Mid-April 2020 Herald Magazine

ONLINE ONLY THIS MONTH DUE TO CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN

Queen Bee Youth Project QUEEN BEE Youth Project had to temporarily close its doors in March due to the dreaded #covid_19 but we are still being busy Bees and have moved our sessions online.

We ran our first ‘zoom’ session with 24 of our Bees and did a virtual clap for the NHS on Thursday 2nd of April. It was fantastic.

The girls created a #stayinside themed video which went viral and featured on BBC News and had over 6000 views!

You can watch the video on our Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/ watch/?v=598111517461332&_rdr) or Instagram: @queenbeeyouth The girls have been busy popping colourful Bees in their Windows and around the village to encourage a ‘spot the bee’ competition. If you spot a bee then take a photo and tag us on Facebook with the hashtag #spotthebee.

Keep a look out on your doorstep for your sunflower to join in our village growing competition. Over 1200 potted sunflowers will be delivered during April to Markfield residents.

We are posting lots of activities and useful resources on our social media to help keep your kids busy during the government lockdown.

Stay safe everyone!

Jo & Zoe

MID-APRIL 2020

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Coronavirus Resident Support Scheme Launched by Council

IN RESPONSE to the Coronavirus outbreak Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has been supporting local residents who are self isolating and have no support networks through a Resident Support Scheme.

So far over 700 residents and tenants have been contacted and assistance provided where needed through the council and the voluntary and community sector. The service prioritises those people who have no one else to help and who are the most vulnerable, for example those over the age of 70, those with an underlying health condition, individuals who are on their own and feeling isolated and families that are struggling to cope.

Assistance can be given to:

•

Link people into local support networks where these are in place.

•

Help with emergency food access and ongoing shopping assistance

•

Advise on collection of prescriptions and other essentials

•

Social contact for those who are lonely

•

Advise on financial help for those who are worried about their personal finances

•

Advise on how to look after your health and wellbeing whilst self isolating.

Executive member for Community Safety at the borough council Cllr Michael Mullaney said: “we know there will be many people in our communities who need help and support during these times and we have set up this support scheme for people who are self-isolating and may need some help as they have no support networks, like friends, family or neighbours. We are working with a range of local agencies, charitable organisations and local volunteers.

“I would also like to remind residents that whilst we need to socially distance, we also need to look out for each other. If you’re in a fortunate position, then can I ask you to volunteer to help those in our borough. You can register your interest with Next Generation, who is already working with registered charities in the area.

Visit www.nextgenhinckey.org or call 01455 632984.”

If you are self-isolating or know somebody who is and as no or limited support networks such as friends, family or neighbours please call 01455 238141 or visit www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/coronasupport People are encouraged to use the online services in the first instance to help with the high volume of calls.

Croft Way goes all Strictly

Care to dance?

KEEPING the community spirit of Markfield alive during Coronavirus, residents of Croft Way have been coming to the end of their driveways for a daily dance at 11am.

Jo and Clemency of Croft Way coordinated the idea and are taking song requests from fellow neighbours. Everyone is laughing and smiling during our 10 minute bop. Why not start a daily 11am dance on your street to break up the day and spread some cheer.

Bagworth Forward Group

Bagworth Table Top Sale Cancelled

THE BAGWORTH Forward Group (BFG) have sadly had to cancel their Table Top Sale at Bagworth Community Centre on Saturday April 25th for obvious reasons.

We intend to rearrange this when the present problems have disappeared.

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 16TH MAY - ARTICLE/ADVERT DEADLINE: 2ND MAY (IF LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED)

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Message from Dr Luke Evans MP PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk

www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.

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BY THE TIME that you read this article heightened restrictions to tackle the global Coronavirus pandemic will have been in place for several weeks.

I am sat writing this column shortly after the Prime Minister’s announcement of a compulsory lockdown for all but essential travel. At the best of times the greatest jeopardy for any columnist is trying to futureproof their article for news events that might happen and no one would describe these past few weeks as ‘the best of times’.

Please forgive me if any of what follows has become terribly outdated in the short time since it was written.

I’m very proud that since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak community leaders from throughout Hinckley and Bosworth have committed to putting party politics to one side to deliver the best possible support to those who need it most. I know that Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough, and Bill Cullen, the Chief Executive, as well as their fellow councillors and staff are committed to doing just that.

If you are not already aware Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have established a central register for volunteers, you can sign up by visiting www. nextgenhinckley.org. If you need help then you can register by emailing culture@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk Coronavirus is an exceptionally infectious virus. Under normal circumstances each carrier of winter flu will transmit it to 1.4 other people, over a period of 30 days and 10 iterations that single person will be responsible for transmitting the virus to around 14 other people in total.

Coronavirus is an altogether different beast. Without any measures in place to minimise infection that same 1 person with Coronavirus would transmit it to 3 other people and over the same 30 day period with 10 iterations that single person would be responsible for passing Coronavirus to 59,000 others.

It’s this reason, and to ensure that our precious NHS can best cope with the demand placed upon it, that the Prime Minister was obliged to put into place the restrictions that he did. We must all continue to take heed of them until they are lifted.

This community has responded magnificently in the way that it has dug in to provide support for the most vulnerable.

As they always have neighbours have provided help to one another, checking on the vulnerable and popping to the shops when help is needed.

The stories of people whose faces you only know from passing by on the street who are taking the time to offer support to strangers have been truly uplifting.

It is, of course, imperative that we continue to socially distance ourselves from others and selfisolate as necessary to ensure we shield the most vulnerable until restrictions are lifted.

But be in no doubt as a country we will defeat this virus and life will return to normal once more.

This constituency is made up of wonderful village communities and it is at times like these that I am reminded of the old African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child.

In very much the same way it takes a village to respond to this outbreak both in terms of our vital public services but equally importantly our real-life village communities.

I am certain at the end of all this we will all be grateful for some truly outstanding examples of selfless giving, it makes be so proud yet humble to represent this constituency.

Take care and stay safe.

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

A lot of people were confused at the grand opening of my ribbon-repair business yesterday.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Council tax payment assistance

FOLLOWING concerns over paying council tax during the coronavirus pandemic Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council have announced that residents, who pay their council tax over 12 months can ask to switch to 10 monthly payments and those who pay over 10 months can ask to move their payment break to earlier in the financial year.

Council Leader Cllr Stuart Bray said: “We know people are worrying about their financial situation during this pandemic, the situation is changing on a daily basis. We hope by changing how payments have to be made it will assist our residents with their financial planning. However I do want to reassure people that we will be as flexible as possible during this difficult time.”

Full details are below:

Council Tax ‘payment break’ (10 monthly payments) •

If you pay council tax over 10 months, you normally do not make payments in February or March. This is a payment break. You can ask to take the payment break for the year 2020/21 earlier in the new financial year (after April 1 2020) instead of February and March 2021. Your total bill remains the same.

Council Tax ‘payment break’ (12 monthly payments) •

If you are currently spreading your payments over 12 months, you could switch to a 10-month plan and request to not make payments for two months of the following financial year. Please note that switching to a 10-month plan means your monthly bill will be higher than if spread out over 12 months. The total amount remains the same.

Council Tax Support Some people may also qualify for Council Tax Support. We have an existing scheme which means people who qualify can receive up to an 88 per cent discount on their council tax bills.

The Government has also just announced that in light of the coronavirus pandemic, working age people receiving council tax support will also get up to another £150 off their council tax bills. If you pay less than £150 a year at the moment, then you will pay nothing. If you currently receive council tax support, this latest reduction will be applied automatically.

To find out more, how to apply these changes and apply for Council Tax Support, visit www.hinckley-bosworth. gov.uk/coronacounciltax

Skin

By Liam Brown A STRANGE virus is sweeping the globe.

Humans have become allergic to one another.Simply standing next to somebody could be a death sentence. A kiss could be fatal.

Angela is a woman trying to get by in this bewildering new world.

Though she still lives with her husband and children, they lead separate lives.

Confined to their rooms, they communicate via their computers and phones. In some ways, very little has changed.

That is, until she spots a mysterious stranger walking through town without even a face mask for protection.

A man, it seems, immune to this disease. A man unlike anyone else she knows. A man it might just be safe to touch ...

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My wife and I decided we don’t want children. If someone wants them, we’ll drop them off tomorrow.

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS LIKE ALL OTHER visitor attractions the National Trust has closed all of its properties to the public due to the coronavirus. Initially they only closed their buildings but immediately social distancing was introduced they also closed all gardens and parkland. They also closed all of their holiday cottages.

The Trust has had difficulty closing off its public access land in areas like the Peak District as this is usually accessed by public footpaths or rights of way which are not under the control of the Trust. However the Trust strongly advises the public not to use these areas.

National Trust staff who can work from home have been instructed to do so and staff at properties are working on a rota basis where possible. They are still required to carry out all of the conservation tasks which take place at properties on a daily basis such as monitoring the effect of temperature and light pollution on the property and its contents.

Most of the 65,000 NT volunteers have been “stood down” except for the few who undertake very specialised roles at properties. Also all volunteer speakers with the Trust have been instructed not to present any talks until the emergency is over.

All events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Trust have also been cancelled or postponed including the Buckingham Palace Garden Party to be hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales in his role of President of the National Trust.

• ON AN ACTIVE FRONT the Trust wants people who can see trees in bloom in their garden or from a window to pause, enjoy the sight and share images on social media for those who cannot see them. Hopefully this will lift people’s spirits. Look out for the whites and pinks of blackthorn, hawthorn and cherry.

The National Trust will only reopen when it is entirely safe to do so and sincerely hopes that all of its members and supporters and also members of the general public stay safe in the meantime.

The National Trust Leicester Association has also cancelled or postponed all of its meetings and events until further notice. To find full details of the Association and to check the current situation regarding its programme please check the Association web site at – www.leicesternt.btck.co.uk

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer NT Leicester Association

Blue and green lights signal support for NHS and social care LEICESTERSHIRE County Council lit up the building for a third week running to thank NHS and social care workers as part of the national ‘clap for carers’.

An extra 240 social care staff worked over the Easter bank holiday weekend – and 120 more were on standby – to ensure that over 5,000 residents received the vital care and support they need.

More than 100 people who usually work in adult learning, libraries and other teams have already been redeployed to new roles - such as providing care, working in the council’s customer service centre and supporting a recruitment drive for carers.

Nick Rushton, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Keeping people safe and well remains our number one priority. And every day, our social care staff, alongside NHS colleagues, are working tirelessly to provide crucial round-the-clock support.

“Lighting up part of County Hall in green signals how we much we appreciate the hard work of our social care teams – and as far as we know, we are the only council to do this.

“Four weeks into lockdown, these remain trying times. And I’d like to thank our social care workers for their continuing professionalism and dedication.”

My poor knowledge of Greek mythology has always been my Achilles elbow.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Letter

I WOULD just like to tell you about a recent challenge I have completed to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity in the hope that I could get a mention in the Herald to raise further awareness.

My name is Dominique Nicholson and I am 30 years old. In June last year I gave birth to my second daughter, sadly post birth I started to suffer with awful migraines. Three and a half weeks after giving birth and several doctors visits I took myself to A&E. After an initial CT scan I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour, a meningioma of around 4cm.

I was kept in the Leicester Royal and within days transferred to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham with the intent of having surgery to remove the tumour.

Within a week of the initial diagnosis and post surgery I was allowed home to recover and be with my family.

I have not been able to drive post surgery (still can’t) and getting my eldest to school in Thornton and back each day has been eventful but I want to say thanks to my lovely neighbours in Bagworth who have really helped me out during this tough period of my life.

I have recovered well with no post operative side effects and my MRI’s are so far clear *touch wood* it stays like that so in January I decided I was going to walk once around Thornton Reservoir each day in March.

The walks were going well and the support from family and friends was amazing. I even had a months worth of volunteers to do a lap with me which was so amazing! Each day I shared my walk on facebook along with my personal story and raising awareness about Brain Tumours too.

Well as you know Covid-19 hit and scuppered my plans to continue around the reservoir so I shared my last walk in Thornton with my Dog on the 23rd March but I was determined not to let it ruin my challenge so I vowed to continue and walk the equivalent mileage each day. So for the last 8 days of March, my family and I used our daily walks to explore the beauty that is Bagworth. Discovering new routes each day and making memories as we went.

Well today I hit a milestone in donations... £1177.50 with more coming in!! I am absolutely over the moon and even though the challenge ended in a way no one could have predicted I did it and I am so very happy that I managed to raise so much awareness and money for the Brain Tumour Charity.

I have included some pictures in this email and really hope I can feature in the Herald.

Thank you

Dominique Nicholson

I didn’t realise how bad a driver I was until my sat nav said: ‘In 400 feet, do a slight right, stop, and let me out.’

6

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Top Ten Silliest Questions asked on a Cruise Ship

Groups apply for share of £1m funding to support communities MORE THAN 160 community and voluntary groups have applied for a share of a £1million fund to support the most vulnerable across the county.

1. Do these steps go up or down?

2. What do you do with the beautiful ice carvings after they melt?

3. Which elevator do I take to get to the front of the ship?

4. Does the crew sleep on the ship?

5. Is this island completely surrounded by water?

6. Does the ship make its own electricity?

7. Is it salt-water in the toilets?

8. What elevation are we at?

9. There’s a photographer on board who takes photos and displays them the next day... the question was asked: ‘If the pictures aren’t marked, how will I know which ones are mine?’

10. What time is the Midnight Buffet being served?

Paul Grayson, Cruise Director for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

We launched the Communities Fund last week to ensure that voluntary organisations can continue to carry out vital work, despite the impact coronavirus is having on their finances.

The first awards are set to be announced later this week and groups are still being urged to apply for the Leicestershire Communities Fund. To find out more and apply, visit: www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/ leicestershire-communities-fund Nick Rushton, Leader of the county council said: “I’m delighted by the huge response to the Communities Fund so far and it shows that volunteers and groups want to continue making a difference.

“It’s never been more important for communities to band together and support each other. And it’s crucial that their work not only continues but groups are able to step up activities to support vulnerable people and those isolating.

“This fund enables people to stay safe by staying at home and ultimately, saves lives. I’d like to thank our volunteers and community groups for their fantastic work and I would encourage those who haven’t yet to visit the website to find out more.”

