The Herald Mid-May 2022

MID-MAY 2022

Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth

Luke Jackson Fund Monies WE ARE HAPPY to announce thats monies from the Luke Jackson fund to persons of a pensionable age will be distributed at Thornton and Bagworth Community centres on the 14th of May from 10am to 12 noon.

It will be lovely to see old friends and new at this time. Stanton village distribution will be arranged on another date to be confirmed .

Christian Aid Week House-to-House Collection in Markfield 15th May – 21st May 2022

Christian Aid envelopes will be delivered this year between 15th and 21st May.

We are unable to return to each household to collect the envelopes but we kindly ask those who would like to contribute to return the envelope, with donation enclosed, to any of the listed addresses attached to the envelope.

If you are a UK taxpayer remember to Gift Aid your donation - Christian Aid can receive 25p back from the government for every £1 you contribute, at no extra cost to you.

Just write your name, address (including post code) and amount you are donating on the form attached to the envelope and place it in the envelope with your donation.

Thank you to everyone for your continuing generosity.

Churches Together in Markfield

Field Head housing proposal opposed by local residents

BY NORMAN GRIFFITHS

ALTHOUGH Parish boundaries result in Field Head falling within Groby Parish Council for administrative purposes, for the infrastructure which affects day to day life it is essentially part of Markfield.

Markfield

Lane

The nearest schools, medical facilities, shops, and employment are all in Markfield. Any Le ice Approximate Outline development in Field Head ste of Proposed Housing inevitably has consequences for rR the village, but residents of this oa d development will never contribute to the Markfield community because they will pay local taxes to Charnwood and Newtown Linford Councils. They will also have no democratic say on how the community operates or how resources are allocated.

The news that Davidsons Builders are consulting on the provision of between 100 and 150 new homes on a land locked wedge of land between Leicester Road and Markfield Lane, near the Fieldhead Hotel, has been met with dismay from Field Head and Markfield residents already alarmed by the attractiveness of the area to speculative development.

Davidsons Homes has put together proposals for the land, and would like to build on their 15.9 acre site.

Harvey Singh, 45, who lives off Leicester Road in Field Head told the Leicester Mercury that the company has bought two properties, presumably to connect the development to local roads. The access location suggested is on a bend in Markfield Lane, where the limit is 40mph but the traffic often goes much faster.

“It’s going to be dangerous for traffic turning out on Leicester Road” he said. “Most people will be turning to go onto the A50 and that roundabout is already very busy at times and dangerous because of the speed of traffic crossing the roundabout from the M1 direction towards Leicester. There will be more queues and more accidents.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...>

Stanton Under Bardon Village Hall

Vintage Tea Party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee STANTON UNDER BARDON Village Hall will be hosting a VINTAGE TEA PARTY to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Saturday 4 June 2022 from 2pm to 4pm.

Entry will be by ticket (£5.00) - this will give us some idea as to the numbers to cater for.

Tickets available from Norma Mistry (01530 243622) or Sheila Forryan (01530 245098).

Come and join to celebrate such a wonderful milestone in our Queen’s life.

Mark Stephens

Chairman, Stanton Under Bardon Village Hall Trust

Next Issue Out On 11th June - Adverts & Articles Required By 28th May Please

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Thornton Motorcycle Racer

Promising Start to the Season

Markfield Acupuncture Clinic Acupuncture has proven bene ts in the treatment of a range of medical conditions including the management of Chronic Pain, Migraines, Tinnitus, Fertility, Mental Health and many more. Please get in touch if you have any questions or to book an appointment.

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NINETEEN–YEAR OLD Joe Woodward had an excellent start to his 2022 motorcycle racing season.

After retaining his Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) 250 Championship in 2021, he has moved up to the SuperStock 750 Championship for 2022 on a Honda VFR750 and will continue to compete his VFR400 in the 600 Production Class. The first meeting of the year was held in April on the welsh south coast at Pembrey.

Although this was Joe’s first race meeting on the 750 he managed to qualify on the second row, helped by a pre-race practice day on the Friday.

He continued to improve throughout the weekend, finishing 2nd in the first SuperStock race and winning the other three.

With his ever improving form he was looking forward to entering the 750 into the ACU Post-Classic 750 Championship where he would be competing against a variety of machines from across the Club.

A flying start from another 2nd row qualification saw him second out of the first corner and after losing and gaining some positions he finished in 2nd place. In doing so he also managed to lap under the 750 Superstock lap record. Not a bad start at all for his first meeting on this bike.

The biggest grids within the CRMC is the Production class, which is dominated by Yamaha 600s. Joe races a VFR400 which although is very nimble, is not so powerful, suffering a 5% speed deficit on the fastest 600s.

Despite this he rode exceptionally well to finish on the Podium in all of his races and lie 3rd in the Championship as they go to Brands Hatch next.

If any local businesses or motorsport fans are interested in supporting Joe throughout this season please contact us on smasherbike@outlook.com

Dianne’s Family Disco raised £700 for Cancer Research THE CHARITY Family Disco night on Saturday 30th April at Markfield Community Centre raised £700 for Cancer Research.

It was a great night and everyone had a good time. Organiser Dianne Dowell would like to thank everyone for coming along and supporting the event.

3

Hayley Curd MBAcC is a fully licensed member of the British Acupuncture Council.

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FIELD HEAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT from page 1

Mr Singh added that although a 13ft-wide lane joining the site with Leicester Road had been suggested, this would be a pedestrian route for children walking to school, and would be dangerous as it is a right-of-way for vehicles.

The group formed to oppose the proposal also intends to draw attention to the impact on wildlife. “There has been work already carried out to the site,” explained local resident Linda Allen. “Mature trees have been removed, and a hedgerow has been flailed to virtually nothing. This time last year and in previous years it has been home to an array of birds and wildlife.”

The challenge the residents face is not to be underestimated, and they are appealing for support from the wider community. The site does not have planning permission, but it is reported that the land is earmarked as being suitable for a residential development of up to 150 homes. The Charnwood Borough Council view is said to be that the site is in a suitable location in terms of its access to Markfield, a sustainable location in the Hinckley and Bosworth Core Strategy.

But it is this proximity to Markfield which gives weight to the argument that any development of the site should be considered in the context of the overall vision for the village. Matthew Lay, Borough Councillor for Markfield, has written a comprehensive letter to the agents for the developer, explaining that Markfield has taken steps to provide for its housing requirements, and has a Neighbourhood Plan which has allocated land to the south of the village. This is a significant allocation that is underway and will lead to 284 houses being built over the next 10 years, providing 112 affordable housing units. The Neighbourhood Plan, Cllr Lay explained, ensures that the settlement of Markfield benefits from enhanced protection in national planning policy.

This enhanced protection includes a variation of the requirement for a Planning Authority to maintain a 5 year supply of deliverable housing sites.

For communities with a Neighbourhood Plan this is reduced to 3 years supply, which the Borough Council currently satisfies. The Plan also delivers its housing requirement up to 2039 in full.

We will have to see whether Charnwood Borough Council, who will be responsible for determining any planning application in due course, will take all these factors into account. Some residents may feel that the boundary issue provides the potential developer with a back door into Markfield. What is clear to most, however, is that neither developers nor planning authorities should be allowed to cherry pick the rules in boundary situations like this.

Norman Griffiths

There are two sides to every argument but I don’t have time to listen to yours.

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THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: 01530 244069

Message from Dr Luke Evans MP

info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

I

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HOPE EVERYONE has been enjoying the better weather we’ve been having recently. It had been a bit gloomy, so it’s been nice to see the sun – even if it is deceptively chilly in the wind!

During Parliament’s Easter recess I had grand plans to travel in the first week and enjoy some downtime, but after two years finally Covid caught up with me. I managed to get away for a long weekend away in Derbyshire once my wife and I had recovered, during which we took our whippets Ada and Roux on a few long walks and enjoyed the countryside.

Last month, I was happy to hear that only 2.9% of the people in my constituency of Bosworth aged 16 and above are claiming unemployment benefits. This is below the national average of 4.2% and is testament to the wide range of opportunities, for people of all ages, that we have locally. There are nearly 5,000 businesses in the borough, 90% of which are ‘micro’ meaning they employ 9 people or less.

Opportunities are not only available with jobs… we’re also lucky in the respect that there are plenty of things to do in the community to keep us busy. Whether you’re enjoying walks around our beautiful green spaces and stopping off for lunch, popping into a coffee shop with friends or taking the younger members of your family to some of the fun events planned in Hinckley, we’re all supporting our local economy and those businesses which strive to make us feel welcome.

I recently visited a logistics company in Markfield to discuss issues in the sector and to see how Government interventions are working. I met with a company director

of Central Logistics Solutions and an area manager from the Road Haulage Association to learn how the pandemic and recent events have impacted their business and to hear about the RHA’s concerns surrounding the import and export of good to some European nations.

If you’re a business in Markfield or a surrounding village and would like to arrange for me to visit and learn about your work please contact my office. The same applies if you have an issue you believe I can assist on.

Times are tough and we’re all having to reassess our finances, so those little excursions to the local for a drink one evening or the habitual weekly takeaway become harder to budget for. The rising cost of living is affecting everyone: local businesses are not immune.

Their prices will have to go up, often because of necessity not choice. Rest assured with inflation now at 7%, this is a fact etched on my consciousness as I represent us in Parliament, and will continue to push for solutions to mitigate this. In the meantime, if you are aware of anyone struggling, please do get them to reach out to the council, DWP or my office to see what support is available.

Which leads me to one final reflection: our sense

People who sleep in their socks must be very, very small.

of community. I am always struck by the compassion of people in our area, most recently evidenced in the Homes for Ukraine scheme: over 500 people and counting in Leicestershire have kindly offered to open their homes!

More simply, everyone says hello, asks how you are and I’m always hearing stories of how people are looking out for one another. I hope we can continue to support local businesses too. The last thing any of us want after the pandemic is to lose some of the places that helped us get through the last two years.

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

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THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

good news about Bradgate Stables Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald AT THE LAST full council meeting at Hinckley a report was presented to Councillors outlining the need for urgent remedial action to take place to protect what is left of the Bradgate Stables.

You may wonder where these Bradgate Stables are and you would not need to go far to find them although unfortunately they are on private land and not accessible to the public.

The Stables are just off the A50 on the left as you head towards Leicester leaving Field Head. You can see the top of the tower from the road but not a great deal more.

