby WI News The speaker for our February meeting was Caroline Mitchell demonstrating an intriguing method of bead-making.

It was hard to imagine how it would be possible to create a lasting necklace or bracelet from scratch at home. There was quite a full house; we were all suffering withdrawal symptoms after the cancellation of our January meeting. This made it a little difficult for Caroline as we could not gather round to see clearly her expertise. We were asked to bring a firm surface to work on, ruler, pen or pencil and scissors; we were provided with a colourful page from a glossy magazine, a cocktail stick, Pritstick adhesive and a template showing how to measure the pieces needed from the coloured paper to make the beads. At first it appeared to be quite a ‘fiddly’ process, but like all good W.I. members we got stuck in.

Caroline came round giving helpful individual advice. Hey Presto! We produced beads! Samples were shown explaining the various ways the beads could be improved with gold or coloured pens to give the bling effect and different methods of threading, including producing dangly earrings. Time did not allow her to go into details of the varnishing and finishing but she did offer more detailed help to any group of ladies at her own home.

A very enjoyable introduction to this craft.

It did occur to me that with the simple tools necessary to create these beads it would be an excellent idea for mums and grandmas to fall back on when faced with a bored little girl on a wet school holiday.

They would love making friendship bracelets. With some Blue Peter ingenuity no doubt the craft could be adapted to stir the imagination of sons and grandsons.

I always thought February a dull month but after a non-event January it’s been hectic. Of course, as usual, food entered into it. A group of us went to Bosworth Hall for lunch. It was lovely getting together again and catching up with news. Imagine, ladies being denied gossip for a whole month.

Well we made up for it. Of course I had to blot my copy book, guess who spilt a tomato juice all over the table, honestly the only additive was Worcester sauce.

It was a lovely day for once when I led a few members on one of our Derbyshire walks. You may think ‘so what’ but as anyone will tell you I have absolutely no sense of direction. I had to lead this one because our usual local guide as

unable to do so. I warned everyone about my non-skills, my husband suggested I took the sat nav and dog whistle. We set out to see the snowdrops in Dimminsdale Wood. I couldn’t believe it, apart from one slip up, literally, we made it back to base. We walked for a while on the recently completed Calke Estate tramway. No problems until I knew we had to cross the road into the wood. I took them down a very, steep, slippery bank, well skidded down, before I remembered that just a few yards away was a new “Harpur Crewe Crossing” which is a gentle slope. I was forgiven and we all survived.

Around the wood it was fairly dry and we were able to see hundreds of beautiful snowdrops, it really was worth the visit. Afterwards we finished up at Calke Restaurant, just the ticket to finish off a lovely walk.

I have a bit of good news and a bit of bad. The good news is that we won yet again the Bradgate Group Skittles Competition, the bad news being we retain the silver cup which requires cleaning. Our team in the final, beat Thurcaston and Cropston WI after beating Anstey and Markfield. Actually our great team won quite easily 3 games to nil. We have a new Secretary Fran, a lady of many talents one of which turned out to be a great skittles player. Well done team.

Next month’s meeting is on the 21st March, “Canine Partners” a talk given by Malcolm Wells, sounds like a good evening. So if you fancy a night out, come along to the Village Hall around 7.15 pm and join us, you are very welcome.

Evelyn and Margaret

Embroidery workshop on 23rd March Leicestershire Embroiderers’ Guild are hosting a workshop on ‘Stumpwork’ by renown international embroiderer Kay Dennis on 23 March 2013, from 10.30am till 4.30pm.

Members of the branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, who meet monthly, at Braunstone West Social Centre (otherwise known as St Mary’s Hall) are looking forward to this exciting day.

‘Stumpwork’ is a term for raised embroidery and needlelace often done in the late Elizabethan period. During the day demonstrations will take place to show how to produce the required effects. These techniques will appeal to all textile enthusiasts alike including those who are just starting out.

View Kay’s work on http://www.kaydennis.co.uk/.

Alison Coates, Chair, is extending a warm welcome and looks forward to introducing the fun, friendship and creativity of textiles to all. Alison is certain everyone who comes to the workshop will find it really enjoyable.

If you wish to discover or rekindle the joy of stitch and handling fabrics, please book your place. Refreshments are available and the workshop fee is just £27.00 for non members, plus a small materials fee, with a discount for members. For further details contact Deborah Phillpott (secretary) on 01455 612261.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Letter Dear Sir

Whilst the nation has been shocked to learn of the extent of the horse meat scandal, for many months the UK’s leading equine charities have been working to raise awareness of a major crisis facing our nation’s horses and ponies.