Charities, constituted voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises can apply for a maximum of £25,000 for support with the following activities: • Support for core running costs for up to six months - for organisations that primarily focus on supporting vulnerable people and that have experienced a loss of income due to services closing or operating at a reduced level and where this may lead to the permanent closure of the organisation • Extra staffing for up to six months - capacity required to meet existing, current or increased demand for services, to support vulnerable people during the crisis • Adapting services - the need to rapidly adapt current service delivery models to maintain contact with service users • Equipment - funding for essential ICT, safety (such as PPE) or other essential equipment • Transport - funding for use of vehicles, transport, fuel etc. to enable visits to service users • Expenses - funding for increased expenses costs such as reimbursing travel costs for staff/volunteers who need to visit service users, if it safe to do so, in their home or in other locations.

• Other - anything else deemed acceptable in relation to the criteria for the fund Find out more and apply online at: www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/leicestershire-communitiesfund or send an email to: LeicestershireCommunities@leics.gov.uk

If I leave my computer idle for 10 minutes, an image of Jesus pops up. It’s my screen saviour.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Leave your dandelions alone

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

WHEN MOWING your lawn, avoid cutting your dandelions. That is the advice of the president of the British Ecological Society, Prof Jane Memmott. It will help to save the bees.

She explains: “Dandelions are a fantastic source of pollen and nectar for the early pollinators in particular. If they were rare, people would be fighting over them, but because they’re common, people pull them out and spray them with all sorts of horrible things when they should just let them flower. If you leave the lawn to three or four inches, then dandelions, clover and daisies can flower and then you end with something like a tapestry, and it’s much nicer to sit there and watch the insects buzzing about.”

Prof Memmott encourages everyone to get a bee hotel for their garden.

“There’s nothing nicer than being sat in a chair with a glass of wine and watching the bees going in and out of your own personal little beehive. Even just a potted plant on a doorstep will provide lunch for a bee or a fly or a butterfly.”

7

Garden Waste Service Suspended THE COUNCIL has suspended its garden waste collection service for at least two weeks.

Garden waste (brown lidded bin) collections were suspended from Monday 23 March for at least two weeks as a result of severe staff shortages resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Refuse (black bin) and recycling (blue lidded bin) collections will continue as normal and are unaffected by this change.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Director for Environmental Planning, Matt Bowers said: “These are unprecedented circumstances that have forced us to make this difficult decision in order to divert our resources to the more critical refuse and recycling collection service.

We appreciate the inconvenience this will create for our residents and hope they understand these are exceptional circumstances which are beyond the council’s control.

We will keep this under continual review with the aim of restoring the service as soon as possible.

“We apologise for this inconvenience. In the meantime, we would encourage customers to manage their garden waste at home such as by home composting if they can.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Stuart Bray said “I can confirm that people will not be out of pocket. If this situation lasts more than a couple of weeks it is my intention to extend the current charging period to ensure people get at least 12 months they have paid for.”

Customers are asked to bear with us at this difficult time.

For the most up to date information about any changes to council services look out for information in local media, follow the council on social media or sign up for free email updates at https://www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk/emailupdates

Inspecting mirrors is a job I could really see myself doing.

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Take exercise for even half an hour a day – and lower depression!

HERE IS SOME good news for us all: if you are feeling low, get moving.

A recent study at Harvard has found that even just half an hour of exercise a day can lower the risk of depression by 17 per cent.

So – even though we are told to stay home at present, do a work-out in your living room, run around the garden a dozen times, or run up and down your staircase 20 times anything to get your heart pounding and your body moving!

Message from Lord Willy Bach

If I Never Met You

By Mhairi McFarlane

ALL LOCAL elections in the UK have been postponed until May 2021 due to the COVID19 outbreak.

If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it’s real?

This includes the election for a new Police & Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland, which was scheduled to take place on 7 May 2020.

Lord Willy Bach has confirmed that he will remain in post until May 2021, extending his term of office by a full year.

Willy Bach said, “We are in an unprecedented situation that no-one could have anticipated. COVID19 has changed the economic, social and political landscape. Things are changing rapidly and the next six months may prove extremely difficult for the public and public services; not least the police.

“Given the scale of the crisis, continuity and stability are important. Whilst the outbreak progresses, Leicestershire Police will play a central role in upholding law and order and keeping our diverse community safe. I want to ensure that public confidence is maintained and will work closely with the Chief Constable to make this happen.

“Obviously, some things will change in the short and medium term. I have cancelled all public engagement activity between now and the end of May. My office will focus on critical business activities and services, and prepare for potential disruption as a result of illness or government restrictions.

“We will adapt our plans in response the changing situation and proactively provide further communication as the situation develops.

“Once the crisis has passed I will review both my own workload and that of the OPCC team to reflect the new circumstances.

“In the interim, I simply ask that people take the necessary action to stay safe and follow any advice given by the government and other public authorities.”

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling--not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option.

Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment--and jealousy--of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend...

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 - £9.00 2 Courses - £12.00 3 Courses - £15.00

With personal service to your table

Home-Made Pie Night - Tuesdays - £6.45 Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere, Garden & Great Food!

I get very nervous on a first date, which is surprising as they are the only kind I have.

9

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Website Worth a Visit www.agespace.org AGE SPACE is a onestop online resource and guide for anyone with concerns about, or caring for an ageing parent or relative, neighbour or friend.

Whether you’re facing an immediate crisis, or are just beginning to worry, at its heart Age Space is a friendly online conversation space where anyone can ask a question or find the answer to something of concern.

Annabel James started Age Space as a result of her own experience.

When her Mum had a stroke and spent many weeks in hospital, the family were all overwhelmed by the situation – finding it hard to know what to do for the best for her, and for her Dad. She didn’t know what questions to ask, where to find the answers or what to do next. As she finally started talking with friends and colleagues she realised that there were lots of people at this “age and stage” – juggling work, families, distance etc and trying to do the right thing.

There is lots of information on the website to help guide you through what can be very difficult and stressful times.

But above all there are conversations going on about the things that matter most – helping you to make the best decisions with and for an ageing person. It’s really about trying to help our parents stay independent and healthy for as long as possible.

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I really want to buy one of those grocery checkout dividers but the lady behind the counter keeps putting it back.

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Queen’s University leading cell therapy clinical trial to help improve outcomes in COVID-19 patients RESEARCHERS at Queen’s University Belfast are leading a UK-wide clinical trial, offering an innovative cell therapy treatment for COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.

This clinical trial, led by Professor Danny McAuley and Professor Cecilia O’Kane, both researchers from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s, is investigating the use of allogenic Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with a complication known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19.

In the most critically unwell patients with COVID-19, many develop a complication known as ARDS. In ARDS the lungs become inflamed and leaky so they fill with fluid. This causes respiratory failure and patients may require admission to intensive care and a ventilator machine to support their breathing.

A recent statement from the four UK Chief Medical Officers outlined the importance of clinical trials amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Professor Cecilia O’Kane said: “It is only through clinical trials we

will be able to determine if new treatments are effective and safe in critically ill patients.”

The trial involves the use of MSCs, a type of cell derived from human tissue such as bone marrow or umbilical cord (which is otherwise discarded after the baby is born), to treat the injury to the lung caused

by COVID 19. MSCs are a novel treatment that have been shown in experimental models to reduce inflammation, fight infection and improve the repair of injured tissue.

Patients in this trial, which is known as REALIST COVID 19, will be treated with a purified population of MSCs derived from umbilical cord tissue called ORBCEL-C. The ORBCEL-C therapy has been developed by scientists at Orbsen Therapeutics in Galway, Ireland. The ORBCEL-C therapeutic is manufactured under licence by the UK NHS Blood and Transplant Service for the REALIST COVID-19 trial.

The trial is being introduced as part of an existing programme of research investigating the use of MSCs in patients with ARDS. The first patient has now been recruited with plans to recruit at least 60 patients throughout the

COVID-19 pandemic at multiple sites across the UK including Belfast, Birmingham and London.

Professor Ian Young, Clinical Professor at the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Director of HSC R&D and Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department of Health, said: “The Health and Social Care Research & Development Division has been working with researchers across HSC to address the global problem of Coronavirus. We have contributed £230K for this vital research which will provide important evidence regarding a potential new treatment for respiratory failure, a leading cause of mortality in COVID-19. We will continue to support health research and encourage people to participate in research trials and other studies so patients can get the best possible treatment to help tackle the spread of COVID-19.”

The trial has been identified by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as a national urgent public health study. It is one of a number of COVID-19 studies that have been given urgent public health research status by the Chief Medical Officer/

Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England. The study is funded by the Health and Social Care Research & Development Division and the Wellcome Trust, sponsored by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and supported by the NI Clinical Trials Unit, the NIHR Clinical Research Network and the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network.

Orbsen CSO Steve Elliman noted: “While there are over 100 vaccines and therapies in development targeting the SARSCoV-2 infection - at present there are no disease modifying therapies approved for ARDS. We’re delighted the REALIST trial was approved and listed by NIHR as an Urgent Public Health Research Study so we can continue assess the safety of the ORBCEL-C therapy in patients with ARDS.” Sir Professor Alimuddin Zumla of University College London, a global coronavirus and infectious diseases expert said: “The team should be congratulated for their leadership of host-directed therapies, a concept which has not yet been explored to its full potential.”

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

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

Domestic Duties • Shopping • Meal Preparation Medication Assistance • Personal Care Support with Social Activities, Hospital Appointments and a Befriending Service

Tel · 01455 292648

We have been rated GOOD by the Care Quality Commission and became the first homecare provider to achieve the local authorities Dignity and Respect Award. If you would like to discuss any support needs for yourself or your loved one please contact our dedicated team.

Friendly and Compassionate Carer’s also required to support our clients in your area

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

Two dogs walked over to a parking meter. One said to the other: ‘How do you like that? Pay toilets!’

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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MARKFIELD METHODIST CHURCH

Online church services and resources & where to find support ALL CHURCH SERVICES, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR NOW. For up to date info on exact cancellations please see our website www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org – this will also have up to date info re the below Church details as this could well have changed by the time you read this!

For the Methodist Church general guidance on the coronavirus pandemic and also for the link to “worship at home sheets” which are fantastic and basically has a service on a sheet with a sermon, prayers, readings and hymns with links to the hymns to play so you can sing along to them - please see www.methodist.org.uk/coronavirus ​There are also Services which are streamed live or on catch up – available on www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqh72LIMxA

LINKING IN WITH MARKFIELD GOOD NEIGHBOURS We had a discussion at a joint Service with members from all four Churches re doing something for the village, but have spoken to Dawn from the good neighbours scheme being co-ordinated at the community centre and those of us that are able to will be contacting Dawn to offer our services in whatever way they can be used – be that collecting prescriptions, posting letters, putting bins out, shopping etc.

This really is a great scheme and there is no point having lots of little splinter groups around the village – needs to be co-ordinated at one point and this is exactly what they are doing.

If anyone needs help with anything at all, please contact Dawn on 07885 243033

CHURCHES IN MARKFIELD All 4 Churches in and connected to Markfield work very closely together and are working with the good neighbours as above for practical support, but for more details on all of the Churches and how to contact anyone please see below – if you don’t have access to the internet and needs prayers please call Kerry Sharpe on 07979 607099.

• • • •

Methodist Church – www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org or FB Anglican Church – j22churches.org.uk Congregational Church – FB Catholic Church – http://stwilfscoalville.blogspot.com

MARKFIELD CHURCHES – WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Developing tiny minds and enhancing well-being We offer a number of different classes: • Baby Yoga • Messy Crafts • Sensory Play • Baby Massage • Rhythm and Rhythm

10%

off your first booking use code: ALJ860

For more information or to book visit www.babybelleswithsam.co.uk or call: 07446802781 I used to work in a garage which had a jet wash. It was pointless - there was nowhere for them to land.

57780_RKH_Baby Belles-Ad-Herald-130x95px.indd 1

14/10/2019 17:31

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

County Councillor’s Report from Peter Bedford Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or phone: 01455 824733

Covid-19 Coronavirus IT HAS only been 4 weeks since my last update, but I am sure we would all agree that seems like a lifetime ago.

I wanted to start this month’s update by thanking the many volunteers across Markfield, Stanton, Bagworth & Thornton, and at the other side of the County Division in Desford for the tremendous work that you are doing to support the most vulnerable in our communities at this difficult time.

In particular I would like to pay tribute to Ron & Dawn Grantham at the Markfield ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme, Helen Crouch in Bagworth & Thornton, and the many tens of volunteers helping to shop, deliver medicines and support those in need through this crisis.

At a time when it is only too easy to criticise the state of society it is these acts of generosity and kindness that restores faith in ‘community spirit’ by supporting one another through difficult times.

If you, or anyone you know, does need support the contact details for the respective voluntary response teams are: • Bagworth & Thornton (including Stanton): 07947 590241 • Markfield: 07885 243033

NHS

Primary school places – more children secure first choice FIGURES just released show that 92.4 per cent of children across Leicestershire have secured a place at their firstchoice primary school – an increase of 2.1 per cent on last year’s figure.

Also, this year, more than 7,600 applications have been received - an increase of 0.33 per cent compared to 2019.

For anyone needing advice, please get in touch as soon as possible to discuss what options may be available, including how to make an appeal. To find out more, visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ admissions

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS of Leicester (UHL) now has the equivalent of 14 wards worth of capacity for patients requiring admission; with plans to triple intensive care capacity.

They have significantly increased the numbers of patients that can be cared for on ventilators and have increased the number of outpatient consultations, carried out by phone, from 6% to 20%.

Like every other Trust in the country UHL has postponed many non-emergency patients (those waiting for elective procedures).

Understandably this will concern some patients, but the Trust must prioritise saving lives over everything else. To that end many of UHLs clinical teams have been training in wider clinical skills which will enable them to support Covid19 patients.

In respect of Leicestershire County

Council Services I thought it will be useful to provide residents with as much information as possible:

Children & Family Services: Schools and Early Years AS AT 27th March there were 203 schools open.

The total number of children attending schools was 1,145, of which 222 were vulnerable children. The numbers of children at each school ranged from 1 to 48.

Early Years providers remain open as follows: 112 child minders, 88 day nurseries and 63 pre-schools.