They once were part of a much larger stately set up that included Bradgate House. Not the Bradgate House you may be familiar with at Bradgate Park I should add. If you like Downton Abbey you will appreciate the mini economic hub these stately homes created with many workers and services provided to them. It was a very grand complex befitting a very wealthy and influential family of its days. It is known that Prince of Wales was a regular visitor, he later became King Edward 7th.

The House is unfortunately long gone but the stables and the House were built together in the 1850s for George Henry Grey who was at the time the 7th Earl of Stamford. The House was renowned for its design and was referred to as the calendar house, as it had 365 windows, 52 rooms and 12 main chimneys. It also had a large ornamental lake created to improve the vista of the location.

The house was only occupied for a relatively short time and was sold for demolition in the mid-1920s while the stable block continued to be utilised. It is suggested that the house was sold to pay off substantial gambling debts that were incurred as a result of betting on the horse racing but this hard to verify and may have simply been an inheritance matter. The house wasn’t sold to be occupied

however, it was sold to be demolished and the parts recycled on other homes and building elsewhere. It is for that reason little trace of the stately home remains which is a terrible shame for something so grand.

The stables however remained. They were built in mock Jacobean style and were considered to be amongst the finest in all the land. In its heyday the stables were used extensively, and the Quorn Hunt was a big event in the hunting calendar often lasting 3 days at a time with a change of horses twice in a day for many. The Earl of Stamford was the Master of the Quorn Hunt which was a key responsibility and is probably why the Prince of Wales was a visitor to the estate. The stables today are a grade 2 listed building placing it within the top 6% of most historically and architecturally important buildings in the country. It also means a statutory responsibility I placed on parties associated with the building including the Council.

The Stables are sadly in a considerable state of disrepair and continue to be identified by Historic England as being “at risk”. In fact the ‘Victorian Society’ named the Stables as one of the 10 most endangered buildings in England and Wales.

There have been years of inaction by the owners to address the condition of the Stables voluntarily and today works are urgently required for their preservation, thus the Council, embarked on the first stages of the Urgent Works process (under Section 54 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990).

This consisted of appointing a conservation accredited structural engineer and associated sub-contractors to survey the Stable complex and to prepare a Schedule of Urgent Works for their preservation. Historic England have granted aided 80% of the costs of this stage of the urgent works process. The Council are now in receipt of the Schedule of Urgent Works and associated specification. The required urgent works consist of vegetation clearance around the perimeter and within the stable complex to allow for access and inspection, erection of scaffolding for

support and access to masonry walls, wall repairs, and specialist conservation work to preserve key architectural features on the stable tower. There is the possibility that the vegetation clearance may reveal the requirement of further works which could be delivered as a second phase. The works are specified to hold good for one year and are the minimum necessary for its preservation.

An appointed Quantity Surveyor has costed the undertaking of the urgent works to be in the region of £290,000. This sum of money was contained in the report that went to the Borough Council and was approved including accepting the offer of 80% of this cost from Historic England.

The next stage of the statutory urgent works process is to present the Schedule of Urgent Works and specification to the owner giving notice that the Council intend to carry out the urgent works within a specified time period, which is normally 14 days.

This will provide the owner with a further opportunity to confirm their intention to undertake the urgent works voluntarily. Should the specified time period for which the owner can confirm they intend to undertake the works voluntarily pass without any confirmation or a clear commitment to the works

Markfield Lawn Mowing Services MOWING, TIDYING, CLEARING

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

7

Football America UK is bowled over by grant support Whilst there was no American football, or any other sport, being played during lockdowns in 2020/21 Markfield-based Football America UK took advantage of this quiet time to make big changes.

then the Council will serve an Urgent Works Notice. The Notice confirms that the Council will undertake the urgent works in default from a date no sooner than 7 days of the notice, which would provide the owner with one final chance to confirm they are seeking to undertake the work voluntarily.

This is a long running saga and over the years little substantial progress has been made to find a more sustainable future for something that in its day was so grand. Feasibility studies have come and gone suggesting uses that would be complimentary but without the full cooperation of the owner little or no progress has ever been made.

In the present climate when developers and speculators hover over the land like vultures on cash fuelled steroids, it’s ironic that when sites like this exists in our midst, desperately in need of investment and innovative uses, suddenly nobody is willing to come forward, the vultures circle back into the clouds. It highlights what has become of our national governance system. Only the richest pickings for our friends while anything that is in the too difficult box gets left behind.

I do so hope a future is found for these magnificent buildings. I wrote about them in one of my very first articles for the than Markfield Clarion some 26 years ago. It was a hopeful article with much talk of renewed interest in the site. It is sad so little progress has been made. Landowners are custodians of our future and they should act accordingly, otherwise they will be judged in time as being no better than vandals.

The business has invested nearly £28,000 in a bid to diversify and expand its current offer. The bold move was facilitated by a business growth grant from the Business Gateway Growth Hub. Football America UK was started in 2008 by former Leicester Panthers player, David Hagger.

David spotted a gap in the market, regarding access to affordable American football equipment, after helping to arrange a charity football match with members of his old team. Today, the business is the main supplier of equipment for university and senior teams across the UK, with plans to expand throughout Europe.

The business supplies 350 American football teams with all forms of equipment including helmets, shoulder pads and gloves which are manufactured in the USA. They also supply official NFL merchandise to fans of the sport.

Another part of the business is team wear - personalised clothing for players and fans including shirts, hoodies, caps and shorts.

Customising these products with their current machines was a labour-intensive process involving vinyl which was heat pressed onto garments. The cutting out of the design and ‘weeding’ bits of vinyl that aren’t needed was taking around 15 to 20 minutes per garment. When orders went up, this process was becoming untenable and compromising their 10-day turnaround delivery promise.

Finance & Operations Manager, Steve McKenzie explained: “We had to offer relatively simple designs on the team wear products otherwise it made the process more costly and even more labour intensive. The other issue was, though we knew about the ‘direct to garment’ printers that could make things a lot more efficient, they were really expensive. PreCovid we’d just not had the time to look into it.”

With the help of a £9,600 grant from the Business Gateway and support from Business Adviser, Aruna Bhagwan, Football America UK made the biggest single purchase of equipment in their history, investing £28,000 for the new printer. They have also taken on one full-time employee and hope to create another parttime role this year as a result of the investment.

Lead time per garment has been cut by 80%, dropping to 3 - 5 minutes. This means instead of 22.5 pieces, they now have the capacity to create around 90 items a day.

Steve continued: “Now that we have this new printer we can create just about any design the teams want and won’t have to turn them away if they require more colours or complexity. We are also looking to diversify into apparel for other American sports in the UK, and other countries, which could potentially see our sales doubling to approximately £40,000 a month.”

He added: “There’s been a bedding-in period moving production from the way we’ve done it for over 10 years to this new printer. We plan to launch some new designs in the next few months then start talking to teams about what they might want.

“We really appreciate this funding.

The grant has allowed us to move forward with a part of the business

Team Football America outside their premises in Markfield, Leicestershire: l-r: Steve McKenzie, Will Jepson, David Hagger, Marcus Hagger, Margaret McGahan, Liam Clarke, Cara McGahan, Julia Hagger.

that we’ve not been able to change for years. Having someone like Aruna to walk us through everything at each point has been so helpful. And because of her support, there were changes made, particularly around the printer quotations which gave us a better chance of success.”

Businesses interested in finding out more about the Business Growth Grant can visit the website https://bizgateway.org.uk/fundingoptions/business-gateway-grant/.

For general business support enquiries call 0116 366 8487 or email growthhub@bizgateway. org.uk

Of the world’s many super-heroes, my favourite is The Ice Cream Man.

8

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

More success for local equestrian Joshua Bailey and Bughill Darcy

LOCAL LAD Joshua Bailey (15) continues competing on 8 yr old Bughill Darcy, following on from his big success competing at STARS Champion of Champions in Aintree, winning the Junior Champion of Champions.

They have continued competing for Atherstone District Riding Club, Atherstone Pony Club, Horse Events and British Show jumping and are still proud to be sponsored by Watlings JCB. In April, they won the National Winter intermediate Championships for the British Riding Club with three super clear rounds, the fastest jump-off time of the whole 3 day competition and to add even more excitement they completed the whole jump off with no stirrups as they lost them as they went over the first jump.

All of the above have been won as an individual, what an achievement!

Joshua remains focused and determined where he will move on to his next goal to achieve.

Fiona Bailey (Proud Mum!)

From the end of 2021 they have gone from strength to strength ...

• Winning and qualifying in the 90/1m Show jumping Sunshine Tour Championships to be held at Hickstead.

• Winning and qualifying in the 90/1m Show jumping SEIB Trailblazer Championships to be held at Stoneleigh.

• Winning the Area 5 and qualifying for the Showing Championships in “Best Turned Out”, “Best Equitation” and “Best Junior Handler” • Winning the Area 5 Championships in “Best Turned Out”, “Best Equitation” and “Best Junior Handler” now qualifying for National Showing Northern Lights Championships to be held at Arena UK. • Winning the Area 7 Show jumping and qualifying for Atherstone Pony Club Championships • Winning the Area 5 Show jumping and qualifying for the Atherstone Riding Club Intermediate Winter Championships held at Bury Farm, Leighton Buzzard.

• Winning the Area 5 Combined Challenge and qualifying for the National Championships to be held at Aston Le Walls.

• Winning the Area 5 Hunter Trials qualifying for the National Hunter Trials held at Eland Lodge • Winning the Area 7 Show Jumping held at Weston Lawns in 90/1m and 1m/1.10m winning both classes.

Thornton Open Gardens 2022 IS YOUR GARDEN your pride and joy? Do you have an interesting feature in your garden or a theme that you think would be of interest to others? If so, why not open your garden?

Services at

Trinity Methodist Church Markfield www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org

FB: Markfield Methodist Church

Sunday 15th May

Christian Aid Service 10.30 a.m. CTiM United Service

Sunday 22nd May

10.30 a.m. Morning worship 6.00 p.m. Taize Prayer

Sunday 29th May

10.30 a.m. Morning worship

Sunday 5th June Flower Festival 4.00 p.m. Songs of Praise

Sunday 12th June

10.30 a.m. Morning worship

Sunday 19th June

CTiM United Service 10.30 Morning worship at St. Michael’s Church

We extend a warm welcome to everyone to join us for worship & praise.

• LOST - several small, playful corgis......

Last seen in the vicinity of The Green, Markfield.