As an animal lover, and President of The British Horse Society, I feel compelled to write to you about the unprecedented and deeply worrying set of circumstances that are facing our horse population and to ask any of your readers who have the time, knowledge and resources to do so, to consider rehoming a horse from a charity.

Information gathered by a number of major equine welfare charities (including The British Horse Society, Blue Cross, Horseworld, RSPCA, Redwings and World Horse Welfare) shows that, as I write, at least 6,000 horses are at immediate risk of needing to be rescued or given new homes.

Sadly the true figure is likely to be far higher. Welfare charities would not be able to cope if even a fraction of this number needed their help – there is simply not enough room in their centres. We need the public’s help more than ever to find new homes for rescued horses. Every rehabilitated horse that can be rehomed from a charity centre frees up a space for another one to be taken in and given the urgent care that it needs.

There are many reasons why our charities are having to help such huge numbers of horses. Decades of unchecked and indiscriminate overbreeding has left us with more horses than the country can cope with. The problems of overproduction have been exacerbated by several years of a difficult economy meaning many people are now unable to afford to keep what can be expensive animals. We have seen an upsurge in horses being abandoned and a visible increase in the problem of fly grazing, the illegal grazing of horses on public and private land.

As someone who has rehomed a horse myself, I know how rewarding the experience is and I would encourage anyone who can to look to a welfare charity for their next horse or pony. There are so many advantages to rehoming over buying, not least the wonderful advice and support that our charities offer, and you know that you will be helping to transform their life.

You can rehome from a wide range of charities – see www.newc.co.uk.

We are facing a very real problem and we cannot ignore it. I would be grateful for any assistance that you can give us in raising public awareness and any of the charities involved would be delighted to provide you with further information.

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11,000 children secure first-choice school places

New figures reveal that almost 11,000 young people have places at their first-choice secondary school.

A total of 97.4 per cent of children have been offered their preferred choice and were being notified by Leicestershire County Council from 1st March.

When schools become academies, they can set their own intake number and admissions process but despite these changes, the council’s headline figure is in line with last year’s which was 98.1 per cent.

This year has also seen almost a two per cent rise in online applications which by reducing stationery and postage costs, has saved the council around £3,000.

The proportion of children given a place at one of their top three choices is 98.9 per cent compared to 99.5 per cent last year.

The percentage offered a place at their second choice is 1.5 per cent and 0.1 per cent for their third choice school.

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

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Sign the petition if you want to keep the lights!

Call for alternate lights to be lit along Sacheverell Way Borough Councillor Ozzy O’Shea Ratby has been contacted by both residents in Ratby and Groby and asked if he could try and get the street lights put back on along Sacheverell Way. Councillor O’Shea fully agrees with residents that the lights along Sacheverell Way should never have been turned off totally. In the winter months it gets dark at 4pm and mothers have expressed concern regarding their children walking home from school.

His suggestion to the County Council has been a simple one: please put every other light back on that would still save money, but give pedestrians protection they deserve from the County Council.

Councillor O’Shea was absolutely flabbergasted at the County Council’s initial reply to him that they intend to take the lights out altogether. He says: “Clearly on this issue the County Council seems to be out of touch with what the local community is asking for.

“One simply has to ask the question; why did the County Council Highways department in 1983 insist that street lighting and a 40mph speed restriction was necessary as part of the design and access safety feature for Sacheverell Way. “How can they now feel able to justify turning the street lights off when traffic has increased four-fold since 1983 when they insisted on street lighting as part of Highway safety? This road is used by children visiting their friends between the two villages. It is heavily used by Joggers and dog walkers. The County Council simply does not appreciate the high foot fall the footpaths along Sacheverell Way have.”

Ozzy O’Shea has been contacted by females who now say they are too frightened to walk their dogs because it is pitch black. He has also had reports of joggers being hit by cyclists riding along the pavement in the dark without lights, and of joggers falling over bottles they cannot see. The list of dangers goes on.

He has put petitions in the various shops in the villages of Ratby Including the Railway Public House and likewise in Groby, and asks that you support him and sign the petition.

• And some good news about the A50/A46 Roundabout ...

Ozzy O’shea reports that, following lobbying of the Cabinet member for Highways, Cllr Lesley Pendleton, work will start this summer on installling traffic signals at the busy A50/A46 roundabout. Scrub clearance to enable signalling/cabling works has already started. This is great news for the residents of Groby and Ratby who queue along Sacheverell Way and Leicester Road each morning to get to work.