Leicestershire schools are operating in a cluster model, through 19 clusters led by Multi-Academy Trusts and one secondary head teacher. The national vouchers scheme (31st March) gives e-vouchers to parents of children eligible for free school meals. The Department for Education have set out that where possible, they would encourage childcare providers, schools and colleges to continue to look after critical workers’ children and vulnerable children throughout the Easter holidays. The Department is working with schools to establish these arrangements.

Early Help and Children’s Social Care ALL CHILDREN and Family Wellbeing Centres are now closed to the public.

The Front Door into Children and Family Services, through which all of the safeguarding referrals come, remains open at usual capacity. All children’s short breaks are paused.

All Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection cases have been risk assessed and visits are being made to families accordingly, either face to face or through WhatsApp, video or skype.

Adult Social Care: New discharge arrangements ON 19TH March the Government issued new guidance on the COVID - 19 Hospital Discharge Service Requirements.

This set out how key partners in health, adult social care, housing and the voluntary sector will work together to discharge patients in order to free up as much acute bed capacity as possible. Essentially, unless required to be in hospital, patients must not remain in an NHS bed.

Peter Bedford We have developed a Discharge hub at the Leicester Royal Infirmary which will progress all discharges from acute hospitals and community hospitals, and includes all Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) patients placed in and out of LLR hospitals. The time requirement is that discharges from wards to a designated discharge point should not take any longer than 3 hours.

There are four key patient pathways and each pathway will be supported to varying degrees – light touch support post discharge through to domiciliary packages of care or bed based options in residential or nursing care homes, depending on the need of the patient. The key is timely discharges to free up capacity and ideally support patients to get home.

Where patients need support this will be provided on a proportionate basis. The Discharge hub staffing is made up of staff from the main provider Trusts (University Hospitals Leicester Trust and Leicestershire Partnership Trust) and also includes staff from both Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council adult social care directorates. We have established joint working practices, rotas and are developing a single approach to the management and reporting of discharges for the period of COVID 19.

The Discharge hub will have staff focused on planning for discharges, reviewing discharges where a package of care or a residential placement has been made, and contains staff on site and working virtually drawn from Adult Social Care and the County Council’s Customer Service Centre.

Regulatory Services • The registration of births is currently suspended with new procedures in place to enable families to access child benefit and other tax credits without the need to reference a birth certificate.

• With effect from 30th March the death registration process has moved to a telephone appointment system. The filing of the medical certificate and issue of the green form for burial or cremation is now facilitated by electronic means.

Death certificates are sent by post.

• Notices of marriage, wedding

I come from a broken home, although it was just a hairline crack before I came along.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk ceremonies and civil partnerships are suspended until further notice.

• Citizenship Ceremonies are suspended with extensions granted to meet legislative requirements.

• The Coroner’s Service are receiving direction from HM Chief Coroner and where possible inquests are adjourned with restrictions in place on attendance at hearings that remain listed.

The primary focus for the Trading Standards Service is responding to emerging COVID-19 scams. The County Council Trading Standards Facebook page produces daily alerts on the latest scams. Members of the public are advised to ignore products that falsely claim to cure or prevent COVID-19.

There are reported incidents from neighbouring authorities of offering bogus anti-virus kits on the doorstep. Social media feeds are also utilised to advertise dubious health products that make false claims around detecting or preventing COVID-19. Sadly, the current lockdown has increased opportunities for the unscrupulous to scam householders on their own doorstep.

Local Resilience Forum (LRF) LRFS WERE established in 2005 and there is a LRF for each police force area in the country; and the LRF for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is known as ‘LLR Prepared’.

There is plenty of information on LLR Prepared’s website: https://www.llrprepared.org.uk/ but in simple terms the LRF is a multi-agency partnership (local authorities, emergency services, NHS, voluntary sector, Government agencies, e.g. Environment Agency, Highways England, HM Prisons Service, plus HM Coroner, other relevant bodies such as in our case East Midlands Airport, utility companies and the military).

Examples of issues which have been agreed in the LRF are: Volunteers and Voluntary Sector

Assurance There has been a growing concern that as far as possible the introduction of some sort of ‘health check’, even on a light touch basis is necessary. This is clearly important where volunteers are involved with vulnerable people and also to assist and protect volunteers, who may need some initial briefing or training.

An on-line process https://www. volunteerleicestershire.org.uk/ covid-19 and helpline: helpline@ valonline.org.uk has been set up to ensure as far as possible that volunteers and voluntary groups coming through this LRF approved route have been assessed and verified. The same process provides for volunteer offers to be matched to groups who have requested support.

Shielding and Protecting Vulnerable People AS OF 1st April 1,700 people living in Leicestershire had registered on the Government’s website, 800 of whom have indicated they require support.

All are being contacted in person

by County Council staff with indications to date being that many say they do not require food support.

Deliveries of parcels directly to households (food and other items) by contractors appointed by the Government have begun. Where those deliveries have yet to be made but food has been requested, the County Council has been able to supply that through its own resources, utilising an emergency bulk delivery of food recently received.

community sector, during the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Supporting communities has never been more important – and we want to enable the sector to continue and step up its vital work.

Charities, constituted voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises can apply for a maximum of £25,000 for support with the following activities: • Support for core running costs - for organisations who have experienced a loss of income due to services closing or operating at a reduced level and where this may lead to the permanent closure of the organisation • Extra staffing - capacity required to meet existing/current or increased demand for services, to support vulnerable people during the crisis • Adapting services - the need to rapidly adapt current service delivery models to maintain contact with service users • Equipment - funding for essential ICT, safety (such as PPE) or other essential equipment • Transport - funding for use of vehicles, transport, fuel etc. to enable visits to service users • Expenses - funding for increased expenses costs such as reimbursing travel costs for staff/volunteers who need to visit service users, if it safe to do so, in their home or in other locations.

• Other - anything else deemed acceptable in relation to the criteria

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for the fund Groups can apply for a grant online: https://www. leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/ leicestershire-communities-fund. html or by emailing: LeicestershireCommunities@leics. gov.uk Please note the funding can only be offered to voluntary and community sector organisations to help them to support vulnerable people in Leicestershire, due to the impacts of the current coronavirus pandemic.

At County Hall our meetings are now taking place via Skype as we adapt to the ‘new world’.

However, I continue to work closely with the Parish Councils, particularly with regards to ongoing and emerging issues such as the Crown Crest (HGVs) appeal, and the recent scoping exercise by Jelson for up to 450 houses off the London Road Markfield.

I would like to wish you and your families well and please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything you need, Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Saves Lives,

Peter Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov. uk or telephone: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/ peterbedfordmdt

Leicestershire Communities Fund LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has established a £1m fund to support the local voluntary and

My wife said we needed to communicate more. I knew she was right so I gave her my email address.

14

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Support available during COVID-19 Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in The Herald AFTER A BUSY few weeks, I thought it might be helpful to provide an update on what information I can share as your Borough Councillor for Markfield Stanton and Field Head.

Although no Herald is going out to be delivered, the news carries on and the Herald is always available online and Mike is still producing the same high quality community magazine we are all so familiar with.

I appreciate that the COVID 19 situation is deeply concerning for all and the most important thing and helpful thing you can do is follow the advice provided by the public authorities. The more that people follow the advice the quicker we will all recover from this.

I

WOULD like to start my online article by paying tribute to all those who are continuing to provide essential services to our community.

I would specifically like to add a mention to those working in our village stores, those who have volunteered to be a good neighbour, those who helped get it set up in record time! (especially Ron and Dawn) and all those going out daily in our community providing vital social care to the many householders who need this, regardless of what is going on in the world.

Of course I also join with others in paying tribute to all who are working in all our public services providing essential services at such a critical time. It is unacceptable that they do so ill-equipped with basics like protective clothing and when this crisis is over and done with a full review is needed to ensure we are better prepared in future for such things happening.

So what is happening at the Borough Council and how is it responding?

Well to start with, the Borough Council is part of the Leicestershire Resilience Forum. This body (set up to deal with major incidents) is currently seeking to coordinate the efforts of all public sector partners as they respond to the present pandemic.

I am informed that the most pressing priority has been to increase the number of hospital beds available in Leicestershire as the number of cases of COVID 19 requiring hospital treatment increases beyond the present capacity. One of the COVID response units is now based at

Hinckley Hospital with the beds turned over to support admissions and create additional acute capacity.

Shielded Person Category Along with this priority is the need to support those very vulnerable (most at risk of serious harm from the Virus) people identified as ‘Shielded’. If you are in this category you will have received a letter from the NHS saying that you are a ‘shielded person’ and must not leave the house. So efforts have been underway to ensure this group get essential supplies. This has been managed

by Leicestershire County Council Social Services although it required the recipient of the letter to respond and my main concern has been that some did not. I now understand efforts have been made to contact as many of the ‘Shielded’ as possible to discuss options with them.

This is only a small proportion of those who are in the wider group who are classed as vulnerable either by age (over 70) or medical reasons. How local authorities should respond to this group has been less clear.

Support Groups Many communities in Hinckley and Bosworth quickly established voluntary support groups identifying those in need and offering them assistance. These groups are a magnificent testament to the good nature of many people who just wanted to do something positive. At the same time the Borough Council has been looking at establishing its own local distribution hub for those people who have been in contact with the Council and our voluntary sector partners. The council is now working with ‘Next Generation’ to help coordinate the individual, community groups and businesses

who have come forward and offered to volunteer to support vulnerable people locally.

The Council is also utilising its housing support services to contact those it has already identified as being vulnerable.

They have also set up a new service where they can take direct referrals from people who are self-isolating and who have no family, friends or other community support networks to help them with tasks such as shopping and collecting essential items. Residents who contact the council for help are called back by an experienced member of staff and their needs established. If they have no support network then we will link them into the local community support where that exists. A team of council officers will ensure essential support is provided. The Council are also responding to people who have little social connections and officers will be ringing those residents back over the coming

weeks for a chat and to check if they are ok. Everyone who is spoken to will receive a follow up letter which gives advise on how to keep healthy and look after their wellbeing whilst isolating and information on keeping themselves safe from potential scams which sadly are on the increase.

It is hoped that soon the respective community groups across the Borough will be able to get more assistance and be linked to supportive central resources that they will be able to call on.

Eventually all those who need help in our community should be able to call on support and get the right level of input depending on need.

People can still volunteer to help and you can either do this direct with your local community group or through Next Generation at www.nextgenhinckley.org Next Generation is a forward looking, modern and progressive charity tackling the immediate

and current issues affecting people within the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth.

If you, or someone you know, has no other support and you are concerned about your own of someone else’s wellbeing and safety during a period of self-isolation, you can always contact the Council by ringing 01455 238141. They will endeavour to offer support either directly or by linking in with a local support group like the Good Neighbour group.

Some other key service developments linked to the COVID crisis: If you are worried about paying you Council Tax: There are now additional options available to anyone concerned about paying their council tax bill. This includes the option of a payment break for up to two months (the total bill remains the same). Some people may also be eligible for further support. The team will be as flexible as they can and they are aware that many people have concerns at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone with concerns about paying their council tax bill is asked to contact the council as soon as possible.

Refuse and Recycling Services: The Borough Council will be prioritising the continuation of the main black bin refuse service. This has meant a temporary pause on the brown bin garden waste and large bulky waste collections. As soon as driver numbers get back to normal it is hoped this service will again resume. The recycling blue bin service is also currently unaffected.

Housing Services: If you are about to be made homeless during this present crisis it is important you contact the council at the earliest opportunity. Pressure is being placed on the Government to bring new powers in to prevent evictions or give extra safeguards to ensure homelessness is avoided wherever possible but there has been an increase in requests for support. If you are living in Council property already all non-urgent works are on hold and will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Small and Medium Size Business Support: The government announced a package of support to business which will be administered by HBBC and NW Leicestershire. The financial support includes; a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, and leisure and nursery businesses in England. A small

They demolished my local Domino’s Pizza today, and all the other shops in the street fell down.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

15

Thousands of books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers available

Big demand for libraries’ digital books offer business grant of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief with a rateable value up to £15,000 and a grant of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.

You can contact the Council via its website.

Planning Services: Sadly, the Government is insisting that the Council’s planning services continue to operate. This is despite public meetings being suspended and the obvious staffing disruptions caused by COVID. This means developers can still submit planning applications and expect these to be determined within the same time frame as before and if the Council fails it can be punished. This ridiculous state of affairs, totally limits any effective community response to contentious applications such as we might see in our villages. This cannot be right and demonstrates again the Government total and misplaced obsession with giving housebuilders the green light to do as they please.

Representations on this are being made by a number of different parties and I hope it changes.

Thank You Once again let me say a big thankyou to everyone who is doing their bit in these strange times. I will try and provide a further update as things develop. Please stay safe and sound and lets hope we turn the corner on this soon.

DIGITAL LIBRARY services in Leicestershire are seeing a demand during the coronavirus lockdown – and the county council is to purchase additional eBooks and eAudiobooks to keep up with it.

For every month which libraries remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, around 700 new titles and additional copies will be added to the collection for adults, young adults and children to access.

That means that, as well as expanding the selection, it also reduces the waiting times for the most sought-after items.

Latest figures, over the past two months, show there’s been a 12 per cent increase in digital loans, a 35 per cent rise in eBook loans, and Borrowbox eBooks and eAudiobooks’ users have gone up by 20 per cent.

With library sites closed across the county to protect public safety, library members can access thousands of digital books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers for free through their phones, tablets or computers. The digital titles also offer a personalised and accessible experience with options for font sizes, translation and voice-overs.

Councillor Richard Blunt, county council cabinet member for libraries, said: “It’s very important that we stay safe and stay at home to protect others and the NHS. I would encourage anyone to find out more. That could be a new member or those people who had visited a library but hadn’t signed up for the digital offer.”

To start using the digital library, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/digital-library For help with the service or if you have any questions, please call 0116 305 2695 or email libraries@leics.gov.uk

For a brief moment, I got excited because I thought my toothpaste said anti-plague instead of anti-plaque.

16

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Grants available for some businesses across the borough BUSINESSES across Hinckley and Bosworth have begun to receive grants to support them through the coronavirus pandemic with more set to be paid.

Hinckley and Bosworth Council began making the awards on 1st April on the first day of the business grant award scheme, paying hundreds of thousands of pounds to local businesses.