Please help search for them at the Methodist Church Flower Festival in order to reunite them with their grateful owner.

A small reward will be offered if all are found.

Enjoy Reading The Herald?

If so, please pass this copy on to a friend or relative after you’ve finished with it. It’s nice to share!

The Friends of St Peter’s Church in Thornton are holding their Open Gardens 2022 on Sunday 10th July, with gardens open from 1-6pm.

If you live in Thornton and are interested in opening your garden or wish to find out more, please contact us: Lis Muller 01530 231502; Sue Bakewell 01530 230643 or e-mail thornton.opengardens@outlook.com.

Please note: although there is still plenty of time to get your garden ready, we do need you to register your interest with us by 31st May as we need to have a provisional list of willing participants by that date in order for the event to go ahead. Thanks.

Lis Muller My favourite composer is Handel who later teamed up with Hinge and Bracket to form The Doors.

Treasure Hunt!

Pirate Fancy Dress Photo Booth!

BBQ Nerf The Parrot

Coconut Shy

Tombola

Face Paint!

40 ft Pirate Ship Walk The Plank!

10

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk • Tel: 01455 824733 • Web: www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt

LCC Shire Environment Grants 2022/23

Markfield Easter Bonnet Competition I HOPE that you all had a restful Easter Break and are enjoying the lighter evenings now that Spring is with us. On Easter Sunday I was invited to Markfield Library to judge their Easter Bonnet competition.

It was great to see so many colourful and creative masterpieces. The children (and some Adults!) had clearly spent a great deal of time and effort on their bonnets!

My thanks to the volunteers that made this great community event a resounding success!

Burst Mains, Thornton DURING THE MONTH I have been liaising with Severn Trent following recent bursts in Thornton. There has rightly been frustration from residents as a result of these events; in particular ensuring that the public footpaths and highways are restored properly after works have completed. I have made it crystal clear to Highways and Severn Trent that these matters need to be dealt with swiftly and to the highest of standards; and where residents find this not to be the case, please do send me further information.

County Council Cabinet AT A RECENT Cabinet meeting I formally raised my concerns about Leicester City Councils proposed Workplace Parking Levy; in particular their plans NOT to exempt NHS and Emergency Workers from the charge.

This would result in key workers, who work and park in the city, having to find an additional £500 a year! I very much hope that following the public consultation this decision is reversed by the City Council.

At April’s Cabinet I spoke about the benefits that an East Midlands Freeport would bring, including an estimated 61,000 new jobs and £8.9 billion for the local economy over the next 30 years whilst playing a critical role in levelling up the region.

Bardon Hill Community Fund THE NEXT MEETING of the Bardon Hill Quarry Community Fund will take place on Monday 6th June. The Fund is responsible for administering small grants to local community groups. If you know any groups that would benefit from the scheme please do get in touch with Kirsten.HannafordHill@aggregate.com who will be able to take you through the application process.

Stanton under Bardon Mobile Post Office Service THE MOBILE POST office service started in the village on Tuesday 19th April. This is a weekly service, and the van will be parked on the ‘Without Walls’ church car park between 11.00am 12.00pm.

Although this is only an hour a week it is a step in the right direction. Please try to support this service if you can.

Markfield Homemakers

MARKFIELD HOMEMAKERS are a group of ladies that meet on the second Wednesday of the month in the Barn at Little Markfield Farm in the afternoon.

The next meetings are • June 8th - Ian Maber - Jewel in the Crown - Start 2pm • August 10th - Skittles • September 14th - Peter Coombs - Start 2pm For more information call Brenda on 07774 047571. All welcome.

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council is committed to improving the local environment through waste pre-vention and reuse to minimise the amount thrown away, reducing carbon and improving biodiver-sity. In order to help eligible community-based organisations, achieve this, the Council is offering up to £3,000 in the form of SHIRE Environment Grants.

The Council is particularly interested in funding new and innovative projects that will meet one or more of the grant scheme outcomes: • To reduce the amount of household waste produced in Leicestershire • To reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions within communities • To improve biodiversity and support the creation, protection, enhancement and manage-ment of sustainable green spaces • To raise awareness and understanding on the above outcomes as well as providing necessary training and skills to manage and support projects.

The Council is keen to support projects that can maintain or build on some of the positive environ-mental benefits that have arisen from the current Covid 19 situation, such as reduced carbon emis-sions, increased biodiversity, improved air quality, greater appreciation of nature and green spaces etc.

Although applications can be received at any time, the SHIRE Environment Grants scheme will op-erate a series of deadlines and decision meetings.

The remaining deadlines for 2022 / 23 are listed below: • Friday 24th June 2022 with decisions made by Friday 29th July 2022 • Friday 28th October 2022 with decisions made by Friday 25th November 2022 • Friday 24th February 2023 with decisions made by Friday 31st March 2023 Further information on the application process can be obtained via: environmentgrant@leics.gov.uk or by calling 0116 305 7005.

Roving Surgeries I BELIEVE it is really important that local councillors are accessible not just via email or telephone, but in person. As such I will be reintroducing face to face surgeries in the form of “coffee mornings” over the coming months.

The first of these will be in May when I will be meeting with residents of the retirement village (Markfield Court) for a cuppa and catchup on all things local. I will publicise future catchups, as they are scheduled across the villages, over the coming months.

If you would like to discuss or raise any local issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch, Best wishes,

Peter

(County Councillor for Markfield, Desford & Thornton) E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt www.twitter.com/PeterBedfordMDT

The power of earphones YOU ARE MORE likely to engage with a podcast if you listen to it through your earphones, rather than a speaker.

You feel closer to what you hear, and are therefore more likely to change your views and behaviour.

Those are the findings of recent research at the University of California, San Diego. As one scientist put it: “Headphones produce a phenomenon called in-head localisation, which makes the speaker sound as if they’re inside your head. As a result, people perceive the communicator as warmer, feel more empathically toward them, and are more easily persuaded by them.”

Dinosaurs are cool, but what have they done lately?

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

11

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THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

The Markfield DEFIBRILLATOR Project MAY UPDATE

Our Report wouldn’t be complete without a photo!

HERE IS Les Young of the Queen’s Head, Ashby Road, looking suitably delighted with his newest acquisition.

This month’s two places of honour go to the Queen’s Head on Ashby Road and Les Young and his customers for their enthusiasm, which was rewarded with one of the AEDs and Cabinets from HeartbeatUK - and to Markfield Library.

The Project had put the Library in touch with HeartbeatUK, from whom the Library have received their AED and Cabinet. Huge thanks to both for their support for the Project, plus also, of course, to HeartbeatUK. When installed both AEDs will provide full 24 hour emergency access.

Hopes, dreams and plans must cope with frustrations, disappointments and real life.

This Project has been no different, but all challenges should have solutions.

• HIGH ON THE list has been demand and supply. Most AEDs and Cabinets come from the USA. Hence the delays with ‘promised’ items. Compromising on quality, nor a magic wand, are solutions, but for the Project working with good, helpful contacts with

information and links has been vital, plus listening, learning and luck.

Across the community different ways are being found to meet the need.

• ANOTHER REALITY is that a village will only have a limited number of suitable keen public/ commercial locations with 24 hour 365 days a year access which are spread across the locality to provide a maximum geographical AED availability.

Cardiac Arrest survival depends on fast treatment, with little more than 10 minutes before a victim cannot be saved, and the chances of a proper recovery decreasing by 10% per minute, the Ambulance Service advise that the distance to an AED should not be much more than 300 metres. BUT Most of Markfield with its hills, footpaths and twisty roads makes nonsenses of both the distances and the time taken to reach an AED and return to the victim, even in a car.

Much thought has gone into choosing locations, even drawing circles on maps and talking and planning with actively keen owners. Not, as my friends suggest, just visiting our Pubs!

Which leads me neatly to the Bull’s Head, who at the time of writing have nearly finished the paperwork stage to acquire an AED and Cabinet. Hopefully June’s photo gallery will also include newly installed AEDs at the Library and in the Community Centre’s Cabinet which is expected daily from the USA, while the Industrial Estate are getting ever nearer.

I’ve not forgotten Chitterman Way and all of us who live between it and Launde Road!

I’ve been in discussion with the Post Office/Village Store for some time, hopefully they can join “the club” very soon, and I am also

working on another site or two for this area. While the Coach and Horses AED is a wonderful beacon as one comes up the A50.

DID YOU KNOW? That similar numbers of men and women suffer cardiac arrests, but fewer women than men who suffer one outside hospital will receive resuscitation treatment. (The New Scientist Magazine) The consequences are sadly obvious, as is at least one solution – Resuscitation Training.

While the AED Project already has its hands more than full, I have spoken with several organisations who will be more than willing to help in providing training, and I have thoughts as to how and through whom this might best be organised.

Thank You

This month’s thank you is to all who have put up with me since I started this Project.

I know at times mine may have been the last phone call or visit you needed, but your politeness, patience and support have been superb. As has your obvious determination for us to “get there”.

We all know that in life actions speak louder than words, so thank you for putting aside the time to make sure that you and the Project get there for the benefit of Markfield, young and old, women and men, residents and visitors.

As more and more of Markfield’s AEDs become fully operational in next month’s Herald the Project will give the facts as to how the system will work.

What do I do if ... ?

2 CARPETS FOR £50

To support the Project, or help one of the AED sites, or to find out more about the Project please contact Robert at

Don’t forget to send us your news!

MarkfieldAEDProject@outlook.com

If I only knew then what I know now but keep forgetting.

Phil Durham

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

IT’S BACK!

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

National Forest Walking Festival is Back SUSPENDED FOR THE past two years, the National Forest Walking Festival is back with lots of different types of walks taking place throughout the forest, making it accessible to all. Local community group, Ministry of Nordic Walks, will be leading some of them in nearby Groby, Ratby, Markfield and Thornton as well as providing some bluebell walks and some Nordic walking courses in the National Forest in early May. May is national walking month and is one of the best times to be outdoors in the National Forest. The drama of spring blossom, the heady scent of bluebells carpeting ancient woods, and the chance to see wildlife in abundance are all wonderful for the mind and soul.

LEAD GUITARIST WANTED To Join Local Band “Rustica” Markfield/Leics - Gigs Under Negotiation Please Contact John on 07780 434758

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Look out for the surprising range of wildlife in and around the Forest, and marvel at the geological stories beneath your feet. Included are many “wildlife” themed walks giving plenty of opportunity to celebrate and learn about nature.