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS

A new exhibition about the lives of women in The Workhouse at Southwell opened at the beginning of March.

The exhibition charts the lives of those women during the early 20th century and is brought to life with oral archive of “ordinary” women collected by volunteers over the last 15 years.

Testimonies include those of a former Matron, hairdressers, cooks, auxiliary nurses as well as women and girls from The Workhouse. Together they provide a realistic record of the good things and the bad, the kindness and the cruelty and the seemingly insignificant details which help us interpret the real story of The Workhouse.

The Workhouse is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12.00noon to 5.00pm until 3rd November.

Woolsthorpe Manor, near Grantham, was the home and birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton and the Visitor Experience Manager at the property says that they have seen a huge upsurge in interest in science. He thinks this is partly due to the new breed of “celebrity scientists” like Brian Cox and Dallas Campbell.

Woolsthorpe manor is the place where Newton produced some of his most important work during the plague years of 1665-1667 including splitting light, calculating the shape of the orbit of planets and comets and creating his theory of gravity – inspired by the famous apple tree.

To continue to inspire future scientists, this spring Woolthorpe will focus on the theme of Discovery and Invention and will take part in National Science and Engineering Week from 15th to 24th March. Woolsthorpe Manor is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12.00 to 3.00pm until 24th March and to 5.00pm thereafter.

There are Easter Egg Trails at all local National Trust properties and the one at Calke Abbey is from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st March from 11am to 3.30pm.

The National Trust Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 27th March at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm. Clive Katz (NT) will present an illustrated talk on Lindisfarne Castle.

There will also be an evening meeting on Tuesday 9th April. A short AGM will be followed by an illustrated talk “Growing Up In Leicester” by Cynthia Brown. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone West at 7.30pm.

Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50 and visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For more information on the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Chairman

LOROS prepares to welcome 1600 ladies “Back to Skool” at their annual Twilight Walk There is one night in the LOROS event diary that strikes fear in to the hearts of men all over Leicester, one night that unites mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, a night where the ladies takeover King Power Stadium and paint the town PINK! This night is known as The LOROS Twilight Walk and registration is now open for the event which takes place on Saturday 23rd March.

Year on year LOROS continue to set records with this event and it is now one of their BIGGEST annual fundraisers with last year’s walk raising in excess of £50,000. This year LOROS event organisers have had to stagger start times for the walk in order to allow more people to take part!

This event sees women from all over the East Midlands coming together for the BIGGEST GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN LEICESTER and to raise vital funds for their local hospice.

LOROS encourages participants to embrace the theme and to don fancy dress for the occasion where there will be a scrupulous (demon) headmaster and plenty of playground games to get you warmed up before you take to the streets.

To see more details about the event, a course map and to register please visit www.thetwilightwalk.co.uk.

Men, if you are feeling left out (and brave!) we have plenty of opportunities for volunteers available on the night.

Please call the LOROS fundraising department on 0116 2318431 for more information.

RATBY VILLAGE SOCIETY Open Meetings Ratby Village Society meetings start at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby, on the third Tuesday monthly with the exception of JULY, AUGUST & DECEMBER when there are no meetings.

Admission for members is £1.60 (Membership £5.00) and casual guests £2.50 refreshments included. All welcome.

• 19th March 2013 – Father Trevor Thurston-Smith gives a talk entitled ‘Life as a Curate’.

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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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...

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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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.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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

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Complete the RCC Community Project survey for a chance to win £40 Communities have always been self-reliant and got things done for themselves, and the Rural Community Council knows that volunteering and community activity is very much in evidence in our communities today.

To build up a picture of the breadth of creativity, and shear ‘people power’, the RCC would like to hear about community initiatives and projects happening across Leicestershire and Rutland.

Please tell the RCC what you’ve achieved - whether big or small - by volunteers and community groups in your village, town or neighbourhood. Complete a short questionnaire available on www.ruralcc.org. uk/uploads/community-project-case-studyquestionnaire.htm or hard copy by request to Cath Walker 0116 268 9711.

They are interested in hearing about what you are doing, what’s been done, where you received support from, to inspire other communities.

Each entry has the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw. The winner receives a £40 cheque, and two runners up £25 for their community group or nominated ‘good cause’.

The questionnaire and competition closes Monday 25th March.