The council’s business rates team have contacted hundreds of businesses to ensure they will be paid the grants they are due and will continue to work with local businesses to ensure all who are eligible will be provide with these much needed funds More than 1600 businesses across the borough are eligible for the grants, which range from £10,000 to £25,000 depending on the size of the company.

In total, the council expect to pay out £22m in grant payments once all eligible businesses make their applications and staff work through processing these.

The council is intending to process more applications this week and is encouraging all eligible businesses to apply.

In addition the council has already processed over £1.8m of the Expanded Retail Discount Scheme relief, ensuring all qualifying retailers secure a 12 months business rate discount.

Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “We have redeployed a number of staff from services across the organisation to contact the many businesses that we do not hold bank details for, to ensure we can make arrangements for secure payments to them and to mitigate through the systems we have in place against any potential fraud.

“To be in a position to be making payments to businesses from today is remarkable given the government has been continually updating guidance to councils, the most recent of which arrived yesterday.

“To help our teams to continue to work through the payments as quickly as possible we are asking companies to go online and sign up for e-billing.”

Council Leader Stuart Bray added: “This is an absolute priority, we are determined to get the grants out to our businesses as soon as we possibly can to mitigate the impact of the closedown on jobs and the local economy.

We appreciate it’s a very worrying time and we are determined to do all we can to help our local businesses.

“My thanks to everyone at the council who is working on this in very trying circumstances.”

For more information about eligibility and how to apply go to www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/coronavirus - brief details regarding eligibility are listed below:

Small Business Grant Fund UNDER the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) all businesses in England in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) and Rural Rates Relief (RRR) in the business rates system will be eligible for a payment of £10,000 in line with the eligibility criteria as set out below.

Eligibility: • Hereditaments included in this scheme are those which on the 11 March 2020 were eligible for relief under the business rate Small Business Rate Relief Scheme (including those with a Rateable Value between £12,000 and £15,000 which receive tapered relief).

• Hereditaments that were not eligible for percentage SBRR relief are excluded.

• Hereditaments which on 11 March 2020 were eligible for relief under the rural rate relief scheme are also eligible for this scheme.

• Eligible recipients will receive one grant per hereditament.

• State Aid rules apply and this has a total cumulative limit of 200,000 euro over a 3 year period • Any business caught falsifying their records to gain additional grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be subject to claw back.

One Moment

By Linda Green Finn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time...

Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and only eats at cafes with a 5-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home.

Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in.

They don’t know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever . . .

Glass Dolls

By D.E.White D.E. White’s hotly anticipated GLASS DOLLS is the utterly gripping new book starring Detective Dove Milson.

Detective Dove Milson is called out to a chilling murder scene by the coast. A teenage girl is found murdered, encased in glass.

The murder is a replica of the work of a serial killer known as the Glass Doll murderer, who entombed his victims in glass to watch them die. He would be the prime suspect but . . . HE’S ALREADY DEAD The kicker? Dove’s own niece was one of the original Glass Doll victims.

When her other niece goes missing, it looks like the copycat killer plans to repeat history in more ways than one.

WILL SHE BE THE NEXT GLASS DOLL? Time is running out. Dove must race to catch a killer before it’s too late.

Then a new lead tears a hole in the case.

If you think Special K is boring, wait till you try Normal K.

IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP Do you need someone to pick you up some milk, a prescription or perhaps you feel lonely and need a chat.

We are here to help you!

YOU WILL NOT BEÂ A BURDEN!

THE GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD SCHEME HAS PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE TO HELP. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A NOTE THROUGH YOUR DOOR WITH A CONTACT NAME AND NUMBER. PLEASE USE IT. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE PLEASE CONTACT DAWN: MARKFIELDCOMMUNITYCENTRE@HOTMAIL.CO.UK / 07885243033

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s response to Coronavirus

Latest update from the Leader, Cllr Stuart Bray and Chief Executive Bill Cullen WE KNOW many of us will be understandably worried about the coronavirus pandemic that is affecting our lives and communities, but rest assured Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council staff are working round the clock to keep residents as safe as possible, and to ensure that essential council services continue during this challenging time. Your support and co-operation is much appreciated.

Below you will find some of the actions the council is taking, as well as ways we can all help keep ourselves and family’s safe.

Supporting vulnerable residents AS PART of a borough wide effort to support the most vulnerable we have launched a Resident Support Scheme to support borough residents most in need of extra help during the coronavirus outbreak, including those selfisolating.

We have also been touch with over one thousand residents and tenants and provided assistance where needed.

The service prioritises those people who have no one else to help and who are the most vulnerable, for example those over the age of 70, those with an underlying health condition, individuals who are on their own and feeling isolated and families that are struggling to cope.

Working with the Voluntary and Community sector, assistance can be given to: · Linking people into local support networks where these are in place · Help with emergency food access and ongoing shopping assistance · Advise on collection of prescriptions and other essentials · Social contact for those who are lonely · Advise on financial help for those who are worried about their personal finances · Advise on how to look after your health and wellbeing whilst self-isolating.

If you are self-isolating or know somebody who is and has no or limited support networks such as friends, family or neighbours please call 01455 238141 or visit: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ coronasupport

What support is there for older people?

AGE UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has launched

a dedicated Coronavirus Helpline 0116 299 2239, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm to support the most at risk in our communities, to help deliver practical and emotional support to local older people.

The Silver Line also offers a free, 24 hour confidential helpline for older people 0800 4 70 80 90.

Volunteering ANYONE interested in volunteering can register with our partner Next Generation, who is already working with registered charities and organisations in the area.

Visit www.nextgenhinckley.org or call 01455 632984.

Businesses Support FROM 1 APRIL a figure of around £22 million to support eligible businesses has begun being distributed by the Council’s finance team.

Further help and assistance is available on our website with links to external agencies. www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ info/200379/help_and_advice_for_ businesses/1630/coronavirus_-_ business_rates_support_and_advice

Waste Service The council is diverting its staff to ensure the refuse (black bin) and recycling (blue lidded bin) collections services continue as normal and are unaffected by this change.

Unfortunately we have had to suspend the garden waste collection service for a short period. We are currently looking at all options to resume the service as soon as we possibly can. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and will restore the service as soon as possible.

We encourage residents to keep an eye on media, social media channels and the Council’s website for updates on a weekly basis: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ coronavirus The council is unable to arrange refunds to garden waste subscribers

but it will extend customers’ garden waste subscriptions automatically to cover the time the service is not running to ensure customers are not left out of pocket. Customers are advised there is no need to contact the council to arrange this; it will be done for you

Parks and open spaces WHILE we’re doing our utmost to keep the parks and gardens open for daily exercise, please encourage your friends and family to continue to follow the national guidance on social distancing and we would be most grateful if you would take all rubbish home with you.

Please stick to your one form of exercise per day.

Support & Goodwill THANKS to your goodwill, all this has been achieved through nearly three weeks of significant disruption while over three-quarters of our staff have been set-up to work from home.

We are using new technology to overcome the lack of face to face meetings, but continue to ensure services continue and decisions are made in a timely manner.

Can we take this opportunity to thank those key workers in the NHS, emergency services and other industries critical to ensuring people are kept safe and well.

We are aware of many residents who have co-ordinated their own response to help those in need.

Some are being supported by the borough and parish councils and other organisations. It is truly heartwarming display of human kindness and we are most grateful for each community’s support to their neighbours.

Thanks to all our officers and partners who, while not exempt from this pandemic, are continuing to turn up to work day in, day out to make sure you continue to receive council services.

These are extremely difficult times for everyone but we can take heart from the amazing kindness

that people are showing, from the heartfelt #clapourcarers each Thursday evening, to the pictures drawn and placed on our waste bins by our youngest residents thanking the waste teams for the job there are doing to all the many bright and beautiful rainbows being displayed in windows across the borough.

We all have a part to play in limiting the spread of this infection and we urge you to follow NHS advice and stay at home, stay safe and stay well.

The coming days and weeks are critical. The way in which we are working together, supporting our businesses, communities and families will ensure that we will get through these troubled times and reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

Health advice for us all WE ARE in this together and we can all help limit the spread of COVID-19 by following the NHS and Public Health England guidelines on social distancing.

To find out more about social distancing visit: Government guidance on social distancing. To get the best advice about symptoms of COVID-19, how to prevent the spread, and who should stay at home, visit: nhs.uk/coronavirus . For the most up-to-date information about Covid-19 in the borough, please visit our dedicated webpages: www.hinckley-bosworth. gov.uk/coronavirus So this Easter remember - Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives.

Our good wishes to you and your family.

Cllr Stuart Bray Chief Executive Bill Cullen

20

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

All the latest news from

Digital Library Services FAQs Quick Guide to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers

What Digital Library Services are Available?

LEICESTERSHIRE’S digital library service provides library members with access to thousands of free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers. These can be accessed two ways:

So

How do eBooks & eAudiobooks many people are work?

EBOOK and eAudiobook titles are purchased individually in the same way as physical books.

• Titles automatically expire at the end of the loan period so there are never any fines.

• If an eBook or eAudiobook is currently on loan then you can reserve it, you will be added to a queue and the title will be added to your account when it becomes available.

• BorrowBox and RBdigital are not compatible with Kindle eReaders th due to Amazon restrictions, however the BorrowBox and RBdigital apps can be downloaded to Kindle Fire devices and eReaders.

Visit the digital library webpage to get started

eMagazines and eNewspapers can be checked out for as long as you like, just delete them from your account when you have finished reading them. There is no limit to the number of titles you can checkout at a time.

• RBdigital provides access to popular titles including Hello!

Magazine, Radio Times and New Scientist.

• PressReader provides access to thousands of national and international newspapers and magazines including The Independent, The Daily Mail, The Guardian and the Leicester Mercury.

• Titles can either be read online via a web browser or downloaded via the RBdigital or PressReader apps to be read offline.

Visit the digital library webpage to get started

touched by dementia.

PLEASE COME TO OUR FRIENDLY COFFEE MORNING Most and eAudiobooks LIBRARY at 11am ateBooks MARKFIELD can only be borrowed by one person on at a time due to licensing Wednesday 18 January.

More Information

• Using the free BorrowBox, RBdigital & PressReader apps on a smartphone or tablet • Using an internet browser on a desktop PC, MAC or laptop All digital titles are free and there are no overdue charges.

Leicestershire Libraries subscribe to three platforms, BorrowBox, RBdigital and PressReader, each platform provides access to different types of content: • BorrowBox eBooks eAudiobooks • RBDigital eAudiobooks eMagazines • PressReader eNewspapers eMagazines Digital formats include a range of functionality so people can personalise their experience, including choosing font size, playback speed and enabling translation and voice-overs.

restrictions. LCC buy multiple copies of some popular titles that have been reserved by several people to reduce the waiting time for in-demand titles. Some popular titles and authors are not available to borrow digitally from public libraries, this is due to restrictions put in place by publishers.

• Borrow up to 10 eBooks and 10 eAudiobooks from BorrowBox and 10 eAudiobooks from RBdigital at a time.

• Borrow titles for up to 3 weeks, return titles when you have finished reading them or renew titles to borrow for longer.

& Help

MORE information is Would you please spend just one hour toat the below available websites: understand a little more about dementia?

• BorrowBox help page – you must login using a Leicestershire How do library card number and PIN to see It could help you, family, friends,&neighbours eNewspapers the help page eMagazines work?

• RBdigital Help Page - our whole community.

• PressReader Help Centre • eMagazines can be checked out from RBdigital and PressReader.

If your query has not been covered by these FAQs, please contact us on 0116 305 2695 or email us at libraries@leics.gov.uk

• eNewspapers can be Our free, valuable and interesting Dementia Friends checked out from PressReader.

Information Session is just about asking everyone to understand a bit more about dementia and how we might make life that bit easier and more pleasant for those people who live with it.

How do I Access Digital Library Services?

Please do be a Dementia Friend.

TO START using any of the services visit the digital library webpage which gives step by step instructions on getting started.

You must be a member of the library to access the digital library services, if you are not already a member you can join online to start using BorrowBox, RBdigital and PressReader straight away.

To login to BorrowBox, RBdigital and PressReader you will need your library card number/ online joiner number and your four-digit PIN. If you have forgotten your PIN you can reset it by visiting our online catalogue, selecting ‘log in’ in the top right corner and choosing ‘forgot my PIN’. However, this only works if we have your up to date email address on record, if it doesn’t work please contact libraries@leics.gov.uk and we will send you a PIN via email.

The special Beatles version of Cluedo is really boring. It’s always Lucy, in the sky, with diamonds.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

21

10 Free Box Sets to Binge During Coronavirus Lockdown WITH COVID-19 keeping us all inside this Easter weekend, if there was ever an excuse to stay at home on the sofa and binge watch box sets, this is it.

So, in light of those doing the right thing and staying at home, the BBC announced a few weeks ago that it would bring back some of its classic box sets to the iPlayer.

With spy-thriller favourite Killing Eve series 3 set to return on Monday (13th April) an Easter weekend of lockdown may just be the perfect opportunity to catch up on series 1 and 2 now ready for the drama’s anticipated return.

With this in mind OnlineCasinos.co.uk has put together their top picks for free box sets to keep you busy during lockdown - from BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub and UKTVplay.

Killing Eve | BBC iPlayer | 2 series Killing Eve is a British spy thriller series. The programme follows Eve Polastri, a British intelligence investigator tasked with capturing psychopathic assassin Villanelle as the chase progresses, the two develop a mutual obsession.

The third installment of the popular programme is set to return to our screens on Monday so if you haven’t watched it, let’s face it you’ve got time to catch up! And if you have watched it use your time to refresh your memory on all the thrilling action so far!

Spooks | BBC iPlayer | 10 series Spooks has made a comeback to the iPlayer especially for your lockdown entertainment. First airing on the BBC in 2002, the Bafta-winning series follows adventures of the security services at MI-5, as they race against time to shut down imminent threats to national security.

Famous for its shocking twists this groundbreaking series will keep you occupied during lockdown.

Luther | BBC iPlayer | 5 Series John Luther, played by Idris Elba, is a near-genius police murder detective, and a very good one. He deals with murder cases, often involving serial killers, and has a knack for getting inside the mind of the killer. However, his methods, personality and troubled private life often get him into strife with his superiors, leading some to regard him as the problem rather than the solution.