The booklet containing the many different and varied walks (including history and geology walks, forest bathing, Nordic walking, trail running and of course nature walks) can be downloaded from the website https://www.nationalforest.org/visit/national-forestwalking-festival and the walking festival takes place between the 14th – 26th May.

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14

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community Library News Easter event

WHAT A GLORIOUS day it was on Easter Sunday! We celebrated with our Easter egg hunt and Easter bonnet competition.

It was wonderful to see so many of you who turned up to support this event and we thank you all. These events are put on for the community by volunteers on behalf of the library. It is so pleasing to see everyone come together and give up their time to make these events happen. Hot and cold drinks, cakes and biscuits were provided

by Markfield WI, thank you so much!

We would also like to thank Morrisons in Coalville for their kind donation and a special thank you to County Councillor Peter Bedford, who not only gave up his free time to judge our bonnet competition (a very hard job may I add, as there were so many amazing creations!) but also by making a personal financial contribution to provide prizes to support the whole event.

Summer Reading Challenge

IN THE FOLLOWING months, we will be promoting our Summer Reading Challenge.

Information for this can be found on our Facebook page, website, or you can pop in to the library and speak to one of our lovely volunteers.

Platinum Jubilee

WITH THE Platinum Jubilee fast approaching we have set a goal to sign up 70 new members here at the library.

If you haven’t got a library card already, please pop in and obtain one!

You will then have free access to our computers and internet, reading books and e-books, as well as access to printing, photocopying and hot drinks.

We are thrilled that our Trustee and Volunteer Co-ordinator Julie Grace, along with husband Eddie, have received their invitation to Leicestershire County Council 70 at 70 Platinum Jubilee Garden Party. Julie and Eddie

were nominated by Trustees for their work which contributes to the success of Markfield Community Library. Eddie volunteers as handyman and has taken over some of the premises’ work from Chris Robson. We hope they have a lovely afternoon and look forward to the photographs!

Defibrillator

BY THE TIME you read this, it is intended that the library will have installed a defibrillator outside for the benefit of the community.

Begin your archery journey with Start Archery Week

ARCHERY GB are organising ‘Start Archery Week’ which is run nationally throughout the country between 14th & 22nd May 2022, and Kirby Muxloe Archery Club will be participating in this by holding various events throughout the week at Jubilee Playing Fields, Markfield.

•

On Sunday 15th May we are holding a ‘Have a Go’ session from 1.30pm to 3.30pm whereby you can just turn up and shoot.

•

On Thursday 19th May we are holding a pre-bookable 2-hour archery session, which is a more in-depth archery session.

•

On Sunday 22nd May from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, there’s a ‘Have a Go’ session, just turn up and shoot.

We are very grateful to Heart Beat UK for supplying the defibrillator in exchange for a donation. This is part of a wider surgery community initiative, led by Robert Quiney, who we thank for all his help.

Everyone is welcome to just turn up and have a go at archery, there will be coaches and experienced archers on hand to guide people through their first experience of archery.

Margaret Bowler, Chair – Markfield Community Library Claire Harris, Events Co-ordinator

Kirby Muxloe Archery Club has been based at Markfield’s Jubilee Playing Fields at Altar Stones Lane, Markfield, LE67 9PN since last year. We normally shoot outdoors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Archery is a great sport to take part in - either individually or as a family. We at Kirby Muxloe A.C. pride ourselves on being a friendly family club, and archery is one of the few sports where male, females, juniors, disabled and able bodied people can all compete together at the same time.

Our next beginners course is being held over three Sundays in June, so if anyone is interested in completing a beginner course please check our website for details.

The pre-bookable session must be booked in advance with the club secretary via email: secretary@k-m-a-c.org

NASA would be a lot more popular if once in a while they’d fight some Klingons.

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

15

ENHANCING BAGWORTH

THE MEMBERS of the Bagworth Forward Group (BFG) were very pleased that the Spring Fair, which they recently organised at the Community Centre, went so well.

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to support us and our village.

There was quite a diverse selection of different stalls selling many different products. In addition hot food and drinks were available. Most of the food sold out which was a really good sign. The weather was also kind. From this event, BFG raised £700 and this will be used, as always, to enhance the life of the village of Bagworth.

In the very near future, this money will be used to pay for the summer plants which will be planted in the planters which BFG owns around the village. If you happen to live close to a planter, please feel free to look after it and water it as required. The larger planters do contain a reservoir of water but they can be thirsty when we have hot, dry spells of weather. You will not only be helping the village but also creating a lovely scene, not only for villagers but also for all of those people who simply pass through Bagworth.

Bob Austin

Don’t forget to send us your news.

Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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How long do you have to work at KFC before they make you a colonel?

16

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Planning Apps Proposed conversion of former Public House into 6no. self contained flats and erection of 3no. terrace houses with associated parking, amenity space, cycle store and refuse/recycling facilities - at The Reservoir Inn 286 Main Street Thornton Coalville Leicestershire LE67 1AJ

More Tae Kwon Do success for Lex Cook

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst point out that: “Steps are very simple to track, and there is a rapid growth of fitness-tracking devices.”

Proposed single storey rear extension measuring 6.0 metres in depth; 3.10 metres in height to the ridge; and 3.10 metres to the eaves - at 6 Branting Hill, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DB

Proposed first floor side extension and changes to external fenestration - at 207 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DT Proposed single storey side and rear extension (following demolition of existing garage) - at 30 Woodbank Road Groby Leicester Leicestershire LE6 0BN

A RECENT STUDY has found that doing 6000 steps a day can reduce your risk of an early death, if you are aged over 60. People under the age of 60 should aim for between 8000 and 10,000 steps a day.

However, taking more than 8000 steps a day has no particular benefit, and the oft-repeated mantra that everyone should take 10,000 step a day has no grounding whatever in science. (The 10,000 steps idea came from a 1964 Japanese marketing drive to sell pedometers!)

Rear extension measuring 4.35 metres in depth; 3.00 metres in height to the ridge; and 3.00 metres to the eaves - at 18 Beech Close Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9RT

Proposed two storey rear and first floor side extension - at 19 Fern Crescent, Groby, Leicester LE6 0BF

What 6000 steps a day can do for you

The major thing to remember is that there is a “lot of evidence suggesting that moving, even a little more, is beneficial, particularly for those who are doing very little activity.”

CONGRATULATIONS to Tae Kwon Do enthusiast Lex Cook - aged 15 - who won Gold for sparring in his first tournament at the British Championships, and two Silvers for sparring at the English Championships.

Lex qualified as a Black Belt in April 2022.

His next challenge is in the Welsh Championships later this month. Good luck Lex!

Don’t forget to send us your news!

And I Quote ...

RETIRE from your job but never from meaningful projects.

Stephen R. Covey LET US be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust

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The captain made me wear trousers that were far too small for me. He ran a tight ship.

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

COST OF LIVING Your Support Is Even More Urgently Needed

MP visits Dove Bank School

THIS MONTH, millions of households in the UK will be pushed into fuel poverty as the higher cost of energy really begins to bite.

So warns CAP (Christians Against Poverty). “Now more than ever, people in financial crisis need urgent help.” CAP uses the example of Jayne, a single mum who fell into debt after her dad died. Jayne tells how her life became an endless cycle of debt, misery and fear.

In desperation, Jayne phoned CAP for help. A few months later, she is on her way to becoming debt-free, and meanwhile she has become a Christian, joined a local church, and has developed money skills for life. As CAP explains, this means that Jayne is now far better prepared to withstand the growing cost of living crisis this autumn.

If you would like to help those in need, or if you need help yourself, please go to: https://capuk.org

17

SECOND HAND

BOOK SALE Saturday 21st May 2022 10 am to 2 pm 12 Field Court Road Groby LE6 0DG Need some books to take on your next holiday?

Need something new to read?

• Hardback • Paperback £4 and less • Romantic/Rom-Coms • Psychological Thrillers • Young Adult/Teen • Some Children’s All in fantastic condition.

And there may even be a home made cake available. Cash Only.

THE ARCHAEOLOGY of LEICESTER CASTLE TO COINCIDE with our work on democracy and British Values at Dove Bank Primary School, we were visited by our local MP, Dr Luke Evans.

Dr Evans enjoyed a tour of the school and met with the School Council, who asked him a range of questions about his role in the government.

He was accompanied by his press officer and his researcher, and we were also joined by our Chair of Governors, Mrs Melville.

Our visitors loved the school and, as ever, we were very proud of all of the children for how they conducted themselves.

Andrea Fletcher Deputy Headteacher

A talk by Mathew Morris Tuesday 17th May 2022 at 7.30 pm The Methodist Church Rooms, Main Street, Markfield Non-members £3 to include refreshments www.markfieldhistory.org

So I went to the sweet shop and said ‘Do you do Twix?’ He said ‘I’m quite good at juggling.’

18

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Local Church Services DATE DATE DATE

Dear Friends, IN RECENT news coverage of Partygate, there’s been a lot about rules.

There has, rightly, been outrage at those who have disregarded the rules, when others have paid high personal costs for abiding by them. Nobody acts completely alone: our actions impact on others.

And yet … perhaps we also sometimes love a rebel. Whether that’s Jackie Weaver in that Zoom meeting … Ukrainian troops on Snake Island telling a Russian warship to “go away” (very rudely), or my Gran, who at nearly 80 bought red shoes as an act of defiance against old age and ill health.

Being a Christian can seem to be all about rules- and indeed, for Christians, God is in charge, though not in a cruel way. God loved us first, and we respond. But the hope of new life that we celebrate at Easter is also rebellious. It weeps over our troubled world- but says “Things don’t have to be like this. A fairer, more peaceful, more loving world is possible.”

The “buzz” of Easter may be fading somewhat by now. But I hope that we can carry the hope forward with us. The hope that we aren’t doing life alone, but with a God who loves us - and the hope that things can be better.