Churches Together in Groby wish you a very happy Easter HOLY WEEK AND EASTER, events open to all: th Sunday 24 3pm at the URC ‘Time for Jesus’ – the Easter events through song and music, presented by a joint choir from the NW London churches th Tuesday 26 7.30pm at St P&J ‘As Mark Saw It and Wrote it’ – the impact of the Easter events on this disciple, presented

by Revd. David Newman nd Good Friday 22 Morning and afternoon: Christ In The City Centre 1.00-3.00pm St P&J open for villagers to pause and pray st Easter Sunday 31 Celebration services in both churches:check the websites for details

I went into a hairdresser’s, and all I could see in the back room was a huge set of antlers. I said to the proprietor, ‘What’s that?’

She said, ‘Oh, that’s the new styling moose.’

Did you hear about the girl who went out with a postman?

At the end of the date, he dropped her off at the wrong house.

Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall.

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00 Catch for pre-school

children with a parent or carer.

Every Friday in term time, 9.30-11.30am, at the URC.

Urban Saints held during term time, at the URC - for 5’s to 14’s on Mon - for 15-18’s on Wed and Fri More details on the church websites

Youth Worker Ruth O’Connell 07759 087804 For further information please see websites & church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733

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

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Village Society

TRUE BLUE DANCE CREW WEST END PERFORMANCE 2014

Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events Thursday March 28 - A.G.M. Thursday April 25 - Richard III’s Leicester - Mrs Alison Coates Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 Email: groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

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

True Blue Dance Crew have just received the most amazing news ... the all girl dance team are off to the West End, London, to perform at one of the leading theatres in January 2014 in a variety show with acts from all over the Country.

Coach Angie Phillips said “This day will be the most amazing experience for our dancers, this has always been my childhood dream to dance in the West End, but to take your own dancers means so much more. This is such a prestigious performance, and I will be taking a mixed aged group aged 6 to 24. Some of the Elite Dance team have been with me for over 13 years, they along with our younger members, are all over the moon with the recent news”.

The Group are currently in final preparations for their Annual Show to be staged on April 19th & 20th at Babington College, where the dancers will perform a varied selection of dance routines. The girls will perform three shows over the weekend, all are working extra hard in class to ensure a polished performance for their family and friends.

True Blue Dance Crew are a Community Based Non-Profit making Dance Team – No Exams – No Competitions, they put on an Annual Charity Show and take part in local events, but this year will be even busier with the West End looming.

Little Diamonds, Team Topaz and Team Sapphire Train at Ratby Village Hall on a Saturday Morning, the older girls Inters, Seniors & Elites train at Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, Mantle Road on a Monday Evening.

If you would like any information about the Group, or would like more information regarding Joining one of the 6 Dance Teams, please contact Angie Phillips on 07720 895623 or email at tbdc1@yahoo.co.uk.

TBDC Proud to be associated with Wishes 4 Kids – Fundraising for Terminally Ill Life Limited Children

Use my vote campaign launched by County Council A hairdresser has become the face of a campaign to encourage people to vote in the May 2nd county council elections.

Brodie Cowlam of Burbage, near Hinckley, is one of seven Leicestershire residents featured on new posters, encouraging people to take an interest in local issues and vote.

The county council is involved in people’s everyday lives, through a wide range of topical issues, including: • • caring for vulnerable children and adults • • maintaining and gritting roads • • testing meals for horsemeat • • offering support to local businesses

May’s elections will be crucial, as the newly-elected council will have to take decisions on major savings and the future of its services.

Brodie said: “If you want to have your say on these and other issues, you should vote – rather than just talking about it, I’m going to be voting on May 2nd.”

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Millennium Green News – February / March 2013 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. www.bricklayersarms. net The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm.

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

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.

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’.

The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members

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 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 Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk 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

The Annual General Meeting of the Millennium Green Trust was held on February 25th when a review of the past year was given by the Chairman and plans were made for 2013.

It was felt that 2012 was a successful year with the highlights being the Easter Egg Hunt, combined with our 10th Anniversary celebrations, and the Jubilee Picnic. The Treasurer reported a good year with donations from individuals coming to more than £200 and grants which will enable us to carry out essential repairs. After the AGM tea and coffee was served and a Trust meeting followed when Helen Pearce was elected as the Chairperson for the coming year and David Fawkes was welcomed as a new Trustee.

We are running another Table Top Sale in Groby Village Hall on the morning of Saturday March 23rd. The Sale takes place from 10.00am to 12.00pm (noon) and we need your support if this is to be a success.