A true nail-biter, this gritty and captivating programme can be found on the iplayer and with 5 series to get through your lockdown just got a lot more exciting.

Life on Mars | BBC iPlayer | 2 Series Feeling like you want to escape for a while then ‘Life on Mars’ is the ultimate programme to binge watch during lockdown.

After being involved in a car accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler wakes up to find himself in 1973, the era of ‘Sweeney’ type policing, Mark III Cortinas, and flared trousers. Let this programme take you back in time and sit back to all the 70s nostalgia.

The title is also a reference to David Bowie’s 1973 single Life on Mars?, with its lyrics “Take a look at the law man, beating up the wrong guy” - and who doesn’t love a bit of Bowie?

The Inbetweeners | All 4 | 3 series Fancy a laugh this bank holiday weekend or just want something to keep your spirits up during lockdown then this sitcom about a bunch of middleclass adolescent lads is the one to binge for you. Welcome to a world of futile crushes, sibling brawls, getting drunk too quickly and casting constant aspersions about your friends’ sexuality.

The show originally aired on E4 from 2008 to 2010, but you can catch up with all 3 series on All 4.

Dinner Date | ITV Hub | 46 Episodes While dates might be off the cards for many while we remain in lockdown it doesn’t mean we can’t binge watch singletons trying to find love over a three course meal.

Everyone’s guilty pleasure ‘Dinner Date’ puts love on the menu for single guys and girls. Each programme gives one lucky person the chance to find true love over three meals cooked by a blind date in their own home and now you can binge watch 46 episodes over on the ITV Hub.

Where the Heart Is | UKTV Play | 5 Series ‘Where the Heart Is’ is a British drama-soap set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Skelthwaite. The series first aired on ITV in the United Kingdom on 6 April 1997. The British classic follows the lives and loves of two community nurses, sisters-in-law Peggy Snow and Ruth Goddard deal with life’s trials and tribulations realistically.

A classic heart-warming TV series to sit and enjoy with the family while in lockdown together.

Merlin | BBC iPlayer | 5 Series First airing in 2008 and making a welcome come back to the iPlayer is action-packed fantasy adventure based in the fables of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, telling the story from when they were young men struggling to understand their destinies.

In this version Prince Arthur is the heir to the throne but he’s already acquainted with all those who will one day form the legend of Camelot, including Lancelot, Guinevere, and Morgana - another great binge watch for the whole family.

Call the Midwife | BBC iPlayer | 9 Series A heart-warming drama series following the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s, based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth. It follows newly qualified midwife Jenny, who joins an eccentric, lovable community of nuns who are nurses at Nonnatus House First airing in 2012 the iPlayer has all 9 series for the ultimate binge-a-thon of this moving, funny and colorful look at midwifery and family in 1950s East End London.

Doctor Who | BBC iPlayer | 12 Series The ultimate binge worthy box set for lockdown with 12 series worth of the doctors adventures through time and space.

As we can’t travel at the moment, let yourself escape to different planets with The Doctor, a mysterious 2,000-year-old time-travelling figure, and his many companions as they journey across time and space in a ship known as the TARDIS.

Not to brag, but I was a non-essential worker before it was cool.

22

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Surgery Patient Update on Local Participation Group Parkinson’s Group OUR GRATEFUL and heartfelt thanks go to everyone at Markfield Surgery for all the hard work that they have done over the past few weeks to prepare for and cope with the Covid 19 pandemic as well as maintaining the service to patients.

All NHS staff have been working so hard in this very difficult time and it is clear from the rainbow pictures and NHS heart pictures on display around the village that their effort is very much appreciated.

By the time you read this article, we will have been following the Government guidelines on social distancing and possibly self-isolation for several weeks. Many people will have become adept at using the internet and social media to keep in touch remotely. However, those who have no access to a digital platform could very quickly feel isolated. In addition, those unable to go outside to exercise will no doubt feel even more alone.

The government is very aware of the need to support people’s mental health and well being during this challenging time and have produced guidance on strategies that can be tried on its website, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidancefor-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-forthe-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-ofcoronavirus-covid-19.

Suggestions include keeping in touch with friends and family via telephone, video calls or social media. Simply by calling someone you are supporting them and also helping yourself feel better too. Everyone is finding this difficult and sharing your ideas and strategies for coping can help others too.

Looking after your physical wellbeing is also important so you should try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water and exercise. Exercise outside can include gardening or walking (keeping the recommended 2 metres from others as outlined in the social distancing guidance). There are free easy 10 minute work outs from Public Health England or other exercise videos on the NHS Fitness Studio for exercising at home. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-your-body/move-more/homeworkout-videos/ Many people find the news about coronavirus (COVID-19) concerning.

You may well feel that there are some things that are outside of your control right now and this might lead you to feel anxious or overwhelmed. You may find it helpful to only check the news at set times or just a couple of times a day.

The ‘Every Mind Matters’ page on anxiety and NHS mental wellbeing audio guides provide further information on how to manage anxiety. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ It may help to develop positive new routines including a variety of activities such as cleaning, cooking, exercise, reading or calling a friend.

It might be helpful to write a plan for your day or your week. Working on a hobby or learning something new can boost your mood. There are lots of free tutorials and courses online which you could use. New online solutions are being created, such as online quizzes, lessons for children at home and streamed live music concerts. If you can set goals and achieve them this gives a sense of purpose and control. Keeping your mind active is also important – many people enjoy doing words puzzles and sudokus but simply reading, writing or playing games can also work.

If you are experiencing stress, feelings of anxiety or low mood, you can use the NHS mental health and wellbeing advice website for selfassessment, audio guides and practical tools. ‘Every Mind Matters ‘also provides simple tips and advice to start taking better care of your mental health. If you are still struggling after several weeks and it is affecting your daily life, please contact the Surgery.

WE HAVE received interest in our activities from Markfield and Thornton particularly and wonder if more readers of ‘The Herald’ would benefit from information about the Hinckley Group of Parkinson’s UK?

Unfortunately all our main activities have had to be cancelled because of the current health crisis!. These activities include monthly meetings, teas at Dobbies, a Challenge PD weekly exercise class, the choir [A-Choir’d-Taste] and the Nordic Walking, all suspended until further notice.

In the meantime members are keeping in touch with one another through Whatsapp on their phones and keeping an eye on the Facebook page ‘Hinckley & District Parkinson’s Support Group’.

It is hard to believe that every hour in the UK someone is told that they have Parkinson’s but public awareness and knowledge of this brain disease is quite minimal. Often it is only the tremors that people associate with it but there are so many more conditions that impact on lives and almost every patient has different symptoms.

There is no cure but much international research is going on to develop life-changing treatments and perhaps an eventual cure. The social internet sites and telephone links are important in providing forums for sharing experiences and chatting to others affected by the condition - and the local ones seem particularly relevant, To contact the Hinckley & District Parkinson’s Group give Chairperson Janet Kavanagh a ring on 07932615233, or Vice-chairperson Tina Connor on 01455 699937. They can put you in touch with the right people so that as a patient, carer or member of the family, helpful advice or a listening ear can be provided.

We will keep you informed about when our activities will be resumed.

So don’t let Parkinson’s dictate how you live your life get in touch with the Hinckley Group and see the benefit for yourself.

Robert A. Leake

I fell in love with my girlfriend at second sight. The first time I met her, I didn’t know her father was a millionaire.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the perils of a Scout camp The Rectory St James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren IT SEEMS that the basics of parish ministry are no longer taught in theological colleges.

Don’t you know anything about consulting your diary in public? When you are asked if you are free on a certain date, accepted practice is to open it so that the enquirer cannot quite see. You then shake your head sadly, saying you are committed to blessing a new tea urn, or on some other vital ecclesiastical activity that day. Then you regretfully give your apologies. You do not open the thing in full view of your enquirer, so he can see the blank pages! Really, it serves you right that you are now committed to going on Scout camp.

The last time I agreed to pay the Scouts a visit was when I found that there was a splendid restaurant only a mile away from their camp. I arrived and parked my car by the side of the river where they were all canoeing, wound down the car window and made encouraging noises for some minutes before explaining I had to find a garage for petrol.

Several hours later, after an excellent lunch, I drove to where they were now rock climbing, wound down the car window and made encouraging noises for some minutes before explaining that I had a standing committee to return to that evening. It was a splendid day.

You, however, will experience the charms of two days under canvas.

Whatever site for your tent you choose, it will be the one that floods first.

The early hours will undoubtedly find you wading about in water in the pitch dark, retrieving your sleeping bag and clothes – which you will then have to wear for the rest of the day. Watch out for the food, as well: all camp food contains grass and usually sheep droppings. This will make you ill, though for some reason Scouts thrive on it.

Whatever the weather and whatever activities you do each day, you will end up wet, chilled and bruised. At least your evenings will be warm, for you are bound to spend them at Casualty, with youngsters suffering from sprained ankles or dislocated shoulders.

My only advice is to use those hours in Casualty to practise the art of opening your diary in a way that only YOU can see it.

Your loving uncle,

23

Mercenfeld Primary School Love to learn, have fun and make a difference Head Teacher: Mrs J Shephard

Deputy Head Teacher: Mrs R Noon

Oakfield Avenue, Markfield, Leicester LE67 9WG Tel: 01530243151 Email: admin@mercenfeld.com Website: www.mercenfeld.com

Mercenfeld Primary School Require School Governors Are you enthusiastic about education?

Do you have some time to spare?

If so, then you may be just the person we need!

We are looking for committed people to join Mercenfeld Primary School’s Local Advisory Board as Co-opted Governors.

What are we looking for?

Our Local Advisory Board is made up of Governors from all walks of life and many come to use through a variety of routes and with a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, but they are all volunteers who work together for the benefit of the School and are a valuable link between the school and the community it serves.

We want you We have a number of vacancies in the Co-opted Governor category and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has:  an interest in the performance of the school  a desire to contribute to and represent the community  an open and enquiring mind  the ability to look at issues objectively  the confidence to ask questions and join in debate  a willingness to listen and make informed judgements  the ability to work well with others

Mercenfeld Primary School are looking for committed people to join the Local Advisory Board as Co-opted Governors.

There are a number of vacancies in the Co-opted Governor category.

No special qualifications needed, but we are keen to complement the skills/experience of the rest of the Local Advisory Board membership.

We particularly welcome applicants with the following experience:

Whilst there are no special qualifications needed, we are keen to complement the skills/experience of the rest of the Local Advisory Board membership. Therefore, we would particularly welcome applications from individuals with experience of any of the following:  Finance (Accountant, Finance Manager etc)  Human Resources  Legal (Paralegal, Solicitor etc)  Health and Safety (H&S officer, compliance, union rep etc)  Premises or Facilities Management  Experiencing of chairing a board or committee  Experience of safeguarding

• Finance (Accountant, Finance Manager etc) • Human Resources • Legal (Paralegal, Solicitor etc) • Health and Safety (H&S officer, compliance, union rep, etc.)

• Premises or Facilities Management What does the Local Advisory Board do?

• Trust Experiencing chairing a board or committee The Board provides guidance of on governance to all academies, and is supported by the development of sub-committees at academy level known as Local Advisory Boards (LAB). The Local Advisory Board of our school is made up of parent, staff, local • Experience of safeguarding authority and co-opted governors.

The Local Advisory Board operates at a strategic level and is not involved in the day-to-day running of the school. We are responsible for both the conduct of the school and for the promotion of high standards. We carry out this role by setting the vision for the school, ensuring that the school works efficiently and effectively towards achieving its vision, and that the school provides a high quality education for its pupils. This is done by building a thorough knowledge of the school and its community, by both supporting and constructively challenging the school, and by ensuring accountability and compliance.

If you are interested, email Sally Collins, Chair of the Local Advisory Board, for further information and an application form, at:

scollins@mercenfeld.com

Depending on the number of applications there may be an election Mercenfeld Primary School is a part of Offices, Wreake Valley Academy, Parkstone process, which will be advised inTrust due course.

BRADGATE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP Road, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1LY Company number 08168237

Eustace

Two Centuries Ago ...

The voyage of HMS Beagle TWO HUNDRED years ago, on 11th May 1820, the British Royal Navy sloop HMS Beagle was launched. It was the ship that took Charles Darwin on the voyage around the world between 1831 and 1836 that led to his putting forward the theory of Evolution.

HMS Beagle was one of 100 ships of its class, known as coffin brigs because they handled badly and were prone to sinking. But its captain on Darwin’s voyage, Robert FitzRoy, made some critical changes to its superstructure and weaponry.

This was the second voyage of the Beagle; the first had resulted in the suicide of its depressed captain. FitzRoy was able to recruit Darwin, who was intending to be a clergyman, though he had recently graduated as a naturalist, as someone of a like mind who could be relied upon to research geology and natural history ashore.

The voyage lasted five years instead of the intended two, and Darwin became famous after publishing his journal, usually known as The Voyage of the Beagle, which was an intriguing travelogue as well as hinting at Darwin’s theories on species.

The ship itself was believed lost, but in 2004 its remains were thought to have been located beneath an Essex marsh.

The best thing about homeschooling is that now I can add “I’ll fail you” to my repertoire of empty parenting threats.

24

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

News from Bagworth Community Centre Like everyone else, Bagworth Community Centre is self isolating in the present difficult conditions.

We know that our regular users are really missing being able to use this wonderful amenity. One such group is Dance-tastic who were singing “Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside” as they prepared for the future. They were looking forward to their annual trip to Whitby in April and then to the NATD Grand finals in Blackpool in July. Sadly these events have had to be postponed.

It is doubly upsetting as this year had seen the 100% success rate for the third year running of these extremely talented children and adults in qualifying for this International event with pupils coming from all over the Country and Malta to compete in the Winter Gardens Ballroom, home to many high profile events in the Ballroom dancing world.

Before the curtailing of such events, the children and adults had recently attended a competition in Nottingham resulting in another haul of silverware with the youngest competitor being just 4 years old.

Back in December the dancing school had their latest exam session where all of the pupils received the highly commended accreditation with the average mark being 89% for technique, musicality and performance.

A real credit to all the hard work they put in over the year and also to the excellent teaching which had helped them to achieve these amazing results.

February saw the Annual Presentation Dance at Ibstock Community College where the pupils had a chance to showcase their routines to family and friends. It was a great evening of fun and dance for all the family and £200 was raised in the raffle which was split between the Teenage Cancer Trust and towards buying portable mirrors for the pupils to be able to perfect their style, poise and shaping in their routines.

When the present problems are over and things return to normal, there will be spaces available for both children’s and adult classes, so if Ballroom and Latin American dancing is on your ‘to do’ list then give Jo James a call on 0779032246.

The other groups of regular users were also enjoying success before their activities were brought to an abrupt end. They will also be looking forward to a return to normal, whenever that happens to be. Also, spare a thought for the people who had booked or were about to book the Centre for events, often birthday parties. Obviously they have been unable to enjoy these activities. It really is not easy for anyone. We do look forward to more normal times when the Centre plays the very real part that it does in the life of the Bagworth community.

Pretending

By Holly Bourne APRIL is kind, pretty, and relatively normal - yet she can’t seem to get past date five.

Every time she thinks she’s found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry.

If only April could be more like Gretel.

Gretel is exactly what men want - she’s a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems.

The problem is, Gretel isn’t real. And April is now claiming to be her.

As soon as April starts ‘being’ Gretel, dating becomes much more fun especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua.

Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings?

And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?

I just realized why I don’t look good in pictures anymore. It’s my face.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

25

Borough Councillor Andy Furlong’s

UPDATE Tel: 01530 231377 Email: andy.furlong@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk THIRTY-THREE years ago, a famous politician told Woman’s Own magazine, “There is no such thing as society.”

At the time, I thought that it was a pretty daft thing to say. It was wrong way back then, and it’s undoubtedly wrong today. Recent developments have killed this theory stone dead. Some of the things I’ve seen over the last month prove beyond doubt that ‘society’ is very much alive and kicking in the UK.

Blitz spirit The COVID-19 outbreak is the most disruptive and frightening period for our community since Coventry was visible ablaze from Hill Hole.

A global pandemic is very different from a world war, but the fear and uncertainty created are probably similar.

Not since the outbreak of Spanish Flu, over a century ago, has a virus presented the potential to disrupt so many lives, in so many places. Nonetheless, the public response has been remarkable, and in many cases, quite inspiring. A point made so eloquently by The Queen in her recent televised message.

Like most readers, I’m locked down at home and getting to grips with virtual working. I get out for a walk most days. While social distancing is now most definitely the norm, I’ve noticed that people have become friendlier and a good deal more considerate. Passing strangers, smile and say ‘hello’ more frequently. Neighbours wave from windows and gardens; brief encounters in the street prompt questions as to how people are coping, and if help or assistance is required. Rainbows and messages of hope are on show in windows. There’s a kind of ‘Blitz spirit’ in the air, and this was the underlying theme of the Queen’s message.

Council services HINCKLEY and Bosworth Borough Council continues to function, although many of the staff are working from home.

neighbourhood police team is one of ENGAGE, EXPLAIN, ENCOURAGE, ENFORCE. The Leicestershire Police have not had to resort to enforcement thus far. However, I’m told that the occasional firm explanation is required now and again. This shows the strength of the relationship between the public and the police in our society.

The team at Markfield Medical Centre, along with the staff at Masons’ Chemist, continue to deliver a service for patients, and they also deserve our thanks. I am grateful to the Chair Patient Participation Group, Alan Bourne for his regular updates. Let’s not forget the postal workers and delivery drivers who continue to turn up on our doorstep day in, day out, either. Plus, a big thumbs up to the shopworkers at the Markfield Co-op, and in local shops everywhere for their efforts. They may not always have what we need these days, and we might have to queue for longer than usual, but they deserve our patience and good humour.

Dawn and Helen, local heroes FINALLY, I want to mention two extraordinary people who are doing a great job supporting the elderly and vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis.

Dawn Grantham, supported by an enthusiastic group of around 60 volunteers, is leading a phenomenal effort under the banner of the Markfield Good Neighbour Scheme. These ‘good neighbours’ are delivering shopping, collecting prescription and providing friendly faces all over Markfield.

Ratby, Thornton and Bagworth are getting similar support from Helen Crouch. She recently expanded her volunteer network to cover Stanton, where many members of the Parish Council are in self-isolation.

As I remarked earlier, our regular council meetings are have stopped.

My day to day workload has reduced as a result. Because of this, I have decided to donate my April councillors’ allowance to the Markfield Good Neighbours and Helen’s Coronavirus Community Response Group. I’ll split the payment 50/50 between the two groups, and they can use the money to support local people as they see fit.

There is such a thing as society IT’S FANTASTIC to see people looking out for one another in so many different ways.

Be in no doubt; there is such a thing as society in Markfield, Stanton and Field Head. The same goes for Ratby, Bagworth and Thornton, where I know that my councillor colleagues Chris Boothby and Ozzy O’Shea are doing their bit too. It’s a pleasure to be part of this society.

Be positive, be strong, be safe, stay home.

See you on the other side.

Andy Furlong

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

I’m posting regular messages on social media to keep residents updated about changes to Council Tax payments, waste collections and other essential services. To find out more, visit www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ coronacounciltax Council meetings are cancelled, or postponed for the foreseeable future.

Nonetheless, Matthew Lay and I keep regular contact with the officers and staff. We are doing everything possible to support residents with local issues, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

Up the workers!

ON THURSDAY nights, I join my neighbours on the doorstep to applaud our NHS workers.

One thing is for sure; I don’t think they should be taken for granted ever again. But there are other groups who deserve our praise and support at this difficult time.

First, spare a thought for the brave men and women of the Leicestershire Police. They face the tough job of making sure that we comply with some of the most draconian legislation seen in 75 years. The style adopted by Inspector Emma Maxwell, Sergeant James Cross and the rest of the

I went on a bus tour yesterday - what a rip-off. £10 just to look round a double-decker.

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

More Bagworth Conversations - from Bob Austin This is Part Two of a collection of Bagworth History conversations, recorded on 11th June 1991 - kindly supplied by Bob Austin.

George Farmer: If we wanted to travel out of the village, it was usually by train. We were better off then with the train service than we are today by bus. And there were more choices to visit. For instance, we could travel to Buxton by train. It cost us 1s-9d return from Bagworth station to visit Derbyshire on a Sunday afternoon in the summer. We sometimes visited Matlock and Matlock Bath.

The farmers used to transport their livestock to and from the markets by train. Not only sheep, but also cattle and horses were also moved around by rail.

Also, the pigeon fanciers would send their pigeons on the train in wicker baskets, and the guardsman would feed and water them in transit. They’d travel from Bagworth station either to Leicester, or the other direction to Derby. Then they’d be transferred to another train to travel to wherever they were racing from.

Mrs Harbutt: It was usually on a Friday that the pigeon racing enthusiasts would congregate on Bagworth station to travel, perhaps, right up north in Scotland, as far as Frazerburgh. It was steam trains in those days, I’ve got a photo of me punching tickets.

George Farmer: Sometimes it was up to the train guardsman to release the pigeons. I have a photo of the old Station Master, Mr Peet, that was taken very early on. We also had a brass band in the village, the headquarters was the Plough Inn pub. Mr Bancroft has a lot of photos of the band. I joined when I was ten years old. We had three ‘comic bands’ in the parades, they were from the three pubs: the Maynard Arms, the Plough Inn and the Barrel. They used to compete against one another.

Mrs Olive Burchell: We always had good parades. They used to be grand affairs. People used to come from miles around to see them.

Mrs Harbutt: We always held an annual parade in aid of Leicester Royal Infirmary. Bagworth band was noted for its quality and excellence. They used to dress the

The Bagworth Miners’ Rescue Team floats up to a high standard.

Mrs Bancroft: In 1930 the Bagworth cricket team was formed by my husband. It continued to flourish until 1952. Luther Watson was in it (Mrs Harbutt’s brother). As we were short of funds to build a pavilion, when we had cricket matches we women set about making refreshments and selling to the public who attended.

We sold these refreshments round the field, to the people watching the match. This money was saved until eventually we had enough to buy a pavilion. The M.P. William Edge was engaged to come and open it.

Mrs Harbutt: Our Jack (Watson) was the wicket keeper and Luther (Watson) was in the team too. I’ve got cricket photos, you can see all the people on Barlestone Road watching play.

George Farmer: We used to play at the back of the pub in the summer (the Maynard Arms).

It was good entertainment for everyone. We were poor, very poor, in those days. My trousers were made out of old overcoats when I was at school. My dad used to make them. We had no money to buy new clothes. We wore short trousers with no zip or buttons at the front, just a little fly-hole.

When I was ten years old we had the General Strike of 1926. To help the poor miners’ children from going hungry, schools like ours used to provide soup. They used to cut pieces of meat up and make soup for us. All we had to sustain us seemed to be soup and cups of cocoa. During the General Strike they paid the miners a pittance of five shillings a week to keep a family. We were fortunate on one occasion when a fellow from Barwell sent some children’s shoes to the school. They were dishing them out to the kids, and I suppose I was unlucky, because I got a pair of lady’s high shoes! My parents cut

the tops off them and that’s what I wore.

Mrs Harbutt: During the General Strike, the children who went to school had soup made from meat supplied by butcher, Mr Herbert Miles, whose shop was down in The Square, off Main Street. On alternate weeks, the children would be fed with sandwiches. Low wages was the cause of the General Strike. The men were not earning enough to keep their families. But it was worse after the strike, because even in 1931 when I was first married, my husband came home on a Friday with only eleven shillings.

But we had good times too. We used to have Jolly’s concert party.

It was great fun. There was Mrs Hunter, Oliver Bowler, Joe Sperry, Jack Holmes, Luther (Mrs Harbutt’s brother), George Lowe, Marian Bowler, they all used to dress up for the concert.

Our Luther would dress up in drag and sing, “Why am I always the bridesmaid...”

George Farmer: K. Hardy was for the Miners’ Union, but the private Coal Mine owners were trying to disband it. Nobody had any money to go back with after the General Strike. We used to have what you called, ‘potato dripping’. They mixed the dripping with mashed potatoes and spread it on your bread.

My dad and six more people from the band got together and marched south, playing their instruments to raise money as they went.

They marched nearly to London altogether, and they sent money they collected back home to help keep our families. This went on for so long that I used to think another man, down at the Baptist Chapel where I attended, was my dad! He was a Mr Spencer from Thornton.

After the Strike crumbled the miners had to go back to work for less money than they earned

before! It was terrible, really.

Everybody was broke, no clothes, nothing!

Mrs Harbutt: Father Deagan, the Catholic Priest from Coalville, used to send parcels of food for the local people. I can remember receiving them. The Strike went on for 26 weeks. They (miners) were forced back to work for their families’ sake. The alternative was bleak.

Mrs Murby: We used to go sticking, chopping trees down, anything to get firewood to replace the coal allowance that was stopped. The houses had a copper to wash the clothes in. You’d light the fire under the copper to heat the water and you’d put the dirty washing in it.

George Farmer: There was a huge dump of waste from the pit, where the people went to riddle a few bags of coal from among the slag. Of course, your coal allowance was gone in the Strike.

We had the old fire range, oven and boiler. As the tubs tipped fresh waste from the pit, the strikers would rush to pick up the pieces of coal among it. One man got his leg broken rushing for the coal.

Teddy Boulter rushed up to meet this big lump of coal, and it rolled on him and broke his leg. The Management stopped them picking coal for a time.

Mrs Harbutt: Nailstone pit used to be called ‘The Long Flame’.

That’s why the ‘Neville Arms’ at Battram was renamed ‘The Long Flame’. There was no canteen down the pit. The colliers used to carry a ‘snap bag’ to work. They had cloth bags with a long string so that they could carry them on their shoulders. The shifts were continuous: 6.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m. till 10.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. till 6.00 a.m. We kids had to keep quiet when the nightshift were in bed. We used to dread Easter coming because it meant short time and a cut in wages.

Olive Birchall: The miners used to take bread and lard with a bit of salt on for their snap. It was wrapped in newspaper. They’d put it in their snap bags, together with a tin bottle of water.

George Farmer: They only had 15 minutes to have their meal breaks. The steam hooters sounded at 11.00 o’clock, and again at 11.15 to signal the end of the break. The steam hooters were operated from the boilers. There was only lump coal then. All the small coal that is used at Power Stations today, was thrown away in those days because there was no sale for it. They only worked two or three days a week in the summer, right up to September.

It was a great relief then, to start working a five-day week again.

I don’t understand fast food. I’ve been eating it for years but I seem to be getting slower and slower.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Who was Grandma Moses? Leicestershire

foster carers still needed during this time

Anna Mary Robertson (‘Grandma’) Moses grew up on a farm in upstate New York, where she worked as a hired girl, helping neighbours and relatives with cleaning, cooking, and sewing.

Her father encouraged her to draw on old newsprint, and she used berry and grape juices to brighten her images. She married when she was twenty-seven and moved to a farm in Virginia, where she raised five children.

Grandma Moses did not start painting until she was seventy-seven years old and looking for something to do “to keep busy and out of mischief ” after her husband died. She painted nostalgic scenes of American life and sold them at country fairs alongside her prize-winning pickles.

In 1939, when she had amassed a decent number of paintings, the then 78-year-old Moses was encouraged to include them in an exhibition of artwork by women in the community at Thomas’ Drugstore, a local business. This simple act would launch Moses’ professional career when in 1938, after being on view for almost a year, Louis Caldor, a New York City art collector driving through the area, saw her paintings. Impressed at her raw talent he purchased every work and, given her address, immediately went to Moses’ farm to discuss her work. She was not home but her daughter-in-law told him to return tomorrow and Moses would show him another ten paintings.

A nervous Moses, spent the night searching her house for more paintings and was forced to cut a large one in half to make two paintings and meet her quota (something Caldor would not realize for some time). Assuring her of her talent, Caldor purchased the ten paintings and returned to New York with the promise that he would get others excited about her art.

The public became enthralled with Moses and interest in her paintings Even celebrities, coveted her work including Bob Hope who according to art historian Karal Ann Marling in his January 17, 1946 column, “...boasted that he had just bought a wintertime barnyard scene by the eminent G. Moses. ‘It’s so real that every time I walk through the living room I can smell wood-smoke,’ he quipped. Marling further describes how, legendary songwriter Cole Porter, supposedly, “...never went on the road without a big Grandma Moses snow scene to make his hotel suite seem like his home on the forty-first floor of the Waldorf Towers, where another winterscape by Moses always hung in the place of honour over the piano.”

Unable to meet the growing demand, reproductions became an effective way to ensure everyone got to have a “Grandma Moses” of their own.

Soon after, Hallmark purchased the rights to reproduce her paintings on greeting cards and the name Grandma Moses became known across the USA. She died at 101, after painting more than fifteen hundred images.

MORE PEOPLE are being encouraged to become foster carers, as residents across Leicestershire continue to stand up and volunteer in their local community.

There are currently more than 600 children in care in Leicestershire, and our fostering service hopes the current community feeling will encourage more people to open their hearts and homes to a young person who needs them.

While our regular ‘find out about fostering’ events have been cancelled until further notice, the fostering team are accepting enquiries by phone, email and social media.

Anyone thinking that it may not be a good time to get in touch, please be reassured that one of the team will have the time to talk through the process in detail, by phone or video call.

To find out more about fostering, visit www.fosteringleicestershire. com or call 0116 305 0505 (MonFri, 8:30am-4:30pm).

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If it weren’t for marriage, men would spend their lives thinking they had no faults at all.

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Try a little kindness WHEN TV PRESENTER and celebrity Caroline Flack took her life in February 2020 the world was shocked and saddened. How could someone so young, beautiful and successful do such a thing? It seems that the pressure of an impending court case, the vitriol she received online, and her own inner pain had become too much for her.

Shortly before she died, she posted, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind.’

These simple words are a call to our society to become more caring and careful in the way we treat each other. There is too much unkindness about, especially on social media where unkind words are so common and can be so destructive.

Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. It is shown through our words and by our actions, an everyday sort of quality that is not spectacular but which when we encounter it can lift our spirits.

It is above all a Christian virtue that ought to be demonstrated in great measure within Christian communities. It is a fruit of the Spirit, an attitude that is formed within us when the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives (Galatians 5:22). It is an aspect of love for love is patient, love is kind (1Corinthians 13:4). Yet sadly, the Church is often no different from the world. Congregations can sometimes be anything but friendly, generous and considerate.

Why not try a little kindness this week? Do something spontaneously to help another person. Reach out in friendship to someone who seems lonely, if only by phone! Speak some kind words to those around you. You will feel better yourself, and you will be making the world a better place.

Elevator Pitch

By Linwood Barclay IT BEGINS on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in Manhattan.

Each presses the button for their floor, but the elevator climbs, non-stop, to the top where it pauses for a few seconds, before dropping.

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Right to the bottom of the shaft.

It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again. And when Wednesday brings yet another catastrophe, New York, one of the most vertical cities in the world is plunged into chaos.

Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. But what do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line?

It will be a race against time for detectives Jerry Borque and Lois Delgado to find the answers before a deadly Friday night showdown.

Number one bestseller Linwood Barclay returns with a heart-stopping thriller which will do for elevators what Psycho did for showers and Jaws did for the beach…

Christian Aid Week 2020 cancelled

Parental excuses

By the Revd Tony Horsfall of Charis Training

Due to Covid-19, the usual delivery of envelopes and fundraising efforts for Christian Aid Week starting on 10 May will no longer take place.

However, when the current situation improves and gatherings are permitted, the four churches in the village, Churches Together in Markfield, hope to hold an event to celebrate this and raise funds for Christian Aid at that occasion.

In the meantime, Christian Aid has launched their Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to help the world’s poorest countries, with the weakest health systems and most vulnerable people, that are exposed to the deadly virus.

At the same time, we are very aware of how disastrous is the virus’s impact on the health and well-being, and financial circumstances of many of our homes and families in our village.

Bearing this in mind, please find below details of how people can find out more about the Coronavirus Emergency Appeal and Christian Aid’s ongoing work as well as donate online if they choose to do so at this time: www.christian.org.uk and www.donate.christianaid.org.uk.

Now Christian Aid are preparing online resources to enable live streaming of daily worship during Christian Aid Week, a virtual quiz and other virtual fundraising ideas. These will be available soon.

THESE are actual ‘excuse notes’ from parents excusing their children from missing school (includes original spelling): • My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today.

Please execute him.

• Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33.

• Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

• John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.

• Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.

• Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.

• Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side.

• Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.

• Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.

• Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust.

• I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because I don’t know what size she wears.

• Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.

Drive it Day Rescheduled for Sunday 20th September at Little Markfield Farm, Forest Road, Markfield, Leicester, LE67 9UQ JOIN US at Little Markfield Farm for a road run around the local area; meet at the farm at 10am for a cuppa, before setting off at 11am taking in the local scenery before returning to the farm.

Meals will be available at the farm on your return see Little Markfield Farm Facebook for menu.

We will be raising money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, £3 donation per vehicle to be paid on the day.

• The event is open to all classics cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and kit cars, however in order to avoid congestion we have limited the number of vehicles to 50 so entry will be on a First come first served’ basis.

• For more information contact Brenda on 07774 047571 • Please book your Vehicle in via our Facebook page event or contact Brenda.

The bank says this is my final notice. Isn’t it fantastic that they’re not going to bother me anymore?

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Markfield Congregational Church

A Belated Easter Message DURING the days of gloom and doom brought about by the Coronavirus, Covid 19, many people are asking “How long…?”

This question can have a number of different subjects. How long until we can come out of isolation? How long before I can go and do my own shopping? How long before I can get my hair cut? How long until the schools reopen? I’m sure you have similar questions of your own.

The big difference between us and the disciples of Jesus is that they should have known “How long”. At Easter time churches across the world celebrate the great Christian truth that Jesus died and was buried. The disciples had been given lots of clues as to how long this tragedy would last. Jesus had told them in different ways and at different times that it would be three days. However, on Easter Sunday, three days after his death came resurrection! This seemed to take the disciples by surprise.

These thoughts reminded me of an old hymn that has the lyrics: Their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. This was true for the disciples; their time of tears gave way to a time of rejoicing and song. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves his ability to conquer everything – even death. We can all take great comfort and hope in these sad days that our time of darkness will turn into a time of celebration. I look forward to celebrating with you and giving thanks to God for bringing us through this present darkness. Hallelujah!!

Minister Rev Joy Langford

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10/16/19 2:58 PM

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST WILFRID OF YORK 53 London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JB DUE TO COVID-19, ALL SERVICES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. • The parish website below contains links to the live streaming of Masses and devotions as well as links to prayer and scripture resources.

• The EWTN Channel (Eternal Word Television Network), not on Freeview unfortunately, also broadcasts Masses and devotions.

• Fr Gabriel is available throughout this time if a priest is needed.

Parish Contact Parish Priest: Fr Gabriel Offor – 01530 832098 www.stwilfspriest@ gmail.com Parish Website: www. stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk Markfield Masses Congregational Church Hall, Main Street, Markfield (next to the Chinese takeaway) Wednesday, 16 September at 7 pm if the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Markfield Village Contact: Margaret on 01530 243292

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THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

What’s Been Happening at Markfield Community and Sports Centre Words and pictures from Ron Grantham • Tel: 01530 242240 • www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS IT WAS with a very sad but understanding heart that we had to completely close down the Community Centre including all of its activities as well as all the outside facilities.

I thought that Carol was going to cry when we announced the closure at our last Mayflower Club meeting. In these anxious and scary times we worry that everyone comes through the crisis safely and we can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

Echoing the words of the Prime Minister in his letter received today saying “It is with that great British spirit that we will beat coronavirus and we will beat it together”.

With this in mind we could perhaps take strength from the World War 2 spirit of hope in the words of Vera Lynn’s war time song during these difficult times.

We’ll meet again We’ll meet again, Don’t know where, Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through, Just like you always do Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

Burglary at the Centre BUT I MUST have to have a rant at a person who has clearly not got an ounce this British spirit. Words cannot describe our anger and disappointment at the low life who burgled the community centre during the early hours recently.

Whilst we are all risking ourselves to help others this selfish person was risking us all to help himself. How selfish can he be? He obviously doesn’t care that his actions risked the life of at least 6 people including Police staff, alarm engineers and our own staff to sort out the mess he made.

We have been strenuously keeping the Community Centre clean and sanitized to make it readily available for emergency use but this person, through his selfish actions compromised this. We had to lock down the centre completely for three days and then clean and sanitize all over again to make sure the centre is ready for any emergency.

Fortunately he hadn’t burgled the Centre just before the National Blood Service was due to use the Centre for emergency blood donations as this vital service would not have been able to go ahead. All I can say is “Shame on you”. Ironically it was all for nothing as there is nothing of value at the Centre. You fled empty handed when the alarm went off and put us all at risk. If you had asked, we perhaps could have helped you with food etc.

BUT NOT illegal drugs – it certainly would be less than the cost of cleaning and sanitizing materials as well as the Alarm Engineer’s call out fee!

Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme – spreading kindness EARLY DOORS we saw an opportunity to utilize the embryonic Markfield Good Neighbour Scheme to engage volunteers in helping others in the Village. We put out some emails and social media requests for voluntary help and BANG! - what a response.

We were immediately bombarded with offers of help and support from people of all ages and backgrounds.

WOW! - so impressive and heartwarming. Within hours we had a flood of kind-hearted villagers willing to offer their voluntary support for a Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme. Within a few days we had set up a network of volunteers covering every household in every street in both Markfield and Fieldhead.

They were soon out and about delivering leaflets to all households offering help and support especially for those who are self isolating or vulnerable. They are now spreading kindness by doing shopping, collecting prescriptions, delivering food packs, having reassurance chats with anxious people and much, much more.

The response was so great and so amazing we have virtually set up a WW2 Ops Planning Room in our conservatory. It is now cluttered with street maps, volunteer’s contact lists, information sheets, emails etc. etc.

The telephone is going or “pinging” away from morning to night with queries and requests.

Our emailing group got so bogged down we had to set up Whatsapp Groups for the scheme so that we can keep our volunteers up to date with the current situation as well as enabling them to chat amongst themselves or request help or share ideas.

From all the comments of appreciation we are now receiving, as well as flowers and cards, it just shows how wonderful all our volunteers are and what a fantastic job they are doing for the village. One lady kindly donated a large quantity of no perishable food, sweets, toilet rolls and cleaning items so, we are now able to supply some emergency packs for the most needy.

We have now even got a small stock of fresh eggs and frozen sausages.

Watch out for scammers EQUALLY as evil are those who are now coming out of the woodwork to scam our elderly and vulnerable people.

Please do not allow any unknown persons into your home under any pretext - no matter how convincing. Also do not respond to any unsolicited telephone calls or emails. If you have a concern please let us know and we will check it out with the appropriate authorities.

BUT LET’S PUT ALL THIS BEHIND US and move on to all the positive and wonderful responses and support we have had in the village.

My girlfriend left me because I ‘take things too far’. So I called the police.

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk So, if you are desperate for some essential supplies please get in touch with us. Also The Groby and Ratby food bank project has also kindly offered to supply and deliver non perishable food items and you can use this service by either ringing 07368 213599. These supplies are available to anyone who is struggling with money or otherwise. Remember IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP you will not be a burden.

We are also now starting to get offers of cash donations. Any cash donations we receive will be forwarded on to the NHS to help support its need for personal protection equipment. By the way NHS and Care Workers are crying out for hand cream as their hands are suffering due o the constant use of sanitizing gel and disinfectant. If you have any unused hand cream let us know and we will arrange o pass it on.

No doubt things will change from day to day and things will get worse before they get better. We are now starting a volunteers reserve list so, if you can help us in any way please let us know. Simple things like taking phone calls from anxious people or lending street volunteers a hand please let us know by emailing markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk. Or telephone 07885 243000 Finally, it looks like every Thursday evening at 8pm there will be Clap for the NHS events. As well as supporting the Health Service, Care Staff and emergency and other key service providers how about clapping and cheering our local volunteers who are out there trying to spread some kindness. Bring out your pots and pans and make a right old racket of support.

Please follow the Government’s instructions on social distancing. Stay safe and we will get through these awful times together.

Ron and Dawn Grantham, all the staff at the community centre and all our wonderful volunteers and supporters.

The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life

by Arthur Firstenberg Electricity has shaped the modern world. But how has it affected our health and environment?

Over the last 220 years, society has evolved a universal belief that electricity is ‘safe’ for humanity and the planet.

Scientist and journalist Arthur Firstenberg disrupts this conviction by telling the story of electricity in a way it has never been told before - from an environmental point of view - by detailing the effects that this fundamental societal building block has had on our health and our planet.

In The Invisible Rainbow, Firstenberg traces the history of electricity from the early eighteenth century to the present, making a compelling case that many environmental problems, as well as the major diseases of industrialised civilisation - heart disease, diabetes, and cancer - are related to electrical pollution.

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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results

Milder winter helps small garden birds THE HOUSE SPARROW defended its crown to top the Leicestershire Big Garden Birdwatch 2020 rankings.

Almost half a million people across the UK, including nearly 7,000 in Leicestershire, spent an hour watching the birds that visit their garden or outdoor space as part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, counting nearly 8 million birds in total.

For many people, garden birds remain an important link to nature and the RSPB will be helping people to share their wildlife encounters and provide ideas for things you can do for wildlife close to home.

The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed smaller birds such as long-tailed tits, wrens and coal tits were seen in greater numbers than in 2019, thanks to the milder winter.

Now in its 41st year, the Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, almost half a million people across the country including 6,806 in Leicestershire took part counting nearly 8 million birds.

The event held over the last weekend in January revealed the house sparrow was in the number one spot in Leicestershire, whilst there was an increase in garden sightings of long-tailed tits, wrens, and coal tits, three of the smallest species to visit our gardens. The milder weather we experienced at the start of the year appears to have helped populations of these species as small birds are more susceptible to spells of cold weather.

Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979. By 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979, it came in at 20th in the rankings this year, seen in just 9% of gardens.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Small birds suffer during long, cold winters but the warmer January weather this year appears to have given species such as the wren and long-tailed tit a boost.

Over the survey’s lifetime, we’ve seen the increasing good fortunes of birds such as the coal tit and goldfinch and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling. But there appears to be good news for one of these birds. While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 53% (1979 – 2020), in the most recent decade (2010-2020) numbers appear to have increased by 10%. Giving us hope that at least a partial recovery may be happening.”

The house sparrow topped the Leicestershire Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird in the county. The blue tit came in second, with the woodpigeon completing the top three.

Throughout the first half of the spring term the nation’s school children took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in school grounds saw close to 70,000 school children and their teachers, including 856 in Leicestershire, spend an hour in nature counting the birds.

The blackbird was the most numerous species seen in UK school grounds, with an average of 5 per school; and was seen in 85% of the schools that took part. www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

If I had a billion pounds for every time I underestimated, I’d be a millionaire.

32

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

Pick up a bargain

Herald Small Ads • FRIDGE FREEZER (LEC) - 1200mm high by 500mm wide. Nearly new. Price: £50.00 • Indesit WASHER DRYER nearly new. Price: £200.00 • Black MICROWAVE. Price: £30.00 • Cast iron OUTSIDE TABLE & 4 CHAIRS - bronze colour.

Price: £20.00 • Electric Flymo HOVER MOWER. Price: £10.00 • Black glass oval COFFEE TABLE. Price: £20.00 Tel: 0116 287 6078 (Groby) • Genius 4-step SAFETY STEP LADDER. As new.

Price: £25.00 • Oil-filled RADIATOR. Price:£20.00 • Skirting board RADIATORS. Price: £10 the pair.

• Assorted JIGSAWS - all 1,000 pieces. Price: £1.50 each.

Tel: 01530 249886 (Markfield) • Table top FREEZER - 20” by 20”. FREE. • Memory foam MATTRESS TOPPER - 6” deep, for double bed. As new. Cost £170. Accept £60.00 • ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKE - suspension & disc brakes. Price: £50.00 • Toddlers ROCKING CATERPILLAR. Price: £5.00 Tel: 0116 231 2227 (Groby) • Man’s MOUNTAIN BIKE good condition. Price: £45.00 • LADIES BIKE - good condition. Price: £25.00 Tel: 07957 915183 (Groby)

• Man’s MOUNTAIN BIKE - 26 inch wheels, aluminium frame, 8 gears. Brand new condition - used only a few times. Price: £100.00 o.n.o.

• FREE - GAS BBQ - 4 burners and 1 side burner.

Good clean condition.

Tel: 01530 245323 (Field Head) • Portable ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE. JANOME model 1017. New never used - still in original packing. Price: £50.00 • Crook handle bamboo WALKING STICK with silver coloured cap and brass ferrule. Lovely condition.

Price: £30.00 • Collection of BIRD FEEDERS. Price: £10.00 • Brand new Mercedes 12 volt COOL BOX. 16.5 litres. Great for camping and pic- nics. Still in original package with full instructions and at less than half price. Price: £45.00 Tel. 01530 244388 (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 EIGHT 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 postal address (not for publication - just so we know whereabouts you are).

Have a go at BOWLS! COALVILLE Town Bowls Club (rear off Council Offices, Whitwick Road) welcomes anyone to drop in any Monday or Friday evening 6pm onwards - after the Coronavirus lockdown rules end - to try your hand at bowls and have a look around.

Just bring some flat shoes. Visit the website at www. coalvilletownbowlsclub.co.uk

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

HOW LIFE has changed at Cross Hills since I last wrote for The Herald.

We are all aware of the current crisis our world, our country and ourselves individually and as families are facing. What we are going through is unprecedented and I am sure the world will never be the same again as we all knew it before ‘Coronavirus’.

I am sure that each of us is finding new and inventive ways of coping with the situation and staying in touch with; family, friends, groups, clubs, church and so on. Those with the ability to use the internet either with mobile phones or Tablets, Laptops and PC’s have now had a host of various methods opened up to keep in contact with each other; using such things as – Email, Facebook, Facetime, Skype, Zoom and many, many more. Sadly, none of these methods can replace the human touch, we have all now become ‘virtually connected’.

Think about those who only have the home-phone (landline) and the radio and television as a means of keeping in touch, it must be very difficult for them especially those who live alone, so please as we go through this pandemic try to remember and help those who really need to hear a human voice, have a chat across the street – 2 meters apart! Make sure they all have the essentials to live.

At Cross Hills church services are now being held in the ‘cloud’ instead of inside our buildings, we have become a ‘Virtual Church’. Those with a method of connecting to the internet are now able to connect together; in real time for a time of uplift, relief, praying, sharing and caring, even holding ‘Quiz Nights’. Being ‘Church’, we have also thought about those without such things and we distribute a Weekly News Letter, Bible readings, Prayers, so no one is left out. Our Sunday morning services are now on Zoom allowing more participation with our church family. Individuals can read from the bible, share prayers, have a short word, but above all be encouraged by each other, as we see familiar smiling faces looking

back at each other. Quite amusing is our attempts to sing together as the time delay and interruptive internet connection can have us all laughing as we are one line ahead or two lines behind the piano or guitar. We have realised that taking this time to share is very important; it lifts the spirit and we can make sure that everyone’s coping with their particular own situation, and help can be arranged where needed. A real benefit is being able to see Graham who through his disability has not been able to join us at Cross Hills for quite some time, but now thanks to technology he can join us virtually from his home, what a lovely blessing that is for him and our small caring fellowship. If you would like to join us at one of our Zoom meetings please use the contact numbers or email below.

This is all much more like God’s pattern for our lives, loving one another, sharing, helping and thinking of others before ourselves.

We have lovely rainbows in the windows of houses, schools and other buildings reminding us of the hope we have for the future. The rainbow was God’s promise that the earth would never flood again.

Today it’s a symbol of hope, telling all of us, Church and None-Church, that as the floods subsided so too will the coronavirus. So please focus on the good and uplifting things we see happening around us until we can start to rebuild what will probably be a very different world after the virus has been conquered. Meanwhile we also keep in our prayers the many people who are facing tough and difficult times, for whatever reason, and try to offer support where we can.

Contact Numbers Pastor - Garry Kelly: 01455 457802 /07816 616189 / pastor. garry@outlook.com Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 01455 457802/07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272

Glynis Straw, for Cross Hills

I’m planning a remake of The Never-Ending Story. It starts with me asking my wife, ‘How was work?’

THE HERALD • MID-APRIL 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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M*A*S*H Characters Wordsearch

05/04/2020

Word Search Puzzle

FIND THE NAMES OF 12 CHARACTERS FROM THE ICONIC TV SERIES ‘MASH’ in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

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

These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: GRAPE NEHI, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 2nd May 2020. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

S N R U B K N A R F V W Y D I A G A H

Y H A C L U M R E H T A F O J V L Q A

R A D A R O R E I L L Y A N P O W K Q

H O T L I P S H O U L I H A N Y B N E

Z H K G G S J J L V W O L L Q O A S J

X K O D V D D U M L Y P E D H M B H Z

H B R O X X U I Z P W T C P D A E E L

E R Y T N I C M N H O J R E P P A R T

I V A E N J S U A I T K E N R V M M Y

R S E F P V H W T T T R I O E C F A X

Q Z G K E C X F U R F F P B G R U N Y

D C F X A B H C O Y K S E S N M O P W

C X I F Y L I O E H Z H Y C I J X O C

T I J M I N B N B F G J E O L Y H T P

G W Q N N Z D Y Z B H Y K T K S N T W

R L G U S I A P R Z A D W T X R P E O

H C H L S B D C M N T M A O A B I R Z

V J Y R N N C X V H E Q H D M B R U J

B Z I F C X R Q B P K H D L L Z U Q O

Here are the 12 MASH CHARACTERS you have to find: HAWKEYE PIERCE • HOTLIPS HOULIHAN • MAX KLINGER FATHER MULCAHY • TRAPPER JOHN MCINTYRE • HENRY BLAKE FRANK BURNS • RADAR O’REILLY • BJ HUNNICUTT SHERMAN POTTER • DONALD PENOBSCOTT • SIDNEY FREEDMAN

Name: ...................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Competition Winner

The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch Competition was: MR G COOPER of Bradgate Road, Markfield Congratulations! Your prize voucher will be sent to you soon.

BJHUNNICUTT DONALDPENOBSCOTT FATHERMULCAHY FRANKBURNS HAWKEYEPIERCE HENRYBLAKE HOTLIPSHOULIHAN WHENEVER MAXKLINGER I come across RADAROREILLY someone who is good SHERMANPOTTER with their hands, whether SIDNEYFREEDMAN that be D.I.Y., repairing or TRAPPERJOHNMCINTYRE

making things, I struggle to avoid being at least a little envious. I reckon that when the ability to work Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com with one’s hands was been given out, I was probably somewhere near the end of the line!

Not long ago I was about to make a car journey when I was stopped in my tracks by the fact that when I turned the ignition key a rather strange noise came from under the bonnet. It certainly wasn’t going to get me to my destination. A little later I was telling a friend about the situation, and he immediately came to the conclusion that the car battery was at fault. Lo and behold, once the battery had been recharged the car worked fine. Thank goodness for knowledgeable and helpful friends!

Sometimes in life we recognise that we need help of different kinds, including when we are facing life’s hard times. Perhaps at times even our friends may not be able to offer the help we need. On such occasions I remember the words of the Psalmist, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Steve Clark

Minister, Markfield Methodist Church www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org Connect with us on Facebook FB Markfield Methodist Church

Breaking News: ‘Rare Picasso sells for £106 million.’ Who the hell would pay that for a Citroen?

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DOMESTIC ABUSE FEATURE Information from the Women’s Aid website: www.womensaid.org.uk

COVID-19: Safety Advice for Domestic Abuse Survivors WE KNOW that COVID-19 will have serious impacts on the lives of women and children. Survivors are telling us that they are feeling unsafe with the prospect of being isolated in the house with their perpetrator. We want to reassure survivors and local specialist services that we are here for you and we will be doing everything we can to support you during this challenging time.

Try and keep a mobile phone with you at all times if possible. The police are a key service when in immediate danger. Do not be afraid to call 999 in an emergency.

Silent Solutions FAMILIARISE yourself with The Silent Solution system. This is a system for victims of domestic abuse who might be afraid of further danger and escalation of harm if they are overheard when calling 999 in an emergency.

When somebody calls 999, an operator will ask which emergency service is required. If you are is not able to ask for help, your call will be forwarded to a police system and you will hear an automated message.

If 55 is pressed by the caller, the system will detect this. The operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency.

National helplines, email, text and live chat support services, and local specialist services, are currently open for business as usual, although their delivery is likely to have to adapt over the coming weeks.

Recognising domestic abuse

ALTHOUGH every situation is unique, there are common factors that link the experience of an abusive relationship.

Acknowledging these factors is an important step in preventing and stopping the abuse. This list can help you to recognise if you, or someone you know, are in an abusive relationship.

They include : • Destructive criticism and verbal abuse: shouting; mocking; accusing; name calling; verbally threatening.

• Pressure tactics: sulking; threatening to withhold money, disconnecting the phone and internet, taking away or destroying your mobile, tablet or laptop, taking the car away, taking the children away; threatening to report you to the police, social services or the mental health team unless you comply with his demands; threatening or attempting self-harm and suicide; withholding or pressuring you to use drugs or other substances; lying to your friends and family about you; telling you that you have no choice in any decisions.

• Disrespect: persistently putting you down in front of other people; not listening or responding when you talk; interrupting your telephone calls; taking money from your purse without asking; refusing to help with childcare or housework.

• Breaking trust: lying to you; withholding information from you; being jealous; having other relationships; breaking promises and shared agreements.

• Isolation: monitoring or blocking your phone calls, e-mails and social media accounts, telling you where you can and cannot go; preventing you from seeing friends and relatives; shutting you in the house.

• Harassment: following you; checking up on you; not allowing you any privacy (for example, opening your mail, going through your laptop, tablet or mobile), repeatedly checking to see who has phoned you; embarrassing you in public; accompanying you everywhere you go.

• Threats: making angry gestures; using physical size to intimidate; shouting you down; destroying your possessions; breaking things; punching walls; wielding a knife or a gun; threatening to kill or harm you and the children; threatening to kill or harm family pets; threats of suicide.

• Sexual violence: using force, threats or intimidation to make you perform sexual acts; having sex with you when you don’t want it; forcing you to look at pornographic material; constant pressure and harassment into having sex when you don’t want to, forcing you to have sex with other people; any degrading treatment related to your sexuality or to whether you are lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual.

• Physical violence: punching; slapping; hitting; biting; pinching; kicking; pulling hair out; pushing; shoving; burning; strangling, pinning you down, holding you by the neck, restraining you.

• Denial: saying the abuse doesn’t happen; saying you caused the abuse; saying you wind him up; saying he can’t control his anger; being publicly gentle and patient; crying and begging for forgiveness; saying it will never happen again.

What to do if you need urgent police help through the 999 service, but can’t speak If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know your call is genuine.

WHEN YOU CALL 999 All 999 calls are directed to call centres and will be answered

by BT operators. They will ask which service you need. If no service is requested but anything suspicious is heard throughout the process, BT operators will connect you to a police call handler.

IF YOU CALL 999 FROM A MOBILE It is always best to speak to the operator if you can, even by whispering. You may also be asked to cough or tap the keys on your phone in response to questions.

If making a sound would put you or someone else in danger and the BT operator cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, your call will be transferred to the Silent Solution system.

The Silent Solution is a police system used to filter out large numbers of accidental or hoax 999 calls. It also exists to help people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance.

You will hear an automated police message, which lasts for 20

seconds and begins with ‘you are through to the police’. It will ask you to press 55 to be put through to police call management. The BT operator will remain on the line and listen. If you press 55, they will be notified and transfer the call to the police. If you don’t press 55, the call will be terminated.

Pressing 55 does not allow police to track your location.

WHAT THEN? When transferred to your local police force, the police call handler will attempt to communicate with you by asking simple yes or no questions. If you are not able to speak, listen carefully to the questions and instructions from the call handler so they can assess your call and arrange help if needed.

IF YOU CALL 999 FROM A LANDLINE Because it’s less likely that 999 calls are made by accident from landlines, the Silent Solution system is not used.

If, when an emergency call on a landline is received: - there is no request for an emergency - the caller does not answer questions - only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call handler as doubt exists.

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick it up again.

If you pick up again during this 45 seconds and the BT operator is concerned for your safety, the call will be connected to police.

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about where you’re calling from should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

#MakeYourselfHeard #SilentSolution www.policeconduct.gov.uk

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