Judith Lincoln

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

MARKFIELD METHODIST CHURCH WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

CHURCH CHURCH CHURCH

TIME TIME TIME

15 May 22 St Michaels and 10.30am 15 May 22 22 St Michaels and and 10.30am10.30am 17 April Michaels AllStAngels, All Angels, All Angels, Markfield Markfield StMarkfield Peter's, Copt 3.00pm St Peter's, Copt 3.00pm Oak St Peter's, Copt 3.00pm Oak StOak Peter's, 10.30am St Peter's, 10.30am Thornton St Peter's, 10.30am Thornton St Mary's, 10.30am Thornton St Mary's, Stanton under 10.30am Stanton under St Mary's, 10.30am Bardon 22 May 22Bardon StStanton Michaels under and 3.00pm 22 May 22 St Michaels and 3.00pm AllBardon Angels, All Angels, Markfield 24 April 22 St Michaels and 3.00pm Markfield StAll Peter's, Copt 6.00pm Angels, St Peter's, 6.00pm Oak Copt Oak Markfield St Peter's, 10.30am St Peter's, Copt St Peter's, 10.30am6.00pm Thornton Thornton Oak St Mary's, 10.30am St Mary's, St Peter's, Stanton under 10.30am10.30am Stanton under Thornton Bardon 5th June 22Bardon StSt Michaels and 10.30am Mary's, 5th June 22 St Michaels and 10.30am10.30am All Angels, Stanton under All Angels, Markfield Bardon Markfield St Peter's, Copt 6.00pm St Peter's, Copt 6.00pm 10.30am 1 May 22 St Michaels and Oak Oak All Angels, St Peter's, 10.30am St Peter's, Markfield 10.30am Thornton Thornton St Peter's, Copt 6.00pm St Mary's, 10.30am St Mary's, Oak under 10.30am Stanton Stanton under Bardon St Peter's, 10.30am Bardon

SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE CTiM United Service at Methodist church CTiM United Service at Methodist CTiM United Service church at St Michaels Holy Communion Holy Communion

Holy Communion

Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer

J22 Community Service with HC J22 Community Service with HC

J22 Community Service with HC

Holy Communion Holy Communion

Holy Communion

Evening Prayer Evening Prayer

Holy Communion Evening Prayer Holy Communion Something Different Service Something Holy Different Service Communion J22 Jubilee Service Different Service J22 Jubilee Something Service Songs of Praise (4pm Jubilee Tea) Songs of Praise (4pm Jubilee Tea) J22 Community Service All Age Service All Age Service

Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion

All Age Service Thornton 12 June 22 St Michaels and 11.00am10.30am Outdoor Benefice Service at Little Markfield St Mary's, Holy Communion 12 June 22 St Michaels and 11.00am Outdoor All Angels, Farm Benefice Service at Little Markfield Stanton under All Angels, Farm Markfield Bardon Markfield

St Peter's, Copt 11.00am Outdoor Benefice Service at Little Markfield St Peter's, 11.00am Outdoor Oak Copt Farm Benefice Service at Little Markfield Oak Farm St Peter's, 11.00am Service at Little Markfield 8 May 22 St Michaels and 10.30am Outdoor Benefice Morning Prayer St Peter's, 11.00am Outdoor Thornton Farm Benefice Service at Little Markfield ThorntonAll Angels, Farm St Mary's, Outdoor Benefice Service at Little Markfield Markfield 11.00am St Mary's, Outdoor Stanton under 11.00am Farm Benefice Service at Little Markfield St Peter's, Copt 3.00pm Farm Praise Service Stanton under Bardon Oak Bardon 19 June 22 St Michaels and 10.30am United Service at St Michael’s 19 June 22 St Michaels and 10.30am 10.30amUnited ServiceJ22 at StCommunity Michael’s Service with HC St Peter's, All Angels, All Angels, Markfield Thornton Markfield St Peter's, Copt 3.00pm 10.30am Holy Communion St Mary's, Morning Prayer St Peter's, 3.00pm Holy Communion Oak Copt Stanton under Oak St Peter's, 10.30am Morning Prayer Bardon 10.30am St Peter's, Morning Prayer Thornton Thornton 15 May 22 St Michaels and 10.30am Morning Prayer St Mary's, 10.30am J22 Community Service with HC St Mary's, J22 Community Service with HC All under Angels,10.30am Stanton Stanton under Markfield Bardon Bardon St Peter's, Copt 3.00pm Holy Communion

Oak St Peter's, 10.30am Thornton St Mary's, 10.30am Stanton under CHARITY works for and with Bardon

Morning Prayer

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 15 – 21 MAY

J22 Community Service with HC

THE people of all faiths and none, as well as with churches and other organisations, to promote sustainable development, strive for social justice and peace and pursue their vision of a world without poverty.

“QUEEN, COUNTRY & COMMONWEALTH” FRIDAY 3RD JUNE 10.30 – 4.30 SATURDAY 4TH JUNE 10.30 – 4.30 CAKE STALL & TOMBOLA A.M. BACON BUTTIES 11.00 – 1.00

SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 11.00 – 3.30 “SONGS OF PRAISE” – 4.00 FREE ENTRY * REFRESHMENTS

In 37 countries, they support poor and marginalised people, whatever their beliefs, sexuality, gender and ethnicity, to lift themselves out of poverty.

For more info about Christian Aid – their website is christianaid.org.uk.

Again, this year the wonderful Good Neighbour Scheme volunteers will assist with delivering the envelopes, alongside Church members. We thank them all so much for helping with this and everything else in the village.

During this week, you should have your envelope through your door and if you wish to donate there will be addresses given for you to drop your donation to, and details for a donation online (if you haven’t received your envelope and would like one, then please contact one of the Churches below and we can get one to you).

You are all invited to the Christian Aid Week United Service in the Methodist Church, opposite the Green, on Sunday 15th May at 10.30 am.

The speaker is Christian Aid’s Jez Gowers-Cromie, Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for the East Midlands. There will also be a Coffee Morning held in September at the Methodist Church in aid of Christian Aid. • Markfield Churches – working together for our community • Methodist – www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org or FB • Parish Church – j22churches.org.uk • Congregational Church – FB • Catholic Church – www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk

I’ve been having trouble with hate mail. It’s the price of stamps.

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

Local Development Plan

Borough Councillors’ Report From Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

MEMBERS WILL be aware that the Local Plan submitted by the LibDem Administration , although delayed for a year, us not being supported by LCC.

19

DON’T MISS

OPEN FARM SUNDAY 12TH JUNE

AT LITTLE MARKFIELD FARM

A question has submitted to the next Planning committee which is on May 10th asking wether HBBC has sought legal opinion given LCC’s stance on this draft Local Plan. The response is somewhat evasive mentioning the Government’s request to increase the number of homes to be supplied but then goes on to describe a “nutrient neutrality “ issue which only affects Twycross and Norton Juxta because of the river Mease so no answer at all.

However, Chris has further probed Chris Brown , the new Director of Planning at HBBC , in regard to the Local Plan and he has admitted that it needs more work so therefore not fit for purpose.

10.30am to 3.30pm See Little Markfield Farm Facebook page for more info.

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel: 0116 2912796 or 07306 390543 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com

Building Control and Housing are now involved and at Ozzy’s request, the site is somewhat now more secure and a meeting has been arranged with Officers and the owners upon Ozzy’s return from holiday.

Meanwhile , Chris has also pressed Chris Brown to determine wether they consider the site so unsafe as to further consider wether it should be demolished under a section 215 order.

Tara House THIS ISSUE has been going on far too long despite repeated requests by both of us to take action in terms of safety by HBBC.

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Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808 585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Govt help with rising fuel costs.

A LOT OF residents have contacted us regarding the payment of £150.00 to residents by the Conservative Government to help with rising fuel costs.

All we know right now is that HBBC are aiming for payments for those who qualify to be paid at the end of May.

Chris &Ozzy Working for you.

WISE WORDS on TRUTH

I am a firm believer in the people.

If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.

Abraham Lincoln The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.

Robert H. Schuller

Mobile, Visiting Chiropodist, Podiatrist SUFFERING FOOT PROBLEMS? Why not have them treated in the comfort of your own home?

Treatments include: Corns, Callus, Nail Cutting, Nail Problems, Diabetic Foot Care, Plus More.

Please contact Christine at Stepwell Podiatry

Tel: 07954 052 736

Or email: stepwell.pod@gmail.com

I find the hardest thing about voting with your feet is doing a handstand in the polling booth.

20

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

More Bagworth History ... from Bob Austin THE FOLLOWING are notes made by Rosemary Raynor who lived in the village and was very interested in village history.

Farms and owners/farmers: Wiggs Farm – Whitehead. White House Farm Tom C Baines until 1933 then a Mr White Demolished. Laurels Farm J H Insley Rebuilt. Manor Farm James Hill Demolished.

Wood Farm H Dilkes Dick Wood Rebuilt 1800. Home Farm William Sperry and later Frank Thompson Demolished. Estate Farm next to Laurels Farm Demolished. Station Farm Bloxsom Demolished.

Wood Farm where Bert Dilkes lived is still there, I understand that it got its name from a former tenant Dick Woods as all of these homesteads belonged formerly to the Countess of Warwick who also had land in and around Thornton, stretching as far as Botcheston, Stanton under Bardon and Desford.

The catalogue of the sale of her property in this area runs to 57 pages and included many cottages as well. There is a brick at Wood Farm inscribed with the words rebuilt and a date in the 1700s or 1800s.

Manor Farm at the bottom of Main St. was a big L shaped 17th Century house with a very pleasant landscaped garden overlooking the valley towards Thornton. Desford Colliery was sunk at the further end of this farm in 1900. Mr James Hill was the farmer and later his son P Hill until the Second World War. [For some reason she does not mention Poplar Farm, still operating as a farm today on Station Road.]

Farming in the 1920s and 1930s was very hard, mostly using manpower and horses. Mr Shepherd [Bagworth Park] had the first tractor in the district, an old Ford with an iron seat and spade lug wheels, no rubber tyres then.

Milking was done by hand and a very slow job it was. It was hot and sticky in the summer, but not a bad task on a cold winter morning. No one thought of hygiene though, cow’s udders weren’t washed, if they were very dirty through lying in the sheds all night, just a quick wipe over with an old piece of sacking. Old sack bags particularly ‘railway’ ones were very useful, draped over the head on a rainy day, or tied around the farmhand’s legs with string or ‘binder twine’ they helped to keep out the cold or rain. L.M.S. railway sacks were thick and closely woven, better than the ordinary farm sacks.

Old sacks were also much in demand by the women for floor coverings as rag rugs. These were made by having old coats or

trousers cut in strips, about 1 inch by 3 inches and threaded through the sacking with special hooks.

This was done mainly during the dark winter evenings; the whole family often joined in and were the only covering that could be afforded on the cold, brick floors.

Houses were all cold, usually damp and draughty. It was quite usual to find a film of ice on a cup of water left overnight by the bed. Most bedrooms didn’t have fireplaces, but even where there was one, fires were only lit if someone was ill.

Although there was a colliery in the village, coal was dear and wood was scarce. The nearest wooded land was 5 or 6 miles away. The

farms were mostly grass land with a few fields for wheat and root crops, swedes or turnips to feed the cows.

Until the wartime ploughing orders came in, a lot of the fields showed the old middle ages furrow type of farming from before the Enclosure Acts.

Bagworth Park is a large, old house once surrounded by a moat and is called Bagworth Moats on old maps. It was used as a garrison for the troops during the Civil War and Mr Shepherd, the owner, has a cannon ball which was found in the bed of the moat. It is situated in the valley between Bagworth and Thornton by the Cross Hills Chapel. Occasionally the chapel

treat was held in the Park with tea and salmon sandwiches laid out in the Chapel schoolroom. This was the first time I ever tasted salmon.

I didn’t even know it was a fish or that what we were enjoying had come out of a tin. I just thought it was the most wonderful food I had ever tasted.

Food in tins was sold in the village branch of Coalville Co-operative Society. But farmers usually ate what they could grow themselves.

Even tinned peaches were a very rare treat, usually eaten only at Christmas and birthdays. There was always plenty of meat available.

Pigs could be kept and old hens which had finished laying were killed and cooked slowly on the huge coal range ovens. The kitchen was always the warmest place in the house; they were usually very large rooms. The older people would sit round the stove talking and sewing while the young ones would romp at the other end causing much interference.

Sometimes our noisy play became too loud and then we were quickly packed off to bed. There always seemed to be plenty of aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents around, everyone seemed to live together quite happily and there were always lots of visitors. People used to just drop in quite casually and tea and homemade cake was always produced, sometimes even Grandma’s special ‘herb beer’.

My job in the spring was gathering dandelions for that.

Near the sink in the scullery or ‘back kitchen’ an old enamel bucket always stood. Into this all scraps were put, tea leaves, scrapings of food from plates. There was not much of the latter as the rule was, eat everything off your plate or out it came again at the next meal.

All of these scraps were for the pigs, including huge pans of ‘pig potatoes’ which were boiled every day. These were the small ones that couldn’t be sold. This was mixed with dry flour from the miller into a warm mash. The pigs were fed with this twice a day.

Farmers’ wives relied on backdoor sales for their housekeeping money.

Butter, eggs, cream, potatoes, apples or garden fruit in season, were all sold at the back door. No one ever went to the front door, these were rarely opened, usually only for funerals and weddings.

At the Manor Farm, although the front door opened straight onto a pleasant lawn, the usual way into the garden was out of the back door, across the top walled yard and through the woodshed door, quite a long way round.

Mr and Mrs Boddington lived in the farmhouse next to Insley’s and

If you ever go for a walk with the Scissor Sisters, make sure they’re pointing away from you.

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

Notes written c1999 worked for R L Shepherd who had taken over the farm. The first people I remember there were the Hopleys who had a little girl staying with them called Celia Derbyshire.

They made Leicester cheese to sell. At Laurel Farm Mr and Mrs Insley had a daughter called Amy. At Wood Farm – Mr and Mrs Dilkes had a daughter Jenny who married Mr Harvey. He later set up Harvey’s Transport.

Next door to the Barrel Inn was the chip shop [the site of which now has a miner’s tub. It is on Main Street] which was originally built inside the old cattle pound where any stray cattle were impounded or kept until they were claimed.

On the left of the street below Mr Dilkes garden is the Bier House built in 1932. Before that the coffin of anyone who died in the village was carried by bearers up to the churchyard. I remember my father in the 1920s waiting on the corner of Main St. and Station Rd. to be a bearer at the funeral of the farmer’s wife at the farm next door to the Club. (We lived at White House Farm on the corner on the other side of the Club. The Club was then like a private house, with a new long skittle alley which backed onto our garden.)

Opposite the Bier House were two small cottages which were inhabited by Mr Orme and Mr and Mrs Rossall and family. Both families attended Cross Hills Baptist Chapel where Mr Orme used to occasionally preach. He was bald and kept his steel rimmed glasses in place with a piece of elastic round the back of his head. He kept bees and sold honey in the village. He also had a huge stocking frame in his living room which made the tiny room very dark. There is one like it in Leicester Museum.

At the bottom of Main St. was Mrs Radford’s dingy little shop.

(She always rewarded us with 5 aniseed balls, small hard sweets like marbles, when we ran errands for her. I’ve hated the taste of aniseed ever since. She sold sweets and soft drinks called pop in bottles that were sealed with glass marbles. She didn’t sell much else.) She always wore long black dresses with high

boned necks trimmed with thin lace. When we knew her she must have been quite old and rarely seemed to go out.

Further on down a short lane was Manor Farm, a big 3 storied L shaped building. Many of the windows were bricked up so it must have been built before the window taxes. Inside, the shutters had been nailed across and made into shallow cupboards. My uncle, Percy Hill, lived there but his father bought it at the Countess of Warwick’s sale. Before that he must have been a tenant as all of my aunts and uncles were born there. Desford Colliery was sunk on his land and there are documents in the family relating to this and also giving him sole carrier rights at the time. I think the peculiar bumps in the home field below the farmhouse must originally have been some of the topsoil from excavating the mine. The house was demolished by the National Coal Board in the 1960s. There are only two or three mature trees left now which were in the garden.

Down the hill into the valley beyond the railway line is Bagworth Park which was once a moated Grange. During the civil war soldiers were barracked there and Mr R L Shepherd, the present owner, has a cannon ball which was discovered in the moat. The railway line itself is the 3rd oldest in Britain and legend has it that due to a collision on Bagworth Hollow level crossing between the train and a horse and cart, the steam whistle was invented. The level crossing was replaced by a bridge soon after.

There have been six farmhouses demolished in Bagworth since the last war. 5 have gone without trace and one (Laurel Farm) has been rebuilt. [Laurel Farm is now the Silk Forest.] All were very old and I think should have been preserved.

White House Farm, where I was born, probably had the most ancient roots, as the original part must have been just a two roomed thatched cottage with stone walls and had been enlarged about three times at least.

21

Explore Thornton Reservoir and the beautiful Bricklayer’s Garden

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

WEDNESDAY is

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

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

With personal service to your table

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

Pet sitters wanted!

PET SITTERS are in high demand these days, as millions of people have returned to work, and must leave their cats and dogs during each day.

According to the British Pet Food Manufacturers Association, one in ten households welcomed a new pet during the first seven months of lockdown. According to Adzuna, a job search website, a pet sitter can now earn an average salary of £24,000 a year for pet sitting.

I used to date a girl with one leg who worked at a brewery. She was in charge of the hops.

22

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Community and Sports Centre News Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com • Words & pictures from Ron & Dawn Grantham

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration

WE ARE currently in the stages of planning a special event at the Community Centre to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The event will take place from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 4th June.

Weather permitting the RAF Memorial Flight Hurricane fighter plane will make a flypast over the Community Centre and the village at 15.52pm.

With the kind permission of the Parish Council, we will be planting a celebration tree to mark this auspicious occasion. With the tree we will be burying a time capsule containing local items for future generations to discover. Whilst stocks last, children will be given a souvenir jubilee flags to the children to wave at the Hurricane pilot as it flies over the Centre.

There will be other stalls and activities for you to enjoy and why not bring along your own Jubilee Party picnic to enjoy on the park. If there is anyone out there who would like to have a stall, donate any prizes or do an activity then please contact us as your support will be most welcome. By the way, any profits will be donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Further details of our event will be published on our website and on posters displayed at the Centre and around the village.

Work Live Leicestershire The Rural Community Council’s Coffee Van will on the Community Centre car park during this month.

Members of the RCC staff will be on hand to give people advice specifically aimed at any residents living in rural areas who find themselves either unemployed or are economically inactive. Staff will provide individually tailored support and advice to help people get back into the workplace. The van will be at the Centre from 10am to 12md on Friday mornings 6th, 13th and 20th May. Feel free to talk to the staff about related problems you may have and have a cup of coffee.

Yoga Classes If you are interested in joining a YOGA class, we have sessions on a Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8pm and on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11am.

If you require any further information, please contact Sarah on 07932 689036 or email her at sarahgreen@wellbeingwinnie.co.uk

Markfield Defibrillator Scheme THE DONATED DefibSafe cabinet has not yet arrived though we expect it to arrive soon.

As soon as it does arrive, we will be able be relocating outside of the Community Centre for public use. Once this is in place it will enhance the Markfield Defibrillator scheme.

Mayflower Club HERE ARE just a few of the things we have been doing over the past month:

• ON THE 6TH APRIL we held a 1950’s and 1960’s music quiz bringing back memories of many of our old favourite songs and records from this period in time. It certainly got our members singing along and tapping their feet.

• ON THE 13TH APRIL we held our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade. Members made a real effort with their Easter Bonnets with Barbara being voted the best. For a bit of fun members were challenged to stick the tail on the Easter bunny whilst blindfolded with a rabbit face mask.

• ON THE 20TH APRIL we celebrated St. George’s Day with a pub lunch of faggots, sausages, mushy peas and boiled potatoes served with onion gravy. Not to be deterred from their food we then had a rather grisly pub quiz based on British murderers and I recounted a number of gory murders that I had attended many years ago.

• ON THE 27TH APRIL we chilled out with a prize bingo session with our “resident” bingo caller Carol calling out the numbers.

We are now planning other exciting and interesting events for the coming month so, if you would like to join in just come along to the sessions and you will be most welcome. Our Friendship Club is also available on Monday afternoons 2pm to 4pm and the Mayflower Club itself is on Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm. In both cases it only costs £2 per session and includes light refreshments. For further information please contact the Centre

Mayflower Creative Arts Club DON’T FORGET that Centre’s new Creative Arts and Crafts Club is now fully up and running.

Our tutors Jayne and Michelle are teaching people how to make some wonderful objects that you can take home with pride and show off to your family and friends. If you would like to join in just turn up on the day or contact the Centre for further information. Sessions are held on Monday afternoons and only cost £2 per session with materials provided.

Markfield Good Neighbour’s Scheme JUST A reminder that the Markfield Good Neighbour’s Scheme is still continuing to provide voluntary support to people in need and it is still OKAY to ask for help if you need it.

Just call us on 07885 243033 and we will see what we can do for you.

National Blood Service THE NATIONAL Blood Service really appreciate using the Community Centre for blood donation sessions so much so, they have provided a list of sessions for 2022.

The dates are: 6th July • 31st August • 26th October • 21st December • All sessions are from 11.30am to 9pm. You can book your blood donation appointment on line with the National Blood Service and “Do something amazing” by donating your much needed blood.

For bookings and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre,Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST on 01530 242240 or email markfieldcomunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk or you can visit our website www.markfield communitycentre.com to view our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.

I went to a country in the Middle East and everyone was very boisterous. It was Rowdy Arabia.

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

23

Griff’s

Martial Arts Club T A G B Style

Classes Monday & Wednesday 6pm -7pm at Markfield Community & Sports Centre Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST

Martial Arts can help you to: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Improve your mental health Walk with confidence through life Increase your mobility & flexibility Lose weight & control your weight Become a better person

INSTRUCTOR DETAILS David Griffin (4th Degree Black Belt) 43 years experience in Martial Arts - 25 years teaching TKD

Fully Insured & DBS Checked

Call: 07762 734526 Give Us A Go First Monthly Fee FREE!

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

Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk or call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069

I always say it’s a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why I lost my job as Usain Bolt’s trainer.

24

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

MEMBERS of the Bagworth Community Centre Trust are delighted to hear of the success of more of the groups who use the Centre. They would like to extend their congratulations and best wishes to all of those involved in these ventures.

One group who are receiving awards is the martial arts class, ably instructed by Andy Walker.

It is coming up to a year since the Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Arts School was able to reopen its doors and what a year it has been.

They have managed to navigate their way

WELL ANOTHER month has passed – We hope that you all had a wonderful Easter.

After March being very busy, April has been a little quieter. At the very end of March a group made a visit to Kirby Muxloe WI to partake in a Forest Group event. This was a very enjoyable Spanish Wine Tasting Evening with Tapas.

At a recent Craft and Coffee Morning there was a talk from Kate Twitchen from the Desford Heritage Group – who are putting on a Heritage Weekend 2/3 July in Desford – Botcheston WI are putting on refreshments at the Miners Institute on Lindridge Lane on both the Saturday and Sunday. Although not at the meeting myself Kate left all the group inspired and looking forward to the weekend which will explore the history of Desford from the Romans to the present day – visit desfordheritage.org for more information.

Our speaker in April was Gail Woolscroft from the LRFWI who tickled our taste buds with a demonstration of Decadent Desserts – Lemon and Lime Crunch

MORE AWARDS IN BAGWORTH through all the restrictions and with the support of the students, instructors, parents and Bagworth Community Centre, the club is going from strength to strength. There have been many standout moments during the last year.

They have gained 3 new Black Belts, have had numerous new starters, have attended a number of charity seminars throughout the country and have seen their classes flourish.

Special congratulation go to the cadet students who recently passed their gradings and have taken another step towards their Black Belts.

Another group who have achieved a great deal of success is Laura Wydell’s singing group.

Some of the group were recently entered for examinations and achieved the following.

Esmé Nicholson 89/100, giving her a Grade 8 distinction. (this is equivalent to an ‘A’ Level and she is only 16). Chloe Rundle-Brown 99/100 giving her a Grade 5 distinction. (This is equivalent to a GCSE and she is only 11). (She also played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, see below). Charis Parkinson 86/100 distinction. Eliza Willson 96/100 grade 2 distinction. Millie Potts 96/100 Grade 1 distinction. Isabelle Roulston 94/100 Grade 1 distinction. Tabitha Goodall 90/100 Grade 1 distinction. Aubrey Marshall 89/100 Grade 1 distinction. Sylvie Hughes 89/100 Grade 1 distinction. Isla Woolley 81/100 Grade 1 merit.

Ben Carroll 81/100 Grade 1 merit.

The same group, the Performance Academy, starred in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on April 2nd & 3rd at The Century Theatre Coalville. They performed 4 shows over 2 days and it was a huge success.

The shows were a sell out and the performers did really well. The youngest performer was Walter Hughes who is 5 years old and he played the

role of a munchkin. All of the young people who attend the Academy at Bagworth were included in the show. The performers improved their confidence and some of them were on stage for the very first time. Some of the older students learned how to improvise when they forgot their lines but nevertheless the show ran smoothly! As a result, Laura has expanded her academy and has added another group to it.

The members of the Trust are delighted to see the success that is happening within the Centre.

With regards to these two particular groups, Andy and Laura are working very hard to achieve that success. Indeed all of the leaders of groups who use the Centre achieve the best for their groups.

Well done one and all.

Bob Austin

May Botcheston WI BULLETIN

of the meeting being Thursday 26 May. If anyone would like more information on Botcheston WI (or WI in general) please contact our secretary on 01455 821228 or come along to one of our meetings where you will receive a warm welcome, coffee and cake.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Pie, Waffle Berry Pudding and Strawberry Charlotte Russe – all very simple to make and all that can be made in advance. Pictured are they Russe and Lemon and Lime Crunch Pie. We all watched and listened, and in our own minds adapting to suit our own tastes.

They were all sampled and not a

Sheila Flatt crumb was left!

• THE MAY MEETING will be a trip back in time to the Swinging Sixties – some will have more recollection than others but I am sure that everyone will have some memories that will be stirred. Competition: Any item of clothing from the 1960s. The date

The office Christmas party is a great opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen for 20 minutes.

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

25

HERALD SMALL ADS • 56 CM KETTLE CHARCOAL BARBECUE. Used once - plus 50L lumpwood charcoal. Price: £50 o.n.o.

Tel: 01530 245323 (Markfield) • DOUBLE PANEL RADIATOR - 112 cm x 44 cm. as new.

Tel: 07821 035348 (Markfield) • FISHING KIT: One Angler’s Hold-all containing 11ft match rod, 12ft match rod, 12ft fishing pole (brand new), fishing Umbrella (unused), landing net + Pole (brand new), keep net + pole plus kit box containing assorted floats, hooks made up rigs and floats, Pike lures and hooks, line, Child’s Rod.Would accept £70 for the lot.

Tel: 07756 799 402 (Groby) • LOVELY ORIGINAL WATERCOLOUR

by Albert H Findley 1880-1975 of the Leicester Castle Gateway. Original Gilt Frame 14” x 16”. Price: £120 Tel 07841 780282 (Markfield) • CORDED POWER TOOLS for sale: • Bosch Duotac PTK14E STAPLER: £20.

• Bosch PSS23 HAND SANDER: £20.

• Bosch PST54E JIG SAW: £20.

• Bosch PHG 500-2 HEAT GUN: £20.

• Bosch PWS 600 ANGLE GRINDER: £20.

• Black & Decker KW715 HAND PLANER: £20. Buy all six items for £100.

Tel: 07514 900530 (Markfield) • 8 NO. QUALITY TOMATO PLANTS. Ready for planting now. Price: £12 for the 8 plants. Collection from Bagworth.

Tel: 01530 230389.

• MAMAS AND PAPAS 3 IN 1 PRAM. Navy blue.(Pushchair,carry cot and adapters).Matching foot muff and two sizes of rain covers.Excellent condition.When new,approximate cost £900. Price: £395 or near offer. Tel: 0116 225 1789 (Groby).

• SNOOKER TABLE. Free standing. As new. Pureline 6ft x 3ft. two cues, rest, triangle and balls. £299 new on Amazon.

Price: £150. Tel: 01530 243200 or mobile 07841 780282 (Markfield).

• Twelve 1000-piece JIGSAW PUZZLES - countryside, village and winter scenes.

Only used once. Excellent condition.

Price: £3.00 each. Can supply photos.

Tel: 07790 734858 (Groby) • Antique Mahogany Ball & Claw Foot TABLE. 53” long x 42” wide x 28½” high.

Extends to 70”. Price: £100 o.n.o.

• Oak high back rush seat CHAIR. Price: £30.

Tel: 0116 223 8380 (Glenfield) • Heavy duty BIKE CARRIER for sale.

Carries 3 bikes, 30mm tubular frame. 6 Anchor straps, Adjustable rake angle.

Rated to carry 45kgs. £30.

Tel: 07821 094472 (Markfield) • WHITE NARROW BOOKCASE in very good condition. 180.5cm high, 52cm across and 25.4cm deep (front to back) with 4 shelves so 5 compartments.

One small area of damage at the rear of one shelf from assembly but cannot be seen once items on shelf. Collection from Markfield or delivery possible. £14.

Tel: 07951 991408 (Markfield) • TELEVISION UNIT - with drawer underneath. Medium Oak - as new.

Price: £75 o.n.o.

Tel: 0116 236 7973 (Anstey)

• Sensas Jumbo Match SEATBOX - 3700 model. Very good condition. Price: £150.

Tel: 0116 287 6078 (Groby) • Lakeland Magic OVEN LINER – reusable non-stick oven liner for your oven floor.

Cut to size and remove for easy cleaning.

Size 50 x 50cm. New and unused - still in original packaging. Price £6 • Coopers of Stortford two pack OVEN LINERS – each liner measures 40 x 50cm.

Cut to size. Dishwasher safe. New and unused - still in original packaging. Price £4 • Brita Maxtra Plus WATER FILTER JUG – Used but in good condition. Dishwasher safe (but not lid). Price £2 • Brita Maxtra Plus WATER FILTER CARTRIDGES - New and unused - still in original packaging. Will sell for 50% current Tesco price. Single – price £3.

Three pack - price £8. Six pack – price £15.

• Men’s short OVERCOAT – The Collection from Debenhams. Size 48 inch chest.

Black. Wool / polyester mix. VGC – rarely worn. Price £15 ono.

• Men’s long OVERCOAT – Black. Jeff Banks. Size 48R. Wool / polyester / cashmere mix. VGC – rarely worn. Just dry cleaned. Price £25 ono.

• Sony DVD+R RECORDABLE DVDS. Pack of 25 on a spindle. 4.7GB – 120 minutes. Unopened, still in original packaging. Price £10 Tel: 07902 469298 (Markfield) • TOTE BAG - New genuine Armani Jeans tote bag with authentic medallion - tan faux leather - blue fabric interior - 40 x 25 x 12. Price: £16.

• GARDEN CHAIRS - Four green sturdy plastic garden chairs in excellent condition and a bonus of one wooden folding chair.

Price: £10 the lot.

Tel: 01530 242318 or 07763 110929 (Markfield) • SETTEE, CHAIR AND FOOTSTOOL bought about a year ago - still like new.

Reason for sale - wrong colour. Navy Blue, modern and stylish ‘square’ style with light wooden legs. Cost £1,100 from Wayfair for all three items. Will accept £550.

Tel: 07843 290665 (Markfield).

• WANTED: PENTAX ME SUPER AND MX FILM CAMERA or similar.Good condition and working, for student use.

Good price paid.

Tel 0116 222 5211 (Groby) • THULE CAR ROOF RACK - (Roof bars) Good Condition. Price : £25 Tel: 07905 558349 (Bagworth).

WANTED VINYL RECORDS

ALBUMS & SINGLES IN GOOD CONDITION ALL GENRES CONSIDERED WHOLE COLLECTIONS PURCHASED RING JOHNNY ON 07941 237223

or email: strawdog33@hotmail.com

• 12 x 1000 pieces Jigsaw Puzzles - countryside, village and winter scenes.

Only used once. Excellent condition Price: £3.00 each. Can supply photos.

Tel: 07790 734858 (Groby) • 4 white plastic PATIO CHAIRS. FREE. Tel: 07867 806474 (Markfield) IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Herald, please SEND DETAILS by post or email sorry, we can’t take them over the phone.

Maximum 8 items please.

Our postal address is: Herald Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

I said ‘Doctor, I’ve just swallowed a Robin Reliant, what should I do?’ He said ‘Take it easy on corners.’

26

THE HERALD • MID-MAY 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Borough Councillor

Andy Furlong’s

UPDATE

Tel: 01530 231377 • Email: andy.furlong@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk IN THE AUTUMN of 2021, there was a big stink in Westminster.

“Well, that’s nothing new?” I hear you say. Because in an era where some MPs while away their time “accidentally” browsing porn on their phones, groping their staff, partying during lockdown and routinely lying about such things, Herald readers might be forgiven for switching off at this point. But please bear with me; there is more to this ‘stink’ than meets the eye – or should that be the nose?

The stink in question was prompted by the government’s decision to block proposals to reduce the dumping of raw sewage in our streams and rivers.

The House of Lords stood firm, but eventually, their efforts were defeated in the House of Commons. Many Leicestershire MPs, including Dr Luke Evans, voted against measures to reduce the volume of untreated human waste entering our rivers. I can only presume that Luke was persuaded by the government’s claim that the measures were unnecessary because “safeguards were already contained in the Bill”.

Freedom of Information Request

problem is so bad that the government has established a sewage overflows task force, which concludes that: “A growing population and more frequent and heavier storms as a result of climate change have increased pressure on the system, increasing the risk of more frequent discharges of sewage in to our rivers and the sea.”

Keep holding your nose Privatised water companies, such as Severn Trent, are supposed to deal with this issue via a complicated and widely criticised scheme called the Asset Management Programme – or ‘AMP’ for short. The current AMP, which runs from 2020 to 2025, is supported by over three billion pounds of funding, but there’s a snag. The sewage task force has identified that fixing the dumping problem could cost over one hundred times as much, with dire consequences for our water bills. So don’t hold your breath, but maybe keep holding your nose!

Chris Packham to the rescue So, what’s the solution? Well, I’m no expert, but the figures speak for themselves. It seems crazy to keep building new houses in communities like Markfield and Stanton, where the sewage system is already struggling to cope. Readers should also note that between 1991 and 2019, the dividends paid to shareholders of the privatised water companies amounted to an eyewatering 57 billion pounds. This cash would have been better spent on improving our sewage treatment facilities, and it’s time to consider a not-for-profit model for essential community services like water supply and waste treatment. This seems unlikely with the current crowd of freemarket obsessives in charge. However, there is trouble brewing in the shape of the environmental champion, Chris Packham, and his colleagues at the campaigning organisation Wild Justice. Wild Justice has threatened Ofwat, England’s water services regulator, with legal action over its failure to prevent untreated sewage discharges into our rivers. Given the difficulty that I encountered trying to uncover the truth for local residents, it’s clear that Ofwat isn’t taking the necessary monitoring and enforcement action against water companies So, I’d say that Chris is onto a winner and I’m with him all the way.

Close to the line Like many people locally, I was angered at the prospect of increased quantities of sewage ending up in our waterways. Given the high levels of public scepticism around government promises, I thought I’d dig a little deeper to better understand the problem locally. I placed a Freedom of Information request with the Environment Agency in November. After much chasing and months of dither, I finally received a reply. The findings are worrying. In 2020, 8,400 sewage dumping incidents were reported in Leicestershire, up from 6,400 in 2019 - a 30% increase. Looking more widely at the area covered by Severn Trent Water, it turns out that sewage was being poured into our rivers and waterways for a staggering total of 5.5 million hours. If you do the working out, that equates to pouring raw sewage in to our rivers for 636 years nonstop.

Sewage dumped for three weeks Locally, we have some significant offenders. To the south of Manor Farm, the discharge point at Stanton under Bardon poured sewage into the brook that feeds Thornton Reservoir on 85 separate occasions in 2020.

Meanwhile, at Captains Lane in Markfield, 114 separate discharges into the stream that feeds the reservoir from the opposite end were reported.

Together, these incidents add up to the continuous discharge of sewage 24 hours a day for around three weeks. To make matters worse, these figures are probably wrong. The data so reluctantly provided to me by the Environment Agency includes a footnote indicating that ‘process improvements’ are needed to improve the reliability of the recording at both sites. In reality, the scale of the problem may be much worse.

Population problems What’s happening here is not unusual, nor is it illegal. Many sewers were installed a century ago. These use one pipe to take away sewage, combined with rainwater when it rains. Combining sewage with rainwater means that during and after heavy or prolonged rainfall or if the water table is high, the capacity of combined sewer systems can be exceeded. When this happens, storm overflows act as relief valves to discharge excess sewage into rivers. This protects properties from flooding and prevents sewage from backing up into streets and homes during heavy storm events. The

Yet again, Markfield residents face the prospect of a sneaky housing development going ahead despite local concerns, thanks to crafty exploitation of boundary lines between different local authorities. The triangular plot of land between Leicester Road and Markfield lane has been identified as a prime location for Boris Johnson’s bulldozers. The land lies on the Charnwood side of the boundary. In theory, there’s nothing we can do about it. But hold on, that’s exactly what I was told when new houses were proposed on Ashby Road. I have posed some difficult questions to HBBC’s new Head of Planning. At the time of writing, he hasn’t replied, but as readers will be aware, I don’t give up easily.

And finally…

The ‘Great Pyramid of Markfield’ is no more.

After much argy-bargy, contractors working on behalf of the borough finally removed the eyesore from the A50 slip road at the end of April. I was grateful to residents who suggested that we hire a grab crane and bish, bosh sort things out in a jiffy.

However, in the real world, things aren’t that simple. A fully insured, properly trained, professional team removed several tons of concrete. This was completed after a full risk assessment, authorised road closure, and the necessary arrangements to secure legal disposal of the waste. These things take time. It took far too long; but at least it was done properly.

Andy Furlong Keep in touch on 07881 922293 or via andy.furlong@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

I went on holiday with my horse. It was self-cantering.

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

News from Markfield WI ON SATURDAY 16th April a group of us gathered at the Community Centre playing fields to plant a tree in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee on behalf of Markfield WI.

We chose a crab apple which will have blossom and fruits. We have to thank a couple of husbands called Pete (honorary WI ladies for the day) who dug the hole and helped with the planting. We hope to add a commemorative plaque by the tree in due course.

The following day WI ladies were at the library providing refreshments for the Easter Egg hunt and Easter Bonnet competition doing brisk business with drinks and cakes. We were very glad not to have been asked to judge the bonnets, they were all so good it was hard to pick a favourite.

At our meeting we had Carolyn Boulter who instructed us in making an owl paperweight from fabric kits provided for each member. It was a fun evening even for those members who don’t consider themselves crafty and the results were many and varied. We look forward to having Carolyn back in the future with another craft project.

Our May meeting will be our resolutions evening when this year’s proposed resolution on the under diagnosis and lack of support for ASD and ADHD in girls will be discussed and voted on. This will be followed by a Sari talk and demonstration by Kishoni. As it’s Spring there will be a competition of a flower arrangement in a cup.

Covid-19 News

Denmark becomes first country to suspend Covid vaccinations as virus is brought under control AS REPORTED in the Daily Telegraph, Denmark has become the first country to suspend its Covid-19 vaccination programme as its health authority said the virus had been brought under control.

The Danish Health Authority said high levels of vaccination, a drop in the number of new infections, and stabilising hospitalisation rates were contributing factors to the decision to halt the national immunisation drive.

Denmark’s government became the first EU country to remove all pandemic-related domestic restrictions on February 1, when it announced the virus was no longer considered a critical threat.

About 81 per cent of Denmark’s 5.8 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine, and a further 62 per cent have received a booster jab.

The government will no longer issue vaccination invitations after May 15 but health officials expect to resume the programme after the summer.

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Catholic Church Of St Wilfrid Of York 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB

Weekend Masses – Saturday 6 pm and Sunday 10 am.

Weekday Masses – Monday and Thursday at 10 am in the Oratory in the presbytery. Please see Parish Newsletter on the website.

Mask wearing and hand sanitising are still encouraged and available to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable in Church. Ventilation, with internal and external doors open, is still in place.

Sacrament of Reconciliation You can book an appointment with Fr Gabriel to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation.

Please call the presbytery to book an appointment 01530 832098.

Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@gmail.com Parish Website www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot. co.uk School Details St Clare’s RC Primary School, Coalville: 01530 837747 www.st-clares.leics.sch.uk De Lisle RC College, Loughborough: 01509 268739 www.delisle.leics.sch.uk Churches Together in Markfield United Services Sunday 15 May at 10.30 am at Trinity Methodist Church – Christian Aid Service.

Village Contact Margaret on 01530 243292

Soul Journey

A recital of music and poetry from contemplatives and mystics with the Alma String Quartet

From plainsong to gospel, celtic to ragas. Evocative music and words that invite us to stillness, wholeness and joy.

Music by Max Richter, Hildegarde von Bingen, Kala Ramnath, Morten Lauridsen. Words by Rumi, Hafiz, Mary Oliver, Chelan Harkin

1st July 2022, 7.30pm

Markfield Methodist Church (LE67 9UU) • Tickets £10 • Available from Ann 01530 242166 or Karen 07739 555015 karensilverwood@gmail.com

I went to a posh party and everyone was drinking and knitting. I got Pimms and needles.

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