Admission is just 50p (accompanied children are admitted free of charge) and refreshments will be available during the morning. There will be a wide variety of stalls including jewellery, T-shirts, paintings, household goods and bric a brac. When you read this there may be a table or two still available. It costs just £6 to book a table. If you want a booking form please phone 0116 2991868. During the morning there will also be the chance to join our 100 Club. This raises a substantial amount of money for regular maintenance.

For just £2 a month you can have a ‘lucky’ number. The draw takes place at the end of each month. The monthly prize during the past year was £75.

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt for young children will take place on Saturday March 30th, beginning at 10.30am and finishing at noon. It costs £1.50 for each child who wants to take part and on finishing the course they will all ‘win’ a small Easter egg. Refreshments are provided for children and adults are welcome to join in at no extra charge, although we welcome donations towards the drinks and nibbles. It is hoped that this event will take place whatever the weather, but if parts of the Green are flooded we may have to cancel!

You can phone 0116 2991868 for more details.

Our regular ‘gardening’ sessions begin on the Green on Saturday April 6th from 10.00am to 12.00pm. There is a break for coffee and biscuits during the morning. All the dates for the year are displayed on the notice board on the Green. If you want more information you can phone 0116 2255712.

Christine Tordoff

Secretary Glenfield Millennium Green Trust.

If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative after you’ve finished with it.

Thanks!

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

d Search Puzzle

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-March 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069

30

http://puzzlemak

Famous Artists Wordsearch L H P A B L O P I C A S S O I G

L H G Y F C S A S V P H E C F T

A Z L O H R A W Y D N A N P E O

G T L G G S M R K Z I I Q N O S

A T O E G N F B K F V F A Y A H

H V E D E Q A R S A R M R L W E

ANDYWARHOL EDGARDEGAS EDOUARDMANET FRANCISCODEGOYA HENRIMATISSE JACKSONPOLLOCK LEONARDODAVINCI MARCCHAGALL PABLOPICASSO PAULCEZANNE SALVADORDALI VINCENTVANGOGH

C V R O B N T V D O D H V U D N

C V R C X P N O T R D A U G K R

R W B S O V D A A N D D A Z B I

A U P I L R E U Z O E R L V D M

Find 12 Famous Artists 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 well-known artists. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your entry to: brushmarks, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by M S N Z L K Wednesday 3rd April 2013. to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry K A W E M C Remember drawn out of the Editor’s beret will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead E E O R S O Hotel. Good luck!

C A E O G R E D C J Y V A

N F D G D U E C K N V P T

A E W A J G W R L E I R I

R R L O A K Q S J U X V S

F I L S B C H H P O A F S

L L O P N O S K C A J P E

Here are the 12 Famous Artists you have to find: ANDY WARHOL • EDGAR DEGAS • EDOUARD MANET FRANCISCO DE GOYA • HENRI MATISSE • JACKSON POLLOCK LEONARDO DA VINCI • MARC CHAGALL • PABLO PICASSO PAUL CEZANNE • SALVADOR DALI • VINCENT VAN GOGH Name: .................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: MRS J.HYMAN of Chapel Hill, Groby. You win a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel.

Congratulations! Your prize will be with you soon.

ARE YOU A KNITTER OR DO YOU KNOW ONE? WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is calling for all knitters to join in The Big Knit this year to raise much-needed funds to help keep local older people warm and healthy this coming winter.

We have pledged to make 28,000 little hats and need your help to achieve this challenging total which will assist our winter warmth campaign 2013.

So far we have collected just 2,500. Innocent drinks will donate 25p for each little hat which will adorn the smoothie bottles sold in Sainsbury stores in November.

Knitters can get the simple knitting patterns online at www.ageuk.org.uk/ leics or by calling the Business Development Manager on 0116 2237344.

Please arrange for your knitted hats to be at Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland (Ref: BDM), Lansdowne House, 113 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7LA by the end of September.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Newark Antiques & Collectors Fair: 4th & 5th April The Newark International Antiques and Collectors Fair is the largest event of its kind in Europe – a world-wide phenomenon, this is one IACF event that needs to be experienced to be believed!

Held at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground on an enormous 84 acre site, up to 2,500 stands attract thousands of dealers and buyers from around the globe every other month.

With its vast number of stands, choice of product is never an issue – there is quite possibly every item you could imagine! From chandeliers and rugs, to sports memorabilia and paintings, not to mention the finest of antique furniture – the possibilities are endless!

Antique fairs can be big and small, but only one can hold the ‘Europe’s largest’ crown – and that’s Newark. Visit www.iacf.co.uk/newark/

My father always used to say: “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. Until the accident.

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

31

I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere.